New PAGE 1 F 2017 the VAYA WINTER · 2017. 2. 18. · commercial even proclaimed "Savers are...
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St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church ~ 30382 Via Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 ~ 949.888.4595 ~ www.stjohnsrsm.org Women’s Movie Nights Common Ground Page 2 Financial Peace Univ. Journey to Fiscal Clarity Page 3 Two Pilgrim Reflections Bradshaws & BJ Sullivan Page 4 View from Above The Way Home Page 6 Snapshots and MUCH More Inside The Space Between by Fr. John We Christians may not think about it all the time. But by belief and practice, we’re liminal people. “Limen” means “threshold” in Latin. “Liminal” is used many ways. Joe Bunting, who blogs about writing Aiction, puts it this way: “Liminality is the in-between moments, the space between an inciting incident in a story and the protagonist’s resolution. It is often a period of discomfort, of waiting, and of transformation. Your characters’ old habits, beliefs, and even personal identity disintegrate. He or she has the chance to become someone completely new.” Think of the newly baptized, who, in the language of our faith, dies to sin and is raised to a new life in Christ. Think of walking through the valley of the shadow of death because of illness or devastating loss, knowing that life has been utterly changed but trusting in the Resurrection that God will bear us through it, redeem it, and make everything new. In our everyday lives, we like things to remain the same. We love the predictability of our morning coffee or tea with the newspaper (or iPad; for things really do change!) and the smiling faces of the people we love. And yet we know in our hearts that change is constant -- sometimes sudden and heartbreaking, other times silent and almost unnoticeable, but always inexorable and irresistible. The Christian calendar helps us think and live liminally. Each year, in the space of about four months, we experience the birth of the Bethlehem baby, his baptism and teaching, his triumphal passage through Jerusalem’s threshold into dark days of isolation and abuse, his achingly liminal descent into death, his glorious Resurrection. Each time we say Holy Eucharist together, the whole story plays out. To a people predisposed to the predictable, us who are anxious about and even fearful of change, the mass commemorates and reasserts God’s mighty power to create and transform and redeem all things, even those we fear the most. W INTER 2017 Mark Your Calendars! Book it on Mondays! February 27, 7 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper February 28, 6 p.m., MPR Ash Wednesday March 1, Ashes to Go 7 a.m., Services at noon and 7 p.m. Laundry Love March 1 Interfaith Faith & Issues Forum March 2, Catholic Church, 7 p.m. St. John’s School Cardinella March 4, 6 p.m. Women’s Movie & Dinner Night March 5 Food Pantry March 7, 2–5 p.m. March 16, 2–5 p.m. Isaiah House March 11 Caregiving Mosaics March 15, 6:30 p.m. Men’s Breakfast March 25, 8 a.m. Newcomer’s Brunch March 26, following 10 a.m. service Book it on Mondays! March 27, 7 p.m. Palm Sunday April 9 Holy Week Activities April 10-15 Easter Sunday April 16 con$nued on page 2 Lenten Quiet Day March 11, 2-5 pm the VAYA T HE N EWSLETTER OF S T . J OHN C HRYSOSTOM E PISCOPAL C HURCH St. John’s pilgrims walking toward dawn in the Judean desert, January 2017. Photo: John Taylor Con Dios
Transcript of New PAGE 1 F 2017 the VAYA WINTER · 2017. 2. 18. · commercial even proclaimed "Savers are...
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St.JohnChrysostomEpiscopalChurch~30382ViaConDios,RanchoSantaMargarita,CA92688~949.888.4595~www.stjohnsrsm.org
Women’s Movie Nights Common Ground
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Financial Peace Univ.Journey to Fiscal Clarity
Page 3
Two Pilgrim ReflectionsBradshaws & BJ Sullivan
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View from AboveThe Way Home
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Snapshots and MUCH MoreInside
The Space Betweenby Fr. John
WeChristiansmaynotthinkaboutitallthetime.Butbybeliefandpractice,we’reliminalpeople.
“Limen”means“threshold”inLatin.“Liminal”isusedmanyways.JoeBunting,whoblogsaboutwritingAiction,putsitthisway:“Liminalityisthein-betweenmoments,thespacebetweenanincitingincidentinastoryandtheprotagonist’sresolution.Itisoftenaperiodofdiscomfort,ofwaiting,andoftransformation.Yourcharacters’oldhabits,beliefs,andevenpersonalidentitydisintegrate.Heorshehasthechancetobecomesomeonecompletelynew.”
