150th Anniversary of the Congregation - Bishop Yehiel Curry

Sermon by Bishop Yehiel Curry on the 150th Anniversary of the Congregation + May 5, 2024.

The view from the enclosed balcony was breathtaking. Boats quietly traversed through the green waters where the Pacific Ocean meets the sea of Cortez. It was about 80 degrees, the sun was shining, and there were no clouds visible. On this day, I was about to do something I had never done before.

It was 2017, me and my wife were in Cabo, Mexico celebrating our 22nd wedding anniversary. But at this moment, I was alone, so I was nervous. I was so nervous that I showed up an hour early for the appointment.

Finally, the moment of truth. I removed my gym shoes and smelly sweat socks before immersing my feet into the miniature bathtub that had been prefilled with warm water for my first … pedicure.

While my feet were soaking, the attendant added a liquid substance to the water. Then pushed a button on the side of the sink and the water started bubbling. Within minutes soap bubbles began to accumulate at the surface.

After about 5 minutes of conversation, it was time for the second phase of my pedicure treatment. The attendant placed a towel on the ledge before reaching into her apron to grab a special foot tool. Next the attendant lifted my left foot out of the water and stared at it. After a brief examination, my left was quickly returned to the body of water before my right foot was hoisted into the air. The right foot was also returned to the water.

Without saying a word, the attendant added more ingredients to the water, the

temperature was turned up, and the bubbles intensified. Apparently, my feet needed more time to abide in the water. We would repeat the routine of lifting both feet out of the water, examining them, returning the feet to the water, addition more ingredients, increasing the heat and bubbles, once more before the second phase of the pedicure would commence.

After a significant amount of time of abiding in the water and enduring some discomfort due to the heat a special sponge helped to remove the dead skin from my feet. Next my toenails were cleaned and trimmed. My feet were anointed with oil, then my nails were polished. Of course I left a big tip!

When the attendant was done, I could not wait to meet my wife at the pool after my pedicure. I changed clothes and made sure that I put away the gym shoes and replaced them with open toed sandals. People at the pool might have recognized the finished product, my feet, but most would never know the work that was required to achieve its current condition.

Today’s gospel lesson is situated in a section of John’s Gospel that is often referred to as Jesus’ Farwell Discourse, which is roughly located in chapters 14-17. The discourse happens after the Last Supper in Jerusalem, the night before the crucifixion. I began to think, if we were preparing to leave for college, the military, or our family and friends for a long period of time and we had an opportunity to have a conversation with those we would be leaving behind, what might you say? If we were preparing to retire from a job, a business, or

a career, and you decided to write a letter to the community who would remain, what would you say?

Jesus is preparing to leave the disciples and at this point in the Farewell Discourse Jesus says, abide in my love. Last week Jesus used the popular biblical and community image of a vine and branch to compel the disciples and us (the branches) to abide in the vine. Today, Jesus doubles down on this concept of abiding by challenging the disciples and us to abide in Christ’s love. For me, to abide in Christ’s love means we are invited to sit (pedicure) in Christ’s love, to serve in Christ’s love, and to live in Christ’s love.

We abide in Christ’s love, when we love one another. I like to add the tag line, especially when we don’t feel like it (BYC). Christ’s message to abide in Christ’s love becomes more powerful after Jesus is betrayed by Judas, denied by Peter and is arrested and crucified.

How are we sitting in Christ’s love, when the temperature is turned up and we feel uncomfortable? How are we serving in Christ’s love, when those we are called to care for are fearful of judgment because of how they present (my feet prior to pedicure)? How are you living in Christ’s love, when fear impedes our understanding of who we are in the world which makes us feel alone?

Christ says, abide in my love.

Holy Trinity today some people in this community of Lakeview, in the ELCA and the Metropolitan Chicago Synod see you, as some in Mexico saw my resurrected feet after the pedicure. Let me explain. From the outside, Holy Trinity looks, healthy, anointed, and polished, but most have no idea of the work that was required to achieve your current condition.

I didn’t know until Pastor Craig sent me some sermon notes from his sermon last year during the 100th year anniversary of the building of Holy Trinity about the impact the Great Chicago Fire had on the early community of Holy Trinity that was trying to establish an English-speaking Lutheran Mission here in Chicago.

We stand on the shoulders of the 37 founding members who had $5.80 in the treasury when the church was chartered in 1874. Most are unaware that the fear of foreclosure lead to the merger with St. Mark and the move to the lakeview area.

I’ve learned that you were early – and often alone in your work of community organizing, social justice, antiracism work & welcoming LGBTQIA siblings. And thank you for mentoring 48 seminarians and inspiring 10 go to seminary.

I think the gospel passage infers that if we the branches abide in Christ the True Vine then we are already fruitful.

Holy Trinity you are fruitful. Thank you for abiding in Christ’s love. Happy 150th anniversary …and you have beautiful feet.

Amen.