This Sunday (March 15, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on March 12, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God…. Ephesians 2:8

I can’t help it…this verse from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians gets me and probably always will. Most likely it’s all of those years being a Lutheran. Grace, the free and unmerited gift of God, saves us.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not always grace-full with others. Don’t we all want someone to “earn our trust?” It’s wise after all not to fully trust others. We live in a world where it’s necessary and prudent to place conditions on our relationships.

That’s why God’s unconditional relationship with us is so amazing and liberating. We always get another chance. We are loved because we are…. And because of that acceptance and love, we are changed and we change how we live in the world. We are generous. We are compassionate. We are forgiving. Our response to God’s unconditional love of us, is to be better people and to create a better world.

Blessings to you, beautiful creation of God, as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca’s Schedule
Rebecca will be in Lexington Tuesday and Wednesday and Corbin Thursday and Friday. Her Sabbath Day will be Monday. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 orpriest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This Sunday, Professor Joe Pearson will talk about “Why Appalachia got left behind – 1965 to present.”

The Vestry adopted the following Mission Statement for St. John’s Church: Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ.

What are our 3-5 goals for 2015? Vestry is considering various goals to reflect our mission statement. Ideas include sacristy renovation; support of LGBT people, possibly through a chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) or ongoing support of Union College’s Gay/Straight Alliance; Support for people dealing with addictions and their families; opening up the amphitheater and park to church bands; providing our parish hall to other religious groups; more ecumenical church services. What do you think we should be doing to put our mission statement into action?

Wednesday Evenings During Lent through March 25, 6:00pm, series on Appalachia. Plan to come on Wednesday evenings for a soup and bread supper, followed by a special series on Appalachia. Next Wednesday, Professor Jimmy Dean Smith will lead a discussion on the first half of the movie, Matewan.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Thursdays through March 26. If you’re interested in planting your own garden, either here in St. John’s Park or in your own backyard, or helping with a community plot here in the park, please plan to attend these meetings.

Good Ag Practices (GAP) Certification class, Monday, March 16, 6pm, Laurel County Extension Office. This class is required if you’d like to sell items at the Farmer’s Markets.

Diocesan Convention has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 28, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Lexington. We need two new Deputies to attend on our behalf. Our elected Deputies are unable to attend on this date. Please let Rebecca know if you can attend.

Donations are being accepted until March 29, for flowers to decorate the church for Easter. Use the donation envelopes and write if the donation is “in honor of/in memory” of a loved one or a special occasion. Donations in any amount will be accepted.

Honor or remember a loved one through altar flowers. Please sign up on the Flower Donation Chart and let us know if you’d like the flowers to be “in memory of/in honor of” a loved one or special occasion. We suggest a donation of $20. Please place your donation in the envelopes provided.

The Altar Guild and Worship Committee will meet Friday, March 20, 4:30-6:00pm to plan for Holy Week and Easter. If you are able to assist with altar and worship preparation for this busy week of the Church year, please try to attend or let Rev. Rebecca know.

A Confusion of the Spirit: Holy or Distilled? Saturday, March 21, 10am – noon. The Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke, a priest in North Carolina and one of Rebecca’s professors at General Seminary, is coming to Corbin to raise our community’s awareness about addiction and recovery. As a recovering individual himself, Stuart is very much involved in helping churches, congregations and individuals deal with the disease of alcoholism and addictive illness. He will also preach at the Sunday service.

Make a Covenant with St. John’s! God has made unconditional covenants with us that God will always be with us, always be our God. Likewise, through our annual pledge, we state our promise and obligation to the mission and work of the people of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Our mission and work not only includes our worship, Grow Appalachia, and family game nights, but also God’s work in our region through our Diocese and in our nation and world through The Episcopal Church and The Anglican Communion. If you’d like to make a covenant with St. John’s through a pledge, please see Rebecca or Gay Nell Conley.

Reading Camp Meeting, March 26, 10:15am. The Reading Camp Group is working on raising $2,000 to support five children at the Pine Mountain Settlement Reading Camp, July 12-18. If you are interested in helping recruit children, mentor children, volunteering for Reading Camp, or raising funds, let Rebecca know. St. John’s has committed to raising $400.

