Working on my Sunday sermon and interested in hearing how being loved and loving others changes you or makes you different. I won’t use your name. You can email me at rev.Myers2013@gmail.com or message me on Facebook or comment on Facebook.

Rebecca

4:30pm – Daughters of the King

6:00pm – Midweek worship

Take this opportunity to jump start your week!

Sermon – February 16, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin
Sixth Sunday After Epiphany

So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

 Please be seated.

Have you heard of the science of epigenetics?  Scientists are discovering that while our genetic code or basic DNA does not change, experiences we have alter how our genetic code is expressed.

There was a study conducted with mice in 2013 and reported in the December issue of Nature magazine (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fearful-memories-passed-down/) that showed how fearful memories were passed down to future generations.  The first generation of mice were given a foot shock along with the odor of acetophenone.  Subsequent generations of the mice reacted negatively to the odor, even though they had never been shocked in the foot.  Scientists discovered that while the foundational DNA had not changed, the subsequent generations of mice had increased sensitivity to the odor in the gene responsible for that function.

Our experiences and interactions with each other affect future generations in ways we are only beginning to understand, especially when our interactions with each other have been traumatic.

Today Jesus tells us when we’ve had a trauma with each other, we need to reconcile with each other before we bring our offerings to the altar.  We need to restore our relationship.  But imagine how hard that is when there are hundreds of years of trauma between us.

My father LOVED history and was the genealogist of our family.  He had some flexibility with his work schedule and when he needed a break from work, he’d travel to various courthouses, historical societies and cemeteries, looking at newspapers, marriage and death records… property records – in an effort to understand more about our family.  He discovered that the Myers ancestor – Nicholas – arrived from Germany in 1737, landing in Philadelphia and most likely becoming an indentured servant for 5 years.  Nicholas received farmland in a grant from the Penn brothers, married Margaretha Albert, and farmed land near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  He died in 1787, and his Will contains the distribution of his property, including the care for his widow Margaretha.

In my father’s research, he was startled to find that in Nicholas’ Will of 1787, Nicholas’ son William was directed to “leave his black girl with my wife as long as she lives if she remains my widow.”  Here was undeniable evidence of slave holding in my family…evidence that even though Nicholas, like so many European immigrants of that time, had experienced a limited time of servitude, he had no qualms in enforcing lifelong servitude for people he perceived as black. 

Our family never considered that our ancestors would have enslaved people from African descent.  We were from the north after all.  So this was a shock.. there in the legal documents was evidence.  In light of this recent science of epigenetics, I had to ask what changes to his genetic expression were required of Nicholas to reconcile this seeming contradiction?  This view of another person as property rather than as a fellow human being?  What changes were required that were ultimately passed down from generation to generation?  What kind of societal structure did he and others build that allowed enslavement to happen and be sanctioned by the governing authorities?

I know that our family inherited the DNA and genetic makeup of whatever behavior and justification allowed our ancestors to believe they could own another human being and to live out that belief.

How is reconciliation possible between my family and the family that was enslaved?  How does reconciliation occur when there is such harm and injury?  Some of you have probably seen the movie, 12 Years a Slave, which shows the brutality of slavery…the violence that was required to maintain that system.  What changes in our behavior did that brutal system engender and how do we, its descendants, reconcile with “our brother and sister?”

The Episcopal Church has adopted a number of resolutions regarding racism and reconciliation.  In a recent effort reported in the Episcopal News Service, telling the truth was recognized as essential to reconciliation.

“Telling the truth is a widely-held Christian value,” said Anita Parrott George and Chip Stokes, co-chairs of the Executive Council’s anti-racism committee. “Starting with us in early childhood, our church and the culture in which it resides embed in our consciousness and our conscience the importance of telling the truth; acknowledging and taking responsibility for our actions; apologizing to those we may have injured, intentionally or otherwise; making amends; and going on to sin no more.” Episcopal News Service Story

As hard and as awful as it is to remember, we must be truthful about racism in this country and its effects on all of us.  In doing so, we acknowledge and take responsibility for our actions.  We apologize to those who have been injured, intentionally or otherwise.  We make amends and change our behavior.  I have to accept the truth of what has occurred in my family.  To deny this truth means I choose to be forever imprisoned by it…forever living it out and passing it on for generations to come.

So, what can we do?  Knowing we are all created in God’s image…knowing we are to seek and serve Christ in all people, which implies Christ is in every single one of us…knowing Jesus’ exhortation that we be reconciled to “our brother and sister.”  What do we do?

