Dear Friends in Christ -
My hope in moving in the direction of a simpler life is that these disciplines will lead me to a better, more beautiful life, with more room for joy. Despite the bigger-is-better, more-is-better messages all around me, the following quotation someone shared with me today gives me encouragement . . .
"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction. (E.F. Schumacker)
May blessings abound as the fruit of our faithfulness,
Janet+
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Snow Cancellations
SNOW CANCELLATIONS
Friday – 2/26 – ALL ACTIVITIES CANCELLED
Saturday – 2/27 – VISION and GOAL-SETTING WORKSHOP CANCELLED
SHREDDING PARTY CANCELLED (The shredding truck will be coming on Monday morning to take care of all the boxes that we and the Counseling Center have collected. Anyone wishing to bring items for shredding is welcome to bring them on Sunday and put them with the pile in the Parish Hall or to bring items on Monday morning from 9:30-11:30.
Dear Friends in Christ –
These decisions are tough to make! Trust me, I have new-found empathy for school principals and superintendants.
There are a couple of things that go into these calculations:
1. Is it safe to be out and about? Are the roads passable? Will folks (especially those who are elderly or infirm) slip and fall?
2. Is it worth it to have leaders and other folks (cooks, etc.) working extra hard to fight through the weather to provide programs/services if many are unable or unwilling to attend?
In communication with other leaders involved in the parish activities tonight, I’ve decided to cancel all activities for tonight (supper, “Facing Your Giants” study, and “Welcome to the Table” class) and the Vision and Goal-Setting Workshop for tomorrow. I make these cancellations knowing that some of you will be relieved and some will be disappointed. Honestly, I’m a little of both!
A special note regarding the Vision and Goal-setting Workshop that was scheduled for tomorrow. Part of the reason that we won’t be holding the workshop is, certainly, that the inclement weather will surely keep some people at home. But the other reason is that we did NOT have enough people RSVP to really make it worth our while. In order for the process of goal-setting to work, we need about 40-50 participants (about 4 for each ministry team area – vestry liaison, team leader and a couple of others). We had 14 people RSVP for tomorrow’s workshop. I think that’s because some many vestry members and ministry team leaders assumed that we knew they were coming. But still there were only 5 non-vestry, non-team leader, non-staff folks on the list.
SOOOOO . . . in addition to rescheduling this workshop for SATURDAY, MARCH 13th, Mac and I made two other adjustments:
1. We will be meeting from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in hopes that the shortened timeframe will allow this to fit better into people’s schedules. (Childcare will be provided!)
2. We will focus specifically on goal-setting each of our ministry areas and bridge only slightly into the visioning work.
Though I’m frustrated to have to postpone this vision and goal-setting work again, I definitely have a sense that the Spirit is working, even now, to help us wait to do things until we can do them together and well.
Please know that I understand that moving these events does have significant impact on your schedules, and I deeply appreciate your faithfulness to St. Paul’s and to this important work of listening to God together for what He would have us to do.
I hope you have a lovely, cozy evening at home on this snowy night.
Blessings,
Rev. Janet+
Friday – 2/26 – ALL ACTIVITIES CANCELLED
Saturday – 2/27 – VISION and GOAL-SETTING WORKSHOP CANCELLED
SHREDDING PARTY CANCELLED (The shredding truck will be coming on Monday morning to take care of all the boxes that we and the Counseling Center have collected. Anyone wishing to bring items for shredding is welcome to bring them on Sunday and put them with the pile in the Parish Hall or to bring items on Monday morning from 9:30-11:30.
Dear Friends in Christ –
These decisions are tough to make! Trust me, I have new-found empathy for school principals and superintendants.
There are a couple of things that go into these calculations:
1. Is it safe to be out and about? Are the roads passable? Will folks (especially those who are elderly or infirm) slip and fall?
2. Is it worth it to have leaders and other folks (cooks, etc.) working extra hard to fight through the weather to provide programs/services if many are unable or unwilling to attend?
In communication with other leaders involved in the parish activities tonight, I’ve decided to cancel all activities for tonight (supper, “Facing Your Giants” study, and “Welcome to the Table” class) and the Vision and Goal-Setting Workshop for tomorrow. I make these cancellations knowing that some of you will be relieved and some will be disappointed. Honestly, I’m a little of both!
A special note regarding the Vision and Goal-setting Workshop that was scheduled for tomorrow. Part of the reason that we won’t be holding the workshop is, certainly, that the inclement weather will surely keep some people at home. But the other reason is that we did NOT have enough people RSVP to really make it worth our while. In order for the process of goal-setting to work, we need about 40-50 participants (about 4 for each ministry team area – vestry liaison, team leader and a couple of others). We had 14 people RSVP for tomorrow’s workshop. I think that’s because some many vestry members and ministry team leaders assumed that we knew they were coming. But still there were only 5 non-vestry, non-team leader, non-staff folks on the list.
SOOOOO . . . in addition to rescheduling this workshop for SATURDAY, MARCH 13th, Mac and I made two other adjustments:
1. We will be meeting from 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in hopes that the shortened timeframe will allow this to fit better into people’s schedules. (Childcare will be provided!)
2. We will focus specifically on goal-setting each of our ministry areas and bridge only slightly into the visioning work.
Though I’m frustrated to have to postpone this vision and goal-setting work again, I definitely have a sense that the Spirit is working, even now, to help us wait to do things until we can do them together and well.
Please know that I understand that moving these events does have significant impact on your schedules, and I deeply appreciate your faithfulness to St. Paul’s and to this important work of listening to God together for what He would have us to do.
I hope you have a lovely, cozy evening at home on this snowy night.
Blessings,
Rev. Janet+
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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Dear Friends in Christ -
I'm writing this on Friday, because I didn't have time to post yesterday. But I just wanted to let you know that I was remembered you, as always, in my prayers.
Faithfully,
Janet+
I'm writing this on Friday, because I didn't have time to post yesterday. But I just wanted to let you know that I was remembered you, as always, in my prayers.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Let us be still . . .
A prayer that came to me as an invitation today . . .
