The Reverend Christopher M. Bishop, Rector, St. Martin’s Church 400 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor, PA 19087 610-688-4830 ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH NEWSLETTER Advent 2017 www.stmarnsradnor.org + [email protected]Dear St. Martin's family, I remember back in the early ‘90s when I was living in New York, (about 5 blocks and a million miles from an Episcopal Church), my mother sent me “Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations with Frederick Buechner.” I never read it. The distance traveled from that irreverent scattergood that I was, to the priest quoting Buechner today that I am, would amuse my dear old mom, as it no doubt amuses God. It also underscores our current theme at St. Martin’s, Faith in God: A Pilgrimage, in both our individual and also the collective sense. Advent is, of course, a perfect season in which to reflect on pilgrimage. Homeless and pregnant, Mary and Joseph travel about 80 miles from their home in Nazareth, through Samaria to Bethlehem in Judaea, where Joseph’s family lived. Joseph probably would have needed a donkey to carry builders’ tools, and with a heavily pregnant Mary it could have taken a week to make the trip. Middle Eastern culture demands hospitality to travelers, so they might have found shelter at night, or maybe they camped out. The Nazarenes went each year on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem so they may well have traveled in a group for safety. Common bandits or lions and bears would have lain in wait. Also, walking through Samaria would have been dangerous, as the despised and hostile Samaritans might have made life difficult for Jews like Mary and Joseph. We can’t know details, but we can imagine hardship and uncertainty mingled with hope for the future. Buechner is right, we are outlandish creatures on our way to God's vision of us. Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem is an invitation to examine our own path home- the place that is not merely a destination, but also a point of departure. In Advent we journey with them, carrying Jesus with us as we walk toward the outpouring of God’s heart among us to what we call "Christ’s Mass." But the journey is perilous. There is real danger and deep uncertainty. There may even be sheer hopelessness. Above all, though, there is yearning, and trust. Jesus was born for two main reasons-- because in his lovingness God saw our endless and desperate need for love, peace and justice despite ourselves, and because a young girl named Mary was willing to carry him for and to us. We are invited to walk step by step, unrushed, with her. See you on the journey: Oh come all ye faithful to Bethlehem! Peace & blessings, In this issue… Senior Warden/Worship Planning/Schedule Page 2 Outreach Ministry/Christmas Schedule Page 6 Faith in God: A Pilgrimage—”Yes” Page 3 Picture Gallery Page 7 Confirmation and Bishop’s Visit Page 4 Calendar Page 8 Being a Contemporary Disciple Page 4 Events Page 9 Music Ministry/Capital Campaign Page 5 "For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning - not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last." ~ The Magnificent Defeat, 1966, Frederick Buechner A DVENT : P ILGRIMAGE TO B ETHLEHEM
Transcript
The Reverend Christopher M. Bishop, Rector, St. Martin’s Church
400 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor, PA 19087 610-688-4830
I remember back in the early ‘90s when I was living in New York, (about 5 blocks and a million miles from an Episcopal Church), my mother sent me “Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations with Frederick Buechner.” I never read it. The distance traveled from that irreverent scattergood that I was, to the priest quoting Buechner today that I am, would amuse my dear old mom, as it no doubt amuses God. It also underscores our current theme at St. Martin’s, Faith in God: A Pilgrimage, in both our individual and also the collective sense. Advent is, of course, a perfect season in which to reflect on pilgrimage. Homeless and pregnant, Mary and Joseph travel about 80 miles from their home in Nazareth, through Samaria to Bethlehem in Judaea, where Joseph’s family lived. Joseph probably would have needed a donkey to carry builders’ tools, and with a heavily pregnant Mary it could have taken a week to make the trip. Middle Eastern culture demands hospitality to travelers, so they might have found shelter at night, or maybe they camped out. The Nazarenes went each year on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem so they may well have traveled in a group for safety. Common bandits or lions and bears would have lain in
wait. Also, walking through Samaria would have been dangerous, as the despised and hostile Samaritans might have made life difficult for Jews like Mary and Joseph. We can’t know details, but we can imagine hardship and uncertainty mingled with hope for the future. Buechner is right, we are outlandish creatures on our way to God's vision of us. Mary and Joseph’s pilgrimage to Bethlehem is an invitation to examine our own path home- the place that is not merely a destination, but also a point of departure. In Advent we journey with them, carrying Jesus with us as we walk toward the outpouring of God’s heart among us to what we call "Christ’s Mass." But the journey is perilous. There is real danger and deep uncertainty. There may even be sheer hopelessness. Above all, though, there is yearning, and trust. Jesus was born for two main reasons-- because in his lovingness God saw our endless and desperate need for love, peace and justice despite ourselves, and because a young girl named Mary was willing to carry him for and to us. We are invited to walk step by step, unrushed, with her. See you on the journey: Oh come all ye faithful to Bethlehem!