Thinkofthenewlybaptized,who,inthelanguageofourfaith,diestosinandisraisedtoanewlifeinChrist.Thinkofwalkingthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeathbecauseofillnessordevastatingloss,knowingthatlifehasbeenutterlychangedbuttrustingintheResurrectionthatGodwillbearusthroughit,redeemit,andmakeeverythingnew.
Inoureverydaylives,welikethingstoremainthesame.Welovethepredictabilityofourmorningcoffeeorteawiththenewspaper(oriPad;forthingsreallydochange!)andthesmilingfacesofthepeoplewelove.Andyetweknowinourheartsthatchangeisconstant--sometimessuddenandheartbreaking,othertimessilentandalmostunnoticeable,butalwaysinexorableandirresistible.
TheChristiancalendarhelpsusthinkandliveliminally.Eachyear,inthespaceofaboutfourmonths,weexperiencethebirthoftheBethlehembaby,hisbaptismandteaching,histriumphalpassagethroughJerusalem’sthresholdintodarkdaysofisolationandabuse,hisachinglyliminaldescentintodeath,hisgloriousResurrection.
EachtimewesayHolyEucharisttogether,thewholestoryplaysout.Toapeoplepredisposedtothepredictable,uswhoareanxiousaboutandevenfearfulofchange,themasscommemoratesandreassertsGod’smightypowertocreateandtransformandredeemallthings,eventhosewefearthemost.
WINTER 2017
Mark Your Calendars!Book it on Mondays! February 27, 7 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake SupperFebruary 28, 6 p.m., MPR Ash Wednesday March 1, Ashes to Go 7 a.m., Services at noon and 7 p.m.Laundry Love March 1Interfaith Faith & Issues ForumMarch 2, Catholic Church, 7 p.m.St. John’s School CardinellaMarch 4, 6 p.m.Women’s Movie & Dinner NightMarch 5Food Pantry March 7, 2–5 p.m.March 16, 2–5 p.m.Isaiah HouseMarch 11Caregiving MosaicsMarch 15, 6:30 p.m.Men’s BreakfastMarch 25, 8 a.m.Newcomer’s BrunchMarch 26, following 10 a.m. service Book it on Mondays! March 27, 7 p.m. Palm SundayApril 9Holy Week ActivitiesApril 10-15Easter SundayApril 16
con$nuedonpage2
Lenten Quiet Day
March 11, 2-5 pm
the VAYA THE NEWSLETTER OF ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St.John’spilgrimswalkingtowarddawnintheJudeandesert,January2017.Photo:JohnTaylor
Con Dios
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SurelythisworkisunderwayallthetimeatSt.John’s,andespeciallyduringthistimeoftransition.I’vebeendescribingmyliminalspaceasthepathbetweenSt.John’sand“St.DioceseofLosAngeles.”Ilovemy
ministryheremorethanIcanpossiblysayinwords.Outsidemyfamily,ithasbeenthegreatestblessinginmylife.Everyday,I’mconsciousoflastthings–mylastmidnightmass,YouthSunday,andChrysostomDayasyourvicar.
I’malsousingeveryavailableminutetoprepareforthenextseasoninKathy’sandmyvocations.Thatworktakestheformofmeeting,greeting,andlisteningaroundthediocese.Theadvantageofliminalitywhilepreparingtobeyourbishop(bythegraceofGodandthelargerchurchconsenting)isthatIenjoyalotofaccesstopeopleandinformationandtheblessingofabundantgoodwillwithoutyethavingtheauthoritytomakedecisionsthatpeoplemay(andinevitablywill)Aindannoying.
ForthepeopleofGodatSt.John’s,it’saliminaltimeofsomeanxiety,sadness(mirroringmine)aboutapastoralrelationshipcomingtoanend,andwonderingaboutwhat’snext.Itwillbeeasierwhenwelearnwhoyournextvicaris.Insteadofaquestionmark,you’llseeasmilingfaceandbegintolearnapersonalnarrativewhich,bythegraceoftheHolySpirit,willhavebroughtthatpersontoourthreshold,justasGodhasbroughtyou.AwarenessofFr.John’s“lasts”willebbandanticipationwilljoyouslybuildofallthe“Airsts”you’llexperiencewithyournewpartnerinministryandmission.
Fornow,IgivethankstoGodfortheblessingofwalkingwithyouafewmoreweeksinthespacebetween.
