Simon’s Says
Sometimes what makes for a good sermon is not so much what goes into it, but rather what does not. Here are some random bits of recent sermons that fell victim to the editor’s scalpel and didn’t make the Sunday morning cut.
I mentioned Hiram Bingham last week, one of the very first Christian missionaries to Hawai’i. Hiram’s grandson, Hiram Bingham III, has an unusual place in Connecticut history: he is the governor with the shortest term of service – he only served for one day. At the same time he was elected, he was also selected to serve as US Senator following the sudden death of the sitting Senator, and decided to take the Senate seat instead.
Two weeks ago, as I was preparing my sermon on Christian Nationalism, I found a coloring book that had been donated to the church rummage sale – it was simply titled, “Trump,” who was colorfully depicted on the cover wearing a Superman costume emblazoned with the letter ‘T.’ I decided it belonged in my office, so I purchased it. Among the images to be colored in were the title character crossing the Delaware, landing on the moon, and dancing on the disco floor dressed like John Travolta (you can’t make this stuff up). The one I really wanted to use that morning though, was a reproduction of the Sistine Chapel, with God on the right reaching earthward with an outstretched finger at the creation of you-know-who. I can’t think of a better image to capture the fever dreams of Christian Nationalism than this.
Three weeks ago I told you about the groom I married 35 years ago who randomly sat next to me on my flight to Kona. He is Jewish, his bride was a member of my church, and it was the first interfaith marriage I performed. At the end of the ceremony, as the happy couple recessed, the rabbi with whom I co-officiated leaned over to me and chastened me for using the name ‘Jesus’ during the ceremony; it excluded a portion of the congregation, he explained. As we followed the wedding party down the aisle, I replied by asking him if his extensive use of Hebrew during the ceremony was meant to be inclusive. As it turns out, the videographer captured the whole exchange, because when the couple returned from their honeymoon the bride (who had just finished watching the video) called me to ask what in the world we ahead been talking about. “It looks like you two were having a theological debate,” she said, and I assured her it was entirely good natured. I have since learned to notice where the camera is at all times.
Finally, I took this photo of some uninvited guests at my nephew’s wedding in Sydney.
Don’t forget the Essex Piano Trio this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 in our sanctuary, it will be a delightful afternoon of music.
Here are the links to this week’s bulletin and service: