The Power of Ritual

We come to church with needs. We come to church each week with expectations that by so doing, something will happen. In the Episcopal Church, we come to participate in a ritual. We become part of a gathered Body-Of-Christ offering prayers of praise, thanksgiving, asking …, musing on several scriptures, confessing where we feel we have missed the mark. Ourselves as a gathered Body and all our doings are laid out on the altar with bread and wine in offering; ‘ourselves, our souls and bodies’ with ‘angels, archangels and all the company of heaven’ with us make the offerings and Praise God singing, ‘Holy, Holy….’.

    Us, all our offerings, the bread and wine, are all transformed into the ‘Body-of-Christ’ to be taken and eaten by the faithful, that resurrected life may be renewed in the worshiping Body and all of creation. 

    Celebrating the Eucharist, (Thanksgiving) is no small thing. As we strive to live into the fullness of Resurrected-Life, we are guided by Jesus’ instructions, “DO THIS”. For us, as Gods People, in Christ, The Holy Communion Service is our way to the fullness of life, the fullness of forgiveness, the fullness of celebration, the fullness of celebrating of life blessings and life tragedies in thanksgiving.

    A little bit each Sunday, week after week, year after year, we are renewed and transformed as imagers-of-God.

    See you in church.   Stan Woolley+

My Faith, My Life

The following is a spiritual reflection by The Rt Rev Stephen Charleston, a Native American elder, author, and retired Bishop of Alaska. I follow Bishop Charleston on Facebook and find his writings thought provoking, hope filled, and helpful in my own spiritual life. I invite you to share your thoughts and resources for spiritual nourishment with us.   Pat

Brief Word About Prayer in Times of Conflict:

I have been engaged in peacemaking since the days of the Vietnam War. Over these many years I have called for and participated in prayers for peace in many times of conflict. I have learned that some people hold back from prayer because they think it is futile. Here are their three top reasons and a brief encouraging response. I share this in the hope that many of us will keep praying even as the conflict grows.
1. IT IS TOO LATE. (THE ACTION CANNOT BE TAKEN BACK). History teaches us that after the assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand, WWI war was almost avoided when a few key leaders hesitated to escalate the situation. Prayer can tip a balance.
2. THE OTHER SIDE IS EVIL AND WILL NOT PRAY WITH US. Demonizing others is not a response in faith. There have been thousands of Iranians courageously demonstrating for change in their country. We can pray with and for them.
3. PRAYER DOESN’T WORK. In the year 452 Attila the Hun came to the gates of an undefended Rome to sack the city. Pope Leo I and the church were praying for peace. The Pope rode out, spoke with Attila, and the Huns left. Prayer works.
Please keep praying. Thank you.