Christmas Day

“What has happened to me has been the very reverse of what appears to be the experience of most of my friends. Instead of dwindling to a point, Santa Claus has grown larger and larger in my life until he fills almost the whole of it. It happened in this way.
As a child I was faced with a phenomenon requiring explanation. I hung up at the end of my bed an empty stocking, which in the morning became a full stocking. I had done nothing to produce the things that filled it. I had not worked for them, or made them or helped to make them. I had not even been good - far from it.
And the explanation was that a certain being whom people called Santa Claus was benevolently disposed toward me. . . . What we believed was that a certain benevolent agency did give us those toys for nothing. And, as I say, I believe it still. I have merely extended the idea.
Then I only wondered who put the toys in the stocking; now I wonder who put the stocking by the bed, and the bed in the room, and the room in the house, and the house on the planet, and the great planet in the void.
Once I only thanked Santa Claus for a few dollars and crackers. Now, I thank him for stars and street faces, and wine and the great sea. Once I thought it delightful and astonishing to find a present so big that it only went halfway into the stocking. Now I am delighted and astonished every morning to find a present so big that it takes two stockings to hold it, and then leaves a great deal outside; it is the large and preposterous present of myself, as to the origin of which I can offer no suggestion except that Santa Claus gave it to me in a fit of peculiarly fantastic goodwill.” G.K. Chesterton

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Due to our extreme winter weather here in the Pacific Northwest, many were unable to even get their cars out of their driveways in order to make it in to yesterday's services. But Rev. Bill Maxwell saved the day by trekking through our snow-filled roads! In today's gospel Luke tells us the story of Mary's unexpected visit from the Angel of the Lord. She had much to ponder after he left. Perhaps these were some of her thoughts?

Young Mary
I know not all of that which I contain.
I'm small; I'm young; I fear the pain.
All is surprise: I am to be a mother.
That Holy Thing within me
and no other
is Heaven's King whose lovely
Love will reign.
My pain, his gaining my eternal gain
my fragile body holds Creation's Light.
its smallness shelters God's unbounded might.
The angel came and gave,
did not explain,

I know not all of that which I contain.

from The Ordering of Love,
The new and collected poems of Madeleine L'Engle

Third Sunday in Advent

In today's sermon Rev. Bloch+ touched on the paradox of rejoicing in all things, of giving thanks in all circumstances, and in realizing that we are rescued already, even as we wait! In that same vein I give you the following:

Paradoxes of Advent
by Michele Blake
from The Tentmaker

One of the essential
paradoxes of Advent:
that while we wait for God,
we are with God all along,

that while we need to
be reassured of God's arrival,
or the arrival of our homecoming,
we are already home.

While we wait,
we have to trust,
to have faith,
but it is God's grace that gives us that faith.

As with all spiritual knowledge,
two things are true,
and equally true, at once.

The mind can't grasp paradox;
it is the knowledge of the soul.

Second Sunday of Advent

In this second week of Advent we are give a reality check of sorts. And couldn't we all use one? Read Elizabeth Bloch's+ sermon "The Beginning" to learn how Mark used very plain and simple language to tell us about "arche" - the first word in his gospel that describes the beginning of a new reality that has the potential to transform all of our ideas of the way things are.

First Sunday of Advent

The following Advent Litany was used this morning at church. Enjoy! And may Advent Blessings be upon each and every one of you!

Advent Litany -

Among the Poor, "Cloth for the Cradle"

Iona Community, p. 31

Among the poor,

among the proud,

among the persecuted,

among the privileged,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

In the private house,

in the marketplace,

in the wedding feast,

in the judgment hall,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

With a gentle touch,

with an angry word,

with a clear conscience,

with burning love,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

That the kingdom might come,

that the world might believe,

that the powerful might stumble,

that the humble might be raised,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

Within us,

without us,

among us,

before us,

in this place,

in every place,

for this time,

for all time,

Christ is coming,

Christ is coming to make all things new.

