Episcopal Church 
of the Resurrection
1433 NW R.D. Mize Road
Blue Springs, Missouri 64015
(816) 228-4220
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Weekly E-mail
Friday, November 13, 2020
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Worship in-person or on-line
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020
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Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Holy Eucharist Rite I at 8:00 am
- Service in-person (not broadcast)
Holy Eucharist Rite II at 10:30 am
- Service in-person and also broadcast
Social distancing and masks required
No coffee hour
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Annual giving campaign underway
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PLEASE PLEDGE BY SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6.
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None of us could have known what this year would be like with all the disruptions, losses, and anxieties we faced individually and together. Although the COVID pandemic has tested our resolve, it has not tested our faith. We are stronger, more resilient, and still connected as a Church and as a community of neighbors. Thank you to each one of you for doing your part in your homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, families, and here in our church.
Our normal stewardship campaign is also disrupted this year and so we once again try to adapt to a new way of doing things. This year you can access our stewardship information on Resurrection's website and also make your pledge on-line. If you like, you can also print a pledge card and return it to the church by mail or simply place it in the offering plate if you attend church in person.
Please join the Vestry for a special parish-wide Stewardship Zoom Meeting on Sunday, November 22 at 2:00 pm. We'll discuss our stewardship campaign, review where we have come in 2020 and our plans for 2021.
Generosity is inspired by our faith and how we are formed and led into relationship with each other. It determines how we share our gifts with the world. How will you discover and use the gifts you have been given to help our church this year? How will you hear the Gospel call to seek and serve Christ in all people, and respond with generosity? We are the stewards of God's manifold grace because we give to the world from what we have received. Thank you In the spirit of generosity and love!!!
Note: Your 2020 contribution statement will be provided in January, 2021. If you would like to know where your current giving stands for 2020 and/or your 2020 pledge amount, please e-mail the Treasurer.
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Blue Springs CSL Christmas Outreach
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COLLECTING GIFT CARDS.
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Due to COVID, Resurrection will not have our Christmas gift tree this year to benefit the Blue  Springs Community Services League (CSL). Instead, we will be collecting only gift cards and money to contribute to the CSL Christmas event. CSL will then distribute the gift cards to parents so they may pick out appropriate gifts safely.
If you wish to donate money, please indicate on the memo line of your check or offering envelope the amount you designate as "CSL Christmas gift". We will use those funds to buy gift cards. If you would prefer to buy your own gift cards, CSL is requesting them in increments of $10, $20 and $25 from Walmart, Target, Old Navy, or Kohls only.
You can place your gift of money or gift cards in the offering plate or drop it in the black locked pledge box outside the downstairs entrance or simply mail it to the church. We must receive your gifts by December 7. Thank you for your support of this worthy Christmas event!
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PRAYERS.
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As I write this note on November 11th, I am reminded of the incredible unselfish commitment of our women and men of the armed forces, both active and retired. Given the ordeal our country has faced with the multiple issues of health, community unrest and political divisiveness, let us always remember the service of those who give and sacrifice for this country and for which it stands. Losing a brother in Vietnam and aware of the sacrifices made by so many throughout the years of our country, I am humbled by the commitments of all those who serve for the causes of freedom and peace.
I would be remiss if I did not share with you my concerns for our country's future, given the divisiveness demonstrated by this recent presidential election. Regardless who we voted for, the outcome and closeness in votes counted tells me that we have much work to do to reconcile our differences and relationships based on how we feel our country should be led, and how the country should be represented and served. May God grant us the courage to reconcile these differences and find the ways to work through all the things that divide peoples and communities. Asking "what would Jesus do" during these times almost feels out of place due to our allegiances to the world we live in. May we engage God in our thoughts and actions as we move forward to engage our sisters and brothers, regardless of our political persuasions. May we work to listen more and argue less, to be open to other people's opinions without judgement and negative postures, and most of all to be willing to accept each other's differences without making enemies. This is what I believe Jesus would have us do. As we prepare for Thanksgiving, and all that we have to do differently this year, may we not only recognize how we are blessed but mostly how to bless and give thanks for others.
STEWARDSHIP.
