Dear Friends in Christ -
Today's the day . . . Have you ever noticed that as you prepare to make your New Year's resolution - to exercise more, to lose 10 pounds, to spend more time with the kids and/or the dog, to get sober, etc. - that in taking on something new, what you're actually doing is leaving something behind? One reason New Year's resolutions are so hard to keep is that in our rush to get on with the new thing, we don't allow ourselves to name and to grieve the thing we're leaving behind.
If your goal is to exercise more, you're going to be leaving behind time that you used to spend doing something else. What is that thing you're going to give up so that you can exercise? Will you miss it?
If your goal is to lose 10 pounds, you're going to have to quit eating some things that you used to eat - and probably enjoyed. You're also going to have to give up the sense of comfort eating those things gave you. How do you feel about that?
If you're going to spend more time with the kids and/or the dog, what are you giving up at work? Or of your own hobby or time with friends? Have you let other people know about the change you're making so they don't feel gyped or ditched? Or are you going to take the low (and likely unsuccessful) road of trying to get the change past people without they're noticing?
If your goal is to get sober, are you prepared to leave behind hiding? What will it be like to leave behind your safe, comfortable (though deadly) place and face the pain and/or disappointment you've been dodging by numbing yourself?
I invite you to join me on the last day of this year. Let's tell the truth - at least to ourselves, perhaps to someone else - about what's been dogging us, about the things we want to change. Let's name the things(s) we have to leave behind, so that tomorrow, when we try to start something new, there will be an open space for it to fit in.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Two great stories at the close of the year
1 Kings 17:17-24; John 4:46-54
Dear Friends in Christ -
As we draw close to the end of tumultuous 2009, our daily office readings give us two stories that grip the reader and pose some serious questions for looking back and looking ahead.
The first story is a story of the widow of Zarephath. The widow's son is dying and so she cries out to the prophet Elijah (who is staying with her), "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" The interesting thing about her accusative tirade is that this widow has already been the recipient of a profound miracle. When Elijah first came upon her, she was near starvation; she was preparing to have one last meal with her son and then, seeing no other prospects, she was resigned that she would die. Miraculously, her oil and flour jars were not only filled, but from that point on were always full. In spite of her unreasonably untrusting outburst, Elijah heals her son, but not without having his own tirade at God.
The second story in today's lessons is the story of Jesus doing a second miracle in the place where he had done his first miracle, at Cana, where he had changed the water into wine. Now a royal official has asked Jesus to heal his son. You can just hear the heavy sigh issuing from Jesus as he says to the official and those gathered around, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." Jesus then tells the official to go home; his son has been made well. And the official returns home to find that his son was healed at the exact hour Jesus spoke the words.
Looking back, the big question that both of these stories call out sternly, with finger pointed, to the reader is: "Have you taken notice of the miracles you've already seen, and have they made a single lick of difference in your life?"
Looking ahead, the big question that the stories pose is this: "Will the miracles you've already seen cause you to turn to Jesus next time you're in 'need, sorrow, or any kind of trouble'? Will you trust him, like the widow and official, with those things/people most precious to you?"
Faithfully,
Janet+
Dear Friends in Christ -
As we draw close to the end of tumultuous 2009, our daily office readings give us two stories that grip the reader and pose some serious questions for looking back and looking ahead.
The first story is a story of the widow of Zarephath. The widow's son is dying and so she cries out to the prophet Elijah (who is staying with her), "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to cause the death of my son!" The interesting thing about her accusative tirade is that this widow has already been the recipient of a profound miracle. When Elijah first came upon her, she was near starvation; she was preparing to have one last meal with her son and then, seeing no other prospects, she was resigned that she would die. Miraculously, her oil and flour jars were not only filled, but from that point on were always full. In spite of her unreasonably untrusting outburst, Elijah heals her son, but not without having his own tirade at God.
The second story in today's lessons is the story of Jesus doing a second miracle in the place where he had done his first miracle, at Cana, where he had changed the water into wine. Now a royal official has asked Jesus to heal his son. You can just hear the heavy sigh issuing from Jesus as he says to the official and those gathered around, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." Jesus then tells the official to go home; his son has been made well. And the official returns home to find that his son was healed at the exact hour Jesus spoke the words.
Looking back, the big question that both of these stories call out sternly, with finger pointed, to the reader is: "Have you taken notice of the miracles you've already seen, and have they made a single lick of difference in your life?"
Looking ahead, the big question that the stories pose is this: "Will the miracles you've already seen cause you to turn to Jesus next time you're in 'need, sorrow, or any kind of trouble'? Will you trust him, like the widow and official, with those things/people most precious to you?"
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Twelve Days of Christmas: the Fifth Day
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today is the 5th day of Christmas. We are given a season of Christmas instead of a day so that we can have some small chance, during this time, of understanding what incarnation actually is. The idea is so strange to us: GREAT BIG GOD stripping himself of all his powers and stuffing himself into a human suit. It just makes me have to ask why He would do such a thing. God was both very smart and very familiar with the nature of the other humans Jesus was be surrounded by. Surely God must have at least sensed the potential for disaster. So the only reasonable conclusion is that God must have a really good reason for this unorthodox, seemingly unwise move on the cosmic chessboard. We're given the gift of time in this holy season to ponder it, to turn it over and over in our minds like a Rubic's cube, to see if we can make heads or tales of it. (spelling "mistake" intentional)
In this holy season, please take some time to join Blessed Mary in pondering these things in your heart.
Faithfully pondering with you,
Janet+
Today is the 5th day of Christmas. We are given a season of Christmas instead of a day so that we can have some small chance, during this time, of understanding what incarnation actually is. The idea is so strange to us: GREAT BIG GOD stripping himself of all his powers and stuffing himself into a human suit. It just makes me have to ask why He would do such a thing. God was both very smart and very familiar with the nature of the other humans Jesus was be surrounded by. Surely God must have at least sensed the potential for disaster. So the only reasonable conclusion is that God must have a really good reason for this unorthodox, seemingly unwise move on the cosmic chessboard. We're given the gift of time in this holy season to ponder it, to turn it over and over in our minds like a Rubic's cube, to see if we can make heads or tales of it. (spelling "mistake" intentional)
In this holy season, please take some time to join Blessed Mary in pondering these things in your heart.
Faithfully pondering with you,
Janet+
Monday, December 28, 2009
Another reflection on incarnation . . .
. . . this time by Robert MacColl Adams, instead of me. A view from 10,000 feet to balance my from-the-ground view I shared yesterday . . .
"So here we are again, a few billion miles farther along our mysterious path among the immensities. What a comfort it is to know the Man in charge of it all. Without Him, it would be easy to think that the whole of time and space, and life itself, are without reason, purpose or meaning - as H.G. Wells said, that it is 'a bad joke beyond our understanding, a flare of vulgarity, an empty laugh braying across the mysteries.' With Jesus forever between God and us, we can understand a few things, and trust Him for the rest. After all, He is one of us: a baby once, as we all were; then, and forever after, a Man, as we all shall always be."
Faithfully,
Janet+
"So here we are again, a few billion miles farther along our mysterious path among the immensities. What a comfort it is to know the Man in charge of it all. Without Him, it would be easy to think that the whole of time and space, and life itself, are without reason, purpose or meaning - as H.G. Wells said, that it is 'a bad joke beyond our understanding, a flare of vulgarity, an empty laugh braying across the mysteries.' With Jesus forever between God and us, we can understand a few things, and trust Him for the rest. After all, He is one of us: a baby once, as we all were; then, and forever after, a Man, as we all shall always be."
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Incarnation
Dear Friends in Christ -
I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it is to be human. Yesterday, I visited one of our parishioners in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Let me tell you, there is not a bleaker place on this planet. Colorless, dimly lit, smelling like disinfectant, "safe." Nothing in sight that one could use to hurt oneself. But also no sign whatsoever of anything that felt warm or comforting.
Until I saw a couple of the nurses walk by. One nurse was wearing bright pink scrubs, a ponytail and a Christmas button that flashed red and green. The other nurse was dressed in bright blue scrubs and had on a black hijab (head covering for Muslim women). Their presences brought a sudden little bit warmth to the place.
Then I saw the person I came to see. When we first greeted, I could feel the flame of my spirit flickering so dim, pulled down by the post-Christmas-Day doldrums and the bleakness of the place. But as I talked and prayed with the person I came to see, the flame with in me and, I sensed, within my conversation partner as well, started to burn a little brighter and steadier. This was due to no special magic, no secret wisdom, just a sense of Presence and of connection with people who care beyond the beige walls.
I had a sense that this holy visit ushered in incarnation in its own way. I'm not sure I understand how, but understanding may be less the point than just showing up.
May God send you a visitor when you most need it, and may you be a visitor when someone else most needs it. In this way, may incarnation continue to manifest in our midst.
Faithfully,
Janet+
I’ve been thinking a lot about how hard it is to be human. Yesterday, I visited one of our parishioners in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Let me tell you, there is not a bleaker place on this planet. Colorless, dimly lit, smelling like disinfectant, "safe." Nothing in sight that one could use to hurt oneself. But also no sign whatsoever of anything that felt warm or comforting.
Until I saw a couple of the nurses walk by. One nurse was wearing bright pink scrubs, a ponytail and a Christmas button that flashed red and green. The other nurse was dressed in bright blue scrubs and had on a black hijab (head covering for Muslim women). Their presences brought a sudden little bit warmth to the place.
Then I saw the person I came to see. When we first greeted, I could feel the flame of my spirit flickering so dim, pulled down by the post-Christmas-Day doldrums and the bleakness of the place. But as I talked and prayed with the person I came to see, the flame with in me and, I sensed, within my conversation partner as well, started to burn a little brighter and steadier. This was due to no special magic, no secret wisdom, just a sense of Presence and of connection with people who care beyond the beige walls.
I had a sense that this holy visit ushered in incarnation in its own way. I'm not sure I understand how, but understanding may be less the point than just showing up.
May God send you a visitor when you most need it, and may you be a visitor when someone else most needs it. In this way, may incarnation continue to manifest in our midst.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Saturday, December 26, 2009
It's the day after Christmas . . .
. . . and all through the house,
toys and trinkets are scattered;
there's no room on the couch.
The stockings are empty
and sag on the floor;
piles of trash are stacked
by the back door.
The parents are tired,
and the kids winding down
but still are quite restless
to get out on the town.
"One more trip to the store,
or to see a movie please."
Even all the stuff they got
doesn't fully apease.
Happy? Oh, yes, but still
hearts long for more . . .
of what? More connection
with the One we adore.
As our hearts turn again
to work, school and play,
may we all remember
the meaning of Christmas Day,
when God came among us
mighty, though small,
just for the purpose
of saving us all.
Continued blessings to you on this second day of Christmas,
Janet+
toys and trinkets are scattered;
there's no room on the couch.
The stockings are empty
and sag on the floor;
piles of trash are stacked
by the back door.
The parents are tired,
and the kids winding down
but still are quite restless
to get out on the town.
"One more trip to the store,
or to see a movie please."
Even all the stuff they got
doesn't fully apease.
Happy? Oh, yes, but still
hearts long for more . . .
of what? More connection
with the One we adore.
As our hearts turn again
to work, school and play,
may we all remember
the meaning of Christmas Day,
when God came among us
mighty, though small,
just for the purpose
of saving us all.
Continued blessings to you on this second day of Christmas,
Janet+
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas
Dear Friends in Christ -
As I type this to you, the evening bells are ringing out from the old church. In winter, the sound of the bells is especially bright and resonant in the crisp dry air.
I'm tired. Not because of the church services. Not because of the storm of ebulent energy emanating from my children. I'm tired because this was a day in which the joys and sorrows pressed so closely together. The tremendous happiness of being with my wonderful husband and children in giving and receiving presents - and goodness in general. The delight of connecting on the phone with my brother who just got engaged. The sadness of not having my grandmother's peanut brittle to gnaw on; she passed away this year. The frustration of running into painful old patterns in relationships and being without what I need - the skills? the energy? - to try to forge a new path.
Even in the midst of it all - ESPECIALLY in the midst of it all, the church bells ring out the glad tidings. "Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given." Emmanuel is with me - with us - in the midst of it all, the glue that not only holds me and my world together, but also holds HOPE.
This morning, the sermon I preached reflected on this little poem . . .
I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger,
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world’s danger.
... Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (1861-1907)
In this season of Christmas - today is the first day of twelve days of celebration! - I'm going to listen for more on this mystery: that our Savior - who is both radical safety and radical danger - has come, with the promise to make all things new, including me!
May you hear in your heart the pealing of the bells of Christmas, the bells that ring out Emmanuel has come, God is with us!
Merry Christmas!!
Blessings,
Janet+
As I type this to you, the evening bells are ringing out from the old church. In winter, the sound of the bells is especially bright and resonant in the crisp dry air.
I'm tired. Not because of the church services. Not because of the storm of ebulent energy emanating from my children. I'm tired because this was a day in which the joys and sorrows pressed so closely together. The tremendous happiness of being with my wonderful husband and children in giving and receiving presents - and goodness in general. The delight of connecting on the phone with my brother who just got engaged. The sadness of not having my grandmother's peanut brittle to gnaw on; she passed away this year. The frustration of running into painful old patterns in relationships and being without what I need - the skills? the energy? - to try to forge a new path.
Even in the midst of it all - ESPECIALLY in the midst of it all, the church bells ring out the glad tidings. "Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given." Emmanuel is with me - with us - in the midst of it all, the glue that not only holds me and my world together, but also holds HOPE.
This morning, the sermon I preached reflected on this little poem . . .
I saw a stable, low and very bare,
A little child in a manger.
The oxen knew Him, had Him in their care,
To men He was a stranger,
The safety of the world was lying there,
And the world’s danger.
... Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (1861-1907)
In this season of Christmas - today is the first day of twelve days of celebration! - I'm going to listen for more on this mystery: that our Savior - who is both radical safety and radical danger - has come, with the promise to make all things new, including me!
May you hear in your heart the pealing of the bells of Christmas, the bells that ring out Emmanuel has come, God is with us!
Merry Christmas!!
Blessings,
Janet+
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Christmas Eve . . . the waiting ends . . .
. . . and the unexpected breaks in to startle us again with old news about newness . . .
"This is the irrational season
Where love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There's have been no room for the child."
-- Madeleine L'Engle
May God's newness break into your heart afresh this holy night, through some completely mundane encounter or experience, some earthy happening that makes the incarnation yet more real to you.
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Janet+
"This is the irrational season
Where love blooms bright and wild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There's have been no room for the child."
-- Madeleine L'Engle
May God's newness break into your heart afresh this holy night, through some completely mundane encounter or experience, some earthy happening that makes the incarnation yet more real to you.
Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
Janet+
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
An Assault on Bleakness
Dear Friends in Christ -
Sorry I've been lagging so badly in the blogging department these past couple of weeks. Busyness is my excuse, but it's no excuse really. Reaching out to you is my number one priority. I've just been doing my reaching out one-on-one these past couple of weeks, connecting with people who are really in need.
I have been collecting things to share with you . . . and now I have a backlog in my brain - and on my desk. I have to get to the church in a few minutes to finish up the bulletins for the Christmas services, but I wanted to pass along to you an email from a colleague of mine . . . it delighted my heart!
Faithfully yours (even when unfaithful in daily blogging!),
Janet+
From the Rev. David Anderson, rector of St. Luke's, Darien:
Dear Friends,
This week I'm sharing one of my favorite video clips. Maybe you've seen it before---something unexpected happens in Central Station, Antwerp. If you're like me, this is a good season to watch again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k
What I love about that movie-ette is the drab, Dutch commuter scene, like any major urban center. People don't talk to strangers. They don't even make eye contact. Then suddenly singing and dancing erupts in a place where only drabness is appropriate, only bleakness is allowed. And the shell of isolation is broken. People with somber faces light up, they clap and smile, they dance and cheer.
About Christmas, the legendary interior designer, Mark Hampton, said:
Without being crude and insensitive to the deeper spiritual aspects of the holiday, one can still be aware of the fact that people everywhere, regardless of religious beliefs, eagerly seize the opportunity to celebrate a holiday that glorifies generosity and hospitality. Christmas is, in fact, an assault on bleakness-spiritual, emotional, and seasonal.
That's what happened in Central Station, Antwerp. Advent says: If you will only look and listen, it is happening always, everywhere.
Advent blessings,
David
Sorry I've been lagging so badly in the blogging department these past couple of weeks. Busyness is my excuse, but it's no excuse really. Reaching out to you is my number one priority. I've just been doing my reaching out one-on-one these past couple of weeks, connecting with people who are really in need.
I have been collecting things to share with you . . . and now I have a backlog in my brain - and on my desk. I have to get to the church in a few minutes to finish up the bulletins for the Christmas services, but I wanted to pass along to you an email from a colleague of mine . . . it delighted my heart!
Faithfully yours (even when unfaithful in daily blogging!),
Janet+
From the Rev. David Anderson, rector of St. Luke's, Darien:
Dear Friends,
This week I'm sharing one of my favorite video clips. Maybe you've seen it before---something unexpected happens in Central Station, Antwerp. If you're like me, this is a good season to watch again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k
What I love about that movie-ette is the drab, Dutch commuter scene, like any major urban center. People don't talk to strangers. They don't even make eye contact. Then suddenly singing and dancing erupts in a place where only drabness is appropriate, only bleakness is allowed. And the shell of isolation is broken. People with somber faces light up, they clap and smile, they dance and cheer.
About Christmas, the legendary interior designer, Mark Hampton, said:
Without being crude and insensitive to the deeper spiritual aspects of the holiday, one can still be aware of the fact that people everywhere, regardless of religious beliefs, eagerly seize the opportunity to celebrate a holiday that glorifies generosity and hospitality. Christmas is, in fact, an assault on bleakness-spiritual, emotional, and seasonal.
That's what happened in Central Station, Antwerp. Advent says: If you will only look and listen, it is happening always, everywhere.
Advent blessings,
David
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Caroling CANCELLED
Dear Friends in Christ -
Just a note to confirm that the Christmas Caroling scheduled for this evening (Sunday, 12/20) is CANCELLED. Though many roads are plowed, it's hard to get out and about, and it will freeze again soon.
Stay safe and warm on this beautiful day!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Just a note to confirm that the Christmas Caroling scheduled for this evening (Sunday, 12/20) is CANCELLED. Though many roads are plowed, it's hard to get out and about, and it will freeze again soon.
Stay safe and warm on this beautiful day!
Faithfully,
Janet+
10:00 a.m. Worship Service is ON
Dear Friends in Christ -
The pageant and worship service at 10:00 a.m. is ON!
If you can shovel or snow-blow yourself out, please come.
The snow-shovel dudes that work for Brad Wells have shovelled us out, so st. Paul's is open for business. Wear your jeans and come as you are. We'll put the coffee on!
Blessings,
Janet+
The pageant and worship service at 10:00 a.m. is ON!
If you can shovel or snow-blow yourself out, please come.
The snow-shovel dudes that work for Brad Wells have shovelled us out, so st. Paul's is open for business. Wear your jeans and come as you are. We'll put the coffee on!
Blessings,
Janet+
8:00 a.m. Worship Service CANCELLED
Dear Friends in Christ -
Though the parking lot has been plowed, the roads are in terrible condition. Our 8:00 a.m. service is, therefore, CANCELLED.
I'll keep you posted about the 10:00 a.m. service! I'm still hoping to have it, but we'll see . . .
Sleep in a little and then get out that snow blower!
Blessings,
Janet+
Though the parking lot has been plowed, the roads are in terrible condition. Our 8:00 a.m. service is, therefore, CANCELLED.
I'll keep you posted about the 10:00 a.m. service! I'm still hoping to have it, but we'll see . . .
Sleep in a little and then get out that snow blower!
Blessings,
Janet+
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Why I'm REALLY looking forward to the Christmas Pageant
Dear Friends in Christ –
As I type this, I’m keeping one eye on the grey sky out my kitchen window. The sky has lightened over these past hours from a dark soot-grey to a lighter feather-grey, a sign that snow will likely start to fall soon. Weather reports predict that a bunch of snow will fall this evening.
I hope it doesn’t snow so much that we have to cancel the Christmas pageant. I’m looking forward to the pageant more than ever this year because of two disappointing events this week at my kids’ schools.
On Wednesday, my husband and kids attended Candlelight Night at my daughter’s school. One of the parents had told me that it would be an ethnic potluck (each family’s encouraged to bring a dish related to their heritage) and time to tell stories about family traditions around the holidays. The woman led me to believe that the kids usually focused on things they did related to their various religious traditions. But my husband came home frustrated, saying that somehow this year’s conversation focused on the favorite presents the kids received and never moved on to anything deeper.
On Friday, I went to participate in the sing-a-long at my son’s preschool. Since the preschool is at a church, I expected there to be a range of songs, at least a few of which would be Christmas carols. No luck with the carols. Songs about reindeer and bells that jingle, songs about Hanukkah dreidels and penguins, but nothing remotely relating to the real meaning of Christmas.
