Message from the Rector

No One Goes Their Way Alone

2010-04-09T11:08:00.005-04:00

I get an inspirational quote each day in my inbox from the Foundation for a Better life: http://www.values.com/ Here is today's:(I've made the language more inclusive)

"There is a destiny that makes us brothers and sisters. No one goes their way alone. All that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own." ~ Edwin Markham, poet (1852-1940)

The Christian life teaches us that whatever we give, we receive back one hundredfold. I have always found that to be true in my life and ministry. A kind word, a smile, an offer to share half of your sandwich, sitting with someone in the waiting room while a family member is in surgery -- all of these small acts of kindness make a difference in someone's life and and as Markham says, "comes back into our own."

Back in January, I began a new program at my gym called "Cross Fit." It promotes physical fitness through elements of weight lifting, gymnastics, and sprinting. Agility, endurance, speed and good form are also integral to the program. What is so appealing to me is that we do all of this as a group. The age range of my 6 AM companions are from their twenties to late fifties. Mostly women, we cheer each other on and encourage one another. Everyone performs at a level that is suitable to their fitness and age, though our trainers encourage us to stretch beyond our comfort zones.

"No one goes their way alone." Cross Fit is so successful for this reason. Even when we are working on individual skills, we're doing it side by side. We check in with each other at the end of our work out to see how everyone did. There is no distinction between the young incredible athletes and the rest of us -- we celebrate each one's victory, regardless of how long it may take to complete the workout of the day.

Another integral part of my success is my partner, Lisa, who always asks how my workout went and always gives me an encouraging word. Her passion for exercise is inspiring to me as she heads out to the local YMCA early each morning before work.

"All that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own." Take some time and think about it and give thanks to God for the people who take the time in small ways to give you an encouraging word or an act of kindness. Then give it back.

My father used to say that a smile doesn't cost you anything and I know that he was right. It only takes a little effort and intentionality. Just think of all the good energy and light we will be giving the world each day we live the words of Edwin Markham. Strive for excellence in whatever you do. Be the best you can be!

A mere inconvenience

2010-03-17T13:46:00.000-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

Like many of you, Lisa and I spent the last 40 hours with a wet-vac getting

water out of our basement. When the water had slowed down a bit, we set the

hose in one spot and got to sit and rest for five minutes in between

emptying the 6 gallon bucket (that's 48 pounds). It gave us time to reflect

on our many blessings. As exhausting as it was, we realized that our

experience paled in comparison to the folks on the Gulf Coast and the

victims of the tsunami and flooding all over the world.

We took 2 hour shifts on Sunday night and in an attempt to stay awake, I

looked around our basement for something to read. There were old photos and

I found a calendar from 2004. In the binding of the calendar I found some

lovely notes from close friends and I stumbled upon a prayer in a piece of

paper that was two inches wide and one inch high. The font was so small I

had to take off my glasses to read it -- age creeping in!

It is so lovely that I immediately thought of all of you and wanted to share

it. So when I arrived this morning, I Googled it and it turns out to be a

Jewish prayer for travelers or wayfarers. Its Jewish name is Tefilat

HaDerech. It is meant to be prayed as you are leaving a place, as you are

setting out on a journey. Since we are in the midst of Lent and our journey

will lead us to the cross and finally the resurrection, I thought it was

appropriate for us now and as we continue our journey of faith together.

I pray that it will enrich your life today and that you will add it to your

devotions whenever you set out to travel -- whether your journey is

spiritual or physical.

Peace and Blessings,

Miriam

"May it be Your will, Eternal One, Beloved of our ancestors, that You lead

us toward peace, direct our steps in peace, guide us in peace, and bring us

to our desired destination in life, joy, and peace. May You rescue us from

the hand of every foe, ambush, bandits and wild animals along the way, and

from all kinds of calamities that may come to and afflict the world. May You

bestow blessing on all our actions, and grant us peace, kindness, and mercy

in your eyes and in the eyes of all who see us, and bestow bountiful kisses

upon us. May You hear the sound of our supplication, because You hear

everyone's prayer. Blessed are You, Eternal One, who hears prayer."

Awakening the Heart

2010-03-02T09:03:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

When I surrender, I see.
When I see, I am present.
When I am present, I can be surprised by joy.
Although it seldom comes packaged the way I expect. ~Terry Hershey

For the last 2 weeks in Grace Discussion Group we have been talking about Sabbath time. Taking time out of our busy, over-scheduled lives to just sit and contemplate a flower or listen to the birds or play a board game with our children or grandchildren seems impossible most of the time. But as we discussed, it's not so much that we don't have the time, it's prioritizing the things that matter. We all know that we are happier and more productive if we take time out to breathe deeply or engage in something totally different from our daily life and tasks. That might be cultivating a hobby like painting, reading, riding a bicycle, taking a walk or baking bread. Anything that takes you out of your routine and puts you in a different frame of mind can be a Sabbath moment.

Here are some great web sites to inspire you right at your computer. Perhaps they will give you some ideas to change your routine and spend some quality with your spouse, your family, or a dear friend -- perhaps even God!

Here's a prayer from Hildegard of Bingen to get you started:

Holy Spirit, giving life to all life,
moving all creatures, root of all things,
washing them clean, wiping out their mistakes, healing their wounds,
you are our true life, luminous, wonderful,
awakening the heart from its ancient sleep.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

http://www.terryhershey.com/764.htm Sabbath Moments by Terry Hershey -- very well written with poetry from different people and various faith traditions

http://www.readyclickgrowyourfamily.com/index.php lots of fun activities for young families

http://www.readyclickgrowyourfaith.com/index.php great web site full of prayers, bible study, etc.

www.365.org Daily on line devotions with instrumental music (you can turn it off if you prefer silence)

The Journey Begins

2010-02-23T09:08:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

This past Sunday, the gospel story was about Jesus fasting for 40 days in the wilderness and being tempted by the devil. Some of us are trying to give up something for Lent: chocolate, desserts in general, shopping, etc. These are noble goals and can inspire and challenge us to new ways of being. I also encourage you to take something on, whether it is making room for prayer at the beginning of each day, exercising more (take a walk with a friend, co-worker, spouse), or volunteering at Church or in your community. Lent is a time for self-denial and looking inward to see how we can be the best agents of love, healing and justice in our world. Below is a prayer/poem by Walter Brueggemann to set the tone.

Blessings to you on your Lenten Journey,
Miriam

Sustained by Angels, by Walter Brueggemann
from his new book “Prayers for a Privileged People”

Maybe we have not thought much about Satan, either in glib self-regard,
or in rejection of such silly speculation,
or in a way more urbane and benign than to imagine such a character.

Except that as we begin our strenuous Lenten trek,
we are aware that the power of resistance is at work in our midst,
that the force of negation is alive and well,
that our best will is contradicted by stuff that surges against our best selves,
that we, even we, are prone to our
several addictions that render us helpless.

So we pray in the Lenten season,
give us primitive freedom to take full stock of Satan and the power of
evil still among us in our prosperity and wealth and sophistication,
and give us primitive openness to your ministering angels
who are present with care and gentleness
and great nourishment.

In the Lenten season,
give us freedom to re configure our lives
as a testing field between the force of Satan and the food of your angels.
Enter our lives with power for newness,
deliver us from a sense of naïve mastery,
and give us honest contact with our vulnerability.

Enter the deep places of our life and claim us for your purposes.
We would be more free than we are,
more bold than we dare, more obedient than we choose.
We wait for the gift of your large gift of life
that will wrench us away from death
to the miracle of Easter joy. Amen.

The Call

2010-02-09T08:20:00.000-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

The past Sunday the readings from Isaiah and Luke were about call -- the call of Isaiah to be a prophet and the call of Simon, James and John to leave their nets and become "fishers of people." Today's meditation from d365.org talks a great deal about call:

"Calling. A lot of people are thinking, talking, and writing about this topic these days. It's all about a person's interest and abilities, and how these can be used in the world. For people of faith, the issue of calling is wrapped up in how God has gifted us and then beckons us to the work God has for each one. Listen now for what God will say to you about your gifts and opportunities."

As we look toward our future with new lay leadership on board, we all need to be listening for what God will say about our gifts and all the opportunities that lie ahead of us as individuals and as a parish. How will we best use our gifts as a community of faith? Where is the Spirit leading us as far as our mission: to spread the good news of God in Christ; to seek and serve Christ is all people; to respect the dignity of every human being? What needs are out there in Newton and all its surrounding communities? How will we best use our financial resources and our buildings to further God's mission?

These are big questions. We need time for prayer and discernment to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as we move into the future. We need listening hearts and minds as we talk with one another and find out what is near and dear to us, what is important to us and what sacrifices will we be asked to make?

It is an exciting time in our parish, too. Just look and around on Sunday mornings! A colleague came by after church for a meeting and she said, "Wow, this place is hopping!" Yes, it was -- good energy coming from our children and youth in Sunday school and good energy coming out of the sanctuary after our worship together. We need to harness all that good energy to do the work God has given us to do.

The Vestry will have its annual retreat on February 20th and we will be building our community of leaders as well as focusing on a couple of goals for the coming year. I ask you to hold us in prayer as we move into this important, holy work. The Vestry will be depending on all of you to be partners as we examine all of the challenges that face us with our buildings and our endowment.

Make a commitment to stay informed by reading the Bulletin and coming to Church on a regular basis. Everyone knows that it is difficult to play in a game if you're on the sidelines or you don't show up. So make it a part of your discipline to show up -- for Grace Discussion Group and Church. The benefits to your soul and to the whole community cannot be measured, and your presence will make all the difference.

Faithfully yours,
Miriam

Remarks from the Annual Meeting

2010-02-02T08:24:00.002-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

If you missed our Annual Meeting on Sunday, here are my remarks:

"It’s been a wonderful year and a year full of challenges. We have new families that have infused us with new energy and new life.

We sold the Wellington Lot to a non-profit called Toward Independent Living and Learning, which boosted our Endowment, but more importantly, a beautiful new home is almost ready for occupancy by 4 women with disabilities. This sale underscores Grace Church’s commitment to reaching out to those living on the margins of society. I want to thank again Andree Saulnier and Russ Dunning for all the time and legal expertise they gave us in brokering the sale of this land.

"As we heard from Martha in the Treasurer’s report, our draw on the endowment continues to be high because of the many capital expenses for this old and beautiful church. Our Parish Historian, Don Kennedy, also outlined the potentially significant financial challenges facing us in the near future regarding the Bell Tower.

The Vestry is well aware and I hope all of you are as well, that we cannot sustain this kind of draw on our Endowment and be faithful to our ancestors who built this beautiful place or to our children and grandchildren who will be the leaders of Grace Church some day.

When Bishop Shaw made his parish visitation with us almost 18 months ago, he charged the Vestry to begin a conversation with the other Episcopal Churches in Newton. His hope is that we will find ways to be in partnership in our life and ministry in Newton and the surrounding communities. It is our bounden duty to pursue these conversations as we look for ways to be good stewards of the money and property that have been given to our care.

As St. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, “We are the Body of Christ, and individually members of it.” Each one of us in this great parish has a voice and something to contribute, no matter what your age or station in life. As we move into the future, we must pray together and pray hard to discern God’s future for us as a parish. What will be our mission to Newton and the surrounding towns and to our Sisters and Brothers around the world? How will we best accomplish that mission?

Our path may not be easy and this conversation will take a long time – perhaps years. But I am convinced that if we keep our hearts and minds open to the Spirit working in and among us, than all things are possible. It will take a great deal of honesty and talking about money, which makes most Church people nervous or at the very least uncomfortable. But these conversations are necessary if we are to continue to be a vital and viable congregation.

We have so much potential, so much good will, so much talent and so much love to share with others. And we have our God, who will walk beside us every step of the way. My prayer is that in the end we will emerge stronger than before – a people filled with hope and promise, ready to be God’s servants in Newton, its surrounding towns and the wider Church.

We need each one of you -- we need your vision, your wisdom, your experience, your compassion, your creativity and your passion. Never forget how much God loves you and how much I love you. You are God's beloved and it is a privilege to serve as your priest."

Peace and Blessings,
Miriam

Being in Church

2010-01-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

From time to time, we all need a reminder about proper behavior and decorum in Church. Here are a few simple things that can make worship more meaningful for all of us:

Many folks like to come into the sanctuary before the service begins to have some quiet time to pray and meditate -- please respect that silence.
If you come into the service late, the best time to move to your pew is during a hymn. Walking around while someone is reading or the celebrant is preaching or celebrating the Eucharist can be very distracting.
Please observe silence during the Offertory. There is a great deal of action going on: the collection is being taken up, the gifts of bread and wine are brought forward and the Choir sings an Offertory Anthem. This music is an offering to God on everyone's behalf. It is a time to listen, to pray and to prepare ourselves for the central part of the service, which is the Eucharist.

