Pastor's Blog

A delightful Episcopal church

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:53:00 +0000

One of the joys of being on vacation is the ability to visit other churches. While staying in Marlinton, WV we discovered a delightful little Episcopal Church - St. John's. If more Episcopal Churches were as friendly, yet serious as St. John's the Episcopal Church would explode with new members!

We were not dressed for church -- we thought we would have left before Sunday (see blog about the Green Briar Trail) --- and yet we were welcomed warmly. We decided to be true Episcopalians and not arrive TOO early - about 10:55 was early enough. Several people were standing around talking when we walked in but everyone stopped their conversation to greet us. (I did not tell them I was a priest and I think they were much more impressed with Shirley's singing anyway!)

Although there were "only" about 10 people present there was no sense of dispair or depression over numbers but real joy over being together and worshiping.

We used Morning Prayer and the leader, an English woman with a delightful voice, did a great job. She put energy and enthusiasm into the service without it becoming at all disrespectful. She read the gospel lesson as it was written, as a story, with some inflection at appropriate places.

After the service we just stood and chatted with a couple members including a man, Dr. Jim (did not catch his last name) who will soon be ordained a deacon and later a priest. He will be serving two congregations. I sooooo wanted to give him some advice but managed to hold my tongue! (Ask Shirley if you doubt my word on that!)

Whimper not a bang

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 02:25:00 +0000

Well, the meeting of Anglican (Episcopal) Bishops from around the world, known as the Lambeth Conference, has ended with more of a whimper than a bang ---- personally, I am very glad!!

One of the things I have noticed is that Jesus spent very little time, even with the most generous count, discussing human sexuality. He never once mentioned homosexuality (which is NOT to say it is unimportant!).

My point is simply that we should put the emphasis on issues Jesus emphasized -- care of the poor, our excessive focus on money and material things, healing the sick, visiting the lonely, etc. etc. When our resources, especially our time and energy, are focused in a way which is greatly out of sync with Jesus' focus --- it is time to reconsider our efforts.So I was glad that the Lambeth Conference did not become a 10 day discussion on homosexuality.

I know that those who believe the church should condemn any and all homosexuals believe the fact that many bishops around the world did not attend is a sign they reject the right to even discuss the issue. And there is probably some truth in that.

However I find myself siding with those who say that the fact that over 2/3rds of the bishops from around the world could gather and have honest, deep, meaningful discussions about a number of issues is very encouraging. Furthermore, I am intrigued by the fact that many of the Bishops who did not attend come from some of the poorest, least healthy, and most violent societies in the world. (Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya) I have to wonder if God wants His church leaders focused on what happens in New Hampshire while so many of God's children are dying in these Bishop's country of responsibility. I wonder if God would not have preferred they attended Lambeth, made their points on homosexuality, but then also joined in the conversations about how to save the lives of people in their home churches?

We need to continue discussing the issues around human sexuality including homosexuality but also questions about divorce, remarriage, and female church leadership. Those are somewhat less visible but just as divisive in some ways as homosexuality.

I have my thoughts and beliefs, beginning with the firm belief that only God is right all the time, I am not God, and therefore I must be wrong some of the time. So I try very hard to "discuss" while remembering that I could be wrong. But I will "argue" on one point --- when someone says there is nothing to discuss because THEY know exactly what God intends -- I will disagree strongly!

I believe we can only learn what God intends by being willing to discuss --- and listen. We can only learn more from people who disagree with us. People who only repeat our own thoughts can teach us nothing.BUT --- a very important "but" if we spend more time on that then we do being "servants to all" as Jesus instructed us to do -- we have missed the point. I firmly believe God will forgive us for being wrong about capital punishment or abortion or whatever as long as we have honestly and sincerely attempted to understand God's mind. But, I also firmly believe God will be less open to people who fail to act in a loving manner to those around them --- including those we disagree with.

For closing thoughts by the Archbishop of Canterbury, our Presiding Bishop, and our own Bishop Curry you can go to www.episdionc.org for links.

Lambeth Conference - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:27:00 +0000

I suspect we will find many more blogs regarding this summer's Lambeth Conference! In summary that is the every 10 year gathering of Anglican (Episcopal) Bishops from throughout the world.

What the media and many other people have missed is that Lambeth was created as a "family gathering" and not a legislative session. Under our system, this group of bishops has zero authority except when they get home. They do sometimes pass resolutions but those are "sense of the gathering" style resolutions. That is: "the majority of the Bishops gathered hold the opinion that ____ "

Naturally people who agree with the statement like to emphasize it while those who do not tend to ignore the resolution.

Bishop Curry has written a short introduction to this year's Lambeth Conference which you can find at www.episdionc.org You can also go to http://www.episcopalchurch.org/episcopal_life.htm and get information from our national church. They try to be moderate but obviously have some bias. The other side is frequently found at http://www.livingchurch.org/ . They too make some effort to be moderate or balanced but also have a bit of an anti-establishment bias. (Lambeth is July 16-August 3)

My suggestion is to basically ignore the national press who still find it difficult to pronounce "Episcopalian" and watch these three places for updates.

