LIFECYCLES REFLECTIONS ON BAPTIZED IN CHRIST WHAT DO WE WEAR? Kevin G. Thew Forrester

Transcription

1 Published regularly by the parishioners of St. Paul s Episcopal Church 201 E. Ridge Street * Marquette * Michigan * (906) LIFECYCLES REFLECTIONS ON BAPTIZED IN CHRIST WHAT DO WE WEAR? Kevin G. Thew Forrester The unknown author of Colossians (who was an admirer of Paul) beautifully describes our baptismal life in Christ in terms of virtuous clothing: As God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Colossians NRSV What would it look like for a Colossian (or us) to wear the baptismal garment of this heavenly compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience? Where does the author turn for examples? We encounter a great surprise here because in the final verses of chapter 3 the author offers a set of rules for Christian household that do not originate in any of Paul s writings or the gospels. Instead, the author turns to the social customs Greco-Roman. As a result, some of the most controversial passages of the Christian scriptures are found in Colossians, which draw from the oppressive Greco-Roman world for standards to govern the behavior of those already risen in Christ. Even more, the author goes so far as to claim for these standards a heavenly status as being in the Lord. The author admonishes the baptized: Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting the Lord. (3:18) Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord. (3:20) Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. (3:22) Paul s vision of baptism as a burial of the divisions which falsely separate God s children from one another is unfortunately turned on its head by the author of Colossians. The very baptismal hymn of Galatians, which celebrates the removal of all divisions in Christ, is thus altered in ways that over the following 19 centuries allow it to be readily used at different times to sanction subordination of women, corporal punishment of children, and grotesque slavery. Whereas Paul, in Galatians and Romans and Corinthians, speaks of God s real compassion and desire to transform the actual suffering of human beings, this is no longer the case in Colossians. The author spiritualizes the baptismal covenant. The renewal pertains not to things earthly but only to things of the spirit or heavenly. Whereas Galatians is a clarion call to transform things earthly so that they embody God s heavenly will, Colossians demands submission to earthly injustice, for what matters is the heavenly reward. The author of Colossians would seem right to be enthusiastic about the presence of Christ here and now. We can hear in the letter distant echoes of Luke s proclamation that the reign of God is at hand. God is always already with us, and the resurrection as does baptism confirms this reality. But what about the author s perception of how we are to perceive Christ as being present with us here and now such as in the call for slaves to obey their masters and wives to be subject to their husbands? (Continued on page 2 >)

2 To use more contemporary language, the author of Colossians does not seem to distinguish between systems built by the ego and systems infused and transformed by Christ. The author is right to look at Greco-Roman culture, just as today we are right to look at our many cultures, for clues as how to care for one another and creation. All things that exist live, move, and have their very being in God. God is the creator of all, earth as well as heaven. Jews and Christians have always borrowed codes of conduct from their cultures. But and this is a very important caveat we have borrowed appropriately only when we do so in the light of the God of the Exodus and baptism. In other words, we borrow and then transform whatever it is we borrow in the name of the God who is with us to set us free from all forms of degradation, servitude, and slavery. Marriage and parenthood are a part of Greco-Roman, as well as Jewish, culture. The author of Colossians is perfectly right to affirm these forms of human relationship. But the God of Jesus of Nazareth, and the risen Christ of Paul, seeks to transform these and all relationships so that no longer are there masters and servants but now only friends in Christ. The author of Colossians is not only adaptive of Paul s teaching but also extends it in quite new ways. The scriptures are full of such dynamic and creative application which is why we have four gospels in the canon and not just one. Created in the image and likeness of a creative God, it is also our responsibility to seek new ways to express God s passionate desire to restore all creation to relationships of characterized by love and liberty relationships where people are free to express their love creatively. These kinds of relationships restore people to wholeness. This kind of wholeness is indeed a garment which resurrects the human spirit and renews us to live again despite all suffering. As theologians, we need to ask whether the author of Colossians is able to perceive this restoring of wholeness as the will of God. Might there be a blindness (for what reason?) to the truth that there is no room within this wholeness for subordination of wives, ownership of children, and the domination of slaves? If it is the case for the author of Colossians that to live in the Lord is to accept an ethically softened or humanized notion of domination and rule, how are we to deal with this text in light of Paul s theological imperative that all such domination and rule is clearly submersed and drowned in the waters of baptism? Vestry Hears Food Policy Ideas by Dennis West The Diocesan Peace and Justice Committee has identified four areas for policy exploration, one of which is local food policy. A Committee consisting of Brenda Ray, Bryan Spencer, Rise Thew Forrester and Dennis West held its first meeting on April 13 and made a report to the Vestry on April 15. Here is some background: There is more evidence that local and fresh food bring nutritional and health benefits that can help offset significant problems that we face in this nation, such as obesity and diabetes. However, living in the U.P., securing more local and fresh foods is complicated by our distance from growing areas downstate and our short growing season. And so The Committee wants to support an exploration of what the benefits are that communities derive from having more access to local and fresh foods. Is there research and what is it telling us? Second, helping to increase the supply of local fresh foods most likely means aiding local growers to be profitable. So while we compile our research, what can be done in support of local, fresh production? The Committee proposed three things to the Vestry that our congregation at St. Paul s can try. Dedicate one Coffee Hour per month, through the summer months, to sharing food and recipes made from fresh and local products Feature through bulletin inserts foods that are likely to be in season at the next upcoming Farmer s Market and ideas on how to prepare them Consider a St. Paul s food and flowers garden on the grounds of the Church. The next meeting of the Committee will be Tuesday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul s. Please let me or any Committee member know if you would be interested in joining us.