Christ the King

Yesterday's Feast of Christ the King marked the last Sunday of our liturgical year. Our rector, Elizabeth Bloch+ preached on Matthew the Apostle being our guru which according to the sources at Wikipedia is a person who is regarded as "having great knowledge, wisdom and authority in a certain area, and who uses it to guide others." And he did his job well!

Rev. Bloch+ also reminded us that Jesus is not Big Brother who is watching for us to slip in order to mark down where we have failed but that every single one of us bears the sacred image of Jesus. We are the body and blood of Christ. Read the rest of her sermon here to learn more about our King and His Kingdom.

Pentecost +27

Gene Holly's sermon covered those typical Christian topics that we are famous for - Murder, Mayhem, Deception and Violence! Many commentators believe that the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25 are the abilities God has given us - and that we will be judged by how well we used them to further God's Kingdom. And yet, could there be another point of view? What do you see in the picture? We know which servant angered his master but which servant did the right & commendable thing?

Pentecost +26

The title of Elizabeth's+ sermon today was "Scared Silly"....and reading through the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins found in Matthew 25, one can't help but wonder - "Will I be ready?" "Will I be judged?" It is enough to make you scared silly! But was that the author's intent? Could there be another way to interpret this text? Click here to find out about the party!

All Saint's Day

What a glorious day at St. Paul's! For when the saints came marching in for the service they were greeted and surrounded by the communion of saints who have gone on to be with Christ.

Just walking into the sanctuary was a moving experience. The walls were covered with the names of the saints we have known,loved and cherished as well as those of the historical variety.

We are so blessed! But what did Christ consider to be our true blessings? Read Elizabeth's+ sermon to find out!

Pentecost +24

"Loving one's neighbor is the essence of holiness." Lois Holly's sermon, "You Shall be Holy" truly brought this point home today. The word "holy" has been misused and abused over the years. There's the "holy cow", the "holy joe", "holy smoke", and the "holy moley" - all of which fall far from the meaning that Lois describes in today's sermon. To be holy is to be set apart for the work of God -loving our neighbors as ourselves! May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to express God's holiness in our daily acts of kindness, generosity, compassion and love.

Pentecost +23

Today's sermon can be found here. Here are today's Prayers of the People:

God of all generations, As it was with your beloved Thessalonians, many in our world suffer persecution for becoming imitators of You, May they, along with the saints of St. Paul's, continue to receive Your word with joy.

R. Jesus, give us your Joy!

Knower of all names, you told Moses "My presence will go with you and I will give you rest". Grant Your rest to all those who suffer today in mind, body and spirit, especially those listed in our bulletin.

R. Jesus, give us Your Rest!

Gracious God, as you led your people within pillars of smoke by day and pillars of fire by night, help all the leaders of the nations to bring your world to a place of mercy, justice and peace.

R. Jesus, give us Your Peace!

Living and True God, help us remember that Your image is stamped on our hearts.

R. Jesus, help us reflect Your Image!

Source of all Life, we thank you that nothing can separate us from your love. Grant eternal rest to your servant Boots and all who have come into Your presence this week.

R. Jesus, give us Your Comfort!

Pentecost +21

Do you recall the name the Brothers' Grimm gave to Sleeping Beauty? Elizabeth+ reminds us in this week's sermon - "Sleeping Beauty and God's Beloved Vineyard or All good stories are really the same stories." Elizabeth+ weaved the wonders of this fairy tale through the vineyard story in Isaiah that Jesus retold as a parable.

Sleeping Beauty's name was the description of the "saving gift of love which transformed her curse into blessing." From where have we received such a gift of transforming love?

