Tag Archives: Episcopal Church

This Sunday (June 15) at St. John’s

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Greet one another with a holy kiss. 2 Cor. 13:12

Paul ends his second letter to the church in Corinth with this command.  The kiss Paul is referring to is intimate, but not in a romantic sense.  The church community was supposed to be intimate…sharing joys and struggles.  Sharing the true nature of each person, because of the freedom to be who they were, through the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The kiss of peace as it is known is where we get our “passing the peace” in our weekly service.  It is a sign of our intimacy as a parish.  It is a reminder, too, that if you cannot give a holy kiss to those around you, then you need to reconcile with your neighbor.  Ultimately that’s what our movement towards communion is.  The most intimate meal we share together.

Blessings as you finish your week.

Love, Rebecca+

My Schedule
I continue with my vacation through Saturday, June 21.  The Rev. Peter Helman, St. Mary’s Middlesboro is available for pastoral care.  He can be reached at 940-735-1235.

Morning Prayer will be the service this Sunday.  Bruce Cory will be the preacher.

Adult Forum: This Sunday, June 15, through early fall, we will discuss a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20

Wednesdays in the Park:  Join us each Wednesday through June 25 for hot dogs and fun.

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm. The next meeting
is June 18. Anne Day Davis will present on oils of the Bible.

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Month. We will have a special service on
Sunday, June 29.

United Thank Offering (UTO): is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be today.  The UTO Boxes will be gathered and brought forward with the offering.

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

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

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

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.

 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.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.

Being Sent (Sermon) June 8, 2014, Pentecost

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Sermon – June 8, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Pentecost

Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:20-22

Please be seated.

When I was in 8th grade, over 40 years ago, I had to write about myself for my health class.  When asked about my future, I said I wanted to be a social worker.  I’d read many biographies about the work of famous women.  While I loved Clara Barton and Florence Nightingale, it was Jane Addams’ work and the settlement houses she established that really caught my attention.  I said I wanted to be a social worker.

When I was 16, I was selected for a Girl Scout Wider Opportunity event in Chicago.  We lived on a college campus and each participant had a volunteer job for two weeks with a social service agency.  This was perfect for me.  A highlight was visiting Jane Addams’ Hull House.

So in high school while I still wanted to help people, I was also interested in politics.  Now, I was on the 10 year, parttime, kids and husbands college plan.  When I finally had the opportunity to go to college fulltime in 1981, I chose a human service major that combined family development and politics.

Early in the semester, in one of my classes, the professor had a social worker come speak to us.  I sat there, mesmerized.  “That’s what I want to be,” I nearly shouted.  I knew social work training would be excellent in politics and would be a flexible career.  I could do so many things and live nearly anywhere.  I immediately changed my major.  That call God had placed in my heart when I was 13 years old was revived in me and I answered it.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ followers are still locked up together.  The women have told them about Jesus’ resurrection, but they are still afraid of the Roman and religious authorities.  Then Jesus appears, creating great joy.  He calms them.  “Peace be with you,” he says.  Then he gives them a command to go out.  Unlock the doors, Jesus says.  God sent me, now I send you.  Now you must go out into the world.  Then Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon them.

Jesus promised they would not be abandoned.  Jesus promised an advocate would come.  Jesus promised a guiding companion.  We know something happened, because they did go out.  The gospels were written.  The story has survived the world’s history of nearly 2000 years.

We come on a Sunday morning.  We may come other times too, like Wednesday nights or weekdays when preparing for events.  Even if we’re not here, many of us feel a connection to this place…this parish of St. John’s Episcopal Church.  We know there are people here who care about us.  We know people are praying for us…thinking of us…wondering how we are.  We know we are seen and heard here in ways the world cannot see us nor hear us.  Things we say, do, believe, and guide us here, seem crazy in the world’s standards.

This place.  This St. John’s is our refuge.  A place where we can be close to God, reminded of our relationship with God, strengthened in God.  Just like those early followers, we are tempted to lock ourselves up in this room.  We, too, are afraid of what the outside world may do to us, say to us, challenge us with.