As we begin our 2021 stewardship campaign, I first want to thank all of you for your steadfast support during these months of pandemic. You continue to bless the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection and allow the church to continue its missions of outreach and church business.
I now urge your prayers to continue your efforts of financial support for this coming year. For fear of what the future holds as we continue to struggle with uncontrollable rates of infection that keep people out of work, burden our hospitals and increase homelessness, our parish will need your support to continue providing the services to both the church community and our local communities of need. I commend the vestry for pursuing the broadcasting of our services on Sunday mornings as well as the Daily Office during the weekdays. Even more important is our support of pantries, Community Services League, UpLift and other community nurturing programs than ever before. Before there were social service agencies supported by the government, it was local churches who answered the calls to feed the homeless, create missions and care for the less fortunate. This still continues today as so many social service agencies are underserved, poorly funded and lack effectiveness for communities with needs greater than the services they can provide.
So here is my plea for all us. May we prayerfully consider planning to support our parish with the financial gifts necessary to fulfill our missions and even consider increasing our commitments if possible. I do know the burden of giving is and can be difficult, and that is why I will always stipulate that stewardship is the giving of time, talent and as possible, money to support the Body of Christ through our parish. Please realize that this plea is not to just keep the lights on, but specifically to serve our community as Christ is expecting us to do.
As you pray and consider your response to this campaign, know that your gifts will always be used to grow the spiritual and life-giving work of Resurrection Episcopal Church.
I remain your committed faithful servant of Christ and thank you for all you continue to do to allow our parish to provide Christs service.
FAREWELL SIMPSONS AND GODSPEED!
Arla and Bob, Alex, Nicholas and Emma are moving. Arla has taken a promotion that requires her to move to Washington, D.C. Because we cannot celebrate as we usually do, I commend our greetings and thanksgivings for them, their service and their plans for the future. Arla will leave the vestry, Alex and Nicholas will leave our acolytes and they will all be missed. Please reach out to them and wish them well. Godspeed to the Simpsons!
IAN AND JOYCE McINTOSH NEED OUR PRAYERS.
Both Joyce and Ian are suffering with the COVID virus and need our prayers. I spoke with Joyce late last week. I know her sons are supporting them and they are both in care facilities separated from each other. Please pray for them and if able, send them your best wishes. Their address is: 441 Stageline Road, Apt. 272; Hudson, WI 54016.
RESTARTING WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY.
 As it is possible to meet, either in person following COVID guidelines, or by zoom, I am trying to determine the best time and what day to reopen bible study. I would like to do this so the study can continue in my absence when I have to miss a session. Please contact Fr. David with your interest.
REPORT FROM DIOCESAN CONVENTION.
The diocesan virtual convention went off with minimal hitches on ZOOM. This will be the last  convention with our current Bishop Marty Field. He will retire from his role as bishop in September 2021. A provisional bishop will be called and appointed to serve in the interim between Bishop Marty's retirement and the call of the next bishop. In these unprecedented times, this discernment process will mean having to engage within our communities differently as we work together to identify the traits and character of the person needed to take our diocese forward in the future to do the work of the church. There was no controversy that belabored the convention. Good discussion engaged the plans for ministry and how to best serve the parishes throughout the diocese. Due to the pandemic situation, the diocese has saved considerable money and has also received funding from the government out of the PPP program. The finance committee and the diocesan council are working out ways for the parishes to benefit from the monies received and saved over the course of this last year. Concerns were raised to make sure monies are reserved to protect the plans for ministry going forward in 2021 and 2022, as we don't know what the future holds due to the pandemic. Thank you for the participation of John Biggs and Jim Gilligan as the delegates from our parish.
LAY LITURGICAL MINISTERS STILL NEEDED.
I am looking to grow our ministry of broadcasting the daily office by using liturgical leaders who would be willing to lead Morning, Noon Day and Evening Prayer.
If you are interested in serving in this ministry, please contact me.
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Nominations for Vestry open
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THREE TO BE ELECTED IN JANUARY.
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 Vestry members exercise leadership by example and participation both in the business and spiritual life of the parish. Persons standing for election to Vestry should regularly attend worship services and demonstrate faithful stewardship. Vestry members must be committed to attend monthly Vestry meetings, participate in a Vestry retreat during the year and complete the Safeguarding God's Church training course on-line.
