Tag Archives: #StJohnsCorbin

We bind ourselves…. (Sermon) May 31, 2015 Trinity Sunday

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Sermon – May 31, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Trinity Sunday

“Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity….” Collect for Trinity Sunday, Book of Common Prayer, p. 228

Please be seated.

In August of 2010, I left my job in Washington, DC, got in my daughter’s car, and she drove me to seminary in New York City.  Yes, in a true twist, my daughter drove me to college.  Well, I had a bachelor’s and master’s degree already, but I’d never gone away to college and lived on campus.

And my daughter performed the duties most parents do when their children go away to college…the same things I did when I took her to college. She helped me set up my apartment.  My daughter had lived in New York City for a number of years, so she knew her way around and had no fear of driving in the City.  She knew the perfect place to buy the air conditioner and we even made a Target run!

At the end of September, there was a matriculation ceremony.  I’m not sure how I even knew anything about this ceremony.  Information was provided in dribs and drabs, I believe. One thing I knew for sure, during the service, I’d need to sign THE BOOK!  The book was the 19th century version of a database.  In it was recorded the name and signature of every student who matriculated to the seminary since 1822!

The evening came and I was in my finest, including my famous hat.  We went through Evensong and then the final hymn began, hymn 370, signaling the start of the book signing ceremony.

“I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three.” (370 ECH)

I felt like I was going to be pulled to the floor.  I wanted to cry. There was such power in that moment…binding myself to the Trinity and signing the book… a long line of people who also bound themselves.

Jeff Davis challenged me to preach on the Trinity.  Today is the Sunday many preachers dread.  You see, there is no way to explain the Trinity without committing heresy or nearly committing heresy.  It’s a concept that isn’t all that easy to explain.  As Bruce says, you need to live into it.

In seminary a professor had us read a book, “Being as Communion” by John Zizioulas, which really helped me love the Trinity. Zizioulas talks about the Trinity being a model for how we live our lives.

First of all, the Trinity represents unity in diversity.  While Zizioulas is Greek Orthodox, this notion is very Anglican.  We can be diverse in how we live our Christian faith, but we are still unified in our belief in God who created the world, Jesus, God’s Son who came to live among us and teach us, and the Holy Spirit who still continues to speak through our lives.

In the early church, there were great struggles in understanding the relationship between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Much of this was based on different philosophical differences at the time.  Finally, there was agreement that the Trinity is one substance and three persons.  You can read more about this in The Creed of Saint Athanasius on page 864 of The Book of Common Prayer.

These three persons are in a unified relationship with each other – diversity in unity; unity in diversity.

We are certainly individuals, but Zizioulas distinguishes between living as an individual and living as a person.  When we live only as an individual, we are bound by our biological nature.  We are often exclusive in our dealings with each other.  Individualism leads to being cut off and to death.

But to be a person, we must be in relationship with other persons.  We know who we are as persons when we are in relationship with each other.  In order to be a person, we must be in community. Being a person…in community…in relationship means freedom and authenticity.

The church is a special kind of community, says Zizioulas and here are some ways the community of the church is important:

  1. The church community brings us into a relationship with the world that is “not determined by the laws of biology.” (Being as Communion, 56)
  2. We learn to “love without exclusiveness….” (p. 57) We don’t just love within our family or our tribe. Rather we go beyond the “normal” human boundaries.

And it is when we gather together as the community that we experience a new freedom, because we are not bound by the human biological condition.  We’ve learned a new way to be in the world.

Each of you is here today and your presence allows you to be in relationship with each other and with God, to fully be an authentic person, because that can only happen in community.  It’s not always easy for we humans to be unified in our diversity. The community of St. John’s is one place we can work on that.

In the time I have been with you, I have witnessed your strong community.  I have seen your diversity.  I have seen you welcome others in to the community.  Today is a good day to look at your relationship to this community.  There are many ways to connect: choir, altar guild, property committee, attending services, financial pledge, and prayer. By connecting to this community, you have the opportunity to be an authentic person…the person God created you to be, the person Jesus taught you to be, the person the Holy Spirit moves through.

Bind yourself to this community and live into the Trinity…the unity in diversity.

Amen

 

 

This Sunday (May 31, 2015) at St. John’s

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In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. Isaiah 6:1-2holy-angelic-hosts

In 2011, I was blessed to visit England.  For part of my visit, I stayed with my friend, Esther (de Waal) Moir, in her family cottage on the Welsh border near Hereford.  Esther is a prolific author, especially on Benedictine and Celtic Spirituality.  I had received spiritual direction from her when I lived in Washington, DC and we’d stayed in touch.