AND yet, every Sunday, Jesus comes.  Jesus comes in the bread and the wine.  Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on us.  We are sent out.  “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Alleluia, Alleluia.  Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia.”  We must go out!

What is that work God is calling you to?  You, an unique human being.  Never before seen on this earth. Never to be seen again.  A special combination, physically mixing with all of your life experiences, creating you.   We in the world are waiting for you, because there is wisdom and there is truth and there is love that only you can bring to the world.  There is work that only you can do in the world…work to further God’s Kingdom.

As part of my seminary education, I spent a summer as a hospital chaplain at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan.  One of my floors was maternity.  That summer reinforced that every birth of a child is important to me.  I will most likely never see those children I blessed that summer.  However, their very being on the earth, changed the earth.  The energy they brought, their spirit, how they changed their parents and families, all ripples out through the world, changing it and changing us.

More immediately, on Thursday Aidan Wayne Love-Gray was born to Maura Love.  Maura is changed.  Laura and Herschel are grandparents and are changed.  And St. John’s is changed.  Even though little Aidan at this point is capable of so little – crying, sleeping, eating, and needing his diapers changed – he has done so much.

This Pentecost day…the birthday of the church…we rejoice in this community…this St. John’s.  We rejoice that the followers of Jesus, infused with the Holy Spirit left that locked room and with courage spread the Good News to any who would listen.

Now let us go forth and do the same.

Amen

Love One Another (Sermon) Hibbitts/Pearce Wedding

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Sermon – June 7, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Marriage of William Robert Hibbitts and Amber Hannah Pearce

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  John 15:9-12

Please be seated.

Well, here we are…a day we’ve been waiting for and planning for.  Nearly a year ago, when all of the details were still being worked out about my coming to Corbin, Billy and Amber participated in one of the most important events of my life.  They traveled to Washington, DC and attended my ordination to the priesthood.  They represented the community of St. John’s Episcopal Church.  Their being there meant so much to me and of course I made sure they sat with my greatest supporters at the luncheon afterwards!

Over the ensuing year, the plans for this wedding have emerged and all of us have watched as their lives have unfolded in new ways, culminating in this day where they stand before us and before God, making public proclamation of their love for each other and making a covenant with each other in marriage.

Since Billy and Amber asked me to do the homily for this day, I’ve been thinking and praying, asking God what needs to be heard today.  A couple of days ago, I was reminded of a book that sat by my mother’s bedside.  She had her book of Psalms, which provided great comfort to her.  And a little black book with a ribbon in it, called The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese Christian.

My mother said the writings in the book meant a lot to her.  Many times I picked up that book and tried to read it, but it made no sense to me, until I was close to graduating from high school.  Then I started to understand it.  Like my mother, many of its words have stayed with me and seem appropriate to this occasion.

First of all, Gregory and Yvonnia and Conley and Barbara Ann, you have given Billy and Amber their foundation.  You loved them, nurtured them, and guided them.  You were examples to them.  No, you weren’t perfect human beings . . . none of us are.  If you’re like me, as parents you know where you made some mistakes or wished you’d done something different.  Yet, you gave them the best of yourselves.

Hear what Gibran writes about children:

Your children are not your children
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. 

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer, [God], sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as [God] loves the arrow that flies, so [God] loves also the bow that is stable. 

While your children have been adults for a number of years, today your children are launched into a new life, with your teachings as their foundation, yet building something new.

And Billy and Amber…you now bring this foundation of love from your families together into a new creation.  Love can be difficult…Gibran writes:

 When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you

And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

 For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you.
Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.

When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, “I am in the heart of God.”

 And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

 Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
…To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Billy and Amber, love has directed your course.  During your time together, each of you have made decisions based upon your love for each other and your desire to create a life together.  Some of these decisions were not easy.  You know how love has descended “to your roots” and shaken them “in their clinging to the earth.”  You know how love has crowned you with blessings beyond your wildest dreams and also pruned you, ground you and kneaded you.  All so you could become sacred bread for God’s sacred feast.

