St. Blogory's: the internet café at St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, Deerfield, IL

Dewi Sant: St. David, Patron Saint of Wales

Already in Wales it is the Feast of St. David, except that, being a Sunday, the First Sunday in Lent takes precedence. His motto is Bydd Lawen Cadw'r Ffydd: "Be Joyful, Keep the Faith." It's a good motto for Lent.

 

 

Another Gospel Paradox: Centrifugal Gathering!

I have recently subscribed to WordLive, a ministry of Scripture Union. Yesterday's offering (26 February) included this insight into St. John's story [6:1-15] of the Feeding of the Five Thousand:

‘What can we give them to eat?’ With five thousand visitors, Jesus puts that question to his disciples.

He has two different answers:

• Philip is entirely realistic – we don’t have the money to feed them!

• Andrew is entirely unrealistic – can we do anything with this lad’s lunch?

 Drawing on yesterday's blog, Philip's is a centripetal spirituality, and Andrew's a centrifugal spirituality. But to be fair, after venturing "this lad's lunch," even Andrew fell back to a centripetal spirituality.

So Jesus goes to work centrifugally, with the result that he needs to ask the disciples to "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.

In the same way, Jesus' heart's desire is to gather us up, too, so that none of us may be lost.

New Beginnings: Centrifugal Spirituality

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thong of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?

"Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

"Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly."

These are the prophet Isaiah's words, in chapter 58, verses 6-8a.

Percy Dearmer rendered Isaiah's words this way, as we find them in Hymn 145:

"For is not this the fast that I have chosen? (The prophet spoke) To shatter every yoke, of wickedness the grievous bands to loosen, oppression put to flight, to fight, to fight,  to fight till every wrong's set right; to fight, to fight, to fight till every wrong's set right.

"For righteousness and peace will show their faces to those who feed the hungry in their need, and wrongs redress, who build the old waste places, and in the darkness shine. Divine, divine; divine it is when all combine! Divine, divine, divine it is when all combine!"

Surely this is a fast for our times, times when hunger and homelessness threaten many who have never experienced this kind of threat before. A more literal translation speaks of not hiding ourselves "from our own flesh"-- in other words, of not hiding ourselves merely from our kin (family) or kith (friends), but from any of our fellow human beings who share with us the frailty of flesh.

This is the fast I will explore this Lent, a centrifugal spirituality rather than a centipetal spirituality, a spirituality which flees rather than seeks ego-centrism, a spirituality which reaches out to others.

Are you willing to join me in making a New Beginning with a centrifugal spirituality? If you'd like to write about it, just use the Comment link.

Ash Wednesday: a new beginning

I am a great believer in New Beginnings.

Apparently, so is God.

"In the beginning" begins Genesis; "In the beginning" begins The Gospel according to St. John. 

Holy Baptism is the Sacrament of New Beginning.

Reconciliation of a Penitent (which was known as Penance until its own eponymous new beginning to emphasize relationship rather than regret) is also a Sacrament of New Beginning.

My blog needs a new beginning, too. After faithfully offering a daily blog as my one and only New Year's Resolution, I got bogged down in other urgent and important, or urgent and not-so-important things, over the past several weeks. Some of the urgent and important things have been posted on the blog, so my silence hasn't been complete. Still, I need a New Beginning, and this is it!

Have you made a New Beginning today? If you'd like to write about it, just use the Comment link.

 

 

Rector’s Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,

The Best Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch Ever!

Many thanks to the many people who made it such a wonderful and festive day, and especially:

 

Erica Jeglum, who coordinated the whole thing and had a hand in every phase and activity recognized below;

 

Our extraordinary chef Butler Sharpe (without whom, Erica notes, "the whole thing would crash and burn- or the church would burn down!"); and Art Bielski, Butler's faithful kitchen assistant;

 

Fernando Soberano, Brian Stephens-Hotopp, and Tracy Webster-Babcock, for putting up all the tables, and their work throughout the day;

 

Catherine Martin and Nancy Nichols, our professional pancake shoppers, and their work throughout the day;

 

Cathy Leimbeck, Cathie Lovacheff, Judy McCann, our decorators, and their work throughout the day;

 

Ishani Sinnaduray, for supervising the drinks table and the cadre of students in charge of drink refills;

 

David, Barbara, and Scott Schaper: from David's official no-discounting dish-counting, and dishwasher running; to Scott's omnipresence in every corner of the kitchen; to Barbara's work throughout the day and right on through to cleaning up afterward;

 

Judy McCann and Jim Stone, who oversaw the last bits of clean up;

 

Bill & Janet Foltz, for helping out everywhere, including balloons and clearing dishes;

 

All the hard-working youth who served the food, and bussed the tables;

 

and last but not least, Lauren Hill who sold the tickets and tracked down all the Rent-A-Priest donations, and our Rent-A-Seminarian Lisa Ward, Rent-A-Deacon Dennis Lietz, and Rent-A-Rector Bill Roberts, who tallied 391 dishes among them for our Youth Ministry.