The truth is, Ed and I wouldn’t have been so disturbed about the choice of topics or songs for the events if the sense of community among the participants would have been warmer. But the truly sad thing at both events was that people didn’t make any effort to connect with people they didn’t already know. There was no sense of reaching out, much less seeing beneath the surface. At my son’s sing-a-long, parents were so busy taking pictures and the kids were so busy posing for their parents that there wasn’t much actual singing going on. The music teacher anticipated that problem and came armed with a solution: canned background music that included children’s voices.
So I’m REALLY looking forward to the Christmas pageant. Not only is the pageant about the actual reason the Christmas, the birth of Christ our Savior, but it’s something we do together as a community. Pageant practice today was happy chaos, with kids in sheep costumes poking each other and missing their cues. But the angels helped each other put their wings on, and I saw a girl give “thumbs up” to her sister when she did a good job. The kids’ carol-singing may not be ready for Broadway, but they sing with gusto, and pretty much on key. Snow or no snow, they’re ready.
Christmas is about figuring out how to live into the goodness that Christ brings. I’m glad to be a part of a community where we give our time and talents to share about what we believe, where we really celebrate the Reason for the Season.
Faithfully with you,
Janet+
As I type this, I’m keeping one eye on the grey sky out my kitchen window. The sky has lightened over these past hours from a dark soot-grey to a lighter feather-grey, a sign that snow will likely start to fall soon. Weather reports predict that a bunch of snow will fall this evening.
I hope it doesn’t snow so much that we have to cancel the Christmas pageant. I’m looking forward to the pageant more than ever this year because of two disappointing events this week at my kids’ schools.
On Wednesday, my husband and kids attended Candlelight Night at my daughter’s school. One of the parents had told me that it would be an ethnic potluck (each family’s encouraged to bring a dish related to their heritage) and time to tell stories about family traditions around the holidays. The woman led me to believe that the kids usually focused on things they did related to their various religious traditions. But my husband came home frustrated, saying that somehow this year’s conversation focused on the favorite presents the kids received and never moved on to anything deeper.
On Friday, I went to participate in the sing-a-long at my son’s preschool. Since the preschool is at a church, I expected there to be a range of songs, at least a few of which would be Christmas carols. No luck with the carols. Songs about reindeer and bells that jingle, songs about Hanukkah dreidels and penguins, but nothing remotely relating to the real meaning of Christmas.
The truth is, Ed and I wouldn’t have been so disturbed about the choice of topics or songs for the events if the sense of community among the participants would have been warmer. But the truly sad thing at both events was that people didn’t make any effort to connect with people they didn’t already know. There was no sense of reaching out, much less seeing beneath the surface. At my son’s sing-a-long, parents were so busy taking pictures and the kids were so busy posing for their parents that there wasn’t much actual singing going on. The music teacher anticipated that problem and came armed with a solution: canned background music that included children’s voices.
So I’m REALLY looking forward to the Christmas pageant. Not only is the pageant about the actual reason the Christmas, the birth of Christ our Savior, but it’s something we do together as a community. Pageant practice today was happy chaos, with kids in sheep costumes poking each other and missing their cues. But the angels helped each other put their wings on, and I saw a girl give “thumbs up” to her sister when she did a good job. The kids’ carol-singing may not be ready for Broadway, but they sing with gusto, and pretty much on key. Snow or no snow, they’re ready.
Christmas is about figuring out how to live into the goodness that Christ brings. I’m glad to be a part of a community where we give our time and talents to share about what we believe, where we really celebrate the Reason for the Season.
Faithfully with you,
Janet+
Inclement Weather
Dear Friends in Christ –
First of all, I have to GIVE THANKS TO GOD that the snow held off this week so that the roofers could do their work. Let us rejoice that the entire chapel/parish hall/office complex was roofed without incident or injury, and without losing a moment to bad weather. Thanks be to God that the sun shone all week and for the generosity and wisdom that allowed us to care for our wonderful parish buildings.
Snow is now on it’s way, however. And what else can we expect?! Winter is nearly here! Last year, we watched the snow fall all around as the angels and shepherds made their way in to the sanctuary to tell the story of Christ’s birth. Looks like the ambiance will be much the same this year!
In case of inclement weather, our plan is to keep the parking lot plowed and have church anyway UNLESS the roads are simply too treacherous for safe passage. Because of the huge amount of organization it takes to pull together the pageant, the pageant will not be rescheduled if church needs to be cancelled this Sunday (12/20).
Here’s our policy for inclement weather notifications, this weekend and throughout the winter.
1. Decisions about whether or not to cancel worship services and other activities will be made AT LEAST TWO HOURS in advance of the service/event.
2. CANCELLATIONS will be posted on the blog (www.25church.blogspot.com).. An announcement of cancellations will also be put on the parish office voicemail (203-929-1722). I will also attempt to send an ENEWS notification via email; but this is new to me, so please don’t rely solely on this source for information just yet.
3. If there is no notice on the blog or voicemail, you may safely assume that services and events are ON as scheduled. (Please note, however, that electronics do occasionally fail us. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
May God keep us all snug and safe during these cold winter days.
Faithfully,
Janet+
First of all, I have to GIVE THANKS TO GOD that the snow held off this week so that the roofers could do their work. Let us rejoice that the entire chapel/parish hall/office complex was roofed without incident or injury, and without losing a moment to bad weather. Thanks be to God that the sun shone all week and for the generosity and wisdom that allowed us to care for our wonderful parish buildings.
Snow is now on it’s way, however. And what else can we expect?! Winter is nearly here! Last year, we watched the snow fall all around as the angels and shepherds made their way in to the sanctuary to tell the story of Christ’s birth. Looks like the ambiance will be much the same this year!
In case of inclement weather, our plan is to keep the parking lot plowed and have church anyway UNLESS the roads are simply too treacherous for safe passage. Because of the huge amount of organization it takes to pull together the pageant, the pageant will not be rescheduled if church needs to be cancelled this Sunday (12/20).
Here’s our policy for inclement weather notifications, this weekend and throughout the winter.
1. Decisions about whether or not to cancel worship services and other activities will be made AT LEAST TWO HOURS in advance of the service/event.
2. CANCELLATIONS will be posted on the blog (www.25church.blogspot.com).. An announcement of cancellations will also be put on the parish office voicemail (203-929-1722). I will also attempt to send an ENEWS notification via email; but this is new to me, so please don’t rely solely on this source for information just yet.
3. If there is no notice on the blog or voicemail, you may safely assume that services and events are ON as scheduled. (Please note, however, that electronics do occasionally fail us. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
May God keep us all snug and safe during these cold winter days.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Friday, December 18, 2009
Living and writing
Dear Friends in Christ -
Now that I'm in the habit of writing to you every day, I feel "overstuffed" with things to say when it's been a few days since I've had a chance to sit down and write. My writing mentors say that in order to really be a serious, good writer, you have to write every day. Well, the truth is, as a mother and a priest, sometimes those roles have to take precedence.
