Anne Smedinghoff, 25, died in a bomb attack Saturday while delivering donated books to a new school in Zabul Province.

(Rev. Miriam Slejko / April 8, 2013) As I unfolded this morning’s paper the disturbing headline “Targeted Killing Comes to Define War on Terror” pushed me further into the paper.  Turning the pages I paused at the picture of a beautifully  vibrant young woman. Trying to reconcile the picture of Anne Smedinghoff with the headline, “U.S. Diplomat Killed on Afghan Mission She Coveted”, I read her story.

Following graduation from Johns Hopkins University three years ago Anne joined the Foreign Service.  She moved to Kabul in July 2012. Living inside the embassy compound she was safe, but frustrated.

“Family and friends said Anne Smedinghoff had chafed at the restrictions that American diplomats can face in Afghanistan, where the excitement and passion for Foreign Service are often dampened by lives circumscribed by blast walls and checkpoints and fortified compounds.” (NY Times – 4-8-13)

For Ms. Smedinghoff, the Foreign Service was a calling, her parents, Tom and Mary Beth Smedinghoff, said in a statement.  “She particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with the Afghan people and was always looking for opportunities to reach out and help to make a difference in the lives of those living in a country ravaged by war,” they said. “We are consoled knowing that she was doing what she loved, and that she was serving her country by helping to make a positive difference in the world.”

Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement on Sunday held up Ms. Smedinghoff.  “A brave American was determined to brighten the light of learning through books written in the native tongue of the students that she had never met, but whom she felt compelled to help. … And she was met by cowardly terrorists determined to bring darkness and death to total strangers.”  Attempting to avoid the controversial and perplexing policies of our government promoted in bold headlines this morning’s paper, I found the story of one woman’s unvarnished passion for peace with justice.

Targeted killing is not a new concept.  Unmanned drones are a new tool for a practice as old as the cross. The killing of unnamed and distant human beings is no less abhorrent than the killing of one committed young woman who was called to help students, she never met, have a future.

As uncomfortable as I am with the politics of war I cannot avoid my responsibility to learn, assess and address the policies of my government.  “The church is called to exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs”  that are not.  (Social Principle of the United Methodist Church 2009-2012)

Emily Flemming

In the washing of their feet, Jesus taught his closest friends how to love and serve one another, and in the celebration of the Holy Communion meal, he taught them how to love and remember him. Last Thursday evening, I preached about the account from John 13:1-17, highlighting the theatrical elements of the story – from the Old Testament context of the Passover season, to the three main characters (Jesus, Simon Peter, and Judas), to the Shakespearean plot arc (introduction of conflict, escalation, climax, and conflict resolution). Perhaps this element of drama is another explanation for why I seem to be lingering on Maundy Thursday. With the upcoming month of first-person sermons, leading up to the drama of Jesus Christ Superstar, which will be presented April 26-28 at Trinity, it seems that theatre and drama are simply in the air this season!

I have always loved the theatre, and as a young person I participated in many productions (from Our Town to The Music Man to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, just to name a few favorites). Viewing the well-known Biblical stories through the lens of theatre, though, invites me to return to a world that I adore – a world of magic and mystery, costumes and drama. It draws well-known stories out from the Bible’s pages and makes them come alive, dancing before me and teaching me deeper insights about God’s messages within them.

In this post-Easter season, may you also find new ways to view old stories, including the story of your own life. Jesus Christ came to conquer death and to set an example for us of how we may conquer trials and suffering in our own lives. He came so that we may have hope and be empowered to remember, love and serve in the world around us. May the drama of Maundy Thursday, Holy Week and especially the resurrection of Easter Sunday, be with us all in the weeks to come!

Dr. Michael Dent

The Chancel Choir and Boulder Brass brought us into God’s presence with their stirring music.  Gobs of youngsters came forward for the children’s message in each service.  A Sunday special edition of the Denver Post proclaimed in large print, “Death Dies Today!”  A dozen folks indicated their desire to become members of the church.  The bishop and her husband were among our many guests.

Music, lilies, hundreds of children and guests, a baptism and a bishop…guess what was the most memorable part of Sunday’s Easter services?  It happened immediately after choir completed its introit to begin the second service.  A young child exclaimed with spontaneous joy, “YEAAAAAA!”   The happy outburst brought affirming smiles and joy to all those near the child and throughout the room.

