Dear Friends in Christ -
So where are we in Jesus' story? . . . . Let's see, we made it through Lent, walking with Jesus to the Cross. Then we made it through His crucifixion and resurrection in Holy Week and Easter. Now we've walked with him through his appearances to His disciples (and have seen some of His appearances in our own lives over the past 45 days of Easter season!). Now, we wait . . . in anticipation of receiving His Spirit afresh on Pentecost. Are you ready?? Are WE ready??
In these days of preparation and anticipation for our celebration (and a baptism!!) this Sunday, this is my prayer for us:
"Living God, eternal Holy Spirit,
let your bright intoxicating energy
which fired those first disciples
fall on us
to turn the world again. Amen."
- The New Zealand Prayer Book
Faithfully,
Janet+
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A little lesson . . .
. . . that brings a chuckle and, perhaps, reflection . . .
Blessings,
Janet+
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young
woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap"
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the
young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this?"
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Blessings,
Janet+
A young couple moves into a new neighborhood.
The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young
woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.
"That laundry is not very clean", she said.
"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.
Perhaps she needs better laundry soap"
Her husband looked on, but remained silent.
Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the
young woman would make the same comments.
About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a
nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:
"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.
I wonder who taught her this?"
The husband said, "I got up early this morning and
cleaned our windows."
And so it is with life. What we see when watching others
depends on the purity of the window through which we look.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Just in case you're waiting . . .
. . . for an invitation, here it is!!!
Please come join me and many other keen members of our parish in a discussion of Parker Palmer's little (and I mean small in size!) book, "Let Your Life Speak." Palmer's book is a powerful exploration of vocation (discovering what we're called to be/do).
And just in case you don't have the book - NO PROBLEM. Copies of the two core chapters we'll be discussing are available in the parish office.
I look forward to seeing you at the Rectory at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night. Dessert will be served!
Blessings,
Janet+
Please come join me and many other keen members of our parish in a discussion of Parker Palmer's little (and I mean small in size!) book, "Let Your Life Speak." Palmer's book is a powerful exploration of vocation (discovering what we're called to be/do).
And just in case you don't have the book - NO PROBLEM. Copies of the two core chapters we'll be discussing are available in the parish office.
I look forward to seeing you at the Rectory at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night. Dessert will be served!
Blessings,
Janet+
Monday, May 18, 2009
102 and counting
Dear Friends in Christ -
A phenomenal thing happened yesterday at the 10:00 a.m. worship service: we recognized 102 people who help with worship services throughout the year. These folks serve as choir members, acolytes, lectors, layreaders, ushers, members of the flower committee, members of the prayer team and members of the altar guild. WOW!!
And would you believe that we could use more help?! If you feel called to one of these ministries, please let me know!!!! Serving on Sundays helps you experience worship in a whole new way.
Faithfully - and gratefully!!! -
Janet+
A phenomenal thing happened yesterday at the 10:00 a.m. worship service: we recognized 102 people who help with worship services throughout the year. These folks serve as choir members, acolytes, lectors, layreaders, ushers, members of the flower committee, members of the prayer team and members of the altar guild. WOW!!
And would you believe that we could use more help?! If you feel called to one of these ministries, please let me know!!!! Serving on Sundays helps you experience worship in a whole new way.
Faithfully - and gratefully!!! -
Janet+
THANK YOU
Dear Friends in Christ -
Thank you so much for allowing me time last week to be away caring for my ailing, aging grandmother. Being with her and with my extended family made me keenly aware of the importance of community. You can't live a joyful life without being connected to a faith community - and you certainly can't die a peaceful death without being surrounded by a faith community. I so appreciate you being a community of rest and hope for me as I help to form a community of love and care for her.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Thank you so much for allowing me time last week to be away caring for my ailing, aging grandmother. Being with her and with my extended family made me keenly aware of the importance of community. You can't live a joyful life without being connected to a faith community - and you certainly can't die a peaceful death without being surrounded by a faith community. I so appreciate you being a community of rest and hope for me as I help to form a community of love and care for her.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Monday, May 11, 2009
An Overflowing Heart
Dear Friends in Christ -
I was blown away by the enthusiasm and talent of our youth (and adults!) at last night's 4th Annual Talent Show. There were too many unforgettable moments to list here . . . Lou's BOLD singing and zebra tights . . . Will's LIME GREEN polyester pants . . . the beauty of Sophie's dance and Kristin's singing . . . the eardrum splitting glory of a nasty rock song rewritten (resurrected!) by Joey . . . the look of sheer joy on some of the kids' faces when they overcame stage fright and successfully made it through their skit or song.