Schedule for Holy Week and Easter Services, Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3

Monday through Thursday, 10am, Morning Prayer
Wednesday, April 1, 6:00pm – Stations of the Cross
Thursday, April 2, 7:00pm – Maundy Thursday Service with Eucharist, Washing of the Feet, and Stripping of the Altar
Thursday, April 2, 8:30pm – Friday, April 3, 6:00am – Prayer Garden Vigil
Friday, April 3, 6:00am – Morning Prayer with consuming Reserved Sacrament
Saturday, April 4, 7:00pm, Easter Vigil followed by Champagne and Chocolate Reception
Sunday, April 5, 11:00am, Easter Day Celebration, followed by Easter Egg Hunt for the Children

Zeal for Change (Sermon) March 8, 2015

Posted on March 9, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – March 8, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Third Sunday in Lent Year B
International Women’s Day

03-08-2015 Bulletin

“Zeal for your house will consume me.” Psalm 69:9 as quoted in John 2:17

Have you ever met a person who’s been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize? I’ve had the great fortune to attend a lecture by the Dalai Lama (1989) and to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1984) and hear him speak a number of times.

In the summer of 2012, I was fortunate to meet another Nobel Peace Prize Winner – Leymah Gbowee. Ms. Gbowee, a social worker, spoke at the National Association of Social Workers conference I attended. Ms. Gbowee was born in 1972 in Liberia and grew up during the civil wars in the country. She left Liberia for a time, living in Ghana, but eventually returned to her country. She was poor, sometimes homeless.

She was able to obtain some social work training, especially to help victims of the trauma from the first Liberian Civil War. She eventually helped young boys who had been child soldiers in the war.

Midst the second Liberian Civil War, which began in 1999, she continued studying peacebuilding, especially connected to professors and students through a program at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA. Various peacebuilding movements were occurring between countries of Africa and Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) was established, with a branch in Liberia, headed by Gbowee in 2002.

In a dream, she heard God telling her to gather the women and pray for peace. Gbowee was Christian and connected with a Mandingo-Muslim woman, named Asatu. They started by gathering women to go to Muslim prayers every Friday, to the Saturday morning markets, and to two churches on Sunday.

Their flyers read: “We are tired! We are tired of our children being killed! We are tired of being raped! Women, wake up – you have a voice in the peace process!” They also handed out simple drawings explaining their purpose to the many women who couldn’t read.

They prayed Muslim and Christian prayers. They wore white t-shirts to distinguish themselves. Eventually, they met every single day in the capital. They even met in a soccer field that the President passed every day.

Eventually, a peace process was convened in Ghana. Gbowee led a contingent of women to the posh hotel where the men were meeting. At first, they gathered outside of the hotel, but when the peace process dragged on, they went inside the hotel and sat down in protest just outside the doors of the meeting room. They vowed not to move until peace was negotiated. When the men tried to leave, the women threatened to take off their own clothes. Ms. Gbowee explains, “In Africa, it’s a terrible curse to see a married or elderly woman deliberately bare herself.” (Mighty Be Our Powers, p. 162). The peace accord finally came a few weeks later in August 2003.

The aftermath of war meant much work to restore the country and to heal the people. Ms. Gbowee continued her studies, eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University.

In our Gospel today, Jesus is angry. But why? I mean, the people had set up a system to worship God that had been in place for quite awhile. There was a currency of the Temple since many people came from many different places. They could convert their home currency into one used in the Temple. Everything was there for sale that was necessary to make the proper sacrifices – thanksgiving or intercession or atonement. The rules for sacrifice are contained in the early chapters of Leviticus. They represent the main way humans interact with God.

But, you see, the wisdom of the world that set up this tidy little system, was not in accord with God’s. It was not a worshipful space, but rather had become a place of commerce. Imagine, God’s mercy…God’s worship distilled down to a simple formula – two turtledoves or a male sheep or goat. Jesus has come to emphasize a new way to connect with God…not through sacrifice…not through pilgrimage to the Temple during the great feasts…but more directly through Jesus.

Once again, Jesus upsets the established ways of the world. The established ways of the world upset him.

During Women’s History Month and today during International Women’s Day, we can take time to upset the ways of the world especially in regards to girls and women. The statistics showing the reality of women’s lives are awful. Yes, things have changed dramatically during my lifetime and yet women’s earnings continue to be less than they should be. Poverty is greater. Women in many countries are denied the most basic education and too many women still die in childbirth. And the rates and acceptance of violence against women are scary. We must upset the ways of the world today when it comes to women.

