Sunday, September 28, 2008

In Communion, In Community

Today after the 10am service, a member of the church and I gave communion instruction to children. Nothing gets to the heart of what one thinks about communion faster than trying to explain it to kids - it's really a lot of fun to try. We talked about how God wants to be with us always and comes to us in the communion - the body and blood of Christ. We are connected to God and strengthened by God and in communion with God. We also come to the table as a community; we find unity there and are brought closer to each other. Everyone receives this gift from God - there no tests or questions about what one believes. Through the communion we receive the grace of God; God is fully present to us. If you were not with us at the table today, we missed you - it is a community experience as well as a deeply personal experience.

Friday, September 26, 2008

We Really Do Welcome You

"The Episcopal Church Welcomes You," is a phrase seen on many Episcopal Church signs. I think that most churches say that they welcome all, but have a limit to how welcoming they will really be based on who they think you are. We are surrounded by big fundamentalist churches here in Winchester---St. Paul's on-the-Hill offers a distinctly different church experience. Often people who find the Episcopal Church are amazed that we really do welcome everyone. Often people who find our church have had negative experiences at other churches, and are amazed that there really is a faith community where they can feel comfortable. I am thankful that when I was a young adult I found the Episcopal Church - I had not known that such a church existed.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Glory of Giving and Caring

Last Sunday, one of our parish children presented a check to the church for our food pantry. She is 6 years old, and this summer organized a concert for the purpose of raising money to help people. She, one of her sisters, and another child from the church sang for a group of friends and family. When she handed me the check, saying it was for "the poor" I was struck by a deep sense of thankfulness for this child, and all who think of others before themselves. It was a beautiful moment. This was our "Stewardship Moment" for the Sunday, and it was one of the sweetest moments of stewardship that I have witnessed.