St. Andrews by the Lake

I went on the beach today and thought about God’s creation….

ADVENT REFLECTION 2011

VICAR’S MESSAGE
In a few short days, we will begin a new church year – the first Sunday of Advent. The secular calendar will wait until January 1st to observe the turn of the year. If it sometimes feels like there is a disconnect at this time of the year – yes, there is. We live with one foot is in the secular world that is telling us: one more day to Christmas music (radio stations), Black Friday will open its doors at midnight this year – so people don’t have to stand in the cold all night (how generous), and one ad section in Thursday’s paper had a three page spread of guns for sale. What to buy a Semi-Auto pistol with Laser or a 795 22LR Semi-Auto Rifle to give as a Christmas gift? At the same time, if you come to church, there will be hymns and prayers with words of yearning like: ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’, or ‘Rejoice, rejoice, believers’, or ‘comfort, comfort my people, speak peace says our God’.  This is the ‘other foot’.
Be careful – be full of care – that you don’t get sucked into believing that the joy of the coming seasons of Advent and Christmas is dependent on how many parties you get invited to, how many gifts you give or get, and how pricey they are. I know you won’t.
There is an underlying force in our culture that gives us the message that love is based on how much we spend on ‘whatever’. I just came back from my aunt’s funeral and once again was reminded how easy it is to spend huge amounts of money on the ‘last things we do’ for our loved ones in the final care of their body (casket, vault, mortuary fees, etc. etc). We are easy prey in times of grief. Somehow the more money spent = love.
I’d like to invite you to think of two things this Advent: continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND
November 2011

This will be my last Grains of Sand. You might want to read it in installments, as I’ve put in many thoughts that I want to share with you. Most newsletters are just ‘news’, but I’ve always seen them as an opportunity to teach, preach, spiritually mentor and coach and ‘do the news’. So I’ve included some poems, some funny stories, some news, and my last reflection about ‘saying our good-byes’.

VICAR’S MESSAGE
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross describes death as the ‘final stage of growth’. Death provides us with the final opportunity to come to terms with our relationships, our values, our lives. In the same way, the process of grieving the death of a loved one can provide a growth opportunity, if approached from a stance of openness and vulnerability. In death and in grief, we don’t so much need protection from painful experience as we need the boldness to face it. If we choose to love, we must also have the courage to grieve. If what I have just written is true for death, then how one leaves a faith community (or a relationship) is also true, in a microcosm.  The manner and style in which we learn how to say our ‘good-byes’, end relationships, close a ministry, will be very similar to the way in which we will say our ‘good-byes’ when we die. All of us have predictable patterns of
leave-taking. The pattern may vary slightly from time to time, but basically we have a similar routine we go through when we wish to say good-bye. Think back to the way you left the last party or social affair you were attending.  All of these ‘leave-takings, or saying ‘good-byes’ are ways we practice for our final good-bye – our ultimate death. So we need to ask, “Is this the manner in which I want to die?
This reflection is not just about ‘Cindy leaving St. Andrew’s’ – although my leaving has precipitated a lot of thought about this on my part. I am hoping what I have to say here will be something you can take with you and reflect on – for all the ‘good-bye’ moments in your life. I have had many, as I look back. I left a position of being a
Program Director at a girl’s summer camp for ten years – I loved that job. I left it so I could go to seminary. After three years of seminary, I left a community that deeply formed me toward priesthood – and I made some wonderful friends. I left St. Luke’s Episcopal Church after four years as the assistant priest. I loved that community too – and some of those people remain friends to this day. I am grateful. I said good-bye to my beloved mother and father, and my aunt Catherine at their deaths – three hugely important people in my life. I carry them with me in a different way now. I have said good-bye to people I have loved in the St. Andrew’s community who have died or moved away – all too many – all painful in one way or another.
There have been many times of ‘leave-taking and saying good-bye’ – and all of them have changed my life (how it was) – or changed my relationship with people I have dearly loved.  Some of the ‘good-byes’ I did well. Others – I did not do so well.  With those, there is still something ‘just not right’.
Now, in less than a month, I will say good-bye to my beloved community of St. Andrew’s by the Lake.  That is all of you – uniquely, individually, and together as a community.  It is not easy. I will need to learn how to carry you in my heart in a different way.  It is so important for us to say our good-byes well – so all of us can move forward into the future in a healthy way.
I’d like to share a story I came across over 30 years ago. It’s called “Running Through the Thistles”. There was a young boy about age six. He and his two older brothers would often decide to walk home from school over the fields – rather than along the road. It was shorter – but occasionally they’d come across enormous continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND

October 2011

VICAR’S MESSAGE

No doubt you have seen flocks of geese heading south for the winter, flying along in V formation. Science has discovered why they fly in such a formation. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
Christians who share a common direction and a sense of community can also get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust and uplift of one another. When we gather together, and move in a common direction in Mission and Ministry, we have far more spiritual energy than if we ‘go it alone’. When we separate ourselves from community, our spiritual energy is diminished – both individually and communally. In the faith community, everyone matters – everyone counts.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation, to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going. When the lead goose gets tired, he or she rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It pays to take turns doing hard jobs with people at church or with geese flying south. The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep us their speed. What do we say when we honk from behind?
Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow the other goose down to help and protect the wounded goose. They stay with him/her until they are able to fly together – or until the wounded goose is dead; and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their original group.
The geese who helped each other shared. Sharing is both serving and giving. It’s part of our ‘stewardship.” We believe it is a privilege of the Christian to dedicate what he or she has – and what he or she is – to God. We commonly speak of time, talents and possessions (resources): How we use these is a choice we make which indicates the depth of our faith. Stewardship, as we have said often, is what we do with all that we have after we say, “I believe”.
Deep down, people long for a church that makes a difference. St. Andrew’s by the Lake makes a difference in the life of many people – both within and outside its doors.
Our continual question must be:  What bold mission is God calling us to do at this moment in our life? The task of a congregation’s vision is continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND

September 2011

“Christian formation is an art, not a science, and the result is always bound up in the mystery of grace”. (Christian Century Magazine, 9/6/11 p. 7) ‘Mystery’ is another name for God.
Here we are on the edge of another year of formation as Christians at St. Andrew’s.  I like the word ‘formation’ because it takes it out of the ‘Sunday School’ mentality that it’s only for children at a certain time on Sunday mornings. Christian formation is for all of us – from the moment we are baptized – until the moment we take our last breath. It doesn’t just happen between September and May (which is what these so called ‘Rally Days’ imply when we celebrate that everyone comes back from summer vacation). I don’t know about you – but I didn’t take a vacation from God this summer.  There were a few Sundays I wasn’t in church because I was away – but God always travels with me – just as I hope you are aware that God travels with you – wherever you go.
Remember Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, who woke from his dream and said, ‘Surely the Lord is in this place – and I did not know it!” Jacob’s exclamation is one that reminds me that God can choose to dwell everywhere and anywhere we go. Just think – God loves to look at us and loves it when we look back. God will find a way to let us know that the ‘sacred presence’ is with us in this place – wherever we are – even if we think we’ve run far away. Maybe that’s one reason we continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND

(Early August 2011)

AN INTRODUCTION TO IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY
You are invited to participate in a six week spiritual adventure that will change your life. Have you ever wondered?
•       How do I know what I’m supposed to do in life?
•       How do I know who I’m supposed to be?
•       How do I make good decisions?
•       How can I live a simple life?
•       How can I be a good friend?
•       How can I be happy?
•       How can I find God?
•       How do I pray?
•       How do I love?
Ignatian Spirituality is first and foremost, finding God in all things. It considers everything an important element in your life.
Over the six weeks, we will experience aspects of the Ignatian Exercises. The exercises embody a way of prayer – and a certain worldview. Normally, they are done during a thirty day retreat, but given that most of us can’t spend that long on a retreat, we will ‘make our retreats’ daily at home, then come together once a week for ‘sharing groups.’
There will be three ‘sharing groups’ – placed at various times in the hopes one will be convenient for you, should you choose to participate. continue reading » »

