Hello from the Vicar 1/21/11

Hi, all!

This week the Gospel story has got me thinking about "being called" -- the feeling that God has selected you and given you a task to do. We expect our clergy to have a "calling" from God, but we sometimes forget that all of us are called by God.

Our calling is usually closely connected with our gifts. Each of us has gifts that are unique to us. I think God wants us to use our gifts in a way that is fulfilling to us and helpful to our world. One of my gifts is that I enjoy people. Not a very useful gift for a computer programmer, say, but very useful for a pastor.

The writer Frederick Buechner has a famous quote about our calling:

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.

What are your gifts, and what is your calling? You may be surprised when you think about these two things together.

This week Phyllis Lewis asked that we add Jamie Minks to the list of names in the prayer, "For those in the Armed Forces of our Country." Jamie is the son of a friend of Phyllis. He and his brother were in Afghanistan on an earlier tour and returned home. Now Jamie, the younger brother, is being deployed again. We ask God's protection and guidance for Jamie.

I made a number of visits this week to the hospital and the hospice care center. Our dear friend Mary Warner faded away gradually and died this afternoon. I'm grateful to have spent time with her and her family. On a brighter note, I'm glad to report that Ann Daniels went home from the hospital today after successful surgery on Monday.

When we gather around the holy table on Sunday, Mary will be with us and the communion of saints and all the angels and archangels as we raise our voices to proclaim the faith: Christ has died; Christ has risen; Christ will come again.

In unbroken faith,
Bill

Hello from the Vicar 1/14/2011

Last Sunday I preached on the shootings in Tucson, when 19 were shot and six died, including nine-year-old Christina Taylor Green. In my sermon, I said I'm concerned for the soul of our nation, and I hope that as a nation we will strive for a more civil discourse and less blaming, name-calling and demonization.

Today President Obama spoke at the memorial service for the victims of the shooting. Near the end of his remarks, he said:

 "Christina Taylor Green believed. Imagine: here was a young girl who was just becoming aware of our democracy; just beginning to understand the obligations of citizenship; just starting to glimpse the fact that someday she too might play a part in shaping her nation's future. She had been elected to her student council; she saw public service as something exciting, something hopeful. She was off to meet her congresswoman, someone she was sure was good and important and might be a role model. She saw all this through the eyes of a child, undimmed by the cynicism or vitriol that we adults all too often just take for granted.

I want us to live up to her expectations. I want our democracy to be as good as she imagined it. All of us - we should do everything we can to make sure this country lives up to our children's expectations."

I think President Obama captured the spirit of this young girl, who should inspire us to attempt and accomplish greater things. May we never forget her!

Hello from the Vicar 1/7/2011

Hi all!

Last night we celebrated the Epiphany - the revealing of Jesus to the nations by means of a star. And of course we had a visit by the three "Wise Men " just before we sat down to delicious potluck dinner:

 
Epiphany means revealing or showing. I think of a sculptor sweeping away the sheet to unveil her long-anticipated sculpture. Or maybe a light coming on to reveal something beautiful in the room. Or perhaps discovering a friend's loyalty to you in a moment of crisis. Something that was hidden suddenly becomes obvious. Jesus, who was hidden to us, suddenly becomes plain for us to see.

In the peace of Christ,
Bill

Hello from the Vicar 12/30/2010

This is a copy of my weekly "Hello from the Vicar" e-mail:


Hi all!

This week I'm taking some time off, and I've been thinking about changes I want to make in the coming year. My goal for next year is to simplify my life and do more of the things I enjoy and I'm good at. Maybe you're thinking about changes for the new year, too.

A New Year's Blessing
I'm thankful to be the priest at St. Antony's, and I cherish each of you. I wrote this blessing for you for the coming year:

May the days of this year be kind to you,
and treat you gently.
May each morning bring you something to hope for,
and every afternoon some small reward. 
Let the days unfold before you,
and the nights find you at home with your soul.

May the arms of your friends rest on your shoulders
And may your loved ones be not far away.
Rest quietly in the solitude of your own peace
when peace is what you need.

May you feast!
Take delight in the movement of your body,
and listen to what your senses tell you.

May God never be far away,
and may you hear God's voice in your inner being.
May the strength of God fill you in times of need,
and may God's hand protect you wherever you go.

May the peace of the whispering forest be yours.
May the joy of the crashing waves be yours.
May the love of all creation surround you always.

And the blessing of God Almighty:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be upon you now and remain with you for ever.

Our dear Olivia Stalter was in the hospital this week after having a heart attack. Fortunately she's recovering quickly and the doctors don't see any damage to the heart. She should be going home today. I'm sure she'd appreciate a card or an e-mail. Her address is P.O. Box 2866, Silverdale, WA 98383.

I hope you have a joyous New Year's celebration! See you on Sunday as we gather around God's Table for the first Eucharist of 2011.

Bill