3 Treasurer s Report Profit & Loss Profit & Loss (over)/ January March 2010 Under under 2010 Actual Budget Budget Total Income 36,476 38,913 (2,437) Total Expense 43,327 51,788 8, Net Ordinary Loss (6,851) (12,875) 6,024 Withdrawals from Trusts 12,500 6,253 (6,247) Deposits to trusts: Shiras Trust from Capital Gifts Savings (26,927) St. Paul s Trust from Group I (1,635) Net Loss (22,913) (6,622) Dances of Universal Peace by Kevin Thew Forrester The Healing Arts Center (Morgan Chapel) and the Marquette Interfaith Forum are pleased to be bringing Sister Johanna Seubert to Marquette. Sister Johanna has a Masters and Doctoral Degree in Music Education from the Catholic University in Washington, DC and did additional studies in scripture, religious formation and spiritual direction from Aquinas Institute in Dubuque, Iowa. Simple music, lyrics and movements to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. Movements and songs draw from over 400 dances include themes of peace (both inner and outer), healing (the Earth, individuals, and the global family), and the celebration of life s great mystery. No musical or dance experience of any kind is required and everyone is welcomed to join in. Saturday, June 26 from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Bring your own lunch. Deadline to register is June 18. For more information, call the church office at Youth Camp is coming! June Grades 5-12 The diocesan youth camp will be held one last time at Page Center, Little Lake, so don't miss out! Registration brochures are at all our regional churches, and also available from the diocesan website at Churches and individuals are also encouraged to help provide camperships for those families that will find the cost difficult. For information, contact Jamie Randall at or jamierandall@ upepiscopal.org Music + Dance + Pie = Fun by Iris Erickson St. Paul s will host the parishes of the North Central Region for an evening of music and pie! Listen to the music of Michael Waite, Frank Richardson and Marquette s newest, up-and-coming DJ Dan Carpenter. Dance if you wish and eat delicious pie and enjoy visiting with our wonderful Episcopal family. Mark your calendar for Friday, May 7 from 7:00 p.m. 9:30 p.m. in the Morgan Chapel. This is a family event; children are welcome and wanted. Invite a friend for a great evening of fun and fellowship. For information, contact Iris at or Kathy at Developing a Positive Understanding of the Self by Kevin Thew Forrester The Healing Arts Center of St. Paul s (Morgan Chapel) will host Sensei Tony Stultz, Founder and Director of the Blue Lotus Society. The former director of the Cambridge Zen Group and former leader of the Harvard Buddhist Fellowship, is the author of several books and also runs the Center for Mindfulness Counseling, integrating Eastern and Western counseling techniques. Explore a spirituality in which the Ego evolves and where delusion is the cause of suffering. Move away from the perfectionism conditioning which creates so much neurosis, guilt and shame. Experience meditation and mindfulness practices, and look anew at the sacred texts of the Heart Sutra and the book of Genesis. The event will take place in the Healing Arts Center on Saturday, May 8 from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Registration is $10.00, bring your own lunch. Deadline for registration is April 30. For more information call the office at

