Farewell to Tim & Lindsey
Dear fellow-workers in Christ,
Tomorrow is a somewhat strange holy day in the church’s calendar: Christ the King. It originated in the early 20th century, amidst the rise of fascism, when the Pope desired to affirm the supreme rule of Jesus over all earthly rulers. Perhaps in our days this has new relevance. But this affirmation always comes with a catch: Jesus does not rule over us the way earthly rulers do, wielding the threat of the sword over our heads, subjugating us to be groveling servants. Instead, as our Gospel this week demonstrates, Jesus rules by coming down to our level and living and suffering with us, even to the point of dying on a cross.
This is the kind of leadership into which God calls us in Christ. It is the kind of love and generosity that Tim Snyder and Lindsey Queener have demonstrated among us in the years that they have been active members of this church. The area in which I witnessed both of them most closely is in doing ministry with our kids (Tim as a staff member and Lindsey as a dedicated volunteer). What really struck me is how both of them embraced the kids on their level, how they neither talked down to them nor dumbed things down. In their time spent with our kids, we have seen children get older and come out of their shell, grow in confidence and assert themselves. I believe the ministry of Lindsey and Tim has a lot to do with that, as they strove in everything to take our kids seriously, to relate to them as persons with their own interests and opinions, to invite them to truly become the persons they are.
This is what love looks like, the sort of love that Jesus shows us. This is what true power looks like — not power over someone but empowering someone to be themselves. I give thanks to God for such ministry and for the amazing presence Tim and Lindsey have been among us. This Sunday will be their last time worshiping regularly with us at Faith, as they are moving on to new adventures in Iowa. If you can, say goodbye and wish them well on their journey!
In Faith,
Robin
