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

Posted on May 31, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – May 31, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

“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 19^th 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:

The church community brings us into a relationship with the world that is “not determined by the laws of biology.” (Being as Communion, 56)
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

Posted on May 28, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

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 6:1-2

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.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCorbin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StJohnsCorbin

Website: http://www.stjohnscorbin.org/

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/stjohnscorbin/

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

Posted on May 24, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

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

Chosen, Appointed, and Bearing Fruit (Sermon) May 10, 2015

Posted on May 10, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Sermon – May10, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Easter VI

You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last…. John 15:16

Please be seated.

My parents loved to take sightseeing rides. Every fall, they’d pick a Saturday and we’d travel to some part of Pennsylvania to see the leaves. Sometimes there’d be a destination of sorts…a state park or town, but mostly it was a drive to see the beautiful colors of Autumn.

One year, we drove on a road along the Juniata River, close to where it enters the big Susquehanna River. The road was narrow and winding. It was being widened to 4 lanes, but they weren’t on the same level. Two lanes were close to the flat plain along the river, while the other two lanes going a different direction were built further up the hill. That probably doesn’t seem so odd these days, but it was the first time I’d ever seen a road like that.

My father explained how dangerous the old road had been with its curves and bumps and narrowness. He told us there’d been serious car accidents on that road and how much better the new road was going to be. He stopped alongside the river bank at one point and we were all climbing around and looking at the rocks and probably finding flat ones to skip across the water.

Because of the road construction, there had been layers of earth and rock exposed and probably blasting had occurred. I found a fossil of a plant! I took it home with me and placed it on a display shelf with other things I’d collected. That fossil has come with me my whole life since then. Just a flat, rock with an ancient plant etched in it, sitting on a shelf year after year after year. If that fossil could speak, I wonder what it would say regarding my life and my efforts at “bearing fruit.”

There are a couple of things that popped out at me from our Gospel today.

First of all, Jesus says, “I chose you….” “I chose you….” Doesn’t that bring anxious memories of being in school and playing team sports in gym class and wondering whether you’d be chosen for a team, hoping you weren’t the last one picked? But Jesus says, I chose you, period. Jesus has chosen each of us. Jesus has chosen this St. John’s Episcopal Church in Corbin, Kentucky.

Then Jesus says he has appointed us to go and bear fruit. We are Jesus’ chosen and appointed people. We are Jesus’ chosen and appointed community, chosen and appointed to bear fruit. And the community of people at St. John’s Corbin has been bearing fruit for over 100 years.

When we dug the garden plots, we found part of an old foundation, probably for a building connected with the school that the early church members built. Bearing fruit by educating people.

This past week, a man called from Tennessee. I assume he’s doing genealogy research. He didn’t leave a name, but said he’s looking for information on a man who lived in this area in 1910 and was Episcopalian. Again, bearing fruit through the presence of The Episcopal Church in this region.

Back behind Billy, there’s a plaque from 1921 remembering one of the teachers and church members. Again, bearing fruit in education.

Currently, Vestry has adopted goals and projects for the year, goals and projects to bear fruit to the region. Vegetable plants should be planted this week in the Grow Appalachia garden. There are LOTS of tomatoes and the cucumber plants look great, so I’m told. We’re bearing fruit by working together to raise food, which we’ll most likely give away to people who need food.

We’re repurposing space in the church and creating a functional sacristy, the place where all of the items for our worship are stored and gathered. Bearing fruit through beautiful and uplifting worship.

Another goal is to support an Al-Anon meeting at the church. The Al-Anon group began meeting this past Tuesday and will meet each Tuesday evening from 7-8pm in the parish hall. Bearing fruit through healing and recovery for hurting families and individuals.

We’ve signed up with the Knox County Economic Opportunity Council (KCEOC) to once again use St. John’s Community Park as a lunch site for youth 18 and under. Bearing fruit through feeding children.

We’re working on a welcome statement that says we welcome people of all gender orientations, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. Then we’ll be listed on the Integrity and the Believe Out Loud websites. Many Christians who are LGBT have been rejected and deeply wounded by the Christian Church, but our decal on the back door and our listing on these websites states that we are a diverse community and love people of all gender orientations. Bearing fruit through loving people as they are.

These are just a few of the most recent ways we as the community of St. John’s are continuing to live out our understanding of Jesus’ command in John 15:16 to bear fruit. People and members come and go. Some stay for a short time and some for a lifetime. Some get angry and leave and some leave when they die. Worship leaders and Deacons and Priests come and go. But the bearing of the fruit continues on and on over many years, with only the stones and wood, and stained glass of our church building as the eternal witness.

Now about that fossil…that rock that has witnessed so much of the passage of time and has traveled with me throughout most of my life. That fossil rock and I are traveling back home…. Yes, I am leaving this community of St. John’s Corbin. I’ve been called as Rector at The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s in Newport, PA, along the Juniata River, close to where it empties into the Susquehanna River. My last Sunday with you will be June 7. I’d like to read the letter I have for you and will be mailed to parishioners that could not be here today.

Today I write with a difficult purpose. I have accepted a position with The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s Church in Newport, PA. My last Sunday with you will be June 7.

You have helped me see how much I want to be fulltime in a parish, so the two part-time positions and the travel have become increasingly challenging for me. In addition, I realize how much I’d like to be closer to my children and grandchildren, especially to attend all of the school and fun events with which my grandchildren are involved.

Together, you have formed an amazing Christian community. Together, you are an important Christian voice in this region. I pray mightily that you will continue to grow and strengthen this vital and necessary community.

You have loved me. You have taught me. Words cannot fully express the gratitude I feel for being able to serve as your Priest. I hope you have felt my love for you. Almost every Sunday afternoon, I feel deep peace for our gathering together in worship and for our community.

Times of transition are challenging. The Diocese will be working with you on what is next and Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin has already met with the Vestry. I pray that you feel God’s love and care during this time.

Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin is with us today and will be here after church to answer any questions and hear any concerns you may have about this transition.

If you’re like me, you’re feeling conflicting emotions. Most of you were not expecting to hear this when you came to church today. You may be feeling happy for me that I’ll be closer to my family and also angry at me or sad that I’m leaving. You may feel excitement about what new possibilities there could be for the church and also anxious about what worship will be like. You may have experienced many similar transitions and trust that God will provide a Priestly presence for St. John’s, just like God’s done throughout its history, but also be worried about it too.

I know without a doubt that you, members of St. John’s, will continue to bear fruit here in this place, just like you’ve done for years and years and years. Of that I am convinced. Because you see, Jesus has chosen you and Jesus has appointed you to bear fruit.

Amen

plant fossil from near Juniata River, Newport, PA

As a child, I found this plant fossil along the Juniata River, near Newport, PA.

On June 22, I will become Rector of The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s, Newport, PA, close to where I found this fossil.

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

Posted on May 7, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

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

Posted on May 3, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

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.

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.
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.
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 (April 12, 2015) at St. John’s

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

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. Acts 4:32

Many years ago, I stumbled upon The Bruderhof Community. They had a community in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, a popular vacation spot in western Pennsylvania. They ran a coffee shop and bookstore. The community published many of the books.

Begun in 1920 in Germany, the group had to flee during the times of the Nazis. They went to Paraguay and finally came to the United States. They number 2,600 on four continents. What was amazing to me was that the foundation of the community was from early Christianity as described in Acts 2 and 4, but especially this verse we hear this Sunday. They strive to be of one heart and soul. They do not have any private property, but hold everything in common.

I’m not sure I could do this. I do think we could share resources a little more — does everyone really need a lawn mower or could we work out a way to share one between a number of families, for instance? Yet, I get connected to my “stuff” and don’t want to part with it. I also like a good deal of private space.

Reading this passage reminds me to look at how I live my life and encourages me to strive to live in ways that support the common good.

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca+

Rebecca will be on vacation next week, through April 22. For pastoral care emergencies, call The Rev. John Bukhart, 606-521-0345.

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 week Rebecca will lead the Adult Forum on Celebrating the 50 Days of Easter. Next week we begin a 5-week series on Ten Ways to Pray. Jeff Davis will lead us in centering prayer and body prayer.

Daughters of the King: The Regional Luncheon Meeting for Daughters of the King will be held 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.

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.

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.

Grow Appalachia: The Grow Appalachia committee will meet Thursdays evenings at 6pm through April and May.

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

St. George’s Day: Join other members of the diocese for Fun and Worship at the Cathedral Domain on April 18. Hiking, cooking contest, fellowship, and special worship are part of this enjoyable day. Register at www.diolex.org or see Rev. Rebecca.

