Halloween and Christianity Tim Hunt

Transcription

1 501 E Wallace Ave, Coeur d Alene, Id Halloween and Christianity Tim Hunt No one knows for sure the origin of Halloween but most likely it originated with the Celts in the UK and northern France who celebrated their new year with a holiday on November 1 called Samhain; it marked the end of summer, the harvest season and the beginning of winter which, especially in the arts, often symbolizes death. The Celts believed the boundaries between the living and dead were blurred the night of October 31 when ghosts returned to earth. Centuries later, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints Day, perhaps trying to capture the event for the Church. The previous night became known as All Hallows Eve later giving way to Halloween. In colonial America all celebrations were limited because of strict Protestant beliefs. By the mid nineteenth century, harvest festivals had become common but Halloween traditions were mainly restricted to the South. About the same time, immigrants, especially the Irish, brought customs of dressing up and door to door begging for treats or money to their adopted homeland. American customs grew out of those. (continued on page 2)

2 (continued form page 1) While living in Arizona, I became somewhat familiar with Dia de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Mainly Mexican, this holiday focuses on ancestors and friends and gives the living the opportunity to support the spiritual journeys of the departed, so it does recapture some religious aspects. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves, often in elaborate processions, with these as gifts. Visitors also leave possessions of the deceased at the graves. Father Dave Marshall s school at St. John s in Chula Vista, California, where he is priest in charge, celebrates Dia de Muertos. I don t think they wear any costumes quite like the one pictured of La Calavera Catrina, but aside from that, they stay close to the traditions from Mexico as interpreted by the teachers and parents of the school. Catrina may seem ghoulish to us who live in Idaho but she is intended to be respectful. Still, I do not think her namesake, Kathryn, or I would welcome her with a candy bar to our door on the 31 st. I rather doubt that Halloween will ever regain much spiritual or religious relevance in the United States in spite of efforts by the religious right to tar and feather it with claims of Satanism, witchcraft, and the like. But, after all, it is only a few short hours from Halloween to All Saints Day at which time we can unite in singing: For all the saints who from their labors rest. Who Thee by faith before the world confess. Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 Planned Giving Program St. Luke s Planned Giving Program is in its second year. Planned Giving is intended to provide funds to meet our Congregational Development Plan goal of raising $500,000 over a period of several years to meet our continuing capital and major maintenance needs, as well as fund special ministries and outreach. Planned Giving amounts are over and above our normal yearly operating pledges and budget. Planned Giving can occur either via special gifts of assets in the current time frame or on your passing via a will, trust, or other method. We will continue to remind you of Planned Giving opportunities over the coming months as well as offering assistance in implementing your gift giving. John Empsall, Co-chair Dave Parkinson, Co-chair For the Diocese Prayers for the Diocese of Spokane Bishop Search Process Gracious and generous God, source of wisdom and goodness, guide us on our journey, we pray, as we search for our next bishop. We thank you for the ministry of Jim, our bishop and shepherd these past fifteen years. Energize us for our mission, which is your mission. Strengthen us by your Spirit to be a people of hope, hospitality and compassion. Make us grateful for our past and eager for our future. In our discernment, help us to listen to one another and to you. Hopeful and thankful, we pray this in the name of Jesus your son and our Lord. Amen.

4 Prayer Requests Deployed Military Personnel Don Albee, Maggie Ann McLachlan October 31 st & November 1 st All Saints Day Proper 26 Wisdom of Solomon 3:1-9 Psalm 24 Revelation 21:1-6a John 11:32-44 Birthdays 11/01 Beth Anne McLachlan 11/02 Karen Harwood 11/02 Julie Darnell 11/02 Lucie Maier 11/02 Marcia Siring 11/03 Mildred Guldin 11/03 Jim Merkle 11/03 Lucy Clifford 11/06 Karen Lyon Wedding Anniversary 11/02 Chris & Georgianne Jessen 11/06 Kinzo & Hannah Mihara Anniversary of Death 11/02 Doris Jones 11/03 Gladys Smatlan 11/04 Carol Diers 11/07 Victor H. Larsen Jr. Healing & Support Joe S. Jr, Steve H, Curt C, Brian S, Dave O, Howard M, Joe M, Jason C, Chelsea, Violet H, Evelyn C, Sandy D, Mike M, Connie P, Cheryl, Victoria B, Bob H, Elizabeth, Manny F, Lori T, Glenn C, Peggy, Elaina Mc, Pearl H, Nolan R, Debbie K, Jean Mc,Virgil H, Eloise S, Bobbi, Chad, Becky L, Dianne H, Jack & Ann O, Norman Mc, Tava C, Vick K, Jack S, Emily H, Tony I, John P, Jim H, Joanne R, Morgan C, Marion B, Lynn R, Betsy G

