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WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – June 7th – Fr. Thomas

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As if the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough in our nation and world, and the official beginning of hurricane season; now we’re faced with rising tensions, anger, and violence as a result of the arrest and murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.  The racial tension that still exists in different places and in various forms hasn’t and will not go away anytime soon.  It’s easy for many of us to simply think, “Oh, we’re all alike; black, white, Hispanic, Arab, Oriental; so in the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just ‘get along?”  Well, we know that it’s not that simple; especially for those who have experienced racial discrimination in past, or even in present years.  When one hears the stories of racial prejudice one can sympathize and begin to comprehend the anger and suspicion which still exists among different races and groups of people.  However, we know too, that one cannot live in fear, nor live in the past either.

The message of Pentecost last week is that “We’re all in this together,” Red and Yellow, Black and White, they are precious in His sight,” as the old children’s song goes.  But not everyone “gets it.”  Why not?  Maybe we have a lot of work still to do as Christians.  Several people have asked me already in recent days if we’re living in the “End Times.”  My response, from an historical point of view, is probably not, but we’re called upon to live each day as if it were our first, last, and only day. Some Pentecostal preachers were warning us that the new millennium was the beginning of the apocalypse.  Well, here we are twenty years later, and what has changed?

So, we think we cannot change our world or ourselves; and we use that as a good excuse to simply live with the problems. Not to make light of the tragedies which afflict us throughout the years: wars, natural disasters, political upheavals, and plagues; but, we still have a lot of work to do to “colonize” our present existence before we move on to a higher one.  And, the Good News is that we’re not in this by ourselves. The problem, however, is that we’ve become too comfortable with our divisions.  We think the problems of the world are too big for us. Well, by ourselves, yes, they probably are.  No part of the body is indispensable.  We are all interrelated like a tag team.  So, I leave you with a favorite African proverb – “If you want to travel fast, walk alone, if you want to travel far, walk together.”

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.  Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death, I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. (Thomas Merton, “Thoughts of Solitude”)

NOTICES:

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least 30th of June.   Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather. St. David’s will not be re-opening June 7th.

Village of Wellington –the food distribution in Wellington is at the Wellington mall by Nordstrom. The time was changed to 8:30-10:30 a.m. You will be given a voucher when you are in line. Let the person know if you are getting food for more than one family. 

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. This is a time change since we need to be at St. George’s by 10:30. Thank you for your continued support!    Joyce Parker 561-312-2719.

Please Pray – For the sick: Patti, Alicia, William, Caswell, Richard, Carole, Patti, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Riley Bresnahan, Ava Wolliston, Leila South, Sally Frenz. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Vince & Michelle Bianco. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea. For the faithful departed: Ann Rech.

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/ATrinity_RCL.html

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/

 

WEEKLY RECTOR’S MESSAGE – May 31st – Fr. Thomas

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A group of surveyors were sent to a remote mountain to design a new map of the terrain. Every day they would go up and over the rugged hills and every night return to their camp. Usually every night they were joined by an old shepherd who enjoyed the companionship of their fire at night. They would swap stories and tell of their daily adventures up on the mountain.  One evening, the old shepherd insisted that he would accompany the surveyors the next day so they would not become lost.  Feeling fairly sure of themselves after so many successful trips already, they asked why he felt that he needed to go along. The shepherd quietly repeated, “I must go with you.” Still puzzled, the surveyors again described their many hikes through the mountains and their familiarity with the area.  Yet again, the shepherd insisted, “I must go with you for I know the mountains like the back of my hand.  If I don’t go, you will become lost.”  Somewhat aggravated, the surveyors replied, “We now have a map made of the area.” The shepherd quickly responded, “But there is no fog on your map.”  Despite the shepherd’s claim, the two “experts” went up the mountain early the next morning by themselves.  Soon a thick fog encircled them and led them astray. They were lost! They wandered literally all over that mountain growing increasingly exhausted.  Suddenly out of the fog, the shepherd appeared beside them and led them home, through the fog.

How many of us can relate to this story today?  We feel so sure of God’s presence when things are going our way, but when life throws us “curve balls” or we get lost in the fog, where do we look?  Well, these days, many reading this are watching our weekly video mass, or reading daily meditations, and saying their prayers.  Who is our shepherd?  Jesus Christ our Lord, who leads us beside the still waters, through the “fogs” of life; and whose loving kindness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our life, now and forever more. Amen.

(Even though we cannot yet receive the sacrament in person, we can make a “spiritual” communion while at home.  Here is a prayer for your use.)

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most holy sacrament. I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.

NOTICES:

Plans Change – Bishop Peter has “extended the closure of our congregations, schools, and special ministries until at least 30 June.   Live-streaming and recording of worship may continue….no other in-person activity is permitted. We continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we shall move into Season II only when we are clear that it is safe to do so. This continued period of closure is the perfect opportunity for making preparations and ensuring that all is in order for the time when it becomes possible and safe to re-enter and re-gather. St. David’s will not be re-opening June 7th.

Sandwiches for St. George’s Outreach Project Extended through June – Please continue to prepare sandwiches for St. George’s and bring them to St. David’s parking lot each Wednesday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 am. This is a time change since we need to be at St. George’s by 10:30.  Thank you for your continued support!    Joyce Parker 561-312-2719

Please Pray – For the sick: Ann, Caswell, Richard, Carole, Patti, Sandy, Kim, Joe, Steve, Bob, Linda, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn. For birthday celebrations: Charles Sandell, Grace Hadicke, Victoria Wolliston. For those celebrating a wedding anniversary: Mark & Valerie Veckman. For our expectant mothers: Dani and Andrea.

 

https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/APentDay_RCL.html

 

https://www.facebook.com/SaintDavidsInThePines/