First of all, we believe that reconciliation is possible.  There are stories all around us.  I’m sure you have many you can tell.  I’ve heard Irene talk a number of times about her family’s providing and paying for the education of African-Americans.  Remember those stories and the work you do every day.

I know it’s tough in Corbin.  Our history from the last century follows us – burning down the part of town where African-Americans lived and putting the people on the train to Chicago.  The fight over removing the signs in town telling African-Americans (and not in that polite language) to be out of town by sundown.  And even more recent murmurings if People of Color are in town too long.  I’m told London and Barbourville have entirely different climates in these matters and census data bears this out.

Secondly, look at the insert in your bulletins.  It is a checklist developed by and copied with the permission of Dr. John Raible, Associate Professor of Diversity and Curriculum Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Part I of the checklist are behaviors exhibited by people of all races who are allies in the work to create a society free of racism.  Part II shows some behaviors that can be barriers to being an ally.  Take a few minutes to look at the list, even taking out a pen or pencil to fill it in.  Note what it is that you do well and try to do more of it.  Note something you haven’t tried and see if you’d like to try it out.

Pause (checklist available at http://johnraible.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/revised-2009-checklist-for-allies.pdf)

Reconciliation brings freedom.  Reconciliation brings newness of life…new life…new possibilities for how we live together… reconciliation restores our relationships with each other. That’s why Jesus teaches us to embrace it. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 

 Amen

For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building. I Cor. 3:9

Today we often hear people say they are “spiritual, but not religious.”  Yes, every person alive has a spirituality, whether they participate in an “organized religion” or not.  I’m sure you know people who claim to be Christians, even though they participate in no church.

However, can we truly be Christian outside of a Christian community?  There is something we learn about Christianity and about our faith when we are in relationship with each other.  Something that is bigger and more than we could do on our own.

Together, we are God’s servants.  We are God’s field, together accomplishing God’s purpose.  We are God’s building….

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca

My Schedule
Next week, I will be attending Diocesan Convention Thursday-Saturday.  My Sabbath day will be Monday, February 17.  You can get a message to me by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Lazarus at the Gate, a series on economic discipleship continues.  Next week, we finish our series on economic discipleship.  Bret Swinford will lead us in a session on How to give effectively and giving together.

Living Compass Adult Faith and Wellness.  During the Adult Forums in Lent, I will lead us through the Living Compass Program, designed to help us assess our lives, plan for change, strengthen our faith, and wellness.  If you plan to participate, please let Rev. Rebecca know by February 16, so she can order the materials.  You can find more information about the program, including the Living Compass Assessment at  http://www.livingcompass.org/adult/program.html/

 Godly Play:  There will be Godly Play classes this Sunday.  If you are interested in assisting with these classes on an occasional basis, please let Anne Day Davis or Dura Anne Price know.  You will observe the classes for 4 sessions and once you have received this training, you may be called upon to assist as you are available.  Let the children deepen your faith!

Diocesan Convention:  The Diocese will be in convention Thursday, February 20-Saturday, February 22, in Covington.  Our Deputies are Gay Nell Conley, Bruce Cory, John Harris, Billy Hibbitts, and Rebecca.  Please pray for this important meeting.

 Pot Luck Sunday:  Next Sunday, February 23, is our monthly pot luck.  Bring a dish or drink to share.  And all are welcome!  Plan to fellowship with each other. The men are invited to meet to plan the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.  

This Week at St. John’s

 Sunday, February 16
10:00am – Adult Forum and Godly Play
11:00am – Eucharist – African-American History Month
12:15pm – Vestry Meeting

Wednesday, February 19
4:30pm – Daughters of the King
6:00pm – Worship

Sunday, February 23
10:00am – Adult Forum and Godly Play
11:00am – Eucharist
12:15pm – Pot Luck

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is this Wednesday, February 19.

A word about our service, Sunday, February 16
Most of the music for this Sunday’s service is taken from Lift Every Voice and Sing II:  An African-American Hymnal (LEVAS II).  In compiling the hymnal, the committee chose spirituals, traditional and contemporary Gospel songs, adapted protestant hymns, missionary and evangelistic hymns, service music and mass settings, as well as hymns for African-American saints on the Church’s calendar.

In commenting on the inclusion of evangelistic hymns, Bishop Burgess said,

Just as the slaves not only adopted the religion of their master, but transformed it into a Gospel that had particular meaning for themselves, so the Black Christians have taken the hymnody of the evangelical church and claimed it for their own.  These hymns do not have the theological purity of the spirituals, nor do they arise out of the bitter experience of Black people.  In adopting this music, again like the Christian religion itself, the Black congregation has used the notation merely as a guide.  The free expression of enthusiastic faith has raised this music into a genre that rightly takes its place within Black congregational worship.  

Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

• Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
• The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items.  Vegetables are especially appreciated.

 Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year. Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory of someone. 

United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.

Your UTO offerings are collected twice each year.  Each time you feel thankful during your day, put some change into your box.  We will gather these gifts of gratitude in May and begin again for the November offering.

If you need a UTO box, please see Rebecca. 

 Reimagine the Episcopal Church:  In 2012, the General Convention created a taskforce to reimagine The Episcopal Church for the future. The members of the Taskforce want to hear the memories, hopes and dreams that people have for The Church. We are trying to reach as many people as we can over the next few months. We will use what we hear to help us shape recommendations for The Church’s structure, administration and governance. To add your memories, go online at http://reimaginetec.org/ or see Rev. Rebecca for a paper copy you can submit.  Deadline is March 4, 2014.

Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group.  You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections.  See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested. 

Would you like to write Prayers of the People?  If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service?  Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service.  If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

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Friends, thought you might like to watch this video to prepare for this Sunday.  It’s excerpts from the recent Broadway Revival of Godspell.

Meditation WCTT AM Radio
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

February 3, 2014

Greetings Friends.  Today in the Episcopal Church, we remember the Dorchester Chaplains:  Lt. George Fox (Methodist), aged 43, Lt. Alexander Goode (Jewish), aged 32, Lt. Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed), aged 33, and Lt. John Washington (Catholic), aged 35.

On January 23, 1943, a converted cruise ship, the Dorchester, set sail from New York.  The ship was carrying 902 troops to Greenland.  One day from their destination, a German U-Boat torpedoed the Dorchester’s boiler room at night.  The electrical systems of the ship were knocked out.  While the men had been ordered to sleep with their life jackets on, many took them off because of the heat or bulkiness. Panic ensued. Only two lifeboats were successfully launched and many men dove into the 19 degree water.

It is reported that the four chaplains moved among the men, organizing an orderly evacuation of the ship, assisting, calming and passing out life jackets to those forced to jump into the cold water.  The chaplains readily gave up their own life jackets to the soldiers.  Together, they remained on the rear deck, arms linked in prayer and singing hymns, until the ship sank, claiming their lives.

230 men were rescued from the icy waters.  Many survived because of the assistance of the chaplains.  A survivor, Grady Clark reported

As I swam away from the ship, I looked back. The flares had lighted everything. The bow came up high and she slid under. The last thing I saw, the Four Chaplains were up there praying for the safety of the men. They had done everything they could. I did not see them again. They themselves did not have a chance without their life jackets.

These chaplains embodied the words of Jesus found in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  And that’s what Jesus did for us.  Laid down his life for us, his friends.

In 2012, I had the great opportunity to visit and to study in the Holy Land at St. George’s College in Jerusalem.  Close to the end of my two weeks there, our study group walked the last steps of Jesus to the Cross.  I wrote this poem about the experience.  Elmer Parlier is here to help me share this with you.  He is playing the guitar and also singing.

To be Sung with the Poem Via Dolorosa by The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers

“Here, Lord, I give myself away, ‘tis all that I can do”.

Amen and blessings to you this day.

Friends, not sure how many of you will be able to make it tomorrow.  Stay safe and warm.  But I’ll be here and have made my barbecue beef  and have 36 slider buns, so hopefully some of you can get here 🙂

Rebecca’s Central PA recipe

Later this month anyone with Internet access and a computer or tablet can get free instruction on how to become a crazy Christian.

It’s a free, online class and our entire church is invited to take it.

From January 27 through February 3, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of
North Carolina, will teach The Big Class, a program of ChurchNext. The course will expand on Crazy
Christians:  A Call to Follow Jesus published by Church Publishing Inc. The book is based on  “We Need Some Crazy Christians,” a widely acclaimed sermon the bishop preached at the Episcopal
Church’s General Convention in 2012.

Bishop Curry will moderate the course and answer online questions during the week of The Big Class. Participants can take the course anytime during the week at churchnext.tv and will take 45 minutes to complete. The course need not be taken in one sitting and no special sofware is required.

The Big Class is a worldwide online course for all who want to go further in their walk with Christ, and is free to everyone, everywhere thanks to the support of Bexley Seabury, Church Publishing Inc., the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina and Forward Movement.Special materials will be available for congregations and adult education classes who desire to take the class together as part of their Epiphany season study.

