Message

I’m not sure how this will translate in print. If you’d rather hear this, here is the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEduYcXWYjc

This is the message I shared at my church this morning.

“Where’s the Party?!”

Good morning! I’m Jennifer Casper and I guess I should never say never! I said this is something I would never do, but here I am up here. I’m much more comfortable sitting on the floor in a circle with some kids or teens, so, we’ll see how this goes!

For those that don’t know, I went to Spain at the end of September and walked the French route of the Camino de Santiago. If you walk the whole way, it starts in St Jean Pied de Port, France but I started in villa Franca, Spain and walked to Santiago de Compostela, where it is said that St. James is buried. The pilgrimage takes 30 to 40 days and I did the last part of it, walking 120 miles over 10 days, 8 of them in the rain, and staying in hostels along the way. I went with a group of just over 20 people, all strangers except for two who I knew before going. It was an awesome experience and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to go! (Shameless commercial moment- on December 1st I’ll be talking about my experience after the service so if you’re not tired of hearing about it after this morning, come on December 1st to hear more!) So, back to today! 

When Pastor Ericka asked me to talk today, she told me the scripture would be the Prodigal Son. Then she asked me if I would connect the Prodigal Son to my walk on the Camino. I laughed and told her that probably every conversation I have for the next year will include talking about my walk on the Camino in some way! The more I thought about it, the more I realized how related my pilgrimage was to the story of the prodigal son. 

The prodigal son left not knowing exactly what would happen, but expecting great things. When he left with his inheritance, he expected to have a great time, I also left for the Camino not knowing what would happen but expecting great things. Luckily, there were several big differences in our journeys. While the prodigal son lived lavishly and squandered his wealth, part of the focus on my camino was living simply and not spending what wasn’t necessary. Unlike the prodigal son who didn’t experience great things until he got back home, I experienced great things along my journey. 

In Luke, we read that the prodigal son comes to a point where he decides to humble himself to his father. Luke 15:17 says “he came to his senses”. And then he said, “I will set out and go back to my father and say to him Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” It’s at this point that grace can be received… that unconditional love can be accepted! He had to be humbled, to figure out the blessings that he could experience! 

I had a few humbling experiences on the Camino. I’m used to being pretty active and fit. But, in February, I fractured my back and so my body isn’t quite up to speed, so to speak. On day 1, I was the last of our group to arrive at our destination, long after most. Most of the day I was frustrated with myself that I was struggling. Somewhere along the way, between day one and the middle of day two, I realized that my journey wasn’t about being the fastest or the best, it was about experiencing every moment that I could, enjoying the journey. 

Actually,I realized that my injury was a blessing! Our camino guide had told us before we started to walk, that the people who don’t enjoy the walk are typically runners who are more focused on getting to the destination as fast as possible. If not for my injury, that would have been me! I needed to be humbled to experience the blessings that the Camino had to offer! 

Before I left on my pilgrimage, I wondered what kind of religious experience I would have. Even while on my trip, I kept waiting for something, searching for something, a lightning bolt, a neon sign, some big spiritual experience. It would be a great thing that I could come back and tell everyone about. I saw so many beautiful things- green pastures, beautiful mountains, blue skies, (and lots of rain!)- that all assured me of God’s existence. What an incredible artist He is! I saw so many beautiful old churches and was in awe of these buildings that have been around for centuries to worship the same God that I am worshiping all these years later! How amazing is that?! The worship experiences in the beautiful cathedrals was so inspiring even though I didn’t understand everything that was being said in Spanish.

But, while I had lots of time to walk and think, there were no big earth shattering discoveries along the way. I came to some realizations, as I’m sure the prodigal son did when he was off on his adventure. For one thing, I felt more peace than I had in a long time. I realized that I need to be more intentional about having my time each day- going for daily walks and letting my mind reset. Sometimes that means listening to a scripture or devotional and sometimes that means talking to God. Other times I listen to an audiobook and just shut my brain off for a bit. And, while several realizations helped me when I came home, a part of me wished I’d had some sort of big awakening moment. 