5 Sat 31 st Happy Halloween Thurs 5 th 9:00 a.m. Fit & Fall Proof 10:30 a.m. Altar Guild mtg 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist II 7:00 p.m. Young People of AA mtg Sun 1st 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist I 9:00 a.m. The Jordan 9:15 a.m. The Family Well 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist II Mon 2 nd 9:30 a.m. Prayer Shawl 6:00 p.m. St. Luke s Men s Group Tues 3 rd 9:00 a.m. Fit & Fall Proof 9:30 a.m. Staff mtg 11:00 a.m. St. Luke s Guild mtg 3:30 p.m. Girl Scouts 5:30 p.m. Men s AA mtg 5:30 p.m. EfM Wed 4th 10:30 a.m. Prayer Chain 4:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Fri 6 th Sat 7 th 10:00 a.m. Painting with a friend 1:00 p.m. Blankets for Kids Office Closed 9:00 a.m. Pastoral Visitor mtg 9:30 a.m. Parish Council mtg 10:00 a.m. Daughters of the King mtg 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist II 6:00 p.m. Newcomer Social

6 A Gathering at Our North Idaho Mother Church Members of St. Luke s will be journeying to Holy Trinity, Wallace on Sunday, November 22 for a 1 pm potluck and informal discussions followed by Eucharist. The members of both St. Luke s and Holy Trinity are meeting to explore possibilities for a partnership between the two congregations. Holy Trinity, Wallace was established in The original church building was a wooden structure constructed with $1,000 funds raised by Bishop Talbot during his first visit to Wallace (the same Bishop Talbot in whose honor St. Luke's parish hall is named) and a $500 pledge from back East.The land was donated by Col. Wallace for whom the town is named. The current church building,designed by noted Spokane architect Kirkland Cutter, was built in 1910 on the same location. The building survived the 1910 fire which destroyed most of the eastern part of Wallace and was first used for Christmas Eve services later that same year. Holy Trinity is considered the mother church in northern Idaho and Episcopal churches were later established in the Silver Valley at Wardner, Mullan and Kellogg and in Coeur d'alene. There is a long history between St. Luke's and Holy Trinity as current members of St. Luke s grew up or were active at one point in the Episcopal churches in the Silver Valley. On the 22nd, those gathered will explore how the Episcopal presence in the Silver Valley and in Coeur d Alene can continue and prosper together. If you are interested in attending this event in Wallace, want to know about carpooling or need more information, please contact Fr. Pat or Andy Paroni at

7 Revive us Again By Bob Gustafson Marty and I had planned to visit a friend in western Oregon about the time of the Eastern Oregon Diocese s Adult Education Retreat. It seemed like a wonderful opportunity to swing through Cove to hear the new Presiding bishop elect, Michael Curry speak. We were truly blessed. Shortly after arriving at the retreat, we witnessed Michael giving an unscripted, impromptu statement to Colin Haffner (Camp Cross director) for a video presentation. That surely got my attention since I had no idea Curry knew that Camp Cross even existed. We knew by looking at him and hearing him that Christ s spirit filled his heart. His countenance also spoke of that joy. In a few minutes we arrived at the retreat tent. We were seated about an hour before the service started when a group started playing and singing familiar old time favorites. What a treat! I could at least follow along adding to our welcome. The theme of the retreat Revive us Again fit well with the convention sermon, introductory music and retreat sermon. The scripture for August 2 was John 6: His sermon included several humorous homilies about his life experiences and incidents that supported the idea of encouraging people to do what they are meant to do. One example was about the cat they rescued from a bad situation. After the cat was revived she did what she was created to do, removed the mice from the Curry s rural rectory, what he/she was put here to do. Several people accepted the personal blessings offered by the Rt Reverend Michael Curry and Bishop Nedi. (continued on page 8)

8 (continued from page 7) Many of you may have seen or heard his general convention closing sermon. If you have not, do yourself a favor and go to: His dynamic presentation at the general convention carried on to the retreat. His message carried Marty and me through the rest of our journey to the coast and back home. There seemed to be no end to things we could talk about regarding his sermon as far as the church, God and Christ. My enthusiasm, became more awake when I heard this man speak. He is infectious in his presentation and comes alive with deep personal faith in God. I find it a bit difficult to adequately describe the effect he has had on me in this short time so I have included a couple links to his recent presentations so you can form your own opinion. The Rt. Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, recently elected as the church's first black presiding bishop and primate used his first sermon since the election to speak of discipleship and embracing differences. In an 18-minute interview with the Episcopal News Service, Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry speaks about his priorities for leadership and administration and the role of the church in engaging God s mission in the world.