One evening, we were eating plums from her plum tree and looking out the kitchen window.  She told me the plum tree that produced our delicious dessert was right in the way where the Seraphim played.  She was thinking of taking the tree down, so the Seraphim would have more room to play.

Now I didn’t see the Seraphim, but I knew what she was talking about from this passage in Isaiah.  They are odd creatures aren’t they, with 6 wings?  AND they attend the Lord God.  Every time I hear about Seraphim, I think of them playing in Esther’s beautiful English countryside.

Further we hear Isaiah tell us that the Seraphim brought a live coal and touched his lips and tongue, cleansing him and preparing him for God’s work, which was that of a prophet.  It takes great courage to be a prophet, because most often, people really don’t want to hear what you have to say.  But, being cleansed, he was ready and told God to send him to do this challenging work.

The Holy Spirit continues working and moving.  May you be cleansed by the coal of God brought by the Seraphim, so you can respond, “Here I am. Send me.”

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

05-31-2015 Trinity Sunday Bulletin

News & Notes

Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. John’s Monday and St. Agnes’ House Tuesday through Thursday. Her Sabbath will be Friday. You may leave a message for Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or at priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Pot Luck and Celebration of Ministry, Sunday after church. The monthly pot luck is this Sunday.  Bring your favorite dish to share.

Adult Forum: This Sunday we continue a summer series on the Gospel of Mark.

Al-Anon Family Group:  An Al-Anon Family Group will meet in St. John’s Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7-8pm.

Testament of a Naked Man: A contemporary dramatization of the Gospel of Mark will be presented by The Rev. Dr. Angus Stuart on Monday, June 1, 6:00-8:00pm, in the St. John’s Church Sanctuary. Plan now to attend and invite your friends to this powerful performance.

Gather at 6pm on Wednesday evenings for a service and fellowship.

The Good Goodbye: The Rev. Rebecca Myers’ last Sunday will be June 7. Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin will be present on behalf of the diocesan leadership to lead us in a Litany of Leave-taking.

Celebration of the Ministry of Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin, June 21, 3:00pm, Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington.  Join in this celebration of Kay’s ministry in the Diocese of Lexington.

 2015 Goals: The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently adopted Mission Statement; Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  • Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  • List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  • Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  • Repurpose the parlor.
  • Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.

 

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Hearing the Many Things (sermon) May 24, 2015 – Pentecost

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Sermon – May24, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Pentecost

Bulletin 5-24-2015 Pentecost w Baptism

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:12-13

Please be seated.

Back in the early 60’s in Harrisburg, the local radio station broadcast a church service each Sunday.  My father, who was Lutheran, heard this preacher, Ray Evelan, on the radio one Sunday and was drawn to attend his church, Messiah Lutheran Church.  The Church was farther away than the one he was already attending, but something about the 35-year old preacher drew him in.

At the time Messiah was declining.  The neighborhoods around the church were disappearing as state government and office buildings came along, all part of an urban redevelopment plan. Soon after my father started attending the church, he and Pastor Evelan became good friends, best friends in fact, in a friendship that lasted nearly 50 years.

By 1965, Pastor Evelan was Uncle Ray to me – not my blood uncle, but nearly so.  Looking back and hearing stories from my parents, I know Uncle Ray saved my life in so many ways.  My mother had bi-polar disorder, a chronic mental illness, and she suffered with it before there was lithium and the many medications available today.  So many times, Uncle Ray provided support and comfort to both of my parents.  He encouraged my parents to seek help at a premier hospital in Philadelphia where my mother was able to be one of the first to receive new treatments, which were amazing.

Uncle Ray shaped my faith and my understanding of what it means to be a Christian.  He was an advocate for justice of every kind, including racial justice.  When I was 14, he preached a series of sermons on speaking truth to power.  I still read those sermons about the importance to work for God’s justice here on earth, no matter the cost.  I still hear and see him preaching in his black robe with white cassock, pulling up the sleeves and leaning over the pulpit.

Pentecost is the anniversary of my confirmation and Uncle Ray was one of the people who taught confirmation classes.  At the time, the baptism liturgy was changing and Uncle Ray explained how important it was that the service was done within the congregation.  I can’t remember all he said in that class, but it was powerful.  Until that time, our youth group would always sit up in the balcony, half paying attention.  But on the next Sunday after Uncle Ray spoke to us, we came down and sat right up front, close to the pulpit and baptismal font and we never went back to the balcony.