Special music

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:09:00 +0000

On June 8th Shirley and I went to All Saints for a concert by Deborah and Johathan Hutchinson. Wow!

I was tired. We had hustled all week to be ready for Blake Leckie's funeral and interment. That was on top of an already busy week. Then Sunday was the youth car wash which I had little to do with --- but it adds to the confusion! So Shirley and I wondered about even going but decided to give it a try. And we are so glad we did.

Shirley is the musician so I asked her afterwards to characterize the music. She said it all had a gospel theme by the style was impossible to characterize. There were hints of blues, soft rock, even a bit of new age. We were extremely impressed not only by the music, most of which (all?) they wrote but by the "production". Her voice is wonderful! And they way they blended voices, guitar, flute and keyboard was outstanding. Several times they introduced pieces by discussing the scriptural passage which inspired that song.

They gave me permission to post a song or two on this blog ... now I just have to figure out how to do it! (Any help out there?)

It is my sincere hope we can invite them to St. Christopher's sometime in the near future.

Scattering of Ashes

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:04:00 +0000

Saturday for the first time our Memorial Garden was used as intended --- as a location to have a person's ashes scattered. Blake Leckie, one of our founding members, had specified that he wanted his body cremated and his ashes placed in the Memorial Garden.

Although this is not especially common, it is also not unknown. Frequently we hear of people wanting their ashes scattered over the ocean or at a favorite park. Blake was such a pillar of this church that he asked to have his placed here.

I had dug a small ditch for the ashes to be placed within. As the ashes were placed by his children, I covered them with white sand to prevent an blowing away. Later, after everyone had left, I covered them up with the garden dirt.

It was an amazingly moving time for me. Several other people made a similar comment. The Garden is now an extra special place.

Archbishop of Cantebury

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:05:00 +0000

Funny thing --- every time I think we (St. Christopher's) are doing things in a modern way, I find we are behind the curve!!

The Archbishop of Canterbury is on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJ1G_3WPjw

If you have wondered "who is this guy anyway?" This could give you a small taste. PLUS - he is speaking about the upcoming Lambeth conference for most of the Anglican (the general name for the church we belong to) bishops. AND, in so doing he touches on the issues facing our worldwide church.

Although sexuality is the usually named issue, the issues are much more broad and difficult. The underlying issue is the issue of hierarchical authority. As the American bishops pointed out last year, the American church reduced the amount of hierarchical authority after the revolutionary war. (They went on to say: and we have no desire to become a colony again -- paraphrase) After the Revolutionary war we organized a church that has hierarchy -- bishops, but only our General Convention (similar to the US Congress) above the Bishops. The Presiding Bishop has virtually no authority. The Archbishop of Canterbury has no authority over US churches.

Many of our world wide cousins still have a stronger hierarchy and cannot understand that we do not. So they have gone around looking for someone to control us and are frustrated that no such power exists.

(Especially frustrating for me was finding out how many of my ordained, Episcopal colleagues did not understand this! I had friends argue that the Presiding Bishop should do this or the Archbishop of Canterbury should do that. When I pointed out that they did not have the authority to do those things -- I was challenged and doubted -- until they did some research!)

I am impressed that this worldwide gathering of church leaders will spend more time on Bible study than resolutions! What a great model.

We may be behind the technological curve but I am not sure I want to be on U-tube!

Evangelical Manifesto

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:38:00 +0000

An article in the News & Record last Sunday mentioned an "evangelical manifesto" which was shaking up Washington DC! Great lead in ... had to go get it. "www.evangelicalmanifesto.com" The article stresses how the term "evangelical" has become synonymous (to many people anyway) with "right leaning Republicans". Since in many ways I consider myself evangelical -- that characterization really bothers me! And frankly, does not fit me.

The manifest states that "evangelicals should be defined theologically, and not politically, socially, or culturally". It goes on to say that "Evangelicals in American, along with people of all faiths and ideologies, represent the greatest challenges of the global era: "Living with our deepest differences"

Wow! We Episcopalians have been attempting to live with our deepest differences --- or at least some CLAIM to be seeking that goal. So to have this group, a group many Episcopalians consider the "other end of the spectrum" from us, to have this group make that claim is both challenging and encouraging.

Can we live up to that standard? A standard to be defined by our theology? More importantly perhaps, what is our theology?

Historically we have said that our theology is basically defined by the Nicene and Apostles Creeds. These are in the Prayer Book on page 358 and page 304 respectively with the Apostles Creed ending with the words: "and the life everlasting".

To that definition I would add (and I think most Episcopalians would agree) "the creeds as expanded upon by the remainder of the Baptismal Covenant" (You can go to www.BCPonline.org if you do not have your copy of the Prayer Book handy!)

As we look over those creeds we discover they say nothing about issues we disagree about, and various evangelical churches disagree about --- capital punishment is probably the easiest example to cite. You can build a pretty good case from Scripture either for or against capital punishment. People who say they go only from Scripture are picking which passages to cite. That's why it is so important to be willing to honestly listen to other people who disagree with us --- it is at least faintly possible they are right and we are wrong!

