jonathan gaska

Finding Community in the Image of God

June 19, 2017 by Jonathan Gaska in Christian Issues

Reverend Jonathan Gaska wrote this letter as a meditation for the annual Dellabrook Presbyterian Church/Trinity Presbyterian Church Picnic. The two churches gather each year in an ongoing effort to mend the racial divisions in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, by worshiping and eating a meal together. Each year the location shifts between the east side, which is prominently African American, and the west side, which is prominently white. The event has taken place every year for 39 years.

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness…So God created humankind in God’s image, in the image of God they were created; male and female God created them… (Genesis 1:26-27)

Dearly Beloved,

Perhaps you can remember the story from a few years back. It was about an elementary school principal who at the end of each school day, after the bell would sound, would catch every single child as they scurried out the front door, pointing at them and saying, “Your life matters.” In church language, we might say that she was reminding every single student that they are created in the image of God.

Beloved, you are created in God’s image. When God imagined a world bursting forth with goodness, after God spoke a liberating word which unfurled the universe, when God wondered who will bear the image of holy love and community, God created…you.

Remember, though, God says, “Let ‘us’ make humanity in ‘our’ image.” God’s image is communal, which means our… [Read more…] about Finding Community in the Image of God

A Blessing for Holy Week Journeys

April 10, 2017 by Jonathan Gaska in Christian Spirituality

This guest post is by Jonathan Gaska and Jill Crainshaw.

So Holy Week begins.

As I celebrated Palm Sunday with my congregation this year, I wondered: what way do they make, these palms that dance and wave to the sounds of our laughter, joy, and singing? What dust do they stir up? Or sweep away?

Dust. And ashes.

We began this journey all those weeks ago in dust and ashes. On a Wednesday. In the middle of the week. In the middle of chaotic lives. And we have traveled far since Ash Wednesday. Perhaps our eyes have been captivated by the promise of new light that awaits us, and we have journeyed in hope. Or maybe we’ve stumbled along the Lenten way, uncertain of what lies ahead or fearful of what we are already carrying in our hearts. Or perhaps, like Jesus, we’ve traveled through frightening wildernesses not of our own making. Lenten geographies—life geographies—are unpredictable at best. And too many geographies in our world are littered with blood, bombs, and the bones of those vulnerable ones caught in the crossfire of competing powers. These geographies—our geographies—groan for the touch of healing feet.

Then, as it does each Lent, Palm Sunday arrives. Bright green fronds sweep out in front us in congregations across the globe to make a new way. We turn our feet toward sounds of rejoicing: “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!” But even as our feet dance along the Palm Sunday parade route, we know: the rejoicing songs hold… [Read more…] about A Blessing for Holy Week Journeys