LET US BE STILL
Let us be still: and realize God's yearning and desire to enter into a relationship with us.
Let us be still: and open our hearts to the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit.
Let us be still: and bring before God all our worries, stresses and sorrows.
Let us be still: and let ourselves be enveloped in God's all embracing love.
Let us be still: and receive the peace of God that passes all understanding.
Let us be still: confess our wrongdoings and receive God's forgiveness.
Let us be still: and receive God's grace, a gift beyond compare.
Let us be still: and give thanks to God in all things.
That filled with joy ..We may go out to be a light in the world.
by Pam Hodgate, Taumarunui, New Zealand
from Lifting Women's Voices
LET US BE STILL
Let us be still: and realize God's yearning and desire to enter into a relationship with us.
Let us be still: and open our hearts to the indwelling of God's Holy Spirit.
Let us be still: and bring before God all our worries, stresses and sorrows.
Let us be still: and let ourselves be enveloped in God's all embracing love.
Let us be still: and receive the peace of God that passes all understanding.
Let us be still: confess our wrongdoings and receive God's forgiveness.
Let us be still: and receive God's grace, a gift beyond compare.
Let us be still: and give thanks to God in all things.
That filled with joy ..We may go out to be a light in the world.
by Pam Hodgate, Taumarunui, New Zealand
from Lifting Women's Voices
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Weather they're right or weather they're wrong
Dear Friends in Christ -
The thing that I love most about the weather is that we don't have any control over it. And even our most advanced weather science can't give us accurate predictions about what will happen and when.
Weather the forecasters or right or weather they're wrong (pun intended!) matters less than the posture of my heart. I can get all worried about what will happen and what won't happen. Or I can loosen up a bit, breathe deeply, and make wise, safe decisions.
As I look out my window, I realize that the snow coming down looks completely different to me depending on the posture of my heart. If I'm worried about what does/doesn't lie ahead it looks like a threatening, grey slushy mess. If my heart is open and I'm confident that we'll make it through, I notice the beauty of the snow even as it turns to rain and the shhooshing sounds the cars make as they move along the wet streets.
Will the people with whom I have appointments be able to get here today? Will I be able to make it to the nursing home to lead the service there? Will there be Vestry Meeting tonight? I don't know. But right this moment, I realize that what matters most isn't that I know; what matters most is that God is here. And that's true weather or not things happen according to our careful plans.
Faithfully,
Janet+
The thing that I love most about the weather is that we don't have any control over it. And even our most advanced weather science can't give us accurate predictions about what will happen and when.
Weather the forecasters or right or weather they're wrong (pun intended!) matters less than the posture of my heart. I can get all worried about what will happen and what won't happen. Or I can loosen up a bit, breathe deeply, and make wise, safe decisions.
As I look out my window, I realize that the snow coming down looks completely different to me depending on the posture of my heart. If I'm worried about what does/doesn't lie ahead it looks like a threatening, grey slushy mess. If my heart is open and I'm confident that we'll make it through, I notice the beauty of the snow even as it turns to rain and the shhooshing sounds the cars make as they move along the wet streets.
Will the people with whom I have appointments be able to get here today? Will I be able to make it to the nursing home to lead the service there? Will there be Vestry Meeting tonight? I don't know. But right this moment, I realize that what matters most isn't that I know; what matters most is that God is here. And that's true weather or not things happen according to our careful plans.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Monday, February 22, 2010
Fighting Childhood Poverty
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today I broke my Sabbath rest for an important meeting. I met with a community committee working to fight childhood poverty. There were people there from city government, schools, libraries, hospitals, children's organizations (like Head Start and the YMCA), and me - representing YOU and all people in the churches in our Lower Naugatuck communities.
Childhood poverty isn't something that can be fixed in a meeting - or even two or three meetings. But community leaders working together can help make a map to follow, outline steps to take. Then TOGETHER we can make a difference. Wouldn't it be an amazing grace of the Lower Naugatuck Valley was known as a place where each and every child is cared for?!
It may sound like a dream, but I believe it's nothing less than the will of God. And I could feel the warmth of God's smile filling the room as we worked together today.
Stay tuned. Good will come of this, and I think it likely that YOU will be invited to be part of that goodness. How? I don't yet know. Perhaps you'll be invited to GIVE something, to DO something. Perhaps you'll be invited to RECEIVE something.
I do know this: right now, you are invited to imagine this Valley filled with children who have stable places to live, three nutritious meals each day, and safe, excellent schools. Holding this picture in our hearts prepares the way for heaven to be manifest in our midst.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Today I broke my Sabbath rest for an important meeting. I met with a community committee working to fight childhood poverty. There were people there from city government, schools, libraries, hospitals, children's organizations (like Head Start and the YMCA), and me - representing YOU and all people in the churches in our Lower Naugatuck communities.
Childhood poverty isn't something that can be fixed in a meeting - or even two or three meetings. But community leaders working together can help make a map to follow, outline steps to take. Then TOGETHER we can make a difference. Wouldn't it be an amazing grace of the Lower Naugatuck Valley was known as a place where each and every child is cared for?!
It may sound like a dream, but I believe it's nothing less than the will of God. And I could feel the warmth of God's smile filling the room as we worked together today.
Stay tuned. Good will come of this, and I think it likely that YOU will be invited to be part of that goodness. How? I don't yet know. Perhaps you'll be invited to GIVE something, to DO something. Perhaps you'll be invited to RECEIVE something.
I do know this: right now, you are invited to imagine this Valley filled with children who have stable places to live, three nutritious meals each day, and safe, excellent schools. Holding this picture in our hearts prepares the way for heaven to be manifest in our midst.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sunday, February 21, 2010
TEMPTATION
Dear Friends in Christ -
I wanted to take a minute to summarize a few things from this morning's sermon. Just hearing things once isn't enough for me; I have to sit with them and think about them and "road test" them. I don't know about you, but as I strive to stay on track with my Lenten discipline, I'm having daily encounters with temptation. In facing those temptations, I'm going to be relying on the words of comfort and challenge that came to us today . . .
