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

Listening

Shared by Jerry Tepe

It is said that Sigmund Freud coined the phrase “How long have you been hearing these voices?” I don’t know if that is true, but you often hear that phrase when, jokingly, questioning a friend’s sanity.

But can you imagine what it was like on the Day of Pentecost when each heard the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to them in their own language; in a voice they alone could understand? You experienced a bit of what that might have been like if you attended the 10:00 AM service this past Sunday when we read the Gospel in many different languages. Amidst the cacophony of sounds, if you tried, you could pick out the different voices. Most of us listened for the English, but if you understand a different language, say French, you may have been listening for that. It is amazing what the brain is capable of discerning.

In much the same way the Holy Spirit speaks to each and every one of us in a voice we alone can understand – if we are willing to listen. Amidst the cacophony of everyday life, be alert for that voice. If you are alert, you will be able to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit calling to you. All you need to do is be willing to listen – and then to prayerfully follow.

So the next time a friend joking asks you “How long have you been hearing these voices?” you will be able to truthfully answer “As long as I have been listening.”

EfM is more than a bible study...

Have you heard about the “EfM” program and wondered what it was?  Did you hear the name “Education for Ministry” and assume that the end goal of the program was an ordained position such as a priest or deacon?  While the best way to learn about the program, and the impact it has on the individuals who participate in it, is to have a conversation with an EfM student or graduate, the following provides a bit more information.

The EfM program is described in this way on their website:

“Every baptized person is called to ministry. The Education for Ministry (EfM) program provides people with the education to carry out that ministry. During the Service of Confirmation we ask God to "Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at Baptism. Send them forth in the power of the Spirit to perform the service you set before them." EfM offers an opportunity to discover how to respond to the call to Christian service.”

EfM is a four-year course of study.  The first year is dedicated to reading the Old Testament, the second to the New Testament, the third year covers the history of Christianity, and the fourth theology.  What sets EfM apart from any other book discussion group or class is the “one-room schoolhouse” atmosphere (all four years are usually represented in a group) and conversations between participants.  The group members share with one another and support one another in this journey of discovery.  Each group has at least one mentor who is there to facilitate the group discussion and lead the students in “theological reflections” – opportunities to look at real life situations through the eyes of people of faith.

We are all “ministers” in the church.  Look at the bulletin at church this weekend, and you will see above the service participants, “Ministers in Christ: The People of St. Paul’s”.  Those who become involved with EfM do so to deepen their understanding of scripture, Christianity, and their own personal faith.

We asked current and former participants in EfM to share their thoughts on why they believe in Education for Ministry:

“EfM is more than a Bible study.  You learn to think of theology and our Christian tradition in a whole new way.  Through our discussions, I have come to discover things I never would have found on my own. “- Mike Andres (current student)

“My first year experience in EfM has been a sharp learning curve in understanding the history of religious beliefs and small group analyses of how this history informs today's church.  I value the conversations we have in many forms: from structured TRs (theological reflections), to discussing each year's readings and how they relate to one another; and each members' opinions of how our beliefs play out in today's world. “-Mary Farrell (current student)

“It is so hard to narrow it down to a few words as it was such a great 4yrs and it went by so fast. One of the things that was so enlightening and s great learning experience was the reading of the Bible and the discussion that took place with all of us having a different interpretation of what we read.  This is just a small part of what you take away from EFM.” - Fran Clapp (graduate 2014)

“I learned so much exploring the bible, Christian history, tradition, and interpretations of the Christian message.  I will always treasure the close bonds formed with the members of my EfM group as we shared our personal stories and learned techniques for living our faith. “               

 --Connie Mitchell, 2010-2014

“The layers of impact from participating in EfM for four years have been numerous.  It has fulfilled me spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally.

