Hello from the Vicar 02/25/2011

Hi, all!

This week I've been making steady visits to the ICU at Harrison Hospital to visit Eleanor Brook, who is recovering from open-heart surgery. I'm glad to say that despite some difficult setbacks, she's beginning to recover nicely.

What I've noticed is how much support she's been given from her fellow parishioners. When I visit, I often notice that another parishioner has been there before me, or there's a card on the table from one of us at St. Antony's. The prayer chain has been actively praying for her. The love we have for each other is obvious.

I've noticed the same thing with our dear Kaye Mckerchar. This week she's fighting cellulitis in her foot, and she's receiving great support from her friends at St. A's.

I'm so thankful to be part of a parish where every person matters. We support each other at St. Antony's, and pastoral care is something we all do, not just the Vicar. When someone is ill or in need, we step up to offer support and care.

Carolyn Sorrell is relatively new to St. A's, but she has a gift and a calling to make pastoral visits. As a newly retired occupational therapist, she's used to visiting people in their homes. I've taken her to visit several of our members, and I notice what a good listener Carolyn is. She listens attentively and she reflects back what she's hearing. I suspect some of her ability comes from accompanying her father, an Episcopal priest, on pastoral visits when she was a child. I hope she'll be a regular part of our pastoral care at St. Antony's.

It was certainly good news to hear last Sunday that Michael Demmon has been selected to become an Chaplain in the U.S. Army. Michael, son of Bill and Elisabeth Demmon, was raised in our parish, attended seminary, was ordained an Episcopal priest and has served as assistant Rector of St. Luke's in Fort Collins, Colorado for two years. And now he's finally reached the goal he has worked so hard to attain. Congratulations, Michael. We're proud of you!

The threat of snow this week kept many of us watching for ice and snow on the roads, and we cancelled several mid-week programs to prevent people from venturing out needlessly. I hope everyone is safe.  Thankfully, the weather seems to be improving. Did I see some daffodil shoots poking up from one of Katy's flower pots?

May God give you a promise of Spring in your heart.

Bill 

Hello from the Vicar 2/19/2011

Hi, all!

Often when I'm writing my sermon, I'll stop and take a break. I'll put on my coat and walk down the hill to the Tracyton boat ramp, then come back home a different way. As I'm walking, I often find that an idea or a story for the sermon will come to me. Maybe it's the fresh air, or maybe it's the stimulation of exercise, but somehow I find it helpful.

It reminds me that the mind and body are connected in ways we often overlook. What we do with our body affects our spirit, and the other way around. We are whole people, body and soul. St. Paul says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?"

When we use our bodies -- gardening, working out, dancing, woodworking, hiking, and making art, for example -- we're doing soul work. Our spirit revives when we take pleasure in our physical being, and we feel the grace of the body and soul together. I'm sure God intends us to be physically healthy as well as spiritually healthy.

Today I stopped by the Lord's Neighborhood Diner at St. Paul's and saw our volunteers at work preparing the weekly meal for the homeless. Pat Reese, Sally Schneider, Lynda Loveday, and Jean Mackimmie were up to their elbows in jalapeno peepers and rice, and it smelled great! I'm so proud that we help prepare this free meal once every two months. "I was hungry and you gave me food." (Matthew 25:35)   

Another meal today was the Men's Breakfast, cooked by Bill Demmon for 15 of us, followed by a very interesting conversation with Capt. Jim Puttler, Navy NW Region Chaplain. You should have heard all those deep voices singing "Eternal Father, strong to save"! 

Please remember Eleanor Brook in your prayers. For many years this good soul worked as a nurse at Harrison Hospital, and now she's on the other side of the bed rail, recovering in the Harrison ICU from open-heart surgery last Tuesday.  May God strengthen her and revive her, body and soul.

And may God bless us and keep us all, every one. 

Bill

Hello from the Vicar 02/11/2011

Hi, all!

In Egypt, unpredictable events are unfolding as massive crowds surge into Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak. Who knows how this will turn out? For over two weeks, we've seen images of ordinary Egyptians voicing their frustration over a corrupt and paternalistic government.  

What impresses me is that Mubarak just doesn't get it. He doesn't understand why the people are angry with him, and he doesn't understand the depth of their passion. He's lost touch with the reality on the street.  

