June 14, 2023

I sat in the church on Sunday afternoon listening to the harpist practice for her recital later that day. As I listened, I took a visual tour of the stained glass windows in the nave. We are blessed to worship in one of the most beautiful spaces I've known, and I'm sure many of you feel the same way.

As I was looking at those windows that tell the story of Christ's life from the Annunciation to the Crucifixion and his Ascension, I wondered, “Which one is my favorite?” I think that probably depends on my mood at the time. So then I asked myself, “Which one speaks to me now?”

As I looked around the nave and all of the windows, and even up into the chancel and sanctuary, I kept coming back to Jesus encountering Nathanael under the fig tree. This episode can be found in John 1:48. What John tells us is that Jesus called Philip and Philip then told Nathanael about Jesus. There's an encounter and Jesus eventually says, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Using artistic license, our window appears to depict Nathanael asleep under that tree, not noticing the presence of Christ right next to him.

How often, I thought, are we like Nathanael in that window – asleep to the presence of Christ right next to us?

Maybe we no longer take time to notice the holy presence of the Lord in our midst because we see it so often. Maybe we are asleep to the presence of Christ in the form of those people who use parts of our building for shelter. Maybe we are asleep to the presence of Christ in our lives because other things always seem to take precedence. Maybe we are asleep to the still, small voice of God because we would rather see or hear something big and dramatic. The list can go on.

In his book, The Problem of Pain, CS Lewis wrote, “They wanted some corner in the universe of which they could say to God, 'this is our business, not yours.' But there is no such corner.”

There is no such corner where God is not present. There is no such corner that Jesus does not touch. Maybe what it takes for us to be awakened to that is to spend some time in peaceful quiet with our eyes and ears wide open so that we are awake to the presence of Christ right next to us.

June 7, 2023

Deacon Sue and I spent this past Saturday in Baltimore at the cathedral for two ordination services. The first was at 10:00 and saw the ordination of two deacons. The second was at 2:00 and saw the ordination of five priests.

Ordination services are always joyous affairs. The color of the day is red, so you get to see a bunch of red stoles you normally don't get to see. Clergy gather around the ordinands as Holy Orders are conferred on them by the bishop. There is a sense of hope as things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new. You get to see the joy in their eyes as they help celebrate their first Communion, and you notice the difference they feel in administering the Body and Blood to those in attendance for the first time as ordained clergy. And, for the most part, there were only one or two times when I got the liturgical heebie jeebies; which isn't bad for two services that spanned four hours or so.

After we exchanged the Peace, the bishop reminded those in attendance at both services that, through the centuries, the Church has called a small percentage of people to serve as deacons and priests. That is not because those people are more special than others, but simply because they have a different ministry. When asking, “Who are the ministers of the Church?” the Catechism clearly states they are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. As we continue to recover from the COVID pandemic, as we see a hurting world in need of healing, we know the Church has a big job ahead of her, and it will take all of her members to bring the healing presence of Christ to the world around us.

During the Examination in the ordination service of a deacon, the bishop says, “Every Christian is called to follow Jesus Christ, serving God the Father . . .” And at the ordination of a priest, the bishop says, “All baptized people are called to make Christ known as Savior and Lord, and to share in the renewing of his world.” These two ordination services make clear that all people are ministers within different orders.

As we move into summer and people take vacations and trips, I would ask that you take some of that time to discern how you might serve the Church in general, and Saint John's in particular. Fall is not that far away, and as people begin to return to onsite worship we need everyone to participate in various ministries. John Sabine has a pick-up choir through summer; drop in and check it out, and maybe you will find a home with our music ministry. Kim Halsey and the Service & Outreach group are always looking for ways to put our faith into action. Charlie Chaney and the Fabric & Grounds group have no shortage of things needing attention around the building. We are still looking for a Treasurer. Our worship service needs people to serve in the Altar Guild, as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and Acolytes. What interests and skills do you have that you can offer up?

I'm reminded of the hymn, “Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea, day by day his clear voice soundeth, saying, 'Christian, follow me'.”

As the recovery from COVID continues, we must all answer the question: How will you serve?

May 31, 2023

“My parents live in Bonney Lake.”

I was talking with someone recently who had a general knowledge of western Washington. They had friends or family or something who lived in Enumclaw or Maple Valley, which is near Bonney Lake.

So, of course, during the conversation, I mentioned that my parents live in Bonney Lake, and it's always nice to talk with someone who knows the geography of where you're from.

I don't remember exactly, but I want to say this conversation happened about three or four weeks ago; which is significant for this.

Sometime after that conversation it occurred to me that my parents do not live in Bonney Lake. My parent lives in Bonney Lake. My mom lives in Bonney Lake. My dad died on March 27.