Rotary Scholarship Scramble: Participate in or help sponsor the Dave Hudson Memorial Rotary Scholarship Scramble, Friday, April 24, London Country Club. All proceeds benefit college scholarships for local high school students. See Rev. Rebecca for more information.

Fun, fun, fun: The next Family Game Night is April 24^th from 6:30 – 8:30pm. Bring your favorite games, snacks, and drinks. Those who wish to, may gather at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church for their fish fry at 5:45. The cost is $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for children for a full meal.

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This Sunday (March 22, 2015) at St. John’s

Posted on March 19, 2015 by St. John's Episcopal Church

Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise…. Collect for Fifth Sunday in Lent, Book of Common Prayer, pg. 219

Love is not always easy, is it? That’s a huge challenge in being a Christian. Last Sunday, we heard, “God so loved the world….” The passage is inclusive and broad. God loved the world…God loved all of creation. That’s what we are charged to do.

Yet, as humans, we’re judgmental. We find it easier to love people who are more like us and who think like us. We judge people who are not like us or think differently from us. Sometimes we judge them harshly. We don’t always understand other people and how they live their lives. We give our love conditionally, based upon our judgement about who deserves our love.

We need God’s grace to love fully. We need God’s unconditional gift. Thankfully, we have it…

Blessings as you finish your week!

Love, Rebecca

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

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

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

Adult Forum During Lent, we are discussing various issues in Appalachia. This Sunday, Rev. Dr. Stuart Hoke will talk about recovery from addiction.

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

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

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

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

Diocesan Convention has been rescheduled for Saturday, March 28, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Lexington.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflecting the Welcoming Love of Christ (Sermon) March 15, 2015

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

Sermon – March 15, 2015

The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers, CSW

St. John’s Episcopal Church, Corbin, KY

Fourth Sunday in Lent Year B

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

Please be seated.

Last week the Vestry adopted a Mission statement: Proclaiming the Gospel, promoting justice, and preparing a diverse community of seekers to reflect the welcoming love of Christ. At the meeting we also discussed what 3-5 goals we want to work on this year to make this statement not just words, but reality. Between now and the April 12 Vestry meeting, we’re asking you to think about this.

As I reflected upon the Gospel for today, I was reminded of part of our Mission statement…. “reflect the welcoming love of Christ.” Whenever I think about my experience of being welcomed, I think of my grandson. Yes, it’s a danger to have a grandmother in the pulpit!

Logan is my first grandchild. For nearly the first year of his life, I lived about 20 minutes away from him. Needless to say, I visited frequently. At one point, I developed a pattern of going every Sunday afternoon, taking my laundry with me. I’d play with Logan and do my laundry, while my son and daughter-in-law went grocery shopping or had a little break. Often Logan’s parents would arrive home to find me holding Logan on my shoulder and both of us sound asleep taking a wonderful afternoon nap.

But eventually I moved to Washington, DC, and visited about once every 5 weeks. Now, I got to stay at Logan’s house. Again, we developed our routines. I’d usually arrive on Friday evening in time to read Logan a story and put him to bed and then on Saturday morning, I’d get up when he was awake and we’d play and I’d fix breakfast for him.

When Logan was about two, he had his own mini chair – an Elmo chair. I’d call my son as I was leaving my home to let him know I was on my way. Logan would watch a movie, probably Cars, in his little chair. They’d hear my car pull up to the house, usually at 7:30 or 8:00. Logan would be tired, but he’d fight to stay awake when he knew I was coming.

I’d get out of my car and open my trunk to get out my suitcase. Then my son’s front door would open and little, bald-headed Logan would break into a huge smile and squeal, “GRANDMAAA!” He would be so excited to see me.

That’s what I think about when I ponder what “welcoming love” looks like. Have you ever or do you now know what that welcoming love feels like? That’s what we’re saying we’d like to be as St. John’s community.

And while my story makes welcoming love sound so easy, we all know it’s challenging. It’s easy to love people we get along with and generally enjoy being with. But John the Gospel writer, doesn’t say, “God so loved the people you love…..” John says that God loved the world.

The word in Greek is from the word cosmos! The entire creation!

And that’s why the church is essential and wonderful. We have the chance to know and to learn to love people who may be very different from us…people we may not have ever met.

We are called to reveal… we are called to model to others the love that God has shown us. Maybe we’ll have to work to be as excited as little Logan was to see me. God welcomes each of us with deep love and joy. Let us do the same….

Amen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love, Rebecca+

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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