News from St. James' Episcopal Church
Sunday, November 15, 2020
|
|
No Future without Forgiveness
A meditation for the 23rd Week After Pentecost
by the Rt. Rev. Porter Taylor, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Virginia
|
|
With the announcement that Joe Biden has enough electoral votes to be the President-Elect, some are joyous, and some are dejected. Some are laughing and some are weeping. All the emotions and reactions we feel are to be honored. Here's the thing: our work as followers of Jesus hasn't changed. Remember the promises in our Baptismal Covenant?
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons loving your neighbor as yourself?
Yes, the configuration of our government matters because it has enormous ramifications. However, when we are baptized, we gain agency. We become Christ bearers and our task is to align ourselves with God so that we are available to be God's instruments to bring God's realm of justice, peace, and mercy near. I realized that since Election Day, I have not been present to the actual world around me. My focus is on what might happen instead of what actually is happening.
In Walden, Thoreau writes, "I have never met [a person] who was fully alive. How could I look [that person] in the face?" My hope is that I and all faithful people will wake from our preoccupation and distraction of the election and attend to the hopes, and joys, and hurts of the world right around us. "Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." In other words, this is the only day we have, so let us be fully incarnated here and now and do the work God gives us to do wherever we are.
If we are to "seek and serve Christ in all persons," then we must let go of our preoccupation with what happened or didn't happen and embrace the world around us. A spiritual teacher when listening to one of his/her students go on and on about mystical theology would finally ask the person, "Yes, but where are your feet?" In other words, "Are you grounded in the here and now?" It's not enough to be wise about the universe if you are unkind or simply a jerk to your neighbors.
Perhaps it's time for us to attend to the events and people in front of us. Perhaps it's time to focus on this moment which is the only moment we have instead of what people should have done in the past or ought to do in the future. The present moment is the only place reconciliation happens.
There's a reason Desmond Tutu entitled his book about the struggle over South Africa's apartheid "No Future Without Forgiveness." Until we find a way to reconcile, we will simply transfer the current division and acrimony to another subject. The doorway to forgiveness is to let go of a desired future and stop defining others by one act or one aspect of their lives.
Some time ago, I read an account of the 50th Anniversary of Gettysburg in 1913. The surviving soldiers from both sides dressed in their uniforms for a re-enactment of Pickett's Charge. The Union soldiers took their places on Seminary Ridge, and the Confederate soldiers stood on the farmland below. Instead of rifles and bayonets, they had canes and crutches. When the two armies approached one another, the Confederate army let out a rebel yell. However, instead of shooting or stabbing, they embraced. They put the past to rest -- they forgave -- and they stepped into new life.
Let us not wait fifty years or fifty days for the healing to start. Reconciliation is our calling; it's what we promised in baptism and it's time for us to embrace our calling.
|
|
Honor our veterans this Sunday, Nov. 15 |
|
Join us as we "go live" on Facebook
at 10 a.m. and honor our St. James' veterans for their service to our nation and the world.
Apologies: we thought it was last week!
to see our worship services.
|
|
|
Socially distanced, outdoor YOUP
Sunday, November 15
|
|
Ready for charades by the fire pit?
-
Who: middle and high school youth
-
What: a socially distanced youth group (YOUP) meeting
-
Where: the yard by the Parish House
-
When: Sunday, November 15 from 7-8 p.m.
-
Why: catch up, play charades and say compline with friends
-
How: bring a mask, an outdoor chair and your sense of humor
Contact Michelle at 703-626-4888 with questions.
|
|
Video Sunday School Update! |
|
Join us before church on Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
For Grades K-5
Join us for StoryMakers! Our StoryMakers advent materials have arrived! We will be handing out materials on Saturday, November 21 from 3-4 p.m. in the church parking lot. If you can’t make it to pick up your Advent StoryMakers zine, contact Kathy Bucklin (kathybucklin5@gmail.com) or Kara Laughlin (Kara.L.Laughlin@gmail.com) to make other arrangements.
And the whole parish is welcome to join us for Zoom Sunday School on November 22 at 9:30 a.m. for our Creation Puppet Show!
|
|
Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday!
November 15: 11:15 a.m
|
|
After church, grab another cup of coffee or tea and take a few minutes to catch up with Fr. Earl and the good people of St. James'!
Join our Virtual Coffee Hour at 11:15 this Sunday:
|
|
|
|
How often would you like us to hold Virtual Coffee Hours?
