Dear Friends in Christ -
The Shelton community is celebrating the rededication of our historic Church with us. Check out the front page of the Huntington Herald! Also, you can go to the Huntington Herald website (www.huntingtonherald.com) for a lovely slideshow of photos of the event. Wow!
Our heartfelt thanks go to Fred Musante, editor, and Wayne Ratzenberger, photographer, for gracious, beautiful coverage of this celebration.
Blessings,
Janet+
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Day or Two After . . . What's Next?
Dear Friends in Christ -
Well, it's over. Our glorious weekend of Rededication, our celebrations with many old, dear friends is past. Now what?
Now we pause and give thanks. Now we take a deep breath. Now we listen for the voice of God calling us on.
God's voice is designed in such a way that we hear it best when we're together. Even when God speaks a word first to just one person, His voice gets louder and clearer as that one person shares God's call with others.
GOD IS ALWAYS SPEAKING. TO YOU. Do you believe that?
God speaks to you and me all the time. It's God's very nature to do so. Remember He created us to be in relationship with him. So it makes sense that he would "stay in touch," doesn't it?? Too often, though, we don't hear God because
(1) we're too busy to listen
(2) we don't think the great big God of the universe would bother with little ol' us
or
(3) we're afraid that God will say something we don't want to hear
In order to hear God's voice, we have to choose to believe that God loves us and to trust that he wants the best for us. Our "never enough" world has conditioned us to believe that God's love can't be bigger than our faults and failings, that trusting in ourselves is a safer bet than trusting in God.
As we listen to God for "what's next", let's commit to believing together in God's love, to listening for His voice, and to following where He leads.
"O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who put their trust in him." - Ps. 34:8
Faithfully,
Janet+
Well, it's over. Our glorious weekend of Rededication, our celebrations with many old, dear friends is past. Now what?
Now we pause and give thanks. Now we take a deep breath. Now we listen for the voice of God calling us on.
God's voice is designed in such a way that we hear it best when we're together. Even when God speaks a word first to just one person, His voice gets louder and clearer as that one person shares God's call with others.
GOD IS ALWAYS SPEAKING. TO YOU. Do you believe that?
God speaks to you and me all the time. It's God's very nature to do so. Remember He created us to be in relationship with him. So it makes sense that he would "stay in touch," doesn't it?? Too often, though, we don't hear God because
(1) we're too busy to listen
(2) we don't think the great big God of the universe would bother with little ol' us
or
(3) we're afraid that God will say something we don't want to hear
In order to hear God's voice, we have to choose to believe that God loves us and to trust that he wants the best for us. Our "never enough" world has conditioned us to believe that God's love can't be bigger than our faults and failings, that trusting in ourselves is a safer bet than trusting in God.
As we listen to God for "what's next", let's commit to believing together in God's love, to listening for His voice, and to following where He leads.
"O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who put their trust in him." - Ps. 34:8
Faithfully,
Janet+
Thursday, September 18, 2008
AN INVITATION
Dear Friends in Christ -
This weekend will be a special one: a time to rejoice in the great things that God has given to us and a time to receive God's blessing to carry on into the future.
The schedule of events is posted in the left-hand column of this Blog, but in case you need a little more info., here's a detailed run-down:
FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 19 - 7:00 p.m.
Circle of Prayer around the Old Church
People of all ages join together in a candle-light vigil around the church, to pray in God's presence as we gather together for this special weekend.
SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 20 - 10:00 a.m.
Children's Service
An opportunity for kids of all ages to participate in the church version of "touch-a-truck;" we'll say prayers together and everyone will get to ring the church bell!
SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 20 - 4:00 p.m.
Service of Rededication
The main event! In this service of rededication, we recommit this Old Church and our lives to God. Together, we will sing and pray and hear a wonderful homily by former Rector of St. Paul's, the Rev. Tom Furrer. Our honored guests will be two other former Rectors of St. Paul's, the Rev. Ralph Merrill and the Rev. David Reed.
Following the service there will be a community potluck at 5:30 p.m. and a panel discussion by the former Rectors at 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 21 - 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Regular Sunday Worship Services BOTH in the Old Church
(At the 10:00 a.m. service, the children will participate in their own special worship service in the Chapel)
8:00 a.m. - The Rev. Ralph Merrill will preach
10:00 a.m. -The Rev. Dr. David Reed will preach
Following each service, there will be coffee hour in the Parish Hall
PLEASE JOIN IN THESE FESTIVITIES and HEAR THE VOICE OF OUR LIVING, LOVING LORD.