Temptation. It's all around us. And no amount of "doing the right thing" seems to exempt us from it. Heck, even Jesus was tempted - and his biggest temptations came right after God spoke from the cloud, "This is my beloved Son." So, basically, we're in for it. That's the bad news.
The other bad news is that God calls on us to fight temptation, which is exhausting! But He's given us some tools: prayer and fasting. These spiritual disciplines aren't complicated to do, but they are challenging. There's promise in them, though: through prayer and fasting we learn to TRUST GOD and allow his power to FLOW THROUGH US. Through obedience, we become able to do mighty things in His name - even (as the disciples learned) things as amazing as casting out demons!!
The good news is that we can expect some things from God in our fight against temptation: POWER and ANGELS. God promises nothing less than the presence and power of Holy Spirit to help us ("The Spirit helps us in our weakness."). God also promises that we will never be alone, and he sends his ANGELS to our aid. Not chubby, cute, Hallmark card angels, but mighty fighting angels with flaming swords to cut to the quick of things that threaten to drag us down. And sometimes the angels he sends even have skin on - friends and neighbors who offer help and support.
There's no shame in being tempted; temptation is part of the human condition. Lent is a time to fight temptation, to take a stand for the right, the good. In doing so, we learn to trust God. In Him, all things are possible.
Really?!? All things?!? OK, that's a promise I'm going to take for a test drive in my battles against temptation this week . . . bring it on!
Faithfully,
Janet+
I wanted to take a minute to summarize a few things from this morning's sermon. Just hearing things once isn't enough for me; I have to sit with them and think about them and "road test" them. I don't know about you, but as I strive to stay on track with my Lenten discipline, I'm having daily encounters with temptation. In facing those temptations, I'm going to be relying on the words of comfort and challenge that came to us today . . .
Temptation. It's all around us. And no amount of "doing the right thing" seems to exempt us from it. Heck, even Jesus was tempted - and his biggest temptations came right after God spoke from the cloud, "This is my beloved Son." So, basically, we're in for it. That's the bad news.
The other bad news is that God calls on us to fight temptation, which is exhausting! But He's given us some tools: prayer and fasting. These spiritual disciplines aren't complicated to do, but they are challenging. There's promise in them, though: through prayer and fasting we learn to TRUST GOD and allow his power to FLOW THROUGH US. Through obedience, we become able to do mighty things in His name - even (as the disciples learned) things as amazing as casting out demons!!
The good news is that we can expect some things from God in our fight against temptation: POWER and ANGELS. God promises nothing less than the presence and power of Holy Spirit to help us ("The Spirit helps us in our weakness."). God also promises that we will never be alone, and he sends his ANGELS to our aid. Not chubby, cute, Hallmark card angels, but mighty fighting angels with flaming swords to cut to the quick of things that threaten to drag us down. And sometimes the angels he sends even have skin on - friends and neighbors who offer help and support.
There's no shame in being tempted; temptation is part of the human condition. Lent is a time to fight temptation, to take a stand for the right, the good. In doing so, we learn to trust God. In Him, all things are possible.
Really?!? All things?!? OK, that's a promise I'm going to take for a test drive in my battles against temptation this week . . . bring it on!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Preach it!
Dear Friends in Christ -
Sometimes, as I'm preparing my sermons, God calls me to preach something challenging. Having grown up on "fire and brimstone" kinds of sermons, the pendulum has swung back for me in my spiritual life, and I'm focused more on "peace, love and understanding"-type communications from God. But God so wants us not to miss out on what He has for us, that He gets fiesty sometimes.
Just as I was longing for confirmation that I was headed in the right direction, I read my on-line Lenten meditation for the day, and it said, "If you are not as close to God as you used to be, who moved?"
Yeah. OK. Not pulling any punches there, huh?!
As our heavenly Father, the loving parent of our soul, God is working like anything to get us where we need to be . . . In this Lenten season, may God's firm hand and chastening words set us on the straight and narrow path to all good things, in heaven and on earth!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sometimes, as I'm preparing my sermons, God calls me to preach something challenging. Having grown up on "fire and brimstone" kinds of sermons, the pendulum has swung back for me in my spiritual life, and I'm focused more on "peace, love and understanding"-type communications from God. But God so wants us not to miss out on what He has for us, that He gets fiesty sometimes.
Just as I was longing for confirmation that I was headed in the right direction, I read my on-line Lenten meditation for the day, and it said, "If you are not as close to God as you used to be, who moved?"
Yeah. OK. Not pulling any punches there, huh?!
As our heavenly Father, the loving parent of our soul, God is working like anything to get us where we need to be . . . In this Lenten season, may God's firm hand and chastening words set us on the straight and narrow path to all good things, in heaven and on earth!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thanksgiving in February
Dear Friends in Christ -
It's time for THANKSGIVING. Yes, even in the cold. Yes, even though it's Lent. Yesterday, I celebrated with Nikki as she wrapped her arms around Aliette, her daughter recently arrived from Haiti. After over a month of waiting and praying, of ups and downs and twists and turns, of paperwork vanishing and miraculously resurfacing, of government roadblocks and pardons, Aliette is at home in her mother's arms. It's a miracle. A series of miracles, really.
Days like this make real the power of prayer, the grace of community and the reality of God's loving care for each and every one of us, no matter how big or small we are.
Please do continue to keep Nikki, Olivia, and Aliette in your prayers as they live into becoming a family of 3. If you're interested in knowing more, please see Nikki's blog at www.nikkiandolivia.blogspot.com.
Thanksgiving . . . thanksgiving . . . thanksgiving . . . joy . . . joy . . . joy!
Faithfully rejoicing,
Janet+
It's time for THANKSGIVING. Yes, even in the cold. Yes, even though it's Lent. Yesterday, I celebrated with Nikki as she wrapped her arms around Aliette, her daughter recently arrived from Haiti. After over a month of waiting and praying, of ups and downs and twists and turns, of paperwork vanishing and miraculously resurfacing, of government roadblocks and pardons, Aliette is at home in her mother's arms. It's a miracle. A series of miracles, really.