Please contact Gabe Conn, Dr. Tess Garcia or David Hensen for information or to express your willingness to serve.
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Monday Matters - RenewalWorks
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FROM REV. JAY SIDEBOTHAM +.
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The gospel reading for the feast of St. Martin: Luke 18:18-27
A certain ruler asked Jesus, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-except God alone.You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'" "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus replied, "What is impossible with humans is possible with God."
What does the goose represent?
Later this week (Wednesday), we observe the feast of St. Martin. I love the guy. He's the patron saint of the first church in which I served, St. Martin's in Providence, Rhode Island, a great place. When I arrived, I discovered that the symbol of St. Martin is a goose. There were renderings of geese and references to geese all over the place. It didn't strike me as the most noble mascot, but I went with the symbolism, new priest and all. But why a goose?
Martin, a priest, was elected bishop and didn't want to be a bishop. Perhaps a measure of his wisdom, but that's another topic. (Bishops, what do you think?) Upon election, Martin hid from the folks who wanted him to take the job. He hid in a barn, seemingly a good idea, except the honking of the geese in aforementioned barn gave away his hiding place. Next thing you know, he's wearing a mitre. That story endears Martin to me. It's one in a series of stories in the Bible and in our tradition in which people are called by God and wonder if the call is a wrong number. Who me? Why me? You've got the wrong person, O Holy One. I've felt that way from time to time. Have you? More about Martin. A patron saint of France, he was born in 330 in what is now Hungary. His early years were spent in Italy. After service in the Roman army, he settled in Poitiers, whose bishop, Hilary, he admired. According to legend, while Martin was still a catechumen, he was approached by a poor man who asked for alms in the name of Christ. Martin, drawing his sword, cut off part of his military cloak and gave it to the beggar. On the following night, Jesus appeared to Martin, clothed in half a cloak, and said to him, "Martin, a simple catechumen, covered me with his garment." As a legend, the story may or may not be true. But if it's not true, it ought to be. That story endears me to Martin further. It reminds me of the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25), in which Jesus commends those who help those in need, noting that such help is the way to meet Christ. It's a principle reflected in the baptismal promises which call us to seek and serve Christ in all persons. All of them. And we all know that Christ can often come very well disguised. (Perhaps a good thing to recall in the wake of a particularly divisive election season.) Martin, a rich young man, a person of means and influence, met and served Christ in this encounter. That's why the gospel reading chosen for his day (see above) features a rich young man challenged to share what he had. The young man in the gospel chose a different path. He seems pretty clear that Jesus' call is a wrong number. He goes away, sad. And it seems Jesus is sad too, according to accounts in other gospels. The young man's refusal causes Jesus to offer the image of a camel going through the eye of a needle. It's a tough passage for those attached to riches to enter the kingdom of God. It's to let go. It's tough for any of us who in terms of global poverty are wealthy. Is there hope for any of us? Thanks be to God, the story doesn't end there. Jesus says that with God, all things are possible. So with the help of this young man, and with the witness of St. Martin, let's consider what is possible. That possibility will unfold as we take our cue from St. Martin this week. How are you being called? Do you wonder if that call is a wrong number? If there were a barn nearby, would you go hide there to escape the call? More specifically, where is God calling you to address the needs of our world, so evident in our considerable coincident crises? Who will you encounter, calling you to share what you have? How will you respond? Take Martin's witness to this possibility, and maybe, just maybe, you'll meet Christ in the process.
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In-person worship guidelines
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SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED.
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- Ushers will ask if you have any symptoms or recent history of illness. Please do not
 attend church if you feel ill or know you have been exposed to COVID or any other serious illness. - Newcomers and visitors will be asked to provide their names and phone numbers upon entry for possible contact tracing.
- There will be no guest book or prayer sheet
- Masks will be required while in the church
- Seating will be in every other pew with required social distancing
- No congregational singing allowed.
- Prayer books will be provided in the back pews for pick-up and use. After the service, return the prayer books in the basket located in the Narthex.
- Bulletins will not be reused
- Communion will be available in individual chalices distributed by the priest. Please discard these used packets in the trash when leaving.
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