Covenant of Hope Perspectives: Linda Goertz
17 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Doing Church
You know that wonderful feeling you get when a way opens up for you to be your best self? Even if it’s in a small way? That’s how I feel about the Covenant of Hope program.
Like many of us, I’ve felt conflicted when I see a person holding a sign that says “Homeless / Please Help,” or when I’m approached on the street by someone asking for money. Should I give out of compassion? Should I withhold out of prudence? These people are in tough situations and sometimes I feel like there’s no way I could make a real difference.
That’s why I’m so grateful that a program like Covenant of Hope exists to actually open a way out of homelessness, and that we have an opportunity to help in such simple, ordinary ways: a small pledge of money, a little time – an opportunity to just be ourselves, without trying to solve “The Whole Enormous Problem.” Give up one treat, donate those few dollars, and spend the time praying for a family I know. Make a phone call. Offer some kitchen tools or a special toy, to help the new apartment seem like home. Drive someone to the doctor, the grocery store, or even to a music lesson. I can do those things!
This week, I read, “he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper.” You and I are being asked to be the helpers. Let’s say yes.
Covenant of Hope Perspectives: Jeanne Kaliszewski
15 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Doing Church
I have been volunteering with the New City Initiative for two years and the experience has been truly transformative. I have crafted, discussed books, had coffee, and become friends with those who have experienced homelessness. The relationships I have made and the community I have witnessed through the New City Initiative has been truly amazing.
By breaching the social and economic barriers that so often separate us, the New City Initiative has created an accessible and effective model to help end the cycle of homelessness in our community.
An Evening at the Blind Cafe
08 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Doing Church
So what was that like? Unexpected, mostly.
There were so many attendees present that we had to wait in line down the stairs and along the basement hallway, but the event was incredibly well organized with lots of volunteers. We were assigned to a table and then our group was led, one hand on the shoulder of the person in front, into the dark. It was truly dark; not a glimmer, not a clue. We wound through a curtain/corridor entrance that left us disoriented but grateful for the efficiency and kindness of the blind waitstaff who caned their way through a maze of tables.
The meal was exquisite, though I was amazed by my own inability to distinguish what food I was eating without being able to confirm it visually. Same with my impressions of people – are they responding to what I say? Ignoring me? “Looking” the other way? Great internal discoveries. The music was absolutely lovely; such a peaceful and wonderful way to end an evening of exploration.
By Linda Goertz
The Blind Cafe returns to St. Davids on June 15 & 16.
Calling All Heroes
24 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
Much thanks to Heather Lee for preaching the following sermon this past Sunday, January 15!
I’ve known my husband a long time, and the whole time I’ve known him, he has collected life lessons. There are quite a few of them now, but the first one, from before we were even married is this, “the hero is the guy who just wants to finish his beer and go home.”
I believe that this life lesson just might explain why Jonah is his favorite story in the bible. Because Jonah was a guy with a good job as a local prophet, when God called him out to do something extra ordinary. Something he really didn’t want to do. In fact, it took being vomited out of a fish for him to finally, grudgingly, do what God asked.
So, being left with no choice, he proclaims destruction on Ninevah.
You will note, Jonah does not preach repentance. He does not evangelize. He couldn’t care less about the Ninevites, he is just trying to finish the job so he can go home. And yet, through Jonah, the kindgom of God draws near. The Ninevites believe God, they believe this cranky disgruntled prophet of God and their instinctive response is towards sackcloth and ashes. Towards repentance. And what happened? “When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.”
I bet you didn’t know Jonah was a hero. Unless you’ve been cornered by my husband at coffee hour, you might never have considered a hero in quite that way. We tend to think of heroes as doers, as people in charge of a situation, people who get things done. People who solve problems. Heroes are people who know that “any minute now, I am going to be called to be more than I am.” Clark Kent, awkward reporter, Peter Parker, inept photographer. But at a moment’s notice, Superman. Spiderman. Hero.
