What does it mean to “Testify To Love?” At the encouragement of our Annual Conference of Northern California and Nevada we as congregations have been asked to contemplate this complex and meaningful question.
Through powerful narrative, empowering story, and brilliant testimony at Annual Conference we began to explore the deeper meaning of the summons. It was a privilege to be present.
Part of what it means to Testify To Love is to have the space to tell our full stories to those around us, and in turn to receive in love the full stories of others. It means that we open our hearts and minds to all beloved children of God and receive the gifts that are shared among us. To Testify To Love means that we hear stories before we impose bias, we move forward in love rather than judgment, and appreciate the complexity and celebration of what it means to be human.
The Book of Esther is a book about the human experience. It is a Book about decisions that have a cost.
These stories are our stories. They are stories of success and heartbreak, of triumph and failure, of power and greed. The story of Esther speaks to us because it is full of space for change and growth.
As we move through our Esther Sermon Series, we will hear stories of testimony; of humanity. We will hear stories of truth and half-truth, of standing tall in moments of injustice and missing the mark of compassion when it matters most. I hope you’ll join us for the entire series, and here’s an overview of this week.
We will begin this series by exploring the testimony of Vashti, who was disposed at the hands of the King after refusing to dance naked before him and his intoxicated friends. We will uplift the narrative of this brave woman who stood up for herself and her body.
Vashti had to recognize the power of her own testimony, to love herself in the way that Jesus calls us. She was able to Testify To Love by speaking her truth in the face of adversity and hardship; recognizing that it came with a great cost. As members of the beloved community of Jesus we are called to do the same.
Melissa Hurley is Pastor at Kelseyville United Methodist Church and Middletown Community United Methodist Church. Worship services start in Kelseyville at 9 a.m. or Middletown at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome.
