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REV KAREN: Who is this Jesus the Capitol insurrrectionists worship?

LAST week Reverend Raphael Warnock (a Baptist minister) was elected as the first black Senator for Georgia – what a victory! He takes on the baton from leading Baptist ministers such as Martin Luther King and John Lewis, who have been brave enough to step into the political arena. I was moved as I listened to him honour his mother, sharing how her “82-year-old hands that used to pick someone else’s cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator.” Times are certainly changing. However, within hours of this momentous win our hearts sank as the scenes unfolded on Capitol Hill. As the seditious crowd stormed the building, I noticed the erection of a makeshift cross, and banners raised high claiming, ‘Jesus Saves.’ I couldn’t help but wonder, who is this Jesus they are worshipping?

REV KAREN: Leaving the comfort of the seashore requires Dr King’s ‘first step of faith’

MY favourite place is the beach. It’s the place where I often go to relax, reflect and recharge. There is just something about the sea and the sand. My daughter Meg is a surfer. We have spent many days taking her to various beaches so she can catch the waves. While she seeks the thrill of popping up on her surfboard and catching a wave I’m the one standing on the shore edge with a take-away coffee, trying to convince myself she is not drowning (yes, I am that mum who continually worries).

REV KAREN: The gift of grit in 2021

I DON’T make New Year resolutions simply because I can never keep them. But a New Year can help kick start new beginnings and a new season — and I’m up for that.

REV KAREN: An open letter to the Year of the Pandemic

Dear 2020, We know this year will feature in many history books and classes: the Year of the Pandemic. I wish I could say that this year has been fun, but the truth is it hasn’t. I don’t think you will be too shocked to hear that so many of us will be glad to see the back of you. We are not naïve to think that 2021 won’t have its own challenges – but there is just something about this year that has left us longing for it to be over. We all have had our challenges, some we have handled well and others we haven’t. You have certainly highlighted our frailty and humanity.

REV KAREN: Jesus moved into the neighbourhood

He moved right into our busynessHe moved right into our messy livesHe moved right into our brokennessHe moved right into our weary world and weary heartsHe moved in.Love moved in. AS we approach Christmas day I wonder where your heart is. Maybe, like me, you will face this Christmas with an empty chair at the table – you find your heart is still recovering from the shock that your loved one is gone. Maybe your heart is lonely – the reality is this pandemic has caused a huge problem with regards to isolation. Maybe your heart is troubled – you are worried about how you will survive the financial burden of unemployment. Or maybe your heart is bursting with excitement as you look forward to the celebrations. I am aware that everyone who will read this will find their heart in all sorts of places during this busy season. Let me for a moment transport your tender heart back in time – to a stable. The baby is born; His name, Jesus. He is the One the prophets foretold about. He is the One whom Herod tried to kill. He is the One who rather than arriving in all the splendour and glory fit for a Messiah chose to be born in a stable. He is here. We are told that as Mary held Jesus, she ‘treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart’ (Luke 2:19). I often wonder what she was pondering in her heart. What was going through her mind as she the created one, held her Creator?So often we can feel God is distant and aloof. But John reminds us, ‘Jesus moved into the neighbourhood’ (John 1). I pray this Christmas you will know you are loved. I pray that wherever your heart is; Love will find you. The heartbeat of the Christmas story is that God is with us; Emmanuel. He is present. He is here. He is with you.

REV KAREN: We all have our unsung heroes

EVERY narrative has unsung heroes. The Christmas story is not the exception.I wonder have you ever paused and wondered what it was like to be Joseph?

REV KAREN: Mary’s more than just a girl in a crib

EVERY Christmas many young girls are given the starring role of Mary in their school nativity. We sit in awe of our daughters as they play this unknown, unmarried, unnoticed teenager who was told by an angel that she would give birth to God’s son. The life of Mary has always been a source of inspiration to me. We read of a teenage girl who had her everyday, ordinary life interrupted by the news that not only was she going to be pregnant, but she was going to give birth to God's son, Jesus. As we get our sandals on (or boots/sneakers in our context) and walk these dusty ancient paths, we discover that it was not easy to be Mary. She grew up in a culture that did not champion women. Her patriarchal backdrop meant she did not have the privilege of an education and her future was pretty much mapped out for her. To announce that she was pregnant was extremely risky in those days. I have often wondered what we would do with Mary today. If she was to walk into our lives/churches with such news; how would we handle her? I don't think we would accept her. I suspect we would probably dismiss her as some crazy girl seeking attention. Yet her story lives on today through many women who feel called by God to do things that just don't seem the norm or even make sense. Such women are waiting for the right time and right place to give birth to their God given visions. God has a habit of working in obscure and messy situations that often we cannot explain. This was certainly my experience. Yet what struck me about the story of Mary was the fact that she was not on her own; God gave her Elizabeth. Both women pregnant.Mary was younger, Elizabeth was older.We all need companions. Elizabeth was a little further on in the journey. She would give birth to John, the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. Mary, on the other hand, would give birth to Jesus, the One who is the way. We all need an Elizabeth. We all need companions and community for the path ahead – those who make the journey a little easier for us. Today, let’s ponder on the story of Mary and Elizabeth. Let’s give thanks for the woman (and many women today) who believe ‘the Lord would fulfil His promises to her.’ (Luke 1:45)

REV KAREN: Hope is hard but all is not lost as Advent begins

AS I sit down to pen these words we have just finished putting up our Christmas tree. I have always loved Christmas, but this year is different. This year, hope is hard, belief is hard, resilience is hard, and many of us are weary. In the midst of another lockdown, it is a daily task to guard our hearts against compassion fatigue.