Today, on this birthday of the church…on the day we immerse ourselves in the coming of the Holy Spirit, I can say that Uncle Ray loved God.  Uncle Ray loved Jesus.  Uncle Ray had the Holy Spirit in him, working through him, and guiding him.  The Holy Spirit guided him to speak prophetically about what was required for God’s justice to reign on earth.  The Holy Spirit filled him with courage and a passion to stand for truth and to take action for truth.

However, many Christians then and even many now, would condemn Uncle Ray.  Because, you see, Uncle Ray was a gay man, who had to conceal that fact for most of his life.  The condemnation, and I would say misunderstanding, of the Christian Church would have denied his deep love of God and of Jesus.  They would have denied his gift of prophecy…would have denied his Holy Spirit filled courage…his passion for truth and justice and would not have heeded him, nor allowed him to do God’s work if he were openly true to himself.

But in today’s Gospel, we hear Jesus say,

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.  And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment…. John 16:7-8

What….Jesus MUST go away?  The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Paraclete, MUST come?  What?  The world is WRONG about sin and righteousness and judgment?  AND the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the Paraclete will show us how wrong the world is?

It seems like in much of Christianity today, we deny these words of Jesus Christ.  We do not believe that the Holy Spirit is truly at work in the world.  Jesus explained in verses 12-13, that there were many more things he wanted to tell the disciples, but they were not ready and could not hear them.  Jesus says the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth will come and guide us and will declare to us the things that are to come.

Jesus’ work on earth was not the end.  There was so much more Jesus wanted us to know and to understand.  There was so much more God wanted us to know and to understand.  We couldn’t hear it.  So the Holy Spirit came on that day of Pentecost and dwelt within each of us so that we could grow and change and hear, finally, those things Jesus wanted to tell us….those things Jesus wanted us to know.

Unfortunately, for most of his life, my Uncle Ray suffered at the hands of the church.  I cannot believe his condemnation by the church of his day was of God or of Jesus.  And I am most grateful that the Holy Spirit has continued to move through us, like the “rush of a violent wind,” resting divided “tongues of fire” upon each of us, bringing the things we could not bear to hear previously…that God is love…that God created each of us…that who we are attracted to or desire to love is of God and demonstrates God’s love.

I love the Holy Scriptures.  I learn something new about God and Jesus and being a Christian each time I read scripture.  AND today Jesus clearly tells us there is more to come. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit continues God’s work.  Jesus tells us all will change until God’s perfect Kingdom reigns.

So, watch for the Holy Spirit at work in our world today in so many ways.  My example of Uncle Ray is but one of many.  Listen deeply for how the Holy Spirit is moving through you and guiding you.  Listen and you will be guided into all truth!

Amen

This Sunday (May 17, 2015) at St. John’s

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O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen. Collect, Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day pg. 226, Book of Common Prayer

“Do not leave us comfortless, but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us….”  Today an interesting thing happened at the Corbin Rotary Club.  The attendance was very small and a number of people came to eat and left early.  Because I don’t attend Rotary that often, I thought maybe that’s just how things are in mid-May.

But then, Milly Burkhart got up and gave a list of the speakers’ accomplishments and finally introduced her husband, The Rev. John Burkhart.  Father Burkhart, waded into controversial waters in this community.  He spoke with compassion and clarity and scientific fact about homosexuality is not an abomination, but rather, like heterosexuality, an expression of our human nature.  Of the few people who were left, about half challenged him, but others agreed and told heartrending stories of people who were homosexual and the challenging times they had.

Of course, the main opposition to Father John’s presentation was that the Bible says it’s wrong.  When I said that Jesus said more about divorce and nothing about homosexuality and that I was the one who should be condemned, I never received a response.  I asked how the church moved to being okay with divorce.  The words of Paul in Romans 1 26-27 were given as support for condemning homosexuality; however, most scholars and students of Paul’s time say Paul was not referring to the inborn nature or sexual orientation, but to the “immoderate indulgence” in sexual behavior.

Father Burkhart presented the middle way — that we may not agree and we must each ultimately come to our own conclusions, yet we somehow must love each other and find ways to be in community with each other.

I was blessed to witness this courageous proclamation.