Listening is crucial for a leader. Understanding is vital. Empathy is a requirement for anyone who wants to have influence. Jesus showed us how a true leader is immersed in the people, works to supply their needs, and listens to their voices. "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me." (John 10:14) 

I pray that events in Egypt will result in democracy without bloodshed. We will soon see.

In our own corner of the world,  the days are lengthening ever so slightly and buds are beginning to form on the trees. Winter isn't over, but there's hope for the spring and I find that very encouraging.

I know a number of us are fighting the flu and colds and other illnesses and maladies. I'm glad to hear that Sandy Norris is finding some relief from the pain in her back and legs, and Eleanor Brook has finally been okayed for heart valve replacement surgery next week. I understand that Marion Peterson's broken wrist is slowly getting stronger.   

May God watch over us and protect us from "all evil spirites, goblins, fayries, bats and beasties", as the old house blessing says. And bring us once again to the holy table where we feast with Christ.

Bill 

Hello from the Vicar 02/04/2011

Hi, all!

I grew up as a boy scout. My father was a field executive for the Boy Scouts and my mother was a den mother and girl scout leader for all four of us kids. We ate, slept, and breathed scouting. Due in large part to my father's insistence, I'm an Eagle Scout. Scouting was great for me. From scouts I got my love of the outdoors, my first experience of leadership, and values and ideals that have never left me.

We have a quite a number of folks at St. Antony's who have been scouts. This Sunday we'll celebrate Scout Sunday and honor all who have been part of any scouting organization. Tristan Scalf, our most recent Eagle Scout, will offer a prayer at the 10:00 Eucharist. My dad will be beaming from above.

This week I had an enjoyable visit with a couple who visited St. Antony's recently. Although they insisted they're "just church shopping," we got to know each other a bit and had a good discussion about church and spirituality. I enjoy these visits and think they're important as a follow-up with our guests. 

On Saturday, February 19, we have two notable events. At 8:00 we'll have a Men's Breakfast with Capt. Jim Puttler, NW Region Chaplain, as our speaker. Later that day volunteers from St. Antony's will prepare and serve the meal at The Lord's Neighborhood Diner at St. Paul's, Bremerton. I hope you'll think about participating in these events.

We've added two names to the Prayers for Those in the Armed Forces of our Country: Elizabeth Engler and Kristin Fabry, both of whom are deployed on the USS Stennis. 

Have you noticed that the scripture readings for the Sundays in February consist of the Sermon on the Mount? Don't miss the greatest ethical teachings ever as we go through the fifth and sixth chapters of Matthew.

And don't miss the joy and privilege of receiving Communion at the holy table surrounded by your church family this Sunday.  

Bill  

Hello from the Vicar 1/28/2011

Hi, all!

Like most of us males, I was raised to be independent. I learned to "get the job done", to "take the heat", to "be your own person." But I've also discovered that there are sometimes better ways to get something done. Like teamwork.

Along the way I've learned that being part of a team is often not only a better way to accomplish a goal, it's more satisfying. There's nothing like raising the wall of a Habitat house with a crew of volunteers! It's exhilarating.  

This past year our Bishop's Committee has intentionally worked to become more of a team. We've even renamed our "commissions" as "teams". We've had a good team, and I've especially appreciated the teamwork of Bob Meith, our Bishop's Warden, and Heather George, our Peoples' Warden. Together with the BC we've gotten a lot done.

For 2011, I've asked Heather to be our Bishop's Warden, and the BC elected Cheryl Wright to be our new Peoples' Warden. Along with BC members Ken, Kathy, Bill C., Linda R., Bonnie, and newly elected Lynda Loveday, we'll make a good team! I hope you'll support us in our efforts to build up our church as the community of God's people.

It's been a busy week, with our annual meeting last Sunday and various beginning of the year efforts. Katy and I enjoyed dinner recently with Stu and Carol Smith, and we also ate at the Burrato Bistro in Poulsbo with the Dining Out group. Good food, good friends.
 

Tomorrow (Saturday) we'll celebrate the life of Mary Warner. Mary and her husband Charles were core members of St. Antony's before the effects of age forced them to pull back. I always enjoyed my visits with this gracious lady and I miss her.
 

Last Sunday at the 10:00 Eucharist we laid hands on Sandy Norris and prayed for relief from pain in her leg and back. Please keep her in prayer.

And I'll see you Sunday at the most important meal of the week, the Holy Eucharist, as we are nourished by the life-giving Body and Blood of our Savior.
 

Bill