The Space Between, continued from page 1
THE VAYA - THE NEWSLETTER OF ST . JOHNCHRYSOSTOMEP ISCOPAL CHURCH
“Cinemaisuniversal;beyondElagsandbordersandpassports.”~AlejandroG.Iñárritu
LastmonthasIstoodwaitinginthelobbyoftheRegencyTheatertogreetthewomenformovienight,anolderwomansatdownwithinafewfeetfromme.Shewasclearlydistraught,searchingthroughherpurseforatissuetowipeawayhertears.Itookaseatnexttoherandaskedifshewasokay.Sheseemedabitstartledandthensmiled,“No,no…I’mEine.IjustcameoutofthemovieLionandwassomovedbythestory.Ijustlovedit!”
WithinAiveminutessheandIwereoffandrunningaboutthecurrentmoviesplaying-whichoneswehadseen,whatwelovedaboutthem,whathaddisappointed.Weseemedtobeinsynconeachmoviewediscussed,marvelingonourgoodtasteinAilms.WehadknowneachotherforlessthantenminutesandherewewereAindingcommonground.
It’strue,moviesareuniversal,buttheyalsoprovidetheperfectconversationstarterforeventhemostintrovertedamongus.Noonehaseverwalkedoutofamoviewithoutsomeemotionbeingstirred-andwhetherit’sdisappointmentorjoy,weareeagertoshareouropinionassoonthecreditsstarttorollandwecantalkwithoutbeinghushed.Theconversationmaystartinthetheater,butitcontinuesandlingersoverdinneratalocalrestaurant.
IfyouarenewtothegroupIpromiseyouwillgoawaywithhavingfoundcommongroundwithanother.Itmaystartwithmovies,seguetoactors,movetoperformances,dovetailtostageplays,andendwiththeknowledgethatyoumajoredindramaatthesamecollegeyournewfriend’ssonisattending.Andthereyouhaveit-commonground!
IthasnotonlybeenheartwarmingtoseethefriendshipsthathaveblossomedbecauseofaAirstmeetingatMovieNight,butitalsospeakstothevalidationoffellowshipgatheringsinallforms.AndwhilenoteveryencounterendswithanewBFF,asthemovieSixDegreesofSeparationtellsus,everypersonisanewdoortoadifferentworld.
Wetrytomeetonceamonth,preferablyonSundaysintheearlyevening.However,duetothenumerousministriesofferingopportunitiestogather,itisoftendifAiculttoAindaSundayfreeontheSt.John’scalendar.Sopleaseforgiveifyoudonotseeitscheduledeachmonth.
Ifyouareinterestedinbeingaddedtothewomen’semaillist,whichalwayshasinformationaboutmovienight,[email protected]’sMovie&DinnerNightisscheduledforMarch5.
Untilwemeetagain,thebalconyisclosed.
MovieNightgatheringfromafewyearsago.Photo:LindaAllport
Women’s Movie & Dinner Nightby DJ Gomer
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ItwasacoolnightinNovember,asninepeoplesatintheBishop'sRoompreparingfordo-it-yourselfplasticsurgery.Andthen...thecarnagebegan!As15creditcardswerecutintoshinyplasticconfetti,cheersAilledtheroom-alongwiththelingeringaromaofpizza.OurnineweekFinancialPeaceUniversity(FPU)coursewasdrawingtoaclose.Thecreditcardswerenottheonlycasualty.Duringthecourse,thegroupalsoknockedout$5,750worthofdebtandkickedsomecommonmisconceptionsaboutmoneytothecurb.
FPUisthecreationofDaveRamsey,anationallysyndicatedradiohost.ItisacourseforanyonewhowantstoimprovetheirknowledgeaboutbeingagoodAinancialsteward,andithashelpedmillionsofpeoplegetoutofdebt.Itteachesbiblically-basedAinancialstrategiesintheareasofsaving,dischargingdebt,investing,insurance,realestate,collegeplanning,retirementplanning,spousalAinancialaccord,and-mostimportantly-giving.Thesetopicsarebrokendownintoclearandsystematiclessonsthatarepresentedviaaseriesofveryhumorousvideoswewatchduringclass.Wemeetforabouttwohourseachweekfornineweeks.