The disciples are heroes of this sort. The sort that make mothers and fathers and spouses fear for their sanity. Jesus wanders along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, and I imagine he says this to everyone he meets. “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” I have to wonder if the gossip got ahead of him. “Some crazy man is walking along the beach looking for help netting people. I sure hope my kids don’t get any dumb ideas.”
What were Simon and Andrew thinking? Did Simon have a fight with his wife that morning? Was he already wondering, what if I just dropped this net and walked away?
What did Zebedee say to James and John, when they jumped out of the boat? Did he call after them, reminding them that this was their inheritance they were walking away from?
How did Simon and Andrew and James and John know that this minute was the minute they were being called to be more than they were?
How did they know, that this call was the call, the one worth walking away from what they had, what they knew, what they were? Like those fishermen, we are always facing choices that are bigger than we can really grasp at the time. Do I take that job? The one in a different state? Will it be good for my family? Will it change the world?
I believe we all want to change the world, we all want to do something that is bigger than ourselves, something that will leave a mark. That’s not the same as famous or popular or rich, although that is what it means for some people. I don’t want to be famous, but I’d still like to be a hero, even if I’m the only one who knows that I’ve done something heroic.
As Christians, we want to leave the world a better place than we found it, create a place that looks a little closer to the kingdom of God than we understood it, for people we know and for places we will never go. That’s what those fishermen did, even thought they had no idea, not in the moment, how it was all going to turn out. Still, somehow, by some faith, they knew they were being called to change the world.
Jesus is calling heroes. God is making heroes whether they want to or not. Are you already a hero? Or is there something holding you back? Is it the fear that you might have to leave everything behind? Do you believe being a hero is only possible if you go on a long perilous journey against your will or if you abandon your family to follow a man in strappy sandals?
Sometimes the most world changing thing we can do is stick around, to stay home, to keep on doing the right thing, the thing right in front of you, even if it’s boring, or frightening, or completely lacking in glamour and prestige. Sometimes staying in relationship with someone or something impossible is absolutely the most heroic thing anyone ever did. Sometimes, it’s letting someone go.
Sometimes the most heroic thing anyone can do is look at the present situation as though it were, in fact, part of the kingdom of God. It’s easy to say the future is going to be better, (or worse), than the present. It’s easy to look at the past, and imagine it could have been something else, it could have been perfect. It is often really difficult to look at the present and say, this is what it is, this is where I am, this is where God is doing great things. Even if we can’t see anything heroic about it.
This is what I think Jesus said to those fishermen. “Leave those fish for people who can only see fish. The kingdom of heaven has more than fish. I know you. I know you can see more than fish. Bring all that you are, all that you can see. It’s going to be more important and more useful than those fish.”
Jesus wasn’t looking for fishermen, because he wasn’t looking to catch some fish. He was and is looking for some visionaries, for some heroes – the kind who want to stay home and the kind who want to fly. He is looking for some people who can see the kingdom of God, and who can show other people, right in this present moment, that the kingdom of God has drawn near. Repent. Believe in the Good News. For the kingdom of God is here.
What is Home Communion?
09 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Doing Church
Anytime and for whatever reason you are not able to come to church (your illness or your child’s illness, hospitalization, recuperation, etc.) we now have a group of people who will bring Communion to you. Although this is sometimes viewed as being an imposition on the time of the Eucharistic Minister, it is not that at all. It is a ministry offered to everyone in the St. David’s community – young, old, or in between.
The Eucharistic Minister is sent from the Sunday morning service with a Home Communion kit (small chalice, paten, linens, bread, and wine) and shares an abbreviated service with you and any family or friends who may be with you and want to join. In this way, it is an extension of the morning service, an extension of the community, a way of including those who are unable to be at the church for services and sharing our love and the Eucharist with each other.
If you ever wish to receive Communion away from church, please call the office at 503-232-8461 and leave a message for Dan or Deacon Katherine and one of our Eucharistic Ministers will call you to arrange a time for Communion – to share our common bond.