REV KAREN: Kamala’s victory has sent a message of hope

THE sound of the glass ceiling smashing echoed around the world as Kamala Harris was elected Vice President of the United States. We watched as the first bi-racial, multi-ethnic woman announced: “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” Whether we agree with her politics or not, no-one can deny it was an historic moment. Historic for every female.Historic for every leader.Historic for every race.Historic for every little girl who dreams about her future.Historic for America. Historic for the world. I don’t know about you, but I want Ireland to be a country of possibilities. Not least because I am married to a Malaysian-Indian. We have three children, two of them girls. We sat up late to watch Kamala’s speech, during which I looked at my girls and said: “She is paving the way for you. Don’t let anything or anyone ever hold you back.” With the recent remarks made by Lord Kilclooney, after which he was accused of racism, we were once again hurled into the cold stark reminder that the problem is alive and well.

REV KAREN: Churches should take the Covid lead

RECENTLY, there have been a number of Church leaders calling for the government to refrain from closing Churches during lockdown. Furthermore, there are those who are considering legal action, with some even claiming they are being persecuted. Such headlines have caused me to have a heavy heart.

REV KAREN: Let’s learn the art of noticing and giving thanks in all circumstances

RECENTLY, when I read the verse, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances’ (1Thess5:16), I wondered is this even possible. It is darn hard to be grateful during this brutal pandemic, isn’t it? Nothing can shake our foundations and rob us of joy more so than the continual avalanche of bad news. From wearing masks, to weary hearts and health, it’s understandable to not always find ourselves feeling thankful.

REV KAREN: There’s room at the table for everyone, so pull up a chair

MANY of us welcomed the statement from Pope Francis concerning our LGBT+ community. It was refreshing to hear him say: “They’re children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out.” The reality is the Church has a long history of throwing out our LGBT+ community.I have listened to story after story from my LGBT+ brothers and sisters who have been rejected and damaged by the Church. This constant calling out of our LGBT+ community, and subjecting them to our theological understandings/debates as to whether they can be included in the Church or not, is simply wrong. We must remember that when we talk about our LGBT+ community we are talking about people, about fellow humans.

REV KAREN: Discover the rhythm of rest during these frantic times

DURING the four weeks of yet another lockdown, I thought I would share some ‘Rhythms’ (practices) that I hope will help sustain us through this profoundly difficult season. Our key workers are exhausted. Our business leaders are worried. Our politicians are doing their best. Our home schooling skills are being honed again. Our hearts miss our loved ones and friends. And as for our hair... well, we will just have to settle for grey roots for a little longer. This time is tough. It is difficult. It is exhausting. The truth is we all need to learn the rhythm of rest. Why am I telling you this? Because I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted by the frantic and the hectic; the hustle and the bustle; the chaos and uncertainty of this life. I’m done with the running through my days at two hundred miles per hour. There is more to life. There is rest for the restless. This pandemic presents us with the opportunity to ask ourselves some difficult questions with regard to our priorities. I’m learning to move from exhaustion to stillness. From rushing to resting. I love the words of Jesus in Matthew 11: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me... and you’ll recover your life.” If you are not a person of faith, I pray you find your Sabbath rest, whether that be in a sunset, good coffee, reading, watching movies, running, walking, etcetera.I want to choose a life less busy, less complicated – do you? Let’s introduce the rhythm of rest into our everyday.

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OPINION - Rev Karen: The weight of waiting well

WAITING can be difficult – especially for those of us who are impatient. All of us share the pain, anxiety, uncertainty and sense of ‘how long?’ as we adjust to living life with Coronavirus. This pandemic has robbed many of us of our health, time spent with loved ones, jobs, education, and so on. We find ourselves occupying a strange place between. It can feel unbearable at times, crushing even, and can seem longer and longer with each passing hour. For most of us, it’s the time in between that’s the foggiest. It’s the time in between that proves our character. It’s the time in between that makes us or breaks us. Confusion sets in. Hopelessness sets in. Doubt sets in. A lack of understanding sets in. Coping sets in. Disillusionment sets in. Cynicism sets in. Unbelief sets in. Do whatever you must do to see this season through, because the place between prepares you for what is next – for you. Choose to believe that there is nothing more profound than this moment you are living right now.

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OPINION - REV KAREN: Preaching the Gospel without using words

I CAN remember over the years many shopping trips to Belfast city centre and passing by street preachers on the street corner. Recently, I decided to stop and listen to a small group of them. I watched as one man waved a flag declaring, ‘Jesus saves,’ and one gave out tracts. Another man (using a microphone) preached his message with determination and conviction. His yelling could be heard throughout the streets. However, I immediately felt a deep uneasiness in the pit of my stomach. I was disturbed to hear them shout to passers-by that they are, ‘children of wrath,’ and all ‘going to burn in hell.’ My discomfort came from my inability to reconcile their message of condemnation, to a gospel of love, grace and acceptance.

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Rev Karen Sethuraman

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