Days like this make real the power of prayer, the grace of community and the reality of God's loving care for each and every one of us, no matter how big or small we are.
Please do continue to keep Nikki, Olivia, and Aliette in your prayers as they live into becoming a family of 3. If you're interested in knowing more, please see Nikki's blog at www.nikkiandolivia.blogspot.com.
Thanksgiving . . . thanksgiving . . . thanksgiving . . . joy . . . joy . . . joy!
Faithfully rejoicing,
Janet+
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Lent is not for wimps
Dear Friends in Christ -
A friend of mine said it plain today . . . "Lent is not for wimps."
In preparing for Lent this past week, the temptation I've been struggling with is the temptation to avoid having a Lenten discipline altogether. To just skip out on trying, so I don't have to worry about whether or not I might fail.
But it's wimpy to avoid failure by refusing to step up to the plate. So I'm going to try to live into the blessing we've been receiving on Sunday mornings ("May God give you grace to try and to fail . . .") by not only having a Lenten discipline but telling you what it is.
Over the next 40 days, I'm going to simplify, to declutter. My schedule. My house. My habits. To get rid of unnecessary "stuff" wherever it crops up.
In taking on this discipline, I'm going to try to avoid making this process harder than it needs to be. Rather than making lists of things that "need" to be tackled, I'm going to start simplifying by simplifying this disciopline itself - by trusting that an opportunity to declutter something will come to me each day. Then I'll just do it, right then and there.
Please pray for me! And please know that I'm praying for you, as you strive to be faithful to your Lenten commitment.
Blessings to you as you avoid wimping out and choose to go deeper in faithfulness this Lent,
Janet+
A friend of mine said it plain today . . . "Lent is not for wimps."
In preparing for Lent this past week, the temptation I've been struggling with is the temptation to avoid having a Lenten discipline altogether. To just skip out on trying, so I don't have to worry about whether or not I might fail.
But it's wimpy to avoid failure by refusing to step up to the plate. So I'm going to try to live into the blessing we've been receiving on Sunday mornings ("May God give you grace to try and to fail . . .") by not only having a Lenten discipline but telling you what it is.
Over the next 40 days, I'm going to simplify, to declutter. My schedule. My house. My habits. To get rid of unnecessary "stuff" wherever it crops up.
In taking on this discipline, I'm going to try to avoid making this process harder than it needs to be. Rather than making lists of things that "need" to be tackled, I'm going to start simplifying by simplifying this disciopline itself - by trusting that an opportunity to declutter something will come to me each day. Then I'll just do it, right then and there.
Please pray for me! And please know that I'm praying for you, as you strive to be faithful to your Lenten commitment.
Blessings to you as you avoid wimping out and choose to go deeper in faithfulness this Lent,
Janet+
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ash Wednesday . . . Joy
Dear Friends in Christ -
The purpose of Ash Wednesday is NOT to drag us down into the dumps, but to remind us that we need GOD to lift us up out of them. We gather on this day to pray prayers of repentance and then to receive the absolution that will release us into a fresh open space with God, where new things are possible.
Lent is a time for "VACARE DEO" - that is, finding space for God. The whole point of the Lenten disciplines of praying, fasting and giving is to open up things inside us so that God can fill it with more and more and more goodness (He has a lot to share!).
This afternoon, someone sent me the link to an online calendar that I am certainly going to be following this Lent. Here's the link: http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/fast-pray-give-2010/
This Lenten Calendar is on a site called "Busted Halo" . . . sounds right up my alley!
Today, this calendar inspired me with the following:
"FAST from rushing through your day without noticing the beauty around you.
PRAY that God might show you something beautiful that you hadn’t noticed before.
GIVE some time to enjoy a piece of art or a nature scene."
This shook me out of some of the weighty notions about what these disciplines are about, and nudged me into remembering that all this Lent stuff is supposed to fill us with enough hope and peace to take us THROUGH the agony of the Passion TO Easter joy.
May your repentance on this day of ashes be sincere, that you may be prepared for what God has for you next.
With you in this work of VACARE DEO,
Janet+
The purpose of Ash Wednesday is NOT to drag us down into the dumps, but to remind us that we need GOD to lift us up out of them. We gather on this day to pray prayers of repentance and then to receive the absolution that will release us into a fresh open space with God, where new things are possible.
Lent is a time for "VACARE DEO" - that is, finding space for God. The whole point of the Lenten disciplines of praying, fasting and giving is to open up things inside us so that God can fill it with more and more and more goodness (He has a lot to share!).
This afternoon, someone sent me the link to an online calendar that I am certainly going to be following this Lent. Here's the link: http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/fast-pray-give-2010/
This Lenten Calendar is on a site called "Busted Halo" . . . sounds right up my alley!
Today, this calendar inspired me with the following:
"FAST from rushing through your day without noticing the beauty around you.
PRAY that God might show you something beautiful that you hadn’t noticed before.
GIVE some time to enjoy a piece of art or a nature scene."
This shook me out of some of the weighty notions about what these disciplines are about, and nudged me into remembering that all this Lent stuff is supposed to fill us with enough hope and peace to take us THROUGH the agony of the Passion TO Easter joy.
May your repentance on this day of ashes be sincere, that you may be prepared for what God has for you next.
With you in this work of VACARE DEO,
Janet+
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Shrove Tuesday Supper CANCELLED
Dear Friends in Christ -
The snow is falling down all around, and still.
So if there are to be pancakes tonight, they'll have to be made at home. I hope you and your dear ones are home and safe.
Over dinner tonight, you might want to talk about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday . . . so that you can impress people with your knowledge on the subject, here's an informative bit from "Women for Faith and Family" (http://www.wf-f.org/LentI.html) . . .
Carnival Shrove Tuesday - Mardi Gras
Carnival is from the Latin Carnevale or "farewell to meat", and it is a time of joyful feasting and fun. The practice of celebrating carnival probably began in ancient times when the Sunday a week before the beginning of Lent was called Dominica Carnevala, or "farewell to meat Sunday" -- referring to the Lenten fast from meat and animal products. (For more information on the Catholic practice of fasting see Ash Wednesday page, and Fast and Abstinence page.)