In the big picture I know that we all die. Death is part of the business of being a priest. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended. And my dad had suffered from COPD for several years. I watched from afar as his quality of life continued to deteriorate, barely able to walk from the living room to the bathroom, continually tied to an oxygen tank, spending all his time in the recliner because he couldn't breathe while laying down and couldn't move very far because he could barely breathe while walking. Add to all of that his more frequent hospital visits and, in the end, death became a blessing.

That's not to say I'm glad my dad died. But there is a relief that comes at the end of suffering when you believe someone has arrived at a place of peace. My faith tells me that he is resting with the saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

That is what I believe.

But there are days when not everything has sunk in. There are days when you haven't yet fit a death into your normal operating system. That conversation was one of those days.

At some point I'll remember that my parents don't live in Bonney Lake – my mom lives in Bonney Lake. And no matter what my faith tells me, that is a hard adjustment to make.

I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die.

Amen.

May 24, 2023

Sometimes I don't even know where to begin. Sometimes I just have to sit with the news and try to take it all in. And sometimes what I'm taking in is so overwhelming, so paralyzing, so beyond belief that I sit in stunned silence and whisper, “Lord, have mercy.”

This past Holy Week a story broke detailing the sexual abuse of over 600 children by more than 150 Catholic clergy during a sixty-year period in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore. These are staggering numbers. In a week where we remembered the abuse and eventual death of an innocent man at the hands of the religious authorities and the state, we were also confronted with the ongoing abuse of innocent children at the hands of religious authorities and the associated cover-up.

Yesterday another report broke stating more than 450 offenders sexually abused more than 1900 children over a seventy-year period in Illinois in the Catholic Church.

In both of these, Baltimore and Illinois, the number of abusers and abused was far greater than had previously been disclosed. To quote from one report about the Baltimore findings, “Church documents reveal with disturbing clarity that the Archdiocese was more concerned with avoiding scandal and negative publicity than it was with protecting children.”

Bishop Sutton addressed the Baltimore story at Clergy Conference and again at the Diocesan Council meeting last weekend. He reminded both of those groups that the Episcopal church doesn't have clean hands, as we have had clergy who have abused children. He reminded us to pray for the victims, that they may be healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the abuse they suffered. He also asked us to pray for the people in the Roman Catholic Church who are also having to deal with these awful events and the lasting impact they have on people both inside and outside the Church.

I can't even begin to process the fact that well over 600 clergy sexually abused more than twenty-five HUNDRED children. TWENTY. FIVE. HUNDRED. I don't even know where to begin with that. So I sit with the news and try to take it all in. And after a bit, I remember where I can begin.

I can begin here. I can begin by reminding people that here at Saint John's we do all we can to keep our most vulnerable parishioners safe. In our bathrooms we have posters with information on how to report abuse or suspected abuse. All people in positions of authority, all employees, and all volunteers who work with vulnerable parishioners are required to take the Safe Church program. Some of those people are also subject to a background check. We do these things not because we think people are inherently abusive, we do these things to let people know we are serious about protecting our people. So I begin there.

And for those who have been abused, I pray: Lord God, you called us into being in a state of fragility and vulnerability. Look with mercy upon those children who suffered abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to protect them, set them free of the trauma that engulfs them, bring to light and accountability those evil acts done in the dark, and may your tender mercy lead them to health and wholeness. Amen.

Lord, have mercy.

Todd+

May 17, 2023

And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” – John 4:41-42

A lot of what we do is based on invitation. Certainly there are times we do things because the peak our interest or we come across something interesting. But there are a fair amount of times when we are invited to participate in something; whether that is a hobby, or a social/service group, or maybe even a career.

Maybe we accept that invitation and begin to become part of the group. We either learn that it isn't right for us, or we learn that we enjoy being part of it and work to become more involved. When the latter happens, then it's no longer because of the invitation that we stay but it's our own discovery about why it's a good fit.

In the above story of the Samaritan woman who tells her town about Jesus, there is invitation and acceptance. We aren't told how many people rejected the invitation (there were obviously some, because “many” is not “all”), but there were people who did; and those who did, did so at her proclamation/invitation.

We are called to bear witness to Christ wherever we may be. We need to remember that people generally don't show up at church because it's a beautiful building or because we use incense occasionally or because we have an excellent choir. There are exceptions, of course, such as those people who are already Episcopalians, or who are already Christians and may be looking for a new home. But for people who are neither of those, they tend not to just wander in.

Bearing witness to Christ takes many forms, but at its most basic level, it means having the willingness to talk about Christ to others. In that talking, hopefully there is also an invitation. Hopefully there is an invitation to come and see and experience what I have experienced.