Faithfully,
Janet+
This weekend will be a special one: a time to rejoice in the great things that God has given to us and a time to receive God's blessing to carry on into the future.
The schedule of events is posted in the left-hand column of this Blog, but in case you need a little more info., here's a detailed run-down:
FRIDAY - SEPTEMBER 19 - 7:00 p.m.
Circle of Prayer around the Old Church
People of all ages join together in a candle-light vigil around the church, to pray in God's presence as we gather together for this special weekend.
SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 20 - 10:00 a.m.
Children's Service
An opportunity for kids of all ages to participate in the church version of "touch-a-truck;" we'll say prayers together and everyone will get to ring the church bell!
SATURDAY - SEPTEMBER 20 - 4:00 p.m.
Service of Rededication
The main event! In this service of rededication, we recommit this Old Church and our lives to God. Together, we will sing and pray and hear a wonderful homily by former Rector of St. Paul's, the Rev. Tom Furrer. Our honored guests will be two other former Rectors of St. Paul's, the Rev. Ralph Merrill and the Rev. David Reed.
Following the service there will be a community potluck at 5:30 p.m. and a panel discussion by the former Rectors at 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 21 - 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Regular Sunday Worship Services BOTH in the Old Church
(At the 10:00 a.m. service, the children will participate in their own special worship service in the Chapel)
8:00 a.m. - The Rev. Ralph Merrill will preach
10:00 a.m. -The Rev. Dr. David Reed will preach
Following each service, there will be coffee hour in the Parish Hall
PLEASE JOIN IN THESE FESTIVITIES and HEAR THE VOICE OF OUR LIVING, LOVING LORD.
Faithfully,
Janet+
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Michelle
Dear Friends in Christ -
Following is the obituary for our beloved Michelle Lauria. Thank you for your prayers for her family and friends during this sad time. And a special "thank you" to all those who are helping with the reception in the parish hall following the services tomorrow (WED.).
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Michelle R. Lauria, age 45, of Hickory Lane, Shelton, entered into her eternal rest on Saturday, September 13, 2008 in Lord Chamberlain Nursing Center in Stratford. She was the wife of David Lauria. Mrs. Lauria was born in Olathe, Kansas on October 4, 1962, daughter of the late William Keith Bohon and the late Alice Jane Terry Bohon. She received her BA in Engineering from Oklahoma State University, and was self-employed as an Interior Decorator. She was an active parishioner at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, an active member of the Elizabeth Shelton PTA, the Newcomers and Neighborhood Club of Shelton, a volunteer for the Monroe Food Bank, and an advocate of the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness. She was the mother of Michael and Jessica Lauria and sister of Marsha Hawkins. She is also survived by a niece and a nephew. Michelle will be missed a great deal by many friends who showed her years of love and kindness during her illness. Friends may greet the family on Tuesday (TODAY) from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton. On Wednesday, a funeral service will be held at 1p.m. in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Church Street, Shelton. Burial will follow in Lawn Cemetery, Shelton. At the request of the family memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or The American Cancer Society, Southern New England Region, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897.
Following is the obituary for our beloved Michelle Lauria. Thank you for your prayers for her family and friends during this sad time. And a special "thank you" to all those who are helping with the reception in the parish hall following the services tomorrow (WED.).
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Michelle R. Lauria, age 45, of Hickory Lane, Shelton, entered into her eternal rest on Saturday, September 13, 2008 in Lord Chamberlain Nursing Center in Stratford. She was the wife of David Lauria. Mrs. Lauria was born in Olathe, Kansas on October 4, 1962, daughter of the late William Keith Bohon and the late Alice Jane Terry Bohon. She received her BA in Engineering from Oklahoma State University, and was self-employed as an Interior Decorator. She was an active parishioner at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, an active member of the Elizabeth Shelton PTA, the Newcomers and Neighborhood Club of Shelton, a volunteer for the Monroe Food Bank, and an advocate of the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness. She was the mother of Michael and Jessica Lauria and sister of Marsha Hawkins. She is also survived by a niece and a nephew. Michelle will be missed a great deal by many friends who showed her years of love and kindness during her illness. Friends may greet the family on Tuesday (TODAY) from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Riverview Funeral Home, 390 River Road, Shelton. On Wednesday, a funeral service will be held at 1p.m. in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 25 Church Street, Shelton. Burial will follow in Lawn Cemetery, Shelton. At the request of the family memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church or The American Cancer Society, Southern New England Region, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Michelle Lauria - Rest in Peace
Dear Friends in Christ -
On Saturday, Michelle Lauria passed away, after a valiant 10-year fight against cancer.