We can look to the example of Leymah Gbowee who came to know the power of women to require peace…to save their children. A woman who worked across tribal and religious boundaries for the good of humanity. She was and is not perfect. The realities of war took their toll on her and she went into recovery from alcohol addiction. Ms. Gbowee’s Christian beliefs grounded her. In an address to students at Eastern Mennonite University in 2009, she said,

“I didn’t get there by myself… or anything I did as an individual, but it was by the grace and mercy of God…. He has held my hands. In the most difficult of times, he has been there. They have this song, “Order my steps in your ways, dear Lord,” and every day as I wake up, that is my prayer, because there’s no way that anyone can take this journey as a peacebuilder, as an agent of change in your community, without having a sense of faith…. As I continue this journey in this life, I remind myself: All that I am, all that I hope to be, is because of God.”

Amen

This Sunday (March 1) at St. John’s

Posted on February 27, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

The poor shall eat and be satisfied Psalm 22:25

I just left a Grow Appalachia Meeting. These meetings are full of dreams and hopes. There are so many vegetables we all love, especially fresh from the garden. So many varieties of tomatoes. We are supposed to measure our harvest to report to Grow Appalachia, but what about the wonderful cherry tomatoes you really want to pop into your mouth right from the plant?

Tonight we laid out the garden – 10 beds arranged to look like a cross, with a circular herb bed in the middle. We decided what to plant in the beds, with an eye towards color and beauty. We looked at the dates to plant each vegetable and marked them on a calendar. Then we planned a shopping trip for fertilizer, tools and seeds.

AND the plot is covered with inches of snow! We cannot even begin to know when we will be able to plant! Now, that is Hope and dreams.

We dream of a harvest that we share, especially with our neighbors who are poor…with people who are homeless and people who must come to the food pantry. We are living into this Sunday’s Psalm about the poor eating and being satisfied.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Join us for pancakes and game night! Friday, February 27, 6pm.

Rebecca’s Schedule
Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House this week, Monday through Thursday. Her Sabbath Day will be Friday. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday we welcome The Rev. Phillip Haug. Rebecca will be at St. Patrick’s Somerset to talk about St. Agnes’ House and to celebrate the service.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Adult Forum
During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This Sunday, Professor Jimmy Smith, will lead a discussion on Appalachia and the land. Next week, we will have a discussion on the “Discovery” of Appalachia.

The Vestry proposes the following Mission Statement for St. John’s Church: Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ. Let us know what you think about this statement, which guides us to goals and actions that embody our Mission.

Wednesday Evenings During Lent through March 25, 6:30pm, series on Appalachia. Plan to come on Wednesday evenings for a soup and bread supper, followed by a special series on Appalachia. This Wednesday, Professor Joseph Pearson will lead a discussion on The 20th Century Discovery of Appalachia.

The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet not meet Thursday, March 5, but will meet Saturday, March 7, 8:30am for a shopping trip. If you’re interested in planting your own garden, either here in St. John’s Park or in your own backyard, or helping with a community plot here in the park, please plan to attend these meetings.

Daylight Savings Time begins next Sunday, March 8. Remember to set your clocks forward 1 hour on Saturday night.

The Sign of the Rainbow (bulletin and sermon) February 22, 2015

Posted on February 21, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

NOTE: Due to weather conditions, the bulletin is included with this sermon if you’d like to worship at home tomorrow. We will have service at 11 for all who can make it. Please be safe and warm…. Love, Rebecca+

Sermon – February 22, 2015
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
First Sunday in Lent Year B

Bulletin 2-22-2015

[God said] When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” Genesis 9:16

Please be seated

It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it? More snow than has been in these regions for nearly 2 decades, followed by some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen, followed by ice, sleet and rain. Most schools were closed for the week, including colleges. Stores and restaurants closed early or never opened.

Many activities were canceled or postponed. We canceled our Shrove Tuesday pancake supper and still can’t quite figure out when to have it. Very few could make it to Ash Wednesday services. A good week to stay inside, but then there’s the cabin fever that sets in.