Faith in God: A Pilgrimage—”Yes” Page 3 Picture Gallery Page 7
Confirmation and Bishop’s Visit Page 4 Calendar Page 8
Being a Contemporary Disciple Page 4 Events Page 9
Music Ministry/Capital Campaign Page 5
"For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning - not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last." ~ The Magnificent Defeat, 1966, Frederick Buechner
Services 12/24 CHRISTMAS EVE 9:00pm-Holy Eucharist
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“Yes” By Deb Parker, Christian Formation Director
Sometimes in the busy fall through year-end period, I feel like I am running in circles. As
soon as one task is done, something else has already popped up. The family is coming…
and that will be wonderful. But it also means cleaning, meal preparation, gift-buying,
decorating and 100 other small things to make everything perfect.
But striving for my own sense of orderliness reminds me of a dream one of my adult
students shared many years ago. She came to class one morning and said that she had
been changed, maybe forever, by what she had just experienced in that time between
awake and asleep. In the time between darkness and light. This parent said she dreamt
that there was a knock on the door, and when she asked through the door who was there,
a man’s voice replied. He said, “I am Jesus.” Her first response was to say, “one moment”
and then look around at the toys on the floor. There were dirty dishes in the sink and
other messes that would take just a moment to straighten. In almost no time at all she
was back at the door and she opened it. But there was nobody standing there just waiting
around for her timing. Christ was on a journey and had paused to invite her to join him.
Then my student woke up. She said she did not know if she would have left all her
responsibilities to set out to follow Jesus. But what she did know was that if Christ
stopped to knock on her door again, her response would be to throw open the door and
step right out…or invite him in. Either way, her unreserved response would be “Yes” and
to heck with the mess!
Yes. What a simple word and what an amazing prayer. Maybe for Advent and Christmas,
the first two seasons of the new church year, I will start every day by saying “Yes.” Just
wake up and say the word, “Yes.” “Yes” to stopping and handing
out pipe-cleaners to parents of fussy children, perhaps giving
the parent a moment to catch his or her breath. “Yes” to smiling
at strangers (even those who are feeling rushed and harried and
don’t have time for the small pleasantries.) I realize I have to say
“Yes” and really mean it. Have the word “Yes” come from the
heart. Reflect on Mary saying “Yes” to being Theotokos—the
“Mother of God.”
In these dark days of winter, Christ’s light is shining and calls
out to us through the annual pageant on Christmas Eve. We can
experience the birth of Christ from the fresh perspectives of
children. It will take some work to ignore the imperfections from
not having everything proceed exactly the way I plan. But the
Good News is that Christ is here, leading us on this journey, and as I learned from my
friend the greatest response to Christ’s love is “Yes.” Who knows where that one word will
lead me, but I travel in the footsteps of many other Christ-followers from the past and the
present. Together we can accomplish a world of good.
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Confirmation and Bishop's Visit, January 21, 2018 By Deb Parker, Christian Formation Director
Confirmation is a time when those baptized at an early age make a mature
public affirmation of their faith and commitment to the responsibilities of
their Baptism and to receive the laying on of hands by a bishop. This
affirmation comes after a discernment period, when they have reached an
age to speak for themselves, where they spend time praying, developing
spiritual practices, studying, exploring scripture and being of service to
others. This year The Rt. Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, Bishop of the Diocese of
Pennsylvania, will be with us at St. Martin's for our 10:00am service on
January 21, 2018. Confirmation is a step on the journey of faith so after the
bishop's visit our youth will continue to explore ways to live into their
Baptismal vows.
We invite everyone in the St. Martin's community, as well as extended family and friends, to join
us for the joyful celebration when the bishop visits. Three of our youth, Julia Nigro, Joshua Penny,
and Elizabeth Pettit, have been preparing for this day by meeting with sponsors and learning
about what our faith can mean to them as adults. The journey includes lots of questions, a bit of
unexpected discovery, some refreshments (Episcopalians do enjoy eating together) and worship.
Our guide is a book called "My Faith, My Life" and Deb Parker ([email protected]) has a
couple of copies available to loan out if you would like to take a look once again at what it means
to be Confirmed as an Episcopalian.
In addition to the Confirmations, a bishop's visit is a time for Baptism, Reception, and the
Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows. If you are interested in learning more or wish to participate
during the bishop's visit, please speak to Deb Parker or Fr. Chris.
Being a Contemporary Disciple By Grace Hendershott
You were created as a unique expression and reflection of God. When God breathed life into you, you began the "great journey". It takes spiritual vitality to live each day reflecting God. God's character is revealed in the life of Jesus as recorded in scripture. Through Jesus we also learn God's promises, providing the resilience needed in challenging times.
Studying the Bible and praying are essential and will require strong discipline. Prayer is your sacred conversation with God.
We know through prayer, over time, a deep, intimate relationship develops that becomes the blueprint for all others. Nurture this relationship through devotions, worship, nature, art and music. You will come to learn that God is a God of abundance, a limitless resource for absolutely everything you need. Let your journey as a disciple leave a "divine footprint" everywhere. May your life be an expression of gratitude to our God for the
gift of this amazing adventure called life!
