pulpit notes - st. james chapelstjameshydepark.org/index_files/e-pistle1-10-2014.pdfjan 10, 2014...

St. James’ E-pistle January 10, 2014

Pulpit Notes

Brothers and Sisters:

I trust you all survived the cold weather we had this past week. By the time you receive this, it will be anything but wintry outside. It has been one heck of an up-and-down winter: mind-numbingly cold one minute and sweater-weather the next. I've taken pictures of our yard over the past two months, and they've gone from snow-packed to green to snow-packed to green to snow-packed to green again.

What does that all mean? I wish I knew. Is it global climate change? Is it just a freak year? Don't try to answer that! In this tiny forum, nobody's going to answer that question or come to consensus.

And for our purposes today, that's not really the issue. We can all agree that, as stewards of the earth, we are called to take as good care of it as is within our power.

What's more to the point for our purposes are two small observations.

First, with these frequent changes in weather, some of our parishioners who live alone and can't get about as much may need your help. As I said in a recent e-mail, please check in on each other (and others you may know who could use it). Freezes and thaws in rapid succession could lead to all sorts of infrastructure problems (bursting pipes come to mind) as well as health-related issues. So consider the weird weather an opportunity to minister to each other.

Second, like the weather, life is unpredictable and often doesn't make sense. I note that this Sunday we observe the Baptism of Christ. Talk about a sudden change! Jesus gets baptized and is immediately sent away from everyone into the wilderness.

While this ultimately had a divine purpose, it's not always easy to see God's hand at play in our seesaw lives. We just can't understand why some things happen, why we sometimes seem to bounce back and forth from good times to bad like my thermometer. Often, it feels like life is becoming increasingly erratic, changes happening faster and faster. I may be wrong, but if you let it, life will likely sweep you along on its speeding roller coaster.

I would encourage you, whether in the ups and downs of the thermometer or life, to seek a balance, a place of peace and - yes - quiet. Consider retreats, quiet days, even pilgrimage. Fr. Masud conducts wonderful quiet days; Holy Cross Monastery is a resource for retreats, and so readily available! And pilgrimage? If going to the Holy Land or Canterbury seems too far,

4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park NY 12538 T 845-229-2820 F 845-229-5293

W www.stjameshydepark.org E [email protected]


consider a local walking pilgrimage. I'll be arranging one in Lent - so if you want to know more, ask!

In the meantime, whether you're shoveling in subzero temps or slogging through the mud, know that God's presence is unchanging.

In Christ,

Chuck+


The News of the Church

Pageant: Thank you so much to everyone who acted, worked stage crew, sewed costumes or prepared the reception for last week's Epiphany Pageant! Thanks also to those who braved the cold to come see the Pageant. It was a wonderful event that made my heart sing. We not only have extremely talented thespians, but we have dedicated and hard-working parishioners all around. Thanks again! Some photos from the dress rehearsal and the public performance are attached at the end of this E-pistle.

Acolytes training & schedule: An acolyte training session will take place on Sunday, February 2nd following the 10:00 AM service. All acolytes, new and old, are expected to attend (everyone needs a refresher now and then - consider it continuing education). This is especially important for those who are new or who are ready to make the leap from torch to crucifer. We will also discuss the function of a thurifer.

Annual Meeting Notice: The annual meeting of St. James' Church, Hyde Park will take place on Sunday, January 26th, beginning with Holy Eucharist at 9:00 AM with the polls for Vestry open. All communicants in good standing of the parish (members who have received communion at least three times in the past year and are regular in giving for the ministry of the gospel), are eligible to vote.

There will be a light breakfast as well as the awarding of the St. James' Medal.

Fireside Chats: The Fireside Chat Series begins this month on Thursday, January 16th at 7:00 PM. The first session, titled, "Chattel: The Building of New York State" is given by Lorraine Roberts, retired educator and chairwoman of the Black History Project Committee and member of the Mid-Hudson Antislavery History Project. A reception will follow.

Notice of Inquirers classes: Bishop Dietsche will visit St. James' on December 14, 2014. He will confirm, receive and reaffirm the faith of all who seek it. To be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, you need to participate in the Inquirer's Series of classes. If you have not already done so, please see Fr. Chuck about registering for the classes. You have to be at least 13 to participate, and anyone under 16 must come to Fr. Chuck personally (their parents cannot speak for them) to discuss why they want to be confirmed.


Looking for Bible Study Participants: If you want to take a deeper look at or faith's foundational writings, if you want to ask questions about those uncomfortable and incomprehensible passages, if you enjoy spending time with others, our bible study wants you! We have been meeting Thursdays at 10 AM, but are willing to consider other times that accommodate today's hectic schedules. If you're interested, please contact either Fr. Chuck or Barbara Slegel. Hope to see you there - and bring a friend!

Boy Scout Sunday: Sunday, February 2nd is “Boy Scout Sunday”. Scouts from Troop 80 will attend services on that day in uniform. They will also host Coffee Hour. All Boy Scouts, especially Eagle Scouts, are also welcome to come in uniform.