  POVERTY DOES NOT STOP DURING A STATE SHUTDOWN

I’m still wearing my orange wrist band that says ‘WWJC’ (What Would Jesus Cut). It seems more apropos now – than even a month ago when I offered some in church to those who wanted to wear one. We’re almost two weeks into a State Shutdown – as our legislators are still unable to compromise and come to any solutions. I once read that ‘politics is the art of compromise’.  Might it be suggested that the legislators down in St. Paul are not really ‘politicians’ in the truest sense of the word – if they are unable to compromise in some way. I am looking forward to the day when they can.  And what are we to do – as people who follow the Way of Jesus – during this time – or any time that challenges us (which is probably most of the time)?  I am reading an excellent book I would like to recommend to all who are on a serious spiritual journey. It’s called ‘A
People’s History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story’ by Diana Butler Bass.   She quotes Rowan Williams (the Archbishop of Canterbury) who says, “History will not tell us then what to do, but will at least start us on the road to action of a different and more self-aware kind, action that is moral in a way it can’t be if we have no points of reference beyond  what we have come to take for granted.”(p 3)
In Christianity, there has been one main point of reference that we must keep before us if we are to understand what it means to follow the Way of Jesus.  It is this:  “Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”   He said to him, continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND

  July 2011

“At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
“What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams. Are you listening to this? Really listening?”  (Matthew 13:1-9  The Message Bible)

This is a portion of the Gospel for Sunday (July 10th).  Last week, Steve and I were down in Iowa. We were visiting with a friend who is a farmer. He not only raises corn and soybeans, but feeds calves that will eventually be milk cows at a local dairy. We were walking around with him as he fed the calves and he said, “You know, when I put the manure on the fields in the Fall, we get a 25% increase in bushels per acre - over what we get using commercial fertilizer”. I thought to myself - ‘Let’s feed more calves - more manure!”
Soil is the earth’s mantle that supports all life and its health is directly connected with the health and well being of all life. Compost is gardener’s gold — just as manure is gold to the farmer when it’s put on the fields to plow in before planting the next year. Over time, a rich humus develops - the best addition to any soil to support optimum growth and health.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll hear several of Jesus’ parables about sowing, planting and harvesting. Soil and soul are strongly related to each other; the deeper, darker, and more fertile the soil is, the more vital it is - to promote and sustain growth.  If you look back at the parable, where did the seeds grow beyond the farmers wildest dreams? continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND

Pentecost 2011

We live our lives in several worlds – yet it’s all one. On the Liturgical calendar this week there are three Rogation Days, the Feast of the Visitation, and the Ascension. We are still in the Season of Easter. At the same time, we live within a secular calendar, where we have just observed Memorial Day, school is ending soon and graduations (life transitions) are happening. The liturgical calendar is, to be truthful, invisible to most – so I’d like to offer some thoughts about the above events – in light of happenings at St. Andrew’s.

ASCENSION DAY (June 2nd)
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel? Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts 1:6-11)

Most of us know very little about the ascension of Jesus the Christ. Some have seen paintings of the scene, or an ‘Ascension window’ beautifying some dark corner in a cathedral. These depictions usually show Jesus drifting upward into the clouds in flowing white robes – some have his feet dangling just beneath the clouds - while awe-filled disciples gaze upward in amazement or confusion. Kind of puzzling, isn’t it? Yet, the ascension of Jesus was so important to our ancient forebears in the faith that they made it a part of the earliest Christian creeds. The Apostle’s Creed says, continue reading » »

GRAINS OF SAND
Easter 2011

VICAR’S MESSAGE
Just before Easter I finished an excellent book by N.T. Wright (British Bishop and scholar). The title is: Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. Definitely not a book one reads quickly - but it is readable and very well written (if you’re interested in that kind of thing, I suppose). I’d like to share a bit with you:
“My biggest problem starts on Easter Monday. I regard it as absurd and unjustifiable that we should spend forty days keeping Lent, pondering what it means, preaching about self-denial, being at least a little gloomy, and then bringing it all to a peak with Holy Week, which in turn climaxes on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday…and then, after a rather odd Holy Saturday, we have a single day of celebration.
All right, the Sundays after Easter still lie within the Easter season. We still have Easter readings and hymns during them. But Easter week itself ought not to be the time when all the clergy sigh with relief and go on holiday. It ought to be an eight-day festival, with champagne served after morning prayer or even before, with lots of alleluias and extra hymns and spectacular anthems.  Is it any wonder if people find it hard to believe in the resurrection of Jesus if we don’t throw our hats in the air? Is it any wonder we find it hard to live the resurrection if we don’t do it exuberantly in our liturgies? Is it any wonder the world doesn’t take much notice if Easter is celebrated as simply the one-day happy ending tacked on to forty days of fasting and gloom?
In particular, if Lent is a time to give things up, Easter ought to be a time to take things up. Champagne for breakfast again - well, of course. Christian holiness was never continue reading » »