Category Archives: Rev. Rebecca’s Reflections

Yes, Lord, I Believe (Sermon) Funeral of Brenda Neeley Gibson, 12/23/14

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Sermon – December 23, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

Funeral of Brenda Neeley Gibson

London Funeral Home Chapel, London, KY

John 11:21-27

 

21Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. John 11:21

 

27She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.’ John 11:26-27

 

Well over the past few weeks I’ve heard some favorite stories about Brenda.  Like the time someone said they’d take her for a motorcycle ride and she climbed right on and went for the ride, although she didn’t really ever want to take a second ride.  Or how she learned to drive using her crutches to move the gas peddle and the brake.  Or the time when someone said they were coming to pick her up for something and she said she was in the middle of painting the ceiling!  Her friend was incredulous, but arrived at the house to see Brenda in her wheelchair with a roller on an extension and she was painting the ceiling!

Or how she loved her job at Laurel Heights Nursing Home and what delight she had helping the residents there and how she made sure they got to the church services.  We could spend hours telling stories, couldn’t we?

I didn’t know Brenda for very long, but got to know her better in the past couple of months when she was hospitalized.  During her illness, I started hearing stories, and to a person, everyone agreed that Brenda was an amazing person.  She was always so cheerful and encouraging.  She was always up to a challenge.  She didn’t want any special treatment.  She’d talk about some of the things that happened to her, but she’d be so matter of fact about it.  She was an inspiration to so many of us, helping us try harder in our own lives, helping us to be better people.

Yes, she did have her moments, but she sure didn’t like you to know about them.  One day I called her at the hospital and she broke down about so many things that were worrying her.  But when I went to see her the next day, I could tell she was so embarrassed she’d let me see her worries.  Because, as amazing as Brenda was, her one downfall, like so many of us, was that she had a hard time asking for and receiving help.  She was so independent and believed it was important for her to take care of herself.  This independence could be frustrating at times when you knew she needed help.  I hope as we mourn, we will reach out to each other and take help from each other.

So, upon hearing about Brenda’s death, most of us can relate to Martha in our Gospel, Lord, if you had been here, our sister, Brenda, would not have died.  Because we depended upon Brenda so much that we didn’t want to have to readjust our lives to being without her.  We wanted her to live forever or at least outlive us.

But, I think the gift Brenda gave us that we probably overlooked, was that Brenda knew every single day of her life was a gift.  None of us are promised length of life and yet we live like it is our right to live many, many years.  We act like there’s always a tomorrow.  But, you see, Brenda knew as a child that she was not expected to live very long…not expected to live beyond her teenaged years.  So, I don’t think Brenda took her life for granted.  She tried to pack in as much as she could and lived in tremendous gratitude for every day.

Now, some people might choose to be bitter.  But, you see, Brenda didn’t really question why she had the medical problems she had.  Maybe she had her private moments of wishing things would be different and we wouldn’t blame her for that.  But, I think Brenda accepted her life, because Brenda believed in God and in Jesus Christ, his Son.

Brenda believed that Jesus was “the resurrection and the life.”  She believed that in believing in Jesus Christ, she would live and never die.  She could answer Jesus like Martha did, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

And as hard as it is to say good-bye to her at this time of year…this time of Christmas…what more fitting time?  This is the time we celebrate Jesus’ coming into the world.  This is the time we remember that God gave his only Son to us and we can be sure that Brenda is wrapped in the loving arms of God.  We can be sure that Brenda is sitting at the feet of Jesus.  We here are waiting to see the face of Jesus, but Brenda is right there.

God asks all of us to be examples of His love and His rule on earth.  Brenda was certainly that, so we carry in our hearts her perseverance, her determination, her joy, and her knowing that each and every day is a gift from God.

Thank you God for giving us Brenda.  Rest in peace, dear one of God.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Servant of the Lord (Sermon) December 21, 2014

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Sermon – December 21, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Advent IV Year B

For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Luke 1:37-38

Please be seated.

When I lived in Washington, DC, I was on the board for the Countertop Quartet, a group of sopranos and counter tenors.  One Friday night, we had a concert at a church in Northern Virginia.  The President of the Board asked me to welcome everyone to the concert.  I wasn’t nervous at all.  I was used to talking to groups of people.  At one point, I thought maybe I should write some notes to guide my welcome, but I decided against it.

At the prescribed time, I got up and thanked everyone for coming and thanked St. Luke’s church for hosting the concert.  I noticed a man in the audience giving me a funny look.  You see, we weren’t at St. Luke’s Church; we were at St. Paul’s Church.

