May 27, 2007

Going into the Unknown

by Julianne Stokstad

This sermon was delivered during a Pentecost service at which five of our young people, following a year of study and discernment, were confirmed in the church.

My message is for the confirmands, the rest of you can listen in if you want to. You have chosen to be confirmed and are going into the unknown, not exactly sure what this choice will bring. Our confirmation class has met together since last September. What a big commitment in your busy lives! I have gotten to know each of you, and you have gotten to know me, seen me be silly, seen me when I've lost it. You were all surprised to learn you had a choice to be confirmed or not. I made clear you would be loved no matter what you chose. I had no idea what you would choose. One of you chose to not be confirmed. One thing I am sure about God is that one always has free choice where God is involved. God loves us more than we can understand and wants our love, yet always gives us the freedom of choice. If our love were forced or coerced, it wouldn't mean as much. And so it is with the church, our church.

Today's choice to be confirmed marks the end of our class, yet the beginning of your new journey. I know each of you wrestled seriously with this choice. It means different things to each of you. I know that commitment is not an easy choice. You are showing us the way and I think our church has much to learn from you. I hope you will tell us your thoughts, hopes and dreams and I hope we listen seriously.

Before we get to listen to you, you get to listen to me. The first thing I want to tell you is to take the Bible seriously. You have told me you don't know much about it. It seems so outdated and hard to understand, you say. It doesn't seem relevant, you say. But I want you to hear that these ancient testimonies contain great wisdom for us. In the New Testament we hear our Christian story-about Jesus and the struggles of the early churches. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, we hear about the struggles of the Jewish people as they came to know God. Most of us don't try to understand it literally but seek to understand the meaning under the words. Learn about it because found within it is God's word to us. It is a rich resource of faith.

Today's Bible story tells about the birthday of the Christian church ---Pentecost. Fifty days after Easter there were Jews from many places speaking many different languages together when the Spirit came among them and they understood each other. Those who heard and accepted Peter's message were baptized that day, the first converts to this new church, some three thousand of them. Today, think about all the different peoples and languages there are in the world and how hard it is for us to get along. Imagine if we could really understand each other. It is a hope for a peaceful future.

The second thing I want to tell you is don't be afraid to claim being a Christian. In the Bible story, people are laughed at, made fun of by those who don't understand. I know it is very hard for any young person especially in Marin County to claim being a Christian if you're not a fundamentalist. It is hard also for Muslims and Jews to claim their faith. Fundamentalists, those who take the Bible literally, have gotten huge press and become very prominent, but there are other ways to live our faith. We believe that Jesus taught us to be tolerant and respectful of those with different faith.

Don't pay attention if there those who tease you. You don't need to wear your church on your sleeve. Instead keep it in your heart. Make it a part of who you are, and how you choose to live. Jesus stood up for all people, especially the under-dogs. He included all, helped everyone and work to make life better for everyone.

Last Wednesday there was a big article in the San Francisco Chronicle. The story tells about Olivia Gardner, a girl just your age, fourteen, who has been bullied and teased since she was in sixth grade. She lives right here, in Marin County. It all started because she, who has epilepsy, had a seizure one day in 6th grade. Several classmates called her "retard" and dragged her backpack through the mud. With the Internet, a nasty smearing campaign followed her to two other schools. She became so depressed about that she is now home-schooled and rarely leaves her house.

Two sisters who attend Tamalpais High School read about Olivia in a newspaper article and started a campaign on the Internet to give her support. Since then she has since received over 1000 letters and e-mails of support . She no longer feels alone. The sisters didn't talk about religion, perhaps they didn't even think of it that way but they knew it was the right thing to do. They have made a huge difference in Olivia's life, perhaps saving it.

In order to have the courage to stand up for what is right, to go against the incredibly strong peer culture, you need to have a strong place of support to strengthen and encourage you. You have that in your family, but you need more. Now you have chosen to be a part of the church. Here you receive unconditional love. Here you receive support and wise counsel. Here you will be supported in your interests. Here you can practice kindness.

I am happy you have chosen to take a step into the church. You say that the worship service isn't very interesting to you. You are the ones to help change it, to make it exciting and relevant. We are waiting and we don't know what will come-it is really a stepping into the unknown, a beginning on a journey that will take you a lifetime. This I do know, God is good and always and forever. We are here for you. I challenge you to get involved, to get to know us. You will find great treasures, right here. You will find love and support you didn't even know about it. I thank God for each of you.

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