Dear People of Christ Church,
This week, I want to commend to you prayers for our bishop, Tom Shaw, who announced his retirement this week. I met Tom for the first time as a Micah Intern in 2000-since then he's married me and Noah, ordained us, baptized both our children, and installed me as rector here-he always jokes that we have to bury him, but hopefully that won't be for a long while. While in seminary, I remember writing long (somewhat tortured) letters home about how difficult I was finding the whole process. I wrote the letters because I was required to-but I often remember the response he gave me-he said, "it sounds to me like you're looking for the freedom of Jesus Christ."
It was good advice then, and now--I come back to it when things get scary. One of the things I said once to some colleagues about our capital campaign was that it felt like an invitation into that freedom. After all, if we can talk about something like money, maybe we can talk about anything. Just maybe. Again and again, on hard topics like Palestine, GLBT inclusion, and many other issues, Tom has had the courage of his convictions to talk about so much, and lead us forward. And, yes, as Byron Rushing pointed out in the Boston Globe article-a great fundraiser, too. I'll miss him. Rather than be long winded about it, I'll commend to you the letter he wrote to our diocese here and suggest you check out the Globe article as well.
We aren't on the schedule for a formal visitation from him in the next 15 months , so we'll have to come up with a really good party to get him to Waltham. On a practical level otherwise, the Standing Committee will be working with him in inviting nominations for a "co-adjutor" (the new bishop, who will work with Tom for a period before his retirement), who will be elected in April of 2014. Marathon of prayers for our diocese and all those who shepherd us through this process!
Blessings,
Sara+
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
For 1 10 13: The Things God Has Given Us To Do
Dear People of Christ Church,
Writing from the end of my first “real” week back in the office, it’s nice to get back to the routine. There is, I’m realizing, though, nothing “routine” about trying to sit down one on one with all of you. This week I was able to meet with nine of you (including a few pairs), and each meeting has been as different as each of you. The first question that comes to mind as we sit down has been “So….what am I/are we doing here?” My short answer to that is “We’re doing what we’re doing.” One-on-one conversations are a staple of community organizing, in learning what people are passionate about and finding ways to tap into people’s individual love and creativity for work in the community. Having been here a while, I have some inkling about what each of you loves, but I’m grateful for the time to sit together and reacquaint and renew, particularly as we look forward to a new chapter of ministry together. For some of you that will be hearing more about what grandchildren are doing, for some it will be “I love this ministry but it’s time for me to pass it on,” for still others, “What if Christ Church tried xyz?” I’m also very excited to be sitting down for the very first time with those who have come to the parish since I was away. I said it before and will say it again—Amen and Alleluia to the great work that Rev. Norm Faramelli did last fall.
I also look forward to sharing more with you about what I did last fall. I met yesterday with Bishop Tom and our fellow-travelers on the Tanzania/Uganda trip, and we talked about how to tell the story of what we did and what we hope to do moving forward. I’ll offer a presentation at some point after coffee hour, and look forward to finding out what catches your imagination as for what our parish might be interested in doing…and there’s another trip possibly in the works for January 2014. The blog I kept while I was there tells some of the story, but the next chapter comes when each of the nine travelers moves forward in continuing the relationships we started.
Speaking of my blog—I plan to experiment a little with some more blogging of my own material, some church related some not, as well as maybe posting a sermon now and then. All of these messages will continue to be archived at www.ecrier.blogspot.com -- but expect some other things to appear at www.saraiwrites.blogspot.com as well. One of my goals for our parish for 2013 is to invigorate our online presence, so please let me know if you’d be interesting in helping with that. Across our website as well as facebook and twitter, we need to be more present where God’s people are present, and you/they are online. One of the ideas that came out of my meeting with the Moores was to begin crafting a social media policy for Sunday morning; yes, do check in on facebook or foursquare and feel free to comment on the sermon, but maybe turn off your alerts so you don’t have to respond to every comment immediately. As with everything, a balance. I confess to heckling one of you when I was in Uganda and saw someone facebook a line from Norm’s sermon—I’ll cut everyone some more slack going forward!