Later in the evening I discovered my error.  I was so shocked at having said St. Luke’s and decided I needed to pay attention to that.  You see, the Quartet was often connected to another St. Paul’s church, so I shouldn’t have gotten the church wrong at all.  There was no reason for St. Luke’s to be in my mind…none at all.

I began asking questions of God.  “Am I supposed to read the Gospel of Luke?  God, what does this mean?”

The next day was a lovely March Saturday.  I attended a meeting in the City that ended at 11 and decided I’d walk the ¾ of a mile to one of my favorite restaurants for lunch.  I started walking and there it was… an Episcopal Church sign for …you guessed it – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

I had to go check it out.  It was just around the corner.  A woman came out from the church as I was standing there and told me more about the church.  As I left, I was talking to God.  “Am I supposed to start attending church here?  God, what do you want me to do?”

Well, I was looking for a spiritual director at the time, and what I discerned from God was that I was supposed to ask the Rector of this church to be my spiritual director.  Now, understand, I’d never met her and knew nothing about her.  My attempts to find out more about her failed.

So, I just emailed her at the email address on the website, telling her I thought I was supposed to be in touch with her about being my spiritual director.  Can you imagine getting an email like mine from someone you’d never heard of and did not know?

I didn’t hear back until early May.  She apologized, but she’d been busy.  She said she’d be happy to meet with me, but couldn’t be my spiritual director, because she was on her way to South Africa and then an 8-month sabbatical.

Hmm….well, I still felt God nudging me to meet with her, so I set up a time later in May to meet her.  It turned out she was on the Commission on Ministry for the Diocese.  They’d just re-done the process for discernment for the priesthood.  I mean, it was just completed, and hadn’t even gotten to the website yet!  She told me all about the process, including a retreat I’d need to attend that was being held in June and some of the other details.  She also gave me names of some others who could be possible spiritual directors, one of whom I worked with for awhile.

I was astounded because I was truly led to her and if I’d met with her any earlier, the Commission on Ministry process wouldn’t have been completed.  The timing was so perfect.

In today’s Gospel, we hear the familiar story of the Annunciation.  An angel comes to this young girl, Mary, and tells her she will bear the Son of God!  Did you hear the picture of the angel painted in our hymn, “his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.”  I don’t know about you, but I’d be very frightened.

When Mary is astounded, perplexed and I’m sure frightened by this encounter, the angel explains some more and ends by saying nothing is impossible with God.

This is so implausible, isn’t it?  And don’t many of us question the details?  It just seems too impossible and too difficult for our brains to comprehend.

Interestingly, Mary is the only woman named in the Koran, so Mary and her story is important not only to Christians, but also to Muslims.  In other words, this person of Mary is key in two major world religions.  So, something amazing must have happened for this woman to be so remembered, especially by name.

As if the experience wasn’t frightening enough, her response is also astonishing.  I mean, if you heard what she heard, wouldn’t you be saying… “hmmm…. Let me think about this?”  Or wouldn’t you be angry… “Gee, I had other plans for my life.”  “God, how are you going to protect me?  Don’t you know my community might stone me to death?  What am I going to say to Joseph?  Do you know how hard it is to raise a child?  This is no small task you’ve asked of me, God.”

No, Mary just says, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”  You see, Mary knows the central truth of our lives.  Mary knows her purpose on earth is to serve God.  There is no other purpose for her life and thus, she accepts what God has for her to do, “let it be with me according to your word.”

And if we are truly followers of Christ…if we mean what we say during this time of Advent…of hoping and preparing for Christ’s return, we know deep in our being that our purpose is to serve God…to serve God with all of our God-given talent and skill…to serve God with all of the treasure God has given us…to serve God with all of the time God has given us.

Serving God is our purpose.  Serving God gives us meaning.  Serving God serves the world.

The Angel Gabriel with his wings of snow and eyes of flame may not visit us and so clearly tell us how we are to serve God, but I believe God does send us messages in many ways.  We need to be aware and to listen for those messages.  They may sound crazy to us.  They may not make logical sense to us, especially in the moment.  I mean, wasn’t my story about St. Luke’s crazy and nonsensical?

In our skepticism and disbelief, we hear the angel’s words to Mary, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then we respond like Mary, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week (December 21) at St. John’s

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Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, BCP, pg. 212

We will read this Collect of the Day on Sunday.  I love the vision of it.  That God would daily visit us and work in us every day.  This doesn’t say that we ask God to visit us, but assumes God DOES visit us daily!

Then, because of these daily visits for which we don’t even ask, a mansion would be created in us for the coming of Jesus Christ.  Not just a room or any old house, but a mansion!  A beautiful, huge place for Christ to dwell.