Pentecost +20

No, No, No, I Don't Want To! That was the title of Elizabeth's+ sermon this morning. Two sons are asked by their father to work in his vineyard. The first child says No, I don't want to but eventually does while the second son say I will go sir, but never shows up. Jesus asks the Chief Priests which son did what his Father wanted? This reminded me of the following story:

As I was driving out of town the other day I reached over to grab something from the passenger side floor. Was I surprised when I pulled up a $10 bill. Nothing makes me happier than to find money I didn't know I possessed!!! So after completing my "happy-i-found-my-money" dance & placing my cash on the passenger seat I noticed the light ahead was turning red.As I slowed down I noticed a man standing on the corner. OH NO! He was holding a placard with the words "VietNam Vet. Will Work for Food"....My first thought? "GOD MAKE THIS LIGHT TURN GREEN". (I didn't say it was a good or kind thought but i'm trying to be honest here.) Needless to say it was the longest red light I have ever sat through! My inner dialogue went something like this:

me: i am not giving that man my $10.
the voice: why not?
me: because i just found it!
the voice: who do you think gave you the thought to reach over there?
me: i'm not going there with You.
the voice: chuckle - then that light will never turn green.
me: but he'll probably just waste the money - look, the liquor store is right over there!
the voice: is what he does with the $10 any of your business?
me: well....no....WHY DOESN"T THIS LIGHT TURN GREEN!
the voice: we already covered that one. two minutes ago you didn't even know you had $10. and now you are clinging to it. what's that about?
me: hmmm...good point....why am i clinging to it? because of my grasping nature i suppose....good grief....what is wrong with me? (as i rolled down the window the man reached in, took the money, and said "God Bless You Dear" at which point the car behind me started honking)
the voice: um, roberta, the light changed....you really should get moving.
me: very funny!
the voice: and thank you....
me: for what?t
he voice: for being you. i do so love you!
me: likewise :)

Elizabeth+ reminded us today that Jesus is not interested in our getting all the answers right, but in how we deal with "the realization that I didn't get it right.... Every time we change our minds from NO to YES, however long it takes us to do it, every time, we are in the company of Jesus, our Savior, our Brother, and our God."

Pentecost +19

A Tale of Two Laborers - We all want our fair share, don't we? Or better yet, we only want what is rightfully ours! That's what the workers in this parable demanded in Matthew 20: 1-16. Karen Pierce elaborated on God's radical view of abundance in this Sunday's sermon. Her glimpse into this parable showed us just how short our logic falls in the light of God's Kingdom, for there is enough for all of us. We are God's abundance. Lord, help us to remember this, especially when we presume that you should operate out of our limited sense of fairness and abundance.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179)

Today is the feast day of Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), German mystic. During her very full life she produced major writings on theology, natural history & medicine, as well as composing music, including a symphony. At the impressive age of 60, she set off on the first of four successful preaching tours. So the next time you think it's too late for you to reach for your dream or calling, consider Hildegard!



God's Soul is the wind rustling plants and leaves,
the dew dancing on the grass,
the rainy breezes making everything to grow.
Just like this, the kindness of a person flows, touching
those dragging burdens of longing.
We should be a breeze helping the homeless,
dew comforting those who are depressed,
the cool, misty air refreshing the exhausted,
and with God's teaching we have got to feed the hungry:

This is how we share God's soul.

- Hildegard of Bingen, Hymn -
from A Little Daily Wisdom - Christian Women Mystics
by Carmen A. Butcher, p.195

Pentecost +18

To read Rev. Elizabeth Bloch's sermon, please click here. The following Prayers of the People were written and read by Margaret McGee.

O Holy One, source of mercy, might, and love,
Make us your people, so that in life and death we belong to you alone.

O Holy One, our strength and our salvation,
Guide this nation. Crown its leaders and citizens in mercy and loving-kindness.

O Holy One, doing wonders through all the world,
Light up the night, stretch out your hand, and open the way to justice and peace.

O Holy One, who satisfies with good things,
Bless this community. Grant us grace to welcome every stranger as you have welcomed us.

O Holy One, slow to anger and full of great kindness,
Teach us how to forgive each other from our hearts.

O Holy One, who turns hard rock into pools of water,
Heal our infirmities, comfort the suffering, and watch over those in any kind of trouble.

O Holy One, who redeems our lives from the grave,
Hold those who have died in your love.