 

We also welcomed as our honored guests parishioners from St. Hilary's and three of our Preschool families! 

 

 

Wednesday Evening Lenten Study Program:

The Great Emergence and Emerging Churches

Join us on March 4, 11, 18, and 25,

from 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm,

as we explore and practice

"fresh expressions" of the Christian Faith.

 

Topics will include: Identifying with Jesus,

Participating as Producers,

Creating as Created Beings, and

Merging Ancient and Contemporary Spiritualities.

 

Our Lenten Program will be based on Phyllis Tickle's book, The Great Emergence; and Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger's book, Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures. Both of these books will be available in our library, or at your local or online bookstore.

Faithfully yours,

 

"We are ambassadors for Christ, God appealing to the world through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Rector’s Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,

Annual Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch

From 9:30 am to 12 Noon, Butler Sharpe will be orchestrating a symphony of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit, pastries, milk, juices, and both real maple syrup and Mrs. Butterworth. Our Junior and Senior High School students will be serving and working the tables.

$6 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-12, and $18 for a family.

And don't forget to sign up for rent-a-priest at however-many-cents-you-decide per plate washed, all to benefit our Youth Ministry!

Ash Wednesday, February 25

We will offer the Imposition of Ashes and the Holy Eucharist at 7 am, 9 am, and 7:30 pm. The evening service includes music.

As part of your Lenten discipline this year, I hope that you will mark your Calendars now to attend our commemorations of Maundy Thursday, April 9, and Good Friday, April 10. We cannot know the full joy and power of Easter unless we have known the sorrow and vulnerability of betrayal and death.

Wednesday Evenings Lenten Study Program:

The Great Emergence and Emerging Churches

Join us on Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18, and 25, as we explore and practice "fresh expressions" of the Christian Faith. Topics will include: Identifying with Jesus, Transforming Secular Space, Living as Community, Welcoming the Stranger, Serving with Generosity, and Merging Ancient and Contemporary Spiritualities.

Please note the change in the time: we will meet from 7:30 pm to 8:45 pm, without supper.

Our Lenten Program will be based on Phyllis Tickle's book, The Great Emergence; and Eddie Gibbs and Ryan K. Bolger's book, Emerging Churches: Creating Christian Community in Postmodern Cultures. Both of these books will be available in our library, or at your local or online bookstore.

Scholarships!

The Deerfield-Bannockburn-Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce is offering one $1,000 and two $5,000 science scholarships to 2009 high school graduates and residents who live in the 60015 zip code. It doesn't matter which college or university you may attend, nor is it based on financial need. Students must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average, a record of "outstanding" service to others, and recommendations. If you are interested in more information, or if you would like a copy of the scholarship application forms, please let me know.

Faithfully yours,

 

"We are ambassadors for Christ, God appealing to the world through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20

“Naaman and the Unnamed Man,” by the Very Rev. Bill Roberts

Note to the reader: This sermon is based on 2 Kings 5:1-14 and Mark 1:40-45.

+ In the Love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Naaman is the commander of a great army, a mighty warrior, and a man of influence. Not only does he have the support of the king; apparently he also has the support of the Lord, the God of Israel, who had given him a victory over God's own people! In marked contrast, we don't even know the name of the man in this morning's Gospel. And yet Naaman and the unnamed man have one thing in common: they both have leprosy. Known and unknown, rich and poor, friend and foe, people of faith and people of no faith: disease strikes us all. But how we think about disease makes a big difference in how we deal with it.

Naaman's leprosy doesn't prevent him from commanding armies or leading a normal life, because for the Arameans leprosy was just a disease needing a cure. As long as the action takes place in the kingdom of Aram, everyone talks about curing his leprosy. But when the action moves to the kingdom of Israel, and the prophet Elisha enters the scene, everyone begins to talk about making Naaman clean rather than curing him.

And the reason is this: for the Jews, leprosy wasn't just a disease: it was also a religious calamity and therefore a social calamity as well. In the book of Job, leprosy is called "the firstborn of Death" [Job 18:13], and the Law of Moses devotes two full chapters to leprosy. Here's part of what it says:

"The person who has the leprous disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head be disheveled; and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, 'Unclean, unclean.' He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp"― that is, outside the Jewish community [Leviticus 13:45-46].

The reason the unclean leper has to stay away from other people is because "clean" people who touch "unclean" people become "unclean" themselves. In other words, being "unclean" is contagious [Numbers 19:20a, 22].