I know that Sundays are frequently the time for people to catch up on each others news and while I know that community is very important and supporting one another is what we do so well here at Grace, I hope you will find the time for fellowship either before the service or afterward at Coffee Hour. It's all about finding a balance between quiet reflection and worship time and fellowship.

On another note, one of the ways we strengthen our community of faith is through the Annual Meeting, which will be Sunday, January 31st, right after the 11 AM Eucharist. Whether you are an "old-timer" or "newcomer" to Grace, I invite you to join me for a time of food, fellowship and reflecting on the past year. Childcare and children's activities will be provided. If you have not yet become a member of the Grace Church Corporation, you may do that simply by signing "the Book" on that Sunday. This will give you voice and vote at the meeting.

See the Warrant, which is posted in the Bulletin for details of the meeting. It is a wonderful time to thank those who give so tirelessly of their time and talent to Grace and to look forward to the future, asking God's direction for our mission in this place and to the wider community.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Do not Fear

2010-01-12T08:56:00.002-05:00

"Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth -- everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whim I formed and made." Isaiah 43: 5-7

Dear Members of the Parish,

We continue our journey in the Season of Epiphany, the Season of Light. As I said in my homily this past Sunday, God calls each of us by name. Over and over throughout the scriptures we are reassured of God's presence in our lives and in the life of the world. No matter how confusing or stressful our lives may be, we know that God will be there, walking beside us on our journey.

Over and over again we also hear the words, "Do not be afraid." God spoke these words to the people of Israel when they were in turmoil and crisis and Jesus spoke it many times to his disciples and the people he met during his ministry. The point is, if we can offer our fears up to God, it will lighten our burden. We all know how powerful it is to just speak out loud the things that are bothering us. Leaving them to churn around and around in our head only makes the fear and worry grow and they can keep us from living a life that God has in store for us -- a life of joy and peace and service to others.

If you are worried about something, take a moment out of your day and have a conversation with God. It doesn't have to be a formal prayer. It could be simple like, "God, I'm worried about ____. Help me to feel your presence in my life. Guide my steps today. Help me to turn my fears over to you and feel your amazing love surrounding me."

God is constantly inviting us into a relationship with him/her. Try to notice the ways that invitation is unfolding each day. Open your heart to the love that God is offering to you. And then live each day with a grateful heart.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Be the Light in the Darkness

2010-01-05T08:46:00.000-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

Today, Tuesday, is the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, the feast that we celebrate Christ's manifestation to the rest of the world. The wise men who came seeking the Child didn't know exactly where he was and neither did Herod. It was after Herod summoned the chief priests and scribes and they opened the scriptures to them, did they figure out where Jesus was located.

Tracy Hartman, in her daily devotion, "Following the Star" (http://www.followingthestar.org/) said, "Who do you know that is on a journey, searching for Jesus? God may use a number of things to guide these seekers on their journey, but they may still need direction from the Scriptures to help them find their ultimate destination. Be on the lookout for these travelers; you may be the one God uses to open the Scriptures and point them on their way!

"Look around you right now. What do you see? Is there any evidence that God is nearby, that the Christ is being revealed?

"Now that Christ has come, it is time to give witness, to tell of what we have seen and experienced of God. Ask now for the wisdom God provides, to see God's plan and to share it."

In this Season of Epiphany, we continue the journey. Our job is to be a light to others along the way, as we share our own journey with those who are seeking the love of God made manifest in Jesus. Don't be afraid to let your light shine. There is someone who desperately needs you to be that light in the darkness.

Blessings and Peace,

Miriam

The Gift that is You

2009-12-29T09:28:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

I want to thank all of you who helped to make Advent and Christmas so memorable: our Staff, the teens who so ably directed the Pageant: Bella Rao, Isabel and Stoddard Meigs and Chris Rao; our Altar Guild; the Junior Choir, the Adult Choir under the inspirational direction of Linda Clark; all the Children of Grace who participated in the Pageant (with Ed Pease and the parents hovering by); to Mary Swezy, Chris Samuels, Edith Fenton, Peggy and John Heywood who put together such a wonderful Christmas Dinner and all of you who helped with set-up and clean-up, as well as your fabulous food contributions!

Thanks to all of you who gave Lisa and I such yummy baked goods and lovely cards and gifts -- we are touched by your love and caring.

As we continue in the season of Christmas, I offer you some thoughts from "Following the Star," by Tracy Hartman:

"The mystery of God's existence is deep, stretching from before the beginning to after the end. But our own existence makes us wonder as well. We ask, 'Why are we here? What is the meaning of our being?'

Our lives find their deepest meaning when we are intimately connected to the One who made us and is making us still. Watch for God to be revealed to you, close to you, in your moments apart here today."

"And the Word became Flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

Christmas Blessings and all my hopes for a happy and healthy New Year,
Miriam

Waitng in Anticipation

2009-12-15T08:43:00.001-05:00

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2)

Dear Members of the Parish,

This time of year takes me back to my childhood as my brothers and I anxiously awaited Christmas morning and wondered if we would receive the gifts from Santa that we had requested. That waiting seemed like forever back then and I also remember the beauty of the Christmas Eve service -- the candle light and carols and the creche all decorated with fragrant greenery.
As an adult, there is a new kind of waiting and anticipation in this season of Advent. It is the waiting and expectation of the coming of Our Lord into our lives and hearts. As we journey through these final days leading up to his coming, are you searching diligently for a glimpse of him? Are you living expectantly, anticipating what it will be like to see him and become more like him?
One of the ways we can become more like Jesus is by reaching out to others. There is so much need in the world right now and all of us can do something to help. Whether it is reaching out to a neighbor who is living alone, or helping a young child, or offering a cup of coffee to a homeless person, we all can do something to brighten the lives of those around us.
Each year at this time, we have a special collection at our Christmas Eve services. This offering is divided equally among Episcopal Relief and Development and our operating budget. ERD serves people in crisis all over the world. Episcopal Relief & Development reached more than 2 million people in over 40 countries last year. Rather than impose “one size fits all” solutions, Episcopal Relief & Development supports local, long-term initiatives that address poverty, hunger, disease, economic development and disaster response where the need is greatest.
ERD's partnership with the worldwide Church creates opportunities to serve communities in some of the most remote areas of the world, as well as in urban environments where extreme poverty persists. In many of these places, the Church is often one of the few institutions people trust and turn to for help.
As we approach Christmas Eve, I hope you will reflect on your many blessings and give generously to our Christmas Offering. May this be our prayer:

"God of glory, I confess that I often spend more time anticipating material gifts than I do anticipating your coming. During this Advent season, set my mind and my heart on you, and remind me to be searching diligently for a glimpse of you. I know that when you return I will be like you, and I look forward to that. But I pray that as I look for you and get to know you better, I may become more like you today. Amen." (Tracy Hartman, from "Following the Star.")

