Mother Rita's Musings

The Parable of the High-Risk, Indiscriminate Farmer

2011-07-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

Sermon for July 10, 2011
Isaiah 55:10-13 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Rev. Rita L. Henault

Two of the Scripture passages for July 10, 2011 were Isaiah 55:10-13 and Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 – two of my favorites. I know I say that a lot; I have a lot of faves. The 55th chapter of Isaiah, though, starts out with invitation, “everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.” As though God is saying, “my economy is not your economy, come to me if you’re hungry”, “you that have no money, come, buy and eat”. The invitation to “come” continues. “Incline your ear, and come to me”. God invites us to come and God will give us what we need. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”. Then at verse 10, “for as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and don’t return until they have watered the earth . . . “ The blessing of precipitation that renews a dry, arid land, the rain and snow are part of the cycle of God’s creation. “So shall the word that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Wow, that is a wonderful vision. The Word of God is the source of abundance, the source of water and food for the entire earth. The “Word”, the “Ruach” is the very creative power of God’s love. This is the “Word” that summoned paradise into being; the “Word” that creates, redeems, and sustains. It is the creative “Word”, the breath of God, God’s Ruach that heals. Even the land will receive healing. And this “Word” will never return empty; it will accomplish God’s purposes.
“You shall go out in joy and return in peace.” Even the mountains and hills will be singing and the trees will be clapping their hands. What a fabulous image – the whole earth rejoicing. There is healing for God’s people and for all of God’s creation. God’s Word does not return empty. This is a picture of God’s Word returning FULL.

Then we heard the Gospel story, commonly called “The Parable of the Sower”, but perhaps more fittingly could be called “The High-Risk, Indiscriminate Farmer”. This sower seems to be flinging seed out everywhere, willy-nilly, without plowing or fertilizing or irrigating. He doesn’t know where this stuff is going; whether the ground is fertile or not, or even if the seed hits dirt or lands in a patch of weeds. The goal of the sower is just to sow seed - everywhere, extravagantly, on all soil, as if it were all good soil. This farmer isn’t looking for guarantees; he’s just grateful when the seed lands and produces. Really though, is there any place or circumstance in which God’s seed – God’s Word – cannot sprout and take root, even in the most unlikely places?

There are those who worry that the world is not fertile ground for sowing God’s seeds anymore – that hope is plucked up, and cynicism produces hardened soil that has no need for God’s seed, and shallow faith is being cultivated by feel-good, prosperity-gospel churches, and the thorny problems of today’s world is choking out God’s harvest. But as The Rev. Joseph Evans reminds us in his recent Day-1 sermon, we are the sowers of God’s seeds and our goal is just to sow. He reminds us not to “quibble about theological differences, but just to sow love; Not to worry over membership numbers, but just to sow grace and mercy over new ground, and not to worry over where it will land, only with casting as much seed as possible – leaving all the rest up to God”. I like that a lot; very wise. Let’s just sow the seeds of God’s Word, sow the seeds of God’s love and mercy, and then let God do the rest. Trust God; trust that whatever we scatter in God’s Holy Name will not return empty. It will be full to the brim.

What might God’s fulfilled Word look like? I think it is a life filled with hope. It is a place of kindness and compassion; a world of justice; a people brimming with joy. I think it is a world renewed – a world of plenty for those who have been hungry and thirsty. I see God’s Word – that creative Ruach, breath of God – continuing to create, day after day in God’s world.

This creative Word of God, this seed of love, mercy, healing and renewal, is God’s good gift to us. It is abundant and life-giving, and free! We can afford to scatter it far and wide. So invite those you meet along the way to share in this abundance. Everyone who thirsts for hope and friendship, COME to this place and share in the water of baptism. You who hunger, COME and feast at the Lord’s Table with us. You who are hurting, COME among this healing community and we will love you. These are the seeds we have for sowing, so let’s sow extravagantly. And don’t worry; go ahead and scatter the seed far and wide. You never know what will sprout.