After I got home I went hiking with my friend who went on the Camino with me, we both had the same thoughts about not having earth- shattering God moments, but realized that our time on the Camino was the closest thing to experiencing what it would be like if everyone was trying- really trying- to live like Jesus! Everyone I encountered on the Camino seemed to be living this out. Putting others' feelings ahead of their own while still enjoying the moment. We helped and supported each other, and felt the love of others supporting us. Loving one another was just a part of life, not something we had to work hard on. Everyone who lived along the Camino route was so loving and encouraging! We saw signs actually painted on people’s houses and in yards encouraging us to keep going or telling us which way to go. The people at the hostels and restaurants were so welcoming and were such a wonderful sight after walking 15 miles in the rain! Each day felt like spending time at the prodigal son’s welcome home party! 

Luke tells us that the father told his servants to bring the best robe, bring the fattened calf, and said “Let’s have a feast and celebrate!” What a welcome home party they had! When we think of ourselves as the prodigal son, and the father as our heavenly father, I love envisioning the celebration He has when we turn to Him! I also think about this example as the way we are supposed to treat others- to welcome and celebrate everyone who comes our way! 

Looking back, when I picture my walk, it isn’t the beautiful scenery or the great food, or even the rainy walks ……. The first thing that comes to mind is the people I met along the way. Everyone on the Camino has a bond, a sense of connection like I’ve never felt before- thousands of people on the same path, sharing the same experiences. I had some very deep conversations about joy, sadness, grief, and, of course, rain! Some of the people I met, I talked to and then never saw again. Others, I’m sure, will be lifelong friends! But, the common thread between us all was openness, a sense of welcome, kindness and love. Nobody was judged- it didn’t matter what nationality, what sexual orientation, or what anyone had done in their past. What mattered was that they were there walking right then. They showed up and were welcomed.

Luke 15:2 tells us Jesus told this parable in response to the Pharisees and teachers of the law complaining that he welcomes sinners and eats with them. He wants everyone to know that this is what we’re supposed to be doing. We’re supposed to be connecting with everyone, building relationships with people no matter how alike or different they are from us. Everyone we encounter, who shows up, should be welcomed.

The prodigal son didn’t find great things until he got home. But, what we found was the same! Relationships! Unconditional love, welcoming people- family and friends, and strangers. This is how God’s love is- how He wants us to treat others! What I’m missing now is experiencing a world where everyone is living like Jesus showed us, where everyone naturally followed His greatest commandment, to love one another. So, I need to do what I can to be able to love and show others by example- to help others experience a welcome party, no matter who they are! 

So, where is God leading you to host a party? Last week, Pastor Doreen talked about walls and gates. It got me to thinking. When people walk through the gates to somewhere new, what do they experience? Do they feel the unconditional love that I felt on the Camino, that the prodigal son felt when he arrived home? What can we do as a congregation to make sure everyone feels welcome when they come in? It’s part of our logo-welcome, celebrate! What can we do- what can you do to make that happen? 

The mission committee is focusing on “community ministry”, an asset based community development project. By focusing on the people, places, and local resources in a 1 mile radius, the area churches hope to come together to create cooperative ministry opportunities. This may be a chance for you to jump in and help serve and show love to some people in our community.

There are always opportunities to serve in the soup kitchen. If you want to be a greeter on Sunday morning, your job would literally be to welcome everyone who walks in!  

As most of you know, I work with the tweens and teens here. When we talked about what is important to them about church, connecting to the congregation almost always comes up! Intergenerational relationships are so important- for all generations! We learn from each other and grow from each other! There are always opportunities to volunteer for Sunday School, tweens, and youth activities! 

Leading tweens and youth is a lot different from giving a message up here. I’m better at that so today is a little different. Don’t worry! I’m not going to make you do a crazy game where you have to get up and move around and you might end up with whip cream on your head! But, I do have an activity for us to do! The good news is my message is short so you’ll have plenty of time to do it at the end of the service and still be done with church on time! 

Last Sunday, the youth started a mural. In the center are the words “you are loved”. Around it, they are writing words of love and encouragement, scripture about being loved and loving others. We’re inviting you to be a part of this mural by writing your words or messages of love that they will see when they walk into the youth room. When you leave the sanctuary, it will be set up on tables and you’ll have an opportunity to write or draw on it. Show them what unconditional love and encouragement looks like! Help our youth welcome new teens into their space as they work to make it a place where more teens want to come. 

So, as I close, I challenge us all to allow God to lead us to host this party here, in our congregation… and that means inside the building and when we walk out those doors. Live out our mission to welcome, worship, celebrate, and serve!