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Slowing Down at Advent

2009-12-01T09:26:00.002-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

The Season of Advent has begun and so has a new Church Year. As of today, we have 23 days before Christmas Eve. This is not a time to panic and feel stress, but a time to try and slow down our daily pace and take a few minutes to ponder the Season. Below you will see some suggestions for the Second Week of Advent. There are also many on-line resources that you can use at your computer at the start of your day or when you need a break in the middle of your day. One comes from Trinity Church, Wall Street and offers an on-line Advent Calendar of Hope with a contemporary story and then some scripture on the flip side. Each scripture reading is accompanied by some lovely music of the season. The web site is: http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/news/features/2009-advent-calendar

There is another great one that allows you to choose silence or music as you go through the devotional: http://www.d365.org/todaysdevotion/

It begins with the Presence of God: "It seems so hard during this time of year to slow down. It's even harder simply to stop and give this season of preparation a chance to seep into our souls. But in just these few moments, take the time to be still, listen, and respond to the God who is preparing your heart."

Then it moves to The Word of God: "It shall be said,

“Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people’s way.” For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite." (Isaiah 57:14-15)

Then a reflection: "When these words were first written, the Israelites were emerging from a very difficult time. A generation before, the Israelites had been conquered by the Babylonians. Many of them had been sent to Babylonia, far from their homes and the temple where they worshiped. Most Israelites viewed this time in exile as punishment from God for their disbelief and disobedience. In this passage, the Israelites had returned to Jerusalem and they were starting to rebuild their lives.

But “Build up, prepare the way” does not refer to rebuilding their city. Instead, it refers to the work of rebuilding their spiritual lives, a work they could not do alone. Isaiah tells us that God dwells not only in heaven, but with those who are humble and apologetic. No matter what we have done or how far we have fallen, if we, like Israel, confess our failures and turn again to God, God will revive our hearts and our spirits. If we prepare the way in our own hearts, God will indeed come. That’s a powerful Advent promise." (Tracy Hartman)

Then, a conversation with God: "Prepare to pray: Sometimes we find ourselves in the middle of difficult circumstances through no fault of our own. But other times we find ourselves in dark times because of our own poor choices. Take a moment to be still and to get honest with yourself and God about choices that have left you feeling exiled. Being humble and apologetic means confessing these to God, saying you are sorry, and asking for God’s forgiveness.

God, I want you to remove every obstruction and to prepare the way for my heart to receive you this Advent season. Today I confess (enter your own words here). I am sorry God, and ask for your forgiveness. In humility, I invite you to dwell in me anew, and I ask you to revive my spirit and my heart. Thank you for the promise of your coming, Amen."

Finally, a Benediction: "In the stillness of a moment, be aware that God is near.

Still your heart and mind to hear, and know that in the darkest night, God is bringing you the Light, is making the way to come to you. Amen."

Whatever you do this Advent Season, may the peace of God, the light of God, and the love of God lead you in paths of perfect peace.

Faithfully,

Miriam

Second Week of Advent

O Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace,
come and save your people.
Joy of every heart,
Strength of those who are poor,
come quickly to help us.

Prince of Peace,
teach the lion and the little lamb,
teach the cat and the mouse,
the the hawk and the tiny bird,
teach everyone who doesn't get along
to live in peace.

Feast of St. Andrew

2009-11-10T09:15:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

This coming Sunday, we will be celebrating what the Church calls our Patronal Feast Day. It is the Feast of St. Andrew, which is normally celebrated on November 30, and has become for as a "movable feast." The very first service that was held in our beautiful church took place on November 30, 1873. So Grace Church adopted St. Andrew as its patron saint, and because he is the patron saint of Scotland, and there are several members of our parish that have Scottish heritage, it has been our custom to wear plaid on the Sunday we celebrate the feast. We also hire a bagpiper to lead us in procession around Farlow Park and after our worship service, we delight in a reception complete with mulled cider, oat meal cookies and short bread.

On Sunday afternoon at 5 PM, we will have a special Evensong with guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas. Margaret was the assistant here when Jim McAlpine served as Rector. She has also served as a priest associate at All Saints', Brookline and is currently serving at Grace Church in Amherst, MA. Margaret is a writer, retreat leader, and climate activist. Her memoir Holy Hunger (Knopf, 1998; Vintage, 2000) portrays her recovery from an eating disorder and the spiritual longing behind addiction. Her second book, Christ's Passion, Our Passions (Cowley, 2002) explores forgiveness, compassion, and hope in light of Jesus' last words from the cross.

A trained spiritual director (Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation), she served for several years as Chaplain to the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops. Since 1986 she has been leading spiritual retreats and workshops across the country, and for more than ten years she taught courses on prayer and spirituality at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, which is where I first met Margaret. An environmental activist for many years, she has been a leader in the Religious Witness for the Earth since her arrest in 2001 at the Department of Energy in Washington DC.

Many have said that Margaret is a powerful and inspiring preacher. I hope you will make the time in your busy schedules to come to church on November 15th at 5 PM to hear Margaret and to be a part of this beautiful sung service. The Choir has been working hard with Linda Clark to offer some special music for the occasion. Come and celebrate our 136 years of Amazing Grace!

Peace and Blessings,
Miriam

Lifting our prayers like incense

2009-11-04T15:34:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

The Worship Committee is always interested in your feedback about the various elements of our service on Sundays and we value the comments that are made to us. The word "liturgy" literally means, "the work of the people." Our worship services try to reflect our work in the world and our work in the church and we have tried over the years to incorporate your suggestions into our liturgy, especially in the Prayers of the People.
We also strive to create places in the liturgy that are reflective and reverent. Many people have said that the only real quiet they have in their lives is the time they have when they come to church each week. One way to create an expansive and reverent space for our prayer is through the vehicle of chant. Some may think that chanting is "High Church" or "too Anglican." The truth is, almost every civilization for thousands of years has had some form of chant as part of their expression of the Holy.
Wikipedia says, that many religious traditions consider chant a route to spiritual development. There are many types of chant: African and Native American, Gregorian Chant, Vedic chant and Jewish chant, Baha'i, Buddhist and various mantras which are chanted and yes, even the great tradition of chanting the psalms in Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican and various other Christian denominations.
Why do we chant? Because it engages the body, mind, and spirit in a way that regular spoken words cannot. Something happens to us when we chant either alone or with a group. We are transformed and if we allow ourselves to be open, our bodies relax and our mind is calmed and our prayer reaches an entirely different level.
Children respond to simple chanting -- they respond to directions more readily when they are chanted rather than spoken and babies are soothed when they are upset. People who have difficulty speaking find chanting something they can do and feel part of something greater than themselves.
While chanting may not be something that everyone is comfortable with, I hope you will consider joining in with us when we do chant in our worship services. Open your mind to the possibility that you will benefit from joining in the chant and by your participation, the whole congregation's prayer is lifted to a higher plain.
Chant -- it's not just for monks and nuns. It's been around for thousands of years and millions of people can attest to its efficacy. And God smiles when our prayers are lifted on such a sweet and simple series of notes.

