Nebraska Synod ELCA

by Rev. Emily Johnson

Throughout this time after Epiphany our scripture readings have been pointing us toward epiphanies or revelations about who Jesus is, what he intends to do, and how he intends to do it. Common to all these stories is that they all involve a physical encounter of some sort. It is in the coming together of Jesus and the people he encounters that creates space for epiphanies to occur.

At Grace Lutheran in Lincoln, space is one of the things we have in abundance. Over the years, our building expanded and grew. It now contains multiple classrooms, a gym, a childcare room, a kitchen, and several other rooms, in addition to the sanctuary and offices, and it is quite extensive. We are at a point in the life of the congregation where we do not use all our building space for congregational activities, but it is still an important part of our ministry.

Part of our call to live out the gospel is to share our space with our neighbors. If you come to Grace on a Monday morning, you will find seniors in the gym taking part in the Aging Partners Senior Center. You will also find people from all around the world learning English through classes offered by Lincoln Literacy, and hear the sounds of children from the childcare room because Lincoln Literacy offers childcare for their students who are also parents. At other times you will find Al-Anon groups, and Scouts, and if you come while the Wildlife Rescue group is meeting you might walk by a raccoon in a cage in the parking lot. Retired railroaders meet for a meal and fellowship as well as the Danish Sisterhood, music lessons, and family events.

Grace is a place where people come together to care for one another, and that care and love create the space for Jesus to be revealed, for epiphanies to occur. Yes, very few of the groups are specifically religious in nature, but that never stopped Jesus. In fact, Jesus seems to prefer to be revealed outside of specifically religious activities, in a manger, at a wedding reception, by a well, in the wilderness, on boats and roads, in foreign lands, in gatherings of strangers and friends. When people gather, there is space for Jesus to show up, to be revealed, for epiphanies to occur, and for the kingdom of God to come near.

Rev. Emily Johnson serves as pastor to Grace Lutheran, Lincoln. Together, Grace Lutheran and Pastor Emily have been journeying with the second cohort of the Nebraska Synod’s Vitality Initiative for Congregations. Pastor Emily likes making sense of the world through the lenses of scripture and theology and enjoys watching for what the Spirit is up to next. When she is not wrangling her two young daughters she can be found crocheting stuffed penguins and baking.