Monthly Archives: February 2015

Find the Current of God (sermon) February 8, 2015

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Sermon – February 8, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
The Fifth Sunday After Epiphany, Year B
Observance of African-American History Month

but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

 Please be seated

I love the prairie.  I saw the tall grass prairie for the first time in 1994, in late April, after my husband had accepted a job in Topeka, KS.  I had visited Chicago as a teenager and I decided then that I did not really like flat ground, so I wasn’t all that excited about the prospect of living in a place so flat.

But even on that first trip, I loved the expanse of the sky.  The view was overwhelming.  You could see so far into the distance.  It’s not that trees cannot grow in Kansas, it’s that you have tall grasses, which easily catch on fire, especially during a thunder and lightening storm, creating new tender grass shoots, which attract large hoofed animals that massage the earth.  It’s just not conducive to trees.

So the grasses grow up to 8 feet tall during the summer.  And the wind NEVER stops blowing.  NEVER!  There is always wind.  So the earth warms up and the heat rises and the wind blows, creating the most wonderful air currents.

Raptors like hawks and eagles LOVE the Kansas prairie.  And because the vista is so expansive, you can watch the hawks and eagles catch the breeze and ride the currents.  They save themselves plenty of energy by doing that.

And in today’s Old Testament reading, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that when we are doing God’s work, we’ll find those air currents and be lifted high like the eagle… the eagle representing St. John.  We won’t get weary nor be faint when we catch that current that God provides.

Later this week, on Friday, we’ll remember Absalom Jones, the first African-American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church.  Absalom Jones knew what it meant to find those currents from God that raise the eagles in flight.  Listen to the biography of Jones available on the website of African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, the church Jones founded:

 The life and legacy of The Reverend Absalom Jones is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, his faith, and his commitment to the causes of freedom, justice and self-determination.

 Absalom Jones was born into slavery in Sussex County, Delaware on November 6, 1746. During the 72 years of his life, he grew to become one of the foremost leaders among persons of African descent during the post-revolutionary period. In his younger years in Delaware, Absalom sought help to learn to read. When he was 16, his owner Benjamin Wynkoop brought him to Philadelphia where he served as a clerk and handyman in a retail store. He was able to work for himself in the evenings and keep his earnings. He also briefly attended a school run by the Quakers where he learned mathematics and handwriting. In 1770, he married Mary Thomas and purchased her freedom. It was until 1784 that he obtained his own freedom through manumission. He also owned several properties.

 During this period, he met Richard Allen, who became a life-long friend. In 1787 they organized the Free African Society as a social, political and humanitarian organization helping widows and orphans and assisting in sick relief and burial expenses. Jones and Allen were also lay preachers at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA where their evangelistic efforts met with great success and their congregation multiplied ten-fold. As a result, racial tensions flared and ultimately they led an historic walk out from St. George’s.

 In 1792, under the dual leadership of Absalom Jones and Richard Allen, “The African Church” was organized as a direct outgrowth of the Free African Society. Both Jones and Allen wished to affiliate with the Methodists, but the majority of the congregation favored the Episcopal Church. Richard Allen withdrew with a part of the congregation to found Bethel Church (later, Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church). The African Church became The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas with Absalom Jones as its Lay Reader and Deacon. In 1802, Jones was ordained by Bishop William White as the first African American Episcopal Priest.

 During the severe yellow fever epidemic of 1793, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen mobilized the Black community to care for the afflicted. In 1797 and 1799 Absalom Jones, with other free Africans, presented tenable petitions to Congress and to the President of the United States opposing slavery. Two schools and supportive services for the Black community developed under his leadership.

 Absalom Jones died on February 13, 1818 at his residence, 32 Powell Street, Philadelphia, PA. Tributes and accounts of his funeral appeared in several periodicals. The Episcopal Bishop, William White, spoke of Jones’ devotion and care of his congregation and of his many contributions to the life of the city. The February 13th Absalom Jones Feast Day was added to the Episcopal Church Calendar in 1973. His ashes are enshrined in the altar of the Reverend Absalom Jones Chapel of the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, and a memorial stained glass window commemorates his life and work.

http://www.aecst.org/ajones.htm

 What this biography fails to mention is the trials Absalom Jones went through to get his church recognized by The Episcopal Church.  He was denied admission to General Theological Seminary, for instance.  There was also some opposition to the church being fully recognized by the Diocese.

Can you imagine…here were many people drawn to The Episcopal Church and its understanding of faith in Jesus Christ, rejected only because of the color of their skin.

But Absalom and the members of St. Thomas under his cure, persevered.  He and they read St. Paul’s letters, including the portion we read today from the first letter to the Corinthians, “If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!” 1 Cor. 9:16

They only wanted to proclaim the Gospel, just like Jesus did and we heard in our Gospel lesson today:  “And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.” Mark 1:39

Even though The Episcopal Church of their day segregated them, they caught the winds and flew like eagles even into the current day.  Many Dioceses in the country celebrate Absalom Jones Day with special services and special offerings for the Historically Black College of The Episcopal Church, St. Augustine’s in Raleigh, NC.

When we become weary and tired as we usually do, let us remember the perseverance of Absalom Jones…let us remember how the eagles find the current and rise, saving their energy.  Let us rest, find the current of God, and rise like the eagles.

Amen

This Sunday (February 8) at St. John’s

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Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ…. Collect for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Pg. 216, Book of Common Prayer

We have a couple of weeks hearing about Jesus healing people and setting people free of their demons.  We may not talk in terms of demons these days, but our Collect of the Day for Sunday gives us a different different definition — demons are things which keep us in bondage.  Our Collect asks that we be freed from the bondage of our sins — that we be freed from the demons that manifest themselves in our sins.

