St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - May 18, 2022
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PLEASE NOTE: Due to the surge in Corona Virus in FFX, St. John's is taking the step of asking everyone to wear masks at the Sunday service.
Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
The love for our neighbors has truly been reflected in the responses I received from you after last Sunday’s service. I pray we continue to work toward loving our neighbors as we love ourselves and our families.
As I prepared and delivered my sermon on racial and social injustice for last Sunday, I had no idea that the horrible massacre of ten innocent people had occurred just the night before. I usually try to have my sermons done by Tuesday which, in the case, was several days prior to this horrific act of hate. Hate is the devil’s tool. Hate is the antithesis of what Jesus taught us about love. God is love. Hate is evil. Nothing good can come from hate. How to we defeat hate? How to we prevent acts of evil such as this? I’m not sure what the answer is, but I do know that if we love one another and help our neighbors love one another, we can help prevent these evil actions. St. Paul taught us that “Love is patient, Love is Kind. It is not boastful or envious or arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way.” If this young man had any of these words imprinted in his heart, he would not have committed this horrible act.
I encourage all of us to pray for the families who lost loved ones in the act of evil and hate. May the peace and love of God Almighty be with all the bereaved and with us as we mourn this hateful action.
The Rev. Deacon Steve Busch
We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's. She is the priest celebrating the Sunday service until July 31. She will be here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns.
Next step for St. John's: On May 22d, the Vestry will meet with the Diocesan Transition Minister to learn more about the process towards our next rector.
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TONIGHT:
PRESENTATION: ON ZOOM
Carol chose the theme of her sabbatical to be "sabbath rest", and noted that "Especially in Northern Virginia, we are hurrying and "doing" all the time, with little time for rest and enjoying this world that God has given us." Before she left on her sabbatical, she invited The Rev. Kathy Guin to share the concept of "sabbath rest" to all of us at St. John's
The Rev. Kathy Guin*
Zoom presentation on "Sabbath Rest"
Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 PM.
*The Rev. Kathy Guin is a retired Episcopal priest, who served as the Rector of St Margaret’s, Woodbridge, Virginia, a vibrant diverse church. She received her Masters in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, served on the Committee of Priesthood for the Diocese of Virginia and as the Dean for the Potomac region. Kathy served as a spiritual director at the National Cathedral and Virginia Theological Seminary. Recently, she moved from Northern Virginia to Maine to enjoy the quieter life there. She is certified from the Bon Secours Retreat Center Spiritual Direction Program and received Family Systems training through a two-year clergy track program. Currently, she is working to complete another spiritual direction program with a Jungian Mystical Christian tradition framework through the Haden Institute.
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Sunday, May 15, 2022
Evil
This morning each of us asked in worship, as we do most Sundays, “Do you renounce Satan and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God? Do you renounce the evil powers of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?” And, “Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?” And all the people say, “I renounce them. I do."
Yesterday, evil in all its murderous destruction visited Buffalo, New York, where an 18-year-old with tactical gear and an assault rifle deliberately took the lives of 10 people and seriously injured three more. Eleven of those people were Black. It was clearly a crime motivated by white supremacy and conscious racism. The murderer drove hours, intentionally targeting a grocery store serving a predominantly Black neighborhood. There is no ambiguity in what happened there.
Once again, our common soul is ripped open by the forces of Satan, evil, and sin. Once again, the target is a community that has borne the brunt of systemic social brutality for centuries in this country. Once again, a civilian has used a military style weapon to slaughter our citizens. There is no excuse. There is no excuse for any of us to stand by, to look away, to plead overwhelm or numbness or personal good intentions. This must stop, and the burden of stopping it cannot fall on the Black community.
Renouncing evil and sin does not mean ignoring it. It means rooting it out of our world. It means rooting out, in our country, particular sin that has been concretized and institutionalized in the noxious, satanic notion of white supremacy and the continuing scourge of racism. Renouncing sin means that we refuse to tolerate a level of gun violence that no society that calls itself civilized can justify. Our unexamined motives and our lethal means lead to these crimes again and again. We must act for change.
Will we strive for justice and peace? Strive, and not just shake our heads in disbelief that things will not change unless we change them? Will we seek and serve Christ in all persons, especially those who have unjustly borne this pain? Are we willing to suffer the discomfort of confronting the whole truth, of seeing our whole history, of doing whatever it takes to share the benefits and blessings of this land fairly and equitably? Are we willing to lay down the arms of war and do the hard work of loving one another, of seeing the image of God in faces that look different from ours? To move beyond words and into action?
We have made promises to God and to one another. As we grieve and mourn and comfort the victims of this crime of hate – including all the people who fear daily for the their lives and the lives of their children – each of us must take the initiative to stand between evil and the innocent, end this long nightmare, and bring justice, safety, and peace to the whole people of God. Whatever it takes.
Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
Holy God, fill us with such conviction in the vows and promises we made at our Baptism that we will hear the cries of your children, that we will not run from the bitter weeping, and that we will act as your hands and feet in this world that is so in need of your healing power and love. Amen.
Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
Assistant Bishop
Bishop Susan E. Goff
Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority
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JOIN US THIS SUNDAY
FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. JOHN'S!
Due to the current increase in COVID19 transmission rates in Fairfax County, the Vestry has decided to make masking mandatory during worship services. We will monitor the transmission rates and modify this policy if things in our area worsen. We will use the data from the Fairfax County Health Department to make these determinations. This applies to our worship service. The policy of our ministry partners may differ, so please respect them by masking while in other parts of the building. You should also mask If you need to be in close proximity to others in an enclosed space. You never know who may be unable to be vaccinated or is otherwise compromised.
Thank you for your cooperation.
We will also continue our "safe" way of having communion by using the individual cups for the bread and the wine.
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The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. The link to the online service is found below and will be the same link every Sunday. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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ALSO FOLLOWING THE THEME OF SABBATH REST: IN PERSON
On Sunday, May 22, Kirk Gibson will be joining us after the service to talk about retreats at Shrine Mont. Many parishes have yearly parish retreats, though individuals can make private retreats as well.
He will come to talk about sabbath rest by having a personal and/or parish retreat at Shrine Mont (our camp and conference center).
Join us Sunday, May 22 at 10:45 AM in the library. You can check out lots of Shrinemont offerings at: www.shrinemont.com.
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OUTREACH PROGRAM: GIRL SCOUTS & GARDENING
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On Sunday, April 24, the St. John's Garden Committee & Senior Girl Scout Troops 5647 &6687 (Greenbriar & Chantilly) gathered on the patio at the church to begin the project of the vegetable garden. The girls are fulfilling requirements
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for their Gold Award project (equal to Eagle in Boy Scouts). They are currently working on the Journey Badge (Sow What) by assisting with the church’s community garden that will fulfill the badge’s requirements. They will assemble the vegetable beds, mix in the soils, plant, water, weed and harvest throughout the summer and fall. There were 9 girls, and 5 Mom helpers. If you would like to make a donation to the Garden Committee you may do that also and the committee can purchase the items needed.
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The Garden Committee was formed in 2021 as an outreach to provide fresh vegetables for our food pantry partners and the local community. We are starting small and hope to expand the garden each year. Members of the committee are Susan Davis, Dick Griffith, Bev Milunec, Mimi Spear, Jean Makurat and Gail Weirich. We would very much like to have more members join the committee – especially those who are experienced at gardening….and those who would like to become more experienced!
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Where in the world is Carol? In her own words:
Many of you have asked about my plans for my sabbatical. As you know, I received a grant from the Lilly Foundation for a three month sabbatical, including visiting several destinations, thanks to your support and the generosity of the Foundation. My retirement will then begin on August 1. Here's a quick rundown. On April 29, my sister and I will fly to London and visit some of the cathedrals and other historic sites. On May 6, we will take a train through Scotland to the island of Iona, off the northern coast of Scotland. Iona is a very spiritual place (often called a "thin place") where we take part in the life of the abbey there.
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5/10/22 My sister, Jan, and I are currently on the island of Iona off the coast of Scotland. St. Columba founded a monastery here in the 700’s. In the 1200’s, the abbey and nunnery were destroyed during the Reformation, and later rebuilt. During the Great Depression, The Rev. George MacLeod and his wife Lorena began raising funds to rebuild the abbey again. Rev. MacLeod had worked in the poorer part of Glasgow and was distraught that the government was not doing more to help those who were poor. Laborers then came from other communities to help with the rebuilding and the start of a new life with hope and confidence. It has since become a place of retreat and renewal.
The island is small and sparsely populated, with about 100 people as full time residents. From March through December “pilgrims” can come to the abbey for a week of worship, prayer, program and rest. We spend time in community during meals and chore times.
To get to Iona from the States, one must fly into Glasgow and take a three hour train ride to Oban. Once in Oban, a beautiful Scottish village, one then takes a ferry for the one hour trip to the island of Mull. You then get on a double decker bus for a one hour trip on a one lane road through the length of the island. The scenery of waterfalls, cliffs, green grass and trees is beautiful! Lots of sheep graze on the hillsides. After the bus ride, we boarded a smaller ferry to make the 20 minute trip to Iona. Iona has one small grocery store, two hotels, and three restaurants, in addition to several gift shops. Everything closes down by 5:00 PM when the last ferry leaves. The day begins and ends with a worship service. Although the abbey welcomes individuals, there are several church groups here with 3-7 members. (Maybe St. John’s could consider making a pilgrimage to Iona!)
