November 15, 2023

Over the course of several gatherings I have been asked, "What's your favorite part of worship?"

This question causes you to think intentionally about worship.  It makes you slow down and think through something you might normally go through without thinking.  It helps you pay attention.  It leads you to look forward to a particular part of the service.  It helps you savor that part of worship that you find most meaningful

Over the years, my answer has changed.  During the COVID shutdown when there were only a few people in the building, my answer to that question was when, during the Lord's Prayer, I looked down into the chalice with just a small amount of wine in it, I could see the reflection of the cross on the rood screen behind me.  That was a holy moment in a difficult time.

Lately my answer has been, "Just before the Sanctus." Just before the Sanctus, that ancient anthem of, "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might . . ." which has been part of the Eucharist since the 3rd Century, the priest says, "Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your name."

At that moment I am reminded that what we do on Sunday morning, and at every eucharistic gathering, is not done in isolation.  What we do on Sunday morning is not confined to just us.  Nor is it confined to just the Episcopal church.  Nor is it confined to those churches who celebrate the Eucharist as we do (Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, for instance). 

When we worship on Sunday morning, and at every eucharistic gathering, we are not only joined with people in the wider Church, but we are joined with angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven.  In that moment when we sing the Sanctus we are in a thin place.  We are in a place beyond time and space.  We are in a place of the now of eternity.  We who share in this holy meal are not only bound together with each other, we are bound together with the whole multitude of the faithful who have gone before and who are yet to come.

When you join us for worship, ask yourself, "What's your favorite part?"  And then pay attention to it.  Look forward to it.  Savor it.  And in that moment know that you are near to God and the whole host of heaven.

Blessings,

Todd+

November 8, 2023

 There's a Monday morning prayer group that meets every week at 9:00 in Onderdonk Hall, and this past Monday was my first time with this group.

As we began, we were asked about our senses -- taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell.  What did we notice?  What did we feel was most important?  What were we most thankful for?

We went around the table offering our own thanks for a particular sense we found important.  When it came to me, I gave thanks for what I hear in all the various ways.

I am thankful for hearing children's voices on Sunday who, after I said, "The Lord be with you," gave a very enthusiastic response of, "And also with you!"

I am thankful for beginning to hear the stories of the people here at Saint Luke's.  I am thankful for hearing about people in the hospital or who might need a home visit.  I am thankful for hearing the concerns people have about the situation with our Bishop.  I am thankful for hearing about the hope people have for our future together.  I am thankful for hearing from Joelene on a daily basis.

And this past Saturday, when the uncertainty of our house sale loomed large, and the insurance company mistakenly deleted coverage on the wrong car, and having a credit card company establishing and sending a new card with the wrong address, and the Maryland Toll Commission saying our account was invalid despite having the correct number right in front of me, and wondering about the right time to cancel electric, internet, and garbage, and do I need to do two change of addresses?  With all of that running through my head I was thankful for the sound of water.

On that beautiful Saturday afternoon, I found myself on a bench over Clear Creek just sitting.  I sat and I wondered about all of the above and how this was going to work.  And I sat and listened to the sound of the running water.  Somewhere in there I heard the voice of peace.

Water has a way of doing that for me; whether it's a running creek or the crashing waves of the ocean, hearing moving water has a way of calming me and reminding me that God is near.

As you sit with God, which one of your senses helps steady you?  Which one of your senses helps bring you close to God?  If you don't know, take some time to find out.

Blessings,

Todd+

October 4, 2023

Let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made – BCP 280, 515, 528, 540

This is part of the Collect used on Good Friday during the reading of the Solemn Collects and at the ordinations of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. I have always found it a hopeful prayer, particularly during periods of chaos. This Collect reminds me that, no matter what the world casts down, how old and weary we may be or feel, or how imperfect things around us seem to be, God is constantly raising things up. God is constantly offering new life. God is constantly working to bring the world to perfection.

I think this prayer is particularly appropriate for all of us at this time in our lives because we are all in a period of flux, a period of transition, a period of chaos, and a period of hope.

I am shuffling off to Buffalo under less-than-ideal circumstances. As of yet, our house hasn't sold, which brings its own stress under the best of times. But this will require me to head to Buffalo alone, hoping (at this point) that I will have some kind of place to stay, while Joelene remains behind until the house finally sells. That is producing some higher-than-normal anxiety in our household.

