Welcoming

Yesterday's sermon was very intense. It all started a few months ago when I chose the selected verses for the first year of sermons I would preach in Berthoud. I wanted to preach the basics. The core values of how I have come to understand God. So, I picked the passage about Ruth for welcome. The section in which, Boaz gives Ruth a better than usual reception. A few weeks ago, in the same way, I had chosen to preach about the love of God. The love Paul talks about in Romans, a love which is so permanent and lasting that nothing can separate us from it. This prompted a visitor to meet with me. He wanted to know if he might be welcome in our community. Would that love of God be extended to him if he came to our church? I hoped so, but didn't know for sure; he wanted to be free to attend church not hiding the fact that he is gay. I shared this need with the church yesterday. Amidst a tense subject there surfaced many who responded with welcome. A deep heartfelt peace came over me as I received voice after voice inviting and welcoming all. We have all had many discussions since the sermon, some via email, others in person, and some yet to be. We will continue to be stretched by the challenge that God presents to us in the story of Ruth. Will we welcome the ones who need the unfailing love of God? Will we be the ones who reach beyond the cultural and religious lines to extend the grace of God? I am praying for God's guidance as we go forward into uncharted territory. As we continue to be the Christ like examples God has asked us to be, may the circle of welcome grow and thrive in our midst.