The official day of "farewell" is Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday". The day was also called "Butter Tuesday", because the last of the animal products had to be used up sometimes in fried pancakes. It is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which may refer to the diet being deprived or "shriven" of meat; or possibly that after the customary confession in preparation for Lent, one is "shriven" of sin. The famous celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans has become largely a secular festival, its religious meaning having been virtually obliterated in the revelries. And the word "carnival" has long since lost its religious significance.
Carnival celebrations are not confined only to Mardi Gras, however. In some parts of the world, the carnival season extends several weeks prior to Ash Wednesday. Even today, the carnival celebrations, especially in the Caribbean, South American and some European countries, begin on January 6 (Epiphany) and end on midnight before Ash Wednesday.
Celebrating Carnival with family, friends and parish community helps children and adults to understand and appreciate "that wonderful, eternal rhythm of high and low tide that makes up the year of the Church: times of waiting alternate with times of fulfillment, the lean weeks of Lent with the feasts of Easter and Pentecost, times of mourning with seasons of rejoicing", as Maria von Trapp said, in Around the Year with the Trapp Family (p. 85). The Carnival season has been a time of "blowing off steam", of entertaining guests in the spirit of Christian hospitality and generosity, and of partaking of rich food and drinks and sometimes of excess, as the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans vividly displays.
One of the reasons for the development of the Carnival season and the emphasis on revelry and merry-making was the very rigorous practice of Lenten fasting during the Middle Ages and beyond. During Carnival, housewives of the past rid their pantries of all butter, lard, eggs, bacon, cream and cheese in preparation for the Lenten fast. From the Middle Ages until the late Renaissance, eating all animal products except fish (which were considered bloodless) was forbidden.
Now, however, the Lenten fast and abstinence from meat in most parts of the world is confined to Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, and in modern times abstinence from meat does not include other animal products (eggs, milk and cheese, for example).
The custom of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday is still maintained in many places. (Pancakes require many eggs and much milk and butter in their preparation.) To this day there is an annual pancake race on Shrove Tuesday between the village of Olney, England and the small town of Liberal, Kansas. The outcome of this international contest, which originated in the story of a "war-bride" who was a native of Olney where the traditional pancake race originated several hundred years ago, usually appears in the national news on Tuesday before the beginning of Lent.
. . . and here's a prayer . . .
Gracious and Good Lord God, please grant to us this holy night the grace to celebrate all your many blessings to us and, in doing so, to prepare for a season of prayer and holy self-denial. Help us and all your people to be strengthened in our ongoing fight against all sin and wickedness, that we may live in your peace and joy, in this life and the next. Amen.
Faithfully,
Janet+
The snow is falling down all around, and still.
So if there are to be pancakes tonight, they'll have to be made at home. I hope you and your dear ones are home and safe.
Over dinner tonight, you might want to talk about the meaning of Shrove Tuesday . . . so that you can impress people with your knowledge on the subject, here's an informative bit from "Women for Faith and Family" (http://www.wf-f.org/LentI.html) . . .
Carnival Shrove Tuesday - Mardi Gras
Carnival is from the Latin Carnevale or "farewell to meat", and it is a time of joyful feasting and fun. The practice of celebrating carnival probably began in ancient times when the Sunday a week before the beginning of Lent was called Dominica Carnevala, or "farewell to meat Sunday" -- referring to the Lenten fast from meat and animal products. (For more information on the Catholic practice of fasting see Ash Wednesday page, and Fast and Abstinence page.)
The official day of "farewell" is Mardi Gras, French for "Fat Tuesday". The day was also called "Butter Tuesday", because the last of the animal products had to be used up sometimes in fried pancakes. It is also known as Shrove Tuesday, which may refer to the diet being deprived or "shriven" of meat; or possibly that after the customary confession in preparation for Lent, one is "shriven" of sin. The famous celebration of Mardi Gras in New Orleans has become largely a secular festival, its religious meaning having been virtually obliterated in the revelries. And the word "carnival" has long since lost its religious significance.
Carnival celebrations are not confined only to Mardi Gras, however. In some parts of the world, the carnival season extends several weeks prior to Ash Wednesday. Even today, the carnival celebrations, especially in the Caribbean, South American and some European countries, begin on January 6 (Epiphany) and end on midnight before Ash Wednesday.
Celebrating Carnival with family, friends and parish community helps children and adults to understand and appreciate "that wonderful, eternal rhythm of high and low tide that makes up the year of the Church: times of waiting alternate with times of fulfillment, the lean weeks of Lent with the feasts of Easter and Pentecost, times of mourning with seasons of rejoicing", as Maria von Trapp said, in Around the Year with the Trapp Family (p. 85). The Carnival season has been a time of "blowing off steam", of entertaining guests in the spirit of Christian hospitality and generosity, and of partaking of rich food and drinks and sometimes of excess, as the Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans vividly displays.
One of the reasons for the development of the Carnival season and the emphasis on revelry and merry-making was the very rigorous practice of Lenten fasting during the Middle Ages and beyond. During Carnival, housewives of the past rid their pantries of all butter, lard, eggs, bacon, cream and cheese in preparation for the Lenten fast. From the Middle Ages until the late Renaissance, eating all animal products except fish (which were considered bloodless) was forbidden.
Now, however, the Lenten fast and abstinence from meat in most parts of the world is confined to Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent, and in modern times abstinence from meat does not include other animal products (eggs, milk and cheese, for example).
The custom of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday is still maintained in many places. (Pancakes require many eggs and much milk and butter in their preparation.) To this day there is an annual pancake race on Shrove Tuesday between the village of Olney, England and the small town of Liberal, Kansas. The outcome of this international contest, which originated in the story of a "war-bride" who was a native of Olney where the traditional pancake race originated several hundred years ago, usually appears in the national news on Tuesday before the beginning of Lent.
. . . and here's a prayer . . .