Schedules A Note about Schedules: The names you see below are those listed on their respective schedules. There are often times when, due to sickness or travel, substitutes are asked to fill in or trade positions. This will probably NOT be reflected in the lists below—so, if there is an inconsistency between what you see here and what you see on Sunday, that is alright. Birthdays: John Golden, Sanjanah Shahani, Andrew Glancey and Ryan Seagren Acolytes: January 12: Bryanna Burkhardt, Chris Granados-Kramer and

Travyn Triola January 19: Gage Minter, Jasmine Thatcher and Charlie Urban-Mead

Altar Guild: January 12: Team Number II January 19: Team Number II

8 a.m. Readers: January 12: Debbie Belding and Lucille Ogden

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Janet Arms, Ruth Blanding, John Bohlmann, Kurt Burkhardt, Kathleen Craft, Michael Day, Jane Gagliardoto, Kasey Gaulin, Jack Gordy, Andy Hall, Harold Hall, Jolanda Heijenbrok, Brooke Helton, Rev. Don Hoger, Barbara Knakal, Rosemary Leuken, Andrew Mendelson, Rev. Tim Millard, Clifford Plass, Gerald Plass, Deborah Porach, Don Renten, John Robinson, Marty Schroeder, Richard Secor, James Sheeky, Naomi Sleight, Debbie Stone, Gloria Veach, Candace Vincent, Cassidy Way and Cliff Wells.


January 19: Angela Henry and Paul Littlefield

10 a.m. Readers: January 12: Donna Beyer/Deirdre Mae Micker January 19: Russell Urban-Mead/Justin Bohlmann

Ushers: January 12: Saira Shahani and Pat Keefe January 19: Nancy Montero and Anna Marie Pitcher

Pledge Clerks: January 12: Janet Bright and Joanne Lown January 19: Tanya Hall and Anna Marie Pitcher

Coffee Hour Hosts: January 12: Jodi Triola and Ross & Connie Eames January 19: Dierdre Mae Micker and The Gausepohls

This Week’s Lectionary Isaiah 42:1-9

Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43

Matthew 3:13-17

Sermon Preached on Second Sunday after Christmas

(January 5, 2014)

"Redefining Family"

What defines a family is in the news lately. Same-sex marriage is the biggest news, but recently a court ruled that the law in Utah prohibiting polygamy may be unconstitutional. What's more, news is out this month that in the US now, more children are born to unmarried couples than married couples.

That doesn't even count other family arrangements we are either still figuring out or have long forgotten. The extended family where several generations lived under the same roof, for example - that used to be the norm, the traditional family. Or the single parent family whether by choice or not. Adoptive families are also not "traditional." My brother's best friend was adopted and raised by a couple old enough to be his grandparents. My brother has five daughters, but only one of them is biologically related to him, and one has no legal connection at all. Yet he's the one who walked her down the aisle, and he's the one her kids call Pop Pop.

My point is, the definition of family is ever-changing, ever adapting to the needs of the times and the understanding of the society as to what binds us together. This is a good thing for us


because redefining family is what Christmas, the Incarnation, is all about. What's more, redefining family is beautifully illustrated in the Epiphany, which we celebrate tomorrow.

How is this so? Let's start with Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Unlike last week's letter to the Galatians where he was really upset, Paul is happy with the Ephesians. There are issues, but in general he's pleased with their progress. So his opening is a little more relaxed (in Galatians, he just rips right into them from the beginning), and he can spend some time pondering what Jesus really means. In doing so, Paul says something crucial: God destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ.

What does that mean, and why is it important? We are adopted. We're not the same as Jesus, the Son of God who is of the same substance of God. But nevertheless, we are God's children, bound by God's love for us first, and our mutual love eventually. This is the constant message of Christmas - you are God's beloved child. Not slave, not servant (though we serve each other and God), not employee, not serf or prisoner - but children.

That's why the Epiphany is so important for Matthew. With it, he shows how foreigners - of different religions no less - come to the manger to worship the infant Jesus. This is not merely to emphasize the divinity of Christ but to show that God's family does not fit our pre-conceived notions of what family should be. Matthew makes it clear that these unacceptable outsiders are part of God's family as much as any Israelite. And, I would add, as much as any Christian today.

This affects us in our everyday interactions. If, as scripture tells us, we are all God's children, then we need to look at the world differently. We need to see the stranger down the road as sibling. We need to see the vast nameless throng of war refugees, economic refugees, refugees from natural disasters ... no longer as a vast nameless throng but as our siblings.

This is no easy task. Even with our biological families, it's sometimes impossible to remain civil or find any common bond. My grandfather always said that Kramers get along wonderfully as long as there are 500 miles between us. I have a cousin I can barely talk to because our views on pretty much everything are polar opposites. Being family has never been easy or always comforting. It only means that our bonds are deep and lasting and will not let us off the hook.

Yes, this is overwhelming. Essentially, Christ has removed the category of "not family". But how can we even begin to embrace everyone? Even if we got along with everyone, thought the same, believed the same, spoke the same, could we really be family? We can't, of course. We are not God. But we can start small by maybe making it a spiritual discipline to look at some new person each day and saying to yourself, "Family."

So what is family these days? Well. It continues to redefine itself much as it has throughout history. But the Incarnation tells us that God adopts us through Jesus Christ and the Epiphany


shows us that WE are family. What kind of relationship we choose to have, however, is up to us. Amen.


4526 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park NY 12538 T 845-229-2820 F 845-229-5293

W www.stjameshydepark.org E [email protected]

pulpit notes - st. james chapelstjameshydepark.org/index_files/e-pistle1-10-2014.pdfjan 10, 2014...

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