And while weather forecasts have gotten so much better, the one thing we know for certain is that the weather is unpredictable! The forecast has been pretty accurate this week. But remember just last month when a HUGE snowstorm was predicted for the East Coast? New York City shut down the subway system and New York declared a State of Emergency before even one snowflake fell, based upon the best weather models. Then something happened and the storm shifted east about 50 miles, totally missing New York City and pounding Long Island and New England instead.

My friends in that region blew up my Facebook page with their rants about the storm that never happened. There were the usual jokes about how can meterologists keep their jobs when they’re wrong 50% of the time? There were very real concerns that the next time a storm was predicted, people would not heed the warning and then get caught in some difficult situations.

But, you see, the nature of the weather is to be unpredictable. There are just too many variables at work and the best science we have today cannot account for all of them and make a certain prediction.

We must learn to live with the weather we get and with the unpredictability of it. Yet, most of us don’t like that unpredictability. We feel anxious or we want to totally ignore the forecasts. A good practice is to have an emergency kit with water, food you can eat without warming it up, candles, space blankets…things you might need if you didn’t have electricity for many days and were stranded. Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit) has suggestions and lists for what you need to be prepared. I’ll copy the lists and have them available in the parlor.

Midst all of the unpredictability of the weather which affects our lives, today we hear God’s words to Noah after a weather event that wiped out nearly all life on the earth. We know the story. In Genesis 6:11-13, God says:

Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw that the earth was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. And God said to Noah, ‘I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence because of them; now I am going to destroy them along with the earth.’

And we know how God told Noah to build the ark and to take 2 of every creature plus Noah’s family and put them on the ark. We know how it rained for 40 days and 40 nights and how eventually there was dry land.

In our passage today, we hear that after the flood, God decided to make a covenant with Noah and with all of Noah’s descendants. Now, a covenant is a special kind of agreement. It is a binding commitment between two or more parties. It describes each party’s obligations and responsibilities. It has the quality of constancy and durability.

And here’s the important piece…the covenant we hear about today is unconditional! God says what God will do in regards to us with no consequences or action on our part – NONE! Most of us cannot make a covenant like that, can we?

In verse 11, God tells Noah: “I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.”

And so we’ll know and remember this promise and obligation of God, God gives us a sign. A sign is the “visible evidence of the presence and purpose of God.” (Understanding the Old Testament 5th Edition; Anderson, Bishop & Newman; pg 68) God’s sign to us is the rainbow!

Every time we see the beautiful rainbow, and you see lots of them at Cumberland Falls, we remember God’s promise to not destroy the earth and every creature on earth by water. God’s promise to us is to save us…save us from ourselves.

This is God’s activity throughout the ages. God comes to earth as Jesus to save us. “…repent, and believe in the good news,” (Mark 1:15) we hear in today’s Gospel. Repent – turn around and believe in the good news that God saves us…that living God’s way saves us.

In today’s Epistle we hear in I Peter 3:18, “Christ suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God.” God made a covenant with Noah …a covenant with no conditions…a promise durable and lasting. God will not destroy us by water and God always, always acts to save us.

During this season of Lent, remember, think on and meditate on God’s saving actions. While we cannot predict the weather… we can predict God’s saving action! We can trust in God’s saving actions. Remember the covenant every time you see the beautiful rainbow.

Amen

Ash Wednesday

Posted on February 18, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Friends, I am at the church today if you can make it for Ash Wednesday services at 7pm; however, I know many of you cannot and should not be out in this weather. So, I hope you’ll consider reading the liturgy at home, possibly at 7pm so we’re reading it together.

You can find the Ash Wednesday service in The Book of Common Prayer, pg 264-269 or www.bcponline.org. Click on Proper Liturgies for Special Days and then on Ash Wednesday.

I’ve also attached the bulletin for tonight: Bulletin 02-15-2015 Ash Wednesday

The lectionary readings are at http://lectionarypage.net/YearABC/Lent/AshWed.html

My sermon is at: http://stjohnscorbin.org/?p=155219

Blessings as we observe a most Holy Lent….

Rebecca+

A view out the church back door…

A snowy view from the back window

It’s Lent, so we’ve changed from green to purple…

“Remember, from dust you came and to dust you shall return.”

Powerful and Awe-Inspiring Moments (Sermon) February 15, 2015

Posted on February 16, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – February 15, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The Last Sunday After Epiphany, Year B

The Transfiguration

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Mark 9:2-4

Please be seated.