We pray for the special needs and concerns of this congregation ...

Holy, Holy, Holy, source of mercy, might, and love,
We are your people, and you are our God. Amen.

Pentecost +17 - Launching Sunday

What is Launching Sunday? It's the beginning of our new year together as a people that God has formed here at Saint Paul's in Port Townsend, Washington! Elizabeth's+ sermon, "How Does God Make a People into a People? Into God's People?" was delivered outside on the Labyrinth in the delectable sunshine of an early Autumn Sunday.

Do we realize the sacred power with which we have been entrusted by Christ Himself? What do we hold and what do we loose? What do we refuse to let go of? And what will we do with this power to forgive and reconcile that Christ has given us?

Last week a friend and I were discussing Matthew 18:15, the verse from this week's lectionary that states that if another member of the church sins against you, then you should go to that person to point out the fault when the two of you are alone. I'd much rather tell a half a dozen other people, who I know will feed my fragile ego then confront the one who I think has sinned against me! My friend wondered just how often we are actually sinned against - or whether it is just our own pettiness. Elizabeth+ reminded us that this is that which will help us to become aware of our potential to set one another free - which will make us into a people - into God's people.

Pentecost +16

Get Behind me Satan! Yikes....Not exactly words we'd use to make friends and influence people! But Jesus wasn't trying to win a popularity contest. He was here to spread the Truth - and the truth is always difficult to hear - especially for Peter who had just been told that he was the Rock on which Christ was going to build his church.....And then, in true Peter fashion, he became the stumbling block......You just gotta love the guy! Jesus surely did...He would fall and then Jesus would pick him up, brush him off, and set him back on course.

In this morning's sermon, Margaret McGee brought this message home to us in new ways. Is not God calling us to be ourselves? not some perfect role model or saint, just ourselves as God created us to be. Jesus spoke truth and Margaret wondered if perhaps Peter wasn't chagrined by Jesus' seemingly harsh response to his concern for His future but instead was empowered and encouraged by it!

Pentecost +15

This past Sunday, in addition to Elizabeth's sermon with the generous title "Curious advantages that come along with being transformed by the renewing of your mind, OR, What we learn from Pharaoh on his way to the bottom of the Red Sea," we also had original Prayers of the People by Brad Offutt that drew strongly from each of the scripture lessons.

Two of my favorite sentences from Elizabeth's sermon: "According to the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, this is how the world is to be saved -- by the weak, the lowly, the despised shaming the strong. It is an understanding that is completely inside out from the thinking of this world." When she said those words, I couldn't help but think of an article I'd just finished reading in the current New Yorker magazine, telling the story of how the Burmese people quietly went about assisting and saving their own fellow citizens after the terrible storm that ravaged the delta area, right in the face of the indifference and even opposition of their military rulers. ("Letter from Rangoon" by George Packer, The New Yorker, August 25, 2008)

By acting with justice, mercy, and compassion, the people shamed their own rulers, and the story suggests that their actions, more than in the actions of any outside power (like us, for example), may contain the seeds of the downfall of that empty and corrupt government.

And my favorite sentences from Brad's prayers: "God, you blessed the Hebrew midwives with families because they listened to you. We are listening to you today, yearning for family. Help us see that our family is everyone, everywhere, who is looking for you."

Margaret D. McGee
http://www.inthecourtyard.com/

Pentecost +14

"It is all for good" .....that was one of the main points of Rev. Elizabeth Bloch's sermon of 8/17/08. The Old Testament reading was from Genesis 45: 1-15 - the dramatic story of Joseph and his brothers. A story of forgiveness and redemption. A story in which Joseph states, "You meant it for evil but God meant it for good."(Gen. 50:20).

And then we meet the Canaanite woman who takes Jesus to task when he informs her that it is not right to take the food that is meant for the children of Israel and throw it to the dogs. My immediate response would have been "Who are you calling a dog?".....But this is one tenacious woman who had no time for taking offense because her daughter desperately needed what only Jesus could offer - help for her tormented daughter. And so she fires right back at Him, "Even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.".....Ouch......that had to hit hard - and yet according to E+ Jesus needed this woman as much as she needed Him. She "changed his perspective for Him, re-visioning the direction of His life and mission in a single encounter."