I mentioned a couple weeks ago how reading sermons and articles defending slavery which were written in the 1850's and 1860's really affected me. In many cases you could hear the sincere faith and belief of the writers. The fact they were wrong in defending slavery did not change the fact that at their deepest level of knowledge and belief they thought they were right. They thought they knew God's will. They thought they were reading scripture as God intended.

I try very hard to remember those authors every time I am absolutely sure I am right!

All that said, there is one issue or question I am totally unwilling to consider being wrong about --- God loves you!!! (and me)

OK I shocked and annoyed a few people by saying I consider myself an evangelical -- at least in many ways. So I guess it is only fair to define the term as I see it: (1) believing God loves us all - equally - even those who do not love God, (2) believing that Jesus meant what He said about how we need to be a servant to all, and especially to the "least of these", and (3) believing Jesus meant what He said in the great commission that our job is to go to all people and preach (word and action) the good news of God's love for them. (btw - that is a Ken Kroohs unauthorized paraphrase of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20

blessings

She's the star!

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:26:00 +0000

The great little girl on the far right is Alyssa! My grand daugher.

Actually I put this up partially to test the use of videon on the blog.

God's referrals

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Have you ever referred some to a doctor or an attorney? By that I mean, known someone needed that kind of help and told them: "Oh, go see _____. They're great! They will help you."

I have been thinking about that because I believe that's essentially what happens when a visitor comes to our church --- God has referred them to us. We are then responsible for what happens.

THAT is a complete reversal of the thought process in many churches. In (too) many churches the thought is that the visitor is responsible for knowing the service, introducing them self, finding place to fit in, getting involved, etc.

If we take the attitude that we are responsible that makes a very BIG difference in our attitude. Its the difference between a retail store where you have to search everything out on your own and a store where people are available to help you. Of course we don't want to become the kind of place that pesters people either! And that used to be a concern of mine but I have come to the conclusion that very, very few churches have to worry about trying too hard.

At every meeting our Vestry (governing board) prays that God make us worthy of the responsibility placed on us.

Crazy Season

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:06:00 +0000

Wow! The stretch from Christmas -- through Bishop Curry's visit --- through Lent --- and then Easter was just crazy! This is within one day the earliest Easter can be. Add the Bishop's visit in the middle and it becomes even busier.

All that said, it was an amazing stretch. The Bishop's visit was great! We have a DVD of the service. Email me or call the office at 869-5311 if you would like a copy. (Someday I will find time to figure out how to post videos on this blog. Probably easy --- after the first time!)

During Lent I tried something visual to go with the sermon theme. I used the theme of "you can only see clearly by looking through the cross" In other words, when we try to view our lives and our world without considering, or looking through the cross we see a distorted view. To make that a bit more obvious I took down the wooden cross behind the altar and covered all the windows with film. Then I cut out the shape of the cross so that was clear but the rest of the windows were fuzzy. (It worked better at night than during the day.) On Easter I took off the film and re-hung the wooden cross.

We also (with lots of help, especially from Tom Gordon and Bert Walls) installed a 15 station prayer walk at the church. We decided this year to go around the parking lot so it was easy for anyone during any weather. Several people commented on how much they appreciated this opportunity. One day I happened to see the meter reader looking at it and going through the booklet! (special thanks to Curtis Tysinger for bringing his power hole digger and to Bruce Kafer for helping to install all the sign posts.)

On Easter we changed the Prayer Walk from the traditional Stations of the Cross to a relatively new: Stations of the Resurrection.

Ash Wednesday fun

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:26:00 +0000

A friend sent me this interchange about Ash Wednesday. The Roman Catholics and Baptists are having a discussion the Pentecostals join in! Enjoy

http://kansascitycatholic.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/lenten-fare-2008/

African Bishop's comments regarding gays

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:49:00 +0000

I mentioned that at our Annual Convention the Bishop of Bostwana spoke. He spent most of his time explaining that the national and international media's comments on how Anglicans around the world feel ----- well let's say they are not telling the whole story! (surprised?)

Click here for an article about the Bishop's remarks. We did not get a written copy so this is the best summary I can offer. (You may have to enlarge it on your screen to read it easily.)

2008 Diocesan Convention

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 16:44:00 +0000

I always explain that the Diocesan Convention is analogous to the state legislature --- except we only can meet for two days a year!

Our convention met on January 18 and 19th. Several interesting discussions were held.

As always, Bishop Curry's address to the convention was a major highlight! He spoke about how the church did not need a revival, which suggests doing what we have always done, but needs to be a new church. He did not mean that in a demeaning or insulting way but rather to suggest that our church (the people) should look like North Carolina. He quoted from the 3rd Bishop of NC who wrote in 1855 that our church had many of the wealthy people but where were the shop keepers, and where were the slaves? A courageous comment to make in 1855! This link is to the bull Pastoral Address by Bishop Curry but I also have some printed copies at the church.

We adopted a resolution formalizing a campaign diocese arrangement with the Diocese of Botswana (near South Africa - I had to look it up!) Bishop Mwamba was our keynote speaker. I wish his address was available! I will link you to the Greensboro News-Record article as soon as possible so look back here in a couple days. One of his points was to stress how, unlike what the international media may say, not everyone in Africa hates the US church! He stressed how most people were too focused on food and shelter to worry about another countries discussions over sexuality! Plus many people felt maintaining the Anglican Communion was more important than any single issue.