When we understand this, we understand why Elisha didn't go out to see Naaman― Elisha didn't want to risk becoming unclean. And we understand why Elisha sent Naaman to the River Jordan to be cleansed, and why it seemed like nonsense to Naaman. And we understand why Naaman wanted to be healed and the unnamed man wanted to be made clean. How we think about disease makes a big difference in how we deal with it.

Now please take up your lectionary inserts and turn to the Gospel [Mark 1:40-45].

"A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, 'If you choose, you can make me clean.'" The word "choose" is an unfortunate translation. It suggests that Jesus has an arbitrary decision to make: will he choose to heal or choose not to heal? In every other translation I know about, the leper says to Jesus, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." What's at stake is not a decision Jesus has to make but his willingness to make the leper clean. It's the same word we find in the Lord's Prayer when we pray, "Your will be done."

"Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing. Be made clean!"

Here we note a great contrast between Jesus and Elisha. Elisha heals Naaman to prove a point― "that there is a prophet in Israel," but won't even go out to see him. But Jesus, "moved with pity," stretches out his hand and touches him. In the story of Naaman and Elisha, Naaman's leprosy is contagious; in the story of the leper and Jesus, Jesus' holiness is contagious. How we think about disease makes a big difference in how we deal with it.

In fact, it's possible to translate this morning's Gospel in two different ways. Without getting into all the technical details, I'll read the alternative translation while you read the version in your lectionary insert:

Note to the reader: Where there is a change in the translation, the first set of parentheses contains the lectionary version, and the second set of parentheses contains the alternative version:

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Moved with (pity) (anger), Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After (sternly warning him) (snorting with anger), Jesus (sent him away) (cast him out) at once, saying to him, 'See that you say nothing to anyone. . . ."

In our lectionary version, the focus is on the leper, so Jesus has pity on the leper, makes him clean, and sends him away to see the priest so he can reenter society. In the alternative version, the focus is on the leprosy, so Jesus is angry about the leprosy because it has caused such suffering, and he deals with the leprosy in the same way that he dealt with the unclean spirit in the synagogue in Capernaum, which we read about two weeks ago [Mark 1:21-28.

In fact, there are four parallels between this alternative translation and Mark's earlier stories about Jesus. First, the spirit in Capernaum was an unclean spirit, and the leprosy is unclean. Second, the unclean spirit "left" the man in the synagogue, and even in our lectionary version we read that the leprosy "left" the leper. Third, Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to be silent, and Jesus commands the leprosy to be silent. And finally, the verb translated "sent him away" or "cast him out" is the technical word used for exorcism.

So then, these two stories teach us how to think about disease, and how to deal with it.

First: In addition to their leprosy, Naaman and the unnamed man have something else in common: they do whatever it takes to be healed. Naaman is willing to go into enemy territory and wash in the Jordan (though he needs some persuading!), and the leper is willing to break the Law of Moses in order to get close enough to Jesus to beg for his healing. Like Naaman and the unnamed man, we, too, need to be our own best advocates for our health and healing.

Second: Jesus says, "I am willing." Health and healing is Jesus' will for us, his desire for us, and we can come to him with confidence.

Third: Jesus is moved with pity, stretches out his hand, and touches the leper. His compassion isn't theoretical or abstract; it is personal and tangible. In the same way, whenever we see someone suffering from disease, our response needs to be personal and tangible.

And fourth: Jesus is angry at the leprosy, and treats it like an enemy. Disease is an enemy, and it is right that we attack it with all the resources in our power: vaccinations, medicines, health care professionals, and prayer.

And when we pray, we need to remember four things about God: God is good, God is present, God cares, and God is at work right now.

And so then, let us pray:

Almighty Lord, you are a strong tower to all who put their trust in you, to you all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore our sure defense, and make us know and feel that the only name given under heaven for health and salvation is the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grace Remembered and Relived: [Wine!]

Grace Remembered and Relived; Entry 26 (see first Entry here.)

As I opened my journal for today's post, here's what I found:

November 2:

Ecclesiasticus 31:12-18, 25-32:2     [Wine!]

"Judge your neighbor's feelings by your own, and in every matter be thoughtful."

How fascinating! The portion I quoted was relevant to my spiritual work during our parish conflict, but I couldn't help enjoying the words [not quoted!], and noting in brackets the fun I'd had reading them.

So, I looked up the passage, relived the words about [Wine!], and now I share them with you:

        "Do not try to prove your strength by wine-drinking, for wine has destroyed many. As the furnace tests the work of the smith, so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.

        "Wine is very life to human beings if taken in moderation. What is life to one who is without wine? It has been created to make people happy. Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.

        "Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit, to quarrels and stumbling. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt, reducing his strength and adding wounds.

