Keeping the Balance

Laura Beach, Pinetown Methodist Church, South Africa, 5 June 2010

What a good Wesleyan service we had last Sunday--the sermon series was on Luke, and we were looking at both the Good Samaritan and the Mary and Martha stories. The preacher then used this to speak about the necessary balance between service and worship. Our Christian lives are expressions of both mercy and devotion, works of charity and works of piety. Since I have been in Pinetown, I have been able to experience both of these aspects—worship and fellowship group Bible studies, as well as the amazing outreach ministries of Phakamisa, Sizanani, Vuleka Trust, Valley Trust, and many more. I can’t wait to be more involved in all of these!

On 4 June, I had the honor of being the guest speaker for Vuleka Trust’s “Courageous Conversations” at Koinonia Conference and Retreat Center (pictured). It was a perfect setting for talking about the covenantal relationship between God, land, and people. It was cool to be able to share some of what I’ve learned from Dr. Ellen Davis, knowing that she will be lecturing in Pietermaritzburg in November. For my part, I shared some of how I’ve come to understand these connections through my work with Cedar Grove UMC and its ministry at Anathoth Garden. I also talked about the need for realizing the balance between focusing on our relationships with God, people, and land, since they are all connected and hold us in the center in tension.

But the best part of the evening was the conversation that followed, as we gathered around the fire to share a simple meal of vegetable soup and bread. The people there came from widely varying backgrounds and this made the conversation very interesting. While some people were talking about simplifying their lives and reconnecting with nature, others were bold enough to say that they really could not find comfort in natural things, and sometimes even found it difficult to go to church, because of all the problems at home. This kept the discussion from being too idealistic, a problem that seems common when speaking in liberal, privileged circles. It made me realize how important the human community aspect is—we must take care of each other and the rest of creation—not just one or the other. I hope I continue to be challenged to stretch my thinking on these issues as I keep encountering and learning from people here who don’t see things the same way I do.