We adopted several other resolutions. Most of them, I am convinced, God has no interest in!! Sure it is important that we agree on how to count votes, etc. but I am sure God would drift out for a cup of coffee and conversation during those discussions. Still, I have included those for anyone interested. For some reason the set we were sent left out the one on the environment and energy conservation. Again, look back and I will link to that as soon as possible.

As has become the norm, the controversial one concerned sexuality and specifically the blessing of same sex unions. The final resolution had three resolves. The first one urges the Archbishop of Canterbury to invite the Bishop of New Hampshire, an openly gay man, to the worldwide Lambeth Conference. (Interesting -- extending such invitations is effectively the ONLY power the Archbishop of Canterbury has!) The argument is essentially, like him or not, Bishop Robinson is a duly elected Bishop and should be invited.

The second resolved asks that our deputies to the next General Convention (i.e. those from our Diocese) support "the full and equal participation of all persons regardless of sexual orientation in all aspects of the Church's ministries, lay or ordained." Although it does not say so quite that directly, the focus of this resolved seems to be on ordination. Effectively that is the only "aspect of the Church's life" currently in question. (see comments on marriage below)

The third resolve was the most controversial. It encourages the General Convention (which is analogous to the US Congress) to "call for the development of public liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions."

To fully understand this issue we must clarify some language issues. The church has NO POWER over who gets married and who does not. That power is entirely and completely a government issue. I can decide NOT to do a wedding, but if the state says a couple should not be married, I cannot do the marriage. For example, it was not so many years ago that a Black and a White could not be married. A priest could not decide to marry them no matter what the priest's opinion.

The church's power is over whose wedding is blessed. Even though I sign the marriage license, I do so as an unpaid employee of the State of NC -- not specifically as a priest. The blessing however is my choice.

Unfortunately the word "marriage" has been linked to religion, when there really is no such link. I wish I had good statistics but a very large percentages of "marriages" in NC have nothing to do with God. They are strictly civil unions with no mention of God at all. They are done in the courthouse or other venue by a civil employee such as a judge. In fact, our Prayer Book has a special service for such circumstances: "The blessing of a civil union." Many people have argued that churches should refuse to do the "marriage", let civil employees do that, and stick to the religious "blessing'. That is what Prince Charles did this last time for example. They went to the courthouse, were married, and then went to the church and asked God's blessing on the marriage. (Although the rule is unlikely to change and I am unlikely to become a stickler on this point -- I have come around to that opinion.)

So what this resolution requests is that the church develop services (liturgies) to allow the blessing of committed, monogamous couples of the same gender. As you probably know some states have approved doing this on a civil level to simplify things like health care decisions, inheritances, ownership, etc. However, this would again be separate from the civil legal decision but be "simply" asking God's blessing.

Opposition to this action seemed to fall into two camps. First there were people who were opposed entirely to the blessing of same sex unions. They (I am assuming here but it is a reasonable assumption) believe the Bible forbids such unions. People who disagree with that statement argue (again greatly simplifying a complex issue) that either those prohibitions were aimed at another society (similar to the prohibitions against certain foods) or second, that the Bible was prohibiting abusive sexual relations of any kind. (That is the stronger argument of the two I believe.)

(semi-aside. I think it is important to note that the discussion is seldom "throw out the Bible" but instead is: "are we understanding the Bible correctly? How did God intend us to understand this passage?)

The second reason for opposition was an issue of timing. (Again, I am assuming - ) That the blessing of same sex unions may be a good thing - later. But for right now we need to take a little more time for discussion, prayer and thought. (not necessarily in that order!) I heard a couple people say that we needed to give moderates around the world a little more time before jumping this far.

Bishop Curry commented toward the end of Convention that the most important point was our ability to discuss controversial issues in a respectful manner. You can read his comments by clicking Bishop's comments.

As always feel free to email me at: ken@st-christopher.org (I hope - eventually - to clear up the spam problem so we can allow a group discussion through this blog.)

Wow ! What fun!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:31:00 +0000

I had to stop the email response option because we got spammed by about 50 Viagra ads. I will seek to discover a way to do it better but until then please just email me at ken@st-christopher.org.

I know, I know, I know!!! I promised to keep this updated and have utterly failed in that promise. As I have told the Vestry (our elected board) sometimes the second item on the "to do" list is never reached. In fact, some days it seems as if the FIRST item is pushed off the priorities before the day really begins. Oh well, enough excuses!

We have had two fantastic events since I last wrote. Christmas Eve was all it could be and then some. To those who visited for the first time that day --- many thanks! You added so much to our time together. 14 families or individuals visited on Christmas Eve and New Year's. That is just fantastic. And several of those were specifically invited by friends already attending St. Christopher's! Well done people.

