March 29, 2017

Left Behind

I went for a rather long-ish walk this past weekend while the girls were visiting D.C. As is normally the case when walking alone, my mind drifted over and around several things before settling in on one.

One of the questions I have been asked on a regular basis is, “What's different between here and Oregon?” What's different has such a wide variety that I really never know where to begin. The weather, for the most part, has been similar. The people are both the same and different. The time zone has been an adjustment. And a plethora of other items makes answering that question difficult.

Blackberries.

Blackberries popped into my head on that walk. While I was looking around and taking in the scenery, noticing the rolling hills of the area, trees that were beginning to bud, trees that still had some time to go before budding, and what could pass for empty cornfields, I noticed there were no blackberry bushes. Blackberry bushes were abundant where I lived in Oregon. They grew on the side of the road. They grew alongside the creek I crossed. They grew all along the school playground where I ran to prepare for the football season.

I miss those blackberry bushes that grew everywhere along the roads and paths. I miss being able to stop on my walk and pick a handful, or more, of big, ripe, blackberries. They were a special treat on a summer walk. I miss those blackberries that I've left behind in my move east.

It occurred to me, though, that if I focused on those blackberries I might very well miss the treasures that this area holds. If I dwelt on what I had left behind, I would never make the transition to where I need to be. If I continually focused on what I couldn't have, then I would never accept the home that was being presented to me.

And that, in a nutshell, is Lent.

Lent is the traditional time Christians give something up as a matter of discipline. Have you noticed, though, that people often focus on what they have given up? It's Lent, I can't have chocolate. It's Lent, I'm not allowed to watch TV. It's Lent, I can't do whatever. If I only focus on the blackberries I can't have, my whole existence in Maryland will be Lent and I will never see the beauty of where the Spirit has called me.

Lent isn't about dwelling on what you have given up, or on what you have left behind; Lent is about learning to make a transition to where God is calling us. Lent isn't about focusing on what you can't have, but on being willing to accept the home that is being presented to you.

It's Lent. Leave the blackberries behind and learn to see the beauty of where the Spirit is calling you.

March 22, 2017

Protocol

Technically speaking, this word is probably not the word I want. Colloquially speaking, this word works. Protocol is often used when discussing how things are supposed to be handled. It's used when discussing proper procedures, especially within organizations. Protocol, or the establishment of a system, is often used to create clear lines of communications, and/or to avoid that thing called triangulation in which people talk about things or other people in order to avoid dealing directly with a specific situation.

There is a lot going on in this church. We have many people involved in many aspects of our parish life. Some of these things are directly overseen by me, and some of them are directly overseen by others. Some things I am responsible for, and other things I am basically a cheerleader, offering encouragement and support. But even when it comes to things for which I have minimal oversight . . . well . . . as Harry Truman famously said, “The buck stops here.”

The reason I'm bringing this up is because there have been a couple of recent situations involving the Sunday liturgy in which it would have been best if proper protocol had been followed.

These situations include people other than Chad or Kristy giving the acolytes additional instructions or correction, and one in which someone tried to give the LEM's instructions on doing their task during the service.

Normally I would discuss this privately with people. However, I felt I needed to put this out publicly for a few reasons.

First, I think it's important for everyone to understand that discussing liturgical tasks with our vested ministers during the service is inappropriate.

Second, I think it's equally important that we all understand the proper protocol when addressing concerns you may have. If you are concerned about something in one of those areas in which I may have minimal oversight, you are encouraged to speak with either the chair of that organization or with me at an appropriate time. If you are concerned about something in the liturgy, please speak with me first, also at an appropriate time – and the appropriate time is never during the service.

We all have a role, or roles, to play in the life of St. John's. Please don't bypass proper protocol by offering instructions or corrections to those whom you think need it. Come instead to me, or to the person(s) with direct oversight, about your concern or observation. You may be right and we can make necessary corrections, or you may be given a good reason why things are done the way they are.

Either way, we will be much better off by avoiding the he said/she said game.

Blessings,

Todd+

March 15, 2017

And if, in your preparation, you need help and counsel, then go and open your grief to a discreet and understanding priest, and confess your sins . . .