Peace and Blessings,
Miriam

Thinking beyond ourselves

2009-11-04T15:29:00.001-05:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

November is here. We've turned our clocks back an hour. The daylight is fading. One could get depressed wondering how we got here so quickly and where in the world did the summer go? For many, the economy is still causing a great deal of stress: some of our parishioners are still out of work and others are struggling to make ends meet. Local food pantries and shelters are stretched to the limit. More than ever, we are called by God to gather together and reach out to those in need. When you go to the grocery store, try to remember the Newton Food Pantry. Even if you are on a strict budget, buy a can of soup, a box of macaroni and cheese or something that's on sale to bring to Church and place in the plastic container by the Parish House door. Each contribution can make a huge difference.

Volunteers for the Food Pantry are needed, too. Our Social Action Committee invites you to come on the Saturday after the third Wednesday of each month to give a couple of hours in helping distribute food and re-stock the shelves of the Newton Food Pantry, located in the basement of the Waban Library on Beacon St.

Pennies are being collected at Church as well. Bring any loose change with you on Sundays and place it in the large water bottle that is located near the Baptismal Font in the sanctuary. Every little bit helps and your contributions make a huge difference in the lives of so many folks who need our help.

As we look around us, there are signs of the season to help us pause and take stock in all our many blessings. It only takes a moment to be thoughtful and to do a little act of kindness for someone. I hope you'll join me in adding to the groceries for the Newton Food Pantry, and bringing your pennies to Church.

Peace and Blessings,

Miriam

Grace Happens

2009-09-08T10:12:00.002-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

This Sunday, September 13th, is Welcoming Sunday. It is the Sunday we welcome back everyone from the summer and welcome new friends who may have joined us recently. It is a time for re-connecting with each other, this faith community, and our mission as People of God.

There will be sign-up for Sunday School -- see Ed's article in the Bulletin, activities for the Children, and opportunities for the Youth to help out with our barbecue after the 11 AM Eucharist. The Choir will return to lead us in worship and inspire our prayers, along with all the activities that feed our souls and bodies.

I hope that if you have children that you will make a real effort to bring them regularly to worship and Sunday School. We have good curriculum and dedicated volunteers who will walk beside them in their journey and encourage their questions. Nurturing them in their faith is one of the most important things you can do in preparing them for life's many challenges and joys.

There will be many opportunities for you to nurture your own faith this coming year with engaging topics each week in Grace Discussion Group, which meets at 10 AM in the Small Hall. Make it a part of your Sunday routine and come and see what keeps people coming back week after week, year after year.

The fall is a good time to begin again or renew old friendships, or start a new behavior -- one that feeds your soul or connects you to something greater than yourself. Grace happens. "Come and see," as Jesus said to his disciples. Come and see what happens when hands touch hands and hearts touch hearts and voices sing together in praise and thanksgiving.

It's another year of Amazing Grace and we need you there to make it even more amazing.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Summer is Upon Us

2009-06-23T10:48:00.003-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

This is our last Bulletin until September. Although our activities will slow down a bit over the summer, I encourage you not to take a vacation from Church the entire time! Your soul still needs spiritual nurture and you need to stay connected to your community of faith. There are several ways you can stay connected:

come to worship at 9:30 AM (Child care will be provided)

Invite a friend or Newcomer to host a breakfast with you

come to one of our Barbecues on July 23, 30, August 6 & 13

During the summer months, we do not have a regular schedule of worship assistants. This is a wonderful time for you to try out something new. Please sign up to read a lesson, the Prayers of the People, serve as Acolyte, Chalice Bearer, or Altar Guild. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the Church Office.

Ed Pease and I will be taking the services this summer and I am so grateful to him for being on call for pastoral emergencies while I am away. Here is the schedule for Ed and I:

June 28 Pease
July5 Pease
July 12 Gelfer
July 19 Gelfer
July 26 Gelfer
August 2 Pease
August 9 Gelfer
August 16 Pease
August 23 Pease
August 30 Gelfer
Sept. 6 Pease

I will continue to send out weekly reminders at the end of each week and any news that develops over the summer. The Wardens may also be in contact with the Parish in regards to the progress of the TILL House on the Wellington Lot.

Please remember to keep your pledge current! The bills still roll in over the summer and our cash flow is crucial during this time.

Many thanks to all of you for your faithfulness and on-going support of this parish. I pray that we all will have a safe, restful, peaceful and fun-filled summer.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Commitment to our Children

2009-06-16T08:47:00.004-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

This past Sunday we honored the Junior Choir and all those who have helped with our Sunday School over the year. Here is part of my homily:

It is fitting on this Sunday when we honor everyone who has volunteered their time and talent with our Children and Youth in the Sunday School program and Junior Choir that we think about the story of the calling of David and the parable of the mustard seed. David grew up in the faith and became a great ruler. The mustard seed, when nurtured grows into a large bush, giving shade.

When I first came to Grace in 1998, one of the things that struck me about this parish was your commitment to Children and Youth. You wanted to strengthen the Christian Education program and you said you wanted a Children's Choir. What I heard from the many conversations I had with the Vestry and with parents is that you wanted your children to be steeped in the Christian faith and to know the great stories of the Bible. You said you wanted them to become familiar with the liturgy and participate more fully in worship.
Well, I think we've worked pretty hard over the years to make all of that happen.

Gradually, Christian Education for our children became stronger and stronger. Many of you stepped up and helped as we introduced Godly Play and Rite 13 Curriculum to our Sunday programs. Most notably, our Christian Ed. program has never been stronger than it has with Ed Pease at the helm. Our programs have grown and we now have over 65 children and youth participating in some way throughout the year.

Linda Clark introduced the Singing School for toddlers a couple of years ago and with the help of volunteers, it has helped children learn the joy of singing and many have moved on to the Junior Choir, led so ably by Frank Pesci.