Calling hours will be at Riverview Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 16, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A Liturgy of the Resurrection and Celebration of Michelle's life will be held at St. Paul's on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Old Church, immediately followed by interment at Lawn Cemetery. After the interment, family and friends are invited back to the Parish Hall at St. Paul's for an informal reception.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the parish office - 929-1722.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
On Saturday, Michelle Lauria passed away, after a valiant 10-year fight against cancer.
Calling hours will be at Riverview Funeral Home on Tuesday, September 16, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. A Liturgy of the Resurrection and Celebration of Michelle's life will be held at St. Paul's on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. in the Old Church, immediately followed by interment at Lawn Cemetery. After the interment, family and friends are invited back to the Parish Hall at St. Paul's for an informal reception.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the parish office - 929-1722.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A Prayer of Rememberance and Hope
Dear Friends in Christ -
Today is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the heroic struggle on Flight 93, which prevented another attack. As each of us remembers where we were and what we were doing on that sunny, almost-fall day, may the remembrance not cause us to dispair but, rather, call us to entrust ourselves and our world to the only One who can save us, our living, loving Lord.
The following prayer was posted by Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. It's a beautiful prayer, and I invite you to pray it with me on this solemn day.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Eternal God, amidst all the turmoil and changes of our world, we know that you are constant, our firm foundation in the midst of every storm and upheaval.
We pray for people who live in fear-- for Israelis and Palestinians alike who risk their lives merely going about their daily business. We pray for all who live in fear of terrorism-- in the Middle East, in Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Whether we worship you as Christian, Jew, or Muslim, give us courage. When fear threatens to paralyze us, embolden our hearts that we may continue to live active, faithful lives.
We pray for people oppressed by poverty, political and military force, or lack of education and opportunity. Give them hope, strength, and a constructive way to break the cycle of poverty. Give us who have so much the will and the drive to fight against oppression of every kind.
We pray for all who have lost their lives in the events of seven years ago, and for those they love who are left to mourn and carry on. We hold in our hearts the victims and survivors of September 11, and those who have died in the violence and war that has erupted since then in Afghanistan, Liberia, the Philippines, Iraq, and the Middle East. Bless those who have been lost, that their souls may live on in your love and presence. Bless those who mourn, may they find comfort, strength, and hope in your presence and our compassion.
We pray for our world leaders and for all people who are in a position to negotiate, to stop the escalating violence, to work for peace, and to choose a path of reconciliation. Give them wisdom in perilous situations and the will to make sacrifices for the common good, to enter into dialogue, to compromise, and to reconcile.
We pray for those who have lost their jobs. Give them hope, guide them in their search, and strengthen them in their efforts to make ends meet. Keep us mindful of those who are struggling that we may reach out with the support and resources they need in this challenging time.
Ever present God, calm our fears. Guide us as we struggle to live in this rapidly changing world. We pray that we may remain loving, kind, and open to your presence in our lives, in our neighbors, and in the world around us.
AMEN.
Today is the 7th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the heroic struggle on Flight 93, which prevented another attack. As each of us remembers where we were and what we were doing on that sunny, almost-fall day, may the remembrance not cause us to dispair but, rather, call us to entrust ourselves and our world to the only One who can save us, our living, loving Lord.
The following prayer was posted by Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. It's a beautiful prayer, and I invite you to pray it with me on this solemn day.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Eternal God, amidst all the turmoil and changes of our world, we know that you are constant, our firm foundation in the midst of every storm and upheaval.
We pray for people who live in fear-- for Israelis and Palestinians alike who risk their lives merely going about their daily business. We pray for all who live in fear of terrorism-- in the Middle East, in Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Colombia, Sri Lanka, and the United States. Whether we worship you as Christian, Jew, or Muslim, give us courage. When fear threatens to paralyze us, embolden our hearts that we may continue to live active, faithful lives.