Gracious and Good Lord God, please grant to us this holy night the grace to celebrate all your many blessings to us and, in doing so, to prepare for a season of prayer and holy self-denial. Help us and all your people to be strengthened in our ongoing fight against all sin and wickedness, that we may live in your peace and joy, in this life and the next. Amen.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Monday, February 15, 2010
Reading the Bible in a Year
Dear Friends in Christ -
Yesterday in her sermon, our seminarian, Kate, asked those who have read the entire Bible to raise their hands. Lots of hands went up, including mine. But I thought I should tell you that, honestly, I never succeeded in reading through the Bible in a prescribed period of time.
The first time I tried to read through the Bible in a year was when I was in junior high. I did pretty good for the first few months, but finally fell out of the program sometime in the middle of the year. As I grew into adulthood, I tried several more times to read it through in a set period of time. I never made it, not even when the whole thing was assigned in a year-long class in seminary! Fortunately though, I learned to start in different places (instead of Genesis every time, a book which I've read dozens of times because it's at the beginning!!!).
So I have read all the books of the Bible many times now. It really is an amazing library of books. And I commend to you the process of reading it through on a regular program/schedule, because otherwise there really are parts you'll never see or hear about in church (and aren't you curious about what's in those parts?!). And "failure" in the program of reading the Bible through, just means there are fresh bits for the next time you work at reading the whole thing!
If you're interested in taking up the challenge to read the Bible in a year. Here are a couple of resources that can help you . . .
Online, you can get the whole program of daily readings at www.oneyearbibleblog.com or www.oneyearbibleonline.com.
If you prefer the read-it-in-a-year program of daily readings in book form, you can get it at www.bn.com. Type in "one year Bible compact" to get one that you can carry with you everywhere.
Happy studying!
Blessings,
Janet+
Yesterday in her sermon, our seminarian, Kate, asked those who have read the entire Bible to raise their hands. Lots of hands went up, including mine. But I thought I should tell you that, honestly, I never succeeded in reading through the Bible in a prescribed period of time.
The first time I tried to read through the Bible in a year was when I was in junior high. I did pretty good for the first few months, but finally fell out of the program sometime in the middle of the year. As I grew into adulthood, I tried several more times to read it through in a set period of time. I never made it, not even when the whole thing was assigned in a year-long class in seminary! Fortunately though, I learned to start in different places (instead of Genesis every time, a book which I've read dozens of times because it's at the beginning!!!).
So I have read all the books of the Bible many times now. It really is an amazing library of books. And I commend to you the process of reading it through on a regular program/schedule, because otherwise there really are parts you'll never see or hear about in church (and aren't you curious about what's in those parts?!). And "failure" in the program of reading the Bible through, just means there are fresh bits for the next time you work at reading the whole thing!
If you're interested in taking up the challenge to read the Bible in a year. Here are a couple of resources that can help you . . .
Online, you can get the whole program of daily readings at www.oneyearbibleblog.com or www.oneyearbibleonline.com.
If you prefer the read-it-in-a-year program of daily readings in book form, you can get it at www.bn.com. Type in "one year Bible compact" to get one that you can carry with you everywhere.
Happy studying!
Blessings,
Janet+
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A Prayer for St. Valentine's Day
Dear Friends in Christ -
Our seminarian, Kate, preached an a great sermon this morning on this week's spiritual discipline: study. She focused on studying Scripture and, indeed, as Christians, that's the most important kind of study to be engaged in.
Another aspect of study - especially for us Episcopalians who steep our balanced faith perspectives in Scripture, tradition and reason/experience - is the study of tradition. One very rich part of our tradition worthy of study is the stories of the Saints.
Today is Saint Valentine's Day. Hallmark didn't make up this holiday, the Church did - to honor not just one, but a number of men named Valentine (I just learned this today in my studies!), who in the early centuries of the church were martyred (killed) by the Roman state for loving God and being loyal to Him instead of obeying the edicts of the emperors.
One of the men of St. Paul's who greatly loves God wrote a prayer for this day, and I would like to share it with you:
"O Lord, since you continue to give us your love in so many ways, on this St. Valentine's Day, please help us to show our love to YOU, not only with our words, but also in our actions, using our time, treasures and talents in accordance with your guidance, and the opportunities and challenges you provide in our lives. Amen."
Amen indeed!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Our seminarian, Kate, preached an a great sermon this morning on this week's spiritual discipline: study. She focused on studying Scripture and, indeed, as Christians, that's the most important kind of study to be engaged in.
Another aspect of study - especially for us Episcopalians who steep our balanced faith perspectives in Scripture, tradition and reason/experience - is the study of tradition. One very rich part of our tradition worthy of study is the stories of the Saints.
Today is Saint Valentine's Day. Hallmark didn't make up this holiday, the Church did - to honor not just one, but a number of men named Valentine (I just learned this today in my studies!), who in the early centuries of the church were martyred (killed) by the Roman state for loving God and being loyal to Him instead of obeying the edicts of the emperors.
One of the men of St. Paul's who greatly loves God wrote a prayer for this day, and I would like to share it with you:
"O Lord, since you continue to give us your love in so many ways, on this St. Valentine's Day, please help us to show our love to YOU, not only with our words, but also in our actions, using our time, treasures and talents in accordance with your guidance, and the opportunities and challenges you provide in our lives. Amen."
Amen indeed!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The earth meditates, too
Dear Friends in Christ -
I've been thinking a lot about my garden. Right now, as I look out over the patch of earth where it will be planted a few months from now, all I see is snow. Not even earth, just a blanket of snow.
I know, though, that under the blanket, the earth is being made ready. Just last week, I got the soil test results back. Great news. Last year's garden of vine crops remediated the soil. The vines soaked up high concentrations of lead that was there (likely the result of lead-based paint being dumped there over the years) without transmitting into the wonderful produce we ate all last summer and fall. Just another of nature's miracles.
It's as if, during this time, the earth itself is meditating, doing nothing but lazing about in its own skin, receiving the imprint of life through the light and the darkness and all forms of weather.
May our lives, like the earth, be full of great pauses, pauses in which we just laze about and make ready for the next good things that our Creator has for us.