"God is coming to heal the world, not to kill millions of people". A quote from the preface of Barbara R. Rossing's "The Rapture Exposed"

2011-06-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

The predicted “rapture” of the believers did not happen on May 21, 2011. No surprise there. But there continues to be a dis-ease among some Christians, uneasiness that maybe, just maybe we really are living in the “end times”. What with wars, fires, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and tornadoes, one could certainly wonder if God is mad at us and plans to destroy the world. Maybe God really will let his “chosen ones” escape it all and go directly to heaven before the tribulation starts. A “get-out-of-tribulation-free” card, so to speak. But none of that is biblical, trust me.

We will hear more and more of this as we approach Harold Camping’s (of Family Radio) new end-of-the-world prophecy – Oct. 21, 2011. It seems he made a small error with the May 21 date. It was really the “end of God’s salvation program”, not the rapture that happened on that day. No worries; everything is still on schedule. He’s absolutely sure of the October date for God’s final judgment. And if it doesn’t happen then, well we know about the Mayan calendar and the prophecies of Nostradamus – Dec. 21, 2012 at the latest, then we’re done for.

I recently read Barbara R. Rossing’s “The Rapture Exposed: the Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation”. I read it immediately following the hype around the May 21 date. I must confess, my usual response when people ask about the rapture and the tribulation is to mumble that “it’s not biblical” and “I generally don’t think much about it at all”, but that’s about all I say. Barbara Rossing has given me some helpful language with which to respond to these questions.

She points out how this is not an innocuous heresy, but a dangerous, escapist theology that has been so woven into the American narrative, since its invention in the mid 19th century, that many people don’t question it. They assume it’s in the bible.

I believe that our little church, The Episcopal Church of the Nativity, has a wonderful opportunity to express a narrative of hope and love instead a narrative of fear. We’re good at it; that’s our strength.

I am starting a “Rector’s Book Club” at 7pm on Wed. evenings at Nativity. Starting July 6, we’ll look at the above mentioned book, and then we’ll explore Rob Bell’s “Love Wins” starting August 10.

In my opinion, people shouldn’t be afraid to question, they shouldn’t live in fear of being “left behind”, and they shouldn’t renege on their responsibility to care for God’s creation.

Join us if you can. Oh, and don’t worry, I don’t think the world is going to end, nor do I believe that a world-wide tribulation will to start on October 21. I do, however, live in hope and trust that God’s kingdom will come and God’s will is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