How often do I brush off those encounters with people that I don't agree with? Am I missing out on opportunities for growth and change? Am I missing out on chances to change my direction? Lord, help me to see you in everyone and everything - help me to realize like Joseph and the Canaanite woman that with You, all is meant for good.

Pentecost +13 - Rev. Fadi Diab

Today we welcomed Rev. Fadi Diab from our companion parish of St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Zebabdeh, West Bank. What a treat it has been to have him in our midst! We have learned so much about our brothers and sisters who live behind the wall of the West Bank. To read more about the parishioners of our companion church click here.

We had so many questions for him! And he was so patient in answering them as he attended two dinners, an ice cream social and of course after preaching at both services on August 10th. One of the ministries of St. Matthews is a primary care health clinic, the Penman Clinic, that is available to all people in the area that may be in need, regardless of income level or religious belief. Fadi also founded the "Youth Connections for Peace" initiative. Every summer he takes a group of students from Zebabdeh to Ireland where they study the 1998 Good Friday Peace Agreement - in hopes of understanding and developing new ways to attain peace in their own land.

Fadi's sermon focused on the story of Elijah, who fled for his life and ended up sulking in a cave (found in 1 Kings: 19.) Elijah had various replies to God's query, "What are you doing here Elijah?" Fadi asked us the same question. What are we doing here? Of course we have varying replies also, don't we? What is God calling us to? Fadi gave us much to consider especially in light of the present situation that the church, those living stones, are facing on a daily basis in Palestine, as more and more Christians leave the Holy Land. What is our responsibility as Western Christians for this part of the body of Christ that is struggling to survive?

A Prayer for Peace....

God of mercy and compassion,

of grace and reconciliation,

pour your power upon all your children in the Middle East:

Jews, Muslims and Christians,

Palestinians and Israelis.

Let hatred be turned into love,

fear to trust,

despair to hope,

oppression to freedom,

occupation to liberation,

that violent encounters may be replaced by loving embraces,

and peace and justice could be experienced by all. Amen.

The Reverend Said Ailabouni
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Chicago, IL

12th Sunday After Pentecost

This morning George Thomsen spoke on whether miracles can still happen. Do read his sermon on Matthew 14: 13-21 please click here.

The Kingdom of Heaven is Like....

What is the Kingdom of Heaven like? Is is for us to enjoy only after this life is over or do we catch glimpses of it in the here and now? This is only one of the questions that Rev. Elizabeth Bloch pondered in her homily for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost.(Please click here to read it).

For years I was determined to "figure out" exactly what Jesus meant by the Kingdom of Heaven. I thought if I laid out all the references for what the Kingdom of Heaven was like (and according to E+ there are 87 references in Scripture with 32 of them in Matthew's Gospel alone) I would be able to come to a conclusion. Silly me. Taking the parables literally is exactly what Jesus did not want us to do.

Recently I attended a "Godly Play" workshop at Saint Mark's Cathedral in Seattle. I was not familiar with this Montessori-based program that according to their website “teaches children the art of using religious language . . . helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives." I had no idea what to expect when I arrived with my usual notepad and pen in hand. I was planning on taking copious notes. Little did I know that the major concept behind "Godly Play" is play! And that's just what we did.

Early in the afternoon we settled inside a classroom where the presenter brought out a gold box exactly like the one in the photo above and proceeded to "tell the parable of the pearl of great price." What I discovered was that the story began to tell itself. I felt the delight of the little girl deep within me as the presenter laid the simple pieces of felt out on the white circle. No longer was the story 2 dimensional! With the tactile elements of felt and glass beads I became closer to that story than I had ever been before. And just as E+ told us on Sunday that the Kingdom of God is hidden inside each and every one of us I discovered in the "Godly Play" process of interactive storytelling that I was indeed Christ's pearl of great price!

