Presiding Bishop Reflects

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori reflects on her first year as Presiding Bishop. She says that she thinks that she has the best job in the church, largely because she gets to meet so many people in so many different places. I imagine that it would indeed be inspiring to see and hear how God is working to transform lives here in America and throughout the world. We continue to pray for Bishop Katharine as she represents our church in the world. You will find the text of her reflection here.

EDS Visits the Emmanuel Pipe Organ

This afternoon was the first of two Pipe Organ Demo Days. The entire student body from EDS came to see and hear the organ and all it's different types of sounds. We talked about the different types of sounds the organ makes - trumpets and clarinets, strings, flutes and just regular "organ" sound. I played pieces that showed off each type of sound - the Prince of Denmark's March for trumpets, The Swan for strings, and parts of Pictures at an Exhibition for clarinet, flutes and principal organ sound. And since Pictures at an Exhibition is a programatic piece, I asked the children to make their own pictures from what they heard. Some imaginations they have!

After showing them the inside of the organ (have you seen the inside of the organ?) I then played the opening of the famous Toccata and Fugue in d minor by Bach. It may not have been written for Halloween but it sure has become associated with it.

We'll do it again for the Wednesday session tomorrow.

Into the Wild

The movie, Into the Wild, now in theaters, is Sean Penn's theatrical adaptation of John Krakauer's novel by the same name. It is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, who after graduating college, gives up virtually everything and lives as a "leathertramp," going by the name Alexander Supertramp. For two years, he travels around the country, taking odd jobs and meeting some interesting characters along the way. Ultimately, he sets out on his Ultimate Alaska Adventure, winding up in the the wilds of Alaska, living in an abandoned bus until he dies.

Along the way, there is much philosophical musing. McCandless grew up in a materialistic, abusive home. His father's expectations of him were oppressive. Eventually, he just checks out and disappears. He meets others who are trying to work through their own pains and struggles - a farmer who gets in trouble with the law, a hippie couple dealing with pain and loss, a retired man who, after thirty odd years, still struggles with the death of his wife and child. This man, Wayne, grows to love Chris and their time together provides one of the compelling moments in the movie.

When McCandless settles into the abandoned bus in Alaska, he has much time to read and reflect - Tolstoy, Thoreau, London. He can't run from anyone or even from himself any longer. He dies utterly alone. Not another person knows where he is. The end of the movie is powerful and haunting. Did his journey take him where he needed to go? Did he reach a point of enlightenment that made the struggles worthwhile? You'll have to watch the movie to find out. If you are drawn to compelling journey stories, to the exploration of meaning, to the desire to look deep within, I recommend this movie to you.

Reflecting on Today's Gospel Reading (Luke 18:9-14)

Two people walk into the temple to pray. The man who intrigues me is not the Pharisee but the tax collector. He stood far off, beat his breast, and said, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Unlike the Pharisee, this man had no list of accomplishments with which to impress. He had no spiritual disciplines that would "prove" his piety. All he had was the humility (at least in that moment) to surrender. He acknowledged his sinful state without trying to fix or prove anything.

It is the surrender that strikes me as being so important and life changing. We spend a lot of our time striving - to be good, successful, healthy, etc. A lot of that work is good and necessary. However, there are times in our lives when, like the tax collector in the parable, all we can do is surrender. These are times when we recognize that we do not have the tools in our toolbox to meet the challenge. We do not have the spiritual, mental, or emotional resources to make it through the darkness to a new place of enlightenment. In these moments, we simply must stop and surrender.

This is very difficult to do. We think that we can fix anything. We believe that we have the power to make everything okay. We deceive ourselves into believing that we are in control of our lives. However, circumstances come along that challenge our model of behaving and we end up feeling hopeless, afraid, and uncertain of what will come next. These are sacred moments. They are "God moments" when something new and unexpected can happen. As difficult as it might be, we would do well to embrace these moments rather than to run from them. Regardless of their cost, these are the opportunities that will lead from darkness to light, from hopelessness to hope, from fear to joy.

Like the tax collector who walked into the temple, I walked one day this past summer into the Washington National Cathedral. I found myself standing in the very spot where I was ordained deacon fifteen years earlier. Like the tax collector, I had nothing about which to boast. I felt unworthy. I felt that all I could do was place myself in the hands of a loving God who has always been there. I think that I know what the tax collector felt. He gave up something that day. He surrendered his fantasy that he could control his destiny. He came to believe that letting go and walking through the darkness was the only way to get to the light.

Thanks be to God that God accepts and embraces us for who we are as human beings, not for what we have done to earn anything. Thanks be to God that all God asks is that we surrender our lives to God. As the Apostle Paul says, "Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20).

Election!!

