I often speak about how much goes on at St. John’s beyond the Sunday worship services. This week we had an interesting exercise involving more than just us. When we changed lectionaries in December, the Case family gave us a new book with the proper Gospel lessons. We received word from the publisher week before last that there was some flaw in the book – with no detailed explanation. However, they advised us to send the book in the packing they supplied on a Monday, and we would have it back by the following Sunday. Sure enough, we sent it in last Monday, and the Gospel book was in place yesterday, and I was the only one who realized it had ever been gone. Now if they’d only tell me what was wrong before . . .
Another busy happening this week is the refurbishing/repair of the steeple. It’s worth a trip by the church during the week to see the steeple jacks at work. Then maybe you can figure out how they got the blue plastic on the roof. The good news is that about half of the cost of the repair has come from the appreciation in the value of the building endowment. That fund was established about 8 years ago, and with even a few bequests, it has grown to help with major repairs. The proceeds of any undesignated bequests are put into that fund. Consider doing your part to keep the church beautiful and functional long after you are able to attend services. It will help more than you realize.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday, April 07, 2008
Well, maybe a few things happened!
April 7
On this day in 1199, England's King Richard I, the "Lionhearted," died at age 41. Richard, as one of the three leaders of the Third Crusade, negotiated Christian access to Jerusalem.
April 8
On this day in 1093, the new Winchester Cathedral was dedicated by Walkelin. Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Swithun and is the seat of the Bishop of Winchester and center of the Diocese of Winchester.
April 9
On this day in 1761, English divine William Law died.
April 10
On this day in 1905, Joseph Fletcher was born in Newark, New Jersey. Fletcher was an Episcopal priest who founded the theory of situational ethics in the 1960s and was a pioneer in the field of bioethics.
April 11
On this day in 146, Septimius Severus, emperor of Rome from 193 to 211, was born. He persecuted the Christian Church although he had once been friendly to the Christian cause.
April 12
On this day in 1799, the Church Mission Society (formerly Church Missionary Society) was founded in London.
April 13
On this day in 1534, Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, refused to take the oath to the English succession. One year later Henry VIII indicted him for treason and had him beheaded.
April 13
On this day in 1829, English Parliament granted freedom of religion to Roman Catholics in the Emancipation Act and within three weeks the first Roman Catholic was elected to Parliament.
On this day in 1199, England's King Richard I, the "Lionhearted," died at age 41. Richard, as one of the three leaders of the Third Crusade, negotiated Christian access to Jerusalem.
April 8
On this day in 1093, the new Winchester Cathedral was dedicated by Walkelin. Winchester Cathedral is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Swithun and is the seat of the Bishop of Winchester and center of the Diocese of Winchester.
April 9
On this day in 1761, English divine William Law died.
April 10
On this day in 1905, Joseph Fletcher was born in Newark, New Jersey. Fletcher was an Episcopal priest who founded the theory of situational ethics in the 1960s and was a pioneer in the field of bioethics.
April 11
On this day in 146, Septimius Severus, emperor of Rome from 193 to 211, was born. He persecuted the Christian Church although he had once been friendly to the Christian cause.
April 12
On this day in 1799, the Church Mission Society (formerly Church Missionary Society) was founded in London.
April 13
On this day in 1534, Sir Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England, refused to take the oath to the English succession. One year later Henry VIII indicted him for treason and had him beheaded.
April 13
On this day in 1829, English Parliament granted freedom of religion to Roman Catholics in the Emancipation Act and within three weeks the first Roman Catholic was elected to Parliament.
A quiet week?
I went to Episcopal Life Online http://www.episcopalchurch.org/episcopal_life.htm
They have a feature called "This Week in History." Nothing is listed for this week. I guess it has always been a quiet week -- unless of course it was Holy Week. But that hasn't made big news for about 2,000 years.
They have a feature called "This Week in History." Nothing is listed for this week. I guess it has always been a quiet week -- unless of course it was Holy Week. But that hasn't made big news for about 2,000 years.
After the Fact -- Random Thoughts
I attended several worship services last week which left an impact on me.
Bill and I went to New York to St. Mary the Virgin near Times Square for a service in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation. The date had been changed because of our early Easter. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, was the preacher and celebrant. Lots of priests were in attendance, some with collars and some without. It was a magnificent service with wonderful music, a good homily, and a beautiful setting. Bill counted about 60 candles on the altar. Some were so tall that acrobats must have lighted them. Hearing Bishop Jefferts Schori chant reminded me why it’s good that we don’t do much of that at St. John’s. I love hearing those who do it well and am pained when it is done badly. I don’t think the bishop is comfortable with chanting.
On Saturday I attended a funeral for a parishioner’s mom. I had never known her, but somehow I was quite moved by the service. I thought the Roman Catholic priest did a lovely job of emphasizing resurrection and of touching on the loss we all feel when our moms die and enter into new life away from us. I thought that some of the funerals I attend are proxies for the ones I am unable to attend – family members in California, friends in Oklahoma and elsewhere. A favorite teacher died a couple of weeks ago, and Saturday’s service allowed me to grieve for her and to give thanks for all she had taught me. After all, she prepared me for my very first public speech.
Bill and I went to New York to St. Mary the Virgin near Times Square for a service in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation. The date had been changed because of our early Easter. The Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, was the preacher and celebrant. Lots of priests were in attendance, some with collars and some without. It was a magnificent service with wonderful music, a good homily, and a beautiful setting. Bill counted about 60 candles on the altar. Some were so tall that acrobats must have lighted them. Hearing Bishop Jefferts Schori chant reminded me why it’s good that we don’t do much of that at St. John’s. I love hearing those who do it well and am pained when it is done badly. I don’t think the bishop is comfortable with chanting.
On Saturday I attended a funeral for a parishioner’s mom. I had never known her, but somehow I was quite moved by the service. I thought the Roman Catholic priest did a lovely job of emphasizing resurrection and of touching on the loss we all feel when our moms die and enter into new life away from us. I thought that some of the funerals I attend are proxies for the ones I am unable to attend – family members in California, friends in Oklahoma and elsewhere. A favorite teacher died a couple of weeks ago, and Saturday’s service allowed me to grieve for her and to give thanks for all she had taught me. After all, she prepared me for my very first public speech.
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