Being true to our God-created nature is so very difficult for some in our region.  They face significant rejection, condemnation, and a lack of comfort.  They need much strength to continue to live in the community and in the culture they love deeply.  St. John’s and The Episcopal Church often provide an answer to the prayer in our Collect this Sunday…providing comfort and strengthening us by the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Bulletin 5-17-2015 Easter 7 and Baptism

News & Notes

Schedule: Rebecca will be at St. Agnes’ House Monday through Thursday. Her Sabbath will be Friday. You may leave a message for Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or at priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Godly Play: All children are invited to participate in Godly Play, a special program of Spiritual development each Sunday morning at 10:00am.

Adult Forum: This Sunday we conclude our series on ways to pray.  Next Sunday we begin a summer series on the Gospel of John.

Al-Anon Family Group:  An Al-Anon Family Group meets in St. John’s Parish Hall on Tuesdays from 7-8pm.

Work Day: A Parish work day has been scheduled for Saturday, May 30 starting at 9:00am. There are several areas of concern to be addressed, such as mulching, lattice-work around the amphitheater, and caulking the windows. Please let Billy Hibbitts know that you are available and willing to help.  You may also come by and take your Prevention of Sexual Misconduct (POSM) training if needed.

Pentecost Peace Cranes: Stay after church this Sunday to make these origami peace cranes used to decorate the church for Pentecost on Sunday, May 24. 

Fun, fun, fun:  The next Family Game Night is May 22nd, from 6:30 – 8:30pm in the Parish Hall.  Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks.  Pizza will be provided.

United Thank Offering: The ingathering for United Thank Offering is this Sunday, May 17.  Remember to bring your thank offering boxes AND pick up another one for the fall ingathering.  A thank offering box is a great way to give thanks and gratitude each day.  When combined with thousands of others, it supports wonderful projects in The Episcopal Church.

Grow Appalachia: The Grow Appalachia committee will meet Thursdays evenings at 6pm through the month of May. 

Pot Luck Sunday: Sunday May 31 is our monthly pot luck. We will also be having the first stage of the celebration of the Rev. Rebecca Myers ministry at St. John’s.

The Good Goodbye: The Rev. Rebecca Myers’ last Sunday will be June 7. Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin will be present on behalf of the diocesan leadership to lead us in a Litany of Leave-taking.

2015 Goals: The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently adopted Mission Statement; Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  • Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  • List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  • Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  • Repurpose the parlor.
  • Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.

 

 

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Testament of a Naked Man: Good News According to Mark

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TESTAMENT OF A NAKED MAN: Good News According to Mark

A dramatic interpretation by Angus Stuart
June 1, 2015, 6:00-8:00 pm,
St. John’s Episcopal Church, College and Engineer Streets, Corbin, KY

The power of the Gospel according to Mark is brought to life in a dramatic one-man performance.

Through this live encounter, the audience is transported back in time to be with Jesus on the dusty roads of Palestine and on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Listeners will come away with a sense of not having ever heard these familiar stories before.  Hearing the Gospel as a whole will enable us to be intellectually challenged and make connections in a new light.

Angus Stuart, Rector of St. Francis-in-the-Wood, West Vancouver, British Columbia, began by telling the story of Christ’s arrest, trial and crucifixion from memory on Palm Sunday in 2007.    Then he was inspired to memorize the whole of Mark’s Gospel.  The effect is dramatic!

Free Will Offering to support Diocese of Lexington Prison Ministry
Call: 606-528-1659 or e-mail: priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org
www.testamentofanakedman.com

Plan now to attend this event on Monday, June 1!

For a preview, watch this video:

This Sunday (May 10, 2015) at St. John’s

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O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Sixth Sunday of Easter, P. 225, Book of Common Prayer

While our Collect states our relationship with God in fact, at the same time, it encourages us and gives us hope.  Look at this Sunday’s Collect.  The Collect states a most obvious fact — we do not always understand the love of God.  It goes beyond our human understanding.

It also states that obtaining God’s promises, “exceed all that we can desire.”  Really?  That can be a hard one to believe…that all of our desires will be satisfied.  I expect that as we love God “in all things and above all things,” our desires change from the worldly wanting to a Will-of-God wanting and our desires will be satisfied.

I also know that when we are aligned with God, God’s promises are surprising and more than we’ve ever imagined!

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca’s Schedule

Rebecca will be in Lexington Monday and Tuesday this week and in Corbin on Wednesday and Thursday, May 13-14. You can get a message to Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday, the Flowers on the Altar are in honor of Ethan Myers, nephew of Rebecca, who graduated from Temple University on May 8. 