Finally, if I learned anything during my sabbatical, is how much I am in love with parish ministry. I’ve said it before and I say it again—I am so glad to be home.
blessings,
Sara+
Writing from the end of my first “real” week back in the office, it’s nice to get back to the routine. There is, I’m realizing, though, nothing “routine” about trying to sit down one on one with all of you. This week I was able to meet with nine of you (including a few pairs), and each meeting has been as different as each of you. The first question that comes to mind as we sit down has been “So….what am I/are we doing here?” My short answer to that is “We’re doing what we’re doing.” One-on-one conversations are a staple of community organizing, in learning what people are passionate about and finding ways to tap into people’s individual love and creativity for work in the community. Having been here a while, I have some inkling about what each of you loves, but I’m grateful for the time to sit together and reacquaint and renew, particularly as we look forward to a new chapter of ministry together. For some of you that will be hearing more about what grandchildren are doing, for some it will be “I love this ministry but it’s time for me to pass it on,” for still others, “What if Christ Church tried xyz?” I’m also very excited to be sitting down for the very first time with those who have come to the parish since I was away. I said it before and will say it again—Amen and Alleluia to the great work that Rev. Norm Faramelli did last fall.
I also look forward to sharing more with you about what I did last fall. I met yesterday with Bishop Tom and our fellow-travelers on the Tanzania/Uganda trip, and we talked about how to tell the story of what we did and what we hope to do moving forward. I’ll offer a presentation at some point after coffee hour, and look forward to finding out what catches your imagination as for what our parish might be interested in doing…and there’s another trip possibly in the works for January 2014. The blog I kept while I was there tells some of the story, but the next chapter comes when each of the nine travelers moves forward in continuing the relationships we started.
Speaking of my blog—I plan to experiment a little with some more blogging of my own material, some church related some not, as well as maybe posting a sermon now and then. All of these messages will continue to be archived at www.ecrier.blogspot.com -- but expect some other things to appear at www.saraiwrites.blogspot.com as well. One of my goals for our parish for 2013 is to invigorate our online presence, so please let me know if you’d be interesting in helping with that. Across our website as well as facebook and twitter, we need to be more present where God’s people are present, and you/they are online. One of the ideas that came out of my meeting with the Moores was to begin crafting a social media policy for Sunday morning; yes, do check in on facebook or foursquare and feel free to comment on the sermon, but maybe turn off your alerts so you don’t have to respond to every comment immediately. As with everything, a balance. I confess to heckling one of you when I was in Uganda and saw someone facebook a line from Norm’s sermon—I’ll cut everyone some more slack going forward!
Finally, if I learned anything during my sabbatical, is how much I am in love with parish ministry. I’ve said it before and I say it again—I am so glad to be home.
blessings,
Sara+
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
From 1 3 13: Epiphany Blessings
Epiphany Blessings!
The feast of the Epiphany, January 6, celebrates the wise men, or "Magi," (from which we get our word, "magic") who traveled from the East to celebrate Jesus. This Sunday at Christ Church we have some of our older kids offering an Epiphany play they put together to put us in the spirit. Sally emailed me to ask whether Altar Guild could leave up the crèche and the answer was a very happy yes. Christmas season ends this Sunday, but we can still enjoy those sights as part of it.
They came from "the East," shorthand for "Really Far Away." The birth of Jesus Christ is good news for every person, from every place. It's not the location that's important; it's the way "The East" represents the whole world. Jesus wasn't born just for those in Jerusalem, or just for the people who follow the law, or even just for the people of Israel and the Gentiles in the region. Jesus was born for ALL of us-just another way our faith teaches us to be more open, more expansive in our own quest for truth.
Epiphany continues the "Incarnation cycle" of Advent and Christmas-the time of year we observe with special attention God's birth with us. It's a time of paradox and grace. How to fully apprehend that intimacy, that grace? Where are the "other" places we're now invited to seek the truth? Where are we called to go, embodying the Magi ourselves? Or whom are we called to welcome to offer us good news and great joy?
Listen with me to Peter Chrysologus, who was Bishop of Ravenna in the 5th Century.
In choosing to be born for us, God chose to be known by us. . . Today the Magi find, crying in a manger, the one they have followed as he shone in the sky. Today the Magi see clearly, in swaddling clothes, the one they have long awaited as he lay hidden among the stars. Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, humankind in God, God in human flesh, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body.
Heaven on earth and earth in heaven, God hidden among the stars come near to us. They were not far away from Bethlehem, and will not stay far from us. God comes home to us; literally as well as symbolically. An old custom in the church has been to bless homes. Marking the doorpost with chalk, you write the year, the sign of the cross, and the Chi Ro, an early Greek symbol for Jesus, on the door frame (people of faith have an even longer history of writing on their doors--something for another day).
I'll share a short liturgy you can do at home on our website (the communications page)--maybe we can even bless some chalk together on Sunday!
Blessings,
Sara+
The feast of the Epiphany, January 6, celebrates the wise men, or "Magi," (from which we get our word, "magic") who traveled from the East to celebrate Jesus. This Sunday at Christ Church we have some of our older kids offering an Epiphany play they put together to put us in the spirit. Sally emailed me to ask whether Altar Guild could leave up the crèche and the answer was a very happy yes. Christmas season ends this Sunday, but we can still enjoy those sights as part of it.
