Ash Wednesday, February 13: Bishop Greg Rickel

Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21.
 

Quite frankly a most strange choice of readings on the one day most Episcopalians have a chance to walk out into the world with some identifying mark, some outward sign, which says, I am a believer. On this day, we are walking billboards! This passage has a lot to commend it. You and I both know people we wish would read it and put it into real use in their lives. We know those who certainly “share” their faith, and often their judgement on our own, too much!
 

I have heard the debates about keeping your ash cross on for the day, or wiping it off before going outside the church. I have always been on the side of wearing it, all day long. To me, the looks we get, the questions, ought to make us think about how revealing our faith is on other days, how provoking the mark of our life is on those around us. To live this one day with that conspicuous mark, that was traced on our forehead in oil at our baptism is a reminder not so much to the world, but to us, that the cross is there all days, every day, indelible, forever. Beyond that outward mark, of ash brought forward from the palms of yesteryear, what kind of sign or mark is your life? What does the reality of that cross mean in your life, today yes, but all days?

+ Greg Rickel, Bishop of Olympia

Introduction to the St. Thomas Lenten Devotional: The Rev. Karen Haig

For Christians, Lent is a time set apart. Forty full, rich and long days to reflect and to pray, to look within, to seek out the things in our lives that create distance between God and ourselves. Lent is a time to discern how God may be calling us. What might we take on, or let go of, in order to more freely love God, our neighbors and ourselves?
 
We offer you the St Thomas Lenten Devotional and invite you to spend some time each day reflecting on Holy Scripture with our St Thomas community. These reflections have been written with great care and attention by the people of our community, and they offer us an opportunity to move more deeply into our relationships with God, with one another and with ourselves.
 
My heartfelt thanks to all who prayed and pondered and wrote so beautifully from the riches of their own lives to make this booklet happen. This little devotional is a great gift to us all, and it has been my privilege to have had a hand in bringing it to you. I invite you to use it to pray with, to come closer into community by coming to know a bit more of the people who have written these reflections. May this Lent be an especially rich and holy season for us all.
 
Faithfully, Karen†

God Can't Be Kept Out - by Rachel Held Evans

The following is blog post written by author Rachel Held Evans.  As we all seek to make sense of the tragedy that occured in Newtown, CT, we here at St. Thomas felt that her words articulate a welcome reminder to us all.

Those little Advent candles sure have a lot of darkness to overcome this year. I see them glowing from church windows and on TV, in homes and at midnight vigils, here in Dayton and in Sandy Hook. Their stubborn flames represent the divine promise that even the smallest light can chase away the shadows lurking in this world, that even in the darkest places, God can’t be kept out. 

It’s a hard promise to believe right now, I know. The children in the pictures are just too young, too familiar. Our hearts ache; the darkness seems so heavy and thick. 

We all grieve in different ways, and we must be patient with one another as we do, but there is a rumor floating around among the people of God that is so vile, so dangerous and untrue, it simply must be called out. It’s a rumor that began long before the shots rang out at Sandy Hook and long before this Advent season. 

It’s the rumor that God can be chased out. 

You might have heard it from Bill O’Reilly and those who, every Christmas, work themselves into a frenzy over the “War on Christmas.” They storm checkout counters to demand that clerks issue them a “Merry Christmas” instead of “Happy Holidays,” crying persecution when inflatable manger scenes are moved from public courthouses to private property. They demand that every gift purchased, every mall opened late, every credit card maxed out must be done so in Jesus’ name…or else Christ will be taken out of Christmas. They do it because someone told them that God needs a nod from the Empire to show up, forgetting somehow that God showed up as a Jew in the Roman Empire.

In a barn.  

As a minority. 

After a genocide. 

To the applause of a few poor shepherds. 

If the incarnation tells us anything, it’s that God can’t be kept out. 

Or you might have heard the rumor from a red-faced preacher who insists that if we can’t keep God’s name in our pledge, on our money, and on our courthouse walls, then we can’t keep God in our country. He has convinced his congregation that the fight of faith is a fight for power, that we win when we see God’s name on our cash, on our statues, on our idols, and in our legislation. He thinks that the removal of God’s name is the removal of God’s very self. He has forgotten that when God showed up, God was executed by the government. 

On a cross. 

Emptied of all power. 