This group of people have felt called to serve in this special ministry of connecting our community by way of the Eucharist and want to be utilized, so please don’t hesitate to call.
In Christ’s Love and Service,
Dcn. Katherine
Ellie Naud
07 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
Coming to peace mass tonight? Why not – it’s a beautiful mid-week treat sharing of lessons, songs, and bread. Still not sure if you can clear that 6-6:35 block on your calendar tonight? Let’s see if these words about today’s Saint, Elie Naud, that Heather Lee has prepared can convince you.
Daniel 6:10b–16,19–23
Psalm 30
James 1:2–4,12a
Matthew 15:21–28
The gospel reading for today is most notable for its insults. This woman comes bursting onto the scene demanding healing for her daughter. Jesus does what I consider his most amazing miracle, he thinks before he speaks, but the disciples immediately decide that shouting lacks the proper respect due to a Messiah. Then Jesus and the woman exchange this bit of dialogue.
“I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” he says.
“Lord, help me,” she pleads, on her knees.
“It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs,” he says.
“Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”
“Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.”
It isn’t the dialogue itself that interests me in this exchange; it is the clever wordplay that they engage in, the quick comeback worthy of a 1940’s comedy. This is a way of communicating that we hardly ever engage in at church. To be a good Christian is often to engage in a very particular set of manners that most of us would sum up under the word, ‘polite.’ It is often about letting people meet us where we are rather than going out and meeting them where they are. It’s almost never about clever comebacks and witty repartee. It certainly doesn’t dish insult for insult.
Jesus and this woman aren’t being very polite to each other; they aren’t engaging in the proper exchanges expected by the disciples or us. But they are definitely in relationship, they are definitely communicating.
Elie Naud, our saint of the day, was definitely in the business of relationships that meet people where they are. Elie, a French Huguenot, fled persecution and ended up at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York. He never let what was considered right or proper get in the way of the Gospel. He became an Anglican catechist to black slaves and Native Americans, eventually founding a school for the children of slaves and Native Americans.
I wonder, when we engage with people outside our social groupings, when we encounter people who are perhaps defensive from the start about our Christian identity, do we stay in relationship, do we communicate, even if it doesn’t sound like “good Christian behavior.” I wonder, when someone needs our help, and doesn’t expect us to give it, do we back away from the forcefulness of their defenses or do we give it right back, with love.
See you tonight and every Wednesday for Peace Mass from 6 – 6:35 in the Chapel.
The Return of Clavin Hampton
14 May 2011 Leave a Comment
With the choir preparing fun, interesting anthems for the Easter season, I could not help but program something but Calvin Hampton. You may not recognize his name, but you know who he is and how his music sounds. He is best known at St. David’s for making you wonder if you read the hymn board correctly since he often sets traditional texts to creative music – There’s a wideness in God’s mercy and O master let me walk with thee come to mind.
His music is challenging and accessible; ancient and modern; beautiful and dissonant all at the same time. Sometimes, it’s just what we need. This week, I learned is also a very interesting character and extremely diverse musician (as well as a talented basketball player at OSU?). Read on to learn more about this fascinating composer. More
Musical Musings: Lent
12 Apr 2011 1 Comment
in Music Notes
It’s been a long time since you’ve heard much from me, but I just have to let a few musings out before the season concludes. It’s worth it, really: read on..
Lent, if you ask me, is all about good ol’ J.S. Bach, the baroque pioneer. I always try to throw one selection in every week (did anyone notice that we had two this past Sunday, thanks to Zach and Valery both lending a musical hand?) to keep the service appropriately moody, tumultuous, tense. Composers in this period were hesitant to combine emotions within one movement of a piece, unlike their classical period friends – that’s you, Mozart – who humorously toyed with tonality. Perfect for Easter, not Lent.