My prayer for you is that you may feel God working in you, building that mansion where Christ dwells..

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 12-21-2014

News & Notes

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s Corbin through Thursday, December 25.  Rebecca will be on vacation Friday, December 26, through Friday, January 2. During her vacation,.the Rev. Peter Helman is available for pastoral emergencies. He can be reached by text or phone at 940-735-1235. You may also leave a message for Rebecca by phoning the church office at 606-528-1659 or emailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Christmas Eve Services:
9:00 am – Morning Eucharist.
7:00 pm – Evening Candlelight Service.
11:00 pm – Midnight Candlelight Service.

After the 7pm and 11pm service, we will have a chocolate and champagne/wine/sparkling cider reception.

Christmas Day: 9:00 am – Morning Prayer

Adult Forum: During December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles, BCP 867-876.  Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination.  Are the Articles still relevant today?  Join the discussion.  There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.

January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships.  If you’d like to lead a session, please see Rebecca.

Godly Play (Sunday School): The Godly Play program is for children and offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

Getting ready to decorate the church for Christmas.

Getting ready to decorate the church for Christmas.

Greening of the church will take place after the service this Sunday. Bring your lunch and help out!

Greening of the church will take place after the service this Sunday. Bring your lunch and help out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth grades 7-12 are invited to a retreat, “A New Year in the Spirit” at Cathedral Domain, Saturday, December 27 – until Tuesday, December 30.  See Rebecca for more information.

 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.

Bearing Witness (Sermon) December 14, 2014

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Sermon – December 14, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Advent III Year B

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. John 1:6-8

Please be seated.

For 56 years, I sat in the pews just like you.  It was only on January 27, 2013, that I started wearing this collar.  However, in some of my seminary classes, especially the Pastoral Theology classes taught by Professor Amy Bentley Lamborn, and in Clinical Pastoral Education, we talked about how people might relate to us once we had our collar on.

Wearing this collar and shirt means different things to different people.  Some people are comforted or feel trust towards me.  Some people feel frightened or angry.  It all depends upon your own experiences.

Wearing this collar is a way to testify that I am an ordained person in the Christian Church.  My ordination certificate even says the people are well assured of my:  “sober, honest and godly Life and Conversation, competent Learning, Knowledge of the holy Scriptures, and Soundness in the faith.”

At my Ordination to the priesthood (found on page 532 of the Book of Common Prayer), I promised to do my best “to pattern [my] life (and that of my family or household or community) in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that [I] may be a wholesome example to my people.”

So I put on this collar often as a testimony and witness of my belief in Jesus Christ and my calling to be a priest in the church.  And yet, there are times when I’m not really such a great witness, I fear….

For instance, one day I was traveling back to Corbin from Lexington.  My car sports a St. John’s license plate on the front.  If you don’t have one, ask me about getting one.  I had to stop at Wal-Mart for hot dog rolls.  It was a Wednesday and we were having activities in the park and I was buying more hot dog rolls to go with the hot dogs.  I was in a big hurry, too.

Well, that was when they were doing construction and S. Stewart Road/Sawyers Rd. was only one lane each way.  The first entrance to Wal-Mart, there by the gas station and Dairy Queen, was blocked by tractor trailers.  The woman in front of me was trying to get to Wal-Mart, but couldn’t get in, because of the blockage.  And I couldn’t get around her either.  There’s another entrance to Wal-Mart further down the road and when the woman didn’t seem to know that, I started honking my horn and pointing to her to go up further to the next entrance.

Well, I kept honking and pointing and yelling – go on ahead, but she only got angry and got out of her car.  I tried yelling out my window that she could go to the next entrance, but she wouldn’t listen.  The trucker blocking the entrance to Wal-Mart even got into the game, giving me dirty looks and then he pointed at the front of my car with the St. John’s license plate on it and gave me a really dirty look and yelled at me.  I’m not sure if he saw my collar or not.

Clearly, I was not a good representative of The Episcopal Church in Corbin that day.  I was trying to be helpful, but I was more interested in getting my own tasks done than in being a witness for God.

Today, we once again hear about John the Baptist.  In the Gospel of John, we learn that John the Baptist made it clear he was not the Messiah.  Many people thought he might be.  The Gospel writer makes it clear that John the Baptist was a “witness to testify to the light.”  We, too, are called to “testify to the light, so that all might believe….”

