Dear Friends,
Awkward but true story: I was saying my husband Matthew’s last name wrong for years and years before I figured it out. He was introduced to me as Matthew Bremer—with the e pronounced as a long a. So that is what I called him and that is how I introduced him everyone else. Years later, at a family gathering, I heard his parents pronounce the name with the e becoming a short i—like simmer or dimmer. When I asked him about it, it turned out that not only was I pronouncing his last name but he preferred to be called Matt.
It speaks to Matthew’s general nonchalant attitude about life that he didn’t correct the fact that I was mispronouncing his name before we got married. As for his first name, it was too late. Matt is stuck being Matthew to me.
Names are, of course, only a signifier of something more abstract. Names point to the person—the collection of cells that make up the body but also the collection of memories, experiences, movements, and personality traits that make a person fully human. They are signifiers, but they also carry a part of our identity—a part of our understanding of who we are. Everyone knows the feeling of having some whom you’ve met fifteen times ask your name. It feels like a part of our deepest self was somehow not important enough to remember.
In our gospel reading this week, the Christ echoes Moses’ encounter with the Holy by stating: “I am the Bread of Life.” In the story, Jesus names himself as a part of God’s essence.
“This is who I am. This is who I understand myself to be.”
During worship, we are going to be reflecting on names and metaphors. How do we name the holy mystery that we try to talk about on Sunday morning? Or maybe… How do we mispronounce that Holy name? How do we get it wrong when we try to contain the Holy in just one metaphor, just one gender, just experience, or just one tradition?
My guess is that we all mispronounce and forget God’s name most of the time and yet the Holy One still responds. Again and again, the Holy One offers us the Divine countenance and patiently waits for us to open our eyes and experience their miraculous and wonderful presence all around.
Deep peace,
Rob
Join us for Online Worship this Sunday
Everyone is invited to join us this Sunday at 10:00 am for our online worship gathering as we reflect together on the metaphors we use for naming the Holy. This week’s service include music from CCW Music Director Winifred Brown and accompanist Reid Taylor. Our worship leaders are Carol Brigham and Rich Winship. Rich Winship will be hosting our online coffee hour after worship.
To join us via Zoom, please click on the button below or go to our website at www.ccwilmette.org and follow the link at the top of the homepage.
Living and Serving Together
Donations for A Just Harvest
In addition to our donations for The Crib, Missions and Outreach is also collecting donation for A Just Harvest. The organization is in immediate need of paper towels, bleach, canned vegetables, and chicken and beef broth. You are also welcome to drop off donations at the church office or contact Carol Brigham to coordinate a pick up.