God’s Peace,
The Rev. Rita Henault

Sermon for Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday

2011-01-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

I don’t usually do this, but today I’m going to be political. I cannot avoid it; I don’t think I should avoid it. Today, even as we commemorate the life, work and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this country has been jolted awake – and hopefully jolted about of complacency – by another senseless act of violence. It happened last Saturday, in Tucson, Arizona. Six people died; more were injured; and our nation was traumatized once again. We cannot try to ignore it because “it doesn’t affect me” here in Georgia. And there’s no point in wringing our hands and worrying about it. And it’s unproductive to spend time finger-pointing and assigning blame. Instead, let us reach into the wisdom of Dr. King’s legacy, and let this prophet of God help us now.
In April 1963, Martin Luther King wrote “A Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. His words were written in a different context – racial injustice – but they are applicable now. He wrote, “We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny”. An inescapable network of mutuality – no matter what side of the “what caused this tragedy” debate we’re on, we are in this together. Dr. King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. We could say that hateful words, violence, too easy access to too many guns and too much ammo by people who are angry or mentally unbalanced – anywhere – is a threat to peace everywhere. Is the question relevant that asks whether there is a direct cause-and-effect between violent words and a particular violent action? Words have power! We know that. Martin Luther King knew that. It was true during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s and it is true about the violent social discourse that has been thrust into the spotlight with the attack last Saturday. Even if there is not a direct correlation between what has been said and what was done (and I don’t think there is), we all need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and think about how we use words.
My mentor, The Rev. Robert Layne, who marched with Martin Luther King and integrated a church in Kentucky, often told me about a rabbinic tradition. A rabbi, whose name I do not remember, said that words should only be used to prosper, bless or heal. Words should only be spoken if they prosper – bring about some good for someone – or they bless or they heal. We all need to examine our language according to those criteria.
The prophet Isaiah (49:1-7) says to the people of Israel that they are called to be a light to the nations. The early Christians carried this forward and saw in Jesus the fulfillment of the words of the prophet. Jesus became the light to the nations. And all followers of Jesus Christ are likewise called to be lights to their nation, to their society, to their community. Martin Luther King was a light! He knew the power of words, and he used them eloquently and powerfully. He was a prophet who called this nation’s attention to the cause of justice for African American people. Through his eloquent words he called this country to account for the disparity in opportunity, education, justice and freedom between white and black.
In his letter from a Birmingham jail, Dr. King challenged Christian and Jewish religious communities to live up to their call to be lights to the nation. He decried the timid words of white pastors who said, “Wait”, to the black community. Wait, now isn’t the time, be patient. He decried the words of those who said that the civil rights of African Americans were “social issues, with which the gospel has no real concern”, and those who told their congregations to comply with a desegregation decision because it was the law. Knowing the power that those pastors’ words would have had on their congregations, he longed to hear them say, “Follow this decree because integration is morally right and because the Negro is your brother.” Words have power! And how we use words has everything to do with the gospel.
As Christians and Episcopalians we vow to reflect the light of Christ and to be the light of Christ to all who we meet. We do so by proclaiming by word and example the good news of God in Christ, by striving for justice and peace for all people, by respecting the dignity of every human being. That’s what lights do!
Words have power, and each and every one of us needs to think about how we use them. Do we respect the dignity of other human beings with our words? I confess that I have been guilty of breaking that vow; of making disparaging remarks about political figures who I think are just plain wrong. It’s OK to think they’re wrong – it’s not OK to call them names. I knew someone once who would say terrible, hurtful things, and when I was hurt, she would say, “Oh, I was just talking”, as though words don’t matter. They do matter!
If you doubt that words are powerful, think about what these words have meant to you. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” “I have a dream!” “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Words have power. They can uplift or destroy. They can bless or curse. They can heal or hurt, clarify or complicate, enlighten or confuse.
Martin Luther King also wrote, “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” We are good people here at Nativity. Let us not be silent or timid when it comes to the issue of hateful speech in this country. Let us not be timid when we hear words that hurt or do violence. Let us not be silent in the face of violent, disrespectful, or bullying language. Let us take a stand for what is right, and say that’s enough! And let us proclaim by our words and examples the good news that we are all children of God, by not vilifying and demonizing other people. Let us strive for justice and peace by refusing to speak violently about those we oppose. Let each of us help raise the level of social discourse in this country by respecting the dignity of even those we disagree with.
Martin Luther King Jr. preached peace and non-violent resistance. He called a nation to justice for all. And for that, he was arrested and jailed; for that he was assassinated. Some called him an extremist. He was an extremist – an extremist for love and justice and peace. Jesus Christ was an extremist for love and justice and peace. We have the choice to be an extremist for hate or an extremist in the example of our Lord. We have a choice how we use our words. Martin Luther King had a dream of racial equality in this country; a dream that all people would be judged by the character of their heart and not by the color of their skin. He dreamed of a peaceful and just society. Let us, now, listen to the words of our prophets. Let us use our words to be lights in our nations. Let us use our words for love and justice and peace. Amen.

Video Discussion of United Methodist Church's "Rethink Church" Video

2010-03-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

1. How is "church" (active verb) different from "church" (noun)?

2. If we looked at our church "through seekers' eyes", what would we see?

3. How comfortable are you with opening doors to new concepts of church?

4. How can we open our door, not only for those who are strangers to us, but for our own young people?

5. How might a "verb-church" engage your children more than a "noun-church"?

6. How might we make "church" about the other days of the week for our kids?

What do we say when our children ask us "why"?

2010-01-19T10:44:00.000-08:00

What do we say to this 13 year-old boy?

For that matter, please tell me why. If we are a Christian nation, as so many people declare, why are our children asking us "why"? Why, when somebody needs somebody, we don't lend a helping hand? Why do our little boys have to learn violence in order to be considered men? Why is it that we don't care about those who are hungry and in need until a natural disaster catches our attention? And then we only care as long as CNN continues to cover the situation 24 hours a day? Why do so many of those who claim to be followers of Jesus put "our way of life" and "our interests as a nation" ahead of the beatitudes, and ahead of the only new commandment that Jesus gave us - "Love one another"? Tell me why.