To 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 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.

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

Adult Forum Our current series is on Ten Ways to Pray. This week Bruce will lead us in The Rosary and The Jesus Prayer.

Al-Anon Group, Tuesdays, 7-8pm.  

Work Day at the Church, Saturday, May 30, 10am.  All are invited to help with outside and inside projects, such as mulching, lattice-work around the amphitheater, and caulking the windows.  If you have a key to the church, you can also come by and take your Prevention Of Sexual Misconduct (POSM) training.

Fun, fun, fun.  The next Family Game Night is Friday, May 22, 6:30 – 8:30pm.  Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks.  Pizza will be provided.

2015 Goals:  The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently-adopted Mission Statement, Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  • Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  • List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  • Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  • Repurpose the parlor.
  • Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.

The Grow Appalachia Committee meets Thursday, at 6pm through May. 

United Thank Offering Ingathering, May 17.  Remember to bring your thank offering boxes AND pick up another one for the fall ingathering.  A thank offering box is a great way to give thanks and gratitude each day.  When combined with thousands of others, it supports wonderful projects in The Episcopal Church.

Rogation Service, Wednesday, May 13, 6pm.  We will say prayers around our property and end in the church for Eucharist.  Rogation comes from the Latin, “to ask.”  The days are observed the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to Ascension Day.  They have typically had a focus on agriculture and prayers for the growing season.

Make Pentecost Peace Cranes, Sunday, May 17, after church.  Stay after church to make these origami peace cranes to decorate the sanctuary for Pentecost on Sunday, May 24.

 

Fruit of the Vine (Sermon) May 3, 2015

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Sermon – May 3, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Easter V

Bulletin 5-3-2015 News & Notes Bulletin 5-3-2015 Easter 5

 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:5

Please be seated.

Today we’re observing Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage month.  As I thought about our Gospel and our observance, I thought about Babu Rangasamy.  I can’t remember, now, when Babu came to Harrisburg with his wife, Mani.  I think it was the late 90s.  They were a young couple from India. Babu was in computers and was in great demand for his skill.  They lived across the street from the church and found it convenient to attend.

Gradually we all got to know each other and one day in an adult forum, everyone was talking about how we came to Christianity.  When it came to Babu, he told us that someone, possibly a roommate, had left a Bible in the room.  Babu picked it up and read the entire thing and immediately became a Christian.

Our group was astounded and I’ve never forgotten this.  Most of us had grown up going to church, going to Sunday School, learning the stories and the faith.  But most of us – this was a Lutheran congregation – couldn’t say we’d read the Bible cover to cover!  I can’t tell you how many times I picked up the Bible while I was growing up and tried to make sense of it. I was so grateful for the version, Good News for Modern Man, a version I found easier to understand.

Babu’s witness was astounding to me then and still is, especially since professing and practicing Christianity in his native India was not necessarily like it is here in our region, where there are Christian churches and communities all over town.  Yet, the power of the Gospel…the power of the Good News…the power of Jesus comes through, no matter the language or the culture.  Babu and his wife, Mani and their son have become active members at the church, where Babu serves on the Vestry.

For Babu, as for us, Jesus is the vine.  That’s the metaphor Jesus uses in our Gospel today.  “I am the vine,” he says.  And we are the branches.  We are going to plant some grape vines in our garden and so I looked up some information about grape vines.

Grape vines are vigorous growers and lend drama to a garden.  Properly taken care of, meaning proper pruning, they readily produce much fruit for as long as 30 years!

There are a number of things to note in growing grapes, which are guides to practicing our Christian faith.

  1. Vines should not be allowed to produce grapes for the first two to three years, so the root system can become strong enough to support the weight of the grapes. Jesus is our root system and we know it’s strong.  However, we as Christians also go through a process of strengthening our roots.  Reading the Bible, especially using Forward Day by Day or some other commentary materials, is one way to do this.  Participating in Adult Forum discussions and daily prayer time, maybe with some prayer beads is another possibility.  We offer confirmation classes and the Book of Common Prayer has lots to offer, too.  Participating in a faith community like St. John’s is also important, allowing us to learn from each other and grow in faith together.  Think about how we are strengthening our root system with Jesus personally and collectively.
  2. Pruning is extremely important. In fact, pruning up to 90% of the previous year’s growth is recommended!  It’s absolutely necessary to prune, so the energy of the vine goes into the fruit.  And just so does our faith prune us.  Left to our own devices, we become unruly and unproductive.  We forget the path Jesus guides us on.  We get easily distracted.  So we need to be pruned to keep strengthening our roots and our connection to Jesus, the vine.  In the pruning, we are shaped and guided into lives that bear much fruit…into lives that allow us to bring the Kingdom of God here on earth.
  3. You don’t get much fruit if the vine has only one branch. So often we think of our individual lives.  We fail to understand how we are all connected.  We don’t take time to fully consider how our individual actions ripple out from us and affect so many others.  The image of the grape vine is helpful in this regard.  The vine, Jesus, connects many, many branches.  We are a community in Christ, branches connected to strong roots.