Asanyonewhohasdinedwithmeatoneofthewomen'smovieanddinnernightscanattestto,aninnocentquestionaboutmyprofessionislikelytounleashalengthyandenthusiasticdiscourseaboutthelackofAinancialeducationinourcountry;it'satopicI'mquitepassionateabout.I'mveryexcitedaboutbeingabletoofferFPUherebecauseitteachesapractical,biblicallysoundsystemwhichresonatesstronglywithpeople,iseasytofollow,andactuallyworks!
Thereisahugeamountofpressureinoursociety,andespeciallyhereinOrangeCounty,toputforththeappearanceofbeingsuccessful.Thiscancreatepowerful,deeprootedfeelingsofshameandguiltinpeoplewhofeartheyarenotprovidingfortheirfamiliesaswellasthosearoundthem.It'sverycatharticforfolkstogetinaroomtogetherandlearnthattheyareallstrugglingwithsimilarissues.I'mverygratefulfortheparticipantsofourinauguralFPUcourse,whowerewillingtobevulnerableandsharetheirdreamsandfearsaboutmoney;wewereallenrichedbyoursharedjourneytotradeshameforoptimism,andconvertguilttohopeforthefuture.
ThefactsarethattheaverageAmericanhousehold-atalldifferentincomelevels-hasover$90,000indebtandlessthan$5,000insavings.BecauseofalackofformalAinancialeducationavailabletous,mostofourmoneyadvicecomesfromthemedia,whogenerallyencouragesustoborrowasmuchmoneyaspossible,asoftenaspossible,forasmanydifferentitemsaspossible...whichisprettymuchtheoppositeofahealthyAinancialstrategy!Onerecentcommercialevenproclaimed"Saversarelosers,andborrowersarewinners!"
FPUisbeneAicialforpeopleofallages,atanystageoflife;butIhappentohaveaspecialplaceinmyheartforyouthandyoungcouplesjuststartingout.Iftheycanlearnthekeystosuccessfulmoneymanagementearly,theycanavoidsomanyoftheAinancialmistakesthattherestofusmadealongtheway.Ilovetheideaoftrainingupournextgenerationtobecarefulstewardsoftheirresourcessothattheybecomenotonlysuccessful,butoutrageouslygenerous.Iknowthatourfuturehospitalbuilders,laundrylovesupporters,andfoodbankfundersaresittinginclassroomsrightnow,preparingfortheirfuturecareersasdoctors,teachers,engineers,chefs,performers,clergy...andanythingelsethatinspiresthem.Howmarvelousitwouldbeiftheywerealsobeingpreparedtomanagethefruitsoftheircareersinsuchawaythattheyareabletoleavealastinglegacyforfuturegenerations.
Bearingthatinmind,IwouldliketoissueaspecialinvitationtoallhighschoolandcollegestudentstoattendourupcomingFPUcourse,startinginJune.Iknowitwilltakeachunkoutofyoursummers,butIpromiseyouthatthejourneywillbeworthwhile.Thechurchalsohassomescholarshipsavailabletocoverthe$109materialscostforthosewillingtocommittothecourse. Ialsowelcomealladults;comehavesomefun,gettoknowyourneighborsalittlebetterandimproveyourAinancesatthesametime.Andforformerattendeeswhodidn'thavequiteenoughfuntheAirsttime,Iwanttoremindyouthatreturntripsthroughthecoursearealwaysfree,socomeback,Imissseeingyou! FormoreinformationaboutFPU,[email protected],andwatchtheBlueSheetfordatesandregistrationinformation.
ElizabethAdamswithhusbandMarkanddaughterGwen.Photo:JohnTaylor
A Journey Toward Financial Peaceby Elizabeth Adams
Tuesday, February 28Flipping pancakes 6—7:30 p.m.
Multipurpose RoomSign-up in the Narthex
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THE VAYA - THE NEWSLETTER OF ST . JOHNCHRYSOSTOMEP ISCOPAL CHURCH
What'sthedifferencebetweenapilgrimageandatourorvacation?First--thesimilarities.Youvisitalotofplaces,especiallychurches.Somany,thattheybegintoblurinyourmind.Youhearthehistoryandthestoriesofwhatmayormaynothavehappenedtherethousandsofyearsago.Andofcourse,youvisittoomanygiftshops.That'swherethesimilaritiesend.
WithFr.Johnasyourleader,alongwithourlocalguide,Iyad,youknowyouareinforaneye-openingexperiencethatcombineshistory,scripture,worshipandpolitics.Awinningcomboinmyopinion.I’llfocusononemorningofourpilgrimagetoillustratethiswonderfulamalgamationofexperiencesthatcreatesapilgrimage.
