Newsletter Thoughts May 2, 2026

Dear Friends, 

As you may know, at ALC Burbank we usually follow the reading schedule of the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). This 3 year cycle of readings crosses all four gospels and a good amount of the Psalms, Epistles, and Hebrew Bible writings. It is used by a myriad of Protestants and Catholic denominations around the world, which I’ve always thought is a meaningful connection point between those of us worshipping globally and those worshiping together in one space. 

Using these texts cyclically allows us to continue to examine the scaffold of our tradition into our current reality and need; and though I have preached on the same texts in Year A before, I haven’t preached the same sermon twice; because God keeps wanting me and all of us to be curious and turn these texts over in our hands to experience how and what God might be saying to us in the here and now. 

The curators of the RCL continue their own studies about the use and need of the current lectionary- adopted in 1992. In 2012, they gathered together to address concerns around discriminatory language especially towards Jewish people in the Holy Week and Easter Season texts. Throughout 12 years of study and in consultation with many Christian and Jewish scholars, they approved a provisional update to the RCL in 2024 to begin a 3 year trial period of alternative text options that create less harm in those specific seasons, beginning Advent 2025. 

That means that right now, we are in the first year cycle of the provisional readings. They are not required but are suggestions into how we can more fully tell our stories and dwell in solidarity with our ecumenical and interfaith community members. As faithful, liberative, reconciling humans, we can boldly proclaim Christ’s love while avoiding perpetuating historical harms against other groups and this is one small invitation into that work. We already used one of the provisional Psalms a few weeks ago; and we will be using one tomorrow. 

This is one small way we live into the Gospel promise we will examine tomorrow in which we dwell together in God’s house with many rooms. Rooms enough for diversity of thought, experience, and expression. Rooms enough for all of God’s creation. 

If you are curious about the work of the Consultation of Common Texts and the Provisional readings, here is a link to an ELCA Churchwide blog post about it:Addressing Anti-Judaism: A Proposed Update to the Revised Common Lectionary

I also would love to talk about it more with anyone interested. 

In solidarity, 

Minister Chelsea