And finally and most importantly, we hear Jesus teach us and tell us the importance of our being connected to the vine…  without our connection to the vine, we can do nothing…we can do nothing!  Ponder that claim of Jesus!

Jesus says when we stay connected to him, the vine, we bear much fruit.  Jesus says when we stay connected to him, the vine, we can do God’s Will.  Jesus says when we stay connected to him, the vine, he abides in us.

Prepare yourself.  Be surprised by the pruning.  Be part of the community connected to the vine.  And your fruit will be sweet and plentiful.

Amen

This Sunday (May 3, 2015) at St. John’s

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Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Fifth Sunday in Easter, Pg. 225, Book of Common Prayer

Our Collects each week certainly ask God for a lot, don’t they?  I mean, we’re asking God to have us “perfectly to know” Jesus Christ.  Wow, what does that perfection in knowing Jesus Christ, especially the perfection of knowing Jesus Christ to be “the way, the truth, and the life….?”

We ask for something nearly impossible (perfect faith), I believe, because we need that perfect faith in Jesus Christ before we’ll follow in Christ’s steps.  We question.  We doubt.  We aren’t sure.  We’re afraid. As a result, we don’t follow “steadfastly” in Jesus’ steps.  Following Jesus is the way to life…abundant life…eternal life.

So we ask God for more faith, more understanding.  We ask God for the faith that will support us in following Jesus Christ, no matter what.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca’s Schedule

Rebecca will be on vacation this week, returning May 9. For pastoral emergencies, please contact The Rev. John Burkhart, 606-521-0345. You can get a message to Rebecca by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

This Sunday we observe Asian/Pacific Islander Sunday.  We especially remember the Diocese of Taiwan, a Diocese of The Episcopal Church.  There are 15 Episcopal churches on the island.  We also pray for the Deanery of Nepal, part of the Diocese of Singapore.

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

Adult Forum Our current series is on Ten Ways to Pray. This week Rebecca will lead us in The Daily Office and Scripture.

Work Day at the Church, Saturday, May 30, 10am.  All are invited to help with outside and inside projects, such as mulching, lattice-work around the amphitheater, and caulking the windows.  If you have a key to the church, you can also come by and take your Prevention Of Sexual Misconduct (POSM) training.

Fun, fun, fun.  The next Family Game Night is Friday, May 22, 6:30 – 8:30pm.  Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks.  Pizza will be provided.

2015 Goals:  The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently-adopted Mission Statement, Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  • Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  • List St. John’s Church on theIntegrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  • Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  • Repurpose the parlor.
  • Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.

The Grow Appalachia Committee meets Thursday, at 6pm through May. 

Rogation Service, Wednesday, May 13, 6pm.  We will say prayers around our property and end in the church for Eucharist.  Rogation comes from the Latin, “to ask.”  The days are observed the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday prior to Ascension Day.  They have typically had a focus on agriculture and prayers for the growing season.

Make Pentecost Peace Cranes, Sunday, May 17, after church.  Stay after church to make these origami peace cranes to decorate the sanctuary for Pentecost on Sunday, May 24.

 

 

 

Walk the talk (Sermon) April 26, 2015

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Sermon – April 26, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Easter IV

Bulletin 4-26-2105 Easter 4

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 1 John 3:17

Please be seated.

You’ve heard me talk before about my work on undoing racism that started in the 1990s.  A group of us met nearly weekly for many years and then at least monthly until about 2006.  We called ourselves People Against Racism or PAR.

Ralph was African-American and an active member of PAR.  He was a quiet man…the kind that doesn’t talk a lot, but when he did speak, it was something profound and illuminating.  One time PAR was meeting with people interested in representing our region in the state legislature.  Ralph said something to the candidate I’ve never forgotten.

