Now that I've seen it, I can talk about it.
The Passion of the Christ features lengthy scenes of graphic violence. In an attempt to spare Jesus from crucifixion, Pilate orders Jesus beat within an inch of his life, and turns him over to Roman soldiers who lead him to a courtyard that's obviously used for the routine administration of torture. An administrator with a grim toll collector's demeanor sits near a table where a variety of pain-inducing instruments are ready for use. After reviewing the orders that accompany Jesus, the administrator instructs two goons to thrash him with stiff whip-like canes. Inspired by alcohol, the two thugs compete to see who can inflict more hurt on Jesus' back. After the whipping is complete, the two competitors stagger with exhaustion. The higher-ups in the torture chamber decide the bloodied and bruised Jesus is not yet broken in spirit and order him scourged. Cranking the sport up a few notches on the depravity scale, the goons lick their sadistic chops as they brandish their new toys--flogging sticks with long straps of leather interwoven with shards of metal and bone. For dramatic effect, the audience gets a quick close up shot of leather straps crashing down on the administrator's table. A shard of sharp metal digs itself into the wood and holds fast, then tears out a ragged chunk when it's yanked back. The audience sees this scene repeated over and over again on Jesus' back, legs, arms, chest, and stomach. Jesus' entire body is torn open, split apart, and ripped up. Punctured and gashed all over, he's nearly unrecognizable. The cement floor on which he writhes is covered with blood. The men tearing him to shreds are enthralled by the horror.
Once that's over, Jesus, now a hideous mess, carries two thick lengths of tree joined together as a cross to the crucifixion site. Along the way, Jesus stumbles and falls repeatedly, and Romans whip him ceaselessly. Finally, we witness the tying down of limbs, the tearing of ligaments, the nailing of nails, and the puncturing of hands and feet. Jesus' blood drips from the crown of thorns, and a wave of lightening pain shoots through his body when the vertical beam of his cross slides into its hole and slams against the bottom.
I found these violent sequences sickening and repulsive. Torture and murder are sickening and repulsive. I asked myself, why are so many people choosing to watch these graphic scenes of torture and murder? Would as many people pay to watch graphic scenes of Guatemalan soldiers torturing young Guatemalan men and women--lacerating their flesh, gouging out their eyes, pouring Draino down their throats, cutting out their tongues, slicing off their limbs, dousing them with gasoline and taunting them with matches before setting them on fire? How about a realistic rendition of Serbian men torturing and gang-raping a few Muslim women? A life-like re-enactment of Hutus hacking Tutsis apart with machetes?
I don't think all the people paying to watch men torture and kill Jesus would pay to witness other graphically re-enacted torture scenes. Then why Jesus of Nazareth? Why does breaking Jesus' body and shedding Jesus' blood attract so much attention? Why do so many people want to watch Jesus suffer and die? Why do so many people feel a need to witness this?
For many, the answer to this question is immediate and needs no further reflection: because Jesus died for my sins. A great many Christians believe Jesus suffered and died for them. He suffered and died on their behalf, as a form of payment for their sin, or as an act that redeemed them for eternal life. A debt was owed to God for humanity's sin. Jesus paid the debt for everyone and for all time with his suffering and death. Many people watching the brutality they believe Jesus suffered on their behalf view it as a testament to his love for them and feel exceedingly grateful.
But what if you don't believe that? What if you don't believe Jesus' death was the ultimate act of sacrificial atonement? What if you don't believe Jesus suffered a punishment the rest of us deserve so we can be made right with God? What if you struggle to find some other meaning in Jesus' suffering and death?
I struggled with these questions during and after the movie. If you can't watch the movie and be thankful for Jesus' atoning sacrifice, then is watching men torture him any different than watching Saddam Hussein's henchmen torture a Kurd to death? What, if anything, makes Jesus' suffering and death unique if you don't accept the sacrificial atonement view?
