In music, literature, and film, we see one question over and over. It’s the question we hear when Aaron Burr sings, “What’s your name, man?” and the young man on stage roars back, “Alexander Hamilton! My name is Alexander Hamilton.” We hear it when Aaron Tippin twangs, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” We hear it in Pride and Prejudice when Lizzy confesses, “‘Till this moment, I never knew myself!” We hear it from a Disney princess when she finally, confidently answers her ancestors with the musical declaration: “Come what may, I know the way: I am Moana!”
There is one key question that consumes us all, individually and communally, publicly and privately: Who am I? Knowing the answer to this question brings peace, confidence, and joy. It makes the rest of the work of life possible and meaningful.
This is an important question for churches, too. Who are we? What are we for? What do we do? Why should others join us? When we know the answers to these questions, it makes our life together meaningful, effective, and joyful.
We have identified five values that are central to who we are as Marysville United Methodist Church. These values are our guideposts as we work toward our mission: To build a community of Christ’s love, we welcome the full diversity of God’s creation. We know the way. The way is love!
At the end of the best rom-com of the 1980s, Harry tells Sally, “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to begin as soon as possible.” When you know who you are, you want to live as that person immediately. I hope that as you explore these values and this mission, you’ll think, “Yes! That is who we are! Let’s go! Onward!”
Because we know who we are, we can go forward with confidence and hope. When we ask a question in Bible study, we know we’ll be supported and encouraged. When we volunteer to help feed people or clothe kids or visit the lonely, we know we represent something bigger than ourselves. When we make a new friend, we remember those who made us feel welcome.
In this season of stewardship, we remember that church doesn’t happen automatically. It requires all of us, doing what we can, working together. Together, we are a church of grace, inclusion, curiosity, community, and service. Together, we build a community of Christ’s love.
In this season, I hope you will reflect on how you want to contribute to this congregation. What has the church meant to you? What is God calling into the world through you? What do you feel called to give to make us who we are?
The greatest stories come when people discover who they are. Jesus learned who he was in his baptism, when he heard the Holy Spirit say, “This is my son, the beloved.” Then he called us to come and follow him, to love others as he loved us. We are the beloved of God. We can build a community of God’s love. It will be a great story. Onward!