What does that mean?  Well, to testify, according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, means “to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief :  bear witness.”  We are called to bear witness to the truth of Jesus Christ…to testify what it means to be a follower of Christ.  We do that with words, sharing our story of faith.  But more importantly, we testify with our actions…with how we live our daily lives.

It’s surely not easy.  There is plenty of professed following of Christ in our community, but you’d never know it by the way we treat each other and the conditions we create – the poverty, cruelty, homelessness, seeking revenge.  No,  giving witness to Christ…following Christ….testifying to the truth of Jesus Christ…to love as the key…to loving our neighbor as ourselves…to putting God first, is extremely hard.

Now, I have my collar and shirt that help remind me and some of us have the license plate on the front of our cars.  We have this Sunday morning service and Wednesday evening service where we can get centered again…hear scripture, sing together, pray prayers together, ask for forgiveness and be forgiven, break bread together, to remind us of our testimony and of our calling to testify and bear witness to Jesus Christ.

This week, think about how you testify and bear witness to Jesus Christ.  Be aware.

You see, we are all “sent from God.” We have come as witnesses “to testify to the light, so that all might believe …..” We are “not the light,” but we come “to testify to the light.”

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (December 14, 2014) at St. John’s

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

At this time of year, rejoicing and giving thanks in every circumstance can be especially difficult.  The days are short, with little sunlight, so we want to hibernate and some of us experience depression.  The holidays can bring lots of stress to get the right gift, have the perfect party or family event.  The dysfunction in our families seems to come to the fore.  And if we have few resources, we can feel badly that we can’t buy the gifts we’d like for our loved ones.  If we’re experiencing the loss of loved ones, we seem to especially feel it at this time of year.

The people of Church in Thessalonica are faithful to the Gospel as told them by Paul and they also have faced hardships.  Paul writes to encourage them.  And our modern-day research shows health benefits from rejoicing, praying and giving thanks.

So through our stress, grief, and worry, we can try to rejoice, pray and give thanks.  It may be the best way to get through our difficult time.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 12-14-2014

News & Notes

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s Corbin Tuesday, December 16 through Thursday, December 18.  Her Sabbath Days will be Monday, December 15 and Friday, December 19. You may leave her a message by phoning the church office at 606-528-1659 or emailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum: During December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles, BCP 867-876.  Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination.  Are the Articles still relevant today?  Join the discussion.  There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.

Godly Play (Sunday School): The Godly Play program is for children and offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Winter Coat Donations: The Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9.  Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22.  If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.  You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14.  Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing.  Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is December 17.  If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

Youth grades 7-12 are invited to a retreat, “A New Year in the Spirit” at Cathedral Domain, Saturday, December 27 – until Tuesday, December 30.  See Rebecca for more information.

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.

United Thank Offering.  Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church.  The next collection will be in the spring. 

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.

 Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.

  • Everlasting Arm, 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.

 

Messengers of God, Let’s Prepare the Way! (Sermon) December 7, 2014

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Sermon – December 7, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Advent II Year B

the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

`Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,

Mark 1:3

Please be seated

In 1970, when I was 14, my parents decided we’d take a trip to the southern United States.  A major purpose was to show me the town where I was born, Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  My father was in the army, stationed at Ft. Chaffee, when I was born.  He and my mother lived there only six more weeks afterwards, because my father’s Army time was up.  So I have no memories of Ft. Smith or Ft. Chaffee. Another purpose was to visit friends my parents met while my dad was in the Army and to show my two brothers and me the United States.

Off we went, first to Dayton, Ohio, and the airplane museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  Then to St. Louis where we rode up the arch and saw the baseball stadium.  Then south to Ft. Smith, visiting what remained of Ft. Chaffee, and standing in front of the house my parents lived in when I was born.  Then we took a side trip over to Oklahoma to Tahlequah, the Western Cherokee capital.  Then to Lake Charles, Louisiana, to visit friends and swim in the Gulf of Mexico.  Finally, we went to New Orleans, eating at the famous restaurants, listening to jazz music, staying in the French Quarter, and having our portraits done in Jackson Square.

Then started the LONG ride home, stopping along the way to spend the night.  We had the big blue Buick and things got a little boring in the car, so we’d start to sing.  I have this image of my mother in the back seat with one of my brothers and me (the other brother was riding shotgun) and we were singing “Country Roads, take me home….”

We got to Rt. 81 in Southwest Virginia and at Wytheville, my father decided he wanted to show us a new tunnel that was being built.  One of my father’s law clients was Langenfelder from Baltimore, MD, and they built tunnels.  Besides hearing the name quite a bit in our home, I knew them because they allowed my dad to use their baseball box seats at the Orioles game about once a year and boy, those were great seats!