These are questions I'll continue to struggle with as we follow Jesus to the cross in the weeks ahead. However, unlike Mel Gibson, who has a strong tendency to reduce Jesus' significance to his suffering and death, I find I can only reflect on Jesus' suffering and death within the larger context of Jesus' life, resurrection, and on-going life in the church. What is the significance of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and on-going life in the church for me? How do Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and on-going life in the church transform my life? How do Jesus life, death, resurrection, and on-going life in the church bring me closer to God and other people?
You may believe in the sacrificial atonement and you may not, but I hope that in the weeks ahead you too will struggle to find deeper meaning in Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and on-going life in the church.
Celebrate Easter and Creation!
The Congregational Church of Austin has lots of activities in April....
Easter Baskets
The elementary age Sunday school class will be preparing and filling Easter baskets for children at Shoal Creek Hospital, and you can participate by:
--Joining us in making baskets at church on Friday, April 2, at 7 pm.
--Contributing small gifts. There is a basket at the back of the sanctuary for donations, needed by Palm Sunday morning, April 4. Please contact Marilyn Vaché or Robin VandeStadt, 490-6660, for a list of suggested items.
Easter Service
The cross will bloom again this year. If you are a gardener or a wildflower-gatherer, please bring a beautiful blossom or two when you come to the 11 o'clock service Easter morning, April 11.
An Easter egg hunt for the children needs...Easter eggs! Please donate plastic eggs and candy or other small items to fill them. Look at the back of the sanctuary for another basket for those donations, also needed by Palm Sunday.
Slumber Falls Camp
Friday, April 16-Sunday, April 18, we will explore the theme, "In the Heart of Creation," while enjoying the beautiful San Marcos River retreat site. You can come just for Saturday activities or one or both nights. This is luxury camping - linens provided! The program will include adult education, crafts, games, a Saturday night campfire sing, and youth-led worship on Sunday morning. Sign up after church or call Sara Ross, 451-1114
Coordinating Council Appoints Open and Affirming Committee
At the January annual meeting, the congregation voted to initiate a study process that will culminate in a vote by the congregation on whether we should become an open and affirming church no later than January of 2005.
The Coordinating Council, at their March 3, 2004 meeting, appointed the following individuals:
David Foster
Tommie Pinkard
Paul Deisler
Ellie Nash
John Burlinson
The Open and Affirming Committee is responsible for programming study, reflection, and prayer that will lead the congregation to a better understanding of the issues for gay, lesbian, and transgendered Christians.
Please feel free to share your questions and thoughts with the committee.
Trustees: John Moore & Pam Tucker
Deacons: Liz Nash
Christian Education: Marilyn Vaché
Christian Outreach: John Goff
April 19: Martel, Yann. Life of Pi Hosted by Carol Barrett
Dr. Rambie Briggs has retired! His last day of work was Feb. 27, although it was not official until the 29th. He has been at the Scott and White Clinic and on the faculty of Texas A. and M. University for the past 6 years. He reports that retirement feels strange, but mostly good. He and Fran are having a lot of planning sessions and doing recreational research. His favorite title now is Grampa. Fran and Rambie also pass on the news that Rollin and Betsy Russell have broken ground on their new home in Hillsborough, NC, and that the framing and roof are done. Rollin and Betsy will be moving from Lancaster, PA, to Hillsborough in mid-June. Beth (Russell) and Jonathan Briggs and daughter Margit will be delighted to have them much closer to their home in Graham, NC.
Lisa Kirch is still waiting to hear about a job, but she and Sarah have found a brilliant solution to their morning crises. Getting out of the house with no fits thrown and being on time in arriving at school are now chores for which Sarah can earn money. It works, too.
Julia Deisler was featured prominently in a Life Style article in the Austin American-Statesman on election day. Her home is located within a block or so of the "Three Corners" where the newly drawn U.S. Congressional districts come together. She was quoted as saying, "I am not happy about redistricting at all. There is a bumper sticker I saw the other day that sums it up for me on all levels right now: 'If you're not appalled, you're not paying attention!'"
On March 27, Richard Jackson and Mary Sinclair walked in the Lung Association Walk for Asthma and are still accepting for sponsors. It was a three-mile walk along the shore of Town Lake, east of IH-35 to raise money & awareness of childhood asthma. They walked on "Courtney's Team". Courtney was their eleven-year-old next-door neighbor who died of a severe asthma attack last March 26. They have recently returned from Richland, WA, to check out the area. Richard did a presentation at the Hanford Nuclear Waste Site and Mary was house-hunting. It seems likely that they'll be there for three years before they head to retirement in British Columbia.