4 From Bob Railey s Pen: Summer Quarter Schedule The usual display of quarterly schedule (July through September) and activity rosters will be posted from May 9 through June 6 on the sign-up bulletin board in the chapel hallway. With the large numbers of people away during summer vacations, it is especially important that folks provide me with information regarding when not to assign them; you may use the comments column of the activity rosters to provide that information. You may increase your involvement by signing up for specific dates or by adding your name to the appropriate activity roster(s). I am in need of more people to be server on Sundays. Completed schedules will be distributed beginning June 13. Seasonal Planning The seasonal planning display for the liturgical year will be posted May 9 on the sign-up bulletin board in the chapel hallway. It contains information about the seasonal planning process at St. Paul s and the various dates for each of the five seasonal blocks: Advent-Christmas, after- Epiphany, Lent/Holy Week, Easter and after-pentecost. The first sign-up close date will be June 13 for the Advent-Christmas season; that close date is so early because of the difficulty of getting folks together during summer vacations. Other seasons have close dates about 100 days before the start of the season. Close dates are publicized in the Messenger and Sunday bulletins. Whither Our Mid-week Service? At our March 21 Ministry Support Team meeting, the question was raised whether we might consider stopping our Wednesday evening service due to low attendance. The decision of the MST was to research the attendance situation and invite input from the congregation. Here is background information: During Mark Engle s long tenure, Evening Prayer was read nearly every Wednesday of the year, and Holy Eucharist was celebrated on nearly every major Holy Day (those for which BCP provides Eucharistic propers). At that time, the evening prayer and Holy Day congregations were quite distinct (little overlapping membership). By the end of Mark s tenure, attendance at Holy Day Eucharist s had become quite low. Between Mark s retirement (Dec. 2006) and our MST commissioning (May 2007), Holy Day Eucharists were not celebrated. When they were restored following our commissioning, attendance was consistently very low. It was then decided to combine Holy Day Eucharists with the Wednesday evening prayer services (in those weeks having at least one Holy Day); this began in April Average attendance since then has been low and stable; averages have been within narrow ranges for years 2008, 2009 and 2010 (January through early April). Annual average attendance ranges have been 3.0 to 3.5 for evening prayer alone and 4.2 to 4.5 for the combined services (these numbers include those officiating/presiding). Wednesday services are currently scheduled through June (end of current quarterly schedule). We invite any of our congregation to provide input on this matter to any of us regular Wednesday attendees (Bob Railey, Kay Payant, Mary Sullivan, Marcia Franz) or at our next MST meeting (see May calendar). A decision will be made before distribution of the summer quarter schedules in mid-june and will be publicized in the July-August Messenger. Legacy Conversations: Dick & Jayne McQuaid, by Taylor Tillotson & Bryan Spencer It is Dick s recollection that the story of their togetherness began the first day he saw Jayne in downstate Niles; he knew he had found his girl, And I was right! Jayne claims, He says that every day. Both agree they have been blessed beyond understanding. Dick and Jayne McQuaid first moved to the U.P. in 1948 following Dick s Navy experience in the Second World War. The couple was introduced to God s country by Dick s father who took on a Studebaker dealership in Marquette. Automobiles indeed became the family business and leisure, as Dick began and grew his North Country Motors business. A family of drivers, as Jayne says. Unquestionably, Dick says, This is home. And it is clear he is referring to more than the hillside ranch the two have treasured since Home for the McQuaids embraces the remarkable people, history and character of Marquette and optimism for the city s vibrant future. Through six decades of marriage, Dick and Jayne have remained each other s closest companion. Likewise, their commitment to St. Paul s has endured the test of times. Throughout their more than fifty years of extensive involvement in the inner workings of St. Paul s, they have loved watching their children and other families grow up in the church. To the McQuaids, these experiences and the sense of heritage they represent get right at the heart and soul of this Legacy project. Generations are what make it work, Dick points out. From our conversation grows a genuine hope for the continuation of the deep belonging and renewing force they have found in connection with their second family at St. Paul s. These are ideals the McQuaids offer as a call to using traditions to perpetuate our beliefs into the future with comfort and love like it was handed to us.

