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Rector's Notes:
Because of the absence of available clergy on
Saturday, November 3,
we will NOT have the 5 p.m. Holy Eucharist.
We apologize for this rare moment when we must cancel a service.
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"A struggling reflection in challenging times"
It continues to be difficult to comprehend the dimensions of violence and division crippling our American community. Our nation has always had robust differences of opinions. The energetic and enthusiastic debates and confrontations exhibited by members of different political parties over the centuries of our history are worth our study, attention, and fascination. Still, as a younger and now aging adult, I thought those examples of rip-roaring rhetoric and even aggressive pugilism were long past us in the ongoing evolution of the American political theater. Apparently not so, it seems we are stooping to new lows in the actions we will take to express our political differences. In the last two weeks there have been attempted bombings of political personalities, the execution-style killing of two African-Americans in a grocery store in Kentucky simply because they were black, and last Friday in Pittsburgh, PA the terror-style killing of eleven Jewish persons because they were Jews. While these are clearly the most egregious acts, how many lesser acts of hate, prejudice, and racism are injuring people every day in our country? How much must the marginalized and vulnerable endure before we say, "Enough!"
As a person of faith, I am puzzled by much of this. Knowing God allows us freewill and is, as I understand God, a non-interventionist God, how am I to act? What am I to do? Many would argue the church should stay away from all matters of such political or public consequences. Indeed, this argument is frequently the position of not only the faithful but also denominational judicatories. Years ago a theologian I respect noted in situations just such as this, "Show me an aspect of Creation of which God is not a part and I will support the proposition that the Church should also not be a part." I have not yet found that part of Creation where God isn't; consequently, I believe the Church must, comfortably or uncomfortably, engage the challenges of culture, society, governance,
etc. To be sure, in our constitutional separation of church and state system, I should not suggest my brand of religion be instituted as THE only acceptable manifestation of religion in the Republic. Yet, I should allow the moral, theological, and ethical teachings of this tradition of ours influence my positions, attitudes, and actions in the public square. Moreover, in an Incarnational tradition such as ours, the Body of Christ, the people of the Church, must be outwardly and visibly a sign in the world of the love and justice of God. It is not enough to offer "thoughts and prayers." We must be the Christ on the pitch of life.
When O Lord, did you see us doing justice or loving mercy, or walking humbly with your creation?
When I saw you serving the world in my name, feeding the hungry, bringing health to the sick, seeking justice for those in prison, clothing the naked, offering water to the thirsty, shelter to the homeless, comfort to the orphaned, safety to the refugee . . . when I saw you serving others, you served me.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once observed that when a social system is so broken and prone to violence against the weak or marginalized, sometime the only thing left for the faithful to do is throw a stick into t
he spokes of the wheel of society in order to stop it
(more literally: "
The church has an unconditional obligation to the victims ... not just to bandage the victims under the wheel, (but) the church has to throw itself between the spokes of the wheel in order to stop it
!"). I believe deeply God is calling the faithful to not only call for the end of violence and harm as political expression, too often in the name of God, in our society, but also, to insist the political structures of our country repent and return to more civil paths in the future. If that requires jamming the spokes in order to be heard, we should prayerful ask for courage and opportunity to be such jammers.
Deus nos vocat ad esse fidelium
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There are two opportunities to
ask questions and get more information
about the
Anglican Heritage Tour
May 30-June 8, 2019
The first is scheduled for Adult Forum time
on Sunday November 11 at 9:30 in the Garden Room.
The second opportunity is Sunday, November 18 following Coffee Hour in the Garden Room.
If you are interested but those times don't work,
The deadline is rapidly approaching so if you are interested, now is the time to get questions answered.
November 11 at 9:30, Garden Room
November 18 following Coffee Hour, Garden Room
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Church Women United
World Community Day Celebration
Central Methodist Church
5144 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64112
Monday, November 5th, 10:00 am
The speaker will be The Rev'd Dr. Paul Rock
senior Pastor of 2nd Presbyterian Church
"Reaching for Wholeness and Harmony with God's People"
Our motto at Church Women United is the guiding principle "agreed to differ, resolved to love, united to serve."
All people are encouraged to search for ways to bring wholeness to our families, our churches, and our communities. We agreed that we are all "searching for wholeness."
"The body is a whole unit made up of many parts."
I Corinthians 12:12
At CWU we need to strive for this kind of wholeness in all that we do.
Georgette Page is a longtime St. Paul's member and active in Church Women United
website. She has been chairing the local CWU group for many years, and she would like to step down from this role and turn the reins over to someone else. If you are interested, please contact Georgette at 816-444-8565.
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Election Night Prayers
November 6, 5:30 p.m.
All are welcome to attend an evening of prayer and reflection as we await the results of election day 2018 on Tuesday, November 6th. We will begin at 5:30pm in the Nave with Evening Prayer and will remain as all are inclined and close with Compline. Feel free to bring a treat and beverage to share. Those who wish to check elections results or visit about returns may do so in the Library. We know this can be an anxious time for many and may be a very long day for those trying to vote. Let us join each other in prayer and hope no matter our affiliations or desired outcomes!
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ECW presents: BREAKING THE CYCLE
The Grooming Project.
Helps to promote self reliance. Job training for jobs that helps parents raise their children out of poverty.
Thursday Nov. 8th
Bev Elving
811 W 58th St
Kansas City, MO 64113
Speaker is Natascha Kirsch
Refreshments are provided!
Please RSVP Bev at 816-444-1984
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Get your tartan ready to be blessed!
Sunday, November 11th will be our
Margaret, Queen of Scotland
celebration.
You can help at our St. Margaret's Coffee Hour by bringing shortbread or any other delicious Scottish treats (up to but not including haggis, please) to contribute to the glorious Highland feast. Please let us know what you plan to bring by emailing her lady in waiting,
Mary Hodge.
Many, many thanks for your offerings.
Pipes and Drums will be present!
We will also
be celebrating the
100th Anniversary
of Armistice Day
November 11, 1918.
St. Paul's will join several churches
in the KCMetro
as we ring our
bells at the
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month
when the Armistice was signed
at
Compiègne
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Spanish Language Holy Eucharists
Sunday Evenings at 5:30 p.m.
beginning December 2, Advent 1.
Open to all.
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Looking for a different kind of
Advent Season of preparation?
Consider starting this "Reverse Advent Calendar" for the Food Pantry. Start on December 1--we will provide a list of needed items next week. You or your family can bring it to the Altar during the offertory during the December 23rd services!
Register here to get a set of daily prayers for Adventto use with this project
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