- Roberta Hiday

Dateline Moscow

On Sunday August 3, I attended church at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Moscow, Idaho, where Robin Biffle officiated at her first service as rector of St. Mark’s. Robin is currently in the transitional deaconate, awaiting her priestly ordination in the coming months. The service was Morning Prayer with Holy Communion using reserved consecrated Sacrament, and Robin officiated at the communion.

The service started with cello duet, gorgeous music, gifted artists from the parish. The organist was a student from the university, also lovely music. The church felt homey to me, built along the same lines as St. Paul’s, with a center aisle, and with cross-ties that in this case were large beams of wood rather than metal rods. The side windows are leaded stained glass, rich wonderful colors, showing stories from the Gospels. The window nearest me showed the Annunciation, with Mary in a halo of stars, and the dove of the Holy Spirit descending with a golden spark in its beak. (I confess to a twinge of envy at the windows. They were great, and they even opened!)

Just before the start of the service, the Worship Leader led us in a little practice session for singing the canticles. Then the congregation followed along the Morning Prayer service pretty well, though it was clear that singing the canticles was unfamiliar to them (and to me). We did okay.

Robin wore a brightly colored stole with fish woven into the design, crosswise like the deacon she is. The Gospel lesson told the story of Jesus and the disciples feeding the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish that the disciples had brought with them. What struck me most in the sermon was Robin’s emphasis on the transformation that occurs when we bring our gifts for the world to Jesus first. Jesus says, “You feed them,” which can be so easily interpreted, “Go on and take your resources--so obviously inadequate for the task at hand--and you feed them, all on our own.”

So easy to forget that he says, “Bring them to me.” The transformation takes place when he breaks the loaves and fishes. Then it turns out there’s plenty. More than enough.
I get caught when I try to act on my own, because, in fact, I don’t have enough, not anywhere near enough for the needs of the world, or my friends, or my family, or my husband, or even my own poor tired self. When I give my resources—my energy, my loaves and fishes—over to Jesus, and let love do its work, then mysteriously, the wellsprings open, and something surprising happens. It might not be that I feed people the way I imagined (or others imagined) they "ought" to be fed … it may be that something completely different occurs. But it turns out there is enough, and more than enough to go around.

Margaret D. McGee, author,
Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment
www.inthecourtyard.com

Pentecost +10

Wheat or Weeds? That is the title of Lois Holly's sermon this week. The picture on the left is "darnel", also known as "false wheat". The farmers of Jesus' day would never have allowed these weeds to grow together with the wheat but that is what Jesus suggested in Mathew 13:24-30.

Lois brought home the point that we divide the world into opposites all the time. Who do we accept and who do we reject? There is much to consider in this passage and homily, particularly in regards to the weeds and wheat within each and every one of us. What do we weed out? What do we allow to grow?

Ninth Sunday After Pentecost

Here is my response to Fr. Russ’s homily Sunday July 13, 2008:

I was as glad he gave us some thoughts on St. Paul’s use of the word sarks (flesh) as our Rector had mentioned it the previous week, but I was still mystified as to how to understand it. Now I am beginning to understand that for me the word has to do with how "flesh" is an analogy for all in the world that distracts me from experiencing the "spirit". So that when I am most in the company of Jesus, his spirit inhabits my being and keeps me freshly present to him. That is what is going on with me as my "flesh" battles for my attention but I am freed to be in his spirit when attending to his company.

We also talked in reflection time about the soil receiving the seed that stands for the word of God in the gospel reading. How that seed can grow in the good soil that is our lives. With all the gardners around me (I have four good gardners just in my own family!) I found it helpful to consider the many ways I can make the soil that is me fertile and ready to take the seed in and nurture its growth. John Staples

Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

Many wrestled with the Romans text (about "I do not do what I want.") after coffee hour in the Reflection group. I had arrogantly ignored it. Been there, and so forth. Then was brought into the argument, intrigued, and loved the discussion. Namely, I get how intensely I experience in myself and others a transforming power as we practice Jesus' presence in worship. Here he teaches me how"reframeable" (ask John Austin) the dark side of my life is, and does sore frame my every molecule.