We look forward to hearing more from Marilyn Gaddis and George Carruthers who spent spring break in Mexico. Perhaps they ran into Mathis and Mary Blackstock who were headed to Copper Canyon.
Rizer Everett continues to stay busy. In February, he visited two museums on Dallas on a LAMP (Learning Activities for Mature People) bus trip with 41 other members. The trip was very worthwhile and he had a chance to visit with Betty Kahle on the bus on the way back to Austin. She and her family lived two doors from Hildegard and Rizer in Jakarta from 1964 to 1966. On Feb. 28, Mimi Barker and her niece Meg Roehrig, and Johanna Householder attended a "tea" party at his cottage where they reminisced about their activities since he and Hildegard were married in 1938. Mimi and Johannna are two of Hildegard's 52 first cousins. On Feb. 29, Rizer received the welcome news that Parker Ray Johnson, his third great-grandson, was born in Alameda CA. A retired geologist, Rizer and a friend attended a meeting of the Austin Geological Society lecture on the evolution of the Gulf of Mexico sea floor. On March 5, he had an enjoyable visit with Vic Appel at his new home at 6705 Manzanita where Rizer reports that Vic has done an excellent job of pruning the trees and establishing lawns in the back and front yards.
On February 21, a beautiful, sunny Saturday just before Mardi Gras, Paul and Ellen Deisler had fun attending the indoor/outdoor celebration of the marriage of their son, Conrad, with Julienne ("Julie") Lemond. The ceremony was as brief as the subsequent party was long. The ceremony, a simple one, included elements of a Greek Orthodox wedding in deference to the bride's family's Greek origins and the music for the entire affair was provided by bouzouki and guitar and ranged from Greek music to country western. There was plenty of food and drink for all, including piles of dolmades, and the attendees included many of Conrad and Julienne's friends, the children of the bride and groom (and one grandchild), Conrad's sisters and brother-in-law and their children, several of the children's friends and a small, cheerful group dogs. The next day, Conrad and Julienne left for New Orleans to be with her family and celebrate Mardi Gras. They are now back in Austin, Conrad to his duties as an Austin Lounge Lizard and Julienne to hers as a research physicist at the University of Texas.
We were saddened to hear of the death of Barbara Burnham's mother on March 2. Barbara's mother, also named Barbara, died of pneumonia, a complication of surgery she had had about one week earlier. Services were held in Alice, Texas, on Saturday, March 6. Barbara and her brother, Bob, helped her father, Mack. through the arrangements and the simple ceremony, which Mrs. Burnham had asked for in a detailed note. She had requested no sermon or eulogy, but instead wanted read four specific comforting passages from the Bible that conveyed her faith and hope. The Presbyterian minister honored her requests, reading eloquently. She asked that a recording of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah conclude the service. Chester Rosson reports that it proved to be a very moving experience. Barbara has devoted much time and energy to moving her parents to Austin and to caring for her mother and father over the past several months. She has been, and continues to be, a true Christ-like presence. Please keep Barbara, as well as Robin and Chester Rosson, in your prayers in the days ahead.
Clarence William Compton, 1916- 2004, became Kerry Manning's stepfather when he married Kerry's mother, when Kerry was six. Although that marriage ended in divorce after twenty years, step-father and daughter remained close. He spent nearly every Christmas in Austin with his beloved grandkids. He passed away on Saturday, the sixth of March, with Kerry at his bedside. At eighty-seven, with most of his contemporaries dead, his funeral was well attended by three generations of friends and family.