We got off Rt. 81 and onto this new highway going West.  No one else was on the road.  We drove and drove, until we reached a big mountain and there it was…this HUGE hole built into the side of the mountain.  The tunnel would connect to Bluefield, WV.  Once it was completed, people wouldn’t have to snake up and over that big mountain; they’d just breeze through the tunnel.

In today’s Old Testament lesson from Isaiah, which is then quoted in the beginning of the Gospel of Mark, we hear these words:

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way;

3 the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight” ’,

This was quoted from Isaiah 40, words from the prophet in exile in Babylon, but anticipating the peoples’ return to Jerusalem.  You see, Israel didn’t have roads.  The terrain was difficult, so mostly there were beaten paths – that’s what the Hebrew word for “road” means – beaten path.  They were really well-used footpaths.  There was no highway department nor transportation money to care for these roads.  No repairs were made to them nor obstacles removed.

On certain occasions, a king at the time, had roads made so their armies could travel from place to place.  It’s that idea that prompted the words from Isaiah and subsequently Mark.  A great King is coming.  People, in this case John the Baptist, have been sent ahead to prepare a road, so the King and the King’s army can travel the land with ease.

That tunnel through the mountain at Bluefield, WV, or the tunnel at Cumberland Gap, are modern equivalents.  No longer must you snake up and down the mountain to travel.  That big tunnel through the mountain has made your path straight.

And in the same way, we are called to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming.  We’re called to stop the snaking up and down the mountains and instead, to make a straight and easy path for God to break into our world.

There are many ways we need to do this – some of those are unique and special to us – things God is calling us to do.  For instance, last week, Emily Cardwell talked about her call to prison ministry.  There are some things we must do together in Christian community and as the community of St. John’s.

As I reflected upon the events of the past couple of weeks in Ferguson, MO, and Staten Island, NY, I believe one way we must prepare the way of the Lord and make straight a highway is to address the issue of racism.  Now, I could preach for a long time on what I think needs to be done.  Yes, there needs to be education and discussion.  But that needs to then lead to action.  There are a couple of action things I suggest we can do together as St. John’s.

When Elmer Parlier was looking at the old deeds for our property, he discovered some restrictions on some of the older deeds that prohibited the property from being sold to a person who was African-American.  Now those old deeds used a common name that we now consider pejorative.

And most of us know about how the African-Americans in Corbin were put on the train north and their part of town burned down in the early 1900s, something that happened in lots of places at the time.

In addition, Corbin was a “sundown town” almost into 1990!  That is, a town where African-Americans were told by signs leading into town, that they needed to be out of the city limits by sundown.

In looking at these things, I believe we must ask, what does that mean for us today?  What did those restrictive covenants and the burning of property, and denying people to be in town based upon their race, do to us today?  What is the legacy of those rules and events?  And then, what must be our response to that today?  How do we repent of the evil that has been done?

Another area where we could do more involves supporting Ken and Shelia and the Kentucky Native American Museum and the Annual Pow-Wow. For a number of years, we hosted the pow-wow in our park.  We also have handed out water to attendees and participants each year.  But while the museum travels all over Kentucky, many of the local schools have not participated in either the education day before the opening of the pow-wow nor in having the museum come to their schools.

And while the Pow-Wow is a great event tourism-wise, with people renting rooms in the hotels and eating in the local restaurants, none of the local tourism agencies contribute dollars to it.  And there were murmurs after the first year, that the people who attended and participated were “dark skinned,” so there was an undercurrent to move the pow wow somewhere else.

What is this legacy that remains of viewing native people, especially the native people of this land right where we sit, as not human?  How has that legacy affected us and how does it continue to affect us today?

In addition, to handing out water at the pow-wow, are there things God is calling us to do to address this particular issue in this region?  Can we accompany Ken and Shelia to the hearings regarding whether money should be given for these events?  Can we write letters of support?

You see, right now when it comes to addressing this pervasive issue of racism in our country, we keep snaking up over the mountains, switchback after switchback, single file on worn footpaths, with obstacles, and ruts.  But our God is coming and has asked us to make a straight road…has asked us to prepare the way.  We, like John the Baptist are the messengers of God’s coming.  Let’s prepare the way!

Amen

This Sunday (December 7, 2014) at St. John’s

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Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. 2 Peter 3:14-15a

Our readings during this time of contemplative, hopeful waiting give us clues about the work in which we should be engaged.  Strive to be found at peace, Peter says.  What does that look like?  Peace!  Seriously???