Loving someone is not always easy.  It changes you and sometimes you won’t welcome the changes.  I hope and pray that you can know the desires of love in your marriage:

That you wake most days “with a winged heart,” giving thanks for another day of loving.
That at noon, you meditate upon your love
That you return home in the evening, with gratitude to God for your love
That you sleep each night with a prayer for each other in your heart and a song of praise on your lips.

Because then, you can truly say, We are in the heart of God.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Sunday (June 8 – Pentecost) at St. John’s

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And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?  Acts 2:6-7

Do you know another language?  I have studied French in 5th Grade, German for 4 years in high school, Spanish various times throughout my life and have picked up a little Italian along the way.  In 2007, I traveled to Italy and France.  I was only going to be in France for a short time, but I wanted to be polite and study a few phrases that would be helpful in traveling.  I got a CD and listened intently, but the only phrase I could remember was “Where is the bank?”

After two weeks in Italy, I finally came to Paris and all I could think to speak were simple Italian phrases.  I’d go to a restaurant and when I was ready for the check, I’d look in my travel phrase book for the right words in French, practice them a little for when the waiter came over and promptly forget them!  I was hopeless.

What a sight that must of been on the day of Pentecost and how wonderful to be able to understand the message…to hear the words spoken in your own language.

We learn in verse 41 that about 3,000 persons were baptized that day after witnessing this event and hearing Peter preach!  It must have been a powerful, powerful day when the Holy Spirit descended and the language of salvation was spoken and heard.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 06-08-2014

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be vacation. For pastoral emergencies, please contact the Rev. Peter Helman at 940-735-1235.

Adult Forum: This Sunday we complete the Resurrection Living series.  Beginning June 15, through early fall, we will discussing a portion of the Gospel of Matthew.   We will follow our Gospel lectionary, discussing the following week’s Gospel – Matthew 28:16-20

Wednesdays in the Park:  Join us each Wednesday through June 25 for hot dogs and fun.  This Wednesday, June 11, Doug Thelen will set up an obstacle course for children ages 8 and under.

United Thank Offering (UTO): is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be today.  The UTO Boxes will be gathered and brought forward with the offering.

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

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

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

 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.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.

Relieving Suffering (Sermon) June 1, 2014, St. Philip’s, Harrodsburg

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Sermon – June 1, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Harrodsburg
Seventh Sunday of Easter

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings…. 1 Peter 4:12-13

Please be seated.

At the beginning of the year, finding a room at St. Agnes’ House was difficult.  You see, Ronald McDonald House had closed for a major renovation.  Many people who would otherwise have stayed there, were coming to St. Agnes’ House, especially couples with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU.  Many times, these couples needed to stay 2-3 months, so the now-typical St. Agnes’ House lodger – coming for surgery and staying a few days to a week – had a hard time finding a place to stay.

We had a waiting list and when rooms opened up, we’d begin calling people on the list.  Believe me, it was so hard to know people were sleeping in their cars and in the waiting rooms of hospitals.

One of our lodgers, I’ll call her Mary, was staying at St. Agnes’ House because her brother was in the ICU, with a number of health issues.  Mary was a tall woman, in her 50’s with long, long deep black hair with some gray streaks.  Mary’s brother’s prognosis was not very good.  Mary so appreciated St. Agnes’ House.  She had her own room where she could get a good night’s sleep.  She didn’t have to sleep in the waiting room.  She could get away from the ICU hospital section for a break – some coffee and tea and Starbucks cakes donations.  She could speak to others if she wanted.  She knew we were praying for her brother and for the family during this time.  The shuttle from UK came to pick her up and take her back and forth from St. Agnes’ House to the hospital.

Mary was so grateful, that she’d take St. Agnes’ House brochures to the ICU waiting room and when she saw people who looked tired… people who were there day after day after day, just like her, she’d talk to them and tell them to call St. Agnes’ House and see if they could find lodging.