Pat and Mel Oakes enjoyed a visit with daughter Sarah in Bethesda, MD, over spring break. They enjoyed seeing old friends, eating wonderful food and seeing the sights. Pat was at her folks in North Carolina for her mom's first chemotherapy treatment on Ash Wednesday. The chemo was very strong and has caused kidney problems, so her mom will probably not be doing any more chemotherapy treatments. Keep Lois and Bob in your prayers. Pat is looking for sponsors for the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee which will be a fund raiser for the Literacy Council of Central Texas (www.willread.org). Rich and Jane Thompson have organized a team which includes two stellar spellers from Central Presbyterian Church and Pat from The Congregational Church of Austin. The team does not yet have a name, but they will be spelling for one and all at La Zona Rosa on Thursday, April 22, from 11:30 till 1:00.
Our talented new church pianist, Aaron Carter-Cohn, a junior at Southwestern University in Georgetown, wowed the audience at the Composer's Collective of Southwestern University concert on March 11. Not only did he play the piano for 6 of the 9 original student compositions, he was the composer of 3 of the 9 works. The most enthusiastic response of the crowd was to Aaron's song "Piano Lessons" sung by our own fabulous Melanie Wilkinson. Aaron met Melanie at church one Sunday when she sang for us and he knew she was the one to sing his song--Aaron on piano, of course.
It was good to catch up with Lillie Webb recently. She moved to San Antonio 4 years ago to care for her father. Her 87-year-old dad has survived prostate surgery and is dealing with several other medical problems including a bad hip. The first year back was a difficult one because she ended up teaching in a troubled elementary school with lots of test pressure and endless meetings. The next year she started working in a charter school and now is in another one. She is delighted with her situation now, teaching German and Latin in a K-12 charter school with about 160 students. She and the Spanish teacher visit each of the elementary classes one day per week and she meets daily with secondary German and Latin students. She has 5 students in her German class and 7 in her Latin class! Lillie is fluent in German, but had never taken or taught Latin, so she is learning rapidly and enjoying it. She will have to take a certification exam within the next year and a half. She apologizes to folks who have written--she has not been a very good correspondent. It was a complete life change to move back to San Antonio and she misses Austin--and us-- a great deal. She is on line and would love to hear from folks
( lkatewebb@yahoo.com ).
Clean Up Crew Takes Charge
A small but energetic crew turned up on Saturday morning, March 13th to help clean out two storage closets and consolidate the items into one. Aside from the general purpose of getting rid of junk, it freed up space to rent in the cave area. If you make your way into the storage room, you will find items neatly stacked on new shelves. We haven't yet installed the Martha Stewart style labels, but will get to that soon.
Thanks to Ben White, John Moore, David Ross, Sara Ross, and Carol Barrett. Special recognition goes to Suzanne Vanderpoole who showed up late in the day to help make sure that the various treasures had not been confused with trash.
To: Rizer Everett and Sara Ross for lovingly folding, stuffing folding, labeling and tabbing the March VISITOR.
If you would like to be help prepare the VISITOR for mailing, please let Trish know!!
HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SERVICES
Palm Sunday, April 4, 11:00 am
Palm Sunday is an ironic event. It celebrates triumph and foreshadows defeat. The palm was a symbol of Jewish strength and victory. When the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, they minted coins featuring a broken palm to designate Jewish defeat. Some see Jesus' "triumphant" entry into Jerusalem through anti-triumphalist eyes. His entry is somewhat like guerrilla theatre. It pulls the rug out from under Caesar's triumphalist ways by revealing that true power comes through humility. Humility is not a sign of weakness, but a path to mind-boggling power. Jesus is tapped into this power and won't compromise with lesser powers. Why should he? He'll choose death over compromise, and does. Men who've placed themselves in charge of everything think they've defeated Jesus. The palm symbolizes this ironic victory and defeat. Please join us for this service as we begin our journey through Holy Week
Maundy Thursday, April 8, 7:30 pm
In this service, we'll reflect on scripture lessons that revolve around the last supper Jesus shares with his disciples, and we'll hear Walter Wangerin's story, Ragman. New rags for old. I'll give and you'll receive, you'll give and I'll receive. I'll give you my health for your sickness, my happiness for your pain, my strength for your weakness, my life for your death. Take my life, and live. This theme will run through our Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services. Jesus offers his life in exchange for...what?
