St. James - Westwood Weekly Epistle
- Approaching the First Sunday after the Epiphany (The Baptism of Our Lord)

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."  (Luke 3: 21-22)


Fallen Tree

 

If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, does it make a sound? The answer .... it depends? Most basically the answer is no, because no human being was there to technically observe (hear) and verify the sound that resonated through the air. In that way of thinking .... God may not exist for some people because they cannot scientifically accept that humanity "knows" God the Creator through Jesus the Christ, God's incarnate Son. (John 1:18). 

Hmm... Perhaps Jesus chooses to be baptized by John with other people around in order to demonstrate God's presence here among us? Is this the reason that people should chose to be baptized as Christians? Baptism's purpose is to demonstrate God's love through Jesus the Christ's life, death, and resurrection so that other people may come to more fully love God, their neighbors, and themselves. If a baptism takes place without people present to witness it, does salvation still "happen?"

This thread of consciousness is beginning to sound like a General Ordination Exam   question. (Set 3) I don't want to 
unnecessarily put anyone through what Joyce just completed; however, I do want
El Greco - Baptism of Christ
El Greco Baptism of Christ
to quickly ponder what
we believe about baptism because, in some ways, baptism is sort of like what happens when a tree falls in the woods.  It's relevant to pray about, ponder, and respond to baptism's meaning.

Liturgy for Living
















Charles Price and Louis Weil provide some very important reasons for why baptism is so very important for us and why we get involved in the ways that we do. They wrote:

Our baptism signifies our union by faith with the mission and work of Jesus. Our baptism involves dying to a self-centered understanding of reality and being reborn to a life of self-giving grounded in Christ. Baptism is no insurance policy for salvation, but rather  a commitment to a lifestyle radically different from that of the world." (Liturgy for Living, page. 69)

When a baptism happens, especially Jesus' baptism it makes all sorts of glorious and joyous noise. Let's celebrate and affirm that Christian truth with one another on Sunday.

Blessings Along The Way, Jim+

 
Open Space & our Hallmarks of Health 

Open Space Meetings












St. James' vestry has begun a process of evaluating our church's "Hallmarks of Health." Their discernment and action will become a basis for opening up our series of Open Space Gatherings at our Annual Meeting on Feb. 17th.  I'm inviting you into the process to so that you can work with your leaders to revitalize St. James in 2013

Here are some ideas for you to think about and come prepared to brainstorm about between now and then.

What excites you about being a St. James member?

What is your/our identity here?

How should we/you become radically hospitable in the next 3-6 months. Who aren't/are you inviting to be our guest and why/why not?

What would you like to see happen if money wasn't an issue?  What should happen if money becomes more of an issue in 2013?

What keeps (or prevents) you from being here every Sunday? What about weekday, Saturday activities?

What new investment of time, energy, or money are you prepared to make this year that you haven't before? Why wouldn't you make such an investment? 

Here's an invitation to think about how these questions and your answers to them relate to being a baptized member of St. James.

Enjoy the spiritual exercise!


St. James Episcopal Church Logo
Oh, please contact Kathy Schaeffer when you have completed your annual meeting report. Check here for the list of reports and who we think should be completing them.

Many Trees are Falling

De-forestation means less oxygen for all of us while  createing all kinds of problems for humanity and all of God's creation on Planet Earth.

Check out this cute video for a few facts about planting trees. I recently donated a little money to the Arbor Day Foundation and received some trees from them that will soon be ready for planting. Ideas? 
 
Timberland Video
Planting trees

In This Issue
Rector's Musings
Hallmarks of Health
Upcoming Events
Join My Mailing List
What's Happening @ St. James and Nearby

Lessons and Carols
 

Saturday - Jan. 12 @ 5:30 PM

Youth Group Gathering, Food, Fun, Music, & Faithfulness - Bring a Friend!
 

Sunday - Jan 13 @ 10 AM - Eucharist (Rite II)

Farewell to Deb Pitel and Michael Spresser @ 11:20 AM

Festivities in Lu Dunn Hall following worship services. Please come to say good bye to two wonderful and talented people who so faithfully serves St. James in 2012.  

MIQRA Youth Retreat Logo
 
Wednesday -
Jan. 16th @ Cleves Drive-in @ 6PM - N or M Meeting and Dinner - contact Julaine Mokren for reservations and more information.

Friday
- Jan 18 @ Christ Church Cathedral

MIQRA Youth Retreat

Saturday
- Jan. 19 @ 9:30 AM

Peace and Reconciliation Summit  @ Procter Center


 


Quick Links

Kim Taber speaking to Diocese of Southern OH

Interchange - Be sure to check out Kim Taber's "Youth Moment"

Diocese of Southern Ohio on Facebook

http://www.ecfvp.org/

I can tell you from my personal experience what I'm sure many of you already know. Every youth that I encountered at Genesis has a gift from God inside of them. All they need is a little encouragement and love to act with their gift, and it is amazing the positive difference and influence that the youth can have on this church as a whole.  - (Kim Taber, address to Diocese of Southern Ohio Convention, November 10th, 2012)

Kim's words are inspiring for all of us, regardless of age, don't you think?

Christmas Eve 2012
Check out our Photos from the Holidays