The lectionary gospel this week is about the four friends who lifted the paralytic man up to the roof of the house where Jesus was staying, then dug through the surface to make a hole big enough to lower him, so that he could get right up close to Jesus.

Today I am thinking about all the friends who have lifted me up over the years, and have dug through an awful lot of crap, to make a place for me to see a way to healing and wholeness.

This week I got official notice that the Unitarian Universalist congregation that has been leasing space from us for the past six years has purchased a church home of their own, and will be leaving us in a little more than a month. I immediately contacted the officers of the church to let them know, but I think when the harsh reality sets in , there will be some folks who are going to be upset by the financial reality of this. The rental of the building provided 8% of our total budget; to a small church, that is a significant amount of money. It represents the Office Administrator's very part-time salary. It is almost the same as the amount we spend on gas and electric,and also the amount we spend on Mission. (Each, not combined.)

When I think of the paralytic and his friends, it is almost impossible for me to seperate them out; I think of them as five friends who all had needs of one kind or another. In the same manner, I think of our relationship with the UU's that way. Are we the ones on the mat, or are we the ones carrying? The relationship was symbiotic for so many years. We had something they needed: space. They, in turn had something that was in short supply here in the past: cash. It really was a lovely arrangement.

But now it is coming to an end, and we may have to have a "come to Jesus" moment in terms of our financial support of this church.

That's what I'm thinking today...