Saint John's once again begins the journey to finding a new Rector. October will be filled with supply priests and one service led by Deacon Sue. I have heard an interim priest has been found, but it's not my job to make that formal announcement, but know you will be in good hands. That, of course, doesn't make it any easier; but knowing you are making a good start is a huge step.

Joelene and I will be leaving many good friends. We will be leaving jobs we have each enjoyed. We will be leaving groups of people with whom we have outside connections. Everyone at Saint John's has touched us in different ways. We have laughed with you and cried with you. I have prayed with and over you. You have each shared your gifts with us and we have learned from all of you.

This will be a challenging time for you, so please know that over the course of the next year or so you will be in my prayers. During this time, remember to be humble and gentle with each other. Have patience with others and with the process. Act with love and kindness and bear each other's burdens. Work to maintain the unity of the Holy Spirit with bonds of peace. Pray daily and take time to listen.

On this, my final Wednesday Word to the people of Saint John's, let me say, “Thank you.” Thank you for your friendship over the past seven years and for having a part in the life of this parish. You will be missed. And now I leave you with my favorite blessing:

Remember who you are.

Remember what you love.

Remember what is sacred.

Remember what is true.

Remember that you die and each day is a gift.

Remember how you wish to live.

And may the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with this and every day.

Todd+

September 27, 2023

For the past few weeks I have been packing up my office and winding things down.

Three weeks ago I resigned from the HARC Board. A week after that I attended my final HARC community meeting. Somewhere in there I tendered my resignation from Diocesan Council.

Last week I packed up the almost-final boxes in the office, leaving just a few things out that I still need, or didn't have a box the right size, or am waiting for my last day before closing up. Sunday afternoon, after the rain stopped, some friends met me and Joelene at the office and we hauled all the boxes to the house where they are now in the garage. This accomplishes two things: 1) it allows the interim rector immediate use of the space without having to deal with my stuff; and 2) it allows the moving company to only make one stop when picking up our things.

Speaking of the interim rector, I've been busy creating a list of people who need to be seen, as well as an extensive list of things they will need to know about (the computers, email, phone, Zoom, Discretionary Account, etc.) in the hopes of allowing them an easy beginning. On top of that, I've also been cleaning and organizing files and work spaces so they will hopefully have what they need where they need it.

I also had Melonie run copies of the September bulletins so they can get a feel for what our liturgy has looked like. It doesn't include everything, of course, but it should give them a good starting point.

Personally, Joelene and I have, we think, finally settled on a plan. Our house here in Hagerstown doesn't look like it's going to sell anytime soon. That has put a hold on us purchasing a house in Buffalo. So the plan is for me to head to Wyoming with as many necessities as can fit into my little Honda Fit and rent a small apartment. Joelene will stay here, continuing to work at Robinwood, and look over the house until such time that it sells. When that happens, we'll look for a permanent home and complete the move at that time.

There is much that has been done. There is much that has yet to be done. And no matter how much we manage to finish or accomplish, there is always more yet to be done; because, really, we are never completely finished, we just wrap things up as best we can.

I'm reminded that the only person who was truly able to say, “It is finished,” was Jesus. For the rest of us, the unfinished business remains.

May you continue the good work that has been started,

September 20, 2023

We are slowly getting things packed up. All of my books have been packed, as well as all of my hats and crosses. The framed pictures will come down later today. The plan, I think at this point, is to move everything from the office to the house and store it in the garage so the moving company only has to make one, relatively easy stop.

A parishioner was in the office yesterday morning and popped in to see the progress. He looked around at all the empty spaces with boxes piled up, and said, “It looks naked.”

I replied, “Wait until all the pictures come down.”

Houses, offices, rooms of various kinds are all empty – all naked – until we decorate them. Our houses, bedrooms, offices, and other spaces we occupy, all get decorated in some manner that reflects our personalities, our likes, our passions. All of these things help make our houses homes. All of these things give people some idea of who you are and what's important to you.

In a number of places in the gospels, Jesus uses the image of a house in place of a person. In short, we are the house in which Christ dwells. Each of us provide a dwelling space for Jesus.

As we go about our daily lives, can people see the importance of Christ in our lives by how we've decorated ourselves – by how we live, speak, and behave? Or, when people interact with us, do they see empty, naked walls?

