This week I heard from one of you about how her 2026 star word was making her think about “Awe” in relation to Collegiate/Wesley, and what matters to her about this church, and why she gives. (I can’t help commenting that it’s always a joy when we pastors hear that something we did in a recent worship service “stuck”!)
If you don’t have a star word, or aren’t familiar with that idea, you probably missed worship on January 4. Not just this year, but on some prior Epiphany Sundays, we have built on the imagery of the star that guided the Magi and invited you to choose a “star word” that might accompany you into the new year. We had a number of cards, face down, that you could choose among as you came up for Holy Communion.
The idea actually is that the word chooses you, that the Holy Spirit is participating in that moment of you choosing among the words on those cards. Once chosen, you might think of it as a word for your year ahead, asking what the word might be asking you to consider, or try, or tackle.
The word I drew for this year is “Continuity”–a loaded word for me in a year when my husband’s cancer treatments continue and we’re both dubious that he’ll see another Christmas. I’ve been pondering what “continuity” is trying to say to me in this year–both at home and here at Collegiate/Wesley. Continuity is important–and potentially stifling. Continuity is big enough to encompass continuing in spite of change. It acknowledges, at some level, the ubiquitous presence of change and our accustomed work of building on the past, keeping what is fruitful, and continuing to cull what no longer serves.
So, in the same way I’ve been reflecting on “Continuity,” Lori Kappmeyer tells me she has been pondering “Awe.” She shared these words–and I’m sharing with you, with her permission–as a written version of the “Giving Moments” some of our leaders are sharing during worship in this season. Here’s Lori:
Giving in Awe. “Awe” was the word on the card that I chose randomly during the first Communion of 2026. My name is Lori Osmus Kappmeyer, and I have been a member of this church for over 40 years. I have been pondering what are some of the things that I have found to be “awe”-some during that time. I chose this church due to my connections to people I knew who had shared values here, and I have been awed to observe the ups and downs of their journeys through life along with me, as we all age together. As a Sunday School teacher for part of the time, I have been awed to observe the children as they grew up and embarked on their own life journeys. I have been awed by the performances of the choirs and other musicians on Sundays and other occasions. As a person interested in old buildings and historic preservation, I was awed by the sanctuary space when I first saw it in 1978, and by all the other interesting spaces in the church property that I have come to know since then, as well as the changes that have taken place in those spaces.
As a member of the Finance Committee 2009-2011, and again in 2023 to the present time, I have been awed by how much it costs to make available all the aspects of what constitutes the Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation, as well as the incredible generosity of those who support it. This church has existed for over 100 years, and we are the people carrying forward the vision of that church into the future. I give to this church because I want to continue this church’s legacy as it supports things that matter to me and to the surrounding community. I hope you share that awe and will do the same.
I wonder what your reflections are, on your star word, on giving, on what we’re about here at Collegiate/Wesley.
One last thing: Remember my comment about things we do in worship and whether they “stick”? Last year on Valentine’s Day weekend, we honored our C/W leaders–including by inviting everyone to choose a small colorful glass heart. That day we invited you all to keep it in your pocket or someplace you’d see it regularly, and to let it be a reminder to pray for our church’s leaders.
Ever since, I’ve had a heart in my pocket. I’ve had to replace it a couple of times–because pockets aren’t always trustworthy for such a small, smooth thing. It’s a reminder to me to think of those who do the good work of leading –dozens of you!–and to pray for you (for us!) and the work entrusted to us together.