The church I grew up in had changed radically by the early 60s. It was in a city, whose neighborhoods were changing, really disappearing from around the church. The church was right downtown, close to the state capitol and office buildings for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The many neighborhoods, especially the predominantly African-American neighborhoods that had once been there, were being swallowed up by the needs of state government and urban renewal plans. There was not much neighborhood around the church by the early 1960s.

But the church called a new pastor in 1963 and he challenged those there to revitalize the church. My father heard this Pastor on the radio one Sunday and soon after, started attending. By 1966, my mother converted from Roman Catholicism and we all started attending.

As I neared Junior High School a couple of years later – 7th Grade – I became very excited, because I’d be able to participate in the church youth group activities. The church had called an Assistant Pastor and he focused on youth and young married couples. There were a number of other adults who also assisted with the youth group and they seemed fun to be around.

So I was glad when it came time for me to join this group of 7th – 12th graders. Now for the first 3 years, I attended confirmation classes prior to the youth group meetings. Our Youth Group addressed many of the issues of the day such as the Vietnam War, the War on Poverty and Civil Rights. We formed a singing group which performed songs with many of the themes of our time interspersed with written words and poems… songs like Blowin’ in the Wind or If I Had a Hammer.

We explored our faith and how it led us to take action. We explored our belief in God. Those were the days when Time Magazine had a cover story, Is God Dead? There was a lot of questioning about belief in God and the place of the church. I had gone to church as long as I could remember. I wanted to believe in God. I loved the story of Jesus Christ. But I didn’t feel my belief deep in my soul and heart.

My best friend at the time and I would often go into the sanctuary in the evenings when it was dark, except for the Sanctuary light, which burned to let us know God was in this place. We’d talk and share the deepest concerns of our 12-year old lives, including how we understood God. We’d talk to God there.

Our youth group also went on retreats about twice a year. Weekends away where we’d have fun and deepen our faith. In the fall of my 8th grade year, we went to a retreat house just outside a small Pennsylvania town. On Sunday morning, we had our church service, which was very free-form. I remember the day was cold and late fall and very sunny. We started saying The Lord’s Prayer and I started crying…tears streaming down my face. Because I knew…I finally knew that God was real…that God was with me and in me. I knew it deep in my soul. I had experienced transfiguration.

In today’s Gospel Reading, we hear about Jesus’ transfiguration or being changed into something beautiful. Jesus and the Disciples had left the region around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus took Peter, James and John with him up Mt. Tabor.

Mt. Tabor rises almost 1900 feet out of the Jezreel Valley. It’s a steep climb up to the top. It’s understandable that not everyone made the climb. But what happened on that mountain was crucial for the Disciples. It was an experience both powerful and scary. So powerful that Peter wanted to make monuments there. And many paintings depict the disciples falling down part of the mountain in fear. I mean, what would you do if you saw Moses and Elijah speaking to Jesus and then heard a voice from heaven confirming that Jesus was beloved and should be listened to?

But, you see, God knew what was coming when those disciples walked down that mountain. They were setting off to Jerusalem and to another mount – Calvary. God knew that the disciples would be very confused by the way salvation was going to come to them. They were expecting a restoration of the Davidic Kingdom and being freed from the Romans. But that wasn’t going to be how things worked out. God knew it would be a hard road for all of them. So, God gave them this powerful and awe-inspiring and unforgettable moment…a moment to hang on to when life got confusing and challenging.

What are those moments for you? What are those times when you’ve felt peace or joy, especially in the community of God? Or those times when amazing “coincidences” happened? Those times when you are filled with awe? Those times when you experience a power beyond yourself? I hope you’ve had them. God gives them to us to hang on to when life is difficult and hard.

I’ve forgotten plenty of things in my life, but I’ve never forgotten that moment when I was 13, on that retreat, saying The Lord’s Prayer. I can picture it just as clearly as if it happened yesterday. Yes, since then, I’ve had tough and challenging times in my life…times when I didn’t feel so close to God, but that experience at 13 has kept me close to God at the same time…sometimes just by a thread, but nonetheless unshakeable in my belief in God.

Hold on…hold on to those moments of transfiguration – powerful and awe-inspiring. They comfort you on the journeys through the valleys of difficult and challenging times.