One of the things that writing well and often presses me to do is to really be present in the moments of my life when I'm not writing. In order to be able to share thoughts and stories with you in a way that catches your imagination, I have to be able to not only tell you, for example, that I went to the post office this morning. But I also have to have paid enough attention that I can convey to you in living color what happened while I was there: the agony expressed on people's faces when the man in front of us needs to send something to a foreign country and hasn't filled out the paperwork, the gentle selflessness of the woman who opens the door for each newcomer who comes inside on a wave icy air. Today, the comraderie I found in the small community of people in the post office, feeling the joys and pains of the season together, was enough to give me a little lift (the caffeine in the coffee I brought along helped, too, make no mistake!).
I have stories from this past week stored up inside me, and now that I've got gifts on the way to friends and family, I'll take time to share them, because hearing and sharing stories of day-in-day-out griefs and glories helps me to understand how it is that the incarnation is still happening, right here, right now, where I/we need it most.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Now that I'm in the habit of writing to you every day, I feel "overstuffed" with things to say when it's been a few days since I've had a chance to sit down and write. My writing mentors say that in order to really be a serious, good writer, you have to write every day. Well, the truth is, as a mother and a priest, sometimes those roles have to take precedence.
One of the things that writing well and often presses me to do is to really be present in the moments of my life when I'm not writing. In order to be able to share thoughts and stories with you in a way that catches your imagination, I have to be able to not only tell you, for example, that I went to the post office this morning. But I also have to have paid enough attention that I can convey to you in living color what happened while I was there: the agony expressed on people's faces when the man in front of us needs to send something to a foreign country and hasn't filled out the paperwork, the gentle selflessness of the woman who opens the door for each newcomer who comes inside on a wave icy air. Today, the comraderie I found in the small community of people in the post office, feeling the joys and pains of the season together, was enough to give me a little lift (the caffeine in the coffee I brought along helped, too, make no mistake!).
I have stories from this past week stored up inside me, and now that I've got gifts on the way to friends and family, I'll take time to share them, because hearing and sharing stories of day-in-day-out griefs and glories helps me to understand how it is that the incarnation is still happening, right here, right now, where I/we need it most.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Light one candle
Dear Friends in Christ -
This past Sunday, our Junior Choir sang about lighting candles . . . light one candle for peace, light one candle for hope, light one candle for joy, light one candle for love . . .
The lighting of candles - and doing so together - has taken on special meaning this week. On Sunday afternoon at a menorah lighting in Fairfield, masked men with swastika flags showed up to interrupt the Jewish services. The men fled before the police could arrive, so now justice must be served in another way. And, perhaps, for the better.
Without each and every one of us taking a stand for peace and justice, darkness will continue to have its place in our world. So please do what you can in these holy days to let the light of God's love, hope, peace and joy be the last word.
Yesterday, I signed a letter in the Connecticut Post condemning acts of hate and inviting all to come together in the name of peace and love, in the name of God. That's just one way to take a stand. Another opportunity - offered to all - is to participate in the menorah lighting at the Jewish Center for Community Services, 4200 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, at 4:45 tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.
In these holy days, please do whatever you can to let the world know that hate and disrespect of any kind is NOT OK. As Christians here as St. Paul's, we take a stand for peace and hope and joy and love.
Faithfully,
Janet+
This past Sunday, our Junior Choir sang about lighting candles . . . light one candle for peace, light one candle for hope, light one candle for joy, light one candle for love . . .
The lighting of candles - and doing so together - has taken on special meaning this week. On Sunday afternoon at a menorah lighting in Fairfield, masked men with swastika flags showed up to interrupt the Jewish services. The men fled before the police could arrive, so now justice must be served in another way. And, perhaps, for the better.
Without each and every one of us taking a stand for peace and justice, darkness will continue to have its place in our world. So please do what you can in these holy days to let the light of God's love, hope, peace and joy be the last word.
Yesterday, I signed a letter in the Connecticut Post condemning acts of hate and inviting all to come together in the name of peace and love, in the name of God. That's just one way to take a stand. Another opportunity - offered to all - is to participate in the menorah lighting at the Jewish Center for Community Services, 4200 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, at 4:45 tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.
In these holy days, please do whatever you can to let the world know that hate and disrespect of any kind is NOT OK. As Christians here as St. Paul's, we take a stand for peace and hope and joy and love.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Unemployment and hope
Dear Friends in Christ -
St. Paul's is a place where there are a lot of folks who work hard and don't complain a lot. But I strongly suspect that some of you are really struggling. Partially I suspect this because it seems that this part of Fairfield County is on the back side of the economic wave: it seems that things don't get really bad here until after they've been really bad in other places for a while. Even as things start to get better in other places, we're still seeing job losses here. I talked to two people last week who have been served notice that they will lose their jobs in the next few weeks.
Also, for many of you, you've been patching it together for a while - with extra jobs and using money from savings, but the stress is now starting to catch up with you. And on the heels of stress comes hopelessness.
If I needed external confirmation of all this, I found it on the front page of the NYTimes. The stresses and strains of unemployment and underemployment are catching up with folks across the country. In reading the article, I could hear the voices of those people - and I could see with the eyes of my heart your pursed lips and weary eyes. You understand because you're living it. And you would like someone to know, but you don't want to complain.
I understand. I really do. My husband has a job that ends in May. At this point, there's no other work in sight. Like you, I'm not complainin'; I'm just sayin' . . .
So, where do we find hope??? I don't know about you, but I need two kinds of hope - the hope the leans into and looks for big things - the celebration of Christmas, a new job for my husband in mid 2010 - AND the hope that just feeds me day to day, like a steady IV drip.
Today, I found a glimmer of hope in today's daily office readings: God's promise to be with me if I invite Him (Rev. 3:20), not just to drop by with a few rah-rah words of encouragement, but to STAY with me in my day to day life.
I need that - and I wanted to remind you of God's promise this morning, in case you need it, too.
Faithfully with you,
Janet+
St. Paul's is a place where there are a lot of folks who work hard and don't complain a lot. But I strongly suspect that some of you are really struggling. Partially I suspect this because it seems that this part of Fairfield County is on the back side of the economic wave: it seems that things don't get really bad here until after they've been really bad in other places for a while. Even as things start to get better in other places, we're still seeing job losses here. I talked to two people last week who have been served notice that they will lose their jobs in the next few weeks.
Also, for many of you, you've been patching it together for a while - with extra jobs and using money from savings, but the stress is now starting to catch up with you. And on the heels of stress comes hopelessness.
If I needed external confirmation of all this, I found it on the front page of the NYTimes. The stresses and strains of unemployment and underemployment are catching up with folks across the country. In reading the article, I could hear the voices of those people - and I could see with the eyes of my heart your pursed lips and weary eyes. You understand because you're living it. And you would like someone to know, but you don't want to complain.
I understand. I really do. My husband has a job that ends in May. At this point, there's no other work in sight. Like you, I'm not complainin'; I'm just sayin' . . .
So, where do we find hope??? I don't know about you, but I need two kinds of hope - the hope the leans into and looks for big things - the celebration of Christmas, a new job for my husband in mid 2010 - AND the hope that just feeds me day to day, like a steady IV drip.
Today, I found a glimmer of hope in today's daily office readings: God's promise to be with me if I invite Him (Rev. 3:20), not just to drop by with a few rah-rah words of encouragement, but to STAY with me in my day to day life.
I need that - and I wanted to remind you of God's promise this morning, in case you need it, too.
