In this week's reading from the book of Acts, the meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch leads us to reflect on God's abundant grace and the power of inclusion. As Philip meets the Ethiopian on the road, we begin to understand the expansiveness of God's love and the call for the church to embrace abundance.

As we, in our daily lives, come across different boundaries and barriers, physical and metaphorical, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian connects with our own experiences. Just as Philip was guided by the Spirit to this unexpected meeting, we, too, are called beyond our comfort zones.

The road that Philip traveled serves as a metaphor for vulnerability and possibility. On this road, Philip meets the Ethiopian, a person who embodies marginalization and otherness. Despite societal barriers of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual identity, Philip responds with radical hospitality, inviting the Ethiopian into God's grace.

In a world of much division and exclusion, where "us-versus-them" thinking is everywhere, the story of Philip and the Ethiopian challenges us to embrace the richness of diversity. The eunuch's question—"What is to prevent me from being baptized?"—encourages the church to look at its own barriers to inclusion and belonging.

For some time now, our Thoughts, Prayers, and Action Team has been on a journey to become a Reconciling in Christ church. Our goal is to build upon the welcoming spirit of Bethany, creating a space where all feel cared for and safe. The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program celebrates the diversity of God's creation, advocating for the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and working towards racial equity and anti-racism. I invite you to join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, May 15 at 7 pm, either in-person or online, where we will explore LGBTQIA and Pronouns: How are we known to ourselves and others?

In a world that seeks to divide us, the call to profess abundance is more important than ever. Many are feeling exhausted and cynical by narratives of scarcity and division. Yet, in the midst of  this fatigue, there remains hope—a hope rooted in the recognition of God's unlimited abundance and the possibility of a more inclusive society.

Like Philip baptizing the Ethiopian in the waters of inclusion and acceptance, we, too, are called to share the transformative power of grace in our lives and communities. May we be open to unexpected encounters that deepen our understanding of God's abundant love and expand our vision of the beloved community.

In a world plagued by scarcity mentality, let us dare to profess abundance—abundance of love, grace, justice, and hope. For it is in embracing abundance that we find true life. Amen.

In Christ's Abundance,
Pastor Cathy