They came from "the East," shorthand for "Really Far Away." The birth of Jesus Christ is good news for every person, from every place. It's not the location that's important; it's the way "The East" represents the whole world. Jesus wasn't born just for those in Jerusalem, or just for the people who follow the law, or even just for the people of Israel and the Gentiles in the region. Jesus was born for ALL of us-just another way our faith teaches us to be more open, more expansive in our own quest for truth.
Epiphany continues the "Incarnation cycle" of Advent and Christmas-the time of year we observe with special attention God's birth with us. It's a time of paradox and grace. How to fully apprehend that intimacy, that grace? Where are the "other" places we're now invited to seek the truth? Where are we called to go, embodying the Magi ourselves? Or whom are we called to welcome to offer us good news and great joy?
Listen with me to Peter Chrysologus, who was Bishop of Ravenna in the 5th Century.
In choosing to be born for us, God chose to be known by us. . . Today the Magi find, crying in a manger, the one they have followed as he shone in the sky. Today the Magi see clearly, in swaddling clothes, the one they have long awaited as he lay hidden among the stars. Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, humankind in God, God in human flesh, one whom the whole universe cannot contain now enclosed in a tiny body.
Heaven on earth and earth in heaven, God hidden among the stars come near to us. They were not far away from Bethlehem, and will not stay far from us. God comes home to us; literally as well as symbolically. An old custom in the church has been to bless homes. Marking the doorpost with chalk, you write the year, the sign of the cross, and the Chi Ro, an early Greek symbol for Jesus, on the door frame (people of faith have an even longer history of writing on their doors--something for another day).
I'll share a short liturgy you can do at home on our website (the communications page)--maybe we can even bless some chalk together on Sunday!
Blessings,
Sara+
From 12 27: The Work of Christmas
A version of last weeks email ran as an editorial in the Waltham News Tribune on December 21; read it here.
Rev. Sara is with her family until Jan. 2; she leaves the following passage from theologian Howard Thurman.
The Work of Christmas
by Howard Thurman
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and Princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins.
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner,
To teach the nations,
To bring Christ to all,
To make music in the heart.
Rev. Sara is with her family until Jan. 2; she leaves the following passage from theologian Howard Thurman.
The Work of Christmas
by Howard Thurman
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and Princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins.
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry
To release the prisoner,
To teach the nations,
To bring Christ to all,
To make music in the heart.
From 12 20: The Christmas Moment
Dear People of Christ Church,
It's so nice to be back writing to you, particularly knowing how well things have gone in my absence! I am so thankful to Rev. Norm Faramelli for holding down the fort, and to Sharon in the office for managing everything so smoothly behind the scenes. And there are not enough thanks and blessings for Jonathan, your senior warden, Victoria, and all the vestry! At the root of it all is my gratitude to God for all the ways God has made this such a strong church and to each of you who make it what it is. Since it's the end of the year, I also offer thanks to those who have made financial pledges for 2013-get those cards in!
So what have I been up to?
My initial goals were writing poetry and singing, and for September, November, and December, I was immersed in those projects. I met with teachers affiliated with Bethany House of Prayer (for poetry) and Episcopal Divinity School (for singing), and have collected a few things I've written which hopefully soon will reach the light of day and into a readable form. I attended church on Sundays with my family at Grace Church, Medford, where Noah is the rector, and sang in the choir there, which was so much fun. So. Much. Fun. I was happy to see many of you when I came to church on December 2 before taking off for Africa. My trip to Tanzania and Uganda was amazing-beautiful, heartbreaking, fascinating-the adjectives continue. I wrote and posted pictures whenever I had internet access at my personal blog- www.saraiwrites.blogspot.com -and you're welcome to take a look.
Finally, Christmas. Throughout my time in Africa, my thoughts returned often to all the hustle and bustle that must have been taking place at home, none of which was evident where I was. I did, however, see Christmas everywhere. Why Christmas? Because Christmas is the time when we look to God, most ultimate power of the universe, born in powerlessness.
In this Christmas moment, God has chosen the weakest possible place to show us who God is. At Christmas we learn that God will always go to the place of the least power. God will go to the kids we met in Tanzania who have no access to health care within 100 miles. God will go to the Ugandan teenager whose parents have died of AIDS and whose grandmother is dying too and can't take care of her. To the twelve year old who doesn't have enough food and gets dizzy from his HIV medicine. To the fifteen year old who has become the head of her household and goes out to sell charcoal before school.
