When we met for the first time 10 years ago over at University Park United Methodist in Portland and First Christian Church in Eugene I never imagined we would still be meeting, and as a community, 10 years later! I never imagined our annual retreats and summer picnics, or that I would have the privilege of serving clusters of people in separate cities who would work to form bonds of community across such large geographic distances! Ten years ago many were calling what we do here “Toni’s Mass.” I can’t tell you how happy and relieved I was to see that phrase disappear! and for us to identify ourselves, by unanimous vote, as the people of Sophia Christi. These flowers on our altar today represent all of us. It is because you are here, because of your commitment of time and energy, that I am here, that we are here.
At our very first anniversary we invoked Sophia using the same chant we sang together just a few minutes ago. We asked her “to breathe in us, flow to us, shine in us, and take root in us.” As I look around this room I see evidence of her Wisdom flowing through this community. I see her joyfulness shining through your eyes and feel the breath of her dancing spirit rising and falling as we breathe together on this perfectly delightful day. And as I look at these flowers I also see you, and the faces of so many who can’t be here today but are part of this community. Sophia has taken root in us, and the flowering of that rootedness is symbolized here for all of us to see. The flowers symbolize our respect for difference and diversity. They anchor an awareness of who we are and who we are called to be.
“Why ARE you here?” God asks Elijah as he hides in the cave of God’s mountain. And it seems he is there for just that purpose—to listen for the voice of God, to get a sense of direction about who he is and what he is to do next. As I consider the question myself, I realize several things. For one, I am here because you are here. In some mysterious way I believe Sophia has pitched her tent here among us, her people, and that she sings the praises of Wisdom through us in ways we will never even know. She sings of heartfelt hospitality and understanding. She sings of wise consideration for the problems of our day, and insight into the underlying tensions confronting our world. She knows the waves sloshing against our tiny boat are huge, and the head winds are sometimes brutal and vicious. She doesn’t abandon us. She’s right there, walking calmly toward us across the water whether we see her or not, instilling courage. (more…)