Pastoral Letter from Christina Berry

Dear Friends,

I did not write a contribution to this most recent issue of On the Wind, because I am presently at General Assembly in Milwaukee and will not return until July 3. I’m looking forward to getting home and to celebrating our nation’s 250^thanniversary in Kingman.

I know that there are many celebrations of many kinds in many places for Independence Day. And some churches enjoy hearing and singing certain patriotic songs and hymns on the Sunday nearest the 4^th of July. This is all well and good and understandable.

However, in this current national climate, and in view of the significance of this observance, some reminders are in order about our country, the flag, patriotism, and worship. Let me begin by saying how much I love a parade on the 4^th of July. I get tears in my eyes when the color guard leads out, with the American Legion behind them.

Our love of our country is true and genuine. But it should not and cannot supersede our love of Christ, and our worship should always be centered exclusively on God. So let me remind you that the sanctuary and the communion table are spaces that belong only to Jesus Christ. If a flag is displayed in the worship space, it should be, according to the Book of Order, in a place where it is never conflated with the worship of God. John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the WORLD…” and our places of worship are rightly focused only on our triune God.

In some churches there is a tradition of decorating the entry to the church for secular holidays; in some churches this extends into the sanctuary. In some churches, the communion table is reserved only for the elements; in others, the table may also be a place where there are flowers, or offering plates. Whatever your church’s tradition might be, please remember that the communion table is not ours, but Christ’s. The invitation to the table often says, “This is Christ’s table. It is not an American table, nor a Presbyterian table…”

So as you honor our country’s founding this weekend, please make sure that your worship space honors Christ alone, and his boundless love for all people in every time and place.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Grace and peace,

Christina Berry

Executive Presbyter