        "Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine, and do not despise him in his merrymaking; speak no word of reproach to him, and do not distress him by making demands of him" [25-31].

 

Isn't it wonderful how, even in the midst of pain, we humans are still able to enjoy an unexpected gift of pleasure?

 

Cheers!

Grace Remembered and Relived: O Lamp of God

Grace Remembered and Relived; Entry 25 (see first Entry here.)

All Hallow's Eve

Luke 11:27-37:

"No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar, but on the lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.  . . .  If then your whole body is full of light,  . . .  it will be as full of light as when a lamp gives you light with its rays."

During this Season of Epiphany I often use this blessing at the conclusion of the Eucharist: "May Jesus, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world. . . ."

The northern hemisphere is declining into darkness as All Hallows' Eve approaches, but it is lifting into light as Epiphany approaches. The rhythm of the seasons is often mirrored in the rhythm of our lives. Times of darkness give way to times of glory, times of glory vanish into darkness. And yet, even in the midst of the changes and chances of our lives, Jesus, who is the Light of the world, has redeemed us and given us this commission: "Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father in heaven" [Matthew 5:16].

Rector’s Newsletter

Dearly Beloved,

Sunday, February 15: Adult Forum: Crash Course on Mark's Gospel

Tuesday, February 17: next Meeting of the Master Plan Committee

Sunday, February 22: Shrove Sunday Pancake Brunch and Rent-a-Priest to support our Youth Ministry

Wednesday, February 25: Ash Wednesday: Holy Eucharist with the Imposition of Ashes at 7 am; 9 am; and 7:30 pm (including music)

Sunday, March 1: The Rundus Family and their Ministry as Disciplemakers in Cameroon

Wednesday, March 4: Lenten Program begins (more information in next week's Newsletter)

. . . and on Sunday, April 19, Bishop Jeffrey Lee and his wife Lisa will be with us for his Visitation.

The Rector's Adult Confirmation/Inquirers'/Refresher Class

It's not too late to join our Adult Confirmation Class. Our next meeting is Sunday, February 22, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm, followed by classes on March 8, and March 22. Topics include: Crash Course in Christian History, Scriptures, Sacraments, and Ministry.

Bishops Lee and Scantlebury will be confirming, receiving, and reaffirming baptismal vows at Trinity Church, Highland Park, on Saturday, May 2, at 11:00 am. Our Youth and Adult Confirmation Classes are the largest in several years!

 

St. Hilary's Episcopal and St. Gregory's Episcopal Churches

St. Hilary's, Prospect Heights, began as a mission from St. Gregory's in April of 1963. Our Rector at the time, Father Jack Parker, was appointed St. Hilary's first Vicar until a permanent Vicar was called.

This coming Sunday, February 15, Bishop Jeffrey Lee will preside at St. Hilary's last service. Mother Gina Volpe has been working with the parish through the painful process of closing the church. Her work has included inviting the clergy or lay leaders of surrounding parishes to come on a Sunday and answer questions about their respective parishes. At Gina's invitation I assisted her at their 9 am Holy Eucharist last Sunday. I read the Gospel, led the Prayers of the People, and during Communion stood at the back of the church to pray with and anoint for healing any members of the congregation who desired it. Almost everyone came for healing, not only for their own concerns but for the members of St. Hilary's in this time of transition. After the service I answered their questions about St. Gregory's.

Three of the parishioners said that they intend to begin worshiping at St. Gregory's on the 22^nd, and apparently there will be others. I know you will make them feel welcomed, because you always welcome newcomers so well! I do want to say, though, that the members of St. Hilary's who come to see whether we might be their new parish home will be coming with heavy hearts as well as hopeful hearts. Some may need space as they decide whether to join us, others will be trying several of the churches surrounding St. Hilary's before choosing their new parish home. Some of the remaining members of St. Hilary's have worshiped there for forty years, and others for only several; but for all of them it has been a place for celebrating their deepest joys and sharing their deepest griefs.

Gina mentioned how fitting it was that someone from St. Gregory's was at St. Hilary's for their penultimate service, that someone from the church that founded St. Hilary's should be there as it closed. We may have the privilege and joy of "welcoming home" a number of St. Hilary's most faithful members, and of continuing the healing which they began to experience last Sunday.

Troop Support Prayers and Ministry

Owen Leewis will be returning to our prayer list for soldiers serving in Iraq as he returns for his third tour of duty. Owen is the son of Keith and Mary-Jane Leewis, and she is the Deacon at St. Lawrence's Church in Libertyville.

Our 24^th Troop Care Package Night will be on Tuesday evening, February 24. Please come and fill the boxes with books and magazines and toiletries and gifts and socks and letters to each recipient.

 

Faithfully yours,

 

"We are ambassadors for Christ, God appealing to the world through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20