Our very own Lil Hargrove was elected on the first ballot to The Commission on Congregational Development. Greg was elected to the Commission on Finance, but unlike Lil, his race was not contested.

Diocesan Convention

This is from the floor of the convention on the 17th floor of the Biltmore in Providence. The fog has lifted and the view is terrific.

The Bishop's address asked us to focus on what we have and what our gift as a parish is . . . and then give it away. We have everything that is necessary within our parish. We should let the Gospel set our hearts on fire.

Greg is off counting ballots and Lil is knitting. Everyone else is looking glassy-eyed from the Diocesan Treasurer's report.

Ellen

EDS Open House, 10/25

Well, Emmanuel Day School had another very successful event last evening, our first academic Open House of the season brought in nearly every EDS family! Emmanuel was alive, as usual, as students and their families came rushing in to view the last 2 months worth of progess...meanwhile Mr. Totter and the Birkby Bros. were throwing a concert in the church! God..you have to love this place!
The parents were all very impressed with how EDS is helping to grow their children. I had many opprtunities to speak with families about a variety topics. Including which grade level I plan to stop at! Everyone is very happy with our program, the teaching staff, and what it is we actually do here at EDS. Among my favorite comments and highlights for the evening were: "Miss Dawn, we prayed for the Red Sox to win tonight". "Daddy, that is our Rotting Pumpkin for our Essperiment", Teague Hann, Augie's 2-yr old little brother, running through the school, singing "We will, We will Rock_______" fill in the blank with any noun! "Mommy...that is the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria..." (of course bringing a huge smile to my face). Meg Jarvis.."Hey are you guys teaching Lucy Disco?.. I love it!" And then concluding with half of the families going to dinner down the street at our local pub or going into the church to hear the concert. What a great place! We are so fortunate to have such supportive families, fantastic staff, and the ability to offer worhsip at all times, day and night here at Emmanuel!
We have plenty of great times ahead as the holidays approach. I can't wait!
Miss Dawn

2008 Annual Fund Brochure

The 2008 Annual Fund Brochure is now available on Emmanuel's website. The theme of the campaign is, "Believe . . . " Believe what, you might be asking? Well, you'll have to click here to view the brochure and to find out. You can also make your 2008 financial pledge online by clicking here.

Diocesan Convention this Weekend

On Friday evening and all day on Saturday, clergy and lay delegates from each congregation in Rhode Island will meet at the Biltmore Hotel in Providence for the annual Diocesan Convention. Joining me at the convention will be our two deacons, Sue Crowninshield and Ann Pelletier, our two delegates (who happen to be the two wardens), JoAnne Ritchie and Debbie Venancio, and our two alternates, Lil Hargrove and Ellen Vadney.

Convention consists of social time, worship, the Bishop's address, elections to various diocesan offices, approval of the budget, and consideration of various resolutions. We'll let you know how it goes!

Newport Daily News Coverage

We certainly have caught the attention of the Newport Daily News lately. The Bead for Life party made the front page, as did our New Orleans Jazz weekend. Now, we even get a "Cheers" from the "Cheers and Jeers" section Monday, October 22).

Here is how it started,

CHEERS to Emmanuel Church for keeping the Hurricane Katrina disaster area in the forefront of its charitable efforts.

Thanks to the Newport Daily News for their great coverage of what we are doing here at Emmanuel Church!

Faces of Emmanuel

The picture at right was compiled by Aliki Cooper, our web master. It is comprised of the faces that are carved into the woodwork in the choir area of the church. Notice that they are all different. They represent the diversity of God's people. How appropriate that they are part of the art work in a church that has long been known as the "church of the people." These faces represent for us the people of our world, the people to whom God calls us to reach out with God's love, compassion, and justice.

So, who are the faces of Emmanuel Church?

We could put up on our "face board" the image of a musician in New Orleans who can no longer support herself post-Katrina. Now, she depends on the ministry of St. Anna's Episcopal Church, where she receives free medical care and is provided with paying work on Wednesday evenings. Our efforts to support his ministry means that she is a face of Emmanuel.

We could include on our face board a young boy who attends the Kingsway Junior School in Malindi, Kenya (learn more here). He is there because families of the Emmanuel Day School raised money to fund a scholarship so that he can attend for a year. Perhaps in the years to come his family and he will have the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.

On our face board, you might find an image of a woman from Kampala, Uganda who works for Bead for Life, a business that lifted hundreds of women and their families from poverty. In the last few weeks, led by our own Meg Dutton, we had two Bead Parties. Combined, Meg and her helpers sold approximately $4,500 worth of bead jewelry. All of the profits go directly to support the Ugandan women who make the jewelry.