Bravo to the many parishioners and guests who have correctly identified some Bach in the service. The second most discussed music bit during our Lenten season has been the fabulous setting of When From Bondage We Are Summoned we borrowed from Wonder Love and Praise. Go ahead, click on the link and sing it for your neighbors – that’ll keep them from stepping on your flower beds. No, it’s not jolly but how exciting to sing (you all sound excellent!) and moving to hear. The haunting tune, Grid, and accompaniment is by a living composer (gasp!) named Thomas Pavlechko at a hymn writing conference. The name of this Dorian tune came from a member of the audience at its premiere who exclaimed: “That tune has grit!” Tom though the said it contained “grid,” whatever that means, and thats how we know and love it today.
I wish there was a video of a choir or parish performing When From Bondage.. but it is noticeably absent from YouTube. You’re lucky we’re not singing it this Sunday or else I would record you all! Nevertheless, I always dust off my recordings of Handel’s Messiah during Lent. “You mean that Christmas song?” Yes yes.. It is most frequently performed at Christmas, but that’s only one-third of the story. Literally. Handel’s magnificent work is written in three dramatically titled sections - The Annunciation (should be called: The One Everyone Performs), The Passion (aka: Overlooked Due Programming Competition), and The Aftermath (Warning: For Messiah Dorks Only!) Locking it away until Advent is surely a sin! Of course, if you bring your whole block to the Easter Vigil, they will all be saved when they hear I Know That My Redeemer Liveth from the final section.
Looking ahead, the great 40 days are right around the corner. So, comment here with the hymns or songs you love to sing during the Easter season. I’ll be listening!
Be Thou My Vision
20 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
in Music Notes
I have recently learned that Be Thou My Vision is a favorite of many who gather at St. David’s (or at least those who filled out the hymn survey – thanks and I’m still accepting suggestions!). I discovered that the components of this hymn all have very unusual stories, captured here in an article by Sarah McCabe:
In 433 AD St. Patrick came to the Hill of Slane in County Meath. It was the night before Easter, and concurrently the beginning of the Druidic festival of Bealtine, as well as the beginning of the Spring Equinox. High King Leoghaire (pronounced “Leary”) mac Neill had issued a decree that no fires were to be lit until the lighting of the blaze atop nearby Tara Hill that would usher in the Spring Equinox. The first fire, however, was not that of King Leoghaire. Rather, it was a flame lit by St. Patrick to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Instead of executing him, King Leoghaire was so impressed by St. Patrick’s courage that he allowed him to continue with his missionary work throughout Ireland.
Considered Ireland’s chief poet during his time, Dallan Forgaill, who was killed by pirates in 598, was known as a studious and scholarly man. It was said that he spent so much time reading, writing, and studying that he became blind. Inspired by the events on the Hill of Slane about 100 years earlier, Dallan Forgaill wrote the original words to “Be Thou My Vision” in old Irish, as a poem entitled “Rop tu mo baile.” The poem was not translated into English until 1905 when Mary E. Byrne (1880-1931) wrote a literal translation of the words in English prose. The words were made into verse and published by Eleanor H. Hull (1860-1935) in her 1913 work entitled Poem Book of the Gael.
The tune to “Be Thou My Vision” is called SLANE, an old Irish folk melody, named for the Hill of Slane. Though centuries old, the melody was first published by Patrick W. Joyce (1827-1914) in his 1909 collection, Old Irish Folk Music and Songs, under the title “By the Banks of the Bann.” The melody was first coupled with Hull’s versified words to “Be Thou My Vision” in 1919 by Leopold Dix (1861-1935) in the Irish Church Hymnal.
Saint David of Wales Choir’s Special Gig
10 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
in Music Notes
So long, St. David’s and hello, St. Matthew’s! Well, not quite.. but the choir and I are very excited to make some noise this Sunday, July 11th, with our neighbors. It has been a real treat coordinating this opportunity with their dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic parishioners for the past few weeks – their gratitude for our presence is already evident.
Without keyboard, organ, or musical guests, you are called to fill the air with your beautiful voices!
I wish I could be both places at once to hear it! Stay tuned for a full update on the growing St. Matthew’s community next week.