And all this for Jesus - for the glory of His name and to help those in need through the mission trip the youth will make this summer to help the homeless and hungry in Washington D.C.
My heart overflows with joy - joyful thanksgiving for all who worked to help make this possible and for all who came (and paid!) to support the event.
Blessings - and thank you!
Janet+
PS - In the midst of all the happenings at St. Paul's over the past week, people are still managing to find time to read the blog. One of the people who gave TONS of time to make the Talent Show a success also wanted to pass on a job opening she heard about: Fairfield Public Schools is looking for a headmaster at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. If you or anyone you know is interested, the application's available at www.fairfield.k12.ct.us
I was blown away by the enthusiasm and talent of our youth (and adults!) at last night's 4th Annual Talent Show. There were too many unforgettable moments to list here . . . Lou's BOLD singing and zebra tights . . . Will's LIME GREEN polyester pants . . . the beauty of Sophie's dance and Kristin's singing . . . the eardrum splitting glory of a nasty rock song rewritten (resurrected!) by Joey . . . the look of sheer joy on some of the kids' faces when they overcame stage fright and successfully made it through their skit or song.
And all this for Jesus - for the glory of His name and to help those in need through the mission trip the youth will make this summer to help the homeless and hungry in Washington D.C.
My heart overflows with joy - joyful thanksgiving for all who worked to help make this possible and for all who came (and paid!) to support the event.
Blessings - and thank you!
Janet+
PS - In the midst of all the happenings at St. Paul's over the past week, people are still managing to find time to read the blog. One of the people who gave TONS of time to make the Talent Show a success also wanted to pass on a job opening she heard about: Fairfield Public Schools is looking for a headmaster at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. If you or anyone you know is interested, the application's available at www.fairfield.k12.ct.us
Friday, May 8, 2009
7th Inning Stretch
Dear Friends in Christ -
I was over in the parish hall this evening, and the place was teeming with activity. People doing everything from washing dishes to steaming the new curtain to setting up a sound system to folding napkins to making signs.
There was quite a lot of positive energy - and a little grumpiness as well. It's understandable. It's now less than 48 hours before show time and everyone wants their contribution to be good and their efforts to pay off in the form of (1) fun and (2) successful fundraising.
In the midst of all this, I want to call us to a "seventh inning stretch." As you know, in baseball the 7th inning stretch is the time when people rise in the stands and - at least in many parks - sing "Take me out to the ball game", a hymn to the joy of the game. The song is sung by everyone, whether or not their team is winning, to recall the joy of the game itself.
For our 7th inning stretch, here's a good word from the apostle Paul, who knew a lot about keepin' on keepin' on: "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith."
Hang in there - and continue serving the One who called you. Your reward will be great!
Blessings,
Janet+
I was over in the parish hall this evening, and the place was teeming with activity. People doing everything from washing dishes to steaming the new curtain to setting up a sound system to folding napkins to making signs.
There was quite a lot of positive energy - and a little grumpiness as well. It's understandable. It's now less than 48 hours before show time and everyone wants their contribution to be good and their efforts to pay off in the form of (1) fun and (2) successful fundraising.
In the midst of all this, I want to call us to a "seventh inning stretch." As you know, in baseball the 7th inning stretch is the time when people rise in the stands and - at least in many parks - sing "Take me out to the ball game", a hymn to the joy of the game. The song is sung by everyone, whether or not their team is winning, to recall the joy of the game itself.
For our 7th inning stretch, here's a good word from the apostle Paul, who knew a lot about keepin' on keepin' on: "So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith."
Hang in there - and continue serving the One who called you. Your reward will be great!
Blessings,
Janet+
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)