Holy Innocents' Day and the children of Newtown

Last night we observed the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This is the day in the church calendar when we remember the innocent children that King Herod slew in his attempt to get rid of the baby Jesus. The image above shows the angels carrying the children to heaven while Mary and Joseph take the baby Jesus to safety in Egypt.

We observed Holy Innocents' Day in remembrance of the twenty children who died in the Newtown, CT, shootings. We lit a candle for each of them and read their names aloud. Our whole nation feels grief over the loss of these children because they are innocent victims, just like the children of Bethlehem who died under King Herod.

We prayed for all innocent victims throughout the world, remembering refugees, victims of child abuse, human slavery, and famine. The following Collect is for Holy Innocents' Day;

We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

How still we see thee lie

On the first Christmas eve, the world lay in silence and stillness. May today and tomorrow bring you a deep sense of peace and interior quietness as Christ is born in your heart. Merry Christmas!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, when we remember Mary who carried Jesus in her womb for nine months. Her pregnancy reminds us that Christ is within us waiting to be born. Advent is our time of preparation and waiting.

Looking for the glory of God

The glory of God fills the universe, and it's all around us, everywhere. The quote from Irenaeus, above, reminds us that when we are fully alive, we manifest God's glory to those around us.

Doubt and belief

Sometimes events may make us doubt the existence of a loving God. But we remember that when the disciple Thomas doubted, Jesus made accommodation for him and returned to assure him of the resurrection. Doubt and belief are often woven together.

Mary's song of praise

The Magnificat is one of the greatest expressions of the exaltation of the human spirit. Read it and be thrilled with Mary's joy.

  The Song of Mary Magnificat
  Luke 1:46-55

  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
  my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
      for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. 

  From this day all generations will call me blessed: * 

      the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
  He has mercy on those who fear him *
      in every generation.
  He has shown the strength of his arm, *
      he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
  He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
      and has lifted up the lowly.
  He has filled the hungry with good things, *
      and the rich he has sent away empty.
  He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
      for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
  The promise he made to our fathers, *
      to Abraham and his children for ever.

Lighten your load

The season of Advent invites us to consider what we might let go of to make our life simpler and fuller. How can you lighten your load?

Pray for peace on earth

The Christ in those around us

When we see Christ in those around us, it helps us treat them with love and respect. Look for the best in people, especially in this season of family and friends.

Rejoice!

Today's Epistle says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." God is at work all around us, if we will only look.

The gift of music

Music is God's language, the language of prayer, and the expression of the heart. "Those who sing, pray twice," as John Wesley said.

Keeping a list

Experienced prayer people know that keeping a list of people and concerns to pray for provides some structure and regularity to our daily prayers. Try it and see.

Living out our faith in the world

 John the Baptist gave people simple, direct applications for their lives.  How does your faith in God affect the way you live your daily life?

Gratitude

Stop for a moment and think of five things you're grateful for:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

To know God's creation

Today's Advent calendar reminds me of the lovely poem by Joyce Kilmer that I first heard in elementary school.

Trees 

by Joyce Kilmer

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
 
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
 
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
 
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
 
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
 
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

A quiet place

Advent is a good time to think about your own quiet place. Is there a place you can go to find some quiet? Maybe a corner of a room, or a nook where others leave you alone. Maybe your car. Or the bathroom. It's good to have a quiet place.

Ten spiritual practices for a peaceful Christmas

I think of John the Baptist as our conscience. Our conscience is that little voice in the back of our minds that tells us what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes we need to listen carefully to our conscience.

Our consciences can help us through the holiday season. The Rev. Rachel Tabor-Hamilton, Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Everett, wrote a list of Ten Spiritual Practices Toward a Peaceful Christmas on her blog, which you can find by clicking here. Here are the ten practices with a brief explanation:

1. Acknowledge your feelings.

This time of year can bring out buried feelings of grief, disappointment and loss. Listen to your emotions.

2. Reach out. 

If you feel lonely, seek out the community of others in a way that helps you feel connected.

3. Be realistic.

Try to leave perfectionism behind. Keep the traditions you cherish and let the others go.

4. Set aside differences.

Try to accept people as they are and give yourself an escape hatch when things get stressful.