This is not where our preacher went with her sermon (Could be titled"God the Matchmaker"). However, it illuminated Paul well for me. God is the matchmaker, the one who chooses us and chooses to make us whole in our being as we are wed to him. Now it seems to me Paul is saying that our condition is repaired, not by what we do with our bad aims in life, but what God does with us from our very beginnings to fix our bad aim.

The other analogy in the sermon that stirred my imagination was about the "easy yoke". Explained for me how the yoke is easy because it is double, and the other ox is Jesus (well, that's not how she said it). I am going to practice this easy yoke for the rest of the week.

John Staples

Seventh Sunday After Pentecost

This week's sermon , preached by Margaret McGee, dealt with the infamous and disturbing story of Abraham and Isaac. It contained the necessary elements that make for great stories - violence and steamy romance....You'll have to read it to understand the implications hinted at here :)

Margaret heard the voice of a prophet in the form of her doctor. Who are the prophets in my life? And yours? And do we want to listen to their unwelcome words?

Sixth Sunday After Pentecost

The title of this sermon was The Fire in Our Bones. And after listening to E+ recite the list of the fates of the apostles I wondered just how much burning fire I truly have shut up in these bones of mine?

Fifth Sunday After Pentecost

Are you bold enough to harbor crazy hopes and crazy dreams for yourself and the world? Are there desires that make you laugh and shake your head while you tell yourself, "This could never happen!" This is what Sunday's sermon focused on.

Sarah laughed at the hope of giving birth at her advanced age. Is there something in your life which you too laugh at? Where do you question the possibility of new birth or re-birth?

Fourth Sunday After Pentecost

Reflecting on the meaning of the gospel message for Sunday, June 8th, 2008:

An African-American congressman tells the story of how his parents always reminded him vav segregation "don't get in the way" and "it's the way it is". However this congressman has learned that the only way to make progress for the issues he cares about is to "get in the way". I think when Jesus goes to Matthew's party he is getting in the way of all those who would destroy life rather than save it. I want to stay in his company and"get in the way" of prejudice and injustice wherever he leads me. - John Staples

Third Sunday After Pentecost

The Courtyard and the Ark

In church this Sunday, we heard the story of Noah's ark, and then Jesus' parable of two house-builders: the one who built on rock, and the one who built on sand, and which house stood after the big storm. All during the readings and Elizabeth's sermon, I was transported back to the process of the building of our courtyard labyrinth.

First off, check out the clear and explicit description of the ark that God gave to Noah: “Make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch. This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. Make a roof for the ark, and finish it to a cubit above; and put the door of the ark in its side; make it with lower, second, and third decks.”

Wow. I don’t remember getting such clear instructions on the design of the courtyard. Or, at least, not all in one gulp like that. It took a while to work things out. We didn’t all see it the same way from the beginning.

A number of parishioners wanted the area filled with a grass lawn for children to play on—a perfectly reasonable desire. (I don’t think any of us anticipated just how much fun children would have playing in the paths of the labyrinth.)

Others were concerned that a thirty-foot labyrinth—the smallest walkable size, really, for the 11-circuit Chartres design—was simply too big for the area, and would look crowded and crammed in that space. I took those concerns seriously, because I myself had a hard time picturing the finished courtyard before it was there. I spent hours just sitting on the parish hall steps, looking at the area, struggling to form a picture in my mind's eye of how the space would look and feel with the courtyard in place.

In the end I just had to have faith that it would work, resting that faith on two rocks. First, other people could see it, and I had confidence in their vision. Second, from my experience with other labyrinths, I had a great deal of faith in the beauty and unifying force of the 11-circuit Chartres design. Once that pattern was laid down, I knew it would dominate the space. Finally, I just had to let go and trust that the labyrinth itself would pull everything else together.