Our Homes for the Holiday

2009-12-16T09:50:00.000-08:00

Someone said to me the other day, that Episcopalians talk a lot about Advent. We’re careful not to sing Christmas carols during Advent, we don’t put up Christmas decorations, we don’t call our parties “Christmas” parties, and we’re generally, in my words, curmudgeons about the whole thing. He said, I don’t think we will get folks to buy into the idea of Advent/Christmastide unless we do something creative with it and celebrate it.

I must admit that I have been something of a “Santa Basher” and an Advent curmudgeon in the past - for a couple of reasons. First, I don’t like to tell children that if they’re good, they get stuff, and if they’re bad, they won’t. We all know that people get stuff all the time, even when they’re very bad. And there are many children in the world who are poor and hungry and never get stuff. Then we have to find a way to explain to our children that the poor children are not bad. So it seems easier and more honest to just not perpetuate the Santa Claus myth, but to present it to children as a fun tradition. Then, by all means, tell them about the real St. Nicholas.

The reason I try so hard to keep Advent separated from Christmas is my own experience of running ragged trying to do everything, and make everything perfect, and to get everybody all the right gifts with Christmas Eve looming as a panicked deadline. By the time Christmas came I had been “doing” Christmas for so long I was tired of it. After the kids opened their presents, I was ready to take the Christmas tree down.

I think my friend is right. Let’s stop being “Advent police” and raise this season up and celebrate it for the holy season that it is. It is a time of expectancy, joy and wonder for what was and for what is to come. So let’s do something creative with it.

I ran across a “Letter to the Editor” that a friend of mine wrote for his local newspaper. He tells about a fun, creative tradition that he does to his home. I like it; next year I think I will do the same. I commend his letter for your enjoyment and illumination. From The Rev. Bob Layne, retired Episcopal Priest:

The lights adorning our home are not “Christmas Lights”. Our lights are the blue lights of the Season of Advent. Blue is the color the Episcopal Church designates to be used through the four weeks immediately prior to the great feast of the Nativity. During early and mid- December we decorate our home with the blue hues of expectation, anticipation, and waiting for Jesus’ coming again as He promised He would. There is a small candle wreath amidst the blue lights, with four candles, one lighted each week, marking our movement through the four weeks of Advent. But during Advent we concentrate upon Jesus’ return! As we recite every Sunday:”Christ will come again” The Jesus of Advent is in our future, not in our past. He it is who someday will return and bring all things to completion. In Advent, “we begin with the end”!!
Then on Christ-mass Day the blue lights are extinguished, and the bright white lights of joyful celebration shatter the darkness and blaze white in remembrance of His first coming some 2000 years ago. Christ-mass is here and we celebrate this most important event in human history for 12 festive days. Through these days we remember in thanksgiving all that the first visit by Jesus brought to human kind: freedom from guilt, shame and fear, and the gift of eternal life. In the “humble birth of the Christ child,” our redemption began. Advent “ends with the beginning”
As we await the return of Jesus in our future, we can more fully and joyfully remember His presence in our past. Advent emboldens Christ-mass. Don’t miss it. Please come by and give us a toot on the horn so that we can wish for you a most “blessed Advent”.
In Advent anticipation…

Kingdombearer? Depends on your interpretation of kingdom, I guess.

2008-06-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

I said something yesterday about "embodying Christ & being a Kingdombearer" Hmmmmmmmm. I realize that's open to widely different interpretations - depending on your idea of "the kingdom".

IF, IF, IF you think "the kingdom" will come when Jesus returns and gathers all the good little Christians, and that those who have not said the Christian salvation formula will be left in "tribulation", only to be thrown into hell fire and damnation at the end if they haven't come to their senses and converted to your particular form of Christianity - THEN, THEN, THEN being a "kingdombearer" would be kinda like a crusader, wouldn't it????? wadoyathink?