I hope you know that Ed and Linda, Frank and I cannot do this work alone. It takes the commitment of everyone in this parish to ensure that all our mustard seeds grow into fine, strong shrubs.

In a few minutes we will baptize Robert and Quinn. We will promise, as we do at every Baptism to support them in their life in Christ. That is a serious commitment, and I know that some of you take it very seriously. What it means to me is that when you are asked to help out with Sunday school that you will respond with a joyful, "Yes, I'd be happy to!" It means bringing your children to Sunday school and worship on a regular basis. It means nurturing an attitude of "this is what we do on Sundays," so that your children are rooted and grounded in the faith.

We all know that life in the world right now is full of challenges: climate change, racial intolerance, war, economic instability, disease and poverty. How will your children be equipped to face these challenges as they grow into adults? How will they make a difference in this world? Will they be able to call upon their faith in times of trouble and great stress? My prayer is that they will. My prayer is that we all we re-commit ourselves to participate more fully in their Christian Education. My prayer is that when the Lord calls and asks, "Whom shall I send and who will go before us?" that every child of Grace will be confident in their faith and will respond with confidence and boldness, "Here I am, Lord. Send me."

The tasks before us have never been more crucial and compelling. We have a mandate to nurture and develop the bounty of potential and gifts that God has given us in our children. Let us press on toward the prize, toward the goal of eternal life. Our very souls and those of our children hang in the balance. Amen.

Peace and Blessings,
Miriam

The Wider Church

2009-06-09T08:48:00.001-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

Our National Church is preparing for its triennial meeting, which we call General Convention, which will be held in Anaheim, CA in July. Each Diocese has elected lay and ordained deputies who will represent us. The Church is governed by a bicameral system: the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies. Each house meets separately in legislative sessions every day over the course of 10 days. Many resolutions come before both bodies covering topics such as mission, liturgy and worship, Millennium Development Goals, Ecumenism, human sexuality and many other issues.

This year there will be a proposal that our denomination be in full communion with the Moravian Church, as well as beginning a dialogue with the Lutheran Church of Sweden. Here is a bit of information on that from Matthew Davies, who writes for Episcopal Life Online:

[Episcopal Life] Deepening relationships between the Episcopal Church and its ecumenical partners, including a proposal for full communion with the Moravian Church, will be the focus of draft legislation presented to General Convention when it meets July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.

General Convention also will welcome ecumenical and interfaith guests to participate, observe and learn about the Episcopal Church and its governance.

The Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations spent the last triennium working on recommendations concerning interchurch cooperation and interreligious dialogue and action.

"All our ecumenical dialogues are important as we patiently seek to restore the wholeness of the visible body of Christ," said commission Vice Chair Roderick B. Dugliss, a lay deputy from the Diocese of California. "We know from long experience that the fractured church confounds our efforts to 'proclaim by word and example the Good News.'"

Among the standing commission's proposals are a resolution to begin formal dialogue between the Episcopal Church and the (Lutheran) Church of Sweden with the ultimate goal of reaching full communion.

"Our history with the Church of Sweden goes back to the first moments of the Episcopal Church's existence as an autonomous Anglican church," said Bishop Pierre Whalon of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. "It is our oldest ecumenical relationship. For various reasons, we have never entered into an official full communion partnership with this great church, even though they put several 'Old Swedes' churches under our jurisdiction back in the 18th century."

The Church of Sweden, along with the Nordic and Baltic Lutheran churches, is in full communion with the British and Irish Anglican churches through the 1992 Porvoo Agreement. The Episcopal Church, although part of the Anglican Communion, has not yet made any such formal agreements with those Lutheran churches.

"A fruitful dialogue with the Church of Sweden might also serve eventually as a way to full communion with the other Scandinavian Lutheran churches," said Whalon, an SCEIR member.

Theological statement
General Convention also will be asked to endorse a theological statement to serve as "the foundation upon which [the Episcopal Church] engages in interreligious dialogue," the standing commission's report says.

While the Episcopal Church has been involved in interreligious cooperation and dialogue for many years, "we have never really had a clear theological rationale as to why we should be doing this in the first place," said Bishop Christopher Epting, ecumenical and interreligious officer for the Episcopal Church. "Some people wonder what the goal actually is. There are reasons why Christians specifically should be involved in such conversations, and this document is an attempt to make that clear."

Moravian relationship
Perhaps the most significant resolution asks General Convention to endorse a full-communion relationship with the Northern Province and Southern Province of the Moravian Church, which would include sharing in the historic episcopate and interchangeability of ministries between the two churches. The relationship would be similar to the one between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which entered into full communion in 2001 through the Call to Common Mission agreement.

The Moravian Church will consider an identical proposal at its Provincial Synods in 2010.

Given that the Moravian Church in America is relatively small and concentrated in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Wisconsin, "only a dozen Episcopal dioceses will have the opportunity to live directly into this full-communion relationship," said Dugliss, dean of the School for Deacons in Berkeley, California. "My concern is that, because of lack of familiarity or immediate impact, the full-communion concordat will be lost in the shuffle at General Convention."

General Convention authorized a dialogue with the Moravian Church in 1997 and established interim eucharistic sharing between the churches in 2003.

The proposed full-communion partnership "is a unique opportunity to restore unity with the oldest church of the 'first reformation,'" says the commission report. "Moravians are intensely missional, highly relational, have a rich musical and liturgical heritage and are led by a deeply pastoral episcopate."

The Moravians' formation over "two centuries of persecution yields a freedom to witness and serve anywhere, anytime," Dugliss said. "They have embraced the call of one of their seminal leaders – Nicholas Von Zinzendorf – to seek and serve 'the last, the least and the lost.' In all this they offer to the Episcopal Church an antidote to our DNA of establishment and our hesitation in mission. While they have a limited presence in the United States, there are opportunities for significant collaboration in mission and witness here and globally."

The work of the National Church may seem distant at times, but we must stay informed and connected to the wider work of God in the world. Our triennial meetings make this important work possible and I hope you will join me in praying for all of our Bishops, Deputies and guests who will be participating in General Convention. I will be sending out updates as the convention progresses in July. You may also access information through Episcopal Life Online:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/episcopal_life.htm

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Community at its Best

2009-05-18T12:51:00.001-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

My heart is full of gratitude for all those who gave so generously of their time and talent this weekend as we welcomed over 300 people to the Deanery Confirmation Service. I smiled as the families arrived and looked at the stained glass windows and said what a beautiful church we have.

Bishop Tom Shaw spent 45 minutes with those who were to be confirmed and received. They were mostly teenagers -- all dressed up, and a little nervous. Bishop Shaw was so good with them, so real with them.