We pray for people oppressed by poverty, political and military force, or lack of education and opportunity. Give them hope, strength, and a constructive way to break the cycle of poverty. Give us who have so much the will and the drive to fight against oppression of every kind.
We pray for all who have lost their lives in the events of seven years ago, and for those they love who are left to mourn and carry on. We hold in our hearts the victims and survivors of September 11, and those who have died in the violence and war that has erupted since then in Afghanistan, Liberia, the Philippines, Iraq, and the Middle East. Bless those who have been lost, that their souls may live on in your love and presence. Bless those who mourn, may they find comfort, strength, and hope in your presence and our compassion.
We pray for our world leaders and for all people who are in a position to negotiate, to stop the escalating violence, to work for peace, and to choose a path of reconciliation. Give them wisdom in perilous situations and the will to make sacrifices for the common good, to enter into dialogue, to compromise, and to reconcile.
We pray for those who have lost their jobs. Give them hope, guide them in their search, and strengthen them in their efforts to make ends meet. Keep us mindful of those who are struggling that we may reach out with the support and resources they need in this challenging time.
Ever present God, calm our fears. Guide us as we struggle to live in this rapidly changing world. We pray that we may remain loving, kind, and open to your presence in our lives, in our neighbors, and in the world around us.
AMEN.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Question
Dear Friends in Christ -
After my sermon on Sunday (in case you weren't there, it was based on the Gospel lesson for the day, Matthew 18:15-20, about what to do if a member of the church sins against you), someone quietly asked, "So, is there a problem?"
What the person was discreetly asking was whether I was talking about some specific problem, something a particular person had done that was injurious to me or someone else. In case you're wondering the same thing, but didn't want to ask, here's the answer: No. I wasn't talking about some particular problem.
Right now, here at St. Paul's, I'm aware of the occasional disagreement or frustration over something or another. "Kurfuffles" happen all the time in Christian families (churches), just as they happen all the time in our at-home families. But I didn't preach the sermon because of any of those things. I preached the sermon because the Scripture came up in the lectionary, and because when the tough Scriptures come up, I try not to dodge them. I very much appreciate following the lectionary, because it calls me to use the pulpit to talk about tough things because Jesus said to, not to "straighten someone out."
No matter when this Scripture comes up, it's always fitting. In families and communities, there are always little disagreements here and there. Sometimes there are even big ones. But if we're living out Jesus' instruction to his disciples - to speak up directly when someone hurts you, and to take others with you to try to get resolution if you're not listened to the first time (this is, by the way, as someone pointed out to me during Coffee Hour, the counseling model for an intervention) - then we'll avoid the huge relational disasters that happen when people don't talk about their hurts with the person(s) who hurt them.
This model for living is not easy. But, like anything else, it gets easier with practice. Today or tomorrow, when someone upsets you, try just saying how you feel. Say it first two yourself, then, if you can, say it out loud. Don't be surprised if the person you're talking to looks stunned or acts defensive. Most of us are so unaccustomed to hearing the truth that it catches us off guard when we hear it. But don't let that keep you from doing what your loving Lord asks you to do. The reward for following Jesus is - always - that we get closer to heaven, even when the road is rough going.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
After my sermon on Sunday (in case you weren't there, it was based on the Gospel lesson for the day, Matthew 18:15-20, about what to do if a member of the church sins against you), someone quietly asked, "So, is there a problem?"
What the person was discreetly asking was whether I was talking about some specific problem, something a particular person had done that was injurious to me or someone else. In case you're wondering the same thing, but didn't want to ask, here's the answer: No. I wasn't talking about some particular problem.
Right now, here at St. Paul's, I'm aware of the occasional disagreement or frustration over something or another. "Kurfuffles" happen all the time in Christian families (churches), just as they happen all the time in our at-home families. But I didn't preach the sermon because of any of those things. I preached the sermon because the Scripture came up in the lectionary, and because when the tough Scriptures come up, I try not to dodge them. I very much appreciate following the lectionary, because it calls me to use the pulpit to talk about tough things because Jesus said to, not to "straighten someone out."
No matter when this Scripture comes up, it's always fitting. In families and communities, there are always little disagreements here and there. Sometimes there are even big ones. But if we're living out Jesus' instruction to his disciples - to speak up directly when someone hurts you, and to take others with you to try to get resolution if you're not listened to the first time (this is, by the way, as someone pointed out to me during Coffee Hour, the counseling model for an intervention) - then we'll avoid the huge relational disasters that happen when people don't talk about their hurts with the person(s) who hurt them.
