Reflections
You have heard and read things from me recently about the spiritual seasons of our lives and how our souls respond to God’s movement in our lives that are not always connected to a calendar- liturgical or secular. We are about to enter into another season that no one has on any calendar that I know of. For folks at Nativity, we uniquely, are about to enter the season of…drumroll, please…”The Institutional Church.” It is a season that delights some, confuses some and leaves far too many scratching their heads.
For three straight Sundays, beginning January 29, we will find all, or at least some, of our focus directed at the institutional structures that undergird our Episcopal Church in this diocese.
On Sunday, January 29, Tina Frizzell, Robbie Fisher, Beth Mayeaux and I will be concluding our weekend in Natchez conducting the business of the Diocese of Mississippi as representatives of Nativity and St. Peter’s(Tina). Budgets, workshops, resolutions, planning the transition to a new bishop and reconnecting with old friends and colleagues who feel similarly a part of this old Episcopal Church. More than anything else, it is a time to gather. On a personal note for Nativity, it will be the official unveiling of our new Nativity banner that will be carried in to the opening worship service along with banners from most of the other 90 churches in this diocese.
On Sunday, February 5, immediately following our 10:30 worship we, at Nativity, will hold our own canonically mandated annual congregational meeting. It is our time for our business-a budget, election of our lay leadership, reflections on the past year and dreams of what may lay ahead. It, too, is a time to gather.
On Sunday, February 12, we will welcome to Nativity the Right Reverend Brian Seage, the outward and visible icon of the Episcopal Church in Mississippi. We believe that Bishop Seage stands in an unbroken line of succession dating to the first apostles and whose apostolic authority has been passed down through two millennia by the laying on of hands by bishops previously so ordained. It’s a bit complicated and complex, but in his time among he is witness to the fact that we are gathering in fellowship with some 70 million Anglicans worldwide.
Some delight in all of the above. Some could care less. But a thought or two about “the institution”. We don’t worship an institution, but neither are we disembodied spirits bouncing around with no bodily limits. It’s worth remembering that God’s great act of love was to become human, imposing fleshly limits on Godself. The Church, like the human body, is frail, and in too many ways broken. But God chose the human body to be the conveyer of God’s gift of love, and for reasons of God’s own mysterious providence, God has chosen this frail and broken institution to be the bearer of the Holy Spirit and the instrument of Creation’s greatest good news of salvation.
Thus, I think caring for this sacred vessel is worth the effort. Pray for Robbie, Beth, Tina and me when we “take our place in the Councils of the Church”; come join us in our annual meeting; and gather with community to welcome Bishop Seage and to thank him for restarting Nativity six years ago!
I pray this season of the institutional church might be filled with hope and joy! Who knows, one day it might be included in the next edition of Lesser Feasts and Fasts!
Other Matters Of Importance
Annual Congregational Meeting-February 5(After 10:30 Worship)
We will be electing 2 new members of the Mission Committee and adopting a budget for our congregation, among other items. Plan to join us for this important part of our common life.
Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, Reaffirmation of Baptism Vows-Are any of these right for you at this time?
Are you feeling God working in you in a new way through the Church of the Nativity? Is it hard to put into words, but you know that you are entering a new phase of your spiritual journey? If so, you may wish to liturgically celebrate this moment with Bishop Seage on February in the sacrament of baptism or one of the rites listed above. Please feel free to contact the Vicar if you’d like to talk about these possibilities.
A Party For Bishop Seage and Those Reaffirming Their Faith- On Saturday evening, February 11 from 5:00-7:00pm we will gather at Fountain Square to celebrate our common life as part of the Nativity community. We will also honor Bishop Seage and those who will be a part of the renewal of their faith on Sunday with the Bishop. This will be a multi-generational event with lots of fun, food, music, games and special surprise guest appearances! I have no doubt that this will be a very special moment in the life of this faith community. Mark your calendars now!
In order to get an idea of numbers the Planning Committee is asking for RSVPs in a variety of ways. Invitations will be sent out in the next week or so, but we can begin signing up at the church this Sunday.
The Mission Committee Meets Tuesday, January 17 at 6:00 at the Senior Warden’s Home-308 Clay Street.
See you Sunday!
Peace,
Duncan
601-260-1937
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