We are thankful for our neighbors - and a chance to love them

from a sermon on October 26 by the Rev. Keith Patterson

Who is my neighbor that I am to love just as much as I love myself?  That is the question that is hard to answer.  I know for myself that there is no easier answer just more questions.  Do I love those who are like me, who have the same education and background?  Can I put myself and all that I love about myself into the place of the stranger that passes me on the street?  How do I love someone else as much as I love myself in a world that advertises “it’s all about me?” 

Sometimes when I am working in the thrift store or the food pantry it is easy to love my neighbor as myself because I really don’t know any of the people.  They are strangers to me.

All of that changes when I know who my neighbor is.  When someone I see on the streets of Concord who comes to ask for food, I know that person also wants a decent meal just like I do.  I am eager to meet the needs of the other because I recognize that the stranger, the other, is me.

Here is a poem written by Jan Richardson that speaks to love being the oldest law and the oldest blessing.  She asks that we become open to it, that we pursue it and that we spend it.

Love Is the Most Ancient Law
A Blessing 

Open to it
and you will know it
how love is
its own blessing
and most ancient
of laws.

Pursue it
entirely
with everything
in you—
your heart
(all)
your soul
(all)
your mind
(all).

Spend it
all—
this love
so generous
this love
that goes out
to each
it finds
this love
that gives itself
in lavish and
unimagined measure
everywhere and
to all—

yourself
not least.[1]

---

[1] Jan Richardson, The Painted Prayerbook, http://paintedprayerbook.com/2014/10/23/love-is-the-most-ancient-law/#.VEvY5-l0zIU

What do we have to be grateful for? Our Outreach Programs and all of the volunteers who “show up”.

At  St. Paul’s, we have many things for which we give thanks.  As the Food Pantry is our Mission of the Month for November, let us start our list with all of those who “show up” to run our Outreach Programs.  We are grateful for the Food Pantry volunteers – the organizers and shoppers, those who work with the clients, those who stock the shelves, those who transport the food, and those who clip the coupons.  And of course we are grateful to all who give food and money to allow us to feed the people to come to us for help.  These people and the work that they do is the face of St. Paul’s to many in our community, and we are very proud of them.

Moving across the hall, we are thankful for our Thrift Shop and clothing bank.  From those who sort and price the items, to those who help people to find what they need, we are so blessed to have this dedicated group of volunteers.  We have clients who come to us in need of clothing for a job interview, or warm clothes after moving here from a warm climate.  We have those who are in need of blankets who are sleeping outside.  They are cared for with dignity and respect.

We are appreciative of the support of the Visiting Nurses who come here for Senior Health and Immunization clinics.  We are also blessed to be the site of a monthly Downtown Health Clinic with staff from Concord Hospital who meet with those who are disconnected from the healthcare system and work to provide medical care as well as counseling.

We are thankful for all who feed the hungry people in our community.  On the third Wednesday of each month, a team from St. Paul’s prepares and serves a meal to clients at the Friendly Kitchen – often approaching one hundred people!  The Friendly Kitchen serves all who arrive at the table, and we are glad to be a part of that work.

Showing up is part of who we are as people of God in the Episcopal Church.  And when we show up for ministry to the people who need us most, lives are transformed – their lives and ours.

Feeding the Hungry: Food Pantry, Mission of the Month for November

We all know the importance of food.  We cannot survive without it.  Here at St. Paul’s our Food Pantry volunteers work at a variety of tasks with one simple goal – to feed people.  And so - to our stockers, shoppers, schedulers, workers who give out the food, those who clip coupons, those who donate food and funds, those who go to the food bank to collect larger shipments of food, and those who clean, fold bags and break down and recycle boxes – to all of them a huge thank you for showing us how to live out the message of Jesus to love and serve others as ourselves.  These people do this work for many different reasons.  Here we have words from two of our volunteers, sharing the reasons they serve in our Food Pantry:

"Being newly retired, I was looking for ways I could give back to the community in time and energy. Volunteering at a food pantry was on my to do list since working professionally with a person who has been involved with and has spoke highly of the St. Paul's Food Pantry for years. The experience has been so gratifying. Clients often share their stories and even though we see people for a short time during a visit it doesn't take long to feel connected to each one. I am in awe of the refugees who come to the U.S. and try to make sense of our language, food, educational system, living arrangements, government and family dynamics. I would like to think I would be that brave but..... I leave the pantry each time renewed with good feelings, especially towards all the people we help, and the huge number of people who work together to make the St. Paul's Food Pantry happen."
- Sandy Davis

"I started in the Food pantry when it was upstairs in the hall about 20 years ago..  I continue to serve because I feel it is something I can do that will help our clients directly--not just through giving money through a third party.  And I like the clients."