Amen

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

Posted on February 5, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

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 4^th 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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This Sunday (January 18, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on January 16, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

LORD, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1

I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I’m thrilled that God knows all of my thoughts! And yet, at the same time, it’s a comfort that God knows all about us. What a loving God who takes such care that even the most common actions of our lives are known to God. In other words, God is always with us.

And God is with us when we gather together as the community of St. John’s….

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rev. Rebecca will at St. John’s Corbin Wednesday, January 21 through Friday, January 23. Her Sabbath day will be Monday, January 19 and Tuesday, January 20. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org

Adult Forum: In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships. Next week, Rebecca will be reviewing Theology and the Bible: How the Episcopal Church develops its theology.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Youth Group Bowling. The youth ages 13-18 will go bowling Sunday afternoon, January 18, 1-3pm at Forest Bowling Lanes, Corbin. Please see Rev. Rebecca if you’d like to go.

The Diocesan Stewardship Commission is offering an update on their work prior to Diocesan Convention. Join Rebecca on Tuesday, January 20, at 7pm at St. Mary’s in Middlesboro to hear this update. We can ride together and leave about 5 so we can eat dinner together. The Bishop is also offering scholarships for teams from parishes to attend The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (www.tens.org) conference in Texas in May. Please let Rebecca know if you’re interested in either of these events, as well as assisting with stewardship at St. John’s.

Pot Luck Sunday: Next Sunday, January 25^th, after the 11:00 service is our monthly pot luck meal. Bring a dish or drink to share. And all are welcome! Plan on a time of fellowship with each other.

Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, January 21, 9am, in the Sanctuary.

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting is January 21st. If you have special prayer requests or would like to join this prayer ministry, please contact Shelia Phillips.

Ordination: Your prayers and presence are requested at the ordination to the Priesthood of Kate Byrd, Saturday, January 24, 2pm at Christ Church Cathedral.

Reading Camp Meeting, January 21, 10am. This meeting will be with people in Corbin interested in helping children read. We will look into recruiting children from Corbin for the Pine Mountain Camp, as well as connecting them to the local programs supporting reading during the school year. We will also discuss raising money to support the children and the camp. If you’d like to be part of this, please let Rebecca know.

Grow Appalachia Committee, January 21, 6:30pm. The Grow Appalachia Committee will meet Wednesday after the evening service to talk about plans for the garden this summer.

Worship Committee will meet Friday, January 23, 4:30pm to plan Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. All are welcome!

Game Night, Friday, January 30, 6:30-9:00pm. Everyone is invited to Game night on Friday, January 30, hosted by the Young Adults of the parish. Pizza will be provided. Bring snacks and your own drinks.

The annual Acolyte Festival will be held Saturday, January 31, 10am – 3:30pm at Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington

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.

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Born Saying God’s Name (Sermon) January 11, 2015

Posted on January 12, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – January 11, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

The First Sunday After Epiphany: The Baptism of the Lord

Year B

And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.¹¹And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’ Mark 1:10-11

Please Be Seated

Yesterday, my son, Scot, turned 40! Where did the time go? Naturally, at this time, I recall the day he was born and many other memories over the years. His son, Logan, is so much like him that I often call him Scot instead of Logan! It’s like I’m seeing my son grow up all over again, sort of.

But even in remembering, there’s so much we forget. I don’t think too many, if any, of us remember the day we were born. As adults, we talk about how traumatic it must be for a child to be born after nine months in a comfortable place with all of their needs met. We make jokes about how a baby cries when it’s born. Of course it’s important for a baby to cry at birth as a sign their lungs are cleared out and working well, but it seems to resonate with the trauma of being born into the world. But none of us remembers that trauma, at least not overtly.

Sinead O’Connor in her recording from 1995, had a song that suggested babies are also born in spiritual trauma. The words are:

All babies are born saying God’s name
Over and over,
All born singing God’s name
All babies are flown from the Universe
From there they’re lifted by the hands of angels
God gives them the stars to use as ladders
She hears their calls
She is mother and father
All babies are born out of great pain
Over and over
All born into great pain
All babies are crying
For no-one remembers God’s name

All Babies, Sinead O’Connor

“All babies are crying for no one remembers God’s name.” It’s like when we’re born, a process of forgetting God ensues. We’re born into a world that values what we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands or physical selves over what we can see with our hearts and touch with our spirits. A world that discounts intuition and a sixth sense. A world that in many places and in many ways is uncomfortable with, even afraid of, mystery and of unknowing.

