He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well.
Is not this to know me? says the Lord.
Jeremiah 22:16
Justice for Creatures Great and Small
To visit Assisi in Italy is to walk in another time and place. The ancient village with its perilously narrow, winding streets immediately frames your vision. Churches of every description, from a converted pagan temple to the two massive monastic complexes that housed Francis & Clare’s friars and nuns, fill the air with bells, calling the townspeople to prayer. Every fashion of monastic robes, from rough cloth to Buddhist saffron, float amidst the throngs of tourists.
Many who come to Assisi remark about the environment. The town smells of olive trees and the hillsides are traced with grape arbors and vegetable plots. Thirty years ago, Pope John Paul II declared Francis the patron saint of environmentalists. But Franciscan scholars urge caution: “If we view Creation only in terms of ecology, nature, botany and biology we see ourselves apart from God’s Creation, instead of being a part of His Creation – exclusive rather than inclusive.”
More than the environment, Francis loved Creation! For Francis, God is Our Creator; family relationships extended to all Creation. Birds, fire and wind are brothers. The moon, stars and water are sisters and our planet Earth who nourishes us is Mother. Creation is nature viewed with its Creator in mind; creation is fullness, life and community. Creation becomes family.
Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures (also called the Canticle of the Sun) is the earliest known writing in the Italian language. Rather than using Latin, the language of the church, Francis used everyday speech to draw a ring around what God has made. He displays a confident humility, a humility that rejoices, offers praise, gives thanks and shows love to God. If you have a hymnal handy, “All Creatures of our God and King” (#400 in our hymnal) is a poetic translation and is familiar to many.
Understanding our “creatureliness” ties us back to the environment. Since all are God’s creatures, all creation shares equal dignity. The health of the Bay and our air; the destructive power of global warming and sea level rise; all these impact our sister and brother creatures.
Most profoundly, environmental degradation affects the poor. Around the globe, the poor live where air and water are degraded. Life expectancy among the poor is lower. Changing climates will make refugees out of tens of millions of people in the next decade.
St. Francis identified profoundly with the poor. He became friends with lepers and those without sight, aiding them even as he begged daily for his own food. “The kingdom of heaven truly belongs to those who, of their own will, a spiritual intention, and a desire for eternal goods, possess nothing of this earth.”
Perhaps we can dedicate some small act of care for our environment this month. Planting a tree, planning for a spring garden, cleaning some forgotten patch of land or shore. Justice for our neighbor means caring for our fellow creatures. Francis knew this well.
Peace,
Mark +
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Christian Formation
This week is a favorite for Winnie. She loves getting a blessing in honor of St Francis on his feast day of October 4th. Please watch the sneak peek on “Wednesday with Winnie.” We will both be in the church circle on Sunday from 12:00-1:00 to greet you and your pet as Father Mark gives the blessings. Tune in to “Lessons with Lisa” this week to hear a story based on the life of St. Francis. The story reminds all of us to take the time to see the beauty in all creatures in the world and to think of others.
Peace,
Miss Lisa & Winnie
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Please pray for: Angela & Trent, Camp Wright, CECDS, Chris, Scott & Lynn Clark, Shannon Cole, Jane Coppage, Wendy Costello, Corie Davis, Bryan Dalheim (RIP), Bob & Laura Dean, Deny, Paul Dorr, Jim Ewing, Jim Gallagher, Dave Grapes, Rita Hadlock, Ronald Hartman, Carol Holland, Jim Hoverman, Clint Hoxter, Charles Jewell, Anne Jones, Josette, Rowan & Lyla, Jeff Kolbeins, Mike Kratzer & Family, Olivia Marguerite, Sharon McCain, Toinette McDowell, Doug McMillan & Family, Bob Meile, Faith Miller, Bob Moore, Camilla Parrott, Al Peppel, John Perkins, Gail Renborg, Rick & Christina, John Riley, Jeff Rouse, Adele & David Sadiq, Judy Schubrook, Dick Sells, Kirsten Shelek (RIP), Anna Sisson, Ian Vansant & Family, Kathy & Roger Whitehead, Candace Williams, Bob Willis, Lee Wilson (RIP), Jack Wright
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This Sunday's Worship Service
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CHOIR UPDATE
We will continue to offer anthems on our weekly video services. Please consider signing up to provide music one or more Sundays. This is open to all members and friends of the congregation. Also, if you have a friend or family member who is a musician, please consider inviting them to participate. The sign up for the fall is here.. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0F45AAAD2CA1F49-christ
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Pause, Ponder and Pray Returns
Tuesday Night Bible Study
Ever wonder who picks the Scriptures we read on Sundays? Ever thought about where a sermon comes from? Ever wished you felt more comfortable with your bible? Pause, Ponder and Pray is for you.
We have begun gathering around our screens and looking at the Sunday Scriptures. We talk about who wrote them down, why we read them, what they meant to the first hearers and what they mean to us. Along the way we share stories from the lives of God’s people and our own stories of doubt and faith.
Come as often as you like. Bring your questions, and an open heart and mind. If getting on to Zoom is an issue, call or email the church and one of our tech team will assist you. You can invite friends to join in. It’s an interactive learning experience!
Tuesdays 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
**Watch for an email invitation via Constant Contact or you may contact the parish office for the Zoom link.
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Daily Evening Prayer with Fr. Mark
For more than 30 years I have marked the end of my workday with Evening Prayer. During COVID, I went back to praying alone; but I now believe I can safely offer prayer in church again. We’ll meet in the Narthex (the gathering space just inside the church doors.) Come in through the Shand Hall doors. Sign in, Masks and Hand sanitizing will be required.
If you have a smart phone, please go wherever you get your apps. Download the free app from Mission St Clare. It’s really easy and will allow us to share prayer without books. If you prefer, bring your own BCP or I can loan you one of ours to carry. I hope to share the service on Facebook Live in the coming weeks, but first I need to get my rhythm back.
Join me any day Monday to Thursday at 5:00 pm for Daily Evening Prayer.
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Ways to Support Christ Church
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Electronic Giving: Click Here
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Text to Give by texting CCPKI to 73256
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Bank: Have your bank send a check or make an ACH transfer
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By Check: CCPKI 830 Romancoke Rd. Stevensville MD 21666
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Virtual Run 4 Shelter: October 16th – 18th
Haven Ministries will be hosting a Virtual Run 4 Shelter to benefit our Housing Programs including the Emergency Shelter and Food Pantries. This is an opportunity to get outdoors and run or walk by yourself, with family and friends or create a team and support our services!
A virtual run or walk is like a traditional run —friendly competition, t‑shirts, a finish line, and selfies! But, you pick the route and choose what time to participate!
Registration is $25 for adults • $15 for youth and includes an event T-shirt. Business and Team Sponsorships are available for $100 and includes your name on the event T-shirt. T-shirts will be available for pick up evenings October 12th – 15th from 5 – 7pm at Haven Ministries Headquarters:
206 Del Rhodes Avenue
Queenstown, MD 21658
410-827-7194
Online registration is open through September 27, 2020. Paper registration forms are also available at Our Daily Thread Thrift Store, Hope Warehouse and Haven Ministries headquarters.
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Christ Church Parish Kent Island| 410-643-5921 | office@ccpki.org | ccpki.org |
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