Faithfully,
Janet+
I've been thinking a lot about my garden. Right now, as I look out over the patch of earth where it will be planted a few months from now, all I see is snow. Not even earth, just a blanket of snow.
I know, though, that under the blanket, the earth is being made ready. Just last week, I got the soil test results back. Great news. Last year's garden of vine crops remediated the soil. The vines soaked up high concentrations of lead that was there (likely the result of lead-based paint being dumped there over the years) without transmitting into the wonderful produce we ate all last summer and fall. Just another of nature's miracles.
It's as if, during this time, the earth itself is meditating, doing nothing but lazing about in its own skin, receiving the imprint of life through the light and the darkness and all forms of weather.
May our lives, like the earth, be full of great pauses, pauses in which we just laze about and make ready for the next good things that our Creator has for us.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snow Day Invitation
Dear Friends in Christ -
If recent sociologial studies are any indication, about 25% of St. Paul's parishioners are probably connected to the internet right now, on this snow day. If you're trolling around and have made your way to this blog, that means you're probably looking for something meaningful in your day . . . Well, you've come to the right place!
Here's an invitation . . .
Please take a few minutes and write a meditation for our parish booklet of Lenten Reflections. It's not that difficult . . . grab your Bible, say a prayer, look up one of these passages and write a few paragraphs (2-4) about what the passage means to you - or even about questions that are raised for you by the passage.
Here are the dates/Scriptures passages we need reflections on . . .
2/20 - John 17:20-26
2/25 - Mark 2:1-12
2/27 - Mark 2:23-3:6
3/1 - Mark 3:7-19a
3/6 - Mark 5:1-20
3/8 - Mark 5:21-43
3/12 - Mark 6:47-56
3/15 - Mark 7:24-37
3/18 - Mark 8:27-9:1
3/21 - John 12:1-8
3/23 - Mark 9:42-50
3/24 - Mark 10:1-16
3/31 - Mark 12:21-32
4/4 - John 20:1-18
Please email your reflection to Nancy Wilson, our parish administrator, at stpauls@stpaulsct.org.
Concerned about there being more than one reflection submitted on each passage? "No te preocupes!" (That's Spanish for 'don't worry!') Just pick the passage you feel inspired to choose and leave the rest to us; we'll find a way to publish what you share!
Thanks, in advance, for using a part of the gift of this day to give a gift from your heart to your brothers and sisters in the faith at St. Paul's!
Faithfully,
Janet+
If recent sociologial studies are any indication, about 25% of St. Paul's parishioners are probably connected to the internet right now, on this snow day. If you're trolling around and have made your way to this blog, that means you're probably looking for something meaningful in your day . . . Well, you've come to the right place!
Here's an invitation . . .
Please take a few minutes and write a meditation for our parish booklet of Lenten Reflections. It's not that difficult . . . grab your Bible, say a prayer, look up one of these passages and write a few paragraphs (2-4) about what the passage means to you - or even about questions that are raised for you by the passage.
Here are the dates/Scriptures passages we need reflections on . . .
2/20 - John 17:20-26
2/25 - Mark 2:1-12
2/27 - Mark 2:23-3:6
3/1 - Mark 3:7-19a
3/6 - Mark 5:1-20
3/8 - Mark 5:21-43
3/12 - Mark 6:47-56
3/15 - Mark 7:24-37
3/18 - Mark 8:27-9:1
3/21 - John 12:1-8
3/23 - Mark 9:42-50
3/24 - Mark 10:1-16
3/31 - Mark 12:21-32
4/4 - John 20:1-18
Please email your reflection to Nancy Wilson, our parish administrator, at stpauls@stpaulsct.org.
Concerned about there being more than one reflection submitted on each passage? "No te preocupes!" (That's Spanish for 'don't worry!') Just pick the passage you feel inspired to choose and leave the rest to us; we'll find a way to publish what you share!
Thanks, in advance, for using a part of the gift of this day to give a gift from your heart to your brothers and sisters in the faith at St. Paul's!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Christian Meditation
Dear Friends in Christ -
As we make our way through our 12-week series on Spiritual Disciplines, this week's discipline is the discipline of meditation. Christian meditation differs from the meditation of Eastern religions in one very important way: in Eastern religions the purpose of meditation is to empty the self, to get to divine "nothingness." In Christianity, the purpose is to empthy the self of all busyness, chaos and negativitiy so that we can be filled up - with God's goodness and presence, so that we can hear His voice.
In church today, I led us all through a guided meditation, a process of using the imagination to create a quiet place and invite God to meet us there. This is just one way to meditate. (Some folks have shared with me that it was a tender and/or powerful experience for them!)
In the midst of the coming week, you are invited to continue to practice Christian meditation. It's not complicated. Find a quiet place, give yourself permission not to keep track of the time, make your body still, imagine yourself in a serene place, invite Jesus to meet you there, and listen for his voice. He may or may not say anything to you, but even sitting in His presence is healing.
May God continue to bless us this week as we continue to seek Him!
Faithfully,
Janet+
As we make our way through our 12-week series on Spiritual Disciplines, this week's discipline is the discipline of meditation. Christian meditation differs from the meditation of Eastern religions in one very important way: in Eastern religions the purpose of meditation is to empty the self, to get to divine "nothingness." In Christianity, the purpose is to empthy the self of all busyness, chaos and negativitiy so that we can be filled up - with God's goodness and presence, so that we can hear His voice.
In church today, I led us all through a guided meditation, a process of using the imagination to create a quiet place and invite God to meet us there. This is just one way to meditate. (Some folks have shared with me that it was a tender and/or powerful experience for them!)
In the midst of the coming week, you are invited to continue to practice Christian meditation. It's not complicated. Find a quiet place, give yourself permission not to keep track of the time, make your body still, imagine yourself in a serene place, invite Jesus to meet you there, and listen for his voice. He may or may not say anything to you, but even sitting in His presence is healing.
May God continue to bless us this week as we continue to seek Him!
Faithfully,
Janet+
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Gift of a Day
Dear Friends in Christ -
Well, today is clearly not what I expected.
