Superbowlingmusinglisticexpeaallydocious

If you are near N.Y.C. then you will be aware that there is going to be a football game of interest taking place in New Jersey. I have no particular fondness for either team this time around, but I am glad for the annual opportunity to raise some more funds for our local Food Pantry in Freeport.

For those of you who don't know the story of how the annual 'Souperbowl of Caring'  began well... back in 1990, a Presbyterian youth leader, Brad Smith finished his youth meeting with a prayer that asked God to make them mindful of those who didn't even have a bowl of soup to eat, whilst the rest of the nation gathered to watch the game on TV. Since 1990, this fund raising drive, has spread from church to church, and community to community, and has raised more than $98 million for people in need. Which brings me to Mary Poppins and our reading for Sunday which can be found in 1 Corinthians1:18-31

A huge hit at the box office right now is 'Saving Mr Banks' inspired by the story of how the classic movie "Mary Poppins" almost never made it to the screen due to author P.L.Traver's mistrust of corporate giants like Disney. As the movie develops details of her background reveal her reluctance, whilst Walt attempts to persuade her to allow him to make a Mary Poppins movie, something he has promised his daughters he would do.

(If that isn't accurate I am taking the rather foolish step of commenting on a movie I have yet to see...but it's on pre-order at Amazon... and did you know you can order goods from Amazon through our church website and they give us some money?)

My point of contact between the movie and the scripture reading comes through the word 'foolish'. Some people would suggest that writing children's books may be a foolish endeavor. There were those who suggested such to P.L.Travers (and to J.K. Rowling). Others that drawing cartoon mice wasn't exactly the best way to invest your time. Animation was just too time consuming and expensive! It took twenty years for Walt to persuade Mrs. Travers to allow him to make a movie of her book. Some suggested that he just gave up... it was never going to happen.

In our scripture reading we find Paul writing "Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles". There were those in Paul's day who thought he had bitten off more than he could chew. People of different cultural, religious and philosophical understanding were not going to treat the message he proclaimed with any seriousness. 

Today we find there are folk who belittle folks attempts to feed the hungry and bring justice to the poor. What difference can collecting a little bit of money and saying a few prayers make? It's just a drop in the ocean. Foolishness abounds. So let me state it quite clearly. I'm content in my foolishness. As content as the kid who once dreamed he could throw a football and will on Sunday be running out to play in the Superbowl. 

To all the naysayers, detractors and negativity merchants I say ...'Superbowlingmusinglisticexpeaallydocious!' And if you wish to indulge further foolish musings, then you could be fool enough to join us in worship on Sunday morning ... or simply be part of the foolish Web conversation and reflecting.

And... finally... yes we will be singing in our Sunday service Bill Clinton's favorite country song.  Follow this link and our foolishness will be revealed!

Have a great Superbowl weekend, even if you couldn't care less about football or country music!