- Georgette Daugherty

Do you feel called to help?  Contact the church office for details.

Help to fill the shelves - and feed those who are hungry.

On a Friday morning, the shelves are quite bare....

Five Practices of Saints

by The Rev. Kate Atkinson

A wonderful thing to remember when we celebrate All Saints Day is that the communion of saints doesn’t only inhabit the heavenly kingdom; it’s alive and well right here on earth – right here at St. Paul’s. 

Bishop Rob recently came up with “The Practices of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire.”  It’s a list of five things which define us – as followers of Christ and as saints of God.

The first Practice is, “We show up.”  Showing up is important – it’s crucial; it shows that we’re committed to what we’re doing.

If we make the decision to go to church on a Sunday morning, our participation in that act of worship begins before we even leave our homes. That wonderful combination of dedication and anticipation, of expectancy coupled with certainty, that sense of familiarity and wonder and awe – those are some of the reasons why we get out of bed on a Sunday morning, or drive out in wintry weather, or choose church over some other option that presents itself.

People tell me how missing a service at St. Paul’s has an uncomfortable effect on them all week long. There’s a gap that nothing else can fill, a feeling of incompleteness, of unease, that isn’t resolved until they’re back in this place. Showing up in our faith community, worshipping with our parish family, is essential to our spiritual health. And it’s more than that – because when we

show up here, we’re renewed and nourished for the work we’re called to beyond St. Paul’s – in all the other places where we show up as Christ’s hands and feet and heart and voice in the world.

The second Practice is, “We tell the Story.”  The stories we hear from Scripture each week are only the beginning.  They teach us about the human condition and God’s saving acts, about our place in the world and the many people of faith who came before us.  They show us how easy it is to fall short of God’s ideal for us, and they encourage us to learn from our mistakes and to seek a better way.  Like the disciples, we receive our guidance from a divine teacher; like the apostles, we carry our own stories to others – sharing the wonder of lives transformed by God’s loving presence.

The third Practice brings to mind the sacrament of baptism: “We splash water.” When we baptize babies, children and adults, we splash them with water, symbolically cleansing them from the sin that can hold them back from a full relationship with God, and affirming God’s unfailing desire to forgive and renew us when we fall back into sinful ways. 

As we welcome the newly baptized into our church family, the water we splash on them is also a reminder of the source of life – the source that feeds us all and makes it possible for us to be Christ’s servants in hard places and painful situations. Baptism into the communion of saints assures us of eternal life but it doesn’t stop us engaging fully with the world we live in now, knowing that we’re strengthened by the Holy Spirit whose seal is on our head and our heart.

The fourth Practice is, “We share food”.  When we gather around the altar to share God’s holy meal, we receive sustenance unlike anything we consume at other times.  But the food we share at coffee hour or fellowship potluck or celebration meals – that too energizes us in a special way.  These are all ingredients of fellowship and community, calling to mind the gathering of the earliest Christians who shared everything they had and made sure that no one among them went hungry.

We share food with others too – with the clients we serve in the Friendly Kitchen, or in our Food pantry, or through our mission with Jamaica and other needy places in the world.  Our call to be a community of faith helps us to see that we have much more than we need.  As we recognize God’s abundance in our lives, we respond by sharing that abundance, and creating a banquet that anyone can attend.

The last of the five Practices isn’t something we do; it’s something God does.  “God surprises.” In the deep joy that fills us as we worship together; in the heartbreaking yet wondrous privilege of sharing another’s pain; in a life transformed because of a conversation or an invitation; in a new congregation growing from a tiny seed: God breaks into the life of saints like us, giving us tastes of the life that’s still to come.

The five practices link us to all the saints who’ve gone before us and all those who will come after us, as well as those who are with us now. As we continue to show up, to tell our stories, to splash water, and to share food, we are doing the work and living the life of saints by being true to our faith. But perhaps the most important thing of all about saints that we live our lives knowing that God surprises – and we notice it when God does!

