April 24 - Pastoral Ponderings

Thanks to Rob McPhee, our 50^th Anniversary Book is now published and being distributed.  Looking back over the last 50 years, 1976 – 2026, evoked a myriad of wonderful stories and memories.  The scripture reading for this coming Sunday describes the early church as a community where everyone shared whatever they had, and none went without.  It reminded me of some of the old hippie communes back in the 60’s and 70’s where a large home or farm was shared by many people and all were regarded as part of the family.  Most of the old communes have disappeared, but not all.  In the midst of our current economic structure in the world where 1% of the population controls 90% if the wealth, and many families are struggling to just get by, especially in the midst of a war that is limiting our access to fuel, I wonder if it is time to think anew about how the church can be a community where all are welcomed and no one goes hungry. 

And while I am dwelling in the past, I find myself thinking more and more about the Vietnam War as the US and Israel engage in war with Iran.  It was trendy back in the late 60’s and 70’s to conclude a letter with the word Shalom.  Shalom is a Hebrew word that translates as Peace with Justice.  With the US President consistently being inconsistent, the Prime Minister of Israel feeling his country is threatened all Palestinians and actually any Muslims, and Iran seeking to hold on to a repressive theocracy fueled by oil, the world is screaming for Shalom, Peace with Justice.  So when you notice that I am beginning to sign many of my communications with the term Shalom, I encourage you not to think that Dale has completely lost it and thinks he is living back in the 70’s again.  I am signing this way to remind all of us to continue to work for and cry out for Peace with Justice, especially in our current time.

Shalom,

Rev. Dr. Dale Johnson