Farnham & St. John's

Torrence's Weekly Message “All Creatures Great and Small” Family Connections

St. Francis called them his brothers and sisters. With his feast day this Thursday, October 4 th , how very appropriate to have honored and blessed all the creatures that St. Francis considered his and our “kin” when Farnham and St. John’s gathered in the old historic sanctuary at Farnham this past Sunday for a blessing of the animals.   It was a relatively quiet and respectful crowd that gathered, whether two footed or four footed, but since it was a 5 th “Come as You Are” Sunday we all did, whether comfortably attired in more casual outfits (the people) or everyday “fur” (the animals). We lit a candle for those pets we had loved and who had passed on before us. Names softly spoken or gently whispered in our hearts, knowing that we are who we are now, with softer hearts, having been loved by the animals whose lives had been spent loving us or being nourished by our love of them. Love is always a circular type of energy of heart and spirit – what we give we receive and what we receive flows back out again in a way that connects us in a type of holy nurturing flow that the Creator parent of all us creaturely brothers and sisters anticipated in our making.

Georges & Billy Saison Photo Courtesy of Anne Neuman

 Billy, a very handsome guinea pig, came forward first with Georges Saison. As I held him to bless him, he refused a treat, but looked up at me with the most knowing beautiful eyes as I held him close. I almost didn’t want to release him back to Georges as I felt in some way Billy was blessing me more than I was blessing him. A gentle Princess Sissom, coming forward with her gentle and sparkly mistress, Miriam, was next. Princess that she was, she delicately accepted her treat and stood quietly for her blessings. How loving and loved that little beagle appeared. I thought of her as an “angel dog” in her

serenity and calmness. Penny O’Hara and Belle Wellford, enthusiastically represented whatever creatures, known or unknown to the owners, reside at Sabine Hall. Dogs who wouldn’t have recognized their last names (Crowley, Marks, etc.) but certainly knew who their “people” were, enjoyed their treats and received their blessings while sniffing around for more (treats, not blessings, that is). There were no cats present but knowing that many St. John’s and Farnham folks had cats at home, I simply assumed that the cats had been very definite as to their opinions (unlike dogs) about being led anywhere and so chose to stay where they were. One of the favorite quotes about dogs and cats is that dogs have owners while cats have staff. And obviously, the cats’ people staff this morning noted their cats’ preferences and didn’t push the point of disturbing any preferred morning nap in a sunny spot.

Pictures from Pinterest. No copywrite infringement intended

The message for the morning, or for any time, is that there is a lot we can learn from our brothers and sisters, the animals. Especially those that “people” our lives. Dogs seem to simply consider the two footed members of their family as members of their “pack” and care for us in what feels like an unconditional way. Ed Marks quipped an oft quoted sentiment we’ve all felt from time to time: “I only wish I were half the person my dog thinks I am.” However, as I shared my research on other quotes by writers, philosophers and everyday observers of the interaction between people and their pets, the conclusion is that dogs and cats treat their “people” very

Eagle on the Frozen Rappahannock courtesy of Anne Neuman

differently, but both offer an important theological perspective for life. Summing this up, I offer the following observations. Dogs present us with the reality that we are loved unconditionally and offer themselves as a model to do likewise. Cats present us with the opportunity to reach out in love, with the hope and expectation that we will. Isn’t the God in whom we live and move and have being offer both opportunities? Always present offering love and yet hoping that we will reach out to both offer and receive the love that is waiting? I don’t have a dog or a cat living with me right now. Both passed on a few months before Buff did which I interpret to mean they left a little earlier so as to be present to meet him when he arrived where they all are now. But, as I have shared before I seem to be forming relationships with some of the wilder creatures around me, especially the winged ones. For example, I’ve written before about my friends the hummingbirds. Well, it seems Arthur the hummingbird took off to fly south for the winter as hurricane warnings began a couple of weeks ago. Then the others disappeared, except for what appears to be the last one a few days ago. A female that I guess Arthur left to wrap up things before the last flight out. Because after no winged appearances for several days, one morning as I sat sipping my coffee in my morning chair beside the window, she appeared, flew directly to the other side of my window, hovered, motionless except for her wings and looked straight at me. Was she saying goodbye? I’m not sure. But I found myself saying, “Stay

safe; take care; rest and renew.” Just before she turned and flew away, I could swear I felt her say, “You, too.” Torrence Steve Ferendo photograph from naturalworldthroughmycamera.blogspot.com. No copywrite infringement intended.

