SETTING SAIL JUNE 2018 EPISTLE
After having what I would say, was not the best of luck with motorized boats, a friend told me of his small ‘Snark’ sail boat he had for sale. It was just what I was looking for - something I could handle on my own, no engine to worry about, and a SAIL! There’s something magical about seeing the wind catching a sail, transporting whatever sized boat or ship through the waters.
That first summer I was gradually becoming more acquainted with this ‘Snark’ - learning about the sail, the rudder and how best to negotiate the changing wind directions. I was always aware of taking a life jacket with me and an oar, JUST IN CASE!
Well, that JUST IN CASE moment happened a ways away from our shoreline, capsizing the boat and leaving me in the water, hanging
on to the boat as a large life jacket, attempting to paddle my way with my feet back to shore. It was a chore, to say the least. And it was
nearing sunset to boot and there were no other water craft or persons on the lake at that time. The shore line looked like a destination that
was nearly impossible to reach but not more than 30 minutes, my legs
caught hold of the lake bottom and was able to walk my way back home. I was exhausted and more than just a little bit humbled by what had happened. Yes, I was setting sail, but the wind became my enemy instead of my friend, or at least that is what I told my self. Now, upon further reflection, perhaps the wind was not the culprit, but rather my own ‘inexperience’ with its power.
We’re SETTING SAIL this summer as we enter into these summer days fully aware that the wind of God’s Spirit will be (and always has been) the driving force of our life as the Body of Christ. We’re in this ship called ‘the Church’ and yes we must leave the shore, for a boat is meant for the water, for transporting those who are its crew and for destinations yet unknown. But isn’t it just as true that it’s the journey itself that brings out the best in us, as we learn how to trust the One who is in the boat with us, even in the times of storms and rough waters.
On one of our stops along our way back from Maine, we stopped to visit friends in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Freda was the secretary of Bethlehem Lutheran, where I had done my internship. She had been the secretary for nearly 20 years and reminded us of the ship which hung from the ceiling of the sanctuary. I remembered it well. Here’s a portion of how they understand the meaning of the ship as taken from their web page;
"The Danish custom of hanging the replica of a sailing vessel in the church sanctuary is widespread in Denmark and in churches of Danish origin in America. This folk custom coincided with an ancient Christian metaphor of comparing the church itself to a ship. Even to this day, the main worship area in our churches is called the "nave", a word derived from the Latin word "navis", meaning ship. Navis is the origin of words such as navy and naval. Many New Testament passages make reference to Christ traveling with his disciples in a boat over stormy seas,
Bethlehem's ship was made by one of the early members of the congregation, Soren Madsen, as a replica of a ship which sailed for many years under the Danish flag. The model was three years in the making. The ship is generally placed in the rear or center of the nave, among the people, and pointed toward the altar, to represent the congregation's journey toward their heavenly home. As we enter God's family through baptism, we sail on through life's stormy seas together toward home.”
Isn’t that marvelous! It’s quite a sensation to worship in that sanctuary with the boat as a constant reminder of SETTING SAIL with Jesus and looking around at the crew, the members of the ship called ‘The Church’! So no less here, at Maine Presbyterian Church, we are SETTING SAIL this summer with our journey ahead of us and the wind of the Spirit as God’s breath to lead us along the way.
Let’s let our journey be one of joy and wonder!
Pr. Tom
After having what I would say, was not the best of luck with motorized boats, a friend told me of his small ‘Snark’ sail boat he had for sale. It was just what I was looking for - something I could handle on my own, no engine to worry about, and a SAIL! There’s something magical about seeing the wind catching a sail, transporting whatever sized boat or ship through the waters.
That first summer I was gradually becoming more acquainted with this ‘Snark’ - learning about the sail, the rudder and how best to negotiate the changing wind directions. I was always aware of taking a life jacket with me and an oar, JUST IN CASE!
Well, that JUST IN CASE moment happened a ways away from our shoreline, capsizing the boat and leaving me in the water, hanging
on to the boat as a large life jacket, attempting to paddle my way with my feet back to shore. It was a chore, to say the least. And it was
nearing sunset to boot and there were no other water craft or persons on the lake at that time. The shore line looked like a destination that
was nearly impossible to reach but not more than 30 minutes, my legs
caught hold of the lake bottom and was able to walk my way back home. I was exhausted and more than just a little bit humbled by what had happened. Yes, I was setting sail, but the wind became my enemy instead of my friend, or at least that is what I told my self. Now, upon further reflection, perhaps the wind was not the culprit, but rather my own ‘inexperience’ with its power.
We’re SETTING SAIL this summer as we enter into these summer days fully aware that the wind of God’s Spirit will be (and always has been) the driving force of our life as the Body of Christ. We’re in this ship called ‘the Church’ and yes we must leave the shore, for a boat is meant for the water, for transporting those who are its crew and for destinations yet unknown. But isn’t it just as true that it’s the journey itself that brings out the best in us, as we learn how to trust the One who is in the boat with us, even in the times of storms and rough waters.
On one of our stops along our way back from Maine, we stopped to visit friends in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Freda was the secretary of Bethlehem Lutheran, where I had done my internship. She had been the secretary for nearly 20 years and reminded us of the ship which hung from the ceiling of the sanctuary. I remembered it well. Here’s a portion of how they understand the meaning of the ship as taken from their web page;
"The Danish custom of hanging the replica of a sailing vessel in the church sanctuary is widespread in Denmark and in churches of Danish origin in America. This folk custom coincided with an ancient Christian metaphor of comparing the church itself to a ship. Even to this day, the main worship area in our churches is called the "nave", a word derived from the Latin word "navis", meaning ship. Navis is the origin of words such as navy and naval. Many New Testament passages make reference to Christ traveling with his disciples in a boat over stormy seas,
Bethlehem's ship was made by one of the early members of the congregation, Soren Madsen, as a replica of a ship which sailed for many years under the Danish flag. The model was three years in the making. The ship is generally placed in the rear or center of the nave, among the people, and pointed toward the altar, to represent the congregation's journey toward their heavenly home. As we enter God's family through baptism, we sail on through life's stormy seas together toward home.”
Isn’t that marvelous! It’s quite a sensation to worship in that sanctuary with the boat as a constant reminder of SETTING SAIL with Jesus and looking around at the crew, the members of the ship called ‘The Church’! So no less here, at Maine Presbyterian Church, we are SETTING SAIL this summer with our journey ahead of us and the wind of the Spirit as God’s breath to lead us along the way.
Let’s let our journey be one of joy and wonder!
Pr. Tom