What are your demons?  What sins hold you in bondage today?  Together we’ll pray that God sets us free!

Blessings and peace as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

This Sunday we will observe African-American History month.  Our observance reminds us of the many ways the church worships each Sunday all around the world.

Adult Forum Currently, we are discussing the blessing of same gender relationships. This week, Rebecca will lead a discussion on the elements of the liturgy.  We will also go through the liturgy.

On February 22, we begin a series on Appalachia.  Professor Joseph Pearson, who teaches history at Union College, will speak about the race riots in Corbin.

Grow Appalachia!  We’ve received a grant for $4,530 for our community garden through Grow Appalachia.  The Grow Appalachia website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/  The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Sunday, February 15, after church. 

The Annual International Dinner will be held February 28, 7pm, London Community Center. Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of London and Corbin, the proceeds of the dinner support the eradication of polio.  Tickets are $25 each.  The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will provide of match of $100 for a purchase of 2 tickets.  Tables of 8 are also available for $250.  If you’d like to attend this fun event or if you’d like to provide food for it, please see Rebecca.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 – 7:30pm.  Come for this truly Episcopal tradition to end Epiphany and prepare for the start of Lent.  Free Will donation.

Ash Wednesday Services will be held on February 18, at 9am and 7pm.  Eucharist and imposition of ashes will occur at both services.

Family Game night is the 4th Friday of the month.  The next Family Game Night is Friday, February 27, 6:30 – 8:30pm.  Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks.  Pizza will be provided. 

The Vestry is considering how best to use the space that is now our Parlor.  Various ideas have included using the space as a welcome and information place, where information is available about St. John’s, our various ministries, and our members.  Another idea is to have a prayer space with candles that can be lit for specific prayer intentions.  If you have comments or other ideas, please see a member of Vestry or Rebecca.

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.

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.

Provide Flowers for the altar in honor or in memory of a loved one: 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.

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Amazed! (Sermon) February 1, 2015

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Sermon – February 1, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The Fourth Sunday After Epiphany, Year B

They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching– with authority! Mark 1:27

Please be seated.

This week, I’ve been remembering and thinking about my experiences in addressing hunger.  How was it that I came to believe that following Jesus meant addressing issues like hunger?

My earliest memory is of being in Junior High School in the late 60s and waking my parents up early on Friday mornings.  The church I grew up in had partnered with the church down the street to make sure the children in the public housing complex in our neighborhood got breakfast each morning before they went to school.  Obviously, this was before school breakfast programs.

The mothers in the housing complex knew that a good breakfast was essential to their children getting a good education.  A number of the mothers attended the neighboring church and said they wanted to start this program.  They needed additional help, and members of my church helped on Fridays.  I remember there were plenty of wonderful stories about my parents going to help the mothers with this breakfast.  Sometimes the children didn’t like the food, but the mothers made it clear they’d better eat it.

In 1972, there was a huge flood in Harrisburg.  Only a small part of the center city did not get flooded, which included my church.  So many people were devastated by this flood and having enough food was a major issue.  Some people got together and started a food pantry in the basement of the church.  Suddenly, the little stage and much of the storage space in the church was filled with cans and cans of food and brown paper bags.  Lots of volunteers came to help.  My church regularly collected food.  If you visited the church during a weekday, you’d often find people waiting to get their bag of food.  When my father retired and as long as he was able, he was a volunteer at this Food Pantry.

Early on, I learned that following Jesus meant finding a way for people that were hungry to get food.  I guess that’s why when I found out Corbin Presbyterian needed help unloading 9,000 pounds of food and packing 312 boxes for senior citizens, I was happy to go help.  I guess that’s why I’m so excited about the Grow Appalachia program that makes it possible for people to learn how to grow their own fresh food and to sell some or give it away to others.  I guess that’s why I was so happy for Knox County Community Economic Council to use our park last summer as a lunch site for children.

In our Gospel today, Jesus astounds and amazes the people in Galilee.  He teaches with authority.  He rebukes the unclean spirits and makes them come out of people.  In essence, he challenges people to think differently.  I hear this amazement as excitement, but I’m sure some were thinking, “who does he think he is?”

Most of us don’t like to be challenged to think differently.  Yet, that’s what Jesus does throughout his entire ministry…challenges the status quo.  He asks us to love our neighbors.  He asks us to love ourselves.  He asks us to serve our neighbors.  He challenges all of the hierarchies we build between who’s rich and who’s poor, between who’s superior and who’s inferior, between genders, between people of different ages.

Love is at the heart of the message of Jesus…love for all of humanity…love for all of creation.   Making sure people have the basic needs for a good life:  food, clothing, shelter, meaningful work at a living wage, and a healthy environment, for no other reason than that they are beloved of God.

It’s a lot to ask and when we follow Jesus, Jesus never stops turning our world upside down and challenging us.

In the early 1980s, I was a new single mom.  My children were 4 and 5.  I had lots of family support and I was working really hard to be self-sufficient.  I’d gotten a new job with better benefits, although not much more money, but I wouldn’t get a paycheck for four weeks – your first bi-weekly check was held.  My apartment was pretty good, but there were railroad tracks close by and when the trains went by, the rattling of the apartment would make the dining room light come on.  But it had been hard as a single mom with two kids to even find a landlord willing to rent to us.

One Saturday, there was a knock on my door and I opened it to find my pastor.  He was carrying a brown bag of food from the Food Pantry.  I was overwhelmed to be the recipient of one of these bags of food and so grateful to be able to stretch my dollars for the month.  After he left and as I was unpacking the food, I found a check for $25 in the bag.  I was amazed.

That’s what following Jesus does…encourages us to come together and care for others in ways that may go against our inclinations.  In the process Jesus teaches us new things with authority and we are amazed.

Amen