Then on January 13th we had Bishop Michael Curry with us. We baptized four persons and confirmed/received 9. (This picture is only a few of the people involved -- candidates, sponsors, family, etc. Bishop Curry is in the middle with me behind. This picture shows me getting some bright idea with the light bulb over my head --- but I don't remember it!)

If someone has a better photo, please email it to me and I will post it instead.

After the service we had a wonderful dinner organized by Joan. Great job! This was the first time we have used the new space for a large meal and it worked just fine.

At the service I announced the great news that St. Christopher's set another all time attendance record in 2007 AND is one of only two Episcopal churches in the triad whose attendance has grown for the last ten years! Well done people!

A friend starts a new ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:03:00 +0000

With joy for her and saddness for us I report that the Rev. Heather McCain has taken a new call. Heather has been a personal friend to me as well as to many in the congregation. This past summer she preached and celebrated at several of our 5 pm services. For several years Heather has been a real friend to St. Christopher's including officiating at Shirley and my wedding.

Heather's new call is one of the greatest challenges a priest can accept. She will be a "Church Planter". She will be the lead person in the founding of a new Episcopal Church. All the material of that ministry stresses that the single most important need for a church planter is a strong and reliable prayer support team. In the name of all of us, I have committed St. Christopher's to pray regularly for Heather and her ministry.

Responding

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:56:00 +0000

Last Sunday was our first "First Responders Sunday". We heard about and thanked the police officers, fire fighters, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. who respond when we are in need.

The guess sermons helped with our focus. We were reminded that God calls us all to be responders. We should be alert for the needs of other people and respond to them. Usually it is something small: baby sitting while the mother visits a relative in the hospital, a dinner for a harried person, mowing a neighbor's lawn. "Responding" is not always, in fact seldom is as dramatic as giving CPR!

That said, we do owe a debt to those people who arrive in the moment of major crisis. Let us pray: Gracious and loving God, we scream in terror to you after a heart attack, or house fire, or stroke or other event. We scream in terror to you and you respond by sending these people to minister in your name. We lift them up to you with thanks and ask that your blessings be upon them at all times. amen

Why not say something?

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 17:29:00 +0000

A busy, very busy week. The memorial service for Lewis Brandon will be Saturday, 11 am at St. Mary's. (Lewis and Margaret have columbarium niches at St. Mary's.)

Why not say something?
Through this week I have been challenged with the question of why so many of us are so hesitant to say anything about God, much less our faith. Well, at least anything positive about God!

Don't give me that "I don't want to offend" stuff. I see people driving around with signs for their football team or NASCAR driver. People will get in a fist fight over whether the school with royal blue or the school with washed out blue is the better school! (OK -- that was a deliberate attempt to get people excited!)

Or offend someone by our political stands? We are willing to speak favorably about this or that candidate even if it offends -- but about God? Why is that so hard?

We make excuses --- "Oh ,that is private." but I am not asking why we don't insult someone else's faith, just why we don't mention our faith.

"Oh, I don't know what to say." --- OK, that one may be fair, at first glance anyway. But if we have nothing to say about God than --------- I am not sure what! But I am sure it is not good.

Maybe it is easier to say something about our church than about God. OK. But we seldom do that anyway. And when we do we normally mention the non-religious factors. They are important, just not necessarily religious. "Oh, everyone is so nice." --- OK, but I can get that at the civic group. "Oh, the music is so good." --- OK, but I can listen to a CD while driving my kids to soccer practice.

Don't mis-understand ! You would not want a group, especially a church, where the people are nasty and the music stinks!!

But a church needs to offer something else so we need to speak about other things -- too. Did the Bible lesson speak to you? Did the sermon touch you? Did the music touch you?

When we get the question: "How was your weekend?" can we respond: "Good, went to the kids soccer games on Saturday. Then at church heard a fascinating talk on forgiveness -- that's hard! Then watched Dallas and Buffalo. Good stuff." If the person wants to follow up, they can. Most likely they won't but maybe after a time or two they might trust us enough to ask a question.

Or when something special goes on at the church respond: "We had 'First Responders Sunday' with fire fighters, police, sheriff, ambulance ... just lots of people!"

Or mention the Christmas carrol sing or Easter Egg hunt or youth group mission trip. None of that is insulting to the other person but it might open the door for some conversation.

Of course, none of that actually speaks about OUR faith but it does open the door.

Final reason why we don't say something --- "What if they ask me a question I cannot answer?" Actually, nothing would be better !!! Say, "Good question and one I wonder about. What don't we get together and ask about it?"

Full immersion baptism in the Episcopal Church

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:46:00 +0000

Note: I have finally posted the last couple sermons so we are up to date (until Sunday!) Go to www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html to get the list and links.

This article is by and about a friend, colleague and all around good person!

(note: this article is from the September 9, 2007 issue of The Living Church and although reprinted with permission it is copywrited.)

Immersion
Death and resurrection are made especially plain when an infant is baptized by immersion.By Lisa G. Fischbeck

The way we worship, what we do in the liturgy, both expresses what we believe and shapes what we believe.

I was 41 years old and had been ordained as a priest for five years before I witnessed a baptism by immersion. This despite the long-standing practice of baptism by immersion in the ancient church, despite the practice in many American protestant traditions, despite rubrics for baptism in the Book of Common Prayer. Baptisms by immersion are not common in The Episcopal Church.