Thanks be to God for the wisdom of a child to lead a joyful celebration with just a one word!  Christians around the world were saying in song, scripture, and sermon on Easter Sunday, “YEAAAAA, GOD!”   When have you been moved by the delight of a child in worship?   What is your favorite word to celebrate God’s goodness and grace?  What can we  learn from children to deepen our spiritual lives?

Dr. Michael Dent

Tom’s life reminds us of that of the One whom he followed closely – called to public service, marked by integrity, passionate for persons of all ages and those incarcerated, fearless and courageous, a compassionate leader, a genuine reformer, killed way before his time by those who misunderstood.

Tom’s work goes on, as does that of his Lord. Jesus dies this Friday. The good news for Tom and for us is that Sunday’s coming. In the face of evil, suffering, and pain, there is hope, assurance, and victory.

(Sarah B. / March 21, 2013)

Sarah B. is a member of Trinity’s Youth Ministry.

(Sara Rundell / March 20, 2013)

I don’t know about you, but I find myself wanting, so often. And so often what I want is what others have. Why is it so hard to simply be happy for others’ successes?

Director Pam Clifton observed this phenomenon during her January 13, 2013, Intervals of Joy class on Jesus Christ Superstar. At shows, she is sometimes amazed by the talent and creativity of her Denver peers. But even as she applauds, an internal voice hisses, “I hate you!”

The Old Testament is replete with examples of envy, the dark side of human nature that rarely makes an appearance in choral repertoire but often coils like a rattlesnake in back of our minds: Joseph sold into slavery. Jacob tricking his father to steal his brother’s blessing. Cain and Abel. Saul and David.

Things haven’t changed all that much in the last few thousand years. Sometimes it seems that we live in a winner-take-all society. If we want a secure place in this world, we must dedicate our lives to joining the top 1 percent.  Thus, a friend frets over how to get her daughter into a top-notch Denver preschool. Will she — the parent — pass the interview? Will her daughter’s vocabulary and social skills shine? “Don’t let them know she’s not toilet trained for night,” suggests another friend.

And it doesn’t end there. The right sports teams or dance classes, the right high school, college, graduate school, job, marriage, career advancements, awards… And every time I don’t quite make it but someone else does, it hurts. I feel a threat, a suggestion that I didn’t work hard enough or smart enough, a fear that I will be left behind.

What does it take to let go of envy so that I can truly delight in the successes of others?

It takes faith. Faith in myself and in my destiny and in my God. Faith that “goodness and mercy shall follow me all of my days,” that they will never be out of stock. Faith that I will be loved the way I want to be loved. Faith that there is enough in this world to satisfy your needs, and there is still enough in this world to satisfy mine, too.

Let’s be realistic here. I will never receive an Olympic gold medal or an Oscar, a Nobel Prize or a Hall of Fame induction. I may never even be able to sight-read an unfamiliar piece of music with the strength and warmth of Kay Christie or to sing soprano solos with the seemingly effortless grace of Michele Drumbor.

But there is still much goodness and mercy in this world for me. There is still the flush of success from a triumphant anthem and the sting of tears from the beauty of the Cantique of Jean Racine. I work with fantastic colleagues and mentors; my fiancé and I are building a strong relationship.

If God is kind enough to grant us long life, you and I both will know pain but also many great joys, perhaps marriage, friendship, grandchildren, successful careers, or others. And let’s not discount the everyday small joys — a sunny February day, German chocolate cupcakes lovingly prepare by a fellow choir member, a visit from a college buddy.

Goodness and mercy shall indeed follow me all of my days. And they shall follow you, too. In this world, there is enough goodness and mercy, enough love and beauty, for both you and me to live fully and well. May I have enough faith to truly rejoice in your joys.

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On Palm/Passion Sunday, March 24 at 9 and 11 a.m., Trinity Chancel Choir and Youth Choir will perform John Leavitt’s Requiem with soloists and orchestra at both worship services. Leavitt’s Requiem deviates from the traditional mass for the dead and instead provides solace to the living, proclaiming “How Can I Keep From Singing?” During this Palm Sunday celebration, the work will begin with the upbeat, joyful “Clap Your Hands” and then will lead us into the events of the remainder of Holy Week.

Dr. Michael Dent

According to the article, “The discovery explains what once seemed unexplainable and still a bit hard for the average person to comprehend.  But it means the key theory that scientists use to explain everything works – for now, at least.”  The discovery could lead to a Nobel Prize for one or more of the scientists involved in the research over the past 49 years.