5. Budget. 

Be a good steward of the resources you have, and don’t overspend. Keep the spirit of the season and don’t get caught up in material things.

6. Plan ahead. 

Decide what’s important to do, plan for it and resist the temptation to take on extra things.

7. Learn to say a holy, healthy “no.”

Saying “yes” when you mean “no’ can lead to burnout, resentment and stress. “No” can be liberating.

8. Don’t abandon healthy habits. 

Overindulgence leads to stress and then, later, guilt. Get the right amount of sleep, exercise and food.

9. Relax. 

If it’s really a holiday, shouldn’t we have some quiet, restful time to enjoy it? Take the time you need.

10. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help. 

If, despite your best efforts, you find yourself overwhelmed by the stress of the season, seek out the help of a qualified counselor or therapist.

God loves a light heart

Advent isn't a little Lent, and it's not meant to be penitential. What is it that lifts your spirit today?

This is the Lord speaking!

The wilderness seems to be a favorite place in the Bible for the Word of God. The literal wilderness as well as our inner wilderness. How does God speak in your wilderness?

The real St. Nicholas

Today is the feast day of Nicholas of Myra, a bishop who lived in the fourth century in what is now Turkey. Serving the poor among us seems like a good way to honor this ancient saint.

Hold on to what is good

Sometimes in life it seems like everything is changing underneath our feet. Our world changes so fast that it's important to hold on to what is good. This Advent, remind yourself of the things that give you stability and strength, the truths that have guided you all your life, and the people who have always been there for you.

Hold on to your life.

Happy New Year!

Do I have ten minutes in the day for prayer? Probably. I can squeeze ten minutes in somewhere. How about ten minutes with the Bible? Ten minutes of soul time, twice a day. It's possible.

Now where did I put that Bible...?

This year we'll be reading through the Gospel of Luke in the Sunday readings. Grab your Bible and take a peek at Luke. A few pointers:

• The author is presumed to be Luke the Physician, a companion of Paul and also the writer of the Acts of the Apostles.
• Luke contains the beautiful Christmas story of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the angels.
• Luke portrays women sympathetically.
• The Holy Spirit is a strong presence in the Gospel of Luke.
• Luke often shows Jesus at prayer, especially before important events.

Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent!

This is the First Sunday of Advent, and as a way to observe this season, I'm going to post a panel of our Advent Calendar each day. I like the heading on the calendar that says, "Slow down. Quiet. It's Advent!" That seems like a good way to start this time of waiting and expectancy.

Happy Advent!

Bill

Update on our property search

A lot has been happening on our property search. After our October 30 parish meeting, we made an offer to the owner of the property we're hoping to buy, considerably under the listing price. After a long time, we got a counteroffer which kept the price at the same level and added more conditions.

So we're trying to negotiate another offer, hoping that we can come to an agreement that will satisfy everyone. We've obtained two comparative market analyses to get a better picture of the value of the property. At our BC meeting last night, we agreed to get an appraisal so we have an even better idea.

I've been in conversation with Bill Goodenough, the property manager for the diocese. The Board of Directors, understandably, wants to know we've done our homework, so I've been providing them with information about projected costs and the viability of getting a conditional use permit from the county.

It's all a lot of work, and it takes considerable time and focus. When I get anxious about the process, I try to remember that if this is God's will, then the doors will open and it will work out. If it doesn't, then something else will. So I try to leave the outcome in God's hands.

Flood in the sanctuary

On Monday, November 19, I arrived at work to find that water was coming in the north door of the sanctuary and flooding the carpet. It was raining heavily all night and all day, so the hillside above the church was saturated. When that happens, it starts to fill the low place between the church and the modular.

There's a sump pump just outside the door in the low place that's supposed to drain the low spot, but the float switch had failed. I went home and got my rubber boots and oilskins, then returned to bail out the sump. It took about 50 trips with a 5-gallon bucket before the water went down enough to get at the sump pump. Once I jarred the float switch, it begin to pump and took care of itself after that.

My son, Guy, came and we moved the piano and organ (fortunately, neither got wet) and all the chairs. Then we pulled up the carpet so it could start to dry. I called the Servpro restoration guys and they came out with their big blowers. They pulled out the soggy carpet pad set up the driers to dry the carpet.

