Teresa’s Note: March 8, 2024

Teresa's Note

Mar 8

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Dear friends and members of University UMC:

I’ve spent this week in Kerrville at Board of Ordained Ministry meetings and interviews with candidates for ministry. On the last morning together, I was able to make the small hike to an outdoor worship area. I hadn’t been to this place in years, but upon arriving was taken back to youth camps from my childhood years. Below is a picture of that outdoor worship area. I imagine a few of you reading this may have memories of camp here, too.

Below you will also find a couple of photos from Betsy Singleton and Jerra Adams who attended the Poor People’s Campaign march at the Capitol last weekend. They ran into Rev. John Elford and member Chris Ruud. The theme for the day was “We will not be silenced. Resurrection, not Insurrection!” Such a good word for us living in this time and looking towards Easter. Thank you all for your witness!

I’ll be away this next week for a short Spring Break trip with family, but will return for worship on March 17th with Pastor Earl preaching. I so enjoy sharing some thoughts here in these Friday articles, but I am taking a brief pause for the next few weeks in the hopes of catching up on some reading. I’ll be back with the “Friday Note” after Easter.

I am grateful for this community of incredible people called University UMC. Thank you for the many ways you embody and offer hope. I leave you with the good words I shared in worship Sunday from the writer Danielle Shroyer.

What a joy to be your pastor!

Teresa

I believe another world is possible and I’m also wise enough now to know I cannot possibly control its emergence beyond my own personal choices every day. Two things keep me going when so much in me feels like giving up. The first is my ardent belief in the goodness of the human spirit. God has given us everything we need to be the people God asks us to be. [Let’s say that again…] God has given us everything we need to be the people God asks us to be. No matter what road we may have gotten lost on God is present to us within our souls and is always ready to gently bring us back. The second is my deep conviction in God’s promise of salvation. In Hebrew the word for salvation yesha can be translated ‘wide open space.” You can also describe yesha as an act of completion of having all that is needed. And there is no fear in completeness. There’s only abiding - being with. For me salvation is that place between human effort and hope’s most unreachable markers that is bridged by God and God alone. I believe more than anything in the world, that God has designed us to be people who actively and intentionally walk toward hope and promise. And I also believe more than anything in the world that it will take God’s divine and gracious action to bring that work to completion. Faithfulness happens with us and within us. Salvation happens for us and to us. So we work for the now. We walk with perseverance towards the not yet. And we trust God to bring about wholeness. Whatever that happens to look like. And however many ways it emerges. What I know deep within my soul is this: even if things don’t work out as I imagine, I still believe the Jesus way is my right work in the world. I’m committed. Not because of outcomes. But because of love. I trust in God’s love. Which is where hope and promise lead us inevitably. And also, I love God. That counts for something. I’m learning to be fine not knowing the details or seeing the fruits. My hope is not in a situation but in someone. And that hope feels as solid as it’s ever been.

– Danielle Shroyer,
Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church

Thanks to all who donated to Open Door during Amplify Austin. As of Friday morning you have given just under $14,000 to this important, life-changing ministry!