The candidate was a man who was white.  He had done many good things in our city. Yet, Ralph explained that he knew without a doubt that at some point working against racism and serving people who were not white would become very difficult for this candidate.  Ralph said he knew this to be true…that every person who was white had a point at which working against racism became too hard …a point when they would stop working in an anti-racist way and return to their way of living in White Privilege…a point where they would no longer work for the benefit of all people.

Ralph wasn’t angry as he said this.  He was very matter-of-fact and actually very kind and loving as he said it.  It was just reality. What he wanted from the candidate, and in turn from each of us there who was White, was to know when we had reached that point and could no longer work to undo racism.  He just wanted us to promise to let him know when we could no longer work alongside of him to tear down the oppression inherent in our community.

And today, the writer of the Letter of 1 John poses a similar question.  The entire letter is about the absolute necessity of loving each other if we are truly followers of Jesus Christ.  We cannot be followers of Christ without love.  Our new Mission Statement says we will “proclaim the Gospel” and loving each other is proclaiming the Gospel.

In today’s reading, the writer emphasizes how meaningless our words can be…how meaningless our talk can be.  We can talk the talk, but do we walk the talk?  It is our actions that demonstrate our love.  It is our actions that proclaim the Gospel.  The writer asks the question:

How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

We are challenged today to proclaim the Gospel by demonstrating that we are followers of Christ…that God’s love abides in us through our actions.  We’re being asked the question that Ralph asked our group – is there a point at which you will stop demonstrating love for your brother or sister?  Is there a point where you will say, “enough is enough” and refuse to help a brother or sister in need?

I don’t know about you, but I get tired of being asked for help.  Sometimes people have asked for help, coming to the church, and later I find out they’ve totally lied to me.  In New York City and Washington, DC, there are many people along the streets or by the transportation centers asking for money.  It happens here in Corbin, too.  I’m so conflicted when it happens.  I read the verse like the one today and know I live extremely well by the standards of the rest of the world.  I know the blessings I get when I am generous, even if the other person is manipulative.  But sometimes I just don’t want to give.  I console myself by giving to the church or the food pantry instead of to individuals.

And today’s Epistle asks us to grapple with…to wrestle with how we demonstrate love, how our entire lives proclaim the Gospel.  To grapple with and wrestle with how much of the world’s goods we truly need, especially if those goods prevent us from assisting a brother or sister in need.  Could we live in a smaller house and use the savings to give more generously to our brothers and sisters in need, for instance?

And today is a good day to look at us as a community…St. John’s Episcopal Church.  How are we doing in demonstrating our love for our brothers and sisters in need?  How are we doing in proclaiming the Gospel? When we’re all working together love blooms and multiplies, doesn’t it?  We can do so much more together than we can do alone.

I’m so excited about the great idea that emerged from our April Vestry meeting.  Remember that the 2 ½ day Diocesan Convention was cancelled due to weather and replaced by a 1-day event in late March.  We had paid $700 in registration fees for the Convention and in early April were told we could receive a full refund of those fees OR we could let the Diocese keep the fees and use them for the Diocesan ministries.

You know it was hard to pass up a refund of $700, putting that back into our bank account.  But at the same time, if the convention had been held, we wouldn’t have that money back.  And we wanted to support the Diocesan ministries and had already agreed we’d raise $400 for Reading Camp.

And then it happened…  I’m not sure who said it first…It was one of those things that happen when you’re in a room with a group of people and you’re working together.  We’d say, the Holy Spirit moved in that room.  It opened us up.  Instead of hitting that place Ralph talked about..that turning back place where we’d deny the love of God by refusing to help our brother or sister in need…instead of being fearful about meeting our budget for the year, we became generous!

Instead of getting a refund back into our “savings account,” instead of easily giving the $700 to Diocesan ministries, we, in true Episcopal, middle way fashion, decided to use the $700 as matching funds to raise even more money for the Diocesan ministries!  We decided to be generous, extravagant even.

With the help of Katie and Daniel, our first project is raising at least $400 for Reading Camp.  St. John’s will match the first $200 raised, dollar for dollar.  We’ll do the same for Cathedral Domain and for St. Agnes’ House.  We’ll also match the first $100 raised for St. Augustine’s campus ministry.  We decided to demonstrate our love by taking $700 and turning it into at least $1,400!