A Story for All Hallows Eve

by Sarah Nyhan

Many years ago, there lived people who believed that there were spirits everywhere.  There were spirits in every rock and tree, in the sky and in the earth.  The people thought that some of these spirits were kind and generous, and some could be mean and hurtful  As the people moved through each year, they would offer their thanks to these spirits when things went well, and would perform special ceremonies to keep spirits happy so they would not do them harm

In the fall of the year, people would harvest their crops and prepare for the long winter ahead.  They knew they were passing from the time of light and long days that was the summer to the time of darkness and long nights in the winter

This was a time to celebrate the coming of a new year, to give thanks for the harvest, and also to remember all of their ancestors who had died.  Some believed the spirits might show themselves during harvest celebrations, so they would build bonfires and light lanterns to frighten any mischievous spirits away.  Some of these lanterns were made from turnips and gourds that had been a part of the harvest.  Some people wore masks and costumes so that naughty spirits would not recognize them and play tricks on them.  Sometimes these traditions were fun and sometimes they were scary.

When the church began, its followers set out to spread the word of God to people everywhere.  The church wanted to show people that there was only ONE God for them to worship, one God everywhere and in everything. 

Just as those early people had done, the church had set aside a day to remember all of our ancestors who had died, and they set the date of their celebration to fall at the end of the harvest.  The church called this All Saint’s Day – a time to remember all the special believers who came so close to God – those whose names we know and those whose names we don’t.  Some continued to dress up on the night before All Saint’s or All Hallows Day - called All Hallows Eve - and they might go to their neighbors’ houses.  They began a practice of collecting treats called “soul cakes” and would say a prayer for the ancestors of those who gave them the treats. 

As time passed, many people traveled from countries in Europe to live in what is now the United States – where we live.  They brought many traditions with them, which then changed over time.  All Hallows Eve we now call Halloween.  The gourd lanterns are now Jack o’Lanterns, made from the plentiful pumpkins that grow here.  Dressing up and collecting soul cakes is now a time for children to dress up in costumes and collect candy – what we call trick or treating.

Mostly people think all of this is just for fun – though people still might find parts of it a little scary.

We don’t need to be afraid though, for God is with us, and all of the celebrating should really be for God, and for all of the heroes and saints of the church who have come before us.

God watches over us every night of the year – including the night of Halloween..

Dear God

Thank you God for all of the good food that you provide for us, and for all of those who work to harvest it.

We give you thanks for all those who have come before us, for all those who walk beside us, and all those who will follow in our footsteps as we try our best to come close to God and listen for his directions.

AMEN

Why we sing - reflections from the St. Paul's Choir

When choir members were asked why they sing in the choir, their responses reflect their diverse experiences and overwhelming joy at sharing their gifts and love of music.

Many people spoke of the joy and the peace that singing brings them – a sense of being closer to God. Others shared their love of the fellowship in the choir – a sense of belonging.  And many feel that their singing is the best way for them to be a part of the worship service – a sense of purpose.

We offer here their testimonies, and thank them for the blessing of their service to St. Paul’s.

“We sang around a piano after dinner my last three years in college, and I've loved it since then. For days after my mother died I listened to the phrase from Handel, "My yoke is easy, my burden is light."  Now every anthem I sing reminds me of that healing experience. A choir is little foretaste of being in heaven.” - Chris Dornin

I can give you a quick reason why I sing in the choir.  It feeds my soul.  Plain and simple, but it also allows me an opportunity to be surrounded by a wonderful group people who share a faith and love of God and music. - Sarah Dickinson

People worship in many ways, mine is singing in the choir.  It brings me a sense of enjoyment, peace and pride to know that we are an integral part of the worship service at St. Paul’s

 – Jean Barnes

For me the choir is a chance to work with my family of Christian brothers and sisters to create something beautiful to honor God each Sunday. Whenever I play or sing I try to think of it as giving a Concert for God! - Catharine Dornin

I sing in the choir because I feel God when I sing. …any challenges in my life seem to melt away-I'm at peace. … I also feel a sense of community with the choir. Whenever I have been in the congregation, I don't feel the belonging that I do sitting up in the choir loft. Besides, we get a really good view of everyone and what they are doing! - Catherine Denoncourt

I joined the choir because my sister and I use to sing together in a choir when we were kids. She died 8 yrs ago. It makes me feel close to her when I sing in the choir. The people in the choir at St. Paul's are friendly and welcoming. And Mark, of course, is great, especially when he praises us after singing well. I love that. Singing brings joy to my heart. - Stacey Baston

I listen carefully to the words of the prayers and the readings; I try to hear what the Spirit is saying.  When I hear the music, I listen with my heart to feel what the Spirit is saying.  My church has recently given me the gift of being welcomed into our choir.  Even though I am a pew songster never learning to read notes or schooled in music, I have been given more than enough help and encouragement to raise my tenor voice in praise on Sunday morning.  Mark has kindly made a cd of the tenor parts for ALL of the music we will sing!  And, I stand next to wonderful men and women who lead me in the melody. 