BUT, BUT, BUT if the kingdom is a kingdom of justice and peace, where nobody hates anybody and everyone knows they are loved by God, and that "neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore" - THEN, THEN, THEN What do you think a kingdombearer is????????

Being a Welcoming Church

2008-06-16T18:06:00.000-07:00

We've been doing a lot of talking this week about being a welcoming, inclusive church. I think Nativity is already inclusive and welcoming and diverse. But sometimes we have blind spots; we just miss opportunities to be welcoming. I'd like to hear from Nativity folks and from those who have visited. How are we doing? I'll be back at church on June 29 with lots of ideas. Let's spread the GOOD NEWS!!

What makes music "sacred"?

2008-05-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

I've done a lot of thinking and talking about music lately. I have noticed that when I use the word "contemporary" in the same sentence with "Christian" and "music", I usually get a very visceral response; something like, "I hate that stuff". It seems that to a lot of my sisters and brothers in the Episcopal Church "sacred" music is traditional Anglican hymnody, and nothing else. Made me pause and go "hmmm". I have since stopped using the word "contemporary". It causes too much confusion. What I mean by it and what people envision when they hear it seem to be two very distinctly different things.

This made me think, "what makes music sacred"? You know, Bach wrote his music "sola Deo gloria" (I think that's spelled right) - for God alone the glory. Was Bach the last person to write music "sola Deo gloria"? I don't think so. Bach wrote "contemporary" music for his time, and for which he apparently took some criticism. So again, "what makes music sacred"?

I think the genre of the music is less important than the intent of the ones who write it, play it, and sing it. We had a Jazz Mass at Nativity last November. The genre was Jazz; the music was definitely sacred. I have heard children sing sacred music in Vacation Bible School. I have heard rock-n-roll, celtic, folk, country and blues music that has struck me as distinctly "sacred".

One moment of worship at Nativity sticks in my mind. I had preached a sermon in which I made reference to Martin Luther King, Jr. and our music minister spontaneously started playing "We Shall Overcome" on the piano during communion. People sang, that day, from their hearts - even as they walked up to the communion rail. They were caught up in the music. Obviously, the music minister had touched on a song that was in the hearts of many people that day. I believe we all have a song in our heart; I think the music in church can bring forth that song. I believe that a song written for God's people and for the glory of God and sung from the heart is "SACRED". It doesn't matter what genre or era it comes form.

So I think I will use the term "Neo-Sacred" to refer to sacred music that may not be in the 1982 Hymnal; for all that music that is contemporary, emerging, or non-traditional. We have room for it in our church. In fact, we must make room for it and embrace it in our church. We must make the effort to reach the song in the hearts of a wider circle of people. We must do music "sola Deo gloria" and not for our own comfort and tradition.

What are your thoughts? What is the song in your heart?

Modern Sacred Music

2008-05-02T10:40:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in modern sacred music? I use the term "Modern Sacred Music" to include all kinds of music that has emerged in the church in recent years - including contemporary Christian, jazz, rock, rap, Taize, classical. One of the things I love about the Episcopal Church is that we can "have it all". Our tradition is very broad - we can have a high holy chanted eucharist for one service on Sunday and a modern music eucharist with guitars and drums at the other; we can have a healing service with a harp, a quiet Taize service, a U2-charist, or a jazz mass. And at the heart of each is our Episcopal Eucharist - our open, inclusive, diverse, loving, welcoming Episcopal Eucharist. I love it, and I want it all for Nativity.

What is your experience in the Episcopal church? Please share you video, music or pictures. Thank you.

Mother Rita

Tablecloth Notes: Wisdom from our World Cafe

2008-05-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

If you weren’t at Nativity on April 20th to take part in our second World Café, you missed something special. It was the second time for us to sit down and really talk to one another - in focused conversations about our life as a community of faith. At small tables, in groups of 4 or 5, with a host at each table, about 50 people engaged in conversation around the question: “Jesus said in John 10:10, ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’. In what ways does Nativity have life and have it abundantly?” In the process of discussing “abundance” here, people were able to share their stories, hopes, and visions for the future. During World Café conversations, people are encouraged to write on the tablecloths. Insights, ideas, questions, and drawings are left behind.

