Rector's Notes
February, 2010

 

If you weren’t at the Annual Meeting on January 24 then you missed a good one. I had parishioners comment afterwards on how thorough the committee reports were, we reviewed a lot of positive activity throughout the year, and the youth served a fine dinner. Even in areas where there was tension it was discussed in a respectful and beneficial way. A couple of people for whom this was their first annual meeting were surprised by what seemed to them to be confrontational, but I believe that is just part of life in community. May we all have the grace to see the Christ in one another and call each other to task with love and respect.

I think the most surprising, and most positive, thing for most people was the Parish Nurse report. Kay Farrell shared a wonderful story of how she had gone to a religious order to receive training in administering a Parish Nurse Program (more about that later in the newsletter). As the director for outreach programs for the OU Nursing School Kay took this training because one of the students was interested in the program. She really had no interest at the time in being involved herself other than as an educator, but the seed was planted and it became her hearts desire to see a program started in her own church.

This is such a beautiful illustration of the theme of my Rector’s Report at the meeting. As the old renewal song says, “It only takes a spark, to get a fire going…” (Pass It On), it only takes one person responding to what God has put on their heart to set a new direction and share God’s love in a whole new ways, and maybe with a whole new group of people. In my report I spoke of how Patty Bradley had done the same thing with art instruction. The Rev. Terry Fullam shares a story of his teaching on spiritual gifts and how one lady told him that she didn’t have any. When pressed further about what she liked to do she admitted that she enjoyed setting a nice table. Father Fullam was able to convince her that she had the gift of hospitality. He encouraged her to get involved with parish meals. As she became more confident with her gift she led the church to start a large, successful meal program for homeless people (yes I guess there are homeless in Connecticut). A whole new ministry had risen up out of one person finding how to turn something that she enjoyed into something God’s kingdom needed.

One of my favorite quotes addressing this proven phenomenon comes from the pastor and writer Frederick Buechner. Buechner says “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” (Wishful Thinking: A Seeker's ABC). God has gifted us all. It is our responsibility to both find our own gladness as well as use it to meet the world’s deep hunger. The church bulletin blooper goes, “Don’t suffer alone, the church can help.” We want to help you suffer, but if you are searching for that place of peace and gladness, then let the church help.

February 15 will be Blood Pressure Sunday to kick off the Parish Nurse Program. It will also be the first of our Sunday morning Adult Forums as Kay tells us more about the program. On subsequent Sundays I will be teaching on topics that relate to the integration of body, mind, and spirit into a healthy whole. Please come and see what is happening at St. Matthew’s Church this year.

 

Blessings, Fr. Steve +

 

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