The air was full of energy and expectation as the Bag Piper played on the front lawn of the Church. As we processed into the Church singing "Earth and all stars," I was very emotional seeing the Choir up on the altar, giving their all. Linda Clark's leadership was so evident as the music flowed so effortlessly from one piece to the next.

It was an amazing day and I felt so grateful to be here in this place, serving beside you. I want to thank Linda Clark and the Choir for their beautiful music and dedication to fine liturgy; to our Acolytes Madeleine Aquilina and Kayly Spangenberg (Betsy Blagdon pinched-hit with the Dove kite); to Peggy Heywood, Andrea and Bessie Lyman, Ann Fletcher, and Carol Robinson, who served as greeters and ushers; to my spouse, Lisa Garcia, who headed up the reception with the generous helping hands of Carolyn, Derek and Paul Wong, Margie Chapman and Carol McNally; thanks to Carrie Hawley for the beautiful flowers; to Jenny Rosser who did the stunning arrangements of flowers for the Confirmation Service; and to Debra and Doug Lloyd, who calmly saw to the many details behind the scenes and kept us all moving forward throughout the morning; to Susan Clancy, who did an amazing job at putting the lovely program together, and lastly, thanks to Ed Pease, who preached for me on Sunday! If I left anyone out, know of my gratitude to you for your help and support!

Over and over again I was reminded of what makes this parish so great -- your hospitality. You welcome the stranger so well! Everyone felt included and at home here and they were fed very well, too! These large gatherings of the People of God connect us in ways we never imagined and strengthen the bonds of community and affection. My heart is very full of love and gratitude for all of you.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

The Circle of Light and Love

2009-05-11T10:20:00.001-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

Yesterday reminded me once again what an incredible faith community we have! It was so fitting on Mothers' Day to have four Baptisms. The energy and connectedness that we felt, drew us into something greater than ourselves. Gathering around the Baptismal Font with the glorious installation of symbols above it, we witnessed the incorporation of Lucinda Rose, Elliot Isabel, Samantha Jane and Alden James into the Household of God.

We celebrated their lives and the potential that is already present. They each have their own unique personalities and gifts and as we promised to do everything in our power to support them in their life of faith, I tried to imagine what they will do with the one amazing life they have been given.

Baptizing babies and children is one of the most joyful privileges of my ministry. Each child gives me hope and their abounding love and joy is contagious. We know what a gift the children of Grace are to each one of us. Whether they are infants, middle schoolers, high school or college age, they all have something to contribute to our common life. Let's continue to nurture them as they grow in the light and love of God.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

Farewell to Kate

2009-05-05T09:14:00.001-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

It is hard to believe that this Sunday, May 10th will be Kate Cress' last Sunday with us. She will be graduating from the BU School of Theology on May 17th. She has been chosen as Valedictorian of her class and she certainly deserves it for all her hard work with her academics.

Kate has enriched my life and ministry and I know that she has enriched all of us with her presence, her preaching and her deep caring for everyone in our parish.

We will honor Kate this coming Sunday with a reception after after the 11 AM Eucharist in the Small Hall. It is fitting that we are also having several baptisms on that day -- 3 from the Heywood Family! Since our focus this year has been on Grace Church as a Baptizing Community, it seems we've come full circle with Kate's presence among us and the opportunity to share our faith journey with one another.

Kate will be ordained as a transitional deacon on Saturday, June 6th at 10:30 AM at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston. I hope that many of you will join me that day as we witness this joyful and important day in Kate's life and the life of the whole Church.

Grace Church has always been blessed and enriched by inviting Seminarians and Interns to be a part of our faith community. I am grateful for your openness in welcoming those students who have been given so much by all of you and have given so much to us in return.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

New Movie Inspires

2009-04-28T12:35:00.000-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

If you haven't seen the movie, "The Soloist," yet, I highly recommend it.

Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. are the stars and there are layers of

meaning in this film, which is based on a true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a

musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Jamie Foxx portrays Nathaniel

Ayers, who is considered a cello prodigy, and Robert Downey Jr. portrays Steve

Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist who discovers Ayers and writes about him

in the newspaper.

As Downey's character follows the homeless musician, he finds himself on Skid

Row in LA. Some of the people in the film are actually homeless and the

camera takes us places we would not dare to tread. The men's relationship is

complicated, to say the least. The film speaks to the transformative power of

music and friendship. There are no easy answers to homelessness or

schizophrenia and the viewer is invited into a world that few of us rarely

think about.

There is no real mention of God in this film, but there is a deeply spiritual

aspect throughout. Perhaps it is through the beautiful soul of Nathaniel

Ayers that we glimpse the divine, or perhaps it is through his music, or both.

Whatever the case, it is a story that will stay with you long after you leave

the movie theatre.

Blessings and Peace,

Miriam

Gratitude

2009-04-14T10:13:00.003-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

My heart is very full as I think back on Holy Week and Easter. Each service had its own special offerings, prayers, hymns and music by the Choirs. There was drama, pathos, tenderness, along with a sense of awe and wonder and pure joy!

I was struck on Maundy Thursday by communion bread our children made for the service. When it came up in that big round basket at the Offertory, I could feel the heat -- it must have just come out of the oven! The smell of freshly baked bread rose up from the basket like incense and all of us around the altar were brought up short by the power of the earthiness and blessedness of this simple bread. The shape of the loaves were not perfectly round -- far from it. But it made me smile as I imagined the little hands, full of flour in our old kitchen, shaping the dough into flat shapes and placing them on the cookie sheets to bake.

That same bread sat in the Chapel for our Vigil on Maundy Thursday and was distributed to those who came to the Good Friday service. The taste of that bread and the symbol of the offering the Children of Grace stayed with me throughout the weekend and must have planted a seed in my consciousness.

It became apparent by Friday morning that there were no hot-cross buns to be found in the Boston area, so Lisa announced that she would simply make some for the Easter Breakfast. Knowing what the next 48 hours looked like for both of us, I protested very loudly. We would just have to make due with something else. But on our way to Costco, that little seed that had been planted in me started to grow and the thought of making hot-cross buns for everyone seemed like a fine idea. We got the ingredients and Saturday morning, we set to work with my mother's Kitchen Aid mixer as the star participant. By nine the first batch were out and cooling and by 10:30 I was putting the icing crosses on some of them. I said a blessing over each one, picturing your faces as I squeased the icing out of the bag onto the buns.

It was a labor of love and I thought about how well we feed each other at Grace and are fed in return. We are fed by wonderful meals and fellowship; we are fed in the liturgy each week; we are fed by the stories of each others' lives; and we are fed by the witness of our faith out in the world.

