Quick Summary:

In the opening scene of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, we meet Tevye the milkman as he makes his rounds through the village of Anatevka. Introducing us to his community, Tevye summarizes their way of life together with one word . . .TRADITION! Every relationship and every role within his family and community is governed by rules and traditions passed down from generation to generation. Without tradition, Tevye declares, our lives would be as awkward as a fiddler on a roof.

Through the lens of Tevye’s family and village, we watch what happens when circumstances bring fundamental change to the way of life he holds dear.

This morning’s texts are all about traditions, boundaries and expectations. What God expects from us, and what we have a right to expect from each other. How do we deal with changes to the traditions that have defined our identity? How do we live our faith rather than just talk about it? What does the Way Jesus invites to live looks like?

In the socially and culturally mixed context that is 21st century Seattle, this question of how we define ourselves as a community in Christ is still relevant.