|
Dear Creator Family,
As we move into the beautiful season of fall with cooler temperatures and changing colors, we are, at last, beginning the process of repairing our broken hot water mains. The hot water mains are the supply and return pipes that facilitate heating the Church. In our system, the boiler pumps hot water from the parish hall to the Church air handler, located in the narthex behind the louvered doors. The water passes through a radiator—very much like the radiator in the front of your car, and the air is blown through the radiator by a very large fan. The air, now heated by the water in the radiator, is passed through ducts into the Church (this same process is in effect in the summer to cool the air by using the air conditioner beside the Church). The heating system at the Church is not complicated; it is a tried-and-true boiler system which—believe it or not—finds its root design in France in the early 1700s. While changes to water delivery and the invention of the fan have improved efficiency exponentially, the basics remain unaltered. Our water main failure was caused by time, not design. After receiving three bids and reviewing re-design proposals for routing the new water mains (one hot water delivery and one cool water return), we contracted with Gundlach Heating and Cooling, Plumbing and Electrical to do the work. The bid we approved, without unforeseen complications, is $20,766.00. While this may seem high, it is, we have discovered, a very reasonable price for the size of this job. The work is on schedule to begin tomorrow (Wednesday, September 28) with hopes that the job will be completed by early next week. I would love to say we have reached the end, but I am afraid there are several areas we have yet to attend to. As we move towards 2023 Creator will face other needed repairs. Our parish is fifty-six years old, and much of the infrastructure needs replacing or repairing. It is to be expected and embraced if we love the house that God gave us! In just the past year, we have borne the brunt of two other high-dollar repairs: the A/C unit for the Church and the parish septic system. In addition, we have had several lower-level repairs including fixture replacements and leaks (toilets), as well as smaller plumbing failures. Next on our list? The concrete at the base of the parish hall steps must be re-laid, the floors in the parish hall must be stripped and waxed, the current and expanding erosion issue from the portico to the parking lot must be addressed, and the portico roof must be repaired where it has failed due to the poor initial installation. Indeed, there are other areas, carpet, lights, and grounds, that also need attention, but we may postpone these items for larger urgent repair issues. I know this may seem overwhelming, or at least beleaguering, but as God’s stewards of this place, we are the ones called to care for and repair that which we have received. At a time when we are all stretched to the breaking point financially, we are faced with difficult decisions and deliberations for the long-term health of our parish plant and our parish family. Some days I wonder what God is up to here in our midst. Then I know. I look around our beautiful grounds, I sit to pray in our beautiful sanctuary, I let the memories and the ministries of these years wash over me, and I know there’s a reason we are the Church of the Creator. Ours is a living God, a merciful and loving God, who never ceases bringing all things to God’s Glory—and who creates ex nihilo out of nothing. Let us respond out of our lack, our needs, and our fear of “nothing left” with the same abundance and self-giving sacrificial love we have in our Creator God. Please pray and contact your Vestry with questions or suggestions. As we are approaching our Stewardship Sunday in the fall, these concerns, as well as our working budget, will help us as we contemplate our financial support of God’s work here. Peace in Christ, Fr. Bill+
0 Comments
So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. Colossians 1:9-13
As people of faith and followers of Jesus, we want to do what the Letter to the Colossians exhorts us: to honor and please the Lord. We go to church to learn and grow in our knowledge of the Lord so that we can experience God’s love on a deeper and more abiding level. We may read, watch, or listen to media that reflects Holy Scripture and teaches the lessons of Christ in a contemporary way. We may have friends through whom we find Christian values, morals and ethics reflected and even discussable. We are creatures that have been designed to learn and grow, and as Christians, we are ‘Holy Sponges,’ soaking up the divine witness. Alas, we are also human: finite, flawed, and broken. We live in fear or at least in a state of anxiety, concerned whether we fit in, are approved of, have standing and voice, and are liked—even loved. As humans, we are driven by our emotions, and as finite creatures, we’re easily exhausted by our efforts. As Christians, we are pulled this way and that by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14), Scriptural and societal, and must navigate and choose our mooring carefully. The way to get started is actually very simple: Know your enemy! This phrase was written in the fifth century B.C. in the book, The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu was a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher whose insights have changed the course of human existence for centuries. The whole quote is, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” (Please don’t recoil from this reference because of the use of the word ‘enemy.’ The application is much too profound to be dismissed and the word can easily be substituted.) According to Sun Tzu, without true knowledge of the enemy, to even label someone as “enemy” is a form of self-deception. Having available the resources to understand the enemy and not avail ourselves of that knowledge actually makes us our own enemy, as we have not fulfilled our calling to know. All too often we find ourselves in the last category: If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle, though we don’t recognize it, or if we do, we don’t acknowledge it. The key is in knowing that we don’t know, or at least, that we don’t know enough. Socrates, the “Father of the Socratic Method” and one of the most important figures in the evolution of philosophy and learning (circa 540 B.C.), was famous for questioning everything. The Socratic Method is “a form of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions.” (Wikipedia) The basis of everything is the truth, based on asking and answering in order to gain understanding (wisdom.) Socrates and Sun Tzu are both extolling the same process: Socrates at the macro level as a basis of all deliberation, and Sun Tzu specifically applied empirical support. As people of faith, we are called by God to immerse ourselves in Holy Scripture and the practices of spiritual growth in the same way and for the same reasons that Socrates and Sun Tzu taught. Know your enemy. It is not enough to believe what we believe if we are going be a witness and take a stand based on our understanding. Anselm of Canterbury, monk, theologian, and the Archbishop of Canterbury (1033–1109), coined a phrase in his book the Prostomium: “fides quaerens intellectum, which means “faith seeking understanding.” This phrase quickly became a motto and is highly regarded as the synopsis of the scriptural instruction to learn and grow, it is considered a classical definition of Christian Theology. Anselm’s book, like Socrates’ philosophy and Sun Tzu’s observations, is a call to reflection and study, not simply as a reinforcing structure for our own beliefs, but as an explanation of counter ideas. To know whether we are being true to our faith and following the Way taught by Jesus, we must be willing to take the opposite path. We must “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” the words and lessons of our faith openly and without prejudice (Proper 28, BCP 236). In order to embrace and hold fast to our faith honestly, we must hear and learn what our Lord said and meant, not to bolster our belief, but simply to receive the teaching He gave. When we are able to come to the Scripture in this way, we will be able to engage the “enemy” who holds a different view and an opposing opinion. The result of this practice will lead us to one of two places. Either I will hear, perhaps for the first time, the true teaching of Christ and know that I have been faithfully following his Way, or I will encounter a truth different from my own opinion. In the second case, the “enemy” must now simply become the “other,” and I must change what I had previously believed. As we navigate our humanity, we are called by God into deeper and deeper waters, rich in truth and flowing with love. As we faithfully encounter the Risen Christ as He is and not as we want Him to be, we will see through Him ourselves and others and dispel the fear by His grace and mercy. Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Peace in Christ, Fr. Bill+ Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on me, a sinner.
During a public discussion on spiritual growth and drawing closer to God, I mentioned that the “Jesus Prayer” was a good and valuable tool. I was asked, “What is the Jesus Prayer-- and how and why should I do it?” What is it? Athanasius I of Alexandria (c. 296–298 – 2 May 373) was one of the great Church Fathers of our Christian heritage. Also called Athanasius the Great and Athanasius the Confessor, he was a stalwart defender of the faith and spiritual seeker whose influence includes being a contributing author of our Nicene Creed. During his episcopate, at a time of deep spiritual seeking, he traveled to the north Egyptian desert and met a hermit named Anthony. Later, Athanasius would write a biography about Anthony and describe the practices of the desert monks through which the church was forever changed. One of those practices was the repetition of simple prayers, referred to as “arrow prayers,” said hundreds or thousands of times a day, to fill the mind and open the spirit. From the many versions of Arrow Prayers came a standard prayer widely adopted and used in the monastic movement, known as the “Jesus Prayer.” As people like Athanasius sought out guidance from spiritual directors, the Jesus Prayer became standard practice in city parish and country village alike. To this day, it is a regular practice throughout the Orthodox Church and has been rediscovered by the churches of the west. The Jesus Prayer is as profound as it is simple: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on me, a sinner. The prayer was formed by observing key passages of scripture and melding their intention into a single sentence. For instance, Matthew 6:7-8 refers to keeping prayer simple, straightforward, and honest, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Philippians 2:9 reminds us that the name of Jesus is preeminent in our prayer life, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” And 1 John 1:8 admonishes us to be truthful in our innermost being and honest before God of who we are: “if we say we have