Yet, I’m sure you’ve seen those people who at least on the outside, are the epitome of peace.  Lots is going on around them, but they are that presence that immediately calms everything down.  That person who doesn’t get caught up in the fray…doesn’t pump up the anxiety, but lowers it.  Calm and cool-headed.  What does it take to be like that?

Being centered on God is one thing I believe it takes.  Keeping your eyes on God’s love through Jesus Christ and all of God’s promises that we will be cared for.  One thing I’ve found very helpful in this regard is praying with prayer beads.  Yes, it’s helpful to pray, but holding those beads in my fingers and praying is comforting and relaxing and lowers my anxiety.

So, what a joy in the past few weeks to be making prayer beads for Chocolate Fest, adding another dimension to our efforts to strive to be found at peace.  The fellowship of working together and being with each other on a project enhanced our efforts, I believe.

The beads have been blessed and they are being prepared to be offered at Chocolate Fest this Saturday.  We pray these beads may help people strive for that peace, which is the work we are called to do during this Advent time.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 12-07-2014

Chocolate Fest is this Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm.  Be sure to come to chocolate fest where there will be the usual assortment of scrumptious chocolate and candy, breads and cakes, as well as handcrafted ornaments and Christmas items.  Prayer beads made by parishioners of all ages will be available and rubber band bracelets in holiday colors, too.  Don’t Miss It!

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be St. Agnes’ House Monday through Thursday.  Her Sabbath Day will be Friday, December 12.  You may leave her a message by phoning the church office at 606-528-1659 or emailing priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Adult Forum: During December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles, BCP 867-876.  Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination.  Are the Articles still relevant today?  Join the discussion.  There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.

Godly Play (Sunday School): The Godly Play program is for children and offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Mission House Eucharist: Join Rebecca for a Celebration of Holy Eucharist on Tuesday, December 9, 11am at Mission House in Lexington.  Lunch will be served after Eucharist and a tour of St. Agnes’ House will be available.

Winter Coat Donations: The Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9.  Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22.  If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.  You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14.  Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing.  Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is December 17.  If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

Youth grades 7-12 are invited to a retreat, “A New Year in the Spirit” at Cathedral Domain, Saturday, December 27 – until Tuesday, December 30.  See Rebecca for more information.

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.

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.

United Thank Offering.  Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church.  The next collection will be in the spring. 

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.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (November 30) at St. John’s

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I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus…. I Corinthians 1:4

A blessed and happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you.  On many Sunday afternoons, after everyone has gone home from church and the busyness of the day has subsided, I find myself in a state of gratitude.  A blessed and joyous state of gratitude.

I think back over the morning and there are so many places of grace.  There’s the rambling, but always interesting and challenging discussion at Adult Forum; the anticipation of seeing everyone show up, greet each other, and fellowship, even to the point where church doesn’t always start on time.  There’s the sounds of the choir practicing.  There’s the children telling me about their week and some new thing they’ve learned.  There’s the blessing of our worship together.  I look out and see your earnest faces.  I look out and see the children, copying my motions during the Eucharistic prayer.  And when you come forward, the way you hold out your hands for the bread of life is always a special moment.

So, on this Thanksgiving Day, I give thanks to God for you, the parish of St. John’s, Corbin.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

My Schedule

I am on vacation until Saturday.  Next week, I will be in Corbin Tuesday and Wednesday.  My sabbath days will be Monday, December 1, and Friday, December 5.

This Sunday we welcome Emily Cardwell to the pulpit. Emily is in the supervisory
part of discerning a call to ministry for the Diaconate. She has been supported in this process
by a discernment committee and her Vestry at St. John’s in Versailles, as well as by her husband,
Jeff and their three children – Leah, Quinn and Willa. She has been assigned to St. Agnes House
for her supervisory reflection, while also being given the opportunity to preach here in
Corbin. Emily is on the Pastoral Care team where her focus is prison ministry, and she finishes
up her third year as a Vestry member next month.

Advent Lessons and Carols, November 30, 4pm. Begin Advent with this special evening service of Scripture and hymns.

 

Adult Forum
This week and during December, we’ll continue our discussion of The Thirty-Nine Articles,BCP 867-876. Come learn about this historic document, which guides our denomination. Are the Articles still relevant today? Join the discussion. There will be no Adult Forum on December 28.

In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of
same gender relationships. If you’d like to lead a session, please see Rebecca.

Wednesday Morning Eucharist
Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, December 3, 9am in the Sanctuary.

Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm. Bring your donations to the church on Friday during the day.  Also create an event on your Facebook page to invite your friends!