OurvisittotheChurchoftheNativityinBethlehemcouldhavejustbeenacold,wetexperience,Ailledwithfrustrationandsadness,butwithjustalittlechangeinperspective,itbecamemuchmore.WeheadeddowntoBethleheminthecoldraintoseethe"stable"(actuallyacave)whereJesuswasborn.WewereAilledwithhopeandexpectationsoftrulyconnectingwithhisbirthbycelebratingtheEucharistinthegrotto.ThesadrealityofthecurrentpoliticalsituationslapsyouinthefaceasyoupassthroughtheIsraelisecuritycheckpointandaregreetedwiththeuglygrayconcreteslabwallthatsurroundsBethlehem.
ThenextrealitythathitsyouisthatallofthedifferentdenominationsofChristiansmaynotactuallygetalongthatwellwithoneanother.Iyadproclaimed,"Oh,no!Thisisnotgood,"whenheheardthechurchbellssignifyingthattheGreekOrthodoxBishopwasthereandthattheirserviceinthegrottowasgoingtorunlong.HeaskedtheGreekOrthodoxPriestifwecouldjointheArmenianserviceinthegrottowhichwastobeginrightaftertheconclusionoftheGreekone.IyadwastoldthatundernocircumstanceswouldwebejoiningtheArmenianserviceorcelebratingEucharistinthegrotto.Thiswasour"noroomattheinn"moment.Itcouldhavesouredusontheday,butitwastheAirstinaseriesofeventsthatmadeforatrulymemorablemorning.
Iyadhasmany"cousins"alloverIsrael,includingthepriestattheCatholicChurchthatisattachedtotheGreekOrthodoxChurch(allpartoftheChurchoftheNativity).WhilewevisitedthecavesbelowtheCatholicsideofthechurch,--[wasJesusborninthatcaveoverthereontheGreeksideorwashebornhere,25feetaway,ontheCatholicsidewewondered?]--Iyadgotpermissionfromhis“cousin”forustouseoneofthesidechapelsforEucharist.Fr.JohncelebratedmasswearingborrowedCatholicvestments,missal,breadandwine.And,ofcourse,Fr.Johndidwhathedoesbestanddeliveredaspontaneoushomilyfortheages.Thiswasour"makedueinthestable/cave"moment.
WeleftLAXfortheHolyLandonmyfather-in-law's94thbirthday.Itwasalsothedaybeforetheinaugurationofour45thpresident.IwassadaboutmissingtheAirst,andasforthesecond,IwasproudofthepeacefultransitionofpowerandoftherightthatAmericanshave(inthecaseofsomeIlove)tocelebrateapresidenttheysupportor(inthecaseofothersIlove)toexercisetheirrighttoprotest.However,thisisaboutourpilgrimagesoI'vedigressedalready.Letmegetbackontrack.
OnourAirstnightinJerusalem,wesharedwhatwehadleftbehindandwhatwewerehopingtoAind.IhadleftbehindmydailylifeandwashopingtokeepitoutofmyheadsoIcouldfocusonthispilgrimage.MyhopewastoAinddirectionfromtheLordandguidanceforwhatmightbenextinmylifeasIturn60.
TheAirstobservationthatIcameawaywithisthatIamignorantoftheworldwecallIsraelandPalestine.DrivinguptoJerusalemthedaywearrived,Isawdividedspaces:somewerebeautifulterracedhillswitholivetreesandsmallgardenswhiletheotherswerearmedcheckpoints.
Aseachdayprogressed,Ibecamemoreinformedoftherealitiesoflifearoundme.PalestinianmenlineduptobecheckedthroughwhatlookedlikedemoralizingprocessinglinessoeachcouldenterIsraeliterritory.Eachonewasonlyallowedtobringalunchandnotools.Theywerenotallowedtostayovernight.
ThewallthatseparatedthePalestinianandtheIsraelipeople’sisimmense.Itreallyseparatescommunitiesandfamiliesandhasstoppedbusinessesinmostcases.
TobefairthewallhasalsoreducedextremistattacksalthoughIamnotasfamiliarwiththenumberofattacksbeforeandafter.Thesightofthewallwasdevastating.Myprayersforpeaceintheregionaredifferentnow.