Most of all, being new in the choir, I watch those who have been here for years, the bonds and love that has grown between them.  I know that together we raise a precious sound that God hears, a sound grounded in exquisite harmony and beautiful tone.  Given the love that flows between us, the music that gently moves the hearts of those who hear us, and the prayers that we sing to God to bless us, how can I keep from singing?  - Carol Flavin-Veenstra

I joined the choir after my children went to college and I had to sit alone in church and felt very lonely. I joined the choir after having not sung for over 25 years. Now I have a family of people who welcome me, right notes or wrong notes, and support me in more ways than I could have ever imagined. CHOIR IS FAMILY!  - Edie Perkins

One does not have to have perfect tone or pitch to be in the choir. If that was the case, I wouldn't be there.  As we sing those notes, and the music swells I just have this overwhelming sensation of excitement & peace.  I am not singing to the congregation or to Mark; it's God I see, and I know He is smiling down on us.  Even when the notes come out wrong, it's the peace I feel… it's the music I love.   -  Debbie Spencer

..As a new choir member, I'd like to say how much I appreciate the welcome and helpfulness of the choir and the wonderful MARK!  What joy it is to sing with you all and learn so much from the experience. -  Peg Aldrich.  

I heartily agree with St. Augustine who said, "He [she] who sings prays twice." When I sing with the choir, I use words and breath in a deeper way. Most importantly, I harmonize with those around me; I do my part to mesh with the voices of others -- I'm a unique part of the Body -- and Breath -- of Christ.  Also, singing with the choir reduces my pain from arthritis! No joke!

- Gail Schilling

For me music both makes and enhances the service.  I started choir around the age of 11 or 12, and have always enjoyed being one of the people who happily sang my way through the service. … I am particularly happy to sing in St. Paul's choir. The acoustics help me feel like I really can sing!  Something we're very fortunate to have.  To sing under Mark's skilled and lively directorship is exciting and enlivening.  I am privileged to be singing in such a beautiful choir. - Nicki Bourne

I love to sing in the choir because when I sing my emotions overcome my senses and I feel closer to God. It's like I am singing to Him. It is indeed a privilege to sing with a wonderful group of people who enjoy singing together. We are so lucky to have Mark as our director and friend.

-Ranee Washburn

Comments collected by Jean Gillespie

In God We Trust

by the Rev. Kate Atkinson

There’s an old Arab saying: “Loving money is like inviting a camel into your tent.”  If you’ve ever been a tourist in the Middle East, and had your picture taken sitting on a camel, you’ll know that camels stink!  They’re notorious for it.  So the nomads of the desert don’t want their camels anywhere near their tents when they camp for the night.  But they can’t tether them too far away because they might be stolen.  Well, Camels may be smelly but they are not stupid!  Escaping their tether, or stretching it to its limit, they have a habit of creeping up on their owners’ tents and pushing their nose under the tent flap.  If nobody notices, they push the rest of their head through, then their neck, and finally their whole body.  By this time the camel’s owner would be aware of his unwanted guest, but it’s too late!  Camels are smelly, smart and stubborn.  There’s no room for anyone or anything else once a camel has moved in.

The Arab saying tells us that the love of money is equally all-consuming.  In the worst cases our bank accounts, our investments, even visible evidence of our wealth, become the most important thing in our lives – to the extent that there’s no room for anything, or even anyone, else.

Jesus came to live among human beings, knowing all our flaws and failings, to teach us that the most important thing is the love of God and of one another.  And he uses our obsession with money to help us discover that alternative.

Jesus never speaks about wealth as something to strive for.  Rather he urges us to turn away from the temptations and preoccupations of money and to depend on God for the abundant life God longs for us to experience.  And he encourages us to be similarly inspired when we make choices about how we spend our money.

“Give … to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, “Jesus says, “and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:21)  As long as we inhabit this land, we’ll be required to give to the emperor – or, in our case, Uncle Sam – a portion of our wealth.  As long as we keep the camel out of our tent, God will inspire every other decision we make about how we use our money, and how we share all our gifts that come from God.