Reflections
This past Monday, at the invitation of Tommy Reynolds I prayed a prayer over the Mississippi House of Representatives. I was touched by his invitation and tried to do my best.
I have been active politically for most of my life, beginning with summer work for William Winter’s first campaign for Governor in 1967. In college my political friends included Dick Molpus and Roger Wicker, and with their help I was elected Vice-president of the student body. I worked on Capitol Hill for two members of Congress- Congressman Jack Brooks(D-Texas) and Senator Mark Hatfield (R-Oregon). My aunt, Ebbie Spivey, was the state Republican chair for several years. Despite the seeming bi-partisan nature of my background I generally vote Democratic (Probably not a big surprise!).
But what has bothered me greatly over the past couple of decades is the increasing lack of civility that surrounds our public discourse. At the risk of sounding like I’m romanticizing the past, I know from personal experience (and can tell lots of stories), it was not always that way!
That was what was weighing heavy on my heart as I prayed last Monday:
“God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
You have gathered these your people in this historic place as representatives of a much wider community-a community that is broken, divided, confused and uncertain far more than we would dare admit.
You have gathered these your people in this historic place as stewards of the authority of this state, as stewards of the bounty of this state and as stewards of the trust and hope of a people who dare to believe that their vote matters.
Life-giving God, guide and direct them in all that they do, giving them a wisdom that is deeper than a political philosophy, and the willingness to ask what You would have them to do.
As they make decisions for the common good, give them the courage to listen deeply before they speak, to dare to seek to understand before they demand to be understood.
May they be open to your life altering touch, even in their moments of deepest certitude. May they see in their colleagues in this place the image of God and fellow pilgrims struggling to make sense out of their lives, and to be of service to the people of this state.
All this I ask in the name of the One I call Lord- Jesus the Christ. Amen”
I will continue to pray for civility. Please join me.
Other Matters to Note
Annual Congregational Meeting February 5
Our Annual Congregational Meeting is this Sunday following our 10:30 worship. We will be electing 2 new members of our Mission Committee, the lay leadership council of Nativity. Nominees for the Mission Committee, to this point, are Les Nichols and Shannon Chiles.
In addition there will be brief reports from the Senior Warden, Junior Warden and Treasurer. There will also be a new proposal that could give to Nativity additional space for internal programming and outreach to the wider Yalobusha County.
Please plan to join us!
Bishop Seage to Visit February 11-12
Bishop Seage will be here on Sunday the 12th to baptize March Taylor Loftin, confirm Liz Reynolds, and reaffirm the baptismal faith of Mary Beth Pulsifer and Becky Kelly. Please keep these people in your prayers as they take this important step in their journey of faith.
The night before (February 11) we will celebrate the ministry of Bishop Seage, honor those listed above and enjoy the wonderful fellowship of Nativity…WITH A PARTY!
Place: Fountain Square (218 Frostland Drive, WV)
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Attire: Casual
Food: Barbeque (catered)
Party Activities: Good food and drink, singing, games and a special surprise guest( Hint: You won’t believe your eyes!)
RSVP sign up sheets are in the rear of the church, on our website and Facebook page.
Bible Study: The Gospel of Mark February 19-April 2
As we did during the fall we will meet from 9:15 to 10:00 each Sunday at the This Is Noteworthy (tin) building-16 South Main.
We will approach this study by looking at how Mark portrays the humanity of Jesus, something that we are often hesitant to do.
Peace, my friends.
See you Sunday!
Duncan
601-260-1936
Tunes & Texts
By James McCormick
Our sequence hymn this week has ancient origins. Hymn #488 ‘Be thou my vision’ is set to a traditional Irish folk tune named ‘Slane’. The same tune is also the setting for hymn #482 ‘Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy’. The tune itself may pre-date Christianity in Ireland.
Slane is a village in County Meath in Ireland. The nearby Hill of Slane has been a site of worship since Neolithic times. Ruins of ancient and medieval structures dot the rolling landscape. Many of the ‘newer’ ruins are built using stones ‘borrowed’ from the remnants of older ruins. ‘Be thou my vision’ is akin to these structures since it is built from old words and an even older melody.
Saint Patrick is said to have been active in the Slane area in the 5th century. An ancient well, now on the grounds of Slane Castle, was believed to have healing powers. The castle is sited adjacent to a sweeping hillside which forms a natural amphitheater. The hillside amphitheater has hosted rock concerts in recent decades. In fact, I saw The Rolling Stones perform there in the summer of 1982. The J. Geils Band opened the show. Good times.
The hymn’s text was translated from Old Irish manuscripts dating from the 8th century or possibly earlier. The manuscripts were translated by Eleanor H. Hull (1860-1935). Hull was a writer, journalist, and scholar who published many translations of Old Irish texts, folk tales, and mythology. The hymn was versified by Mary Elizabeth Byrne (1880-1931). Byrne was a linguist, author, and journalist.
The hymn text is a ‘Lorica’, a prayer for strength and protection. A lorica was a type of breastplate and shoulder armor worn by Roman Legionnaires and other warriors. The most famous lorica hymn is #370 ‘I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity’ which is also known as ‘St. Patrick’s Breastplate’.
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