First, I expected to be at a workshop with dozens of you talking about the dreams God has for us and how we will live into those dreams.
Then, after the workshop leader and I decided to cancel the workshop due to the impending snow storm, I expected to be playing in the snow with my kids.
Now, no workshop and no snow! So now . . . what? As I was suffering under my own recriminations for not "getting it right," God whispered in my ear "I've given you the gift of a day; RECEIVE IT!"
And so, I smiled, and started receiving this day by staying in bed a little longer. What else will I do . . . Who knows?! I think the kids are already making plans for me. No matter what they decide, I will sneak off for an hour or so of quiet, partially to steep myself in recent goodnesses (I try to weave this in the routine of my days, rather than just letting the good stuff whiz by unnoticed).
One of the things I'm going to ponder is a little verse from the Shabbat service I attended last night with our Confirmation class . . . some words from their book of prayers . . .
"Don't stop after beating the swords
into ploughshares, don't stop! Go on beating
and make musical instruments out of them.
Whoever wants to make war again
will have to turn them into ploughshares first."
May the gift of this day have peace in it for us all.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Well, today is clearly not what I expected.
First, I expected to be at a workshop with dozens of you talking about the dreams God has for us and how we will live into those dreams.
Then, after the workshop leader and I decided to cancel the workshop due to the impending snow storm, I expected to be playing in the snow with my kids.
Now, no workshop and no snow! So now . . . what? As I was suffering under my own recriminations for not "getting it right," God whispered in my ear "I've given you the gift of a day; RECEIVE IT!"
And so, I smiled, and started receiving this day by staying in bed a little longer. What else will I do . . . Who knows?! I think the kids are already making plans for me. No matter what they decide, I will sneak off for an hour or so of quiet, partially to steep myself in recent goodnesses (I try to weave this in the routine of my days, rather than just letting the good stuff whiz by unnoticed).
One of the things I'm going to ponder is a little verse from the Shabbat service I attended last night with our Confirmation class . . . some words from their book of prayers . . .
"Don't stop after beating the swords
into ploughshares, don't stop! Go on beating
and make musical instruments out of them.
Whoever wants to make war again
will have to turn them into ploughshares first."
May the gift of this day have peace in it for us all.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Friday, February 5, 2010
Missing you!
Dear Friends in Christ -
The ironies of life sometimes make me laugh. The irony I'm thinking about today is that in the midst of St. Paul's 12-week season of talking about spiritual disciplines, my own discipline of writing daily in this blog - a discipline which I kept faithfully for over 2 months - has completely fallen apart. Ugh!
In this midst of this, I've learned something: I miss communicating with you all this way! And I've heard from some of you that you miss hearing me. I feel blessed in having this mutual affirmation of this holy habit.
And so I press on. Today, I found on a paper stashed in a pocket something that I had saved to share with you. It's a note written by a priest friend of mine to his congregation. The truth of this resonated with me. I hope it resonates with you, too, and blesses you in continuing to share goodness with those around you.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Dear Friends,
Here is a story I like to tell.
"A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy trips and, feeling a sharp pain he screams, "Ahhhh!" Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, "Ahhhh!"
Filled with curiosity he screams, "Who are you?" but the only answer he receives is "Who are you?" This makes him angry so he screams, "You are a coward!" and the voice answers, "You are a coward!"
He looks at his father, asking, "What is going on?"
"Son," the man replies, "pay attention." Then he screams, "I admire you!" The voice answers, "I admire you!" The father shouts, "You are wonderful!" and the voice answers, "You are wonderful!"
Then the father explains. "People call this 'echo,' but truly it is 'Life'! Life always gives you back what you give out. Life is a mirror of your actions. If you want more love, give more love. If you want understanding, give understanding. If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect. This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives."
Life always gives back what you give out. Your life is not a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings."
When I stop to think about it, it's uncanny how true this is. The people I know who only give out only disinterest or skepticism or bitterness or passive victimism. That's about what they get back. It's an ugly cycle. And then I think about the people who just give out funny stories and hope and optimism and trust and blessing. And that's about what they get back. You choose. I choose.
Blessings,
David+
The ironies of life sometimes make me laugh. The irony I'm thinking about today is that in the midst of St. Paul's 12-week season of talking about spiritual disciplines, my own discipline of writing daily in this blog - a discipline which I kept faithfully for over 2 months - has completely fallen apart. Ugh!
In this midst of this, I've learned something: I miss communicating with you all this way! And I've heard from some of you that you miss hearing me. I feel blessed in having this mutual affirmation of this holy habit.
And so I press on. Today, I found on a paper stashed in a pocket something that I had saved to share with you. It's a note written by a priest friend of mine to his congregation. The truth of this resonated with me. I hope it resonates with you, too, and blesses you in continuing to share goodness with those around you.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Dear Friends,
Here is a story I like to tell.
"A man and his son were walking in the forest. Suddenly the boy trips and, feeling a sharp pain he screams, "Ahhhh!" Surprised, he hears a voice coming from the mountain, "Ahhhh!"
Filled with curiosity he screams, "Who are you?" but the only answer he receives is "Who are you?" This makes him angry so he screams, "You are a coward!" and the voice answers, "You are a coward!"
He looks at his father, asking, "What is going on?"
"Son," the man replies, "pay attention." Then he screams, "I admire you!" The voice answers, "I admire you!" The father shouts, "You are wonderful!" and the voice answers, "You are wonderful!"
Then the father explains. "People call this 'echo,' but truly it is 'Life'! Life always gives you back what you give out. Life is a mirror of your actions. If you want more love, give more love. If you want understanding, give understanding. If you want people to be patient and respectful to you, give patience and respect. This rule of nature applies to every aspect of our lives."
Life always gives back what you give out. Your life is not a coincidence, but a mirror of your own doings."
When I stop to think about it, it's uncanny how true this is. The people I know who only give out only disinterest or skepticism or bitterness or passive victimism. That's about what they get back. It's an ugly cycle. And then I think about the people who just give out funny stories and hope and optimism and trust and blessing. And that's about what they get back. You choose. I choose.
Blessings,
David+
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