March Against Gun Violence - Episcopal General Convention 2015

Sunday Morning, Day Four of General Convention

As the 10:00 congregation gathered for worship at St. Paul’s in Concord, here in Salt Lake City I was in the midst of a huge crowd, marching through the streets and singing together: “Out of the depths I call unto thee, O Lord; consider well the longing of my soul.” 

We were led by nearly a hundred of our bishops, dressed in their full vestments (minus mitres!), and we were united in our determination to bring an end to gun violence.  Each member of the New Hampshire deputation wore a T-shirt bearing the image of Seminarian Jonathan Daniels (shot and killed 50 years ago while protecting a young black girl) and the words, “We are indelibly, unspeakably one.”

Our speakers included Carolyn, the mother of young girl who was killed before her eyes, in a Utah shopping mall, by a shooter who claimed eight other victims before he himself was shot and killed.  The mother, shot at point blank range, still carries dozens of shotgun pellets in her body, leaching lead and causing her chronic, devastating pain and nausea.  But that is nothing compared to the agony of losing her youngest child.  She has become a crusader for gun control.

Our speakers reminded us over and over that this is not about denying the right to own firearms; it is about ensuring that dangerous weapons do not get into the hands of those who are not safe to own them.  Background checks will ensure that people who are mentally ill, or who have criminal records or histories of domestic abuse, will not be able to purchase guns.  And lives will be saved.  As Carolyn said to us, we don’t know who will be saved because they will still be alive; they will still be here with us.  We can’t picture the faces of the people who will not die from gun violence because of improved controls – but some of those faces may be right in front of our eyes right here, right now.

As our hearts continued to ache for some of the latest victims, our brothers and sisters at Emanuel Church in Charleston SC; as we marched, and sang, and prayed through the early morning heat of Salt Lake City, this assembly of Episcopalians recommitted ourselves to breaking the unholy trinity of poverty, racism, and violence, and to draw strength and inspiration from our holy Trinity of Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, and to step up our efforts to bring an end to gun violence.

When our march came to an end, our Presiding Bishop-Elect, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry sent us off with the closing words: “ALL lives matter because we are ALL God’s children.”

Read more about the experiences of the NH Deputation in Salt Lake on their own blog:

http://nhgeneralconvention.blogspot.com/

Planting and Nurturing the Kingdom of God

from a sermon by the Rev. Kate Atkinson June 13/14 - Read the full sermon here.

Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God is like a seed scattered on the ground that sprouts and grows overnight while the person who planted it is asleep. And the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed that grows into a shrub as big as a tree, so large that birds can nest in the shade of its branches. (Mark 4:216-34)

In this season of gardens and fresh produce, we can appreciate Jesus’ imagery.  We understand how satisfying it is when the seeds we plant take root, thrive and grow, and especially when they produce the flowers or vegetables or fruit that we’re hoping for.  And when we apply that understanding to the idea of the kingdom of God – we begin to see how we can affect the growth and vitality of that kingdom.

Bishop Rob and his colleagues at Diocesan House define “Congregational and Mission Vitality” like this:

“A vital congregation is a place of joy, exploration, experimentation, and discovery of what God is doing in the world.  A vital congregation is a place where apostolic ministry germinates and thrives; that is, where our people are formed as disciples and then are sent out to join God’s mission of healing, joy and hope-bearing, peace-making, and justice proclaiming.” (Diocese of NH 2016 Budget Narrative)

Once again we hear the language of agriculture, of growing into what God calls us to be – and discovering how fulfilling that process can be.

Our service to others is not distant or removed. We make connections with the people we serve; we learn their names and respect their dignity. And just as the birds of the air can make their nests in the shade of a tree that grew from a tiny mustard seed, people who come to St. Paul’s for support find a place of welcome, encouragement, and relief.  The kingdom of God begins with simple things – like soil and seed, or food and friendship – and it never ends with just one person.  It is always growing, always expanding, always welcoming more and more people into its boundless embrace.

As this summer season begins, with all the new growth, all the reminders of God’s abundance that surround us, what new seed of faith can we nurture in our individual lives?  And how much will it have grown by summer’s end?  How far will its branches extend?  How many other lives will it touch and change?

Outdoor Service and Parish Picnic 2015

We had an absolutely beautiful day for our annual outdoor service and picnic in the park!  If you missed out, or just want to relive the fun, here are some pictures shared by a parishioner.  Enjoy!

The Journey

from a sermon by the Rev. Kate Atkinson, June 7, 2015
To read the full sermon, please visit our website

Early in the morning of June 6, Alan Barlow, a member of St. Paul’s, embarked on what he calls Alan’s Journey.  He left Heceta Beach, Oregon, with a stroller packed with survival equipment, and began running across the United States – a total of 3,200 miles to his destination of Rye Beach here in New Hampshire.  Every step he takes over the next five months or so is for the benefit of St. Paul’s food pantry – and you can follow Alan’s progress, and add your support, through St. Paul’s website.

The idea of a cross-country run came to Alan literally out of the blue one day – and he has been planning and training for the past eight years.  As soon as his family and friends realized he was serious, they started trying to talk him out of it – but Alan is certain that he is doing what he is called to do.  He is certain that God is at the root of this amazing journey, and there is no way he can choose not to do it – not even when the people he loves more than anything might beg him to reconsider.

God gives us the power to do greater things than we may ever have thought possible – even when those things may go against the wishes of people we love and respect.  These are hard choices to make but we know beyond doubt when we have chosen the right way.  And when God calls us to journey new and unexplored paths, we can be sure of God’s strength and peace and continued presence as we obey that call.

O God, from whom all good proceeds:

Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right,

and by your merciful guiding may do them…

(Collect for the Second Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 5)

Alan with his supply stroller