WelearnedfromaprofessorofJewishstudiesthattypicallyone'spoliticalleaningsdetermineswhetherornotyouwereforatwostatesolution.SomethingabouthowsmallIsraelandPalestinereallyaremakesitclear
Pilgrim Reflectionby BJ Sullivan
BJreElectsonawalkneartheWadiQelt.Photo:JuanChacon
Pilgrim Reflectionby Roger and Joanne Bradshaw
bothreflec$onscon$nuedonpage5
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THE VAYA - THE NEWSLETTER OF ST . JOHNCHRYSOSTOMEP ISCOPAL CHURCH
AfterEucharist,wewentovertothestepsofthegrottotowaitfortheGreekstoAinishtheirservice.WehaddecidedtomakearunforthegrottobetweentheGreekandArmenianservices.TheGreeksAinallyendedtheirserviceandwesawouropportunity.AsympatheticladyusheredusintothegrottoandwequicklymadeourwayonebyonedownthestairstoveneratetheStarofNazareth,aholeinamarbleplatethatyoucanstickyourhandthroughtotouchtheAloorofthecavewhereJesusisbelievedtohavebeenborn.Asthelastofourgroupenteredthegrotto,theangryGreekpriestcamerunninginyellingatusto,"GETOUT!"Aswescurriedouttheothersideofthegrotto,theangrypriestyelledatthePalestiniansecurityguard,"Whydidyouletthemin?!?"Theguardresponded,"Becausetheyaremyfriends."Wow!Weboogiedoutofthechurchasfastaswecouldandintothepouringrain.Perhapsthiswasour"headtoEgypttoavoidthewrathofHerod"moment?
AsimpletouroftheHolyLandwouldnothavetheseinspiringanddeAiningmoments.YouwouldnotheartheBeatitudesproclaimedfromacaveonthesideoftheSeaofGalileebyaratherbaldJesus(me),experienceasunrisemassattheWadiQelt,renewyourbaptismalcovenantintheRiverJordan,visitthehomeofaPalestinianfamilyinBurqintoenjoyteaandbuysoapandspices,orbeinvitedtosinginSt.Anne’sChurch(lovelyacoustics)afterbeingquizzedbytheamusingEnglishpriestoftheFrench-controlledchurchaboutyourknowledgeofStAnne.Thesesimple,butmovingexperiencesarewhatmadethisapilgrimage.We’llbeback.Pleasejoinus.
thatsecuritywillalwaysbeachallenge.ThePalestinianpeoplearewithoutanofAicialgovernmentandthesystemicabilitytomaketheircommunitiesbetter;thepoverty,desolation,andisolationwerevisibleallaroundus.Iimaginethatthisenvironmentmakesone-especiallytheyoung-targetsforthosewhopreyorseektorecruit.
MysecondobservationwasthatIbecameveryemotionalduringmytimeintheholyland.IhaddifAicultyreadingscripturewithoutcrying.IwassomovedbymysurroundingsandtherealityofwhereIwassitting,standing,andlooking.FromrenewingmybaptismalvowsalongthebanksoftheRiverJordan,tooverlookingtheWadiQeltwhereJesuswalkedfromJerichotoJerusalem.MyfavoriteplacewastheChurchoftheHolySepulcherintheoldcityofJerusalem.Iwasdrawntoreturntoitagainandagain.ItwaspowerfultobewhereourLorddiedandwasresurrected.
IguessifIhadtosummarizemyexperience,Iwouldhavetosaythatitwaslifechanging.Iamsograteful.ItwasmyAirsttrip;notmylast.FormeitfeelslikeIjustscratchedthesurface--andImissbeingthereandImissmyfellowpilgrims.IhavereturnedtomydailylifehereathomeandAindmythoughtsareneverfarawayfromthepilgrimage.
IhavebeencomfortedbyPsalm16.Psalm167-11(NewLivingTransaltion)IwillblesstheLordwhoguidesme;evenatnightmy
heartinstructsme.IknowtheLordisalwayswithme.Iwillnotbeshaken,forheisrightbesideme.NowondermyheartisEilledwithjoy,andmymouthshoutshispraises!Mybodyrestsinsafety.Foryouwillnotleavemysoulamongthedeadorallowyourgodlyonetorotinthegrave.Youwillshowmethewayoflife,grantingmethejoyofyourpresenceandthepleasuresoflivingwithyouforever.
