 |
|
St. James - Westwood Weekly Epistle
-
Approaching the Third Sunday after the Epiphany
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.
|
You can really capture people's attention when you sit down and say nothing, especially when they are expecting you to say and do something spectacular. Sunday's Gospel gives us a look at such a dynamic from Jesus' perspective.
Jesus goes back to his hometown of Nazareth after teaching and preaching in Galilee and nearby towns and villages. God's Living Word is out and about proclaiming "Good News" (euaggelizō in NT Greek). Our Lord's first appearances in Luke are to people yearning to hear and receive joyful tidings of God's kindness. Oddly, Jesus doesn't go home to begin his ministries. He allows the news about him and God's in-breaking reign of compassion, justice, and salvation to reach his family and neighbor's friends from outsiders. He then shows and stands up to proclaim the Prophet Isaiah's message of healing, liberty. grace, and comfort to brokenhearted, captive, and mournful people.  | |
|
Then he sat down. We don't know how long he sat. Perhaps it was just for a second. Perhaps it was for 10 minutes. It was long enough for him to get everybody's attention. It was short enough for him to not lose the sense of dramatic tension that was assuredly present in the silent, dusty, anxious air they were breathing.
"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
I wonder how we might feel and respond if Jesus was preaching and then sit down in our church with this message. What meaning would we receive from his proclamation of "Good News" for the outcast, troubled, imprisoned people he mentions? What types of relationships do we have with them, or they with us? Is he speaking directly to us as he was to his neighbors and family members in Nazareth?
Earlier today, I had a cup of coffee with someone who is really struggling right now. He is out of work. His spouse is dying of cancer. His older children have moved on with their lives and don't come around very much any more. There is much more turmoil taking place in this family .... more than I can fully understand or heal. There was a fair amount of time when I sat there and simply said nothing.
I nonetheless feel a sense of Jesus' message challenging me when I sit down with this man and other people like him. I feel that they yearn for Jesus' Good News. Maybe they and we simply hope that someone will listen to us as Jesus the Christ did and does. Perhaps we shall feel a little tense when Jesus speaks directly to us. We become disciples as we intently listen to Jesus' words especially in silence and expectation of what is yet to unfold in our hearing. Speak Lord, for we are listening, precisely where we are.
Blessings Along The Way, Jim+
|
|
Open Space & our Hallmarks of Health
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
The Diocese of Southern Ohio's Mission Priorities are defined by
Five Hallmarks of Health. The second hallmark of health is practicing radical hospitality. Do we welcome and integrate everyone who are our guests at Sunday worship and at other times during the week? How well do we freely and gladly share our church resources (nursery, meeting rooms, outreach funds, professional and spiritual expertise and experiences) with our neighbors and one another? Is our Community Supper as welcoming and collaborative as it should be? Do we deliberately invite, welcome, receive and cares for those who are strangers to us?
Please contact Kathy Schaeffer when you have completed your annual meeting report. Check herefor the list of reports and who we think should be completing them.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
GREETINGS from your new Director of Music!
Hello, St. James! My name is Alex Gartner, and I'm thrilled to be your new Director of Music. I have met a lot of you already, and I can tell that St. James Episcopal Church is such a loving and exciting place to be.
I'm a native Cincinnatian (and admittedly an East-sider... sigh) and a graduate of Anderson High School, where I crossed the paths of Dick Wesp. Mr. Wesp was my mentor and dear friend, and I can think of no better way to honor his legacy than to build upon the solid musical foundation he laid at St. James and continue to move to even greater heights in this new season of ministry.
I am also a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a Bachelors in Choral Music Education. I come to you from Epiphany United Methodist Church, where until recently I served as the Director of Contemporary Worship and the Associate Director of Traditional Worship. Additionally, I am the Assistant Director of the Cincinnati Children's Choir (whom you may have heard at the Richard Wesp Memorial Concert) and teach general music at the Montessori Academy of Cincinnati.
Now if you're thinking, "man, he's crazy to do all of those things," you're not alone! But as you learn more about me one thing will be clear: I am extremely passionate about teaching, music, and church. In fact, I just returned from a mission trip to Haiti which was absolutely amazing and transformative (which is where the above picture was taken). Ask me about it! I look forward to the good conversations we will have and strong relationships we will create here at St. James.
I am usually at the church Monday through Wednesday (and sometimes Friday), and the choir room door is always open! You can also reach me by email at my new church e-mail address or ask me for my cell phone number.
Oh... and if you are musically inclined, I'd LOVE to hear about your gifts! :)
Again, I am so excited to walk alongside with you as we minister to God's people here in this place and in our community.
Peace and Love, -Alex
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
What's Happening @ St. James and Nearby
Thursday - Jan. 24 @ 5:00 PM - Community Supper
7:00 PM - Vestry Meeting
Sunday - Jan 20 @ 10 AM - Eucharist (Rite II)
Sunday - Jan 27 @ 9:00 AM Adult Education - Here are some meditations and questions we may begin to discuss. You can use this resource as a weekly devotional too Rite II Eucharist (Communion) @ 10:00 AM Children's Sunday School
Confirmation and Episcopal-ese Class@ 11:30 AM
Let's get both groups together and talk about Healthy Christian Life and Plans for Lent.
Later On in FebruarySaturday Feb. 9 @ 5 PM Contemporary Worship and Bible Study Tuesday Feb. 12 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Festivities  Wednesday Feb. 13 @ 12 Noon and 7 PM - Ash Wednesday w/ Imposition of Ashes.  | |
Soul Revolution by John Burke
|
It's time for a Soul Revolution - Are you willing to accept the challenge?  You can also sign up and/or support someone in our Lenten Mustache Contest (Details upcoming)
|
|
|
 |