For the second question, everyone but the Table Host left their table and sat at another, forming a different small group of 4 or 5. Table hosts brought the wisdom from the first conversation into the second - “How is Nativity, as a center of abundant life, a unique offering to the community around us?” The conversations continued, with new ideas (and artwork) written on the tablecloths. After the second question, everyone was invited back into the church where the Table Hosts each shared some wisdom revealed at their table. The tablecloths were taped to the walls and windows in the church for all to see. After a short time of discussion and sharing, we left with prayer for our church.

The Wisdom: First, Nativity is described, accurately I believe, as loving and welcoming. We look out for one another, and we pray for one another. Second, our church is active and growing; we look to the future Our strengths are our diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. The most consistent need expressed by all the groups is that we need to get the word out about our church. This need was expressed at out first World Café, also. We also need to involve our youth more. I couldn’t agree more!

Many ideas for “getting the word out” were shared - marketing and advertising, a bring-a-friend to church Sunday, giving out visitor’s packets, sending out flyers, sponsoring concerts, and taking part in community events. Wonderful ideas! As your rector, I’ve done a few things in the community this past month to get our name out there. I delivered the Invocation at the Fayette County Board of Education, and I was one of the local pastors who offered prayers on radio station J93.3 for the National Day of Prayer. I also started carrying my business cards in my pocket and handing them out to people I meet. Lori Overson has organized Nativity’s booth at the Fayetteville Art Fair on May 17 & 18. We are getting our activities into the local papers more often. There is still much work to be done, but we’re doing quite a lot.

Please watch for more discussion and feedback from our café conversations in my second installment of “Tablecloth Notes”.

OUR NEXT WORLD CAFÉ
IS JULY 20. DON’T MISS IT!

World Cafe April 20th

2008-05-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

Jennifer, Annette, Jo, & LeAnn Heidi and Frank

Judy sharing her wisdom

Bo and Mark

Theron and Lynda

The "World Cafe"

2008-01-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

A simple, powerful conversational process for
* Encouraging constructive dialogue
* Accessing collective intelligence
* Creating innovative possibilities for action

It is a way of talking about questions that are important to us within groups of people we care about. Simple as that.

Here's how it works. Conversations start at small tables with four people at each table. Evolving rounds of dialogue lasting 20-45 minutes take place. After each round three of the people move on to other tables (the other person is a host and stays at the same table).

Small, intimate conversations link and build on each other as people move between groups, cross-pollinate ideas, and discover new insights into questions or issues that matter in the life of the community.

Juanita Brown, co-author of "The World Cafe" says, "the collective wisdom of the group becomes more accessible, and innovative possibilities for action emerge."

Nativity will use "The World Cafe" at our annual meeting January 20. I hope everyone plans to attend. Let's try this "conversational greenhouse" and see what grows. Who knows what new wisdom will emerge!

Senior High Mission to Bay St. Louis, MS

2007-09-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

The vote is in; we're heading to Bay St. Louis in February to help with repairs from Hurricane Katrina. Check out the video. Call me at church 770-460-6390 for more info.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNemF5AA-mo

Rita+

We have a winner! Our Newsletter's new look starting with the October 2007 issue. Click on the picture for larger view.

2007-09-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

Vote for Senior High Mission Site

2007-09-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Vote today for your choice of Mission Sites for Nativity's Senior High trip in February 2008.
PARENTS, LEADERS AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOTE AND COMMENT
Here are the choices:
1) Rio Grande Valley, Texas - Rural Poverty Initiative:Together for Hope

Buckner Children and Family Services

The work: ESL, work with low-income families in the Colonias and light repair projects. Work is through two community centers and a children’s home.
Housing: a local hotel, retreat center, or church

Cost: under $300 (Estimated total cost per person with travel is about $1000, more if we have to stay in a hotel or retreat center)

Website: http://www.thefellowship.info/involved/serve/TFH/locations/riogrande.icm

Website: http://www.bucknerchildren.org/riograndevalley/

2) Bay St. Louis, Mississippi - Mission on the Bay (Youth Program) - associated with Camp Coast Care

The work: Clean up, repair and rebuilding in communities affected by Hurricane Katrina

Housing: On site. Volunteers are now able to stay in military style Quonset huts, sleeping in barrack style bunk beds.