One of the people Mary saw day after day was Laura.  Laura is a short, thin woman in her late 50s.  She has short, brown hair.  Whenever you see Laura, you see the determination on her face and in the way she carries herself.  Laura’s daughter was in the ICU.  The daughter, in her late 30s, had gotten swine flu, which attacked and destroyed the daughter’s lungs.   The hope was that the daughter’s lungs would eventually heal, but the outcome was not known.  Laura had been at the hospital with her daughter since January.  It was almost March when we were able to offer Laura a place to stay at St. Agnes’ House.

Laura is still at St. Agnes’ House today!  Recently it appeared that one of her daughter’s lungs was recovering slightly, but only slightly, and the other lung is completely destroyed.  Her daughter is anxious and depressed.  She’s frightened to move sometimes, because breathing is so difficult.  Day after day, Laura is with her daughter.  Sometimes she stays at night and I’ll see her coming back to the house in the morning to get a few hours of sleep and a shower and a break.  Sometimes she goes during the day.  She’s rarely been back to her home.  Sometimes I see her doing her laundry in our laundry room available to the guests.

Sometimes there is time to talk…to ask about how her daughter is doing…to ask about her family.  Because of course, there are the family dynamics that accompany a difficult time like this.  I always marvel at how Laura is there day after day for so many days with no end in sight and when I mention it to her, she says she couldn’t be anywhere else.

That’s what we hear all of the time at St. Agnes’ House.  No matter the obstacles, people want and need to be with their families.  There are cars in the parking lots of St. Agnes’ House that you cannot believe are on the road.  Some have no cars.  Parking in the garage every day becomes expensive, so our parking lot and the willingness of UK shuttle service to come to the house is a blessing.  Being able to stay, means not driving back and forth from home each day.  It means not having to find the money for even the most modest hotel stay.  Being able to stay means having a break from the reality of the hospital…it means finding a place that is a home away from home.

Mary’s brother eventually died, but Mary was there every day with him, providing the comfort of a loving big sister.  At her brother’s funeral, Mary talked about St. Agnes’ House and how important it was.  Soon after the funeral, Mary sent a donation to the ministry.  Laura is still at the house…still going to the hospital day after day, being there for her daughter.  Holding out the hope for healing that her daughter needs.

In this passage from 1 Peter today, we hear about suffering.  Now the early Christians were facing the suffering of persecution for their beliefs, which many of us in this place do not know.  Yet, listen to what the writer of I Peter says, “you are sharing Christ’s suffering.”  Christ suffered.  God came down from heaven to live and breathe and suffer as we do.  God knows.  Christ knows.

The other thing this letter tells us and reminds us of…is that Christ did not suffer alone.  Yes, many of the disciples and followers went into hiding when the trial and persecution of Christ was occurring, yet some stood at the foot of the cross, watching, witnessing, being there.  Others came for Jesus’ body and lovingly cared for it.  And the community of followers were together with each other, providing comfort and solace.  Even this letter lets us know of the community of Christ that was providing support during this time of trial.  Christ did not suffer alone.  The community of the followers of Christ did not suffer alone.

Forty years ago, some visionary Episcopalians in the Diocese of Lexington, saw the suffering of people who needed to come to Lexington for necessary and life-saving medical care.  Somehow they raised the money to fix up, add on, and build a place to relieve that suffering.  And for those 40 years, through many changes in healthcare, many changes in the church, you, the people of the Diocese of Lexington, have given generously and consistently with your dollars, your time, your donations of sheets and towels, toilet paper and paper towels and prayers to relieve that suffering.  In doing so, you have been Christ to the world.

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Week (June 1) at St. John’s

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You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; *
you refreshed the land when it was weary. Psalm 68:9

This Seventh Sunday after Easter, we mark the Ascension of Jesus into heaven.  Ascension Day is Thursday, May 29.  Monday through Wednesday of this week were rogation days — times of fasting and prayer for protection.  Rogation days are times when farmers ask for blessings on their crops.  They were times when parishes “beat the bounds” or walked the boundary of their parish or their property, asking God for protection.