In part, this is because of our church architecture. We are the inheritors of baptismal fonts designed to hold bowls of water, not tubs. Throughout the 19th century, when Victorian propriety and formality were in full bloom, baptisms became formal, private, family affairs. The practice of a light, symbolic, sprinkling of water evolved, for infants and adults alike.

Form followed function. Many of the churches we worship in today were built in that Victorian era, and in the century that followed. These churches were built with relatively small baptismal fonts near the pulpit, or by the west door, at the point of entry, so that the family could easily gather around. Gone from Episcopal and Anglican church architecture for a century or more were the baptistries, the pools in which immersion could take place.

Then the liturgical renewal movement of the mid-20th century got Anglicans and most of the rest of Christendom looking back at our liturgical past, bringing back things that made liturgical and theological sense, including baptism by immersion. Those who studied the liturgy realized that, in the move from immersion to sprinkling, something big had been lost.

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul writes: Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his (Rom. 6:3-5).

Death and resurrection are made especially plain when an infant is baptized by immersion.

The baptismal pool is filled with warm water. The entire congregation gathers round, with the children at the water’s edge. The parents are a bit nervous, perhaps even scared. They are about to hand their precious and vulnerable infant into the hands of a priest who is going to put that infant under water. There is a sense of possible drowning in the minds of the parents, and those who are gathered — especially those who have never witnessed a baptism by immersion before.

Theologically, at least, drowning is exactly what happens when we are baptized. And baptism is indeed about vulnerability, and about death, and about giving ourselves to God and to the Church.

This is made very real when nervous and fearful parents unwrap the towels from around their infant and hand the naked child to the priest. The priest, declaring the name of the child, sweeps the child through the water, saying:“I baptize you in the Name of the Father …”On first pass, the infant is startled by the water, especially if it’s cold. Its eyes pop wide open, then close tightly shut. Most often, at this point, the infant lets out a scream. The trusting yet frightened mother holds her breath.

“And of the Son …” On the second pass, all alarms inside the infant and parents and much of the congregation go off. This is counter-intuitive. It seems almost cruel. What are we doing here?

“And of the Holy Spirit ...”On its back, head first, deeper into the water goes the startled and frightened child. All that is known and comforting and familiar is stripped away. The priest and all watching see the head go down into the water. It is only for a passing second, yet it seems frozen in time. Death is what happens in that moment.

In our baptism we die to the ways of sin, to all that would strive to separate us from God and from one another. We die to the forces of wickedness that conspire to claim us. That is what Jesus made real for us when he willingly went to his death on a cross.

But Jesus did not stay on the cross. He did not stay in the grave. And the infant does not stay in the water. The three days pass. The moment passes. The infant is passed through the water, and the waters of death become the waters of birth. We do not drown in the waters of baptism. We pass through. And as we do, we are born anew. “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

Here the imagery is breathtaking (literally). The people, the parents, see the baby on this third sweep. Eyes are closed tight, fists are clenched, as the infant goes through the water. A few weeks ago this same infant was passing naked through the waters of birth, emerging from its mother’s womb.

Baptism is being born into Christ’s resurrection, being born into the new life, being born in the body of Christ, the Church.

In that moment, something else the church teaches becomes profoundly real: Through our baptism, each of us who has been baptized does in fact, become a member of the body. We are, in fact, brothers and sisters in Christ. We have all emerged from the same womb. We have all passed through the same birthing waters. We have all become one body.

The baby is lifted high, and the gathered congregation shouts “Amen!”

Oil is poured over the infant’s head, and the infant is marked with the sign of the cross as Christ’s own forever, wrapped in fresh white towels, and given to the loving arms of its parents, or, better yet, its godparents.

The newly baptized is welcomed, the Peace of the Lord is shared, and the celebrant, using the pool as aspergillium, casts water upon the congregation, reminding them that they, too, are baptized.

The imagery is vivid in the baptism of an infant by immersion. Imagery not lost, perhaps, but certainly diminished in small bowls, sprinkled water, and fine gowns.

And it doesn’t stop there. Once we have witnessed such a baptism by immersion, it carries over into the Eucharist, the gathering of the baptized at the altar of God, Sunday after Sunday. There we see brothers and sisters, born of the same womb as we were, members of the one body, which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

The way we worship, what we do in the liturgy, is an expression of what we believe and shapes what we believe. Baptizing infants by immersion can profoundly express and shape what we believe about ourselves as baptized people, born again. The Rev. Lisa G. Fischbeck is the vicar of the Church of the Advocate, Carrboro, N.C.

Caroline -- only fair!

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:24:00 +0000

I was being unfair to you all! I had not yet posted a picture of the other beautiful grand daughter. As a Duke graduate I had several "interesting" captions to use, but decided to be nice!

One boss

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:46:00 +0000

NOTE: I think the "post a comment" option is now working correctly. But if it does not appear go to the bottom of the page and you can post in that manner. Please remember that this blog requires a full name on every comment to keep the conversation open and candid. Comments without a name will be deleted.

