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Sunday, January 21, 2001
"DREAM ON SWEET CCC"
Rev. Linda Carder

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
Luke 4: 14-21

This week Jim received information about our General Synod that is scheduled to meet this summer. General Synod is a business meeting of our denomination where the delegates struggle with issues and set priorities for the next two years. Pastors and lay delegates as well as youth and young adults participate. There are small group meetings on the issues, plenary sessions with presentations, discussions and celebrations. And there are often rather spectacular worship experiences. I looked through this year’s materials to see if the preachers were listed. For me, a good indication of my level of interest is a good preacher and of course what choirs will be there. That list was not in the materials.

What I was hoping to find was that Robin Meyers would be preaching. He is the senior pastor of the Mayflower UCC church in Oklahoma City. He was one of the preachers a few years back and I still remember his sermon. It was entitled "Dream on Sweet UCC" and it focused on the direction of the faith and the social witness of our denomination. From the support of the slaves on the ship Amistad, the ordination of women in the 1850’s, and the creation of the missionary movement to current times in which we have been involved in the civil rights movement and led other denominations in the struggle for the rights of Gays, Lesbians, Transgender and Bisexual persons, we have been a church striving for faithfulness, justice and peace. He spoke of the current dreams and directions of the UCC and encouraged us onward. It was a powerful sermon.

As I began to prepare this sermon, I began to think: "CCC is in many ways the UCC locally and in miniature." I stole his title, adapted it to us and now I am off and running.

So I say to us, Dream on Sweet CCC. Dream on of a strong educational ministry, which does not shy away from struggling with the scriptures and hearing new interpretations. CCC has always been a place in which one does not have to check their intellect at the door. And education is valued. Much like the Hebrew peoples returning to the Holy Land from exile, you come to your pastors and others and say lead us. Read the scriptures and interpret them for us. Help us with our theology. We want to hear and know. In recent years we have brought in renowned theologians such as Bishop Spong. We value education for all persons, including children and youth and have provided pastors and educators for them from early on in our ministry. Today we are out of our building because CCC has a dream that the building that has served so well over the years might become a safer and better home for education in the future. If our faith is to be relevant to our lives, we cannot back off of this pattern. We need to continue to dream of new and better ways to nurture people in the faith and so I say "Dream on Sweet CCC!"

Sweet CCC, dream of an inclusive church. Recently, Bob Marston taught the Covenant Class. He told of a time when this church welcomed an African American Congregation into its midst. I am not sure that the teenagers of today understand how controversial and radical that was at the time. And I am certainly not the one to tell the story. There are many gathered here who tell that story well. But it is one of the examples of how this church has endeavored to be inclusive, no matter the challenges of the world around.

And while I have not been connected with CCC all that long, I have known CCC and Shirley Coll for a very long time. I remember being in support group with her when she was starting the women's support groups and dealing with women’s issues, including inclusive language. Language is always one of those very difficult issues in a congregation. The Roman Catholic Church and the Episcopal Church are still recovering from language changes in the Mass and the Book of Common Prayer. It is just not the same. Yet, while the discussion is not over, either at CCC or in the greater church, we have begun to realize that language is formative. Language that leaves out whole groups of people, language that is negative toward some groups or even language that sees some as having the new or true ways and therefore the old ways are less than or not correct, is not inclusive and engender hatred and harm to those groups. It is important to us to be sensitive to those issues while at the same time recognizing that change in faith language is painful for some.

We have voted to be an Open and Affirming Congregation, welcoming Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexual persons. With the forming of a task force, we have just begun to think through what actions and approaches that vote might require of us. We have some awareness of what life is like, and how to be supportive of Gays and Lesbians, although we are still on a learning curve. We have more to learn about the lives and support of Bisexual and Transgender persons, and the latter is not in our statement on sexuality. Perhaps we need to consider that.

When Jesus read the scroll from Isaiah and claimed to be the fulfillment of those words, the neighbors were amazed and spoke well of him. He then predicted that he would be in trouble with them about his ministry to the people of Capernaum where there were few Jews. People there were different. He then points to the ministries of Elijah and Elisha who also took their ministries to strangers. This infuriated his neighbors, and they attempted to stone Jesus to death.

Including people and welcoming people of all kinds is always threatening, but it is also faithful. And so I say, "Dream on Sweet CCC." Dream of a multicultural, multigenerational, multiracial, safe place, a loving and caring place for all God’s people. Dream of a church with glass walls, symbolizing the openness and welcoming nature of this congregation.

Sweet CCC, dream of living in a loving, caring community. For we do and we are. Good thing Paul had the Corinthians or he would never have written his beautiful words about the different gifts and the body of Christ! Living in Christian Community is one of the things we at CCC are proud of. And rightfully so. We know we do not agree on everything, and we continue to strive to hear one another and respect each others opinions. Last year our moderator introduced consensus as a way of making decisions. We began exploring that. There were some concerns, but folks were willing to explore further. Dream on Sweet CCC.

Sweet CCC, dream of the Jubilee. Dream of a world like that depicted by Jesus in his reading to his neighbors. Dream of a world where Amnesty International is unnecessary. Dream of a world where poverty does not claim such a large percentage of the world’s population. Dream of a church in which each of its members finds the one thing they are incensed about and take action to change the world on that issue.

Once I was leading a group of people charged to dream of the ideal church of the future. When the group was finished, on our newsprint was a circular church with doors all around. The vision, said my group, is that each Sunday the people come to the church from all directions. They come in the doors and receive nurture for the journey. Then they leave to their separate ministries, living out the faith they have just celebrated.

So Dream on Sweet CCC. Dream of each member claiming his or her ministry and fighting for justice and peace.

O sweet CCC, hang on to your dreams. Dream on of faith filled action, which changes the world and changes lives. Dream on of loving, caring community. Dream on of an inclusive ministry that is multiracial, multicultural, multigenerational, open and affirming and finds the language to welcome all. Dream on Sweet CCC, dream on of an educational ministry that astounds all those around by its power and faithfulness. Dream on sweet CCC, for such sweet dreams are the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of the realm of God. Dream on!

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