So, we hear Psalm 68 and this portion, which reminds us of our northern hemisphere growing season.  We need rain.  Gracious rain sounds like rain that will be good for the land.  A drenching rain can wash away the good growing soil or run off too quickly.  A gracious rain sounds like the steady soaking rain that replenishes the water supply and allows the earth to drink it in at just the right pace.   The gracious rain is refreshing.  It is not destructive.

During these days, think about the land and the earth.  Think about how it provides so much of what we need to have a good life.  Give thanks for its gifts and examine your part in being a good steward for the earth.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

News & Notes

Bulletin 06-01-2014 Instructed Eucharist

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin on Friday, June 6 and her Sabbath day will be Thursday, June 5th You can get a message to Rebecca by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday we welcome The Rev. Peter Doddema from St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Harrodsburg. He will lead us in an Instructed Eucharist. Notice your bulletin provides additional information about the various parts of our service. Rebecca is at St. Philip’s this morning.

Our series on Resurrection Living continues this week. 

Godly Play: Next week (June 8) Godly Play classes will conclude for the summer with a celebration of Pentecost. Classes will resume in the fall.

Wednesdays in the Park: Join us each Wednesday through June 25 for hot dogs and fun. This Wednesday, June 4, Ken and Shelia Phillips will bring the Kentucky Native American Heritage Museum to the park.

I publish the Banns of Marriage between William Robert Hibbitts of London, KY and Amber Hannah Pearce of Lexington, KY. If any of you know just cause why they may not be joined together in Holy Matrimony on June 7, you are bidden to declare it. This is the third time of asking.

United Thank Offering (UTO): is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be today. The UTO Boxes will be gathered and brought forward with the offering.

Grow Appalachia: The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project. As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions. Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

Precious Stones: Rejected, Chosen, and Precious (Sermon)

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Sermon – May 18, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Fifth Sunday of Easter

Observance of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

 Today we observe Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.  A number of recent events have reminded me of how the Episcopal Church reflects the Kingdom of God, which Jesus tells us today has many, many rooms.  This week, my Facebook feed was filled with photos of seminary graduation, including the graduation of Jae Chung.  Jae was one year behind me in seminary and arrived at General with his wife and children.  They had immigrated to the United States from Korea.  Jae is already ordained as a transitional Deacon.

And Saturday was the consecration of Allen Shin as Suffragen Bishop of the Diocese of New York.  He was born in South Korea and grew up in Washington DC.  He had served some Korean Episcopalian churches, as well as headed the Asian-American ministry for The Episcopal Church.

In preparing this sermon, I found a number of Korean Episcopal churches in the United States.  Yes, we truly can see a glimpse of the Kingdom of God and the joy and delight of the diversity of the human race, just like the joy and delight of a beautiful garden.

Today I’d like to talk to you about a special Anglican, Florence Li Tim-Oi, who was Chinese.  She was the first woman ordained in the Anglican Communion in 1944!  Yes, 1944.  Florence was born in Hong Kong in 1907.   Her name, Florence, was taken when as a student she was baptized.  She chose it after Florence Nightingale.  Li Tim-Oi means beloved daughter.  Florence studied at theological College in Canton.  She served as a lay person on the islands of Kowloon and Macao.  In 1941, she was ordained a deaconess.

Soon after her ordination, Japan occupied Hong Kong and priests could not travel to the nearby island of Macao to celebrate the Eucharist.  She came to the attention of the Bishop of Hong Kong, who decided “God’s work would reap better results if she had the proper title” of priest.

On January 25, 1944, the Feast of the conversion of St. Paul, Florence was ordained a priest.  As World War II ended, her ordination created great controversy in the Anglican Communion.  She personally decided not to exercise her priesthood until it could be acknowledged by the wider Anglican Communion.  She continued to work and was even a Rector of a parish and the Bishop ordered that she still be called a priest.

