Pastor Kari’s Update

Dear UVC,

I like painting from dust, dust from crushed rock. I like mixing oil that comes from flaxseed with that crushed dust to create paintings. There are so many references in the Bible that we come from dust and to dust we shall return, that we hold this treasure in clay jars, that we are broken clay vessels; the list goes on and on. And the wonder of this dust that we are made out of, this crushed rock, that we can paint pictures together, manifesting the glory of God. Our manifestations of how we understand that glory of God are incomplete, yet full of wonder. 

Why am I mentioning all of this? I have had a very stark reminder in the last few days that I am made out of dust and to dust I shall return. I am sorry to report that just a few days ago I was given the diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer. The diagnosis was totally unexpected… I was sent to the ER just last Wednesday because of suspected appendicitis, but was found to have stage 4 ovarian cancer instead. I therefore am needing to leave my appointment at the UVC-Edgewater site. I am remembering that my frame is made of dust, yet at the same time I am grateful for some of the glory of God that I've been able to participate with you all at UVC. 

 Our church is going through times of transition, for sure, of clay being reworked in the Potter’s Hands. But any container that we participate in is one that is transitory, yet we still behold the wonder of God. I am grateful for how I've seen the glory of God reflected in so many ways in my encounters with people at UVC. So many have stories of those who have been crushed and perplexed yet remain steadfast in the hope that we have in Jesus and see the creative, reconstructing power of Love. 

That hope that we have in Jesus sustains, grows and builds the wonder of glory of love, like the true Vine rising from the dust. We do not cling to those structures that are made out of dust, yet we remember the possibility of incarnation because the God who is Creator became a being from dust, made manifest in love. My prayer for each of you in the days ahead is that that manifestation of love will make dust into glorious creations, into glorious wonder, that are held freely through the creating grace of God. May the faith creations that you participate in resound in the wonder of God and be collaborative in small groups, in building others up, and looking to community, individual growth, family, friendships, community, institutional and environmental growth in the participation of the creative, wondrous power of God. 

Please pray for my family, my husband Tim, my son Gabe, my daughter Chloe, my sister Jan, and my sister-in-law, Chris. Please pray for wisdom as we look for possible treatments and health. My prayers go with all of you. Peace be with you all, and thank you for the time, dear UVC Edgewater, that I was able to share with you. Thank you, UVC staff, and thank you to UVC as a whole. God bless you.

Pastor Kari