The Episcopal Church of Bangor in Caernarvon

Transcription

1 June 24, 2018 The Episcopal Church of Bangor in Caernarvon Founded in Main Street Churchtown, Narvon, Pennsylvania The Rt. Reverend Audrey Scanlan, Bishop The Reverend Canon Mark A. Scheneman Priest in Charge Historic Bangor Episcopal Church, the mother church of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, seeks to be a community in Christ Jesus celebrating our heritage, vibrant in our worship, and engaged in ministry and mission as we approach the 300 th anniversary of our founding.

2 This Sunday at Bangor Church June 24, 2018 The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost 10:00 AM HOLY EUCHARIST (Church) 11:30 AM Parish Picnic (Garden Spot Village pavilion) This last Sunday of June is our Annual Parish Picnic Sunday. Please join us at the Garden Spot Village pavilion for the picnic following the service. The pavilion has lots of convenient parking. Honey-baked ham and rolls will be provided. Everyone is invited to bring something to share - like baked beans, salads, fresh fruit and desserts. But if you haven t prepared something to bring - not a problem, just join us! In this morning s appointed reading in the Gospel According to Mark, Jesus and the disciples sail across the Sea of Galilee at night when suddenly, a storm threatens to overtake them. Jesus calms the storm asking them, Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? From Fr. Mark: A Disease which Knows no Boundaries Last week many Americans we were startled by the announcement that two celebrities had taken their own lives. I was immediately taken back four years to the summer of 2014 and the day that actor/comedian Robin Williams had been found dead in his home in California - also a suicide. What a shock. Robin Williams had earned a well-deserved place in the pantheon of Hollywood celebrity. His comic work, especially his gift for improvisation, was universally admired. His roles in more serious films had also

3 won acclaim. And for a generation of children, his voice alone will always be recognized behind the characters for a handful of Disney classics. Whether Mrs. Doubtfire, or Goodwill Hunting. or Aladdin, Robin Williams endeared himself to a legion of fans. Mr. Williams spread joy off-screen through his charity work. He worked with Comic Relief, the Christopher Reeves Foundation, St. Jude Hospital to name a few. He was a passionate supporter of our military troops and performed many times in the Middle East to scores of active duty soldiers and sailors, much like the Bob Hope shows of old. He was also a life-long Episcopalian who in his adult years supported the church, even with his gift of humor. He was also an avid bicycle rider, a sport that I also enjoy. How could it be that such a gifted person, such an acclaimed artist, could fall victim to his own depression and take his own life? What I do know as a pastor is that depression is a deadly, sinister, insidious disease. It claims victims from all walks of life, from people of faith and people without faith. Depression can overwhelm even the strongest, the healthiest. Robin Williams suffered from depression, fueled by chemical addiction to drugs and alcohol. How ironic that so many self-medicate themselves in an effort to get high or to escape from the demons which haunt them. How ironic that we resort to these drugs which only further compounds our psychological neurosis. When a celebrity takes his or her own life, we wonder how it is that a person who has achieved so much success and acclaim could be so profoundly unhappy. How is it that a person who has so much and so much to live for can take his own life? Sad to say, all pastors deal with these dynamics. Yes, we would like to think and we do believe that our faith and incorporation in the community of faith would ward off the depression demons. But lest we forget, we are dealing with illnesses. Depression, drug addiction, and alcohol dependency are illnesses. We need not cast moral judgments on the victims of these serious diseases. Nor should we look the other way and avoid engagement in the struggle. With the number of Hollywood celebrities who have fallen victim to depression, drugs and suicide, it would be tempting to pronounce an indictment on the entertainment culture.