Only to rise from a borrowed grave three days later because God can’t be kept out.

Or, most recently, you might have heard the rumor from Mike Hucakbee or a friend on Facebook, saying that God abandoned the children at Sandy Hook because, though children have every right to pray in public schools, those schools cannot sponsor prayer events out of deference to religious freedom. When asked where God was on that awful Friday morning, these Christians have said that God did not show up at Sandy Hook because “God is not allowed in public schools,” because “ we have systematically removed God” from that place. 

Brothers and sisters, let’s call this one for what it is: bullshit.  

God can be wherever God wants to be. God needs no formal invitation. We couldn’t “systematically remove” God if we tried. 

If the incarnation teaches us anything, it’s that God can be found everywhere: in a cattle trough, on a throne, among the poor, with the sick, on a donkey, in a fishing boat, with the junkie, with the prostitute, with the hypocrite, with the forgotten, in places of power, in places of oppression, in poverty, in wealth, where God’s name is known, where it is unknown, with our friends, with our enemies, in our convictions, in our doubts, in life, in death, at the table, on the cross, and in every kindergarten classroom from Sandy Hook to Shanghai.  

God cannot be kept out. 

And although my doubt and anger make it hard for me to believe today, I will keep lighting those little Advent candles like a religious fool until they help me in my unbelief. May their flames be a reminder to all of us that we don’t have to know why God let this happen to know that God was there…. 

and here,

and in those swaddling clothes, 

and on that cross, 

and in that grave, 

and on the throne. 

For no amount of darkness can overcome the light.

Quoted in full from: Rachel Held Evans. "God Can't Be Kept Out." Web log post. N.p., 17 Dec. 2012. <http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/god-kept-out>.

In the Fullness of Summer

In the fullness of summer

when fruits are ripe

and the plants that produced them

have not yet faded

we dance,

we celebrate and feast

and laugh.

Tomorrow we must

put by for winter

(in our way)

a part of our wealth,

and hope it lasts

until spring.

But today,

yet today,

we sing and sway

and revel in

the sweetness of each berry,

each warm cherry,

tomatoes, too,

whose reedy juices

run down our chins

anointing us

with that form of holiness

often overlooked--

pleasure.

                        Laurie Anderson

                        Summer 2012

VBC: Day 5

Howdy, partners! "Farmer" Trista here!

Welcome back to our last beautiful day of Vacation Bible Camp where we Taste and See that God is good!  Today we learned that little in the hands of Jesus turns to plenty and when others are hungry, God provides through us.

Although the adults and volunteers were a little sluggish as we made our way into the nave this morning, by the time we sang our opening songs and danced around a bit, we were all filled with the joy of the Lord!  Music and movement are certainly gifts from God!

During music time, Miss Jessica continued working on our songs for Sunday's Mass on the Grass.  We're very excited to sing, "Taste and See" as well as the "Call to Love" (a.k.a. "The Love Round").  We've been working very hard on all of our songs and are looking forward to sharing them with you all!

In recreation, we joined hands and worked together.  Trying to run as a group, we stretched out and linked up with other groups to form larger and larger blobs until everyone had a place to be.  Blob tag is a pretty wild game, which is probably why we all love it!

During the art rotation, we made pine cone bird feeders.  Spreading pine cones with shortening then rolling it in bird seeds was messy work for sure, but we were all excited to take them home and hang them in our trees.  We know that birds are part of God's good creation and we want to provide for them too.  Many of us considered putting the pine cone in the freezer and saving it until the wintertime when the birds don’t have much to eat.  

When we were finished with our pine cone feeders, we joined Miss Rachel at another table and decorated a special frontal for the altar.  Our hands were painted and we pressed them on the cloth in groups which formed the shapes of hearts.  We are delighted to give something special to the people of St Thomas who have given us so  much!

For our outreach time today, Miss Tami showed us how to bake bread for communion.  We made many loaves!  Everyone loved kneading the dough, seeing how it looks before and after rising, and shaping it into beautiful circles.  The scent of baking bread filled the great hall and spilled out into the close, tantalizing taste buds and making mouths water.  Between the smell of bread baking and the sight of our delightful snacks which have been prepared each day by our precious Miss Kim, everyone felt like we were at home on a special occasion.