Cost: $20/day donation is asked (Estimated total cost per person with travel is about $200)

Website: http://www.campcoastcare.com/

Episcopal 101: Session #3 - Episcopal Authority

2007-09-04T14:12:00.000-07:00

From whence cometh our authority?

Scripture? Law? God? Church tradition?

In the Episcopal Church, we say our ultimate authority is God as revealed in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Westerhoff's question: "How do we come to know the mind of this triune God"? (Westerhoff p.6)

Good question. Let's first look at authority.

He reminds us -
* Roman Catholic authority rests in Scripture and Tradition, with the emphasis on tradition
* Protestant authority is in Scripture alone
* Anglicans (Episcopalians) chose a middle way - Via Media

For Episcopalians, authority is a 3-legged stool

Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Richard Hooker thought of this one in 1534.

"There is a single authority composed of three intersecting sources, the Scriptures being the normative authoritative source, reason and traditioin being necessary interpretive authoritative sources". (Westerhoff p. 8)

We believe the Holy Scripture to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary for salvation. Soooooo. . . . . . . . You don't have to believe anything that is not in the Scriptures, but you may believe anything that is not incompatible with Scriptures (such as scientific knowledge about the geological age of the planet, for example.)

The Bible is not a collection of dead letters.

It is the "living" word, not "the last word".

QUESTIONS:

What do you think? Is it, "the Bible says it, I believe it and that's the end of it" or "the Bible is just a really quaint, old book"? Does it have to be one or the other?

What do you think of this quote from Westerhoff? "Revelation as contained in the Scriptures about God and God's will is essential to our salvation, but revelation in the Scriptures is not the source of all our knowledge about God and God's will". (Westerhoff p. 8)

Which church hears the most Scripture read on a Sunday morning?
A. Roman Catholic
B. Methodist
C. Episcopal
D. Baptist
E. Presbyterian
F. Disciples of Christ

(If your answer is "C", congratulations! Every Sunday in the Episcopal Church, when we celebrate a full service of Holy Communion, one hears read three lessons from scripture and a Psalm - Old Testament, Epistle, Gospel and the Psalm.)

Top Ten Reasons for Being an Episcopalian (according to Robin Williams)

2007-08-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

10. No snake handling

9. You can believe in dinosaurs

8. Male and female, God created them; male and female, we ordain them

7. You don't have to check your brains at the door

6. Pew aerobics

5. Church year is color-coded

4. Free wine on Sunday

3. All of the pageantry - none of the guilt

2. You don't have to know how to swim to get baptized

And the #1 reason to be an Episcopalian
No matter what you believe, there's bound to be another Episcopalian who agrees with you

Episcopal 101 - Session #2 - Episcopal (Anglican) Identity

2007-08-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

We started out as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA (PECUSA).

That has been shortened to ECUSA, the Episcopal Church in the USA

Ironically, we are: "Protestant" as in, not Catholic or Orthodox

and "Episcopal" as in, not Protestant

We are: a branch of the Worldwide Anglican Communion,

We are: in communion with the See (Diocesan seat) of Canterbury

The Book of Common Prayer is central to our identity as Anglicans.

The overwhelming majority of the words in the Book of Common Prayer are words of Scripture.

IT IS THE BIBLE PUT INTO PRAYER!

(Maynard, p. 35)

Question: I always say that the Episcopal Church is the best kept secret around. If that is true, why do you suppose it is?

Episcopal 101: Why it's cool to be an Episcopalian

2007-08-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Session 1

Question:

Did you know that 80% of Episcopalians come from another tradition? Mother Rita started out as a Southern Baptist, then decided as a teenager to be Agnostic, married a Roman Catholic and baptized 2 kids in the RC church before finding her home in the Episcopal Church.

Where did you come from?