What a day.

Reflections on our parish meeting

Hi, all!

After our special parish meeting last Sunday, I felt humbled and grateful. Not only did we have a lively and respectful conversation about whether we should buy new property, but we had a heart-felt sharing of our hopes and dreams. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit as we shared together.

For many years, we have struggled with our decision to build on our current site or move to another site, to the point that many of us have become exasperated with the topic. "Let's make a decision once and for all," we said at our annual meeting last January.

The problem is, it's not easy to come to consensus, or near consensus, in a diverse community. How do we decide when there are so many factors to consider? Cost, location, visibility, and the inevitable risks no matter what we do. People of good faith can have differing opinions.

Choosing to buy new property to build a church on rightly makes us cautious. Think of the things that can go wrong. And truthfully it's hard to leave the familiar for the unfamiliar. 

So I was especially impressed in our meeting when I heard so many people speak in favor of buying the new property. Many people shared what St. Antony has meant to them and how their hopes for the future of our church have been revived by the possibility of this new site. Not only that, but a number of people shared how they changed their minds once they saw the new property. I was humbled by the faith and commitment I heard expressed in that room. 

So I think it's the work of the Holy Spirit to make this property available and to bring us to near-consensus. Fifty out of sixty two people marked "strongly agree" with the recommendation of the Long Range Planning team to buy the new property. I recognize that not everyone agrees, and I respect the opinions of those who feel this is an unwise venture or who have voiced caution. Surely we need to hear those voices.

On Tuesday, we made an offer to buy the property, but it hasn't been accepted yet. Nothing is sure until the ink is dry, and undoubtedly we'll have some negotiations to make. But everything so far looks good. It's an exciting time, and I'm grateful to be part of it.

Bill

A wedding and a vacation

Hi, all!

I just returned from a vacation trip to Colorado to see my family and officiate at the wedding of my nephew, Will, and his bride, Kelseigh. It was a wonderful trip and I came back refreshed.

It was an honor to officiate at the wedding of Will and Kelseigh, but it felt a bit odd. I wasn't sure if I was acting as the uncle or the priest. The emotions I felt as the uncle, with all the memories and associations of our family, had to be tamped down a bit as I officiated. The officiant shouldn't get choked up...that's the job of everyone else! Here's a photo.

I took walks in the Boulder foothills with my older sister, had coffee with my brother in a funky Boulder coffee shop, enjoyed a summer evening in the backyard of my younger sister and her husband, and spent mornings with my mother in her sun-spilled kitchen. It's good to connect with family...it helps me remember who I am, and reminds me that I am deeply loved. Also I had some time to make some sketches.

I attended St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Boulder on Sunday morning. The priest was gone on a mission trip for the youth group, so we had Morning Prayer led by a layperson. The sermon was also given by a layperson, a lawyer, who gave an excellent homily.

When I returned, I found that Marge Mckenzie was in the hospital for heart problems, so I made a visit to her. I also learned that Janet Steller had a brief stay in the hospital but has returned home. Please keep Marge and Janet in your prayers. I'm grateful to Fr. Craig and Fr. Dick Scott for covering for me while I was away.

Although traveling is great, it's nice to be home, and I'm looking forward to being with you tomorrow as we gather around the holy table and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, the sacrament of Holy Communion. See you there!

Bill

Remembering those who have sacrificed

Hi, all!

In yesterday's newspaper I read about the Tolling the Boats ceremony at Keyport Museum. The bell was tolled for each of the 52 submarines lost in World War Two, plus two more submarines lost at sea later. The loss of submarines in WWII is not generally acknowledged... it was only when I came to submarine country that I realized the tremendous sacrifices given by submariners.

One of the WWII submarine vets in attendance said, "It was a volunteer part of the Navy. Everyone volunteered and took our chances." On Memorial Day we remember those who volunteered to serve their country and were lost in battle.

It reminds me again how tragic war is. How many lives lost, and how much destruction. How many young men and women with so much promise, lost. I don't know if war is necessary. It seems to me that war is a complete waste of lives and resources. but I honor those who have given their lives in sacrifice, and those who serve our country with fidelity and courage.

