People of Advent,

The literal and figurative table can be a tricky place. Being included can feel great. Being excluded – not.

Church is a challenging place. Some houses want your rear in a pew, your money in the coffers, and your membership on the roster. When it comes to full participation, the exception clauses come out, and the redlining begins. You can’t participate in leadership because…. You can’t receive communion because…. You can’t. You can’t.

Decisions for you are being made by others to preserve their place at the table. There have been denominational splits over these things. It reinforces people’s negative feelings about church. And this negatively disturbs the collective soul. Now, creating an inclusive table can also be challenging because there are more differing views, and we humans rub up against each other, and friction ensues. But I believe the collective soul, while being disrupted by the spirit of inclusion, can be at peace.

There is a quote and variations on it: “Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of God.”

This Sunday, as we continue to prepare a place for the indwelling of the Holy, we will be reflecting upon Baruch 5:1-5 and Philippians 1:3-11. “Who is this Baruch?”, you might ask. Well, I’ll give you a quick 411 when I see you on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream. Invite a friend to the IUC table.

Peace,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

I pray this finds you well. At 10 am tomorrow morning, Island United is hosting Thanksgiving worship with Congregational Church of the Peninsula, Belmont, and St. James AME Zion, San Mateo. We plan to be finished by 10:45 am. You can get your spirit moving and be home in time for football games or rebroadcast of the Thanksgiving Parade, meal prep, or hitting the road for your celebration destination. I hope you’ll join us in person or on Zoom (our regular Sunday link) or Livestream. Gobble, gobble!

This Sunday we enter Advent. We also commemorate World AIDS Day. In these times where economic disparity runs rampant, locally and globally, and stigmatization continues to rule, we will be examining how we – our church – can become houses for the Holy born anew. How can we offer respite, sustenance, and care, opening our doors ever wider to those seeking shelter from the onslaught of life? Through the lens of the biblical prophets, we will prepare and make space for Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love to enter in – being that beacon of light that says “There is room at this inn.”

I look forward to sharing a reflection upon Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Psalm 25:4-5 with you on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream. Invite someone to share in the season.

Preparing the way,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Seekers on the Journey,

Most of us know the statement from the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident”, stating that certain truths are so obvious that they do not require proof. The idea of equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If a government isn’t securing the rights of its people, the people have the right to change it. Of course, this was written by white men for the benefit of white men with property. Married women were not allowed to own property or money, women were restricted from university education, and no woman was able to vote. Female responsibilities were in the home: raising children and tending to husbands. Black people were property and considered subhuman. Indigenous people were savages.

In this week’s Scripture John 18:33-37 for the Reign of Christ the King Sunday, Jesus stands before Pilate, who questions who he is. In verse 37 Jesus responds, ”I was born and came into the world for one purpose—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who seeks the truth hears my voice.”

We live in a world of competing truths and efforts to suppress truth. “The Greatest Story Ever Told” has been used to justify myriad bad behaviors promoting supersessionism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia, to name a few. In this time of book banning, denial of critical race theory, revisionist history, and an attempt to roll back the rights of targeted communities, it is most important to be reminded of what we are capable of and to remember not to ignore who is in charge. And to give thanks for who we are, what we have, and what we have to do.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday on Balclutha, Zoom or Livestream at 10 am. Share with a friend.

In love, light, and truth,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Beloveds,

It’s the week after the election, and we have made it through. Since then, and in the weeks to come, all those “who know” will continue to provide their expert opinions and point fingers. We will have a lot of doomsday projections. And, yes, Project 2025 is something to worry about and prepare our resistance.

As we are at the end of the current church year, the lectionary likes to treat us to especially apocalyptic texts about hatred, destruction, and famine, about wars and gnashing of teeth. The last time we heard this particular text – Mark 13:1-8 “The Destruction of the Temple Foretold” – was 2021. We had just been back in our temple a couple months, and, after Christmas, we would be staying home again through Lent. No doubt over the years that many of us have lived, there have been many significant events in our lives that feel like “the end” has been upon us.

And yet, we resist, insist, and persist. In the seeming destruction that, in this particular text, Jesus calls “the beginning of the birth pangs”, space is being made for something new. Believe me when I say I would rather not have the destruction and pain, but throughout recorded history it seems to be part of the story. I mean, look at the header picture: galaxies are born of collisions and firestorms.

I know it seems of little comfort, but the ancients gave us a text to help bring us comfort in these uncertain times. And in these times, it is even more important to gather and be in community, inviting others who need a safe space into our sanctuary of love – “Peace to All Who Enter Here.” Living it right here, right now. I look forward to seeing you on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Beloveds,

As I write this to you, I know the gamut of emotions is running wildly throughout our country. I have faith that “all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” On our Facebook page, I wrote:

“The sun rose today. It will set tonight and rise again tomorrow. The work we had yesterday is still the work of today and tomorrow.
Isaiah 58: 6-12 (Inclusive Bible):
6 Remove the chains of injustice!
Undo the ropes of the yoke!*
Let those who are oppressed go free,
and break every yoke you encounter!
7 Share your bread with those who are hungry,
and shelter homeless poor people!
Clothe those who are naked,
and don’t hide from the needs of your own flesh and blood!
8 Do this, and your light will shine like the dawn—
and your healing will break forth like lightning!
Your integrity will go before you,
and the glory of GOD will be your rearguard.
9 Cry, and GOD will answer;
call, and will say, ‘I am here’—
provided you remove from your midst
all oppression, finger pointing, and malicious talk!
10 If you give yourself to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your shadows will become like noon.
11 GOD will always guide you,
giving relief in desert places,
will give strength to your bones
and you will be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water
whose waters never run dry.
12 You will rebuild the ancient ruins,
and build upon age-old foundations.
You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
and Restorer of Ruined Neighborhoods.”