On this Easter Tuesday, I am full of gratitude for all of you -- for our Children and Youth and for all of you who enrich my life. It is a joy and privilege to be serving with you.

Easter Blessings,
Miriam

Written on the Heart

2009-03-31T09:26:00.003-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

We had a wonderful session on poetry this past Sunday in Grace Discussion Group. Some people recited poetry by heart -- things they had learned in grammar school or high school, or the words of pieces of music they had learned. Some were moving and and some were funny and it reminded me of how much poetry feeds my soul. It is written on the heart and it is there to call upon whenever we need to or want to recall something of beauty, something that touches us or gives us inspiration.

We don't ask our Children and Youth to memorize much these days. I thought about all the wonderful collects and psalms in our Book of Common Prayer and how wonderful it is to be able to pray them as I'm drifting off to sleep or riding in the car or walking our little dog, Rusty. There are simple prayers you can start with children, like the Lord's Prayer. There is the Guardian Angel Prayer that I learned as a young child and still pray to this day:

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.

Some of the words are hard for little ones to understand, but the rhyming helps them to remember the words and as they grow older, the meaning will become deeper.

So whether you're young or old, have children or not, take the time to memorize a poem or prayer this week, so that it is written on your heart. Then you become the poem -- you become the prayer.

Blessings and Peace,
Miriam

All Shall Be Well

2009-03-24T09:14:00.004-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

The challenges of our economy, the state of the world and our environment can cause us to be very anxious. Those who are already retired are worried about whether they will have enough money to live on; those approaching retirement are thinking they can't afford to retire; those in the work force are wondering if their job is secure; and many have been laid off already, causing stress and financial hardship in families.

The one thing I've learned when I get anxious or worry about things is that I tend to want to control things even more than usual. Julian of Norwich, one of our greatest Christian mystics lived during the time of the Black Death. The Church at that time told people that God was punishing the wicked by sending this horrible disease upon them. Julian countered with, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." She did not believe in an angry, punishing God, but rather in the unconditional love of God.

Julian's, "All shall be well..." has in it an implicit trust in God's love to see us through no matter what happens. That is what we all need right now. We need to let go of our need to control situations that we really can't control and to trust in God's never failing love and care for each one of us.

On Sunday I spoke about using our imaginations and exploring metaphors, art, music and poetry in order to come closer to God. When we give ourselves to this exploration, we move away from the anxiety and fear that trap us and make us captives. Making time to explore the aesthetic world frees us to turn our attention toward God and in so doing, we come into the presence of the Divine.

I ended my homily with a prayer, which I expanded upon from Methodist Minister Jan Richardson. I offer it to you for the coming week:

A blessing upon your eyes this week, that you will find wonders along the way;
A blessing upon your mind this week, that you may find challenges that stretch your thinking;
A blessing upon your soul this week, that you may encounter the living God
as you sit in silence, take a walk or contemplate the stars.
A blessing upon your whole being this week as you turn your attention
and your imagination toward Jesus, who came solely for the love of you. Amen.

In gratitude and faith,
Miriam

How Can I Keep from Singing?

2009-03-17T10:09:00.003-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

Yesterday I attended the funeral of retired priest and colleague, John Thomas. John had served as the priest associate at St. John's, Newtonville for many years. I learned from the program and from his children that he was a musician and played the trumpet. His life was spent teaching his children and his parishioners about the value of life, about reaching out to those on the margins and about taking care of all of God's creation.
At the Offertory yesterday, a Choir made up of old friends and members of the congregation sang, "How can I keep from singing?" They sang it acapella. They were not professionals and it wasn't a polished performance. What struck me about their singing was their sincerity and their desire to convey the love they had for John and the love they had for music. I closed my eyes and let their voices wash over me:

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock Im clinging.
Since love is Lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

"Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?" This line typified John Thomas' life. It was a great message for me to hear and remind me once again that the power of love overcomes all adversity, all pain, all sadness, all injustice. The power of love spurs us on to do things we never thought possible and gives us courage to be God's hands and heart in the world.
Our lives should be an endless song of gratitude, of praise and thanksgiving to the One who made us all. Our lives should be an endless song that heralds peace and justice and good news to the poor, the lonely, and those who have lost hope. As you go through your week, I hope you will think of all the blessings God has given you and respond, "How can I keep from singing?"

In gratitude and faith,
Miriam

Second Week of Lent

2009-03-12T11:57:00.008-04:00

Dear Members of the Parish,

We are in the second week of Lent. Lent literally means "spring." For those of us in New England, we know that our season of spring is often cold and wet and yet we live in hope for those sunny, warmer days when daffodils and tulips will bloom. Our Presiding Bishop, Katherine Jefferts Schori, was in Costa Rica at the beginning of Lent. She spoke about the ashes that mark our foreheads:

"We are dust hoping to be worthy of the image of God, and that humans are "made of the same dust that comes ultimately from the stars." She went on to say that "Lent is our opportunity to bless this dust so that it can shine even brighter than the stars like the light of Christ," she said. "Our world needs this light resurrected from dust. "She invited those present to practice a Holy Lent through self-examination and repentance, prayer, fasting, self-denial, and reading and meditating on Scripture. She likened Lent to spring training in baseball but added "this training is for life."

Training for life. I like that sentiment. Training for life includes all those things our Presiding Bishop mentioned, which come straight from the Book of Common Prayer. Training for life includes taking care of our souls and bodies, so that we can be instruments of God's unchanging love, instruments of justice and peace, instruments of healing and reconciliation.

Life is not a dress-rehearsal. We have precious little time on this earth and God wants us to make the most of each day, each hour. How will you spend these next several weeks of Lent? If you haven't begun your training yet, there is still time. Look at your day and figure out when you will sit and be quiet, or read a passage from the Bible, take a walk, or do some volunteer work. If you're the type who is always doing for others, take some time to nurture your own soul and re-connect with God, your spouse or partner, or your children or grandchildren.

This is training for life. Eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and exercise are part of that training, too. Many of us were taught growing up, "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit." God expects us to take care of our bodies as well as our souls. It's never too late to begin again. God is the best coach you'll ever have in this world. Reach out to a friend or neighbor and start walking in the morning or take a walk after dinner. Reflect on your day and thank God for the blessings you have been given.

Make the most of the remaining weeks of Lent. Come to church every Sunday. Read, pray and meditate on God's holy scriptures. Take up your cross and follow the one in whom we live and move and have our being.

In gratitude and faith,
Miriam