Of course, most of the faces of Emmanuel reside right here in Newport and the surrounding communities. Those of us who gather to worship, who come together expecting to encounter God each Sunday, are faces of Emmanuel. Those of us to seek God's transforming and redeeming grace are the face of Emmanuel. Those who desire to be instruments of God's love and compassion are the faces of Emmanuel.

Are you one of the faces of Emmanuel Church? Would you like to be? Contact me or show up on Sunday and learn what it might mean for you to be a face of Emmanuel Church.

Youth Group Questions

We are at youth group - hanging out and eating pizza and candy. We are about to read Compline (lead by Emily, our newest teen member). We have a special guest with us tonight, Tucker, Greg's Springer Spaniel.

Now we have finished Compline. One of the prayers says, "your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live." Members of the group want to know what the word "providence" means in this context. Who wants to give them an answer?

We also read the word "crag" in Psalm 31 - "for you are my crag and my stronghold." According to Websters, "crag" means "steep, projecting rock." Does that mean that God is a "steep, projecting rock?" Deep thoughts from the youth group!

Lord Carey of Clifton

I had the privilege, along with approximately fifty of my clergy colleagues, of having breakfast with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, whose official title is now Lord Carey of Clifton. (As Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey was the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, comprised of over seventy million Anglicans throughout the world.) His wife and he are in Rhode Island to help celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. Paul's, Wickford. Lord Carey shared with us some of his spiritual autobiography, drawing on four different spiritual traditions that he says inspired and shaped his faith: evangelical, catholic, liberal, and charismatic. It was inspiring to hear this spiritual leader speak so personally. I found it fascinating to contemplate all of the influences that have shaped who I am as a child of God and as a priest in God's church. What has shaped your spiritual journey? Where have you experienced God's presence in your life?

One of Carey's favorite prayers is:
Lord Jesus Christ, the Master Carpenter of Nazareth, on a cross through wood and nails you have wrought man's salvation; wield well your tools in this workshop, so that we who come to you rough hewn, may by you be fashioned according to your will; for the sake of your tender mercy. Amen.

Regardless of how "rough hewn" we may be, we have confidence that God continues to shape us into the people that God desires us to be so that we can experience the fullness of life as God intended for each of us. Thanks be to God!


Learn more about Lord Carey at his official website.

Presiding Bishop - There Will Be No Outcasts

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori filmed her second webcast this week. Speaking on the current crisis in the Anglican Communion, Jefferts Schori said,

"I challenge each one of us to consider who it is we would most like to be rid of," she said. "That person, my friends, is the image of Christ in our midst. There will be no outcasts in this church, whether because of sexual orientation or theological perspective. God has given us to each other, to love and to learn from each other. May God bless each and every part of this body."

I admire our Presiding Bishop for her honesty and bravery as well as her ability to offer calm leadership "in the midst of the whirlwind!" You can read the story and access the webcast here.

Youth Group Meeting

Calling all teenagers! Youth group meets this Sunday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. We will provide the pizza ($2 per person). This week, we will create our schedule for the year and decide together what we want to do together! Come and be part of the conversation.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury to Visit Jamestown

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend George Carey will speak at St. Matthew's Church, Jamestown, RI this Sunday evening at 7:00. Read about it here.

Way Cool!

Greg,

This blog is way cool! Unfortunately, it doesn't help me get my project finished for class. I hope to see more contributors.

Ellen

2008 Mission Trip to New Orleans

We have reserved twenty airlines tickets on Continental Airlines for our mission trip to New Orleans the week of April 12, 2008 to April 19, 2008 to help the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana with their post-Katrina clean up efforts. A planning meeting will be held on Sunday, Nov. 4th after the 10:00 am service. If you are interested in participating, please email Carol Dutton, carolnpt@verizon.net or call her at 849-9112 before October 29th. A $50 deposit is required to hold your airline ticket.

Keep the Music Alive! The New Orleans to Rhode Island Jazz Weekend

From John Totter,
This past weekend will be one long remembered in Newport. A New Orleans brass band, a fiery, inspirational sermon, a great party and a second-line parade around the neighborhood will go in Emmanuel’s history books. Of greater importance was the demonstration of love and caring for people who are in real need of care and support as they rebuild their homes and their lives. The money raised over the weekend will allow us to send $2,500 to St. Anna’s right away. Once our grant money is in hand, we will then be able to send an additional $5,000.
There are many people who worked hard and were extraordinarily generous with their time, their gifts and their resources. Rather than risk missing someone, I will simply say "Thank You "to all.

Welcome

Welcome to the Emmanuel Blog. We invite you to visit frequently. Post your thoughts and comments about life at Emmanuel, the Episcopal Church, or the Anglican Communion. Ask questions about theology. Share what is going on in your life. Help us to build the Emmanuel community. For more information about Emmanuel Church, go to our website.