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Music Ministry By Emily Watkins, Director of Music Ministry
I have been with St. Martin’s for a few weeks now, and already we are coming up on a favorite season of many – Advent and Christmas! I want to thank everyone in the SMC family for their warm welcome, including Maggie, Sherrill, Deb, and Fr. Chris. I want to especially thank the choir for helping ease my transition, and our staff singers Derek and Liz for being flexible and willing to answer any questions I throw their way. Advent is a special time of contemplation and expectation as we prepare ourselves for Christ’s birth. Although it is near impossible to avoid the Christmas carols and secular songs played on a constant loop
on the radio and in shopping malls, Sunday mornings at St. Martin’s will be a time for us to remember that Advent is not quite Christmastime. Quieter, contemplative hymns like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Lo how a rose e’er blooming” will be making their way into our worship as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ (and the singing of all the Christmas carols we know and love!) A wonderful service to look forward to this season will be our Feast of St. Nicholas (also called Nikolaos of Myra, a Greek Bishop in Asia Minor during the 3rd century) celebration and potluck supper on Saturday evening, December 9th, starting at 5:00 p.m. Through readings and music, we will have an opportunity to learn about St. Nicholas (the actual model for the secular "Santa Claus") and his special relationship to children and sailors. Some of those hymns will be more familiar Christmas tunes with words that teach us about the life and works of “Old St. Nick”. We invite you to come join us for spirit, song and food on this special evening! This year Christmas Eve is also the Fourth Sunday of Advent, so our services will be a bit different. Our regular Sunday 10:00 a.m. worship service will feature the Children's Pageant and music sung by the choir. Our Christmas Eve evening service will take place at 5:00 p.m. with the singing of many well known Christmas hymns and carols. For those who wish to worship later we are invited to Christ Church, Ithan for their 9:00 p.m. service. Our Christmas Day service will be at 10:00 a.m. Come sing and celebrate joy to the world!
I am excited to begin this season with St. Martin’s, and looking forward to the months ahead!
Capital Campaign By Gwinnie Scott and McLeod Gwynette
Advent: The Season of Anticipation and Giving By Pam Faber, Outreach Ministry Leader
Our liturgical year begins with the season of Advent: a time of waiting and preparation. For many people, however, Advent is a season of worry. Worry about their next meal, worry about where they will live and worry about giving their children or loved ones the semblance of a Merry Christmas. We at St. Martin's try to alleviate some of those worries through our Advent & Christmas Outreach Programs. Again this year we will be collecting gift cards for Episcopal Community Services (ECS) and Christmas Dinners for ECS/St. Barnabas (see below). Your participation in these programs will make your "preparation" time more meaningful and will ensure that the recipients of our gifts will have a less worrisome Christmas.
ECS Gift Cards
Our annual collection of $25 VISA and/or
Target gift cards has begun and will end on Sunday, December 10th. Please donate gift cards or money so that we can purchase the cards. The cards will be delivered to Episcopal Community Services (ECS) so that their partners will be able to purchase the gifts that they want. Let's once again make Christmas merrier for many folks.
Christmas Dinner Drive On Sunday, December 17th, volunteers will be in the church parking lot from 9am -
10:30am to collect Christmas dinner makings for ECS/St. Barnabas. Please donate FROZEN turkeys or hams plus all the fixings such as mashed potato mix, stuffing, canned sweet potatoes, gravy, canned vegetables and fruit, cranberry sauce, etc. We will deliver all the donations that morning. If you are not going to be in church on the 17th and would still like to donate, please call the office at 610-688-4830 to make arrangements for a convenient drop-off.
CHRISTMAS LITURGICAL SCHEDULE AT ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH (SMC) AND CHRIST CHURCH, ITHAN (CCI)
DECEMBER 24TH—ADVENT 4 DECEMBER 25TH—CHRISTMAS
8:00am-Holy Eucharist @ SMC
10:00am-Christmas Pageant @ SMC
10:00am-Holy Eucharist @ SMC
DECEMBER 24TH—CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 31ST— FIRST CHRISTMAS SUNDAY
5:00pm-Holy Eucharist @ SMC
9:00pm-Holy Eucharist @ CCI
8:00am-Holy Eucharist @ SMC
10:00am-Lessons & Carols @ SMC
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As we end the Church year, and come close to ending the calendar year, it seems fitting that we remember and celebrate the bountiful blessing that is St. Martin's property:
WEDNESDAY 12/20—12:15pm: Holy Eucharist 7pm: Bible Study/AA Meeting THURSDAY 12/21 – 6pm: Vestry Meeting at CCI
SUNDAY 12/24— ADVENT 4 & CHRISTMAS EVE 8am: Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist 9am: Choir Rehearsal 10am: Christmas Pageant 5pm: CHRISTMAS EVE Holy Eucharist 9pm: CHRISTMAS EVE Holy Eucharist at CCI
WEDNESDAY 1/17— 12:15pm: Holy Eucharist 7pm: Bible Study / AA Meeting THURSDAY 1/18- 7pm: Bible & Beer SATURDAY 1/20— Confirmation Gathering for spiritual practice time
