Terrapin Station

THE BIG DAY AT ST. MARTIN'S

Today was a BIG CELEBRATION at church. We celebrated the Feast of All Saints (transferred from Nov. 2) and also our pledge ingathering. 

I acolyted at both services.

Fr. Scot dressed as Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, and taught the history of the church and the Book of Common Prayer from that persona. 

(if you don't behave he might clock you with that big ole thing)

At the early service, it was a regular sermon/history lesson that reminded me that a lot of people really behaved very badly around all of that. Sheesh. And we have a denomination built on it. 

At the 10:30 family service, it was a lesson/skit with audience participation. Uproarious.

The processional included 2 vergers, a thurifer, a banner, a brass band of sorts (we processed to Oh When the Saints Go Marching In), a parade of little ones dressed up like saints, 2 priests, a deacon, and a cherry on top! Wow. I was crucifer, third in line, so I really didn't get the full effect. I'm looking forward to seeing the photos. 

As usual on first Sunday, the kids gathered around for the Eucharistic Prayer and put their elbows on the altar. We used Rite I, as it's closer to Cranmer's language. I loved it so much. I wanted to lie down and roll around in it. Fortunately for everyone I managed to refrain. 

At communion one of the littles dropped her host on the ground. I collected and ate it. I was reminded of the last time when I took home communion to someone and dropped ALL the hosts on the floor. Oh my. I'm grateful at least that I am not in the days of Mary Queen of Scots when we would probably all have been beheaded or something. 

Did I mention that it was pledge ingathering? yes, and there was a potluck after the second service to celebrate. I didn't stay because I needed to get home for some phonebanking. 

Looking forward to Election Day when all this hoohah can be over. Grateful that Trinity Episcopal in Fort Worth is hosting a day-long prayer vigil and Noonday Prayer. It's what's keeping me from flying off the planet right now. 

Be blessed, y'all. 

Jazzercise Made me think of this...

My last post about Jazzercise reminded me of something important.

In addition to the physical and emotional benefits of doing Jazzercise, I realize that it's a community of mine, and an important one, even though I don't have any close friends who attend there. Going there makes me feel happy: I am with positive people who are doing something good for themselves, taking time away from their busy schedules to do so. They are an example to me!

I have been thinking a lot about community in recent weeks, especially after the RevGals BE and conversations about what is community, what is church.  What is ours to do about our friends who don't attend a church and see no need to? 

My friend, Rev. Teri Peterson (she blogs at Clever Title Here) preached an amazing sermon in January. You can read it here.   AND, you can see her preach it here.  Worth your listening time.  The rest of this post won't make sense unless you watch or read...

    It's great. 

After that Sunday, Teri expressed surprise and some concern afterward because many people told her it was "her best sermon ever." She didn't know what made it so good; in fact, she didn't think it    was even in her top three. But I thought it was amazing.

Why did it whack ME between the eyes? Partly because she told her own personal story, which I happen to like as a homiletical tool. And partly because her story is really pretty fascinating and amazing, and she PREACHES THE WORD with it. 

And partly it hit me: because of my BFF. She has attended some special music or holiday events at church with me, but she is an agnostic (raised Catholic).  She is not interested in any church, anywhere.  Not in a box, not with a fox. 

She also will not drink the Jazzercise kool-aid with me. I've invited her to try it many times, but she is sure she would hate it; she doesn't like that kind of exercise, she likes to go to the gym. Okay, I can respect that. I just mention it sometimes, when there is a special or free classes. Because, there are some other things I suggested to her, that she didn't think she would like, and they have turned out to work really WELL. (And some have NOT and that's a whole other story from Big Idea Woman...).  And, selfishly, I'd love her to like it too, and go with me sometimes.  (I cannot lie.)

Back to inviting people to church:  I respect the fact that BFF is an agnostic. And so I don't invite her to come to regular services with me, because I don't want to offend her.  Because that's not how I was raised, and I don't want be an "annoying Christian." 

So if I am more willing to "evangelize" for Jazzercise than for church...what's that say?

Just pondering. 

Spiritual Community

As developed by Fr. Frank at Irenic Thoughts:

The First Day of the Week

 
Lovely worship this morning.  I have arrived at a place vocally where I am singing from inside of me, instead of from my nervous throat.  It feels splendid and as if I could do it for days.  That energy work may take time but it works!!

We heard a message of stark financial reality during the announcement time from my friend and fellow Vestry member.  It was also a testament to the incredible power and support of Christian community.  It was beautifully, beautifully done  and reminded me of how much I appreciate that body.  (I do wish that the choir anthem hadn't been the Very Next Thing after it.  Eeek.  Talk about putting your game face on!)

And then I heard something differently today than I have before, or rather it took me to a different place.  It's not earthshaking perhaps...but here it is: 

As part of the Eucharistic Prayer, Fr. David used this proper preface: 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord; who on the first day of the
week overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious
resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.

I've heard that about a million times.  But today what jumped out at me was "on the first day of the week." 

Do I think of Sunday as the first day of the week?  No, not really.  I think of Monday as the first day, as in, "UGH, Monday again!!"  And I think of Sunday as the last day of the week, the culmination of the weekend, when I worship, see friends, and slide in a little extra relaxation. 

But what if I did consider Sunday The First Day?  That way my week would begin among my worship community; I like that.  And the "UGH Monday" would not be so raw, because it'd be in a larger context. 

Will consider this week.  Will let you know. 

Following on the thought from yesterday

Gratefulness.org gives this:

We are, each of us, angels with only one wing;

and we can only fly by embracing one another.
 
- Luciano de Crescenzo