For the past several weeks the gospels have focused on the need for us to make a choice. We so much want to be fully a Christian and (to use Paul's phrase) fully of this world. We so want to NOT have to make choices between God and our various desires.

Last Sunday we heard Jesus say that we can only serve one master, or one boss. And most of us react to that by making excuses. "Yeah, BUT (I read somewhere that by definition the words following "BUT" are always blasphemy!) "Yeah BUT I have to do what my boss tells me so he/she is the boss."

Jesus is speaking about ultimate decisions. As my mother told me frequently, "if he/she told you to jump off the bridge would you do it?" True, in business matters the boss is the boss, but those are not ultimate decisions. I believe Jesus' point is that at some time the earthly bosses and God will come in conflict --- we need to be clear about that and clear about who we would choose.

If the boss tells you to "cook the books" --- probably not directly but makes obvious suggestions along those lines --- what would you do? Would you take a chance on losing your job? If that sexy person invites you to a quiet dinner --- what would you do? Would you give up that exciting (& scary) chance?

A decision making tool I find helpful is to imagine myself explaining the options to Jesus. Just sitting and talking and telling Jesus what choices were presented to me. I find the decision becomes clear most of the time. In fact, most of the time I wonder why I ever considered the other option at all!

National & International Church

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:17:00 +0000

Couple quick info items: The "post a comment" feature on this blog is only working partially. If you go to the very bottom it allows the post but for some reason has not been allowing it on more recent entries. So try that. Second, the "subscribe" feature may or may not be working -- I will test that out more next week and let you know how it is done!

It is always nice to be proven a prophet! In an earlier post I said the national news outlets would not be able to accurately discuss what is happening between our national Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican communion. Part of the reason is that the "anti's" are better at publicity than anyone else. Why is that always true?
Let me give you the links again to read the up to date info: www.episcopalchurch.org/ens is the official news source for the Episcopal Church. They tend to be moderate to optimistic about the future of our church. http://www.livingchurch.org/ is a more conservative, private news source that is somewhat pessimistic about our future. Read them both and you MAY get a fairly accurate picture.
Our House of Bishops (HOB) was meeting to discuss the criticism aimed at the Episcopal Church by some other members of the Anglican Communion. The central, presenting issue was the election and consecration of Bishop Robinson in New Hampshire, an openly gay man. A related issue is that in some dioceses and churches have blessed same sex unions. (Note again, a point of anger for me, the Canadian church has gone further and yet they are seldom mentioned. There is at least a hint of anti-Americanism in all this.)
I have not yet seen the formal statement so will not comment on it except to point out that both sources said it was adopted with only one negative vote (NB: 3 bishops left before the vote in essence saying the HOB was not worth their time.). Both news sources stressed that it was a middle of the road statement attempting to offer some reconciliation without turning away from or damning gays and lesbians.

Brass tacks time (I have no idea what the phrase originally meant!) (1) The Anglican Communion is not an organization with rules, etc. It is closer to a family. If some of the other churches in the Anglican Communion say they do not want to attend an event Americans attend, they can do that. It is theoretically possible that if enough other churches took that stand that the group would simply not meet. Very unlikely.
(2) If there is some split with some churches refusing to associate with other churches, this will have no direct impact on NC or St. Christopher's. Question -- 5 years ago did you even know you were the member of a worldwide Anglican Communion? I suspect that most people did not.
(3) That said, I and most of the Bishops have stressed the advantage we have when we are in communion with and discussion with other churches. We do not learn much from people we agree with. Having people say they believe we are wrong is the most productive way for us to learn about our relationship with God. It would be a shame to lose that.
(4) The biggest issue for many Bishops, and the one with the most agreement at the HOB is anger at foreign bishops who are deliberately working to split American churches. Yes, that is harsh, but it is also accurate. To go into another church's area and try to recruit people away from their church is not a very good way to show community! Yes, I know, they would say they are only serving the people but there are other ways to accomplish that goal. The American church has set up a system whereby a congregation or an entire diocese can request that another American Bishop serve them.

Finally, the other place most (not all) Bishops agree and I agree with them is that one issue has been allowed to sidetrack us for much too long. Without ignoring the importance of and need for continuing discussion and learning --- let's get back to central Christianity!!

child labor

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 23:13:00 +0000

Child labor laws? Alyssa came to play with Grandpa and Nana but found painting with Dad the most fun! And yes, that is real paint and a real 4" brush. She did very well, thank you very much! Her only problem was the belief that the further the brush went in the can, the better the paint!

Crop Walk & "the Peace"

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:41:00 +0000

Although I have set it so you do not have to have an account at "Blogger" to post a comment, I am insisting every posting include the person's full name or it will be deleted. If you feel as if you need anonymity (thank God for spell check!) email me directly at ken@st-christopher.org

I hope we can do something a little different this Sunday but not sure if the schedule will work out. Many people, especially our youth, will be going to the High Point Crop Walk. IF -- big word "if" they get back in time I want them to take a moment toward the end of the 5 pm worship service to talk about the experience. What did they learn? What did they think about the hunger teachings?