BJ Sullivan Reflection, continued from page 4
Fr.JohncelebratesEucharistattheChurchoftheNativity.Photo:RogerBradshaw
Roger and Joanne Bradshaw Reflection, continued from page 4
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM EPISCOPAL CHURCH
MARCH 1, 20177 A.M. ~ ASHES TO GO IN FRONT PARKING LOT
NOON AND 7 P.M. ~ HOLY EUCHARIST AND IMPOSITION OF ASHES IN THE CHURCH
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BartholomewandEmilyCulvercote,andtheirchildren,JaneandLewis,aredoveswhonestatSt.John’sandwatchoverandreportonchurchactivitiesfromtheirownuniqueperspective.TheirpreviouscolumnscanbefoundonlineattheVAYAarchive.
It’sbeenawhilesinceI’vebeenabletochatwithyouall,andalothashappenedinthattime!ThebiggestnewsisthatyourownFr.JohnwillsoonbeleavingthenestforbiggerskiesinLosAngeles.OurfamilyhaswatchedhimheresincehisAirstAledglingdaysasyourVicar,andwhatwe’llmissmostishearinghimsingtohimselfwhenhe’saloneinthesanctuary,andthinksnooneiswatching.Areminder:wearealwayspeekingintothechurchfromonhigh!
Inhistimehere,Fr.JohnhasledAivepilgrimagestotheHolyLandforSt.John’sfolks.Pilgrimageshavebeenpartofthereligiousexperiencesincethebeginning.Apilgrimageisajourney(oftenlong)tovisitaholyandsacredplace.EachphysicalstepinaphysicalplaceonlyhassigniAicancewhenviewedwithspiritualeyesinthespiritualrealm.Otherwise,it’sjustavacation!ManybelievethatChristianity(aswellastheJewishandIslamicfaiths)beganasapilgrimfaith,whenAbramansweredthecallofGod,andsetoutonhisownjourney-nottovisitholyplacesbuttomakenewplacesholy.
ThewordpilgrimcomesfromtheLatinwordforwanderer,foreigner,orstranger.Yourownpatron,Chrysostom,saidthattheentirelifeoftheChristiancanbeseenasapilgrimage,andthereforeshouldbefreeofdesireformaterialwealth:Butastous,letusnotbeinsatiable,letusnotbediscontented,letusnotbeseekingoutforsplendidhouses;forweareonourpilgrimage,notathome;...thepresentlifeisasortofjourney.
Everypilgrimageendswiththereturnhome,whetheritisthejourneyoflife,oratriptotheHolyLand,andtherefore,everypilgrimneedstoknowthewayhome.IwastoldbytheVAYAeditor,thatthisissue’sthemeispilgrimage,andI’mhappytosayourfamily(ourgreaterfamily,thatis),knowsathingortwoaboutthis.ThefamilyColumbidae,whichcomprisesbothdovesandpigeons,arefamousforourlongjourneysandouruncannyabilitytoAindourwayhome.Homingpigeons,bredspeciAicallytoenhancethisbehavior,havebeenusedbyhumanssincethe12thcenturytocarrymessages,delivermedicationsandcommunicateinbattle.Severalpigeonsevenreceivedmedalsfortheirvaluableserviceinbothworldwars.
ScientistsstilldonotdeAinitivelyknowthesourceofthishomingability–radar,smell,magnetismorsomethingelse.ButweColumbidaeknowwhatitis.Fromanearlyage,ourbabiesknowwhathomeis-warmth,sustenance,love;theseareimprintedontheiryoungmindsandhelpthemAindtheirwayback.Theycometoknowthatparticularnest,inthatparticularlocationastheirheart’shome.Weknowthatnomatterwhatkindofmischiefouryoungonesgetinto(oncetheyknowhowtoAly),theywillreturnbacktoustosharetheirexperiencesandthelessonstheylearned.Evenasadults,theywillreturntomaketheirownnestsandraisetheirownfamilies.
Justlikeyouhumans,weColumbidaecanholdtwoplacesinourmindsatonce:theplacewehavetraveledto,andthehomewewillreturnto.Onreligiouspilgrimages,everyholyplaceisviewedthroughthespiritualheritageofthehomethatwasleftbehind.Uponreturn,homeisseenthroughtheeyesofonechangedbytheholyplace.AswewatchoverSt.John’sfromourperchaboveChrysostomChapel,wewillgettoseewhatthisyear’spilgrimsbringbackfromthejourney;howtheirspiritualhomeherewillbeenrichedbytheirexperiences.