Two furnaces replaced, 1 more to go! The furnaces located in the sacristy and the parish hall have been replaced. Thanks so much to all who donated! Now we need to replace the furnace in the rectory. Cost is just under $1,700 for a furnace that will also be more energy efficient. Donations for the furnace can be put in the box on the table in the parlor.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9. Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22. If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.

You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

A St. Nicholas Festival for children will be held on Saturday, December 6, 4:00pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.

Join Rebecca at Mission House in Lexington for Eucharist and lunch on Tuesday, December 9, 11:30am. Break bread together and meet and visit with Diocesan Staff.  A tour of St. Agnes’ House will also be held.

Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14. Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing. Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

You’ve heard about BLACK FRIDAY and CYBER MONDAY. On DECEMBER 2, start your ADVENT with #GivingTuesday at http://bit.do/domain2014, a national moment around the holidays dedicated to giving. From 12:00 am to 11:59 pm EDT, supporters of participating nonprofits like THE CATHEDRAL DOMAIN can go online to connect with causes they care about and make tax-deductible donations. All contributions from this campaign will be used to support the ministry of the Cathedral Domain. You can schedule your donation at any time and it will be processed on
December 2.

 

 

Our Distorted Faith (Sermon) November 23, 2014

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Sermon – November 23, 2014

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Last Sunday after Pentecost, Christ the King

Year A Proper 29 Track 1

Observance of Native American Heritage Month

`Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.  Matthew 25:45-46

Please be seated.

Today we are observing Native American Heritage Month.  I think I told you last year that as a child, I was scared to death of Indians.  There was Wagon Train, and so many other westerns.  There was the train ride at Hershey Park where Indians attacked the train.  And my father said some of our ancestors came to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, but were killed by the Indians.  There were historical markers in PA for Indian massacres.

Then there were the other images given me by learning about Jim Thorpe who was relocated to Carlisle, PA at the Indian Boarding School there.  At age 14, my parents took me to Tahlequah, the Cherokee Nation Capital in Oklahoma and taught me about the Trail of Tears. I had lots of confusion, fear, and curiosity about Indians as I grew up.

In 1989, I joined a group to address racism in our local community.  Eventually, we connected with the New Orleans-based Peoples’ Institute for Survival and Beyond.  I was fortunate to attend a nationwide training on Undoing Racism in the early 1990s.  It was held at a retreat center on the Gulf of Mexico, just outside of New Orleans.

The morning after I arrived, I took a walk along the Gulf.  On my way back to the center, I noticed one of the women from the training.  She was from the Navajo Nation in Arizona.  She motioned me over and told me she was doing a blessing in thanksgiving for safe travels.  She also told me she was from a water clan and this was the first time she’d seen the ocean, so the moment was very special for her.  She had traveled with a friend, but the friend was from the Wolf clan and the ocean/gulf felt very intimidating to her.

She asked me to join her in the blessing, which I did.  We turned in all of the directions and gave thanks for all of creation.  It was a wonderful prayer moment for me.  And more than that, I started thinking about who I was in a different way.  I, too, loved the ocean, and realized that my mother’s family was also “water clan people” of a sort since they’d been on Italian islands for many, many years.

Also, that this woman knew her clan and identified that as important information, made me think, too.  In fact, during the training another woman who was Indian asked why white people always introduced themselves by telling about things – their job or where their house was – rather than about their relationships – clan, mother, daughter.

And then, there was the whole notion of not owning the land!  That was a hard one to wrap my head around – that the land was just like the air we breathe and belonged to the community, not to individuals.

I’m sure you know of the awful history of how the Immigrants, for many of us, our ancestors, treated the indigenous people of this land.  The dominant society, who claimed to be Christian, certainly did not read the section of Matthew we read today nor other sections of the Gospel where Jesus clearly tells us how to treat one another.  No, many of our ancestors came, and played mental tricks so the Indians were not seen as human beings, and therefore, could be destroyed.  It’s a painful history, which has led to a painful legacy for all of us.  We have all been hurt.

And for we Christians who identify with the dominant culture, our understanding and faith in Jesus Christ has been distorted by the actions and legacy of our ancestors.  Rather than listening to the indigenous peoples about the reality of the context of life here, right here in what is now known as Corbin, KY, we imposed our understanding of the land and resources where we came from.

The indigenous peoples, the Indians, had been on this land for over 14,000 years!  They’d seen Cumberland Falls develop and change, most likely.  They’d learned the patterns of the seasons, the patterns of all living creatures.