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, "War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend." (The Two Towers)

As always, I find the words of the Prayer Book to be dignified and gracious:

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen." (BCP, p. 488)

Tomorrow we'll honor the fallen with that prayer as we seek to continue "the work which thou hast begun in them."

Bill

Finding our deep gladness

Hi, all!

One of my favorite quotes is from Frederick Buechner: "The place where God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world's deep need meet." Finding our deep gladness is not always easy. Sometimes it takes a long time to discover our true self.

When I was in the eighth grade, my family moved from Kansas to Nebraska, and I was thrown into a new school in the middle of the year. In the first day of art class, the art teacher told us to draw something from our imagination. I had no idea what she wanted. I dawdled and dragged the time out, but she insisted that I draw something. So I drew a logo from my dad's work, the only image I could think of. She said, "What is that?" I explained and she said, "No! I told you to draw from your imagination." She crossed her arms and said emphatically, "You'll never be an artist."

And with that decree planted firmly in my mind, I avoided anything about art from then on. It was only many years later that I began to experiment with pencil, ink, and watercolors. I got such pleasure from sketching what I saw in front of me that I began to realize she was wrong. Contrary to what she said, I am a creative person. In fact, when I get too busy to sketch, paint, make music, or do woodworking, I begin to feel dull and bored, like something's missing.

I've finally come to accept that I need to be creative in order to be myself. My mind needs to be continually imagining new ideas, new images, new projects. I've come to understand that this is how God made me. Now I always carry a sketchbook with me so I can capture an image or describe a scene in front of me. It's not the quality that's so important to me, but the immediacy, the engagement with my surroundings, and the creation that happens with a pen or a brush. It inspires me.

I photograph my artwork and upload it to the internet so anyone can see it. So from time to time I'll show you some of my artwork so you can enjoy it, too. In fact, on Monday I made this watercolor of an old-time gas station I saw in Bainbridge Island (see below).

Each of us has unique gifts that God has given us. Your gifts and your inspiration are uniquely your own. So let me ask: what is your deep gladness?

Bill

Click on the image to see a larger size.

The blessing and beauty of inconvenience

January 19, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday and today I stayed at home because the roads are too slick to travel. It's cozy at home, with plenty to do and no need to rush. Sometimes we have to be forced to slow down, and when we do, we find that life at a slower pace is rich and good. I've been able to catch up on some reading, do some painting, and work from home.

This morning I saw my neighbor and his grandchildren sledding down the hill next to our house, so I went out and joined them. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to skim over the ground with the snow flying past your face!

When I went out for a walk this afternoon, very few cars were out. The usual drone of traffic in the air was silenced, and the hush of the snow was magical. It was so quiet in Tracyton, all I could hear was the sound of children playing in the snow. Too bad it's not like this more often!

Sitting in a snug home on a snowy day makes me grateful for the basics of life: a warm, dry home that shields us from the elements; emergency personnel who brave the cold to keep us safe; the availability of food and fuel; the blessing of family and friends. Simple things.

I hope the snow hasn't been too much of an inconvenience for you, and I hope you can find beauty and blessing even in this inclement weather.

Bill    

Emerging from Christmas

January 13, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday I finally mailed the last of the Christmas letter we usually send to our far-flung family and friends. And even though Epiphany has blown by us, we still haven't taken our Christmas tree down. 

   

The Christmas season seems to wrap me up in a big wind and send me hurling headlong through the days. Now, finally, I think I'm emerging from the frenzy of Christmas, at least enough to think about writing Hello from the Vicar!

When I was first ordained a priest and our sons were little, I felt I had to do my part to help Katy make a special celebration at home, plus I felt the pressure of celebrating two Christmas eve services at church. Now that our boys are grown, it's much easier. But I still find Christmas to be exhausting.

This year after Christmas, our family went to La Push, a small Native American village on the Olympic Coast, for a couple of days of rest and relaxation. We hiked the beaches, went to a Native American Dance and healing circle, and I painted some watercolors. It was a very relaxing time for me. And now that Epiphany is over, I feel I'm fully engaged for the new year.

I hope that you had a good Christmas celebration, too, and that the New Year is finding you in productive and healthy endeavors.

Bill