no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves and refusing to admit the truth.” Through reflection and meditation of Holy Scripture, the Jesus Prayer was formulated as a faithful recitation that connects us to our Lord and to ourselves through the direct intervention and facilitation of the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on me, a sinner. How do I do it? In practice, the prayer has two important purposes. The first is worship, as with all prayer. The second is discipline, to help our soul gain control over our overactive brains and create stillness so that the Holy Spirit can work through us and help us live a more holy life. Like any prayer, the Jesus Prayer can be a part of a larger practice of observance and devotion. It is one component, one arrow in the quiver of prayer if you will; a meditation and reflection through which we are brought low and lifted up by God. Still, as a single part of the larger practice, the recitation of the Jesus Prayer should hold a special place in the devotional process. While a dedicated time, place, and posture are preferable and always advantageous for closer union with God, making the Jesus Prayer a constant part of your daily everything is a goal. While it is not a mantra, the Prayer is repeated daily until it becomes a habit in which you are repeating it without trying. Even if at first unaware of the saying the prayer, the Holy Spirit will awaken you because you have opened your spirit in humble devotion and supplication. Why do it? Once you have decided to adopt the practice of the Jesus Prayer and have struggled through the stages of prayer, “lips and mind to heart and spirit,” the Prayer (as well as other prayers) will take on the new life of Christ within. Through the Holy Spirit spiritual peace, calm and divine awareness will become a way of seeing the world. Light in the darkness of the pressures and disappointments of the day and grace in the face of current offenses and past pains will permeate your waking and sleeping life. The scourge of frenetic “should-dos and have-tos” is replaced with the joy of service and the peace which passes all understanding. The power of this prayer and this prayer form cannot be underestimated. The Jesus Prayer has been a hallowed and effective pathway to spiritual union with Christ for almost two thousand years. We are blessed by the devotion of those who came before us, as a core part of the spiritual practice of the early monks and hermits we have received an Arrow that flies straight and true. By understanding and practicing the message of the Jesus Prayer, we make the prayer a part of who we are. In this way, we are empowered by God’s grace and guidance. We also develop a more consistent awareness of God and a willingness to feel His presence in our lives. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, have mercy on me, a sinner. In His Love, Fr. Bill+ Dear Creator Family,
Welcome to a new season (sort of) of life together. This Sunday, the 14th in the long “green” season of Pentecost, we will return to the 8:00 and 10:30 service schedule. Christian Education resumes at 9:30 with the last four sessions of Sacred Ground, with a new topic and class starting in October. Please stay tuned – and make your ideas and suggestions known! We also look forward to our annual Advent learning, currently in the works – (so if you have a suggestion let me know!). Continuing the long list of repairs and maintenance items that seem to pre-date the pandemic, we are making some encouraging progress! In about two weeks, we will break ground to repair the heater pipe, with some considerable preparation going on before that. We have had to delay the repair to the concrete sidewalk at the foot of the steps but are looking for suggestions on how we can “transition” from pallets to a more pleasing, passable, and safe walkway for the months ahead. What would you do if this were your property? Another exciting improvement involves the inside of our Parish Hall, now much cleaner and more ready for groups and gatherings. This week we are scheduled to receive our three new sofas for the Parish Hall. After so many cancellations by the furniture company, we are cautiously hopeful! We have contacted Carousel Signs to put up our parish sign by the road this month. Having waited for the Route 360 widening to take place, we have decided to proceed as it seems a never-ending delay. Our Parish Hall and Church are cleaner and neater than they have been in years, giving new life to old familiar spaces and a fresh welcome for our congregation and the various groups that use the building during the week. Since we are turning back the tide of years and are a smaller group these days, it does take regular attention – like your house. The “to-do” list is posted in the Parish Hall so you may consult and contribute and day/time that suits you. There are large and small jobs, some “take home” jobs and some very easy and quick. Please consider yourself part of the many hands making work light. Our second clean-up and care day will be November 12th, the last before the holidays and our annual bishop’s visitation. I’m excited to welcome you back to Creator this fall – to worship and fellowship, to service and sharing life together in Christ. As our new Communion reception practice is effective this Sunday, I have reprinted the details in an article below. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me and we can address them all. Peace in Christ, Fr. Bill+ |
AuthorFather Bill Burk† Archives
September 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed
Proudly powered by Weebly