Women In Church

  Just looking historically, In the Jewish tradition women were not allowed to participate as leaders. In the time of Jesus there was some loosening in the Roman world where women were able to excel in certain areas,  especially the upper class women.

In some ways Jesus broke the mold of Bias against women. Contrary to Jewish tradition, he talked to women in public, women he didn't even know and had women friends, as well as some women in his following.

Paul praised women, even calling one of them an apostle. And he declared that in Christ there is no male or female slave or free et cetera. His writings seem to argue both directions, but mostly it's because of pseudo Pauline writings.   Later works that were written in his name, but not written by him, such as the Timothy s and Titus, spoke harshly against women doing anything in church.

In the beginning of the Jesus Movement, some women had a fairly prominent role, at least more than in most society. But by the end of the second century, that was obliterated. 

That was one of the points of debate among the Orthodox and the Gnostic leaders. The Orthodox position was very patriarchal, arguing that God was male, and they argued from Genesis two rather than Genesis 1. Gnostics argued from Genesis one, and they placed women, for the most part in places where they rose and were encouraged to become prophets and to participate in the sacraments, even lead the sacraments,  and also preach. This was pne of the reasons the Orthodox were horrified and declared them heretics. Plus the Gnostics saw God as the masculine and feminine principle. Being creative by birthing all of creation was the feminine aspect, and thinking it up in the 1st place was the male aspect.

There were other distinctions of course. For More details, I recommend Elaine Pagel's book on the Gnostic Gospels.

The Orthodox thinkers and leaders called everyone who disagreed with them heretics and in some cases put severe penalties upon them, even imprisoning them. The early orthodox writings used extremely negative violent words and of actions upon those who disagreed with them, excommunication, shunning, even torture. It took centuries for women to gain agency in churches again. Even today there are some churches who do not know history Do not recognize the origins of the Jesus movement as pro or at least inclusive of the feminine.. And so still in some churches today women are subservient and substandard species not able to lead or preach or teach. Some profess women !just be subservient.to men. 

History Can be our teacher, if we pay attention to it. I think it's time that we let go of the ancient irrational patriarchy and realize God created us all male and female.

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Temecula United Methodist Church

February 15-2026

"The Gift of the Mountain "

It was my honor to be invited to speak. 

I pray it touches and lifts you. 

Letting Go

  A friend once said, That everything she ever released had claw marks on it, because she held onto it so tightly even while trying to let it go.

Sometimes in life we have no choice but to let go. My longest and dearest friend died Saturday night. I have to let her go for she's no longer here. It's sometimes hard. In many ways I'm happy for her because she had so many physical problems and was in such agony. It is really a relief that she is free and no longer in pain and suffering. My reluctance to let go was about me not about her. My grief is about the hole left in my heart, while my joy is about her happiness that she is free now and having a grand adventure.

Sometimes it seems that we humans have a hard time letting go. We have a hard time with change.   When we hold on to negative things such as  anger, resentment, negative memories, ETC, we are eally hurting ourselves.We're hurt by our resistance and own negative thoughts and fears, negative charges running through our bodies and holding us back. The most spiritual thing we can do with that is to live in the moment and release the past - because in the one moment where we are alive and breathing, we can be the best person we can, touch the presence of G,od. We can be guided. We can remember we are whole and holy.

Ultimately we come to remember that one of our prime missions in life is to learn unconditional love toward ourselves and toward all other people. Opening ourselves to love unconditionally opens us to awareness that we are living in the presence of God, realizing we're not alone, realizing that we have guidance available, that we are loved unconditionally, and we should pass that love on.

Instead of holding on to the past or to the stories of how we wish it was, let us learn to let go and live fully and gloriously in each moment. We can't change the past But we can make the moment that we are alive the moment where we are, the second in between seconds, that glorious moment make it a moment of love. Let's go forth today and shine that love, let the light of love lift us and lift everyone who comes in contact with us. What a wonderful day you're going to have God bless you.

Knowledge, Where Does It Lead?

 This morning it occurred to me the huge difference between knowledge of something and use of that knowledge.  A simple example - reading a recipe, understanding the ingredients and directions, and putting it down and never making it. Versus then actually making the recipe, sharing the results and enjoying eating it. 

For those of us on a spiritual quest, the example can also apply. There is a difference between reading, say the Sermon on the Mount, understanding what is asked of followers of Jesus, and putting it down without actually applying it in our lives. 

Christians are criticized for being hypocrites. Reading the Bible, going to church, wearing a cross does not make one a Christian. Going out and bad mouthing someone, being harsh and judgemental, being unforgiving and not shining unconditional love tells the world and God you are Christian in name only. You know God's recipe for living His Way, but you don't implement it in your life. 

If we want to really awaken spiritually, want to make a difference with our lives, be responsible with the gift of life, we need to examine our own lives and get to applying what makes us actually a follower of The Way. 

How Do We Approach Problems/Opportunities?

 In meditation this morning I saw the anger and strife erupting all over the world.

A question presented itself  - Where are the spiritual leaders leading with spiritual principles?

Where are large groups praying for us to remember we are one human family, praying for peace and understanding, for win/win solutions, for ways to live the things we know to be the highest and best?

Where are the great teachers reminding us we are accountable for what we do on earth?

Where is the spiritual response? Where are the potential leaders that are to remind us of who we are, to speak of higher choices, to awaken us out of ego's dream that leads to destruction?

Oh wondrous God, awaken Your people. Awaken visionaries to lead us out of the trap we have fallen into, helped to create. Open us to Your solutions, to the ways we need to think and act to move the future to higher ground. Inspire us. Open our eyes and ears and hearts. Save us from ourselves. Tap just the right people to speak and lead us to spiritual sanity while there is still time.  May the highest and best prevail. Amen

Cooperation Factor

 

For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God. --- Teresa of Avila

How profound is this little quote!  It might seem like a new idea here in the 21st century, but it goes at least as far back asTeresa in the 1500's. 

Consider what a friendship entails. In general, it includes trust, support, cooperation, communication, and shared experiences that build deep bonds, among other things. Prayer (and I would add meditation and contemplation) helps us develop all of these aspects of friendship with God, with The More.

The more in tune with God we are, the greater our trust in God. The primary way we get in tune with The Infinite is prayer. We feel supported as we experience the Presence in our prayer time, and this support carries us throughout the day.

We may not have thought of cooperation, but it seems to me that we have to do our part in this relationship. We need to cooperate with the things asked of a person in relationship with God. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive, judge not, take care of others, show mercy as mercy is shown to us, let our light shine, etc.  When I think of cooperation, one of the scriptures that also comes to me is Matthew 25:31-46, the parable of the sheep and the goats. I urge you to re-read it today. It is a clear picture of what is asked of us. As we share in God's work here on earth, it changes us.

Add cooperation into your equation of how to live spiritually, and something truly amazing will unfold. All aspects of your relationship with God will expand and deepen. And just maybe, if enough of us do it, it will change everything for the better, helping to create the long-held vision of the kingdom of God on earth.

Bread and Wine

The wine  is the wine of divine wisdom. The bread is the bread of life: these nourish the soul and enlighten the mind of the spiritual body.   --- Origin

 First, concerning the cup. We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine, David thy Son, which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus Christ thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.And concerning the broken bread. We thank thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.  -- The Didache

 We see from early teachings a different view of the Eucharist than is common later on.  

It makes more sense, particularly when we consider the Jewish understanding of blood, for example, having to be drained from an animal before cooking it.  The idea of drinking blood and eating flesh would have been abhorrent. It still is abhorrent. 

I think the early ideas above would make the experience more meaningful.