In 1949, as the Communists came to power in China, Florence studied to learn more about the various cultural changes happening in China.  She worked at the Cathedral in Beijing.  However, from 1958 until 1974, all of the churches were closed.  During this time known as the Cultural Revolution, Florence was suspect and faced great difficulty.  She was forced to work on a farm and in a factory at very difficult labor.  She was accused of counter-revolutionary activity and underwent political re-education.  She was allowed to retire from the factory in 1974, at the age of 67 and two years later, the churches were reopened and she was able to continue her public ministry.  In 1981, she visited family in Canada.  Finally she was able to be licensed as a priest, first in the Diocese of Montreal and eventually in Toronto.  She settled in Toronto for the remainder of her life, dying in 1992.  Her feast day is January 24, each year, the eve of her ordination.

In I Peter read today, we hear:

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

The life of Florence Li Tim-Oi certainly embodies these verses.  She came to Christ, a living stone.  She was rejected by mortals, not only because of her gender, but also because she was a Christian during a time when Christianity was not allowed in China.  Yet, she continued in her faith.  She was not deterred from her work or from God’s calling.  She let herself be built into a spiritual house…into a holy priesthood

And so are we called as St. John’s Church in Corbin, KY.  We are called to be the living stones for God’s work here.  Yes, we may be rejected by others.  Maybe being a liturgical church isn’t popular in this place.

Our understanding of the scriptures isn’t popular.  According to our Catechism found on page 853 in the Book of Common Prayer, We understand the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God, because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible.  We understand the meaning of the Bible by the “help of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in the true interpretation of the Scriptures.”  We have consecrated a number of openly gay and lesbian priests to be Bishops.  We have consecrated a woman to be our Presiding Bishop.  We have a liturgy for the blessing of same gender relationships.

Yet, despite the rejection we face, we, the parish of St. John’s Episcopal Church, are chosen and truly precious in God’s sight.  God is building us…building St. John’s into a spiritual house.  We are being molded by God into a Holy Priesthood.

May we, like Florence Li Tim-Oi, remain steadfast, even in the face of rejection, so that the Will of God may be done… right here and right now.

Amen

This Week (May 18) at St. John’s

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While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Acts 7:59-60

This Sunday we’ll hear the story of the early Christian, Stephen, who was stoned to death for his beliefs.  Saul, the man we know as Paul, watched and supported this stoning and a great persecution of the followers of Jesus began.  How many of us could say what Stephen said?  How many of us could hold fast to our faith, given such persecution?  Wouldn’t it be easier to be quiet and not make waves and preserve our lives?  BUT, there was something about Jesus.  There was something about following Jesus that was even greater than life itself!  AND in the following, there was no call for revenge, no call for violence against those who did the stoning.  No, Stephen asked God to forgive them.

How many of us can truly walk like Stephen in the way of Christ?  Where do we remain silent and abandon Jesus because to stand firm could mean persecution, ostracism, and our very death?

Stephen’s story is a tough one, yet a necessary one as we continue during the time of Easter to discover living the Resurrection Life.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Baby Shower:  A Baby Shower is planned for Maura Love this Sunday, May 18th, after the service.  Plan to join in the fun!  All are welcome.

Rebecca’s Schedule: Next week, Rebecca will be in Corbin on Thursday, May 22nd and her Sabbath day will be Friday, May 23rd   You can get a message to Rebecca by calling 859 -429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Gospel Jamboree at the Barn, Saturday, May 17.  This is the monthly jamboree.  Elmer Parlier and Rebecca will be singing at 6:45.

Wednesdays in the Park.  Come for fun and hot dogs the next six Wednesdays at 5pm:  May 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25.  On some Wednesdays we will have special programs.  We will end with Compline at 6pm.

Adult Forum: Our series on Resurrection Living continues.  Rebecca will lead our session this Sunday.  On May 25th will focus on Luke 24:15, While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him.

We’re buying goats:  The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines.  Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming.  Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.

United Thank Offering (UTO): is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be today.  The UTO Boxes will be gathered and brought forward with the offering.