In story time, our fantastic teens acted out the Feeding of the Multitudes.  We remembered that Jesus was able to feed a huge number of people from the simple gifts of one little boy who shared his lunch.  And we talked about what it might have been like for all of those people who were so hungry after listening to Jesus tell stories and talk about God all day. 

 

Chapel time helped to bring everything that we've studied this week together.  Mother Karen asked us questions about all of the stories and everything we did in VBC this week.  Our answers showed that we have been able to see ourselves in the Bible stories and we talked about the different ways God can use our gifts of food, clothing, toys and money and God can multiply it all.  We really like to share what we have, and we know that God uses us to provide for others!

As we wrapped up our time together, Mother Karen brought us all into the close to chase bubbles and to dance around in the sunshine.  What a gift!  We were delighted by the bubbles and the sun, and then we all held hands and took time to say thank you to God for the many blessings we've received this week.

What are you thankful for today?  Please lift prayers of thanksgiving for a very blessed VBC this week, and prayers of joy for the volunteers, our staff, and everyone who helped to make this such a wonderful time.  Lift prayers of thanksgiving for all of the children who blessed us all so much!

And now, as we wrap up the daily posting from our VBC, receive this blessing, which Mother Karen spoke over all of us at the beginning of each new day:

God bless your eyes: 
May you see what is
May you truly listen to the needs of others and to what God desires for you.

God bless your mouth:
May your words be kind and may you always speak truth in love.

God bless your hands:
May you use them to create beauty and to help others.

God bless your heart:
May you offer love generously and receive love happily from others.

God bless your mind:
May you always know you are dearly loved by God no matter how hard things might seem.

You are absolutely precious to God. And to all of us.
Always, always you are blessed!
So go and be a blessing in the world!  

Thanks be to God!

VBC: Day 4

Howdy, partners! "Farmer" Trista here!

Welcome back to another beautiful day of Vacation Bible Camp where we Taste and See that God is good!  Today we learned that when we are hungry, God provides.

The kiddos filtered in a little more slowly today and were a little sleepy first thing in the morning, but after a rousing round of "This is the Day that the Lord has made" and "I am My Beloved's", everyone was much more awake.  Through our morning liturgy, we all thanked God for all the ways in which God provides.  We said a prayer, received a blessing from Mother Karen and were sent to our rotation stations.

In story time, our precious youth acted out the provision of Manna in the Wilderness.  The Israelites were very hungry and grumbled against Moses for bringing them out into the desert, but after Moses prayed, God provided Manna for them all to eat.  One of the powerful messages from this passage is that if we hoard, our provisions will go bad.  All of the kiddos reflected this in the question and answer time.

During music time, Jessica helped us warm up our voices and stretch our bodies before singing.  The kidos sang "Wendayaho" as a group and then took turns singing in groups of four while the rest of the class listened carefully.  We also continued our work on the "Call to Love" as well.  Everyone definitely gets a chance to shine and to practice singing in front of others in music!

For recreation, the hula hoops came out.  The kiddos were very excited to  try this new skill or to show off how long they could keep the hula hoop going around their waist, on their arms or even on their feet.  They also played a game called "Doggy, Doggy, where's your bone" where one person would look the other way while someone hid a ball behind their back and then they would turn around and try to guess where the ball was hiding.  Freeze tag and running in circles were also quite popular with the younger kids. 

About mid-morning, we had some visitors!  The Blue Angels were practicing their maneuvers right over our heads.  The roar in their wake certainly made the leaders need to pause in their teaching, and anyone who was outside couldn't help but have their eyes glued to the sky watching the swoops and loops and circles above our heads.

Back inside, Rachel and Mother Karen helped us decorate picture frames during art.  Armed with a paper cup filled with bird-feed seeds, a little plate of glue and a q-tip, we covered our picture frames with all kinds of designs.  From the sprinkling of the tiny hands to the intricate borders and flower designs of the older groups, each frame is unique and beautiful just like the kiddos at VBC!

During chapel time, we all took off our shoes and sat on long cushions while Father Steve read us the story of Stone Soup.  A large metal pot sat in our midst, as did a large basket of vegetables.  As Father Steve told us the story of a young woman who inspired a whole town to share what they had so that everyone could eat a delicious pot of soup, we each were invited up to place a few vegetables into the stewpot.  Then we all received little glass pebbles to help us remember the story of stone soup so that we will always share what we have so that everyone can eat.