I have learned so much from scripture to history. Studying theology in this last year has been both stimulating and eye-opening.  Group members have been so individual and engaged in how each presented and shared each week: it was always a wonderful surprise to be part of what emerged in our discussions. “  - Karen Schwinger (graduating June 2015)

What might EfM mean to you?  In the UK the program is billed as “Exploring Faith Matters”.  If you feel called to explore your faith through the EfM program, please attend one of their upcoming information sessions here at St. Paul’s.  They will be held on Tueday, May 26th at 7:00 PM, and Sunday June 7th at 9:00 and 11:30 AM.  We will celebrate this year’s EfM graduates at the 10:00 AM service on June 7th.

Moving Toward a Program Model Church - a Spiritual Reflection on Working in a Small Group Toward a Large Goal

Joanne H. Gutt, Vestry

Working toward a large goal is a daunting task. In order to accomplish a

large goal it needs to be broken down into small pieces. There is no room

for procrastination and at the same time it can’t be rushed. Andrew

Hardister, Harriet Degreenia, Beth Nagy and I have been working with Kate,

Keith and other Vestry members on St. Paul’s plan to move to a Program

Church Mode. Hopefully you heard about it during the services on April 25 and 26 - 
and you may read the report here.

As a small group we are learning to work together, listen to each other

and worry together. We recognize that each of us has different ideas and

talents and that we all have a limited amount of time. The spiritual

aspects of working together include newly found friendships, the bond

we feel for the project and the recognition that many hands make light

work. As we recognize that this is hard work, we pray for strength.

As we move forward in this project we pray for wisdom, creativity and open

minds. We pray that as others join us in this journey, they will also feel

the joy of accomplishment in doing the work Jesus wants us to do.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come

alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have

come alive.” * Dr. Howard Thurman *

May we not do work because we think we ought to. Rather, may we "come

alive" and see where that leads us.

Using information from our recently conducted church survey, the Vestry began their work of moving St. Paul's to a Program Model Church at their Vestry retreat in March.  The presentation Joanne refers to in this blog post may be found here, along with more information about the Mutual Ministry Review process.

The photograph of the Vestry was taken at their retreat, where this important work was begun. (Several Vestry members were not present for the photo)

Fellowship

by The Rev. Kate Atkinson

We talk about fellowship a lot at St. Paul’s – often including it in a list of three “F”s that describe a social event: Fun, Food and Fellowship. But Christian fellowship means much more than enjoying one another’s company at coffee hour, or a foyer group, or even our monthly “Fellowship Potluck.”

In his commentary on the Letters of John, the theologian, John Stott, describes what he calls “the divine order” – angelia (message), koinōnia (fellowship), and chara (joy) – highlighting the middle stage of that progression as vital to our Christian life.

(John R.W. Stott, The Letters of John, Pg. 71 © 1996 Inter-Varsity Press, Leicester, England)  

The apostle John wrote to the first century believers about the importance of living in fellowship with God and with one another, specifically so that we can live without sin, and ultimately so that “our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:4; 2:1)

In order to do that, John writes, we have to take to heart the message that “God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)  Light represents God’s glory and splendor – the divine radiance we imagine permeating all of heaven. Light also represents purity and truth – divine qualities manifested in Jesus. And God’s light is offered to us, the children of God, as a source of power, salvation, and discernment.

Fellowship is the act of gathering with other Christians and sharing our common awareness of God’s light. It doesn’t necessarily require us to have deep, theological discussions every time we get together (although sometimes that does happen), but it does mean striving for purity and truth in what we say to one another and in our actions.  It also means acknowledging that we are stronger, safer, and wiser because of God’s presence with us.

That could mean talking about the times we’ve fallen short of what we know God expects of us; it could include occasions when we’ve struggled with Jesus’ teachings and ended up disregarding them; it could be the times we’ve given into temptation of various kinds. Being in fellowship with one another means recognizing that we all face similar challenges – and we all need God’s help, and one another’s, to respond to them.

Fellowship allows us to be utterly transparent about who we are and who we’re striving to be as children of a loving God.

To read more, please check out the full sermon on our website here.