4 I would prefer to offer some constructive, positive thoughts. First, all of us need to attend to our physical AND emotional health. As basic as that sounds, it is where we must start. Our health can be adversely compromised by factors beyond our control. But we can also develop healthy lifestyles. For example, I was recently taken by Pope Francis s Ten Steps to Happiness statement. Among the Pope s suggestions: Live and Let Live, Proceed calmly in life, Be giving to others, Stop being negative. Respect others beliefs. Good guidelines for happiness and health. Second, we need to find our voice and recognize that these illnesses claim far more victims than wars, crime, car accidents, cancer, or heart attacks. The real cost in terms of broken relationships and the secondary consequences of depression and addiction are almost impossible to calculate. Mental health concerns must have priority in our quest for adequate health care. And third, we are again reminded that happiness is not necessarily related to wealth and success. The biblical injunction for a good life - to do justice, show mercy and walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8) stands the test of time and culture. Those who do walk humbly with their God will still go through the valley of the shadow of death. But hopefully, they will also come to know that the Good Shepherd leads them beside still waters and restores their souls; hopefully they will know that they will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Every time I hear the iconic voice of Robin Williams or watch one of his classic films, I feel some real sadness and loss. I also hope that somehow, in the fog of his own depression, Robin Williams knew that he was a child of God, deeply loved. And One More Matter of Importance. Please open this Pastoral Letter from Bishop Audrey regarding the current immigration crisis. Let me simply affirm her thoughts on the issue. Indeed, there must be a better way! Mark+

5 Coming Events Parish Picnic June 24 Candlelight Celtic Eucharist, Hope Church June 29 Holy Baptism July 1 St. Deniol Day, Dinner and Evensong Tuesday, September 11 Museum of the Bible trip September 19 VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS - from the June meeting The treasurer, Alan Benton reported that weekly giving continues to be well above last year at this time. Many thanks to all for your faithful and generous stewardship. The Jr. Warden, John Sizer, reported that the walkways were repaired, as well as the repairs and cleaning of the church gutters. A new Visitors Welcome Box has been made and will soon be mounted near the walkway next to the Church House. It will contain our brochures. Property Chair Dan Lake reported that the painting of the door frames of the church was also completed. It was decided to purchase a copy of a large print Hymnal and Prayer Book that will be available on Sundays for anyone who would like to use them. Bob Brown suggested two possible locations for displaying the new Bangor Church banner. It was agreed that the best location might be on the east wall of the nave, mounted so as to not reduce the space in the aisle. He anticipates that the banner will be completed in the coming months. Fr. Mark announced that St. Deniol Day, falling this year on Tuesday, September 11, would be celebrated with potluck dinner, followed by Evensong. He plans to offer Evensong twice each year, once in the fall and again in the spring. He also shared that he has been in touch with former rector s Stan Imboden and Peter Greenfield and has invited them both to come back to Bangor Church some Sunday in the coming months to honor their

6 ministries. He will also invite Bill Murphey for another Sunday. When the dates are finalized, they will be shared with all. ANNOUNCEMENTS +The bus trip to Washington DC to visit the new Museum of the Bible has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 19. The cost will be $52. Please sign the list in the Church House if you plan to go. We need to fill the 26 passenger chartered bus. +Fr. Mark will preside at a special Candlelight Celtic Eucharist in Hope Episcopal Church, Mt. Hope on Friday evening, June 29 at 6:30. This meditative service features music inspired by the Celtic tradition with prayers and liturgy from the Church of Ireland (Anglican). The Celtic Eucharist concludes a program series at Hope Church that Fr. Mark has been leading. Everyone is invited to share in this service and to enjoy a wine and cheese reception in the Church House following the liturgy. Hope Church is located at 2425 Mountain Rd., Manheim. +Cynthia Mascioli is preparing an updated Parish Directory. If you have any additions or corrections, please her. +Our prayers have been asked for Kathy Weaver, Dylys Glew, Jim Chubb, Eleanor Hertzog, Shirley Smith, Lynn Schneider Schauer, Carol Greenfield, Irene Gundlah, Lois Benedix, Bob Dailey, Ann Dailey, Claire Fleming, Alissa Groff, and Jim Angelo.