Our decorations are visible statements of our selves. Is Christ a visible statement in your life?

Blessings,

September 13, 2023

How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

This piece of wisdom has been around forever, it seems. The point of the saying is that things often look impossible or overwhelming if you look at the whole picture, but if you break it down into bite-sized pieces, they often become manageable.

In my life right now, Joelene and I are eating an elephant. We need to get the house ready to list, need to get it listed, move out all of our daughter's stuff that has been stored, box up a lot of our stuff, I need to box and pack up my office, I need to get moving bids, we need to find a house in Buffalo, we need to sell our house, we need to buy a new house, we need to plan how we're getting to Buffalo, we need to wrap up doctor and dental appointments, we need to . . . I don't know what all else. There's Just. So. Much.

Here at Saint John's, you all are dealing with your own elephant. The Senior Warden needs to line up supply clergy. He and the Junior Warden need to work with the Diocese on finding an interim. The Vestry will need to put together a Search Team. A parish profile will need to be formed and written. Interviews will need to be conducted. And all of that on top of doing the regular business of the church. There's Just. So. Much.

But you know what? Joelene and I are not going to get to Buffalo by putting the whole elephant on the truck. Saint John's is not going to go through this process by standing an elephant in the middle of the nave. Instead, we both will need to eat the elephant one bite at a time.

Move my daughter's stuff into storage. Check. Pack up one room. Check. Pack up one shelf of office books. Check. Check. Check. Check. Contact a moving agency. Check. Keep the house clean for prospective buyers. Check. Line up supply clergy. Check. Meet with prospective interim priest. Check. Schedule Cn. Wright to meet with the congregation. Check.

Yes, all of the elephant needs to get eaten. But breaking it down into bite-sized pieces and then eating that one bite, sometimes only once a day, will make it seem manageable as well as give us both a sense of accomplishment as we each achieve one short-term goal at a time.

These are stressful times for all of us. Joelene and I are doing what we can to keep that stress to a minimum. The Wardens and Vestry are doing what they can to keep that stress to a minimum. And if it seems too much, or too overwhelming, take a few moments and pray this prayer:

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God. Amen.

September 6, 2023

As you have no doubt heard by now, I have accepted a call to be the next Rector of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, Buffalo, WY. My last Sunday will be October 1, and the rest of October will be taken up with doctor appointments of various kinds for both Joelene and myself, last minute arrangements, and finally heading to Wyoming.

Joelene and I talked with a local realtor who did what realtors do and gave us tips on how to get the house “show ready.”

If you don't know what that means, it means that you need to make the house look like people live there without having any indication that people live there. In other words, all of the things that help make your house a home need to be eliminated so that your home becomes a house. This means that pictures need to come off walls, magnets need to come off the refrigerator, cat toys need to be picked up, mail needs to be hidden, the office needs to look like nobody actually works in it, and on and on.

Over the past several days we've made some progress at this. But let me tell you, it's much harder than it sounds; because it's more than just cleaning up. Much more. And for often as we have moved since becoming a priest, you would think that we would have a better handle on this. But we don't. It's almost like we just can't learn how to keep a place neat and tidy.

You may not be moving in the near future. You may actually be in what the Home Improvement channels call “your forever home.” So you may not think this applies to you. But at some point you are going to move – whether that's to a new house down the street, or another state, or a retirement facility (I hear Homewood has a lot of Episcopalians there!), or somewhere much more . . . permanent.

At some point we will all move.

During this latest adventure of ours, my new resolution is to Plan to Move. Not with the mentality of, “I won't be here forever,” but more with the mentality of, “If I had to move next month, would would go with me and what would go to recycle-reuse-trash?”

This is really just another take on hanging your clothes backwards and whatever hasn't been turned around after six months goes to Goodwill. Or maybe it's another take on Marie Kondo's method of organizing and simplifying. But seriously, I found stuff I haven't used or needed since seminary – that's been over 20 years ago! So there's no reason I need to be carting that stuff off to Wyoming.

So twice a year, maybe when you change your smoke alarm batteries, go through one room and ask yourself, “Do I need to move this to a new place?”

And as you think about that question, maybe think about how you might replace all that stuff in your life with the presence of Christ.

Amen.