Bible Passage for this Week Job 12:7-10 (NKJV) But now ask the beasts and they will teach you, And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. Who among all those does not know That the hand of the LORD has done this. In whose hand is the life of every living thing. And the breath of all (human)kind? Reminders: Sunday’s loose plate offering goes to the Farnham & St. John’s Discretionary Fund which is used to help the needy in the community. Please come prepared to be generous!   Food Basket Don't forget to bring a donation for the Food Basket each week between now and Christmas.

Announcements

B,L & C (B ag Lunch & Conversation) returns this Thursday, 10/4. Don't forget to bring or send to the office a copy of a news article. We will develop a specific way/ process for reading the news with the idea of "How the issue is working in me and where/how God might be at work in the issue?" please note that in November, the First Friday has been rescheduled to the second Friday , which is to say that our movie night will be Nov. 9th instead of the 3rd due to the Annual Diocesan Convention which is meeting on the 3rd.

The next class in our JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE series is Tuesday, October 8th. It's not too late to sign up. Last week, we were orienting ourselves in terms of historical context, different books in different Bibles and the timeline of when things were written. This week, October 9th, we're starting with Genesis Part I “The Primeval Stories: In the Beginning.” Obviously, a good place to start. Call Torrence if you're interested.

Outreach Events in October The Haven will be “tabling” at a variety of events throughout the month of October.  We have 3 shifts that need to be filled. Volunteers Owould be responsible for passing out brochures, collecting donations, selling raffle tickets etc at one of these tabling events. The available shifts include: Sat, 10/13   8:30 am-12 WarsawFest Sun, 10/21 12 noon-3:00 NN Burger (Tap) Sun, 10/21   3:00 -6pm NN Burger (Tap) Thrift Store Volunteers Needed We need volunteers on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday anytime between 10 am - 4 pm every week. We could also use volunteers on Saturday from 10 am - 2 pm. Tasks include processing incoming donations, tagging and displaying items. Click here for training information if you are interested in working with any haven clients. The 1st session is recommended for ALL VOLUNTEERS.

Through a Celtic Lens: An Invitation for  Sunday evening, Oct. 21 st Grace (Kilmarnock) offers a Celtic Evening Service once a month during their "program" year. I have pondered the idea of Farnham & St. John's offering a Celtic service occasionally for our area of the Northern Neck, but would like to get parishioner input about doing so. So I invite you to join me for the Sunday Oct. 21 st  service at 5:30 p.m. at Grace and then (on your way home) join me at my home for Sunday supper.   Please  RSVP by Wed., Oct. 17 th   Torrence

Items needed for local mission trip to Haiti: Advil (children & adult) Tylenol (children & adult) Benadryl (children & adult) Aspirin Tums Benadryl cream Anti-fungal cream Neosporin cream Cough Drops Multi-vitamins (child & adult) Immodium AD please bring items to church by October 14 th . Contact Courtney Sisson for more information

We still need 2 people to deliver Meals on Wheels on October 15 th. Please let the office know if you can help. Pick up is at 9:00 a.m.

Spencer & Beane Friday, October 26, 2018 7:00 p.m. Farnham Episcopal Church                                                             The concert is free of charge (donations appreciated at the door). sponsored by Cople Parish, and Farnham & St. John's Episcopal Churches.

In the Church

This week's Lessons

Service assistants' schedule

Sunday October 7 th Holy Eucharist 9:00 a.m. at Farnham 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Sunday October 14 th 9:00 a.m. at Farnham Morning Prayer  11:00 a.m. at St. John's Holy Eucharist

Sunday October 21 st  Holy Eucharist 9:00 a.m. at Farnham 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Sunday October 28 th  Morning Prayer 9:00 a.m. at Farnham 11:00 a.m. at St. John's

In the Parish Hall

Come Worship With Us Sunday Service this week 10:00 a.m. Farnham Church, Farnham

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