Pentecost is a week and a half away and we will once again be reminded about the apostles who bore witness to Christ. Sometimes I think we get intimidated by Pentecost – the apostles speaking in a variety of languages that led to about 3000 people being baptized that day.

Instead of Pentecost, think about the Samaritan woman at the well who, without any dramatic miracles, spoke to the people she knew and invited them to experience Jesus, and then let them decide for themselves if they would or would not follow.

In the whole evangelistic process, welcoming and inviting people to come and see is the first step.

Todd+

May 10, 2023

This past Sunday afternoon through yesterday morning Dcn. Sue and I attended the annual Clergy Conference. This year it was held at the Claggett Center just outside of Frederick.

Over the past two days we had time to reconnect with friends and colleagues. We worshiped often. We played some games. We had meaningful conversations with others. We were able to have some quiet time, and we relaxed.

These are all things everyone can do at some point – you don't need to be clergy to do them, and you don't necessarily need to go away to accomplish them.

As we continue to rebound from the pandemic, first and foremost remember that even though we think we are done with COVID, COVID may not be done with us. Continue to participate in healthy practices. Wash your hands often. If you are sick, wear a mask. If you are attending a large event, wear a mask. Stay current on your vaccinations. If you can, make sure large gathering areas are well-ventilated. We all know what to do by now, so continue to do that which keeps you as safe and healthy as possible.

And as we continue to rebound from the pandemic, make an effort to reconnect with friends and colleagues if you haven't yet done so. Life has a way of creeping up on us and filling our schedules. Who are people from church or your other connections that you would like to reach out to? Go ahead and give them a call, or write them a note, or drop by their house. Reconnecting with people is worth the effort.

That reconnecting goes for God as well. There's a saying that goes something like, “If you don't make time for the important things, the unimportant things will take up all your time.” As the Body of Christ, worship is one of those important things. Make time to reconnect with God and make worship a priority.

Hopefully you've noticed that our Sunday attendance has been growing over the past few months. This means that we've had some new people come into our doors as well as seeing long-time members begin to return regularly. Don't assume that everyone at Saint John's knows everyone else. Find someone you don't know and introduce yourself. Invite someone into a conversation, whether that's at coffee hour or on another day for lunch. Spend some time getting to know the people of the parish.

Make sure you take some quiet time and relax. Even Jesus found time to get away and recharge.

I've heard many times that we're beginning to return to normal. But “normal” is relative, and most of the time it is anything but normal. So as we continue to rebound from COVID, this is a good time to make a new normal, to make some new habits, and to reconnect with others and God in a way you haven't done before.

May we continue to be bound together by the Holy Spirit in the communion of all the saints.

Todd+

May 3, 2023

Back in February or March of 2017 I participated in my first Vestry retreat here at Saint John's. I asked the Vestry at that time, “What is the mission statement of Saint John's?”

The short story is that nobody could say what the mission statement of the church was. So we did some work on that. With big yellow Post-It pads on the walls I asked them to brainstorm and call out anything and everything this parish did while I wrote it all down. After several minutes of this, I then asked them what they noticed about what had been written. As it turned out, all of those things we did could be categorized under four words – and that's where Worship, Welcome, Serve, and Encourage was born.

At the Vestry retreat this year we wanted to work with that and tweak it a bit. What came out of our discussions was a modified mission statement that still incorporated those original four words. That updated statement is this:

Saint John's Parish: Bearing witness to Christ wherever we may be.

We bear witness to Christ through our Worship

We bear witness to Christ by Welcoming people to be disciples with us

We bear witness to Christ by Serving God and others both inside and outside our walls

We bear witness to Christ by Encouraging others to learn, explore, and grow

One of the things I like about this updated statement is that it touches on every aspect of our lives. Are we bearing witness to Christ in our interactions with family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc? Are we bearing witness to Christ within our parish walls as well as when we are on vacation? Are we bearing witness to Christ in our interactions with the stressed out customer service rep or the person behind the counter who was just yelled at because someone's lunch order was wrong? Are we bearing witness to Christ in our personal lives when nobody else is around to see us?

These and other instances remind us that our job is to bear witness to Christ at all times, in all ways, and in all places.

Bearing witness to Christ doesn't always (some might even say never) mean that we need to stand on the street corner with a big floppy bible yelling at people to repent. Bearing witness to Christ does, however, mean that we make worship a priority in our lives. It means we not only invite people to join us, but that we intentionally and purposefully welcome people who come through our doors. It means we need to serve God and others when and where needed. It means encouraging others in all aspects of their life. It means walking that narrow road that Jesus walked as we work to do justice, love kindness, and welcome the outsider.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, may you always strive to bear witness to Christ in all things.