Sunday morning I asked a young scientist in our congregation who does molecular research in the medical field about the finding.  He was quite excited about the Higgs boson discovery that helps explain how something was created out of nothing as far back as 13.7 billion years ago.  How interesting that scientists refer to this as the “God particle”!

Nick and I agreed that science seeks to answer the “how” and “when” of creation, while faith offers the “who” and “why.”   Science enables us to discover the God particle.   The Bible helps us discover God’s presence, power, and purpose for our lives.

What does the discovery of the God particle mean to you?  What divine discoveries have shaped your faith journey?   How does the Bible reveal eternal values and truth to you?  Is there a God particle in you?

Wayne Brown 

The nearly eighty Chinese Elm trees that Dad planted around our house nearly forty years ago are not high-bred trees. Constantly dropping their twigs and shedding their bark on one anotherʼs roots, they persist in their slow-motion game of tag, the larger trees playfully reaching for the arched backs and extended limbs of their more slender, scruffy neighbors.

Ordered yet carefree, broken yet majestic, fragile yet deeply rooted, I see my father in these trees. His burial, just hours ago, compels me to caress these trees; to bind their wounds and trim their branches; to ensure their immortality and, thereby, my joy. But Iʼm not at all convinced, even if I were omnipotent enough to supply it, that they would want this kind of longevity. Itʼs against treeness. Eventually, each one of these trees will need to nourish this earth and the growing things in it with its sacrificial, life-giving death. Which is why I see my father in these trees.

Still, I couldnʼt bring myself to release Dadʼs icy hands in those last hours. Ipressed them firmly between my own, perhaps hoping that the force of life itself would pass from me to him–that he would rise and walk or (it seemed so courageous and selfless at the time I thought it) that I would become frozen with him. But I am still an earth-bound pilgrim. The great responsibilities entrusted to spiritual creatures are different that those given to us who still rely on our temporary, flesh-encased transports to shuttle us about in this material world. Dad now has work to do that only his death can accomplish: the work of impressing on those of us who remain the reality of our own mortality and the importance of living with integrity and gratitude–here, now, in this place; the work of further softening the hearts of those who knew him, and of permitting his inadvertent failures of others to be redeemed in the mysterious ways that only oneʼs physical absence–oneʼs silent, spiritual companionship–can permit.

God willing, I will one day–just like my father–bathe the lives of those who press my own frozen hands between theirs in prayers of blessing. Then, too, will I dispense with this shell, releasing my soul to its greatest spiritual work. I do not fear this reality. I only fear that I will not have learned the lessons that my father and his resilient trees have taught me.

And so here, now, in this place–while the freshly tilled soils of Dadʼs life, death,and eternal life are still fertile within me, and praying that those I love will one day deem me a worthy, silent companion as well–I am resolved to plant some trees of my own.

May we each resolve to plant in this world, and in one anotherʼs hearts, those things that are truly eternal. May we each experience the profound impact of Christʼs death and resurrection in our own lives.

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:6,7

Rev. Linda Marshall

At the age of 102, Lela moved from her retirement home in Denver to a retirement home in North Carolina! So that her daughter and son-in-law could live closer to their grandchildren.  Though she was not eager to make another move across country, she agreed.

At her 100^th birthday party, I was blessed with some treasured God moments and words of wisdom:

Focus on happiness and give the rest to God.

No one can keep you on top of the world except you and God.

When asked what she was looking forward to, she paused, grinned and said “I’m looking forward to EVERYTHING!”

Lela died this month at the age of 108. Her wisdom  will remain in my soul, encouraging me to look forward to “EVERYTHING”, knowing that God is with me, guiding, comforting, supporting and encouraging me every moment of my life…no matter how long that might be.

Dr. Michael Dent

The evangelical Christian bravely promoted AIDS research, abortion rights, sex education, better training for doctors, prevention of childhood accidents, and a crusade to end smoking.  He said, “I will use the written word, the spoken word and whatever I can in the electronic media to deliver health messages to this country as long as people will listen.”  Our nation will continue to be influenced in many positive ways by the courage, compassion, and concern of this good physician who followed the Great Physician.

What makes a physician a public servant?  What kind of influence did Dr. Koop have on your life?  How many surgeon generals can you name?  Who advocates for public health from a moral position today?