Faithfully with you,
Janet+
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fire
Dear Friends in Christ -
This little thought from Edward Hays in "A Pilgrim's Almanac" inspired and challenged me today . . .
"Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent…If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer. Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts. Ours is a great responsibility not to waste this Advent time."
May your heart so catch fire with the power of the Miracle that you won't even feel the weight of the responsibility of preparing well for His coming.
Blessings,
Janet+
This little thought from Edward Hays in "A Pilgrim's Almanac" inspired and challenged me today . . .
"Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts. Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent…If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas, if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer. Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls that can truly change our hearts. Ours is a great responsibility not to waste this Advent time."
May your heart so catch fire with the power of the Miracle that you won't even feel the weight of the responsibility of preparing well for His coming.
Blessings,
Janet+
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
About time . . .
Dear Friends in Christ -
This week, a friend of mine invited me to think of time as a gift. I was caught up short by this thought, because so often time seems to be "the enemy." I think of time as a place of scarcity in my life, and so I'm afraid of talking or even thinking about how much there is of it and how I make use of it.
My friend quoted from something he read: "Surely God means for time to be a sign of God's hope in us, God's confidence that we can change. With each new year [or new day!], God extends to us a fresh opportunity to become the people God intends us to be . . . As one year [and even one day] gives way to another, we are invited to give way - to seek forgiveness, or to offer it, and to turn toward the mountain of God where weapons of war are reshaped as tools of human flourishing and violent ways are unlearned." ("Kept awake by love" in The Christian Century 12/01/09).
During this sacred time of repentance and preparation for God's miracle breaking again into our lives, may we take the time given to us as a gift to do the most important things. And may God give us the grace to let the other things go.
Faithfully with you in this time,
Janet+
This week, a friend of mine invited me to think of time as a gift. I was caught up short by this thought, because so often time seems to be "the enemy." I think of time as a place of scarcity in my life, and so I'm afraid of talking or even thinking about how much there is of it and how I make use of it.
My friend quoted from something he read: "Surely God means for time to be a sign of God's hope in us, God's confidence that we can change. With each new year [or new day!], God extends to us a fresh opportunity to become the people God intends us to be . . . As one year [and even one day] gives way to another, we are invited to give way - to seek forgiveness, or to offer it, and to turn toward the mountain of God where weapons of war are reshaped as tools of human flourishing and violent ways are unlearned." ("Kept awake by love" in The Christian Century 12/01/09).
During this sacred time of repentance and preparation for God's miracle breaking again into our lives, may we take the time given to us as a gift to do the most important things. And may God give us the grace to let the other things go.
Faithfully with you in this time,
Janet+
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Frustration! - and a blessing
Dear Friends in Christ -
AAACCCKKK! I learning to make peace with the subtle workings of "mystery" in my life, but I'm NOT in the mood to make peace with technology that just doesn't work.
I've been posting, but somehow the posts don't always show up where they're supposed to when they're supposed to. I've pushed all the buttons and settings that I can find, but "automatic" settings seem to mean that things work when they have a mind to and not when they're told.
Of course, the reason I'm stomping and pouting in my office right now is that I put all this work into writing and then I'm afraid you'll miss what I've invested so much time and energy in writing. Why am I afraid? Because it matters to me to connect with you (and how can I even get credit for trying if this doesn't work?!). And it matters to me that you connect with God. I don't want you to miss out.
May you be blessed this day in knowing that this writer wishes you a special connection with God this day . . . somewhere, somehow, whether or not this frickin' thing works the way it's supposed to!
Faithfully,
Janet+
AAACCCKKK! I learning to make peace with the subtle workings of "mystery" in my life, but I'm NOT in the mood to make peace with technology that just doesn't work.
I've been posting, but somehow the posts don't always show up where they're supposed to when they're supposed to. I've pushed all the buttons and settings that I can find, but "automatic" settings seem to mean that things work when they have a mind to and not when they're told.
Of course, the reason I'm stomping and pouting in my office right now is that I put all this work into writing and then I'm afraid you'll miss what I've invested so much time and energy in writing. Why am I afraid? Because it matters to me to connect with you (and how can I even get credit for trying if this doesn't work?!). And it matters to me that you connect with God. I don't want you to miss out.
May you be blessed this day in knowing that this writer wishes you a special connection with God this day . . . somewhere, somehow, whether or not this frickin' thing works the way it's supposed to!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Monday, December 7, 2009
In Memory
Dear Friends in Christ -
Once again, we find ourselves at the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. For a long time, I have sensed that the reason we commemorate this day especially, is that it's a day on which we were taken by surprise. We knew the world was at war, but we hoped and prayed it would not come to us. We knew that something like this "could" happen, but we did everything we knew how to do - diplomatically, militarily - to prevent it.
In order for us to understand the true meaning of this day, we must touch down in a place beyond heroism, into the place where we take seriously that probably no matter what we do, things like this will happen again in this lost and dying world. In this tender place of vulnerability we must FIRST acknowledge our dependence on God. Of course, we must still strive for peace. Of course, we must still maintain military forces that protect and defend. But we must also renew our commitment to hear God's voice and to follow in His way - and to encourage others to do the same.
May we be successful in living in such a way that the world may know the glory of God, the power of His love, and the will of His heart for perfect peace, peace that passes understanding. For when we trust ourselves to live fully in His care, swords can then become plowshares, and we will begin to know heaven, even on earth. This isn't just wishful thinking, it's the promise of God to us.
Once a long time ago when I was working in a nursing home, I asked a man who was a veteran of World War II what he wished I would remember about the Great War. His reply: that war is always terrible and that I should do whatever I can to prevent ever going to war again. I write to you today in memory of him, trusting that this drop in the ocean will somehow make a difference.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Once again, we find ourselves at the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. For a long time, I have sensed that the reason we commemorate this day especially, is that it's a day on which we were taken by surprise. We knew the world was at war, but we hoped and prayed it would not come to us. We knew that something like this "could" happen, but we did everything we knew how to do - diplomatically, militarily - to prevent it.
In order for us to understand the true meaning of this day, we must touch down in a place beyond heroism, into the place where we take seriously that probably no matter what we do, things like this will happen again in this lost and dying world. In this tender place of vulnerability we must FIRST acknowledge our dependence on God. Of course, we must still strive for peace. Of course, we must still maintain military forces that protect and defend. But we must also renew our commitment to hear God's voice and to follow in His way - and to encourage others to do the same.
May we be successful in living in such a way that the world may know the glory of God, the power of His love, and the will of His heart for perfect peace, peace that passes understanding. For when we trust ourselves to live fully in His care, swords can then become plowshares, and we will begin to know heaven, even on earth. This isn't just wishful thinking, it's the promise of God to us.
Once a long time ago when I was working in a nursing home, I asked a man who was a veteran of World War II what he wished I would remember about the Great War. His reply: that war is always terrible and that I should do whatever I can to prevent ever going to war again. I write to you today in memory of him, trusting that this drop in the ocean will somehow make a difference.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Advent II
Dear Friends in Christ -
I didn't mince any words in my sermon this morning about what God asks of us this Advent, because the words of the RELENTLESS prophet John the Baptist kept ringing in my ears. Every time I thought about preaching something "milder," I could hear John shouting, "The message is simple: REPENT!"
