In Buechner's book Whistling in the Dark, he discusses the issue of money. (Also later published in Beyond Words.)

MONEY -  The more you think about it, the less you understand it.

The paper it's printed on isn't worth a red cent. There was a time you could take it to the bank and get gold or silver for it, but all you'd get now would be a blank stare.

If the government declared that the leaves of the trees were money so there would be enough for everybody, money would be worthless. It has worth only if there is not enough for everybody. It has worth only because the government declares that it has worth and because people trust the government in that one particular, although in every other particular they wouldn't trust it around the corner.

The value of money, like stocks and bonds, goes up and down for reasons not even the experts can explain and at moments nobody can predict, so you can be a millionaire one moment and a pauper the next without lifting a finger. Great fortunes can be made and lost completely on paper. There is more concrete reality in a baby's throwing it's rattle out of the crib.

There are people who use up their entire lives making money so they can enjoy the lives they have entirely used up.

Jesus says that it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. Maybe the reason is not that the rich are so wicked they're kept out of the place but that they're so out of touch with reality they can't see it's a place worth getting into.

 

Yours, 

The Rev. Billy Tweedie
Vicar to Episcopal Church of the Resurrection 

The Lost Pines Duo

5 p.m. Sunday, October 11

 

The ECR Concert Series features  Talia Bryce and Eddie Dickerson - who also play in the well-known bluegrass band The Lost Pines (remember our bluegrass service in August?!), and occasionally break out as a duo!  They'll perform a mix of Talia's original folky songs, traditional bluegrass and classic country, all with vocal harmonies that can't be beat!  Great for  all ages.  

Free, donations gratefully accepted at the door ($10 suggested).  Y'all come!

 

. . . and sing! (Yes, the pun is intended.)  The ECR Choir is starting Advent and Christmas music next week, and here's your chance to get your weekly holiday fix without involving shopping!  We practice Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00  in the choir room. Come add your voice to the fun!  All voice parts are very welcome, and we'd particularly like to find a few more basses to keep Andy Lyon company.  Drop our music director a note at [email protected] , and we'll be sure to have a folder ready for you!