Melissa's new friend Able was one of the first
to be ready for
the 10 AM service last Sunday!
This
coming Sunday, September 21st, the Fifteenth Sunday
after Pentecost, we will have two services, at 8 and 10 a.m. We hope you will join
us for worship and fellowship followed by Coffee Hour hosted by Carolyn Seston.
The
readings for this Sunday are Exodus 16:2-15, Psalm 105:1-6,37-45, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16.
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| Jim & George: Taken about 8 years ago at a Roast Beef Supper |
It is with deep sorrow that
I that I share the news of the death of Jim Clough, Lynne’s husband and Devon’s
father, who died on Monday after a long illness. A celebration of Jim’s life
will be held at the Little White Church in Eaton next Tuesday, September 23, at
3 PM. Please keep Lynne and Devon in your prayers. Cards may be sent to them at
P. O. Box 173, Chocorua NH 03817.
This Saturday from 11:00 until 3:00 five Saint Andrew's fabric artisans will be participating in the Harvest Festival at the Remick Museum in Tamworth. Consider stopping by to learn and enjoy.
This Saturday from 11:00 until 3:00 five Saint Andrew's fabric artisans will be participating in the Harvest Festival at the Remick Museum in Tamworth. Consider stopping by to learn and enjoy.
As
part of our approach to the religious and spiritual formation of our children
(and in recognition of the fact that on most Sundays the sermons are primarily
focused for adults), one Sunday each month we have a dialogue sermon geared
especially to our children. I invite them to come forward, so that the
discussion can be more immediate, and I often make use of the wooden
"Godly Play" figures that we have, which were made by Sammie
Wakefield.
Retelling the Gospel
story of the day in an authentic but simplified form, acting it out with the
wooden figures, encourages the children to be engaged with the story as story.
The retelling is then followed by a few very open-ended questions. "I
wonder... what part of the story pleased you the most?" "I wonder...
did anything surprise you?" "I wonder, how do suppose [this person]
felt when [something particular] happened or was said?" With the
"Godly Play" approach, we aren't looking for absolute answers, nor
are we trying to tell the children what to think; rather, we are inviting them
to reflect on their own experiences and feelings, which, along with thoughtful,
sensitive adult question-posing, opens them to the workings of the Holy
Spirit.
And now, a word of
invitation to adults: We are in real need of a couple of
people who work well and easily with children who would like to be trained in
the "Godly Play" approach, so that we could offer this to our
children more often than the once a month. "Godly Play" is
considerably more than just the story-telling. It also involves supporting the
children in following up on the stories individually, both through retelling
the story themselves with the figures, as well as a variety of artistic
responses.
Bibles stories are designed and intended to grow on
us (at whatever age) with time and experience. The more securely they are
seated in our memories, the greater the likelihood that we can draw on them
when we need them or that they will rise to our consciousness unbidden at the
right moment.
This past Sunday,
children were invited forward to listen to a retelling of the Gospel
story with the help of wooden "people" from our "Godly
Play" set. We then wrestled together with the disciple Peter's question,
"How many times should I forgive, Lord?" Of course, it's not just the
young people who are drawn to this approach. We are all visual, tactile human
beings, with curiosity, appreciation for story, and hearts to love, hungry for
Good News that speaks to our souls.
Another aspect of our formation as liturgical
Christians is our recognition that we are shaped by the liturgy and the ways in
which we pray. Liturgy is the work of the people – all of us, including
everyone in the pews – but there is a special deeper connection that comes with
taking a public (often vested) role in the service. I welcome any of you who
find yourselves drawn to this possibility to speak up, as Albert did last week,
asking if he could acolyte. If you are at least six or seven, have the desire,
and sit reasonably still during worship, we would love to have you as part of
the team.
Thank you, Albert, for stepping forward to serve!
Thank you, Albert, for stepping forward to serve!