It's a hard message to preach, because I know my own heart. I'm not perfect. When I point the finger at you and call you to repentance, I feel the other fingers pointing back at me.
Fortunately, God's word keeps coming to me in fresh new ways. This week, I heard a fresh word on repentance from the Rev. Amy Richter, another Episcopal priest:
“Repentance is not the same as remorse or regret. It is not listing all the ways things could have gone differently. It is not wishing you were a better person, that some things had never happened, that bad things wouldn’t keep happening to you. It’s not feeling guilty or ashamed. It’s not feeling afraid. It’s not something that leaves us stuck, or standing still, or spinning in circles, going nowhere.
Repentance is about movement, letting yourself be grasped by God, getting new bearings, and relying on God for [new] directions.”
May her words do for you what they did for me: nourish my soul - and call it to do the hard work necessary in this season of anticipation.
Faithfully,
Janet+
I didn't mince any words in my sermon this morning about what God asks of us this Advent, because the words of the RELENTLESS prophet John the Baptist kept ringing in my ears. Every time I thought about preaching something "milder," I could hear John shouting, "The message is simple: REPENT!"
It's a hard message to preach, because I know my own heart. I'm not perfect. When I point the finger at you and call you to repentance, I feel the other fingers pointing back at me.
Fortunately, God's word keeps coming to me in fresh new ways. This week, I heard a fresh word on repentance from the Rev. Amy Richter, another Episcopal priest:
“Repentance is not the same as remorse or regret. It is not listing all the ways things could have gone differently. It is not wishing you were a better person, that some things had never happened, that bad things wouldn’t keep happening to you. It’s not feeling guilty or ashamed. It’s not feeling afraid. It’s not something that leaves us stuck, or standing still, or spinning in circles, going nowhere.
Repentance is about movement, letting yourself be grasped by God, getting new bearings, and relying on God for [new] directions.”
May her words do for you what they did for me: nourish my soul - and call it to do the hard work necessary in this season of anticipation.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Prayed-in Space
Dear Friends in Christ -
Last night, I put my hat and gloves on and tromped over to the old Church with Ed and the kids. Some of our ladies have spent hours this past week decorating the place, so that we could be included in the fundraiser for our friends at Huntington United Methodist Church.
As I expected, the place was beautiful. Candles flickering in the windows, greens swooping elegantly along the balcony, red poinsettas shouting nature's joy around the altar.
The place was abuzz with the low voices of our tour guests. But what I noticed in my heart was that even the busyness didn't drown out the peacefulness of the place. It was as if a fountain was bubbling up right in the middle of the place and the sound of running water could be heard under and around all the other sound.
It's a prayed-in space. No matter where you come from, no matter where you're going, no matter why you come, the place itself holds you in God's presence because over generations and centuries, people have prayed on that spot.
Someone asked me this week if they could come to the church and pray. Absolutely. Any time. Just bring a lap blanket (we don't keep the heat on during the week) and borrow a key from the parish office. In the midst of it all, God is right here. Come and see.
Blessings,
Janet+
Last night, I put my hat and gloves on and tromped over to the old Church with Ed and the kids. Some of our ladies have spent hours this past week decorating the place, so that we could be included in the fundraiser for our friends at Huntington United Methodist Church.
As I expected, the place was beautiful. Candles flickering in the windows, greens swooping elegantly along the balcony, red poinsettas shouting nature's joy around the altar.
The place was abuzz with the low voices of our tour guests. But what I noticed in my heart was that even the busyness didn't drown out the peacefulness of the place. It was as if a fountain was bubbling up right in the middle of the place and the sound of running water could be heard under and around all the other sound.
It's a prayed-in space. No matter where you come from, no matter where you're going, no matter why you come, the place itself holds you in God's presence because over generations and centuries, people have prayed on that spot.
Someone asked me this week if they could come to the church and pray. Absolutely. Any time. Just bring a lap blanket (we don't keep the heat on during the week) and borrow a key from the parish office. In the midst of it all, God is right here. Come and see.
Blessings,
Janet+
Friday, December 4, 2009
Guilt . . . or something else . . .
Dear Friends in Christ -
I had missed a few days of seeing the online Advent calendar at www.trinitywallstreet.org/advent, so I spent some time catching up today, opening each window, listening and watching as I sipped my morning coffee. The power and tenderness of watching several of these pieces in a row really blew me away.
It took me a while to be able to put a name to the feeling that I have watching these pieces about "creating the Kingdom of God." At first I thought the feeling was guilt. I have so much more than the people shown in these videos. When I hear these stories, I want to give money to help in all of these places. I can't.
And then I realized, it's not guilt I feel. I'm not failing these people by using resources to pay my bills and take care of my children. But I do feel something . . . the feeling I have is one of LONGING. I long to see health and education and beauty and freedom and joy come to all these people - and to me and my family and my neighbors down the street in my own neighborhood.
There is a difference between me and the people in these interviews: they have a clear mission, something they're pouring themselves into. If we listen carefully to their stories, we hear that there's a very personal connection that makes the particular ministry they're working in personal to them.
And I'm sitting here thinking to myself: what is it for me? What's my personal connection to the world that would help me to profoundly connect to make a difference?
And then it hit me: I am involved in something. Here at St. Paul's, we've been working with other churches in our Deanery to build a church in Tacusa, Ecuador. It's not a project I chose; Ecuador is not a country I've been to yet. But then something else hit me: the reason I feel so passionate about building this church is that in Oregon, I used to work with migrant farmworkers from Ecuador.
Recognizing the personal connection opens up my heart, gives me new energy for the work, pressed me on.
What's your personal connection? How are you connected to a place (and a ministry) where you might help create the Kingdom of God?
Faithfully longing,
Janet+
I had missed a few days of seeing the online Advent calendar at www.trinitywallstreet.org/advent, so I spent some time catching up today, opening each window, listening and watching as I sipped my morning coffee. The power and tenderness of watching several of these pieces in a row really blew me away.
It took me a while to be able to put a name to the feeling that I have watching these pieces about "creating the Kingdom of God." At first I thought the feeling was guilt. I have so much more than the people shown in these videos. When I hear these stories, I want to give money to help in all of these places. I can't.
And then I realized, it's not guilt I feel. I'm not failing these people by using resources to pay my bills and take care of my children. But I do feel something . . . the feeling I have is one of LONGING. I long to see health and education and beauty and freedom and joy come to all these people - and to me and my family and my neighbors down the street in my own neighborhood.
There is a difference between me and the people in these interviews: they have a clear mission, something they're pouring themselves into. If we listen carefully to their stories, we hear that there's a very personal connection that makes the particular ministry they're working in personal to them.
And I'm sitting here thinking to myself: what is it for me? What's my personal connection to the world that would help me to profoundly connect to make a difference?
And then it hit me: I am involved in something. Here at St. Paul's, we've been working with other churches in our Deanery to build a church in Tacusa, Ecuador. It's not a project I chose; Ecuador is not a country I've been to yet. But then something else hit me: the reason I feel so passionate about building this church is that in Oregon, I used to work with migrant farmworkers from Ecuador.
