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February 22nd, 2012
Ash Wednesday
Solitude and the Sharing of Christian Faith in our Community
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Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus the Christ
I am reminded on Ash Wednesday, especially this one, that nothing is permanent in life. We are dust and to dust we shall return. This emphasis upon mortality seems quite depressing on the surface. It is, isn't it? Our God-given but mortal nature is incapable of always being stable and content. "Change" and ultimately death happens - not only at the end of life but throughout the nature of our days upon the Earth too, Sobering ... but not absolutely so.
There are comforting yet challenging words in one of the Psalms, Psalm 103, that we will say with one another today. We bless and are blessed by God in all aspects of our mortality. The God that we reverence is slow to anger, forgives sins, merciful and abounds in steadfast love. This is the same Creator who came to be with us in human form as Jesus the Christ. Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the fears and trials of the Wilderness, and yet returned to fully live into God's sacrificial love, through his humanity and divinity alike. He directed his disciples to wipe the dust from their feet in towns where people did not welcome the proclamation of God's compassionate reign. His feet became raw and bled as he was sentenced to death and marched to Golgotha with a cross of evil cast upon his back. Roman soldiers commanded Simon of Cyrene to carry Jesus' cross for him on that dreadfully mortal day. We carry crosses for Jesus the Christ as well.
And yet, we as the faithful Christian believers of God's love are to bless God through all aspects of God's dominion. Our souls, as Christ's ministers are to bless God in trial and tribulation as well as in joy and victory. We do so during Lent to recall that mortality may be burdensome but not victorious. Lent does not end at the Cross. Resurrection does not come without human toil and tribulation either.
The great American poet T.S. Eliot in his poem Ash Wednesday wrote:
... Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place And what is actual is actual only for one time And only for one place I rejoice that things are as they are and I renounce the bless�d face And renounce the voice Because I cannot hope to turn again Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something Upon which to rejoice And pray to God to have mercy upon us And pray that I may forget These matters that with myself I too much discuss ...
May you re-discover your mortality this Lenten Season even as you become more human and trustworthy of The Lord's steadfast love, from everlasting to everlasting.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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Outreach and Outpouring
I want to let everyone know that St. James' raised over $1050.00 to benefit the diocese's "Rebuild our Church" effort's in Haiti. Thank you very much for finishing the structure of living bricks. Your gifts will soon restore music and worship in Port Au Prince. Thanks!!!
Lisa Jacob, Jane Kammer Habig, and others want you to know that the Flying Pig Marathon has recognized El Hogar Ministries, a foremost outreach of our diocese, as an official charity of organization.
When a participant, walker or runner, adult or child, registers in any of the Flying Pig events, a portion of the fee will go directly to El Hogar,
and the registrant gets a discount on her or his entry fee! Winners all There's more info. here. Maybe we can get some people involved in more than one way :) |
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 This Week @ St. James
Tonight
Ash Wednesday Services 7 PMThursday - Thursday - 5:00 - 7:00 PM - Contact Jane Mattes for more information and how you will help. Vestry - 7 PM
Sunday - 8 AM - Rite I Eucharist10 AM - Rite II Eucharist
5 PM - Youth Group Gathering
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 SavLenten Disciplines and Activities
Here are a few means and ways that I've come across to transform yourself and others through this Lenten Season.
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 Huff Post Lent 2012
Starting on February 22, Ash Wednesday, HuffPost Religion offers you the opportunity to walk together with an on-line community of pilgrims through this season of grown and discovery.
Episcopal Relief and Development Lenten Meditations
These Lenten Meditations are tools to help guide readers into a deeper understanding of God's call in their lives. This year's readings provide a particular emphasis on promoting health and fighting disease while preparing for personal healing too. (Available in the narthex in booklet format)
Lent Madness Who will Win the Golden Halo
Lent Madness allows people to get to know some amazing people (saints) who have come before us in the faith. The contest reminds participants that there's no reason to accomplish a dreary Lenten discipline just to be miserable. Lent Madness helps people connect with the risen Christ during this season of penitence and renewal while having a bit of fun in the process. Praying the hours enjoins us to stop, let go of all that occupies us, and focus on the sacred at regular intervals throughout the day. Suddenly, every day becomes holy, for every day is laced together by our appointments with God. Beginning Ash Wednesday and throughout Lent, participants will receive a daily email with the day's suggested carbon-reducing activity. When possible, this will include a quantitative measure of the carbon reduction resulting from the activity. Please let me know if you have another resource that would be beneficial for St. James' members. |
Bless the Lord O My Soul - Byzantine Rite
This video is a lovely contemporary version of Byzantine Rite Music. The composer, Roman Hurko, has used the text of the psaltry as a means to provide listeners sacred and contemplative space for deepening their relationship with God. Try listening to this piece or something such as Chanticleer's renditions of Gregorian Chant. |
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 The Rev. Jim Strader
Rector, Priest, Pastor, Preacher, and occasionally nice guy
St. James Episcopal Church 3207 Montana Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45211
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