Although we will leave the abbey on Friday, Jan and I will stay a few more days on the island at a bed and breakfast before heading to Glasgow for a few days. From there, we will fly to Munich and join a tour through parts of Germany and Austria, with a day set aside to see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.
You continue to be in my daily prayers, and I have joined you in worship online. I hope everyone is healthy and well. May God’s peace be with you.
5/17/2022 The worship services that are held daily at the Iona Abbey are from the "Iona Abbey Worship Book" published in 2018. On Sunday, this prayer of invitation to the Holy Eucharist was used and I wanted to share it with you.
"We are here because Jesus has called us - strangers and friends, locals and visitors, believers and doubters, the certain and the curious. It is always a mixed company that Jesus gathers and invites to his table where, in bread and wine, he meets us and through him we, who are different, are joined to each other. So come, not because you understand, but because you are understood. Come, not because of how you feel, but because God has food for you. Come, not because you deserve a place, but because Jesus invites you, just as you are."
("Iona Abbey Worship Book" page 47)
God invites us all, as we are, to be a part of God's family, no matter who we are or what we have done. God's love for us is deeper than the ocean and wider than the sea. God's loving arms surround us and fill us with love for one another. I want to thank the congregation of St. John's for supporting me in taking this sabbatical. I have seen God's love in action in new ways and places. I am becoming more rested and renewed. I think of you often and you are in my daily prayers.
Carol
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We Celebrated the Ministry of The Rev. Carol Hancock and here is the link to the video tribute put together by David Weir to click on, showing lots of photos of our years with Carol at St. John's. https://youtu.be/uRd125LhBkU
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We have all seen the horrors of the war in Ukraine. If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution on their website at
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine escalates, please continue to pray for all those involved in this conflict.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)
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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Top Items Currently Needed by The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /
Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant
The items may be dropped off at the office.
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The KKHFS is very thankful for the donations St John’s has provided to support their clients as they transition to their long-term residences. However, they are still looking for volunteers in these various roles to support their long-term success:
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The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is located nearby and currently house up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serve over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for:
- On-call movers:
- Volunteer Delivery Driver
- Volunteer On Call Moving Assistant
- Volunteer Shelter Assistant
- If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at [email protected] who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries updated list of the foods that they need the most. You can bring your non-perishable items to the church on Sunday mornings, or drop them off in the box outside the door by the breezeway during the week and they will be delivered to WFCM.
Most needed items in the food pantry this month, MAY 2022:
Most needed items in the food pantry this month:
· Canned Vegetables (low salt beets. collard greens, carrots)
· Rice - bagged white and brown
· Great Northern, Cannelli, and Black Beans
· Canned Mandarin Oranges
· Spaghetti (1 lb. packages)
· Pasta Sauce - canned or jars
· Oatmeal
· Cereal
· Boxed Stuffing
· Jelly
· Ramen soup
· Olives
· Gluten-free food items
· Family-size Snacks (chips, crackers)
· Cake Mix/Brownie Mix
· Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, and Salad Dressing (family size not miniature packs)
· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-4 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size diapers, larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
They accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.
The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email [email protected] and copy Deacon Steve at [email protected].
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Registering now for the
- WFCM 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser to be held
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Monday, May 23, 2022, at the
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Chantilly National Golf & Country Club, 14901 Braddock Rd., Centreville, VA
- This is a major fundraiser for WFCM.
Registration is now open. Join them for a great day starting at 8:30 AM (registration opens at 7:30 AM) with continental breakfast boxed and ready in your cart, followed by 18 holes on a beautiful course, contests, complimentary beverage and snack cart, and concluding with a boxed barbeque lunch to go or enjoy on the patio. Register today at wfcmva.org/golf; registration closes May 9th.
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Please consider volunteering to support our Sunday Worship.
We need Lectors to read the lessons, ushers to greet and help with the service, Lay Eucharistic Visitors to help visit our sick and shut-ins who would like communion at their home, and Altar Guild members to help prepare for our worship service.
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Sunday service reader or usher We welcome, need, and value your help! The lector will read the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher will hand out bulletins and bring the elements and offering to the altar.
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Altar Flowers
When you sign up, please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin. CLICK HERE
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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - HELD EACH SUNDAY
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service, in the library. Or use the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person, found above.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 22, 2022
The First Reading: Acts 16:9-15
Paul preaches in Thyatira and a businesswoman, Lydia, is baptized, when God softens and opens her heart to Paul’s preaching to the townspeople gathered there.
The Psalm: 67, p. 675, BCP
The Second Reading: Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5
In John’s vision, Jesus himself is the source of all light and the focus of all worship. God’s presence is throughout all the city, providing light for seeing and joy for worship in every corner.
The Gospel: John 14:23-29
In the context of the Last Supper, Jesus sits with his disciples and tells them he will soon leave. The Holy Spirit will then come to empower them for ministry and to shower them with peace that passes understanding.