Recognizing the personal connection opens up my heart, gives me new energy for the work, pressed me on.
What's your personal connection? How are you connected to a place (and a ministry) where you might help create the Kingdom of God?
Faithfully longing,
Janet+
Thursday, December 3, 2009
An Advent Poem
Dear Friends in Christ -
I'm often caught up in a flurry of words - reading, writing. It's the music and poetry of the season that make me pause, that spark my soul, that take my breath away. Here's the simple poem that brought a fresh breeze through my study today.
Faithfully,
Janet+
That Holy Thing
by George MacDonald
They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes and lift them high;
Thou cam’st, a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.
O Son of Man, to right my lot
Naught but Thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road Thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea Thy sail!
My how or when Thou wilt not heed,
But come down Thine own secret stair,
That Thou may’st answer all my need-
Yea, every bygone prayer.
I'm often caught up in a flurry of words - reading, writing. It's the music and poetry of the season that make me pause, that spark my soul, that take my breath away. Here's the simple poem that brought a fresh breeze through my study today.
Faithfully,
Janet+
That Holy Thing
by George MacDonald
They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes and lift them high;
Thou cam’st, a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.
O Son of Man, to right my lot
Naught but Thy presence can avail;
Yet on the road Thy wheels are not,
Nor on the sea Thy sail!
My how or when Thou wilt not heed,
But come down Thine own secret stair,
That Thou may’st answer all my need-
Yea, every bygone prayer.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Wednesday mornings
Dear Friends in Christ -
Every Wednesday morning, I get up before the crack of dawn to attend the 7:00 a.m. church service at St. Paul's. To be honest, I'm not sure that I would make it every week if I didn't have to lead it. But I think I would probably come at least once in a while. As an introvert, I love quiet places and small groups. As a working woman, I need a little extra spiritual help to get me through the week.
If you need a little extra help to get you through the week, I encourage you to join us at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. It's not "just another" service. We only gather for 30 minutes (max!). We use some of the Scriptures from the Daily Office Readings appointed for the day. Right now, we're using a Eucharistic prayer from the Church of Scotland; the differences in it help me hear God in new ways. I usually preach the short homily, but once a month our seminarian, Kate, preaches.
This morning, I reflected a little bit on the Gospel lesson for today (Matthew 21:23-32) and how persistent Jesus is in inviting us. Even if we don't respond well to the invitation. Even if he has to take a different approach to get our attention.
This morning, I want to be just as persistent in inviting you. Because when we're gathered together on Wednesday mornings, Jesus is in the midst of us.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Every Wednesday morning, I get up before the crack of dawn to attend the 7:00 a.m. church service at St. Paul's. To be honest, I'm not sure that I would make it every week if I didn't have to lead it. But I think I would probably come at least once in a while. As an introvert, I love quiet places and small groups. As a working woman, I need a little extra spiritual help to get me through the week.
If you need a little extra help to get you through the week, I encourage you to join us at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. It's not "just another" service. We only gather for 30 minutes (max!). We use some of the Scriptures from the Daily Office Readings appointed for the day. Right now, we're using a Eucharistic prayer from the Church of Scotland; the differences in it help me hear God in new ways. I usually preach the short homily, but once a month our seminarian, Kate, preaches.
This morning, I reflected a little bit on the Gospel lesson for today (Matthew 21:23-32) and how persistent Jesus is in inviting us. Even if we don't respond well to the invitation. Even if he has to take a different approach to get our attention.
This morning, I want to be just as persistent in inviting you. Because when we're gathered together on Wednesday mornings, Jesus is in the midst of us.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
November 31st
Dear Friends in Christ -
Yes, I know that there's November 31st doesn't really exist, but I wanted to add one end-of-the-month post to share a prayer. It's a prayer of thanksgiving that was written for Thanksgiving, but is appropriate for giving thanks on "normal" days, too. During this season of expectation, may your heart be made ready for new blessing by giving thanks for the old ones.
Faithfully,
Janet+
A GRACE FOR THANKSGIVING
Dear Lord,
In this heart of celebration
You call the spirit to flight
From the bounty of our mother earth
the blessings flow this night.
Eat and live!
Breathe and live!
Dance and sing, with joy we give
our thanks to you, the Light!
Amen.
Yes, I know that there's November 31st doesn't really exist, but I wanted to add one end-of-the-month post to share a prayer. It's a prayer of thanksgiving that was written for Thanksgiving, but is appropriate for giving thanks on "normal" days, too. During this season of expectation, may your heart be made ready for new blessing by giving thanks for the old ones.
Faithfully,
Janet+
A GRACE FOR THANKSGIVING
Dear Lord,
In this heart of celebration
You call the spirit to flight
From the bounty of our mother earth
the blessings flow this night.
Eat and live!
Breathe and live!
Dance and sing, with joy we give
our thanks to you, the Light!
Amen.
World AIDS Day
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today is World AIDS Day. Truth is, we haven't been hearing so much about AIDS these days - not nearly so much as in the '80s, when the disease had started to ravage communities in the US and around the world and there was so much fear because we didn't even have a name for it, much less a way to fight it. Now that we know that HIV/AIDS is a communicable, preventable disease, much is being done to stop it before it even gets started. But HIV/AIDS is still ravaging peoples lives in this country, and whole communities in Africa and other parts of the world. In many African countries, nearly a whole generation of people (around my age, actually) have been killed by the disease, leaving not only hundreds of thousands of orphans, but also a lack of community leadership and able-bodied people to work to sustain families.
Whether or not we know someone with AIDS, we have a part to play. To give. To raise awareness - even in our own families - of what can be done to prevent the disease. To pray.
A PRAYER
God, we lift up all those suffering from HIV and AIDS; bring your healing and restoration to their bodies. Help us to do our part in ministering in loving care, support, and patience for your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS. Lead us to do whatever it will take to eradicate this illness from the lives of those who are touched by it, both directly and indirectly. Trusting in you and the strength of your Spirit, we pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by National African American Catholic HIV/AIDS Task Force
Faithfully,
Janet+
Today is World AIDS Day. Truth is, we haven't been hearing so much about AIDS these days - not nearly so much as in the '80s, when the disease had started to ravage communities in the US and around the world and there was so much fear because we didn't even have a name for it, much less a way to fight it. Now that we know that HIV/AIDS is a communicable, preventable disease, much is being done to stop it before it even gets started. But HIV/AIDS is still ravaging peoples lives in this country, and whole communities in Africa and other parts of the world. In many African countries, nearly a whole generation of people (around my age, actually) have been killed by the disease, leaving not only hundreds of thousands of orphans, but also a lack of community leadership and able-bodied people to work to sustain families.
Whether or not we know someone with AIDS, we have a part to play. To give. To raise awareness - even in our own families - of what can be done to prevent the disease. To pray.
A PRAYER
God, we lift up all those suffering from HIV and AIDS; bring your healing and restoration to their bodies. Help us to do our part in ministering in loving care, support, and patience for your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS. Lead us to do whatever it will take to eradicate this illness from the lives of those who are touched by it, both directly and indirectly. Trusting in you and the strength of your Spirit, we pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer by National African American Catholic HIV/AIDS Task Force
Faithfully,
Janet+
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