This model for living is not easy. But, like anything else, it gets easier with practice. Today or tomorrow, when someone upsets you, try just saying how you feel. Say it first two yourself, then, if you can, say it out loud. Don't be surprised if the person you're talking to looks stunned or acts defensive. Most of us are so unaccustomed to hearing the truth that it catches us off guard when we hear it. But don't let that keep you from doing what your loving Lord asks you to do. The reward for following Jesus is - always - that we get closer to heaven, even when the road is rough going.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Thursday, September 4, 2008
The Blessing
Dear Friends in Christ -
Several of you have asked for the blessing we used at the end of the 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services. Here it is . . . may you feel this blessing on yourself and your family again this day.
Faithfully,
Janet+
God give you grace never to sell yourself short,
grace to risk something big for something good,
grade to remember that this world is now
too dangerous for anything but truth, and
too small for anything but love.
Several of you have asked for the blessing we used at the end of the 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship services. Here it is . . . may you feel this blessing on yourself and your family again this day.
Faithfully,
Janet+
God give you grace never to sell yourself short,
grace to risk something big for something good,
grade to remember that this world is now
too dangerous for anything but truth, and
too small for anything but love.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Dying Together, Living Forever
Dear Friends in Christ -
In late August of 1878, a nun named Constance did a brave thing. She stayed in Memphis to help those who were dying in the midst of an epidemic of yellow fever. As the whole city basically evacuated to higher ground (safer ground, away from the deadly mosquitos causing the plague), Constance and a couple dozen of her fellow nuns stayed behind. Before the plague was over, Constance and her sisters caught the disease, and they, too, died.
Their sacrifice reminds me of the sacrifice of the fire-fighters September 11. They went to do what they could to help, thinking not of themselves, but of the thousands of people who needed their help.
Twice this week, this passage of Scripture has surfaced; once in Sunday's lectionary, and once in today's readings honoring Constance and her companions. "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."
There's a common thread in the story we heard on Sunday - Jesus and his disciples wrestling with Jesus' prediction of his own death - and the story of Constance and her companions. The common thread is this: even the fear of death can be overcome if we band together as a community. Coming together as a community enables us to stay true to our highest calling - to love God and to love one another - even in the midst of death.
Last night at our Deanery meeting, we were honored to hear a presentation by Jean Morris, a nurse with the Visiting Nurses Association. She has a great passion for teaching church communities like ours how to accompany those who are dying. A key theme of her presentation: we do this work together.
In courageously facing death together, we come to know and love each other in ways deeper than words. Experiencing this love is a foretaste of the Love that is deeper than oceans and broader than heavens, Love that's for eternity. In dying together, we learn to live in Love forever.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
In late August of 1878, a nun named Constance did a brave thing. She stayed in Memphis to help those who were dying in the midst of an epidemic of yellow fever. As the whole city basically evacuated to higher ground (safer ground, away from the deadly mosquitos causing the plague), Constance and a couple dozen of her fellow nuns stayed behind. Before the plague was over, Constance and her sisters caught the disease, and they, too, died.
Their sacrifice reminds me of the sacrifice of the fire-fighters September 11. They went to do what they could to help, thinking not of themselves, but of the thousands of people who needed their help.
Twice this week, this passage of Scripture has surfaced; once in Sunday's lectionary, and once in today's readings honoring Constance and her companions. "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it."
There's a common thread in the story we heard on Sunday - Jesus and his disciples wrestling with Jesus' prediction of his own death - and the story of Constance and her companions. The common thread is this: even the fear of death can be overcome if we band together as a community. Coming together as a community enables us to stay true to our highest calling - to love God and to love one another - even in the midst of death.
Last night at our Deanery meeting, we were honored to hear a presentation by Jean Morris, a nurse with the Visiting Nurses Association. She has a great passion for teaching church communities like ours how to accompany those who are dying. A key theme of her presentation: we do this work together.
In courageously facing death together, we come to know and love each other in ways deeper than words. Experiencing this love is a foretaste of the Love that is deeper than oceans and broader than heavens, Love that's for eternity. In dying together, we learn to live in Love forever.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
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