View from Above: Pilgrim’s Way Homeby EmilyCulvercote
TheGreaterRanchoSantaMargaritaInterfaithCouncilwillbesponsoringthesecondoffourFaith&IssuesForumsonMarch2at7p.m.atSanFranciscoSolanoChurch.ThetopicforthisQ&ApresentationwillbeBetterUnderstandingofFaiths,TraditionsandPractices.PanelistswillincludeRabbiStephenEinstein,SisterMaryanneHuepper,HussamAyloush,JuliaKlein,andRayZimmerman.Admissionisfree;free-willofferingsand/orcannedgoodsfortheRSMFoodBankaregreatlyappreciated.TouralocalmosqueforBeingMusliminOrangeCountyattheOrangeCountyIslamicFoundationinMissionViejo,onFebruary19from3:45p.m.-7p.m.Wewillenjoybeautifulviewsofthearchitectureofthemosqueandengageinkeydiscussions.Discussionswill
include"BasicsofIslam"andaninteractivepanel.Acatered,HalalMiddleEasterndinnerwillbeserved.ContactDotLeachat949.709.0976ordclseven92679@yahoo.comformoreinfo.
ImagecourtesyofInterfaithresources.com
Interfaith Opportunities!
P A G E 7 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
St.JohnChrysostomEpiscopalChurch~30382ViaConDios,RanchoSantaMargarita,CA92688~949.888.4595~www.stjohnsrsm.org
THE VAYA - THE NEWSLETTER OF ST . JOHNCHRYSOSTOMEP ISCOPAL CHURCH
2017PilgrimageGroup
PhotoCredits,clockwisefromtopleft:LindaAllport,JohnTaylor,JohnTaylor,LindaAllport,afriendlypasserby,LindaAllport
St. John’s Snapshots
Fr.JohntellsthenativitystorytoSt.John’schildren PilgrimsatdinnerinNazareth.
NeighborhoodchildrenarewelcomedatSt.John’sTrunkorTreatevent. St.John’sconventiondelegationenjoysdinner.
LeslieandKathyshareabouttheLEMministryattheministryfaire.
P A G E 8 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7
St.JohnChrysostomEpiscopalChurch~30382ViaConDios,RanchoSantaMargarita,CA92688~949.888.4595~www.stjohnsrsm.org
TH E VAYAThe Newsletter of St. John Chrysostom Episcopal Church30382 Via Con DiosRancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-1518
The Rev. Canon John H. Taylor, Vicar[714] 319-4421 (cell); [714] 970-7206 (home)[email protected]
Dr. Michael Pratt, Head of School[949] 858-5144 x222 ~ [email protected]
Patti Peebles, Youth Pastor and School Chaplain[949] 888-4536 or [949] [email protected] Bob Miller, Organist and Choirmaster[909] 633-0181 ~ [email protected] Sheryll Grogan, Sunday School Director[949] 858-5144 x344 or [949] [email protected] Lorraine Kamholz, Assistant Sunday School Director[949] 766-1504 [email protected] Cynthia A. Drennan, Administrator[949] 888-4534 ~ [email protected]
Sandy Flick, Administrative Assistant[949] 888-4595, x206 ~ [email protected]
Clergy and Staff of St. John’s Church
The Rev. Canon John H. Taylor, Vicar
Tim England, Bishop’s Warden Joanne Bradshaw, Treasurer ! Paul Hinson, Clerk
Elizabeth Adams ! Phil BowmanGene Giordano ! DJ Gomer
David Nichols ! Paula Neal RezaEleanor Salvanera ! Erin Schwarz
Loreen Guilford, Chair, Parish Council
Linda Allport, Vaya Editor
Bishop’s Committee of St. John’s Church
[949] 888-4595 ~ [949] 858-1498 facsimile
www.stjohnsrsm.org ~ Youth website: stjohnsyouthgroup.org
copyright, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 2016
THE VAYA - THE NEWSLETTER OF ST . JOHNCHRYSOSTOMEP ISCOPAL CHURCH
w w w . s t j o h n s r s m . o r g ~ w w w . s t j o h n s y o u t h g r o u p . o r g ~ w w w . s t j o h n s - e s . o r gL i k e u s o n F a c e b o o k // F o l l o w u s o n T w i t t e r @ s t j o h n s _ r s m // F i n d u s o n I n s t a g r a m @ s t j o h n s _ r s m