Memorial DayPicnic: Our pot luck was moved this month to May 11.  Instead of a pot luck, stay for a grilled hot dog.

Grow Appalachia:  The Vestry voted to move ahead with this project.  As we continue to work on this project, let the members of Vestry know your questions.  Their website ishttp://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is May 21st.

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.

 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.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.
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The guardian of your soul (Sermon) Sunday, May 11, 2014

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Sermon – May 11, 2014
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY
Fourth Sunday of Easter

For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.  1 Peter 2:25

Please be seated.

I’ve been thinking about my friend, Elaine, a lot recently.  I’m not sure if it’s because it’s Mother’s Day and she was like a mother to me or whether it’s because her birthday was the end of May.  Elaine died nearly six years ago.  She was 80 years of age.

I met Elaine during a time when my life was in considerable change.  My children had both graduated from high school, so I was experiencing empty nest syndrome.  My husband at the time, Fred, was also going through a major career change.

Fred had found a job with the Nature Conservancy in Topeka, Kansas and we made plans to move 1100 miles away from our family to a place neither of us had ever lived.  My son, Scot, still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life and he decided to move to New Jersey, get a job, and live with some friends.  My daughter, Carrie, graduated from high school, and started her first year of college at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina.  We were certainly scattered.

Before arriving in Topeka, I had discovered the church I would attend.  It must have been the first or second Sunday I was there that Elaine introduced herself to me.  She made it a point to greet all newcomers.  She was my guide to the church and also to Topeka.

Elaine always went to lunch after church, and eventually I started going too.  I learned that Elaine had four grown children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Her husband had recently died and she was in the process of selling her home and moving to a smaller place.  She was trying to get used to being a widow.  The fellowship and activities at church were important to her.

Elaine was the best volunteer.  She was on a number of boards of organizations serving people who were homeless or living in poverty.  Eventually, she helped one of the organizations open a thrift shop, not only as a service to people needing help, but also to raise a little cash for the organization.  She scheduled the volunteers and scheduled the pick-ups of donations.  She worked at the store and counted the money, most of it in change and small bills.

In some respects, the move wasn’t so helpful for Fred and my marriage.  While we both worked hard to make it work, we came to a point where we needed to separate.  I was in the middle of obtaining my Master’s degree in Social Work and needed to finish, but I felt that staying in our house would be too hard for me emotionally.

Elaine had become like family to me and I told her that my husband and I were experiencing difficulties.  One day I called Elaine on the phone and said I might need a place to stay for a little while.  Without hesitation, she said, “You can come over now.”  Elaine gave me a furnished bedroom in her home.  She never asked for rent or any kind of payment.  She opened her doors wide and gave me shelter.

With all of the changes in the previous 1 ½ years, I was like a sheep without a shepherd…lost…ready to go astray.  I truly needed some care and love and guidance.  I needed someone to care for me.  I don’t know how I would have finished my degree, nor emerged from this difficult time in a healthy way without her support, generosity of spirit and Christian faith.  To me, Elaine was the embodiment of much of what Christ taught about loving your neighbor and Paul’s understanding of the church as the body of Christ.

Sheep have been domesticated for nearly 10,000 years.  Their defense mechanisms are few and they must rely upon the shepherd to keep them safe.  Sheep have very good eyesight and they also learn to know the voice of the shepherd.  Sheep are put in a sheepfold, which is a fence or wall enclosure providing protection.  There is a door or gate where the sheep go in and out of the enclosure.  It is a good way for the shepherd to keep the sheep safe.

Have you ever been in a place in your life where you really couldn’t take good care of yourself?  A place where you needed to rely pretty heavily upon others?  Then you know what it’s like to be a sheep who cannot fend for itself.  It’s scary.  You lose sight of the shepherd.  You don’t go in the sheepfold gate.  You become lost.  You go astray.  You can get separated from the community.  You can be in great danger, or be easily led into danger.