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Relief Fund Distribution |
|
A total of $4,470 has been given to the St. James' COVID-19 Relief Fund, and the vestry has approved distribution of the funds: half to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church and half to Catholic Charities.
These two organizations are providing essential assistance to many in need during this time, including rent and utility payments for our friends and neighbors who are without work, have reduced work hours and income, or may be suffering from illness. We thank you for sharing your resources and caring for our community.
|
|
Grace to Go Returns | Volunteers Needed! |
|
Since 2009, St. James' Grace to Go ministry has regularly prepared and provided nutritious meals to families in our community who are experiencing food insecurity. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for these services has grown.
Each week, community members gather to prepare meals at Deli South in Leesburg.
We need volunteers so our robust program can return to meet the needs of our community.
To ensure safety, we will be observing proper protocols:
-
Masks: All participants will wear safety masks while inside Deli South and preparing meals.
-
Gloves: Protective food preparation gloves will be provided for participants.
-
Distancing: Safe distancing procedures will be followed during meal preparation.
|
|
Grace to Go is also in need of 5 new captains to lead cooking operations on Sundays. Captains will coordinate and direct volunteers on the meal preparation process each Sunday.
|
|
November Monthly Mission Partner:
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
|
|
During November and mindful of Veterans Day, we are praying for, learning about, and financially supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation which was created to honor the sacrifice of firefighter Stephen Siller who laid down his life to save others on September 11, 2001 – and to honor our military and first responders who continue to make the supreme sacrifice of life and limb for our country.
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation is committed to ensuring we never forget the events of 9/11 and the sacrifices that were made and continue to be made by our first responders and military in the line of duty. Tunnel to Towers aims to ensure stability and security for Fallen First Responder families, Military Gold Star families, and families of Catastrophically Injured Veterans – through mortgage-free homes for surviving spouses and children.
|
|
In need of prayer? In need of care? |
|
"In case of illness, the minister of the congregation is to be notified."
The Book of Common Prayer, p. 453
Please let us know when you are in need of prayer and care.
Whom should you call?
The Rev. Earl Mullins
Emergency Number:
410-409-9386
The Church Office
703-777-1124
|
|
When should you call?
- When you become seriously ill, are dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or condition, or are hospitalized for treatment, surgery, or rehabilitation.
- When you are experiencing a spiritual, physical, emotional or financial crisis.
- When you become concerned for the person who usually shares the pew with you because he or she has not been in church for a while.
- When you experience one of life's many transitions: a birth, a death, a job loss/change, a move, an empty nest, retirement, etc.
- When you need prayer and care, but don't want to "bother" anyone with your troubles -- please contact us anyway; you will not be "bothering" us!
|
|
Those requesting our prayers this week: Jeff Brannock, Brianne Bailey and Family, the Lamberty Family, Alice Lynn, Mary Paul, Inez Peebles, Caroline Ennis, the Lynch Family, the Page family, John Marsh, and the Riley family, Mary Bracken, Jennifer Griffith, Tim MacNamara, for other persons: the Kevin and Margaret Sullivan Family, Heidi, Peter Schweitzer, Ann Stribling, Orma Call, Chris DeWaard, Jay Watkins, Mark and Meghan Roomsfa, Lori Turner, Charlotte, Christian Cutillo, Ruth Guerra, Miline Hughes, Erin Stanton, Barbara Rose, Nancy Hylton, Bridget Steel, Matthew Britto, Dewey, those who are unemployed or underemployed; and those serving in the armed forces at home and abroad.
|
|
St. James’ Vestry
Carolyn Briles
Katherine Bucklin
Chris Cuellar
Andy Durot
Jim Ferry
Tom Horne
Karen Knobloch
Mary Lou Leipheimer
Steve Mayo
Wayne Newell
Rebecca Page
Jane Roth, Secretary
Maddie Reece, Youth Representative
Treasurer
John Forcier
|
|
St. James’ Clergy and Staff
Interim Rector
Dr. Steven Cooksey
Director of Music/Organist
Dr. Stephen Knobloch
Corner Chorale Music Director
Walter Litzenberger
Assistant Choir Director/Organist
Parish Administrator and Registrar
Janet Stayrook
Preschool Director
Adan Cortez
Lead Sexton
Francisco Ramos
Sexton
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