5 Haiti Update by Burt Purrington Here's the most recent update from ERD president Rob Radke's blog on the situation in Haiti. You can find Rob's blog at and, if you'd like to receive notices of new postings, you can sign up there. To learn more about ERD's work in Haiti, you can visit their Haiti Crisis web page. With the onset of the rainy season last month, life for the million-plus displaced Haitians became not only more miserable but much more threatened because of the greatly increased danger of diseases, floods and mudslides. Life will be even more difficult and dangerous when the hurricanes arrive around the first of June. The Haitian people, as the world has learned, are incredibly strong and resilient and together with their international partners they are rebuilding their world and their lives, as they say "piti piti" (little-by-little). The obstacles they must surmount are challenging beyond belief -- but not impossible; just ask most any Haitian. Please continue to keep them in your prayers and thanks so much for your kind and generous support. Easter Is House-Blessing Season at St. Paul s by Bob Railey St. Paul s has a tradition of doing celebrations in the home (or apartment) during the Easter season. If you would like to host such a celebration, please speak to one of the presiders or sign up on the listing on the sign-up bulletin board in the chapel hallway. Options are: with or without communion; with or without a pot-luck meal or dessert. Already had your house blessed? consider hosting a home communion. The Easter season runs through May 23. If Easter season does not work for you, consider hosting an event afterward. Liturgical leadership Sundays Date Sunday Preside Preach Deacon May 2 Easter 5 Jim Sorenson Suzanne May 9 Easter 6 Kevin Tony Stultz Pat May 16 Easter 7 Marcia Marcia Coralie May 23* Pentecost Rïse Youth Min Pat May 30 Trinity Vince Vince Coralie June 6 Pent 2 Kevin Kevin Pat June 13 Pent 3 Marcia Judd Coralie June 20 Pent 4 Kevin TBA Pat June 27 Pent 5 Rïse Rïse Coralie *Youth Sunday Holy Days (combined with Wednesday Evening Prayer) Date Holy Day Preside E.E. Offic. May 12 Ascension Bob Mary S. June 2 Visitation Bob Mary S. June 9 Barnabas Marcia Kay P. June 23 Nativity John Baptist Bob Marcia June 30 Peter & Paul Marcia Bob Capital Gift Campaign to begin Pentecost Sunday by Al Raymond, Convener At the Annual Meeting, it was announced that a Capital Gift Campaign would be launched to help fund repairs to the exterior of the church. A committee has been meeting to plan the details of this campaign, approved by the Vestry. The campaign will begin Pentecost Sunday, May 23, and will seek to raise funds over a three-year period to make up the shortfall between the total need (estimated $250,000) and funds available from the Shiras Foundation without reducing it below $100,000). It is essential that repairs be completed this building season to prevent further damage, so a loan will be required for interim financing. The campaign will be organized around a series of small-group presentations, which will view a presentation on the history of the renovation, the current needs for maintenance of the church, the costs, the available funding, and the goals of the campaign to meet the shortfall between needs and funding. The sooner we pay off the loan, the lower the interest costs. The Capital Gifts Committee is open to all. Please feel to contact the church office if you wish to participate.