We are born into this world with strong connections to God and our own spirits. We don’t have a way to communicate with words for awhile, so we are very connected to our bodies and to what we experience in them. But, it seems like as we grow older, we’re taught to ignore our bodies and hearts in favor of passing the standardized math and reading tests. We forget how to read ourselves and each other.

Many times, we begin to accept this “vain” world’s assessment of us. We’re not pretty. We’re not smart. We think funny. We dress funny. We don’t make enough money. We aren’t good enough. We forget that God created our diversity and that the norm is diversity rather than conformity.

That’s why renewing our baptismal vows is important. Those of us baptized as children may only have a photograph of the event, but in a very real sense, that baptism was telling our spirits to remember where we came from…to remember God’s name. As we got older and once again surrendered to the world’s assessment of us, renewing our baptismal vows reminds us that in the waters of baptism, we died to the world’s view of us and were returned or reborn to God’s view of us.

And God’s view of us is that we were perfectly created. No, we are not God. We are not perfect in that we know everything or can do everything or see everything. We are perfect in the part of the body of Christ that we are. We are perfect in our humanity. We don’t have every talent, but we have talent…talent necessary for the world. We don’t possess all knowledge, but we possess knowledge that is necessary for the world. We don’t have all intelligence, but we have intelligence that is necessary for the world. We don’t have all understanding of God, but we have understanding of God that is necessary for the world.

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the heavens were torn apart, so the Holy Spirit could break in and the voice of God could confirm that Jesus was a child of God, beloved of God and that God was pleased.

And we need those same reminders. When we renew our baptismal vows…when we feel the water sprinkled on us, God is breaking through to us…recalling to us what we knew when we were born…reminding us of God’s name. God is reminding us that the Holy Spirit is right with us. God is reminding us that we are beloved children and that God is well pleased with us. Then we are prepared to go into the world in peace to love and to serve God.

Amen

This Sunday (January 4, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on January 2, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

How dear to me is your dwelling, O LORD of hosts! *
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. Psalm 84:1

Psalm 84 always reminds me of the piece from the Brahms requiem. I’ve sung this piece in a number of choirs over the years. It’s meant to provide a comforting vision of heaven for those mourning a loss.

It’s especially wonderful to sing this piece in a church, because church space is such a sanctuary in our world — just a little bit of heaven here on earth. And St. John’s certainly is that. Fairly simple, always peaceful and serene. And especially at Christmas and Easter, the space is especially beautiful. Thanks to the Altar Guild and helpers who decorated for the season.

This Sunday is the Last Sunday of Christmas and we then enter the season of Epiphany. Come sit in this holy and beautiful space this Sunday.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

01-05-2015 Bulletin

News & Notes

Rebecca’s Schedule: Rev. Rebecca will at St. Agnes’ House Monday, January 5, through Thursday, January 8. Her Sabbath day will be Friday, January 9. You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org

Today 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.

Adult Forum: In January through mid-February (Christmas and Epiphany), we will discuss the blessing of same gender relationships. Next week, Bruce Cory will continue a discussion on What Does the Bible Say.

Godly Play offered for children. All children are invited to participate in this special program of spiritual development.

Youth Group Bowling. The youth ages 13-18 will go bowling Sunday afternoon, January 18, 1-3pm at Forest Bowling Lanes, Corbin. Please see Rev. Rebecca if you’d like to go.

Vestry Retreat: Please pray for our Vestry as we are in retreat on Saturday, January 10. We will be looking more closely at our mission and the future. To help us with the discussion, please answer these questions and talk to or email Rebecca at priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org. Please provide short one or two sentence, powerful descriptive answers to each question. Humanize answers whenever possible. i.e. Share a real-life example.

How do we help/serve people?
Who do we help/serve?
What are our vital services/programs?
What is our track record?
Our plans for the future?
How do we use our money?
Why do we deserve your support?

Weekday Morning Eucharist will be available Wednesday, January 21, 9am, in the Sanctuary.

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.

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.

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.

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