Christ Church
United Methodist

Rev. Kimberly Willis, Pastor
June 2009

Dear Church, 

A few years ago I participated in a particularly meaningful clergy retreat
at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center in Three Rivers, CA. These gatherings are
always a good time for fellowship, prayer, learning, fun and silence.

Our retreat leader was Dr. Carmichael Peters and he offered several
insightful discussions on centering prayer—a practice to calm our interior
noise and place ourselves more fully in God’s presence.

But perhaps the most meaningful experience was a morning devotion designed
around writer Joyce Rupp’s poetry about cups. We were invited to envision
our favorite mug for coffee or tea. That was easy for me! I have a
wonderful earth tone ceramic mug I bought when I was in Collegeville, MN
writing my dissertation surrounded by a wonderful Benedictine community.

A mug can hold any type of drink. But I must admit mine almost always holds
coffee and cream! There is something relaxing and centering about the
ritual of a morning cup of coffee. But that same mug could just as easily
be filled with tea, hot chocolate or hot cider. It all depends on what we
want to put in it. It is an open vessel waiting to be filled.

What does it mean for us to envision ourselves as human “mugs”—as open
vessels waiting to be filled? What are we filling ourselves with? Is it
life-giving? Does it help us grow in our spiritual lives? As we move into
the days of summer how can we be open to God’s presence and call in our
lives?

We celebrate that Jesus invites us to new life—to abundant life. It is an
invitation for the mugs of our lives to overflow with joy, justice,
generosity, peace and grace. What’s in your mug?

Peace, 

Pastor Kimberly