As it turned out, I was flabbergasted at the beauty of the courtyard when it was finally finished.

We planned and built St. Paul’s Courtyard of All Souls during a time of great internal strife in the parish. To paraphrase a few lines from this Sunday's psalm, the waters of our community raged and foamed, and the mountains trembled. For me, the process of making something beautiful and useful for ourselves and generations to come turned out to be a way of weathering the storm.

The courtyard project was not the only ark to carry folks through those troubled times. Others also launched their boats, big and small, across the stormy seas. That time and place was more like Dunkirk in 1940, maybe, than Mount Ararat in Biblical times. The courtyard was one of the boats.
--

Margaret D. McGee
Author, Sacred Attention: A Spiritual Practice for Finding God in the Moment.SkyLight Paths featured book

Second Sunday after Pentecost

Today Rev. Bill Maxwell spoke on Matthew 6:24-34 in which Jesus tells his followers that we are not able to serve God and wealth, and where He also reminds us that we are not to WORRY about our life. We should consider the lilies of the field and the birds of the air that neither reap nor sow. This must have been a point Jesus really wanted us to consider for He repeats it 5 times in this reading!

Bill wondered how the survivors of the cyclone in Burma and the earthquake in China would react to this passage. They have lost so much - more than we could ever imagine. Would Jesus appear to them and tell them this same parable? Bill suggests that Jesus would come up with a different parable for them! But he reminded us that we who have so much in this country, we who consume so much, can be a part of the recovery efforts across the globe. Bill recommended that we give monetarily to the Episcopal Relief Fund, an organization that provides emergency assistance in times of disaster.

Which brings me to my own issues with worry. During Lectio Divina this morning (which meets at 9:15 in the Pollard Room) I pondered my own bird feeder that I can view from my dining room window. Every day I fill that feeder up and every day the birds empty it. Sometimes I'm out of town or I forget to fill it and I feel guility that I'm not coming through for those birds. Today I realized that somehow I've made it MY responsibility to feed the birds because I have a strong tendency to want to control my world and today's gospel message reminded me that it is "my heavenly Father who feeds them". Granted, that may be happening through me but it's not my entire responsibility to feed the birds.

So when I fill my bird feeder over the next several days I will use it as a touchpoint - a reminder that when I start to worry this will be my reminder that God cares for my every need in the same way that God cares for the needs of those birds. I'll let you know how that goes!

My question to you is, "How do you deal with worry?"







This picture of the birds at their feeders is from the following wonderful website!






Contributed by: Roberta Hiday

May 11th, Pentecost

The Feast of Pentecost will be celebrated on May 11th at 9:00 am on the All Soul's Courtyard (our labyrinth) weather permitting. This will be the only service this day. We are looking forward to having everyone together. Remember to wear your "flame" colors - reds and oranges, and purples and golds!

(We're also looking for a few good men to volunteer to help with the setup & tear down for that day!)

Hope to see you there as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit...

Sermons Online!

If you haven't been out to the church's website lately I just want to remind you that sermons from our Rector Elizabeth A. Bloch+, Associates Emeriti and lay preachers are now available on line. You'll see the "Sermons" link on the left navigation panel.

Reading the sermons can enhance at home what you have heard (or missed!) at Sunday's service. Check it out!

Ascension Thursday

Ascension Thursday occurs on the fortieth day after Christ's Resurrection. Here at St. Paul's we marked this feast day with Holy Eucharist and a fabulous feast. The congregation stood as the rector and verger led us through The Way of Resurrection from Meditations on the Fourteen Resurrection Appearances by R. Chapman and Journey into Joy by A. Walter.

Here is the Collect for that day: Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Episcopal Peace Fellowship

The Episcopal Church has a great website that promotes peace. There you'll notice that it shows ways to connect, act and pray in the continuing effort to bring peace to the world. Here at St. Paul's we have our own Episcopal Peace Fellowship that meets this month from 8-8:30a.m. on May 28th for prayer. Please join us. For more info please call the church @ 385-0770.