San Bernardino's UCC Church

So, talking with people who are different than you, who practice and believe and act out their Christian faith in ways you are unfamiliar with or perhaps even in disagreement with, is a little bit interesting sometimes. And then you realize how many partners aren't at the table, and you try to consider talking with people who are even more different than you, or who perhaps even think you are completely wrong and not a real Christian. It's really a ridiculous thing to try to do, and yet it's in the DNA of the United Church of Christ to still try. "That they shall all be one" was Jesus' prayer, and it's the motto of the UCC. Today's scripture at the World Council of Churches was Isaiah's telling of God's promise to create a new heavens and a new earth. In Bible study we discussed how unrealistic that promise is - lions are supposed to eat meat, not straw. And yet through God all things are possible, even ecumenical dialogue. It's a fascinating gift of the Spirit to be a part of this work, as rough around the edges as it sometimes is.