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St. James Episcopal Church Weekly Epistle
August 1, 2013 - Approaching the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
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And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God."
Read Sunday's scriptures here.
The possession, retention, and care of stuff (aka possessions) may be one of the places where we might find it most difficult to live into Jesus' teachings. We live in a "stuff-based" economy. We measure our "wealth" by the possession of investments such as a home, bank accounts, and automobiles. We yearn to own or buy on credit luxury items such as jewelery and electronic devices. Corporations invest millions of dollars in advertising so that people like you and me as well as other people all over the planet will purchase products and services. In Jesus' day, a man who owned land and employed slaves was economically wealthy. Most people were not, yet they sought to be as best they could. This truth remains a fact of life for people today. We measure each other's success in profane ways by the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, the neighborhoods we live in, the colleges we attend, and all sorts of other capitalistic metrics. Jesus seems to place all of those stuff-related value items into a sinful trash bin by suggesting that such "goods" are bad because our pursuit of material, worldly possessions distracts from the riches of a deeper more meaningful relationship with God. And, by the way, you "can't take them with you." His lesson seems to forget the fact that we sure can enjoy them while we're here. Or do we really .... | |
Do you WANT this?
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Greed is a deadly sin not only because is morally harmful in and of itself but it leads to acting in other evil ways. Somebody else has money that we don't and we want it and in so cases choose to steal it. On some level, we all know that the worldly stuff will not deliver the goods when it comes to achieving better relationships with ourselves, God, and one another. The awesomely cool cell phone though is fun to use and the associated apps are enjoyable too. Perhaps the question is not about inordinate wealth and innumerable amounts of stuff. Perhaps a more practical inquiry would be for us to figure out on a daily basis when and how Jesus is calling us to pay closer attention to personal, economic, and spiritual realities that bring us closer to the treasure of God's Reign. There are assuredly other opportunities that happen every day when we should should set aside our self-interests and attention upon fabulous cars and search more diligently for the riches of God's love, redemption, and reconciliation. Such zealous and non-stuff-related love abides at the core of Jesus' gospel and at the heart of Sunday's parable. |
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| Christ's love is available to you through these upcoming summer happenings at St. James?
 People's Choice Music This Sunday @ 10 AM -
Get your favorite hymns names on to the slips of paper and place them in the container out in the narthex before worship! It'll be fun to see what music will be made!
Contemplative Yoga Begins on THIS COMING Monday August 5
ASATE Contemplative Yoga creates a space to become fully present to the voice of God in our lives. Using gentle stretches, breathing techniques and visualization, we will prepare ourselves for meditation and contemplation. Sessions will be held downstairs, beginning promptly at 6:00 and ending by 7:30 p.m. All adults of any age and
abilities are welcome Cynthia McCarthy, a certified Kriya Yoga instructor will lead the sessions. Come to clear your mind and listen to for God's voice. Contact Cynthia if you're interested in participating.
The Miami Valley Episcopal Russian Network (MVERN) is hosting four Russian teenagers from August 8-19. St. James will host a cookout and parish dinner for the guests on Thursday, August 15, at 6:00 PM. We'll have a
chance to meet Dasha, Natasha, Lena, Grisha, and their leader Dr. Igor Tolochin. They are eagerly looking forward to meeting the people of St. James, whom they have heard about from our mission trips with MVERN to their village of Sablino. Don't miss this opportunity to share our culture with our Russian friends and to learn more about their home.
Here are some things that need to happen when our Russian guests are here with us on the 15th:
1. Games and Scavenger Hunt. Pam will organize and leave instructions, so it will just be a matter of leading it that evening. Please volunteer if you willing to lead or help with the hunt and children's games.
2. Dinner arrangements: It looks like we're going to have a cookout. The Russians don't tolerate spicy food to well; so, anything along the lines of spicy Mexican food line is out! Fresh fruit, salads, and yummy desserts would be great. Please check in with Anne Griffiths and let her know what dish you are willing to share? We need folks to help set-up the food, as well as clean-up.
Keep up with what all is going on on your church's calendar.
Did you see the photos from Music Camp yet. They are awesome
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Along The Way with Joyce
 | | Joyce - en El Camino |
Our friend and soon to be deacon resident, Joyce Keeshin, has been traveling on the Camino De Santiago for more than 20 days now. It's not been an easy pilgrimage and she's still walking, She's still got about 120 miles or so to go before reaching Santiago. Clearly she hasn't taken a whole lot of stuff on this trip. You can follow Joyce's pilgrimage at " TrackMyTour." 'Enjoy the beautiful photos she's posting as well as send prayers of healing and encouragement her way... along The Way.
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Same as it ever Was
 | | Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime |
And you may ask yourself What is that beautiful house? And you may ask yourself Where does that highway go to? And you may ask yourself Am I right?...Am I wrong? And you may say to yourself yourself My God!...What have I done?! I wouldn't confuse David Byrne with Jesus but the lyrics from the Talking Head's song "Once in a Lifetime" do provoke some of the same questions that the Parable of the Rich Fool does. You can read the lyrics as well as some other listeners thoughts about them here. You can watch the Once in a Lifetime video on You-Tube. (Cautionary note - Talking Heads music is certainly not to be confused with classical or pop genres). |
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