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| Three sample floral centerpieces decorated the coffee hour table. Sally plans to make more of them to be sold at the Sandwich Fair |
Calling all lovers of homemade jams, jellies, pickles, etc. Sandwich Fair is coming up the second weekend of October. Anyone who wishes to create their own delicacies for sale, please contact David, Gretchen, Chris or Carol with questions and requests for labels. For all who love to consume homemade canned goods, consider saving you empty jars for re-use by one of us. Also, if you frequent yard sales and happen to see 8 or 16 oz. canning jars, grab them. (New jars run from $8-$12/case of twelve.) We will reimburse you.
Fall
Programming: There’s more to the fall than the Sandwich Fair! And there’s more to Saint Francis
than the blessing of the animals!
Embracing and Alternative Orthodoxy: Richard
Rohr on the Legacy of St. Francis. I am excited to offer this study series which is based on a
five-session DVD, each segment of which will lay out some information and get
us thinking, so that we can then engage in a focused discussion among
ourselves. (This is NOT a book group, so it does not involve reading
assignments, though there’s a useful reflection activity that is suggested in
advance of each session.)
The sign-up sheet is posted in the
Parish Hall. We expect to meet alternate Wednesday mornings, start time to be
determined by interest. If you have questions, call or email me. I would like to
start on September 24.
The five topics for exploration are:
1. Atonement Theology
2. Eco-Spirituality
3. The Cosmic Christ
4. Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy
5. Mysticism over Moralism
1. Atonement Theology
2. Eco-Spirituality
3. The Cosmic Christ
4. Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy
5. Mysticism over Moralism
Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest,
founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque, and author
of numerous books. To get a sense of his work and a flavor for his approach,
Googling his name will give you plenty of exposure.
On
Wednesday, October 1, as
part of our “First Wednesday Supper” series, Sammie Wakefield will be showing
slides and talking about her most recent trip to Peru with Eleanore’s Project. We will gather at 5:30 for a light supper while
we view the pictures, followed by time to ask questions and engage in deeper
discussion. While normally our “First Wednesday” gatherings end promptly at
7:00, this session may go a little longer, but you are free to leave as
necessary.
Oreo wishes he could attend, but he has
to be away: He hopes that you and your animals will come on October 5th to honor the Feast Day of Saint Francis with
our annual Blessing of the Animals at
our 9:00 service. As usual, dogs on leashes are welcome, cats and other
small animals should be caged or crated. We will designate the transept as an
“Animal Free Zone,” and welcome larger animals for a blessing outside at 10:15.
Invite your friends to “Bring-Your-Pet-to-Church Sunday!”
Food
for thought...
Below is one of the readings
appointed for the Feast Day of Hildegard of Bingen (September 17), whom we
remembered yesterday at Morning Prayer. Hildegard was a remarkable woman and
widely recognized saint of the church who died in 1179 at the age of 81. She
was a mystic, poet, composer, dramatist, doctor, scientist, preacher, and
abbess, whose works abound with feminine imagery for God and God’s creation and
whose counsel was eagerly sought by kings and queens, abbots and abbesses,
archbishops and popes.
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| Hildegard’s mandala of the Cosmic Tree |
The pride of the higher realms is the
clear vault of the sky,
as glorious to behold as the sight of the heavens.
The sun, when it appears, proclaims as
it rises
what a marvelous instrument it is, the work of the Most High.
It is the moon that marks the changing
seasons,
governing the times, their everlasting sign.
From the moon comes the sign for
festal days,
a light that wanes when it completes its course.
The glory of the stars is the beauty
of heaven,
a glittering array in the heights of the Lord.
On the orders of the Holy One they
stand in their appointed places;
they never relax in their watches.
Look at the rainbow, and praise him
who made it;
it is exceedingly beautiful in its brightness.
It encircles the sky with its glorious
arc;
the hands of the Most High have stretched it out.
We could say more but could never say
enough;
let the final word be: “He is the all.”
Where can we find the strength to
praise him?
For he is greater than all his works.- Ecclesiasticus, chapter 43
I wonder, what might she have said about last week’s aurora borealis?
See you in church!
Blessings,
Heidi+