BCP 317

A few weeks ago I was asked if I offered confession during Lent. I think I offhandedly replied that I offered to hear confessions any time during the year, not just during Lent. As we talked, I realized that what was really being asked was, “When is a good time for me to come and make a confession?” They pointed out that some priests make it a practice to sit in church on certain days at certain times and simply wait for people to show up for confession.

I don't do that – sit in the church and wait, that is. What I do instead is to let people know that I am willing to hear confessions, but I prefer to do it through appointments rather than the hit or miss system of waiting in the church. And then it occurred to me that I may not have made that clear to the people of St. John's.

So let me be clear – if you wish to participate in a formal confession (officially known as the Reconciliation of a Penitent in the BCP) during Lent, or any other time for that matter, please contact me to set up an appointment and I will do so. All you need to do is say something like, “Do you have time to hear a confession?”

There are a few things you should know about this rite. First, we don't need to go through a litany of sins you have committed since 1975. Stay focused on one or two things that are troubling you at this particular time. It may help to spend some time in prayer before coming so that you are fully in tune with what needs confessing.

Second, this is not mandatory. The rite is available for all who desire it. It is not limited to times of sickness. And confessions may be heard at any time and in any place, although I prefer to use the church proper. There is an old saying that holds true regarding formal confessions: All should, some may, none must. The general confession we say together during Holy Eucharist is a catchall for the sins we commit. But you may feel this isn't getting to the heart of the matter and so desire to make a personal confession.

Finally, the Exhortation advises us to go to a “discreet and understanding priest.” And the rubrics for the rite specifically say, “The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken.” In other words, what is said under the seal of the confessional remains under the seal of the confessional until I die. This does not mean you can get away with murder (as there are procedures for those kinds of discussions), but it does mean that you can be assured I will not discuss your confession with any other person.

On Ash Wednesday you were invited to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance. If you find yourself bothered by a specific sin and feel the need to confess that sin, please know that, by the authority granted me through God's one, holy, apostolic Church, I am here.

Blessings,

Todd+

March 8, 2017

What are you doing for Lent?

That seems to be a common question around this time of year. For whatever reason, we ask what others are doing for Lent, either giving up or taking on. Maybe that's because we want an assurance that we aren't the only one practicing a Lenten discipline. Maybe it's because we want to figure out how we stack up – how does giving up desserts compare to fasting every Friday? Maybe it's just religious small talk, akin to, “How are you enjoying the weather?” Or maybe that's just me.

As a rule I don't discuss my Lenten discipline. Part of that reasoning comes from Scripture when Jesus admonishes those who fast to wash their faces, put oil on their heads, and not let people know you are fasting. “Do not let your right hand know what your left hand is doing,” he says.

I'm going to break that rule this year.

Since I arrived at St. John's, I have found myself busier than I think I have ever been as a priest. That happens in a parish this size with the amount of things we have going on around here. And it seems that every day when I go home, I go home thoroughly exhausted. I'm not complaining – it's been a very good busy and a good tired. But, upon reflection, I discovered that I was doing too much time reacting to things rather than having a good plan.

My Lenten discipline this year, therefore, is to fix that. And I think I have a plan.

I've been working on a weekly schedule that puts things into blocks of time. It's taken a few drafts, and a few suggestions to tweak it, but I think I've got it. This schedule includes times to meet with people both in and out of the office; it includes times for prayer, study, and education; it includes times for worship; and it includes times to be visible around Hagerstown.

My hope is that it will help me be more proactive in how I go about the job of being your priest, as well as offering needed flexibility to react when necessary. Melonie, as well as the rest of the staff, has a copy of the schedule and she knows when and where I am available.

What I'm asking from the good people of St. John's is for you to help hold me to it. Please be understanding when requesting appointments. Please call me to accountability when I seem to get out of whack. And please know I am doing this to (possibly) avoid past mistakes and be the priest you all deserve.

As it turns out, sometimes it IS important for the left hand to know what the right hand is doing.

May your Lent be filled with discovery,

Todd+