Reflection from your Co-Pastors
July 30, 2020
Jeremiah 18:1-6
The Potter's Vessel
One of the most precious gifts Laurie and I have ever received was on our 10th year anniversary. Friends of ours who lived in Ireland, gifted us with a 2 week vacation to their beautiful country.
It was a fairy-tale kind of trip--traveling in the hovering thick fog, gentle rain, and exquisite greenery-- through the land of castles, ancient ruins, Holy wells, and graveyards. Every so often when we came back to civilization, we were able to see pieces of art and sculpture that spoke to our souls. One such piece, a bronze statue, "Madonna and Child," was housed in the Lady Chapel of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. (Insert image of Bronze Madonna and Child) The image symbolized the offering of Jesus to the world. I sat in prayer with this image for a long time. While praying, it came to me that I would really like to try my hand at sculpting.
When I returned home I got back to life as usual and, as often occurs, forgot about my fleeting desire to sculpt when I was in a mystical and sacred moment.
A month had passed before a friend called and asked if I could help her move out of her apartment to a new home. I did help her, and when we were nearly done, she brought out a 25 pound bag of clay from her hall closet announcing that she was not taking that bag to her new home because she had no use for it and did not see herself using it in the future. She looked at me and asked, "Do you want a bag of clay?" And so began my years as a sculptor.
At first, I was unclear as to what I would sculpt. Then my mind wandered back to the image of "Madonna and Child" in Christ Church Cathedral. Ah, yes! I wanted to sculpt images of the Madonna. I wanted them to be personal, unique, each one with a different feel, look, meaning. So instead of getting a
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potter's wheel, I purchased several books on hand-building. I sat before my own image of Mary hanging on my wall over my artist table and words flooded my soul. " I am the Mother of the True Light, the Mother of All, the Mother of Sorrows, the Mother of the True Vine etc. And suddenly, the images became clear to me.
Each time the clay in my hands creates a new piece, I feel like I am bringing the Mother of God into the world again and again that she might deepen relationship with, and comfort all Her children. And as I make the image of the Mother of Sorrows it feels like my hands are embracing Her in Her grief and sorrow.
Hand-building--hands on creating-- is such a moving and sensual experience. Slowly watching as each expression of face or body comes into being; having the freedom to create a nose, or deepen a womb; to drape a mantle, or determine the curvature of the hip.
I like to think of God as a hand- building potter. Each of us is so unique, no two alike. Amma/Abba God making every movement of hand and fingers form a one-of-a-kind creation.
Recently, my occupational therapist asked me "What's your goal in this process of recovering the use of your left hand?"
I replied, "I want to be able to sculpt Madonna's again. When I am doing that, I feel the closest ever to the Divine."
And so I pray,
Let it be done.
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Our Service Recordings
and More
View our Sunday
July 26th service recording observing the Feast of Mary of Magdala.
You can also access a
printable document
of the entire service to assist with prayer. Here is Pastor Jane's
homily
with assistance from Chantal Bouveron, Jeff Akkerman and Father Don.
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our
webpage
and other videos are located
here.
Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection
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Community Prayer Requests
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Please pray for -
Dick Life, member, for continued recovery from surgery. Jim DeMuth and family for the loss of his sister, Pat DeMuth. For Jennifer Pfeister and family for the passing of her father, Bill McClellan.
For Courtney, daughter of Jean and Tom Christen.
Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe.
For the continued recovery of Linda Joyce. The Kent family whose Mother Teri (community member) and Father recently passed.
Dona Bosse - community member. Joanne Gallagher, offers prayers of thanksgiving for the success of her surgery and gratitude to our community for prayerful support.
Julie Schoenbauer and family for the passing of her father and for the family of Edwin White, brother-in-law of Pastor Jane.
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For the peaceful repose of the souls of Bill, Greg, and Calvin - friends of Deacon Rosean.
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For Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds. Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones and Ruth Parker, sister of Dori Carroll. For Lynne Barnes and family.
Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Margie Weitz, Suzanne King, Robert Browell.
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Call is automatically forwarded to a real person!
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