One of the amazing opportunities I’ve appreciated in our congregation is getting to meet and hear some of the great voices of progressive Christianity, right here at Plymouth. Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, John Bell, John Philip Newell, and others have been Visiting Scholars here.
 
You are about to have the opportunity to hear someone whom author Anne Lamott describes this way: “Diana Butler Bass is one of only a few modern Christian writers who can absolutely blow me away with both spiritual insight and beautiful writing. She is a brilliant scholar and a wonderful storytelling, charming and devout, erudite and deeply human.” (I would also add that she has a great sense of humor.)
 
Diana and I met at Ring Lake Ranch many years ago when we were both attending a session with Marcus Borg and Dom Crossan, and we’ve kept up over the years. She often works with Brian McLaren, and the two of them will be back at Ring Lake Ranch next summer. She also preached a sermon at the Wild Goose Festival that went viral last year.
 
Here is the cool thing: you don’t have to drive seven hours and pay lots of money to hear Diana, because she is going to be with us at Plymouth in less than two weeks!
 
Some of our members are reading Diana’s wonderful book, Grateful, on Sunday mornings with Bruce Ronda. It delves into the roots and benefits of gratitude, which can be a life-changing practice. I encourage you to read it, even if you’re not in the book group. In fact, you can find it as an eBook or and audiobook through the Poudre Library District.
 
Diana will be with us, preaching at our 9:00 and 11:00 services on Sunday, October 1. (This is a great opportunity to invite your friends who might be looking for a progressive church — or who have given up on ever finding a church — to join us!)
 
Later that Sunday, Diana will be offering a workshop (again, invite friends!) on gratitude at 6:30 p.m. in our sanctuary. We are offering this with a freewill offering and suggested donation of $20, which will replenish our Visiting Scholar reserve fund.
 
I think that voices like Diana’s are essential for us to hear and to share. She is an astute commentator on the history of American religion, trends in the American church, and on contemporary theology.
 
We will have copies of Diana’s most recent books, Grateful, Freeing Jesus, and Grounded available for purchase on October 1, when Diana will also sign copies for you.
 
Please be sure to join us on October 1, and invite a friend!
 
Deep peace,

Why would anyone set off in a boat with no oars, or sails, or a motor? Just a boat and the currents of the sea or lake or river? Or head off on a journey by foot with no particular destination in mind? Sounds like folly, doesn’t it? Yet in the early centuries of Irish Christianity, it is reported that Christian monks set off from Ireland in small round boats, coracles, that had no oars or sails – and motors had yet to be invented. Why? To follow the call of God wherever God might lead their small boat. Wherever they landed this was where they were called to proclaim the love of God in Jesus the Christ. And after landing on a new shore they took off on feet to meet the folks God sent them to love.
 
As you most likely know, our Plymouth Reads book is titled, Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage. Here is what author Wesley Granberg-Michaelson writes about “why without oars and why pilgrimage” in the reflection guide for his book:

“Whether you are reading this in a sea of tumult, roiling political waters, fierce climate changes affecting lands by fire and water – or during a pandemic – your life has likely been disrupted from whatever ‘normal’ may have meant. … Can we learn to step away from the anxieties and crippling fatigue that seem to imprison us, and step forward in a journey to replenish our inner lives? That’s the promise of pilgrimage …. we’re exhausted emotionally, politically, and spiritually. Our inner resources seem sucked dry at a time when we are called on to have even greater strength … it’s time for us to take a step back from the frantic and frenetic tumult that has swept over our society, and re-center our souls. Without Oars: Casting Off into a Life of Pilgrimage is not a book about [outer] pilgrimages, per se, although that is included. Rather, it’s an invitation to begin the [inner] journey of renewal…to work with the text and travel down its roads, trusting that you will discover a wellspring nurturing your life forward.”
 
Why am I inviting you to read this book at this time? Because we are setting off on a new pilgrimage as a church community this spring/early summer. And I think it bears comparison to the pilgrimages of those early Irish monks. We are not exactly sure where this communal faith pilgrimage will take us! We are setting off on the implementation of our new strategic plan which will bring change, renewal, letting some older ways of doing things go, greeting new ways of being church together and most certainly, discovering some surprises that we can’t even plan for at this time! And we are setting off on this all-church pilgrimage as we hopefully enter the semi-post pandemic pilgrimage, as we find ways of coming back together in person (still masked and socially distanced) as more and more of us are vaccinated! We have ideas, plans, expertise and yet we have to trust the ways in which the Holy Spirit will move and guide our community of faith as we walk new paths and/or take off with the rising tides of our times.
 
Whew! Two pilgrimages at once, two vital, renewing and rigorous journeys that are intertwined. We need soul sustenance for these journeys because we will be accompanying each other in the necessary hills and valleys that will come logistically and spiritually. We have been through so much together these past 13 months. Let’s pause together to gather strength for the journey(s) ahead through the sustenance of this timely book and discussion of our life together in light of its wisdom!
 
Wesley Granberg-Michaelson will be with us in both our worship services on May 16 and in a Visiting Scholar webinar conference that afternoon. (See the meme below for more information.) He is a compelling, thought-provoking and hope-inspiring presenter. Check out Wes at wesgm.com to learn more about his life and ministry that has always joined faith with action for justice. You can also find more info at (Plymouth link). There are about 30 books left in the church office for your purchase at the posting of this reflection, $10 cash or check. (The book is also available on Kindle through Amazon.) I hope you will participate with me and all the Plymouth staff and lay leadership in reading this important book and take full advantage of the events on our Visiting Scholar day, Sunday, May 16th.
 
With you on the journey! See you on the road! Or in the boat!