Torrence's Weekly Message
"Second Chances"
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Remember as a child and also when “growing up” someone giving you “one more chance.” What a relief! Ever felt like you were “down and out” but then after maybe a little while you felt a little bit of energy rising up again inside, a kind of “breaking through” the surface of life again?
“Second chances” – that is the theme that Bishop Susan Goff’s recent reflection stirred in my heart mind and spirit when I read it. Aren’t we all products of “second chances” in life? Make a list of the second chances (even third, fourth, fifth, etc. chances) you have experienced during your life. You might be surprised at how long the list is!
Springtime also is a visual reminder of second chances of blooming/birthing again after long winters not just in earth’s life but in ours too. We feel new hope, new life stirring in us again as we watch for the first daffodil, buds on bare branches, birds building nests, green growth springing up in fields that have lain fallow for a time. And doesn’t the full bloom of summer almost take our breath away in awe?
So, I joyfully commend to your reading and reflection Bishop Susan’s reflection that follows. I am also sharing, yet again, some Erma Bombeck “wisdom” about living life “over again.” I offer you the idea, as you read through it, to grasp the understanding that it is never too late to change. To live life forward with greater awareness of what is most valuable in life. To live forward differently. One of the constants in life is change and we either embrace the positive possibilities of new growth, new life or we languish and lose energy for life. It is the idea of flourishing or diminishing. Seize the chance to learn from your reflection and live forward into renewal. Into continuing life, re-formed, re-newed, re-freshed. Have the courage to flourish. With God’s amazing grace calling us forward into yet again another chance at even fuller life, may it be so.
Grace Hope Peace Joy
Torrence
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Life Wants to Live April 22nd, 2021
Four years ago, a strong winter wind blew down a tree in the park in my neighborhood. The crown of the tree landed in the small lake and the roots stood upright, exposed on the bank. That spring, the tree burst into bloom, then leafed out fully in its new life turned sideways. Life wants to live.
This spring, the tree is leafing out again. Birds find shelter in its branches. Fish find safety in the submerged crown. Insects of many kinds find sustenance. Life wants to live. Even when turned sideways, life wants to live.
On this Earth Day, the fifty second in the United States, we recognize how human choices have turned life sideways for many species on this planet. We recognize the great diversity of living things as we grieve the loss of so many species. We celebrate that life wants to live.
God give us courage to turn ourselves sideways for the sake of all living things on this beautiful, complex, intricate, life-sustaining planet, our island home. God help us, who want to live, to choose life for all creatures and, by so doing, to choose life for ourselves and our descendants.
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If I Had My Life to Live Over
Erma Bombeck
- I would have talked less and listened more.
- I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
- I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
- If I had my life to live over, I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
- I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
- I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
- I would have cried and laughed less while watching television-and more while watching life.
- If I had my life to live over, I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
- I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
- I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
- If I had my life to live over, when my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
- There would have been more "I love you's".. more "I'm sorry's" ....but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.
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Food Pantry
Food items brought to church this week will be taken to the Food Pantry at Warsaw United Methodist Church. Items brought to Farnham next week will be taken to the food pantry at Farnham Baptist Church
In addition to the Sunday morning services
designated drop sites are as follows:
St. John's: the basket under the church bell between the church doors.
Farnham: the Crowley’s back porch at 278 Cedar Grove Road (across the road from N. Farnham Church.)
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Sous Casa correction
In last week’s E-pistle, we published a note about ordering from Sous Casa to support the haven. Sous Casa has updated their web-site, so the link didn’t take you to quite the right place. Here are the updated link and instructions:
This link takes you to the menu items.
Between May 2nd and noon on May 6th, choose your items and add them to the cart. You will not need to worry about the minimum order for delivery. Click “Store Pickup.” One of the options listed for pickup will be “the haven.” Click that pickup option. Check Out using the designated pickup date (in this case, May 7th, time not required.)
The order may be picked up at the Shoppe for Haven’s Sake, 4314 Richmond Rd., Warsaw between four and six p.m. on Friday, the 7th. All items are frozen.
So, next week order some really good Mexican food to keep in your freezer and have a quick dinner ready and support the haven at the same time, thanks to sous casa!
Learn about sous casa here.
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Top Items Needed at The Haven Shelter
VISA Gift Cards for Gas, Walmart & Food Lion Grocery Gift Cards
SUPPORT THE HAVEN by buying a raffle ticket for a Visa gift card at the Tappahannock or Heathsville Farmers' Markets and by listing them as your charity of choice when making purchases at Amazon. (click the link to designate them as your charity.)
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- Bring your own outdoor chair
- Wear a mask and respect social distancing
- Parking at St. John's is available on a limited basis in the church parking lot; alternative parking is permitted in the NNEC parking lot behind the church.
- Parking at N. Farnham is easily accessible.
The outdoor service is dependent on favorable weather. If cancelled, the service will be converted to Zoom and the priest will send a notice to parishioners by 8:00 a.m. on Sunday with the Zoom link.
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Sunday, May 2nd
the 5th Sunday of Easter
10 a.m. Service of Morning Prayer
St. John's
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Sunday, May 9th
the 6th Sunday of Easter
10 a.m. Service of Morning Prayer
Farnham
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Sunday, May 16th
the 7th Sunday of Easter
10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion
St. John's
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Sunday, May 23rd
Pentecost
10 a.m. Service of Holy Communion
N. Farnham
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The Parish Prayer List
for those in need of God's comfort and healing:
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Courtenay Altaffer
Martha Berger
Randall Bone
Sue Bowie
Constance Edwards
Bob File
David Gallagher
Regina Griggs
Barbara Grander
Dorothy Grove
Sandy Wade Hagan
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The Rev. Howard Hanchey
Kelsey Heidenreich
Billy Hooper
Rebecca Hubert
Marcia Jenkins
Mary Douglas Lawton
The Rt. Rev. Peter Lee
Susan Lewis
Frank Lynch
Susannah Marais
Tommy Neuman
Judi Newman
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James Rynd
Marsha Rynd
Chris Smith
Debbie Belfield Stacks
Scott Strickler
Waldy Sulik
Billy Tennyson
Roclyn Tennyson
John Welch, II
Matthew Yates
Rose Mary Zellner and
all the victims of COVID 19
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and for those serving in our armed forces: |
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Royce Baker
David Berger
Ryan Berger
Allen Crocker
Randy Crocker
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Court Garretson
Cameron Heidenreich
Dan Heidenreich
Charles Jones
Daniel Kirk
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Mark Lawton
Scott Longar
Luis Loya
Gavin Wade McClung
Christopher Strickler
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We also pray for those who have died. |
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April 29th – Gwynne Tayloe
April 30st – Ed Milsted
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May 4th -Ben Cox
May 5th - Carlton Barber
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The Episcopal Church Welcomes You!
Our outdoor service this Sunday is at 10 a.m. and is a service of Morning Prayer at St. John's Church. In the event of bad weather, it will be converted to a Zoom service with an e-mail notice and link sent to parishioners at about 8 a.m.
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Background - staff photo.
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