6 May, 2010 Saturday 1 Episcopal Ministry Support Team Sunday 2 Ministry Support Team meeting Choir 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 5 Easter Monday 3 Altar Guild Tuesday 4 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Staff meeting 9:00 an Food Committee 1:00 pm Faith Exploration 6:30 pm Wednesday 5 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 6 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Friday 7 Dance Music Pie Evening 7:00 9:30 pm Saturday 8 Tony Stultz Workshop 10:00 3:00 pm Sunday 9 Holy Eucharist: 6 Easter Choir 9:45 am Leavetaking, Joan Rafferty Happy Mother s Day! Tuesday 11 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Capital Gifts Committee 1:00 pm Gifts Discovery 6:30 pm Wednesday 12 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 13 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Harkin Memorial Service Nancy Railey, Recital Saturday 15 Diocesan Council Meeting Sunday 16 Choir 9:45 am Holy Eucharist: 7 Easter Tuesday 18 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Staff meeting Faith Explorations 6:30 pm Camp New Day Wednesday 19 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 20 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Vestry Scottish Folk Dancing Friday 21 Ladies Luncheon 11:30am YouthCycles 3:00 Sunday 23 Choir Holy Eucharist: The Day of Pentecost Youth Sunday Tuesday 25 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Staff meeting LifeCycles Training, Chapel Wednesday 26 LifeCycles Training, Chapel Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Soup Supper, Messenger crew hosts 6:00 pm Thursday 27 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Sunday 30 Choir Holy Eucharist: Trinity Sunday All Parish Brunch Monday 31 Memorial Day office closed May Birthdays Julie Frazier 1 Mary Kelsey 2 Martha Burt 10 Alice Cherrette 12 Sandra Howes 12 Chris Franz 17 Tom Ray 24 Tom Feller 26

7 June, 2010 Tuesday 1 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Wednesday 2 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 3 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Saturday 5 Episcopal Ministry Support Team Sunday 6 Ministry Support Team Holy Eucharist: 2 Pentecost Spring Into Summer Picnic following the service at the Frazier s home Tuesday 8 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Executive Committee Wednesday 9 North Central Region meeting 6:00 pm Thursday 10 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Sunday 13 Holy Eucharist: 3 Pentecost Tuesday 15 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Camp New Day 5:30 pm Wednesday 16 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Finance Committee 12:00 pm Thursday 17 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Vestry Friday 18 Ladies Luncheon 11:30 am Wedding rehearsal late afternoon reserved Deadline: Sacred Dance Workshop registration Saturday 19 Niebler/McLain wedding reserved 12 5 pm Sunday 20 Third Sunday Forum Holy Eucharist: 4 Pentecost 10:30 pm Happy Father s Day! Tuesday 22 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Wednesday 23 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Thursday 24 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Scottish Folk Dancing Friday 25 Youth Cycles 3:00 pm Saturday 26 Johanna Seubert Sacred Dance Workshop 10:00 3:00 pm Sunday 27 Holy Eucharist: 5 Pentecost Tuesday 29 Mindfulheart Meditation 8:00 am Staff meeting Wednesday 30 Evening Prayer 5:30 pm Soup Supper, Ushers/Coffee Hour host 6:00 pm June Birthdays Bob Railey 4 Emma Wussow 4 Lucy Feller 6 Cynthia Marquis 7 Dan Platt 9 Al Raymond 9 Ellie Raymond 15 Robina Payant 20 (Be sure to update the office with your birthdays!) Team Editor Meg Goodrich Copy Editor Jane Ryan Lay-out Jim Edwards Reporter Bob Railey Copier Kathy Lenten Mailers Bertha Loehde Joan Petersen & Geoff Smith

8 Spring into Summer Picnic by Sandy Purrington and Iris Erickson Come join our St. Paul's family after the service on Sunday, June 6, at Pete and Peggy Frazier's home, 460 East Ridge Street. Come for food, fun and fellowship at our Second Annual Spring into Summer Picnic. This is a potluck event, so please bring your favorite dish to share as well as games that the children would enjoy. There will be a piñata for the children. Drinks will be provided. and there s Ice Cream!! Children s & Youth Ministries will celebrate the end of the Children s Ministry Year with an ice cream social! It will be the dessert after church picnic on June 6th. Families who have participated in Children s Ministry are asked to bring a topping for the ice cream (syrup, nuts, fruit, whipped cream). Spring Cleaning at St. Paul's by Sandy Purrington Plans are underway for a morning cleaning project at St. Paul's (basement and Morgan Chapel) on Friday, May 14, at 9:30 a.m.. Come and join us if you are available. The more the merrier. Published regularly by the parishioners of St. Paul s Episcopal Church 201 E Ridge Street * Marquette * Michigan * (906) Non-profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #32 Marquette Michigan Return Service Requested The deadline for the July-August Messenger is Friday, June 18.