St. Francis' Prayer
 | | Sarah Mclachlan sings St. Francis' Prayer. |
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon:
where there is doubt, faith ;
where there is despair, hope
where there is darkness, light
where there is sadness, joy
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 | | Dick Adams - Hands of Glory |
Hospitality - through our hands & heart
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10: 13-16)
Many people gain and establish their initial impression about someone else by the manner in which they come into contact with one another. "He doesn't have a strong handshake" or "I didn't like the way she hugged me without knowing me." Sound familiar?
We establish and maintain our personal spaces through the vulnerabilities and insecurities of our bodily interactions with each other. Children are especially vulnerable and this is why we have programs such as Safeguarding God's Children in place. Assuredly, some people overstep such boundaries, sometimes inappropriately or violently so in many cases. Conversely, how often do we (sub)consciously limit our interactions with someone else because of the color of their skin, their biological age, or some other human characteristic.
Touching should in fact be the source of blessings rather than harm. The parents who came with their children to have Jesus bless them understood this truth. The disciples were perhaps striving to protect their rabbi and/or keep the appropriate social boundaries of their time intact. Jesus proclaims to them and to us that our usual expectations about defense mechanisms are not intact in God's reign.  Christ willingly lay hands upon children and adults alike as well as anyone else laboring to behold and believe in God.
Fr. Dick Adams writes of his painting Hands of Glory:
Touching or clasping of hands is, in itself, a universal expression of personal interchange conveying a wealth of possible meanings. Perhaps, in manifesting the greatness of their potential, the art work, alike with the meeting of hands, can show forth the glorious promise of our being-made in the image of God, to bring about creative moments of beauty and grace."
My hope this week is that we will intentionally touch each other's lives, gracefully and hopefully. We will especially be living like Jesus when we hospitably tend to the needs of vulnerable people around us, assuredly the children in our midst. May our hands be a living extension and impart a lasting impression of Jesus' Divine Love. May we continue to trust in God to guide our pilgrimage especially now when, as Alyce McKenzie suggests, it is humanly impossible to accomplish such Grace on our own.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
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 What do you love about St. James?
I read an article this morning about "Strategies for Congregational Growth." Veronica Dagher provides readers some tips for congregations seeking to live more fully into their Christian mission and life. It reminded me of some work that I've been doing with a few parishioners over the past few months. We've looked at our website as well as the way we worship and other "marketing." possibilities.
One of the best things about St. James, in my opinion, is its people. There are people who have been here for a little while, a few years, or other people who have been here for a long time. In all cases, people are here because they love this Episcopal Church. I'd like to help us "share the love."
Here's my idea. I need volunteers to write a short article about themselves, their interests and passions, and what they love about St. James. We'll highlight a parishioner each month in the Journal, on our Facebook page, our website, and in the Weekly Epistle.
Come on and share your love for St. James with one another and our guests who come to share Jesus the Christ with us. You can e-mail your "love stories" to me. Thanks
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 Dick Wesp Memorial Service, Reception and Concert
St. James will offer a Memorial Service for Richard (Dick) Wesp at 4 PM on All Souls Day, Nov 2nd. The liturgy will be followed by a reception in Lu Dunn Hall. We then intend to host the 1st Annual Richard Wesp Memorial Concert here in the church on that same evening @ 7PM. This year's concert will benefit the Cincinnati Children's Choir.  Dick was a long term supporter of the Children's Choir and recently served on the choir's Board of Directors. Tickets will cost $20.00 and will be available through the church office. Seating will be limited to the first 250 ticket holders.  It is because of Dick that we were so successful at hosting the World Choir Games concert back in July. I hope that we will continue that legacy through the Memorial Concert series that we intend to bring into being. It's my vision as St. James' current rector that we will continue to share beautiful music that Dick loved so much not only with ourselves but with the broader Westwood and Cincinnati communities. Dick produced and conducted operettas, musicals, and sacred music for more than five decades. Let's remember his life with joy as well as continue sharing the the gifts of music he committed his entire life to as St. James' organist and music director. |
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St. James Episcopal Church is called to be a center of worship and common life where Christ's love is visible and experienced 