To Newtown, and to all victims of gun violence. To the new immigrant struggling to learn English and the elder who stretches to make ends meet by the end of the month. To the gay teenager coming out to his parents, unsure of how they will react. All of those places of weakness and struggle are where God will be born. All of those people will not be abandoned. God will be born, too, in places of justice-making. Where Ann Nyangoma, the director of the education program we visited offers comprehensive family support and school tuition to sponsored students. Where Bishop Maimbo of the Anglican Diocese of Tanzania helps his parishes start microcredit programs and build capacity for local hospitals. Where the Community Day Center of Waltham offers a refuge from the street. All of these are images of Christmas, where a different vision of power comes to be. Not the power of wealth or influence, but the power of vulnerability and love.
There is nothing wrong with presents at Christmas. But that version of giving isn't the whole story. Christmas isn't just about giving. It's about being changed, top to bottom, and bringing that change into the streets. Celebrating the birth of God born in a truly marginal place-among people who are oppressed, who society turns away from-how will we be moved? How will we turn away from imaginary conflicts over public displays of religion and look at where God can actually be found?
How will we hear what God asks of us, and how will we respond?
Blessings,
Sara+
p.s. Visit www.maserekafoundation.org for more on the group we spent time with in Uganda; my
blog is at www.saraiwrites.blogspot.com
It's so nice to be back writing to you, particularly knowing how well things have gone in my absence! I am so thankful to Rev. Norm Faramelli for holding down the fort, and to Sharon in the office for managing everything so smoothly behind the scenes. And there are not enough thanks and blessings for Jonathan, your senior warden, Victoria, and all the vestry! At the root of it all is my gratitude to God for all the ways God has made this such a strong church and to each of you who make it what it is. Since it's the end of the year, I also offer thanks to those who have made financial pledges for 2013-get those cards in!
So what have I been up to?
My initial goals were writing poetry and singing, and for September, November, and December, I was immersed in those projects. I met with teachers affiliated with Bethany House of Prayer (for poetry) and Episcopal Divinity School (for singing), and have collected a few things I've written which hopefully soon will reach the light of day and into a readable form. I attended church on Sundays with my family at Grace Church, Medford, where Noah is the rector, and sang in the choir there, which was so much fun. So. Much. Fun. I was happy to see many of you when I came to church on December 2 before taking off for Africa. My trip to Tanzania and Uganda was amazing-beautiful, heartbreaking, fascinating-the adjectives continue. I wrote and posted pictures whenever I had internet access at my personal blog- www.saraiwrites.blogspot.com -and you're welcome to take a look.
Finally, Christmas. Throughout my time in Africa, my thoughts returned often to all the hustle and bustle that must have been taking place at home, none of which was evident where I was. I did, however, see Christmas everywhere. Why Christmas? Because Christmas is the time when we look to God, most ultimate power of the universe, born in powerlessness.
In this Christmas moment, God has chosen the weakest possible place to show us who God is. At Christmas we learn that God will always go to the place of the least power. God will go to the kids we met in Tanzania who have no access to health care within 100 miles. God will go to the Ugandan teenager whose parents have died of AIDS and whose grandmother is dying too and can't take care of her. To the twelve year old who doesn't have enough food and gets dizzy from his HIV medicine. To the fifteen year old who has become the head of her household and goes out to sell charcoal before school.
To Newtown, and to all victims of gun violence. To the new immigrant struggling to learn English and the elder who stretches to make ends meet by the end of the month. To the gay teenager coming out to his parents, unsure of how they will react. All of those places of weakness and struggle are where God will be born. All of those people will not be abandoned. God will be born, too, in places of justice-making. Where Ann Nyangoma, the director of the education program we visited offers comprehensive family support and school tuition to sponsored students. Where Bishop Maimbo of the Anglican Diocese of Tanzania helps his parishes start microcredit programs and build capacity for local hospitals. Where the Community Day Center of Waltham offers a refuge from the street. All of these are images of Christmas, where a different vision of power comes to be. Not the power of wealth or influence, but the power of vulnerability and love.
There is nothing wrong with presents at Christmas. But that version of giving isn't the whole story. Christmas isn't just about giving. It's about being changed, top to bottom, and bringing that change into the streets. Celebrating the birth of God born in a truly marginal place-among people who are oppressed, who society turns away from-how will we be moved? How will we turn away from imaginary conflicts over public displays of religion and look at where God can actually be found?
How will we hear what God asks of us, and how will we respond?
Blessings,
Sara+
p.s. Visit www.maserekafoundation.org for more on the group we spent time with in Uganda; my
blog is at www.saraiwrites.blogspot.com
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