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Online Contributions
to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons below to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
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The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year. See Carol or Vestry)
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The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. Organ Fund, Ministry Partner payments, etc.) please send a note to [email protected].
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The Executive Board of the Diocese of Virginia met via Zoom on Thursday, April 28, 2022 for a regularly scheduled meeting.
Bishop Goff said that the appointments to the Reparations Task Force were announced this week. The creation of this Task Force was initiated by a resolution adopted by the diocesan Annual Convention in 2021. Resolution R-10a commits the Diocese to appoint a “Reparations Task Force to identify and propose means by which repair may begin for those areas of our structures, patterns, and common life by which Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) … still carry the burden of injustices, exclusions, and biases born out of white supremacy and the legacy of slavery.”
The Board continues its progress on implementing R-1a, The Virginia Plan for Covenantal Giving, as approved by the diocesan Annual Convention in November 2021. As a result of that resolution, gatherings will be held on Saturday, June 18 at four locations around the Diocese. At these gatherings, all churches can learn more about our shared diocesan ministries and how R-1 will affect financial pledges to the Diocese for the years 2023 and beyond. All churches have been asked to submit information about their finances and their diocesan involvement by Wednesday, June 1. Details about these gatherings and the forms for submitting information to the Diocese can be found here.
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An Update on the Nominees and Petition Process for the 14th Bishop
Dear Diocesan Family,
A Prayer for the Search for a New Bishop
Almighty God, Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, who calls, guides and empowers us as your Church: Create in us discerning minds as we seek to elect a bishop in this diocese. So many issues are open before us; so many wounds that need healing; so many gifts that need celebrating. Bless and continue the good work begun in your name and open our ears to the hurts and hopes around us; broaden our vision to see what we do not want to see; and enliven our hearts with honesty and compassion to do the hard work that lies before us. Guide us as we seek an inspirational leader and willing advocate to help us meet the challenges and lead us to become the people you have equipped us to be in your service. All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
The final candidates for Bishop of Virginia have been named. They are:
- The Rev. Joseph Hensley, Rector, St. George’s, Fredericksburg, VA
- The Rev. Canon Alan James, Interim Canon Missioner, Diocese of Western Michigan
- The Very Rev. Gideon Pollach, Rector, St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry within The Episcopal Church
To get to know the nominees, the diocese will host several "Meet and Greet" forums around the diocese. The one closest to us is on Saturday, May 21 from 5-7 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. This event will also be live streamed. The Standing Committee strongly encourages members of the Diocese to submit questions to the Transition Committee at [email protected] using the subject line “Meet and Greet Questions". Our lay delegate is Walt Cooner and he will be voting for the bishop-elect on June 4. Let him know what you think of the candidates.
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WEEKLY LETTER FROM THE BISHOP
“When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a spirit from God swept over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2
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The Holy Spirit of God,
The wily, wild One,
The wise maker and shaker
and breaker of patterns,
The Holy Spirit of God moved
at the beginning of creation.
She hovered like a brooding bird,
soaring high like an eagle
and sweeping low to touch
the face of the water.
She labored with God
to bring order out of utter chaos.
The Holy Spirit of God moved
at the beginning of creation.
That same Spirit moves now
over the chaotic waters
of our Church politics,
over the sometimes surprising
and unexpected movements
of our bishop election process.
That same Spirit broods now
over the chaos
of our hopes and fears,
our questions and desires,
our knowing and our unknowing.
The Spirit moves now
to bring order out of chaos
the way a hand of cards
that seemed hopeless when dealt
sometimes resolves itself into
something that can be played.
The way a series of changes
in the order of letters finally
reveals the daily Wordle.
The way random movements
resolve themselves into the dance
and frantic brush strokes
finally emerge as an image.
The Spirit is moving now.
Do we perceive it?
Do we recognize it?
Will we do the hard and holy work
of distinguishing her voice
from all the other voices
that clamor for our attention?
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The Spirit desires above all to bring order
out of the chaos of our hopes and fears
as we elect the next Bishop of Virginia.
I don’t believe that
She has already chosen the Bishop
- that is the work of Convention.
I don’t believe that
She is leading us by bit and bridle
to a predetermined outcome.
I do believe that
She will bring order to
the cards in our hands,
the letters we write on the page
the movements of the dance
the jottings on the canvas.
I do believe that
She will bring order to
our devices and desires,
our unruly affections
the things we have done
and the things we have left undone
Until, finally, we draw closer and closer
to the beating
breaking
beautiful
healing
hurting
loving
Heart of God.
The Spirit is moving.
As we meet the Nominees
we join the dance.
As we vote
we see a new painting emerge.
In the months ahead
we walk with the Spirit
into God’s new thing.
Because the Spirit moves
and broods
and hovers
and soars.
Thanks be to God.
Bishop Susan Goff
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