We completed a five-week journey toward building a purple zone prior to the election. It is our unity in our diversity, and our love for one another, that will give us the strength to continue the work that we are called to do. As Spirit is prone to move, the series creator delivered a post-election extension of “Do Unto Others: “Making Room for Peace”. We don’t know what really lies ahead. Let us be at peace and let us make peace. Remember, Scripture says, “Fear not!”

I look forward to being with you on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream this Sunday at 10 am. Invite someone whose heart might be troubled or afraid to be in a sanctuary and community of love. Now is the time.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Happy Halloween, Beloveds!

Here we are in these days where the veil is thin, where we are closest to those who have crossed over to the other side. We recognize those saints of the church and the saints of our lives. Lives organized around love.

In the Gospel of Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus responds to the law question of a Pharisee. He says, “‘You shall love the Sovereign your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Easier said than done. Especially in these days of discord and anxiety.

As we close out the “Do Unto Others” series, the subtheme is “Malice Toward None: Love”. It seems fitting as we recognize All Saints Day and move toward Election Day. I invite you to bring a friend at 10 am Sunday as we center ourselves on Balclutha, Zoom, and Livestream.

Love and go out and love some more,
Rev. Michael Cronin

P.S. I will be available to Zoom chat, FaceTime, or call on Tuesday should you feel the need for an ear and/or a prayer.

Gentlepeople,

Aretha Franklin sang, “Find out what it means to me.” Mavis and The Staples Singers sang, “If you don’t respect yourself, ain’t nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na, na, na, na.” We are told to respect our elders, various cultures have proverbs, and Scripture has a number of passages that talk about respect for each other.

If you ever mouthed off to an elder when you were a youngster, you only had to learn once not to do so again. And after that, seeing another friend do so would make you cringe ‘cos you knew what was forthcoming.

Yet, from creation to creature, human-to-human disrespect and degradation run amok. Puffed-up blowhard politicians who mock people and call names have led to the devolution of political discourse. Religious bias and white supremacy, together and apart, have set the stage to violence and marginalization across the world. The truth is we all need each other. The famous Rodney King quote, “I just want to say – you know – can we, can we all get along? Can we, can we get along?” comes to mind.

Even when we stand toe to toe and don’t see eye to eye, we can always extend respect. We will be examining respect for each other with the words of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26. As we prepare for Sunday, think about which body part you might represent in the Body of Christ. I look forward to seeing you on Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream at 10 am Sunday. Bring a friend.

Peace,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Listen here, mortal:
God has already made
abundantly clear what “good” is, and what GOD needs from you:
simply do justice,
love kindness,
and humbly walk with your God.  Micah 6:8 (Inclusive Bible)

Well, that’s a fine salutation, Michael. Right? Well, yeah.

Humility seems to be lacking these daze (yes, that is an intentional spelling). What are we going to do about it?

Let’s gather together this Sunday at 10 am on Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream to explore a section of Paul’s conveyance of Micah in his letter to the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 4:1-6) as part of the ever-ongoing conversation. Invite someone with questions.

Humbly,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Dear Hearts,

As part of the “Beguiled by Beauty” series we discussed compassion. Merriam-Webster defines compassion as “the sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” It has been part of the language since the 14th century and comes ultimately from Latin com- and pati, meaning “to bear, suffer.”

Suffer with me. 2 Timothy 2:3 (NRSVUE): “Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” I believe it is not for the sake of suffering but “journey with me and help me through it so that it might not be so unbearable.”

We all have moments of suffering. We often, in our differences, forget and – at the worst – minimize that fact. Earlier this year, our Chat ‘n Chew group read and discussed The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eger. She reminded us that we are not to quantify or qualify suffering. We are to offer compassion. In these politically polarized times, compassion can be hard to practice.

Last week, we talked about “kindness” and “stepping aside” to listen to each other’s experiences that shape our views. This week we continue the “Do Unto Others” series, exploring compassion through Isaiah 11:6-9, “The Wolf Shall Live with the Lamb”. What does it mean in the context of our current political climate?

Join us in person at 1130 Balclutha or on Zoom and Livestream, this Sunday at 10 am as we contemplate the question. Invite a curious friend.

Yours,
Rev. Michael Cronin

Dear Ones,

In 33 days, many of us shall have returned our ballots and/or gone to the polls. If you watched the Veep debate or heard post mortem, consensus seemed to be that there was an air of civility to the discourse. Something that has been lacking in the political sphere for some time. I can certainly see the incivility on social media.

On September 22, the UCC started the Forty Days of Prayer Before the Election 2024. On this 11th day, the words and prayer reflection are these:

“Don’t worry about being effective. Just concentrate on being faithful to the truth.” (Dorothy Day)
Holy God, we ground ourselves in faithfulness to your truth today, trusting in your effectiveness. Amen.

One of the late cabaret artist Nancy LaMott’s songs was “We Can Be Kind”. The refrain is: 

We can be kind
We can take care of each other
We can remember that deep down inside
We all need the same things

This Sunday we will begin the five-week series “Do Unto Others”, which was inspired by the 2020 election cycle. If you haven’t guessed yet, the subtheme for the week is “Kindness”. We will be reflecting upon Luke 6:31-36. In this pericope, Jesus says to the disciples, “Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.”

I look forward to seeing you at 10 am on 1130 Balclutha, Zoom, or Livestream. Invite a friend, enemy, or frenemy.

Love,
Rev. Michael Cronin