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Saint James Episcopal Church - Weekly Epistle
A Spiral-Shaped God © Jan L. Richardson
Approaching the 6th Sunday after Pentecost

July 17th, 2014
Arugala Photo
Weed or Wheat? - Click on the photo to find out.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Jesus Christ
  

He put before them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.  ( Matthew 13: 24-26)

Read Sunday's Lessons (Track 2)

Last Sunday I mentioned the idea of plants that show up as "volunteers" in our neighborhood gardens and nearby farm fields. I failed to credit Sandy MacGregor for providing me inspiration about the concept. Sandy was kind enough to come over to my home and inspect my garden when I first moved here to Cincinnati. I asked him a bunch of silly questions about the various plants sprouting up around my house and in the back yard. When I asked him whether some of them were weeds or flowers and how they got there; he humorously replied "Volunteers."

The sunflowers I mentioned in last week's epistle are such friendly guests in my garden. I didn't plant them yet there they are. They are not alone needless to say. They've shown up along with all sorts of unwelcome plants. Weeds are generally defined as an undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome plants growing in an unwanted place. I've come to learn that weeds are often much more difficult to pull out of the ground than most flowers or vegetables.  Dandelions are a perfect example.
I've pulled dozens of dandelions out of my lawn and gardens this year. Guess what? I'm losing that battle. 

Dandelion Photo
Dandelions...
Here's the deal though. Most of us consider dandelions to be a weed. However, dandelions have all sorts of medicinal and dietary benefits. We might be much more fond of them if they elected to reside somewhere other than in our preciously manicured lawns and flower beds.  
How much time, money, and energy are we willing to invest in maintaining and managing the yards around our homes?  Is the perfect lawn, merely an "illusion?" 

On a more spiritual level there are many healthy possible interpretations for us to consider from the Parable of the Weeds and The Wheat. These possibilities especially hold true if we can look past Matthew's (not Jesus' interpretation in my opinion) arbitrary decision to blame the problem of undesired experiences or relationships on some diabolical, external neighbor(s).  Simply put, hastily pulling up the weeds in our lives or in our Christian communities of faith and practice is often not the best solution.  Ripping up the weeds often also pulls up the wheat, especially when both plants are young. Moreover, Jesus' actions suggest that he didn't make any hasty decisions about much of anything. Brian Stoffregen points out that Jesus didn't dismiss Peter because of his disbelief. Nor did he banish other disciples when they failed in perfectly accomplishing their work on behalf of the Reign of God. He sought to invite more people to work in God's gardens of justice, compassion, and peace.  Stoffregen writes: "It has been my experience and I believe that it is a message from this parable, that God's worst enemies often assume that they are God's friends -- doing God's work. Proper servants of God can't assume that they always know God's wishes. Discerning God's will not only involves Bible Study and prayer, but the wisdom of the community."

James Janknegt - Grain and Weeds
James Janknegt - Grain and Weeds
The nature of the work in Christ's garden is complicated and cultivated through our faithful human relationships with ourselves, one another, and God.  It's dirty and often prickly work, especially when transformation is going on. Ah, but the labors on behalf of God are worth it beyond measure. One way of evaluating our progress is by examining the quality of the fruit and produce we are producing and sharing with one another and in the world around us. In terms, of the wheat and weeds we are offering, I'm delighted that volunteers are showing up alongside of faithful St. James' members as we continue or work as a church. We are striving to be patient and earnest about who God is calling us to be. I pray we'll keep inviting more gardeners to plant seeds, work the soil, patiently tend to the harvest, and cooperate with one another and Christ as best we can, one seed, one experience, one person, one day at a time.

Blessings Along The Way, Jim+ 
        
This Week @ St. James
Blessed Candlemas Candle on St. James' Altar
Visit the parish's calendar

There's an updated website article on the webpage summarizing some key July events.
 Check it out!

At Home in Westwood Banner
Meet our Neighbors and Guests This Saturday

Westwood Giant Yard Sale

Westwood's Giant Yard Sale happens this Saturday, July 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Westwood Town Hall. St. James will be present at a table to welcome folks who attend the sale. Come on over and help us share The Word about all of the exciting stuff going on at our church. Please help us take advantage of this opportunity to promote St. James to our Westwood community and guests who will be visiting the neighborhood for the  "At Home in Westwood" Event. It's a unique opportunity to meet our neighbors.
Westwood Elementary School Children
Support these children with school supplies
Westwood Elementary School - Backpack Drive

Westwood United Methodist Church and other nearby churches are working with the Westwood Elementary School resource coordinator to collect 500 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. Saint James is signing up to support this effort by purchasing and providing 500 packs of pencils, 500 erasers, and 500 pocket folders.  Nancy Jacob has graciously volunteered to be the project person to support St. James' involvement in this worthwhile outreach project. The latest info we've received is that volunteers will assemble the backpacks on August 10th at Westwood United Methodist Church (Time to be determined). Westwood Elementary's back to school fair is August 17th. We need to get moving!  E-mail or talk with Nancy and get involved in making sure our neighborhood children have the resources they need to get off to a successful start in school!
Bob Pavolich
Let's Go See "BiBi"
Bob Pavolich performs "BiBi" - This Coming Week!

St. James' own Bob Pavolich returns to the stage next week to perform in BiBi. The play offers an account of the life and times of Israeli Premier, Benjamin Netanyahu.  We can go support Bob and see the on July 22, 23, or 24 (7:30 PM) at the Aranoff Center for the Performing Arts - Jason-Kaplan Theater.  Many parishioners are interested in seeing the show. Let's get together on Sunday at Coffee Hour to put a plan in place to go as a group and take in the play!
Godspell and Art Shows
Godspell Jr and beautiful art in the worship space and parish Hall

Happening at St. James in August


More than 20 young performers will come to St. James in early August to rehearse and perform in Godspell Junior. We're also pleased to announce that artists from around Cincinnati will be displaying their quilts and fiber pieces in the parish hall for the musical performances on Aug. 8, 9, and 10, including a reception on Friday night, 8/8 at 5pm.  Contact Joyce for more info. about the art show and reception.

Music Camp - Next Week!


15 Students and 5 Faculty Members will gleefully get started with camp, NEXT WEEK. Thanks to everyone for their generous financial donations as well as everyone who is taking time out of their busy schedules to help make camp happen. Please contact Alex, if you wish to contribute in some way and make sure to set aside time for the camp recital on Saturday, July 26 at 4PM.

St. James 2nd Annual Summer Music Camp
 
July 21 - July 25
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Check out the Facebook Page
 
Garden Life in Motion

Life as it happens
Life as it happens

"I find one vast garden spread out all over the universe. All plants, all human beings, all higher mind bodies are about in this garden in various ways, each has his own uniqueness and beauty. Their presence and variety give me great delight. Every one of you adds with his special feature to the glory of the garden."   (One Vast Garden - Sri Ananandamayi)

 

It doesn't really matter whether it's a weed or a grain of wheat - to watch life unfold is a miraculous event, especially when we intentionally set aside time to behold. Here's a captivating video that Daniel Csobot created that is worth just a little more than two minutes of your time to take in and consider.