Kindness

 It’s been a week since I started posting a daily encouraging meme or quote. I’m finding it really helpful for me so I hope it’s helpful to others, too. I find myself going through Facebook looking for things I can share. When I find one, I save it so I can use it later. I used to find myself “doom scrolling” but now I am scrolling for positive things! That alone has helped my mindset. If I think of this in terms of you put out what you get in, then I will have to keep absorbing positivity in order to continue putting out positive messages.

Wednesday was “world kindness day”. I am guessing it’s a social media holiday, but who cares? I saw a bunch of posts about being kind, doing random acts of kindness, and speaking kind words to one another. Who can complain about that? I’ve decided to make Wednesdays “world kindness Wednesday” and I’ll be posting specifically kindness posts. I’m thinking about doing different things on different days, because that’s the kind of person I am. That’s how my brain works… organizing things. But, we will see what happens.

I know there is a lot going on in this world. I’m not trying to discredit or diminish the situation. But, I also don’t want to give up hope that there are things that we can do to make things better. I think showing kindness, reaching out to those who are marginalized, and finding ways to show support are all really important- especially right now.

For those of you who are expecting me to talk about the Camino, of course I’m going to mention it! :) I’m doing something I never thought I’d do… in fact I’m sure at some point I said I’d never do! I’m doing the message at my church this Sunday! I’ll be talking about the Prodigal Son and my Camino pilgrimage. I might put my message on here sometime next week, but I’m not sure how it will translate to a blog so I’ll have to see. 

I’m also giving a presentation on December 1st which is the first Sunday of advent. I’m thinking about doing and advent focus based on the Camino. Week one is hope, waiting with expectation and excitement. There’s a lot I can say about experiencing this while I was preparing for my trip! So, stay tuned! Or, if you’re in the area, come see me! 

So, keep spreading the light, showing kindness, and we’re going to get through this! ❤️

Blessings

Jennifer 

Light

 I don’t post about politics on social media. Mainly because I don’t think it changes many opinions and I don’t like to see the fighting in the comments. But, there are a few things I feel compelled to share here. 

The day of the election, I felt the stress of it all. No matter what side you are on, the tension of waiting and wondering was there. As much as I tried to avoid checking the numbers, I couldn’t. The stress got to me by the end of the night and I went to bed feeling sick.

The next morning, I started the day by looking at a Facebook group that I cling to for their positivity. I read something that made me realize that no matter what the situation, there are people here who are sad and hurting, scared and upset. So, I shook off my stress and started thinking about who in my world might need encouragement and support. 

I sent some texts and made some calls. Then, I went to work. Luckily, I work with some awesome people and that day, I was working with someone who also has a heart for others. Together, we set up strands of purple lights in the youth area of my church. I have an idea for a mural to add to it saying “you are loved”. It’s not much, but it helped. It was my way of spreading light. I knew that some of my youth would be struggling with the outcome and I wanted to do something to help make them feel a little bit more welcomed and valued. It also helped me process my own emotions. 

Tonight I decided to add to my November gratitude posts on Facebook. Once a day I will share a picture or saying or some type of positive support or encouragement. We’ll see how long it lasts. Today was day 1. I talked about leaving social media, but I’m choosing to stay and work on spreading positivity. I want people to know I support them and that they are loved and valued. I can’t do that if I’m not there. 

Tonight I posted a conversation between Piglet and Winnie the Pooh. By just being there, by listening or just being silent together, sometimes we can be more comfort than trying to find the right words. I also find that by listening, I learn so much more and then can understand so much more. 

So, whatever you believe, no matter what side you’re on, I have to believe you can acknowledge that people are hurting. I have to believe that love and kindness can still exist and I ask everyone reading this to join me in spreading love and light. Look for the people who are hurting and find ways to support and encourage them. Be the light.

So, where was God today? He helped me see what I could do.. that would help others and therefore help me too.

Blessings,

Jennifer 

0, zero, nothing

 Last but not least in my Camino number series, today is 0.

0, zero, nothing, nada… that’s what I would change about my adventure to Spain! I am grateful for the group I went with, the amount of time I was there, where we went each day, and how we spent our time. The weather, you might ask? Nope! It was all part of the adventure! Honestly, the rain didn’t even matter after awhile. We just put on our ponchos and off we went! I had everything I needed and nothing I didn’t need. I’m grateful for all of it!

Now, I hope to continue writing. Let’s see what happens! 

Blessings,

Jennifer