In our Gospel lesson, Jesus reminds us, and our focus this Sunday is reminding us, that Jesus is our shepherd.  We are like those defenseless sheep.  We need guidance.  We need direction.  We need someone to care for us.  Jesus says He is the shepherd.  He will provide those things for us.  We have His words and the teachings of the apostles passed down to us.  We have the teachings of those who have lived the faith before us and those living the faith now.  We have Christ’s presence each week with us in this service and in our communion and holy meal.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tempted to rebel against this.  I want to be self sufficient.  I want to make it on my own.  I must continually remember that I am a sheep.  To be alone is to go astray.  To be alone is to be in danger.  To lose sight of the shepherd is to be in danger.  I need Christ the shepherd and I need to be part of the shepherd’s flock.

So, return to the shepherd if you have gone astray.  Stay close to the shepherd so you will know the way.  For He is the guardian of the most precious you.  He is the guardian of your soul.

Amen

 

 

This Sunday (May 11) at St. John’s

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They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  Acts 2:42

This Sunday’s Lesson from Acts talks about the life of the early church.  People heard the apostles’ teaching and they were changed.  They changed how they lived their lives, sharing everything in common.  They were in awe because these changes created many signs and wonders.  And so many years later, we continue in their steps, studying and following the apostles’ teaching, living in fellowship with each other, breaking the bread and praying for each other.

Last Saturday, I was with my family as part of my grandson’s First Communion.  There were 12 children receiving their First Communion.  At the end of the service, the 12 children sang this lovely song:

Jesus, you are bread for us.
Jesus, you are life for us
In your gift of Eucharist
We find love.

In communion we believe
You are there with us
Jesus, thank you for the friend you are.
Thank you for the love we share.

Gathered in God’s Family
You are there with us
Jesus, Thank you for the friend you are.
Thank you for the love we share.

Looking forward to being with you in fellowship, in the apostles’ teaching, breaking of the bread and prayers…

Love, Rebecca+

Next week, I will be in Corbin on Monday, May 12, and my Sabbath day will be Tuesday, May 13  You can get a message to me by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Pot Luck Sunday:  Our pot luck is moved this month to this Sunday, May 11 for the wedding shower for Amber Pearce and Billy Hibbitts.  Bring your favorite food to share and join in the celebration!

Adult Forum

Our series on Resurrection Living continues.  This week’s session is on John 20:27, Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands.  Reach out your hand and put it in my side.  Do not doubt but believe.”  Come join the discussion at 10:15.  

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

We’re buying goats!  The Lazarus at the Gates Adult Forum study has prompted us to purchase goats through Episcopal Relief and Development for families in the Philippines.  Goats provide milk, cheese, and manure for farming.  Donations towards the $80 purchase of each goat can be made through the goat bank in the parish hall or in the offering plate clearly marked ERD goat project.  To date, we’ve raised $279.  Another $41 is needed to purchase a 4th goat!

 Grow Appalachia!  We are considering whether to become a partner with Grow Appalachia.  David Cooke gave a presentation on April 16. The Vestry will take a vote this Sunday, May 11. We would use part of the park to provide gardening plots for people in our community.  We could also support people in our area who want to garden in their yards.  We would host classes regarding gardening, as well as ways to preserve the harvest.  Grow Appalachia provides almost anything needed to make these gardens successful.  Talk to someone who attended the presentation.  And talk to the Vestry about your ideas, questions, and concerns.  Their website is http://www.berea.edu/grow-appalachia/

Daughters of the King meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4:30pm.  The next meeting is May 21.

United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Our ingathering of your UTO offerings will be this Sunday, May 11.  Remember to bring your offering that day AND to pick up another box for the fall ingathering.

Baby Shower and reception for Maura Love, Sunday, May 18, after the service.  Plan to join in the fun!  All are welcome.

 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.
  • KCEOC’s Women’s Emergency Shelter is in need of donated baby items, including baby clothing (sizes 6/9 months), diapers, wipes, bottles, etc.  Donations can be dropped off at KCEOC Community Action Partnership main office at Gray, KY.

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.

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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