Cold....but Happy?

January 12, 2010

Dear St. Paul’s Family,

Allow me to state the obvious. It’s cold.

I never thought I’d reach a point in my life as I did over the weekend, rejoicing when the temperature warmed up to zero. And yesterday’s sunny skies and temperature in the 20’s felt downright balmy. But along with many of you, last week was as frigid a stretch of days as I have ever felt in my life.


THE WORLD DATABASE OF HAPPINESS

As I shivered in the cold, I remembered a study I found recently with a rather curious premise. In the Dutch city of Rotterdam, a man named Ruut Veenhoven has been studying the connection between geography and happiness. Does one’s place of residence have a direct correlation to one’s level of happiness? Using empirical data and statistical analysis, along with mountains of surveys from people around the world, he has developed the World Database of Happiness, which ranks countries according to how happy its citizens are. [1]

Here’s the surprising discovery. Ranking consistently among the world’s happiest nations (and even number one in a few surveys) is – are you ready for this? - the country of Iceland. Iceland! I would have thought that happy people lived in the tropical heat of the Bahamas, or the warm sunshine of Tahiti, or the balmy beaches of Borneo. But Iceland? Its very name alone sends a cold shiver up my spine.


ICELAND? REALLY?

I found out about the Database when I read a book by Eric Weiner, provocatively titled The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World. Among his journeys was a visit to Iceland, to see what made its citizens so happy. Here’s what he found:

When I first saw the data, I had the same reaction you're probably having now. Iceland? As in land of ice? As in cold and dark and teetering on the edge of the map as if it might fall off at any moment? Yes, that Iceland. As for the winter part, I figured anyone could be happy during the Icelandic summers, when the sun shines at midnight and the weather turns "pleasantly not cold," as one Icelander put it. But the winter, yes, the cold, dark winter, that was the real test of Icelandic happiness.
But the number crunchers at the World Database of Happiness say that, once again, we've got it wrong. Climate matters, but not the way we think. All things considered, colder is happier. Theories abound as to why cold or temperate climes produce happier people than warm, tropical ones. My favorite theory is one I call the Get-Along-or-Die Theory. In warm places, this theory states, life is too easy; your next meal simply falls from a coconut tree. Cooperation with others is optional. In colder places, though, cooperation is mandatory. Everyone must work together to ensure a good harvest or a hearty haul of cod. Or everyone dies. Together.
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but interdependence is the mother of affection. We humans need one another, so we cooperate — for purely selfish reasons at first. At some point, though, the needing fades and all that remains is the cooperation. We help other people because we can, or because it makes us feel good, not because we're counting on some future payback. There is a word for this: love. [1]


THE WARMTH OF COMMUNITY

I have to say: I never would have believed Weiner before I moved to Iowa’s frozen tundra. Especially not after enduring the last few weeks of what you have said is the worst winter we’ve had in 30 years. But now I think there’s a lot of truth to his conclusions. The day before the Christmas blizzard, I was running errands around town, and I could sense the buzz in the air as people throughout Cherokee were preparing themselves – and one another – for what we all knew we would be facing together. Then, as the blizzard was upon us, different people were there at just about every turn to give me assistance when I needed it. John Chalstrom gave me regular updates on road conditions for our upcoming drive to Minneapolis. A stranger pulled over to help us push our car out of the ditch when we spun off the road on our way to the airport. Paul Taylor checked on our house while we were on vacation to make sure that our pipes had not burst during the deep freeze. And Keith Fee came by yesterday to help me repair my snow blower which suffered an untimely death over the weekend. Sure, I’ve been cold. But do you know what? I’ve been happy. Because I have good people like you with me.

As I’ve thought more about it, I don’t think it’s the weather that dictates happiness at all. It’s a sense of community. It’s that “interdependence” that is the “mother of affection.” It’s expressed when we celebrate each other’s joys, share each other’s burdens, and remember that, in the end, we are all in this together.


SO, WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH?

Here’s the clincher. If happiness is ultimately determined by a sense of community and belonging, then why shouldn’t the church lead the way? In tough economic times, with broken relationships, dashed hopes, and a world filled with violence, there should be no greater place to find contentment and real joy than in Christian community.

Weiner discovered that when Icelanders greet each other, the phrase they use roughly translates as “come happy.” And when they depart, they say, “go happy.” Goodwill and well-wishes are built into their language. It ought to be the same for the church. We, after all, are the ones who bid each other “The Lord be with you (and also with you.)” We are the ones who see ourselves as a body - - a dynamic, interconnected, mutually supportive organism. We are the ones who have both koinonia (fellowship and care for each other) and diakonia (service and witness to others) as essential characteristics of our nature and mission. And we are the ones who are commanded by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:26-27:

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Yes, Weiner was right. There is a word for this. Love.

Many churches have a long way to go before they become communities of love for those starving for real joy, yet I think St. Paul’s is doing well. There is a tangible sense of warmth and hospitality among us, especially when we worship together. Yesterday, I received an update from our Helping Hands program, reporting all the people they have helped throughout the past year. A huge number of volunteers spent countless hours serving people in need in our fellowship and throughout our town. Time after time, you are fulfilling our mission, putting God’s love into action.

I am so grateful to be part of a congregation that is warm-hearted, compassionate, and concerned for the needs of others. We are all in this together, regardless of the weather. Keep it up. (And, by all means, bundle up!)

With warm affection,

Magrey

The Rev. Magrey R. deVega
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
531 W. Main St.
Cherokee, IA 51012
Ph: 712-225-3955
http://www.cherokeespumc.org


[1] http://www1.eur.nl/fsw/happiness/

[2] http://www.amazon.com/Geography-Bliss-Grumps-Search-Happiest/dp/0446580260



BELIEVE IT OR NOT!
We continue our new sermon series hearing the amazing story of Jesus’ turning water into wine, from John 2:1-11. If you did not pick up a scripture bookmark to follow along with the daily readings, they are available at the church office or in the narthex on Sunday.

Believe It or Not: He Turned Water Into Wine!
January 17, 2009
John 2:1-11

Believe It or Not: You Won’t Believe What He Said!
January 24, 2009
Luke 4:14-30

Believe It or Not: What a Fish Tale!
January 31, 2009
Luke 5:1-11

Believe It or Not: The Man Who Surprised Jesus
February 7, 2009
Luke 7:1-10

So Do You Believe Him or Not?
February 14, 2009
Luke 9:28-43
(Transfiguration Sunday)

DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY WITH SHINY TOYS?
Then the video team has a place for you! We are looking for folks to round out our roster of people to serve in the video booth on Sunday mornings. If you’ve never thought of yourself as working in this area, then consider the following appealing reasons:

10. Thanks to your efforts, people in worship will be experience God using state-of-the-art multimedia equipment, including cameras, projectors, and computers.
9. Since you would record the services, you will be archiving the most special moments of worship for generations to come.
8. You are ministering to a very special group of people. Your video recording will be viewed by residents of Careage Hills every week, thanks to Linda Struck, who delivers them.
7. Acoustically and visually, it literally is the best seat in the house. You can see and hear everything!
6. You don’t have to serve every week. You would be part of a rotating team and would only have to serve once every 4-6 weeks.

And, of course, there are these reasons:
5. If you choose to doodle in your bulletin during the sermon, there is no one behind you to see you.
4. Your seats are closest to the bathroom. ‘Nuff said.
3. Shiny buttons!
2. It’s like watching television, playing on the computer, and going to church, all at the same time!
1. No experience necessary!

If you are interested, contact Bob Simonsen.