“It’s exciting to see all the new ways technology is being leveraged to help folks go into a deeper awareness of and relationship with the living God,” said Bishop Curry. “Online education is an excellent example of it. It allows folks to learn, to interact, exchange ideas and, ultimately, to share what they learn with others. The process is exactly what we as Christians are called to do; an
online classroom just gives us one more way to do it.”

You can sign up right now by clicking here. https://www.churchnext.tv/school/catalog/course/how-to-be-a-crazy-christian-with-michael-curry/8188/register/

Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made.  The Collect for the Baptism of our Lord, pg 219, Book of Common Prayer

This Sunday we remember the baptism of Jesus and reaffirm our own baptismal vows.  The Collect for the Day asks God that we keep our baptismal covenant.  How many of us remember that covenant?  We hear the covenant a couple of times each year, but do we remember all that we have promised or all that we have obligated ourselves to?  Our baptismal covenant is found on pages 304-305 of the Book of Common Prayer.  In addition to the Apostles’ Creed, we are asked to do the following:

1.  Continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
2.  Persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
3.  Proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ.
4.  Seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.
5.  Strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.

How are you doing in living up to this covenant?  What can you do to build upon your efforts and strengthen them?

Looking forward to Sunday when we renew our covenant and remind ourselves of the life we’ve been called to live in our baptism.

Love, Rebecca

Next week, I will be in Corbin on Thursday, January 16 and my Sabbath day will be
Wednesday, January 15. Please feel free to contact me any time, however, by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Annual Meeting Results
Congratulations to new Vestry members, Steve Gilbert and Doug Thelen.  Congratulations to convention delegates, Gay Nell Conley, Bruce Cory, John Harris and Billy Hibbitts.  Thank you for agreeing to serve.

Thanks and gratitude for outgoing Vestry members Donna Goff and Sue Weedman.

The parish passed the 2014 budget of $47,471.  Revenue will come from $6,500.00 plate; $37,800 pledges; and $3,171 special events.  The special events is a new category reflecting the Belk Charity Sale and the Chocolate Fest proceeds, as well as any other events we might decide to have over the year.  You can see a copy of the budget and Annual Meeting documents here:  http://stjohnscorbin.org/2013-annual-report-and-annual-meeting-agenda/

Adult Forum – 10:00am
Lazarus at the Gate, a series on economic discipleship continues.  This week, John Harris leads us in a discussion on wealth as a blessing. Next week, Mary Swinford will lead us in a session on Wealth Must be Justly Distributed.

Godly Play – 10:00am:
There will be Godly Play classes this Sunday. If you are interested in assisting with these classes on an occasional basis, please let Anne Day Davis or Dura Anne Price know. You will observe the classes for 4 sessions and once you have received this training,you may be called upon to assist as you are available. Let the children deepen your faith!

Pot Luck Sunday, January 26. Bring a dish or drink to share. And all are welcome! Plan to fellowship with each other. The guests at Everlasting Arms will be joining us for worship and pot luck so bring lots of your favorite dish to share.

Southeast Kentucky Ministerial Alliance (SEKMA) unity service, February 2, 3pm, Parkway Church of God.  Plan to attend this service to celebrate the unity of the Christian church in our region.  The Williamsburg and Corbin associations have joined together and are celebrating with this service.

Confirmation Classes continue on Wednesdays at 4:30pm through February 12 (except for January 29). Classes are open to everyone. On January 15, we will look at the basic theological tenets of the Episcopal Church:  The Trinity and the Creeds.  Pages 845-853 of the Book of Common Prayer:  Outline of the Faith form the basis for the discussion.  See http://www.bcponline.org/

2014 Church Calendars are available on the shelf in the parish hall. A donation of $2.00 is
suggested.

Sunday, January 12
10:00am – Adult Forum and Godly Play
11:00am – Eucharist – Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ
12:30pm – Vestry Meeting

Wednesday, January 15
4:30pm – Daughters of the King
4:30pm – Confirmation Class
6:00pm – Worship

Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.
• Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless, is in need of men’s and
women’s razors, gloves, deodorant and socks.
• The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food
items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.

Flowers for the altar: Donations for flowers for the altar are accepted for any Sunday of the year.
Please place your donation in the envelope, marking whether they are in honor of or in memory
of someone.

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Friends,

The Diocese of Lexington Budget Committee is asking for feedback on the 2014 budget.  We, along with all of the parishes, contribute to this budget, so it’s great to see where our contribution will be used.  You can view the budget and also provide feedback at this link.  Feedback is needed by this Friday, January 10.  http://diolex.org/blog/news/budget-2014/

Rebecca