That’s what love in action looks like. Last week with 25 people present, we raised over $100 for Reading Camp!  When we help our brothers and sisters in need, our hearts grow, because God’s love lives in us and we live in the heart of God.  It’s a great, exciting and beautiful place to be.

And that’s just one example of how we as a community walk the talk about love.  That’s just one way we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  It’s not easy…it’s a challenging way to live in this world…it’s counter to much of our thinking about the world… Yet, if we are to call ourselves Christians…if we are to be followers of Jesus Christ, who freely and humbly gave his life on the cross because God loved us so deeply, if we are to proclaim the Gospel, it’s what we MUST do.

Amen

PS.  Aren’t these the best donation boxes you’ve seen??

20150425_110517 20150425_110533 20150425_110549

This Sunday (April 26, 2015) at St. John’s

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O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  Collect for Fourth Sunday of Easter, pg 225, Book of Common Prayer

Each of the seven Sundays we celebrate Easter (50 days) has a similar theme, no matter what year our lectionary.  Last Sunday – Easter III – was Jesus eating with disciples after his resurrection, usually a theme of Eucharist.  This Sunday – Easter IV – is often called, Shepherd Sunday.  We hear about Jesus as the “good” shepherd.

Throughout our lives, this image and the attributes of Jesus, the good Shepherd, comfort us.  While I haven’t seen any research, I’d bet the 23rd Psalm is the most known and most recited Psalm… “The Lord is my shepherd….”  It’s a familiar Psalm at funerals or the time of death.

In the Collect for this Sunday, we acknowledge that Jesus, our good shepherd, calls each of us by name!  Every one of us is known to Jesus by our names.  To know someone’s name is an important part of being in relationship with them.  And while I used to be terrific at remembering names, I have more trouble doing so and feel frustrated when I cannot remember someone’s name.  So, knowing Jesus never forgets a name….never forgets one of us…knows each of us… is extremely comforting to me.

Blessings at the end of the week and may you find great blessing in remembering that Jesus calls you by your name.

Love, Rebecca+

I will be at St. John’s Corbin Tuesday and Wednesday and in Lexington on Thursday.  Her Sabbath Days will be Monday and Friday.  You can get a message to her by calling the church office at 606-528-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.

Appreciation Sunday.  Each of us is important to the community of St. John’s, especially when we are with each other each Sunday.  Today we honor those among us who volunteer additional time to our life together.  A big thanks for your time and talent!

Godly Play: All children are invited to participate in Godly Play, a special program of Spiritual development each Sunday morning at 10:00am.

Adult Forum: Our current series is on Ten Ways to Pray. This week Rebecca will lead a session on singing and journaling.

Pot Luck Sunday: This Sunday is our monthly pot luck. Bring a dish or drink to share. All are welcome! Plan to fellowship with each other. Our pot luck schedule shifts in October and November, depending upon the Bishop’s visit and our Annual Meeting.

Daughters of the King: The Regional Luncheon Meeting for Daughters of the King will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 25, 11:30am – 1:30pm.  All women members and those interested in becoming members are invited! Please let Shelia Phillips know if you would like to attend.

Belk Charity Sales Day:  Belk department store will host a Charity Sales Day on Saturday, May 2, 6am – 10am.  Buy tickets for $5.00 to get into this special sale.   The church keeps the money and you get $5.00 off an item for each ticket you have.  Members of the ECW will be selling tickets prior to the event

Diocesan Leadership Training: Diocesan leadership training sessions will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church, Somerset on Friday May 8, 5:45pm-9:00pm and Saturday, May 9, 9am – 4pm.  Let Rev. Rebecca know if you’d like to attend this important and informative training.  The focus is on effective communication and effective community behaviors. The format is a mix of lecture and small group discussion.

Grow Appalachia: The Grow Appalachia committee meets Thursday evenings at 6pm through May.

2015 Goals:  The Vestry has adopted the following goals for 2015, in line with our recently-adopted Mission Statement, Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ:

  • Support Al-Anon group meeting at the Church.
  • List St. John’s Church on the Integrity and Believe Out Loud websites as an open and welcoming church, especially for people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.
  • Remodel space for use as a sacristy.
  • Repurpose the parlor.
  • Serve as a site for the KCEOC Summer Lunch program for youth ages 18 and under.

United Thank Offering Ingathering, May 17.  Remember to bring your thank offering boxes AND pick up another one for the fall ingathering.  A thank offering box is a great way to give thanks and gratitude each day.  When combined with thousands of others, it supports wonderful projects in The Episcopal Church.