2007-08-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Observation:
Episcopalians have a sense of humor. They have to. Here are some of the jokes I've heard about Episcopalians
1) They are God's Frozen Chosen.
2) How many Episcopalians does it take to change a lightbulb?
Answer: CHANGE?!
Alternate Answer: 13 - 1 to change the bulb and 12 to form a committee to preserve the old one.
3) Where there are four Episcopalians there is always a fifth.
4) They are Whiskeypalians.
5) They are Catholic Lite.
6) They are just a bunch of rich Catholics.
7) If the church caught fire, Episcopalians would form a procession to leave the building.
8) There are 11 commandments in the Episcopal Church - #11 is "Thou shall not be tacky".
9) For an Episcopalian hell is an eternal dinner party without a salad fork.

What have you heard? What do you think prompts this kind of humor?

A very brief history of the Anglican Church

2007-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

We did not become the Anglican Church (the Episcopal Church is part of the Anglican Communion) because Henry VIII wanted a divorce! There was a convergance of many factors that led Henry to cut jurisdictional relations with the papacy in the 1530's.

But you could say that our Church was born in the midst of conflict. And we continue to be in the midst of some kind of conflict much of the time, and in my opinion we do it pretty well. What I mean is that the Episcopal (Anglican) church is good at being the bridge between opposing sides - being the via media, the middle way - being the one who holds fast to both sides of the dilemma, refusing to let go and always asserting that we can worship together even if we don't agree on everything.

Powerful forces were in play in the 16th century. The protestant reformation was in full swing, Martin Luther having posted his "95 Theses" on the door of the castle church at Whittenberg in 1517. In England - briefly - Edward VI followed Henry VIII. Thomas Cranmer introduced reformed worship during Edward's reign. (Bloody) Mary Tudor followed Edward and tried to take the church back to Catholicism. And in the process felt the need to burn 300 protestants to death.

Enter, Elizabeth 1 in 1558! For Elizabeth, chaos, change, danger, conflicting expectations, and sharply diverse religious beliefs were the norm. Essentially she looked at the bloodshed and craziness around her and said, "Enough!". We will worship in common, from a book of common prayer whether we can agree on anything else or not. This is the Elizabethan Settlement and it was the beginning of the development of the unique Anglican identity.

From Fredrica Thompsett's book - The Elizabethan Settlement comprised "the guidelines that were established early in Elizabeth's reign for the worship, governance, and theological character of an English church that would balance tradition and the need for reform, and Catholic sacramental structure with Protestant theological understanding".

Or another joke has the Episcopal Church as "a little bit catholic, a little bit protestant - a little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll".

Do you see any parallels today to the time of Elizabeth? What are the dangers? Who are the opposing sides in our presentday conflicts?

Are we reliving the reformation?

2007-08-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine, the Rev. Mark Story, believes that we have gone back about 500 years in our discussions concerning authority in the church. African Anglicanism is asserting a highly Protestant form of authority by claiming a “sola scriptura” model and rejecting key elements of the Enlightenment while Roman Catholicism is reasserting the authority of the Pope, as evidenced by the Pope's most recent pronouncement that Christianity outside the Roman Catholic church can not properly be thought of as "church" at all. So, my question, are we reliving the reformation or some form of it?
Rita+

Melchizedek the Episcopup

2007-08-01T10:37:00.001-07:00

My first 6 months

2007-08-01T09:21:00.000-07:00

As of August 1st, I have been the Rector of Church of the Nativity for six months. Someone asked me the other day if I was still having fun. Yes, I am happy to report I am still having fun. More importantly, though, I see the Holy Spirit at work in this place. And that gives me joy.

The presence of the Holy Spirit has been powerfully felt in the eight baptisms we have celebrated and in the four people who were received/confirmed and in the three who reaffirmed their baptismal vows. We celebrated the Holy Spirit gloriously on Pentecost.

Signs of the Holy Spirit abound. The Senior High are planning a work mission for winter break in February 2008. One of our elementary school youth is planning Sunday afternoon mission activities for the children. And new liturgies are emerging. A Jazz Mass is scheduled for October 21 at 5:00pm. You won't want to miss this.

In the midst of the busyness and planning, the Holy Spirit continues to move gently through our congregation as people care for one another.

We have much to be thankful for. We do indeed have a full and abundant life here. I feel blessed to be the Rector of Church of the Nativity.