My goal is to have our young people do such reflections fairly often. That is one way for them to know we appreciate them and believe they have important things to tell the rest of us.

the Peace in the service. For the last 3 weeks at the 5 pm I have been teaching on the Peace and how it fits into our service. We all laugh when I say "It is not half time!!!" -- but it sure feels like that from time to time. I explained how it is where it is because it completes the confession --- we say to the person we offended or their suragate: "our conflict is over from my perspective" .... and it completes the intercessory prayer section by praying the most wonderful prayer we can pray: "the peace of the Lord be with you"
All that said, the community building parts: "How are you? Long time - no see!" are also important. They are just happening at the wrong time in the service. We should be a worshiping community which requires the community building conversation. So starting last week we took 2 minutes a the beginning of the service to stand up, walk around, and build community. We will see how that goes for a while.

"Saving Grace"

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:39:00 +0000

Although I have set it so you do not have to have an account at "Blogger" to post a comment, I am insisting every posting include the person's full name or it will be deleted. If you feel as if you need anonymity (thank God for spell check!) email me directly at ken@st-christopher.org

Have you been watching the show "Saving Grace"? The main character has about as many sinful habits as they can fit into a one hour show! And her "heart of gold" is not always evident -- if it exists. The premise is that God is trying to save her anyway. Despite her extreme sinfulness and despite the fact she accepts it is God's angel talking with her, she refuses to change. Her brother is a Roman Catholic priest and she was raised in a Roman Catholic church but no longer has faith. Occasionally Grace and the angel (Earl --- the writers are having a bit of fun with him!) drift into a serious conversation but only for a moment and it is never concluded. The only real theological point made is that God loves Grace. The other person we see Earl with is a convicted murderer on death row, who has accepted God.

Point --- The show is doing a good job of stressing the extreme efforts God will make to let us know we are loved .... despite everything, we are loved.

Watch the scriptures this Sunday for that message.

WARNING ---- definitely for a "mature audience". The sex scenes are pretty dramatic.

A new idea!

noreply@blogger.com (Ken) — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:32:00 +0000

During my Sabbatical I greatly enjoy writing a blog about what was going on. I have found it frustrating as we grow that I no longer get to talk with a large percentage of the congregation on a regular basis. So I took a course, bought a book and began playing with "blogs"! I will post on some irregular basis but am working on setting it up so you can subscribe and be notified when a new posting is available. BE WARNED !! some of the postings will be pictures of my children and grandchildren! So when they come up you can just say nice things -- thank you very much!!

CHURCH BUSINESS stuff. Last night was the meeting at All Saints at which people could give the Bishops input about how they should respond to the international group of Bishops who have demanded changes in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Curry did a wonderful job explaining the situation. He stressed how a major part of the conflict comes down to church authority. The relationship between the worldwide Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA) is similar to the relationship between the USA and the UN. (my comparison and not Bishop Curry's) We can go along with ideas and sign treaties with the UN. But if we do not accept a specific UN action the UN has no authority to force us. The UN could not come into North Carolina and demand some change. In a similar way, the Anglican Communion (which is much less organized or structured than the UN) has no authority to DEMAND a change. They can REQUEST something but a few of the international bishops have been demanding things and making threats. The only threat they can enforce is that THEY will not attend a meeting at which the ECUSA is involved. There is no structure to allow for enforcement of demands.

All that said, and OK -- hear some frustration and anger. I do not like someone threatening me! That is not the way to get me to go along. ..... All that said our ECUSA bishops have agreed that the international bishops who have complained have a valid complaint in that we did something, elect and consecrate an openly gay bishop, without acknowledging the impact that would have on other Anglicans around the world. We have apologized several times, not for the action but for the manner in which is was done.

Now the question is where the international community goes from here. A major part of my input to our Bishops was the importance of the church being able to model to the world the ability to avoid a war. If we cannot model that, how can we honestly expect the Israelis or Palestinians (or whomever) to live together? That does not mean we cave in! As I said, I do not like bullies or threats. And I do not like hypocrites. Most of the people threatening us also say anyone who has been divorced, much less re-married should not be part of the church. And forget female vestry members much less female clergy! Actually the vestry members do not matter much since most of the those churches are very clergy run. I call them hypocrites because to get American supporters those few international bishops never quite mention divorce or female leadership.

Darn it! My anger is showing again isn't it? However I left that in to illustrate the difficulty our bishops are facing. How do we should sincere flexibility and appreciation for others who do not show it for us? The major part of the answer is to remember that out of the 34 world wide Anglican provinces (usually countries or a couple countries) only 3-5 are at the core of the opposition. Most of the provincial leaders are eager to work with the ECUSA to find a way out of the this conflict. The same percentages probably apply for US Bishops.

One of the clergy used the scripture about walking the extra mile. I suggested to the Bishops that they look for ways to walk the extra mile without giving up authority or beliefs. I also told them I did not envy their position at all!!

Two sources for information are the Episcopal News service, the official news which tends to be middle of the road to optimistic about the future of our church, and the Living Church which tends to be pessimistic. Don't count on CNN and other national news outlets. Heck, most of them cannot pronounce "Episcopal"!