As we contemplated our Stone Soup story, we made our way to the service station.  There, Tammy invited us to sort the food that we have been bringing each day for Hopelink.  Using the plastic crates and the categories they provided, we took great delight in organizing our foods into piles of peanut butter, canned fruit, cereals, pasta, and all sorts of different categories.  We talked about the different times in our days and weeks when we eat each food and prayed for those who will receive what we have shared.  The kiddos also made cards for the recipients so they will know that they are loved by God and by us.

Wrapping up our day, we gathered again in the nave to sing, "This Little Light of Mine" and to offer thanksgiving to God for our time together.  We're looking forward to another day of activities tomorrow!  Until then, may our lights shine like the stars in the heavens so that all who see our good works may give glory to our Creator God in heaven! Amen.

VBC: Day 3

Howdy, partners! "Farmer" Trista here!

Welcome back to another exciting day of Vacation Bible Camp where we Taste and See that God is good!  A significant part of our morning centered around the Lord's Table.  Our communion service this morning was truly beautiful!

Many of our weekly Wednesday family members came to join us for the service this morning, and several of the children's parents came to take part in this very special service as well.  More on that later.  Let's walk through the day from the beginning.

We began our day together with worship songs, prayer, jumping with joy and receiving a blessing from Mother Karen.  Then it was off to our stations. 

In recreation, we played tag with a twist.  As they were being chased by whoever was "it", children would suddenly crouch down, raise their hands and say, "remember me".  Eventually this morphed into a game of tag where all the children would chase after the older boys and try to tag them.  The kiddos sure love to show off their running skills, and they can move very fast!

For crafts today, we had large pieces of tag board and all kinds of decorating materials.  Our groups had each had their photos taken on Monday, so today we glued one of those pictures onto the tag board as a centerpiece and then used stickers, dot paint pens, markers, mosaic tiles, markers and crayons to create a masterpiece.  These will each be laminated and sent home on Friday to be used as placemats and a reminder of their time at VBC this week.

 

In music time, we continued working on our special songs for Sunday's presentation.  We now know the "Call to Love" so well that we can sing it in a round.  It is awesome!

The highlight of our day was the morning Eucharist!

All of the children gathered in the narthex area and could hardly contain their excitement for what was coming.  I had the great pleasure of strumming on the guitar and leading them in "This Little Light of Mine" as they all processed in towards their pews.  I have to say that 80+ children singing a song while you are leading is enough to melt anyone's heart!

After the children found their seats, Mother Karen rang the singing bowl and received everyone's attention, then welcomed us all and led us in prayer.  Sunni shared the lesson with us and led us in a psalm in child-friendly language.  Then Father Steve declared that the gospel would be proclaimed by our youth, and they acted out the Last Supper so that we could see and hear the gospel in tangible form.  The youth also asked us questions that helped us to process what we had just seen and heard, and they prepared our hearts to come to the Lord's Table.

Mother Karen invited us all to bring an offering to the altar.  The children each brought cans, jars and boxes of food for Hopelink and offered them all to the Lord before returning to their seats.  Everyone was very excited and voices echoed through the nave.  When Mother Karen and Father Steve brought the bread and wine to the altar, however, it was suddenly quiet. 

The hair on our necks stood straight up.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable!  Mother Karen could have whispered and still been heard as she offered the prayers of remembrance and the words of institution.  All of the children from the youngest three year old to the eldest in the room knew that this was a holy celebration.

Surely everyone should experience the celebration of Eucharist with this many children!

I've been in Vacation Bible Schools and Camps my whole life, and I've never experienced anything quite like this.  The Spirit was moving so powerfully that tears simply flowed down my cheeks.  Tiny hands crossed and stretched open to receive the gifts of Jesus, and blessings abundant poured out upon them like rain on thirsty soil.

The hushed tones of a quiet organ gently brushed our spirits.  Then a holy laughter broke out as the joy of God filled our worship space.  Everyone knew that something special had taken place just then -- in our communion time.  We know that Jesus was there!  We know that we were all connected.  And we know that somehow we were meeting all of the people from the past who loved God.  We came to VBC to encounter Jesus, and we certainly did.

What a blessed time this was!  I cannot even express how deeply moved I was during this celebration.  This truly was a Holy Eucharist!