Good Friday, April 9, 7:30 pm
In this service, we'll reflect on scripture lessons revolving around Jesus' suffering and death. We will ponder several questions: For what did Jesus exchange his life? What did Jesus seek to accomplish by provoking and surrendering his life to a violent death? How does Jesus' death transform my life?
April 11, Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, Mt. Bonnell, 6:45 am
Jesus Christ is risen! Jesus Christ is risen, indeed! We'll gather once again on top of Mt. Bonnell to celebrate the risen Christ. Rev. Liz Spencer, a member of our church and a chaplain at SouthernCare Hospice, will offer the Easter sunrise reflection. Melanie Wilkinson will fill Austin with her beautiful voice. There'll be more donuts than we can possibly eat! Come share in this joyous celebration of new life.
April 11, Easter Sunday Service, Congregational Church of Austin, UCC, 11:00 am
We'll continue the celebration of Christ's resurrection in our sanctuary. As we did last year, we'll transform the cross from a symbol of death into symbol of new life by bringing it to bloom with a multitude of colorful flowers. The children will enjoy an Easter egg hunt after the service.
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
2 Ellen Luna
3 Mary Tomasek
4 Ricky Masters
5 Sarah Oakes
Katherine Anderson Ashton
10 Lynne R. Lemley
14 Susan Ashton
16 Eleanor Towery
22 Suzanne L. Bradford
24 George Lemley
28 Sarah Bentley
Mt. Bonnell Clean Up
Saturday, April 10, 9:30
The next Mt. Bonnell Clean Up will be held on Saturday, April 10, beginning at 9:30 am. It generally takes a good crew two to three hours to pick up garbage, whack weeds, and spruce the place up. Then we have something good to eat before going home. Please make an effort to help out on Mt. Bonnell so that it will look great the following morning for our Easter Sunrise Service. Besides, it's lots of fun.
WANTED!
Hosts for the Sunday fellowship hour.
SIGN UP NEXT SUNDAY! The signup sheet is on the counter by the stairs in the Fellowship Room.
DON'T KNOW THE ROUTINE? Ask Tommie Pinkard -- or any of the members you've seen host. They'll be very glad to help you. It doesn't have to be fancy; coffee, punch and cookies for the kiddos are sufficient.
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Join us April 16-18...IN THE HEART OF CREATION
Cancel your golf date, hang up the soccer shoes, put away your garden trowel, and make the easy drive to Slumber Falls (clstark@slumberfalls.com) for our spring camping trip. You can stay for one or both nights, or just make a day trip on Saturday for play, fellowship, and youth-led worship. The overnight cost for a family will be capped at $40, and we will cook our own food in order to keep costs at a minimum. If you have questions about the weekend or the costs, call Marilyn Vache at 567-0227. Or register now with Sara Ross at 451-1114 or e-mail her at saraross@austin.rr.com.
The Micah 6 Food Pantry
There are some things that are needed at the Micah 6 Food Pantry which cannot be obtained at the Food Bank. If you wish to donate the following items they would be greatly appreciated. Please mark the items "for Micah 6 Food Pantry".
Mosquito Spray
Toothbrushes
travel size toothpaste
travel size soap
Disposable razors
diapers (baby and adult sizes)
feminine hygiene
book of stamps
small sewing kits
plastic utensils
mess kits
small zip lock bags
thick plastic bags (large)
Bibles
Jelly
Honey
Potato flakes
baby food & formula
liquid supplement
peanut butter
spaghetti sauce
small canned meats
SouthernCare, a hospice located in North Austin, hosts bereavement groups and seminary facilitated by The Rev. Liz Spencer. The group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at the SouthernCare office, located in the Lake Creek Festival Shopping Center on Highway 183 North (just south of the intersection of 183 and 620) right next door to Payless Shoe.
Throughout the year, guest speakers will enlighten the group on a variety of topics related to bereavement.
If you have questions or if you would like more information, please contact The Rev. Liz Spencer at 336-0170, or e-mail at revliz_2000@yahoo.com. Registration is not necessary. Please remember that anyone in the community is welcome to attend, regardless of whether or not your loved one was served by SouthernCare.
Deadline for May VISITOR -- April 19
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