In thinking about our observance today, I was going through some books I have.  One is God is Red:  A Native View of Religion by Vine DeLoria, Jr.  At the end of the book, Mr. DeLoria says (p. 296, 30th Anniversary Edition):

Who will find peace with the lands?  The future of humankind lies waiting for those who will come to understand their lives and take up their responsibilities to all living things.  Who will listen to the trees, the animals and birds, the voices of the places of the land?  As the long-forgotten peoples of the respective continents rise and begin to reclaim their ancient heritage, they will discover the meaning of the lands of their ancestors.  That is when the invaders of the North American continent will finally discover that for this land, God is red.

Ken Phillips will now share some words with us.

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (November 23, 2014) at St. John’s

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Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for Christ the King Sunday)

Last Sunday we learned of the death of Abdul-Rahman Kassig.  Sarah Pollom was a close friend and Anne Day and Jeff Davis knew him well, so we were especially connected to this event, having prayed mightily for his release.  Sarah was interviewed by CNN earlier this week.

By all accounts, Abdul-Rahman Kassig loved all of humanity.  In his 26 short years, he was an Army ranger and Iraq War Veteran, who traveled to the MidEast region during a college spring break in 2012.  There he found his calling, leaving school to help people who were suffering.  “Here, in this land, I have found my calling,” he continued. “Every day that I am here I have more questions and less answers, but what I do know is that I have a chance to do something here, to take a stand. To make a difference.”

He did just that, easing the suffering of people until his capture by ISIS in October, 2013.  As he faced the very real prospect of his death, he wrote to his parents:

“If I do die, I figure that at least you and I can seek refuge and comfort in knowing that I went out as a result of trying to alleviate suffering and helping those in need,” he wrote.

“Just know I’m with you,” he added. “Every stream, every lake, every field and river. In the woods and in the hills, in all the places you showed me.”

Our Collect for this week asks that we may be freed from sin and brought together under God’s most gracious rule.  Let us remember Abdul-Rahman Kassig as a person who worked for that goal.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 11-23-2014

This Sunday we celebrate Native American Heritage Month.  In commemoration of Native American Heritage month we will be gathering in the parish hall and process to the parlor to begin our service. We will remain in the parlor while Ken and Shelia Phillips smudge the nave and sanctuary. The smudge used is of the four sacred herbs to the Cherokee: sage, tobacco, cedar and sweet grass. After the sanctuary and nave have been smudged you are invited to smudge yourself as you enter the nave by washing your face seven times in the smoke, an action that cleanses the mind and heart as one takes in the smudge. The smoke of the smudge carries our prayers to heaven in the same manner that the Psalmist observes, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before thee, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice!” (Psalm 141:2)

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rebecca will be on vacation for the week If you have a pastoral emergency, please call the Rev. John Burkhart at 521-0345.

Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, December 3, 9am, in the Sanctuary. 

Adult Forum: The Adult Forum meets each Sunday at 10:00 am in the Parish Hall.

Sunday School – Godly Play: The Godly Play program is for children is offered each Sunday morning at 10:00 am. All children are invited to participate in this special form of spiritual development.

Advent Lessons and Carols, November 30, 4pm.  Begin Advent with this special evening service of Scripture and hymns

Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 6, 9am – 3pm.  If you can contribute something to the fest, please turn in your donation form by November 23.

A St. Nicholas Festival for children will be held on Saturday, December 6, 4:00pm, at Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.

Join Rebecca for Eucharist on Tuesday, December 9, 11am at Mission House in Lexington.  Lunch will be served after Eucharist and a tour of St. Agnes’ House will be available.

Rotary Club of Corbin is collecting 500 new winter coats, especially for boys and girls ages 3-9.  Coats will be distributed at the Empty Stocking Fund party on December 22.  If you’d like to donate a coat, bring it to church and give it to Rebecca.  You can also make a financial contribution to Empty Stocking Fund and give it to Rebecca.

Donations for Christmas Flowers are being accepted until December 14.  Donations can be made in Honor of, in Memory of or in Thanksgiving for a person or blessing.  Envelopes are available in the parlor or put your offering in the plate marked, “Christmas Flowers.”

Decorate the church, Sunday, December 21, after church. Bring your lunch and stay after church on December 21 to help us decorate for Christmas.

Kroger Rewards: St. John’s is now registered with the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please register your Kroger card at http://krogercommunityrewards.com . Our NPO number is 47782.

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.

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.

United Thank Offering.  Remember to get your box for your thank offerings for this ministry of The Episcopal Church.  The next collection will be in the spring. 

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.

The Vestry has voted to donate $25 each month to Everlasting Arm Homeless Shelter. If you’d like to contribute, put your donations in the collection box by the guest register or mark your donation and put it in the collection plate.

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.