Reflections
“Hope springs eternal in the human breast;
Man never Is, but always To be blest…”
-Alexander Pope
Somehow in the mysterious divine providential workings of the Lord of all Creation, the Easter miracle has been wonderfully supported in the holiness of Creation by the planting of my vegetable garden, the Masters golf tournament and Opening Day of Major League Baseball. Each of these more secular holy moments have served through the years to reinforce for me the miracle that life is stronger than death, life is richer and more complex than we dare believe and hope does spring eternal.
The old hymn almost shouts from the words in our Hymnal, “Death’s long shadows have departed…”! The cold, gray, wet blanket that covered my garden has lifted, and cabbages, collards, broccoli and turnips are flexing their wonderfully green leafy muscles. The compost pile, from which I nourish the vegetables, is a wonderful icon of life arising out of death and decay.
My mother taught me always to plant my tomatoes on Good Friday ( a death and resurrection thing, she said), but it was too rainy this year. So the following Tuesday in Easter Week served as the movable holy planting feast day. I think Mama would understand.
I have never made the sacred pilgrimage to Augusta to witness the most beautiful azaleas and best golf in the world, but several friends have. This year Joe York brought me back an official Masters cap that I wore to watch Rory McIlroy die a thousand deaths on Good Friday, the whole field struggle in the rain on Holy Saturday and John Rahm celebrate his victory on Easter Sunday with the emotion that surely resembled that of those first disciples who encountered their risen Lord. Don’t you think that encounter produced a loud shout and a big fist pump?
No? Well it should have!
And you know, of course, God’s preference for baseball. In the book of Genesis our sacred story commences, “In the big inning…” Yeah, I know. Pretty bad. But on Opening Day every team and every fan believes that a World Series championship is within their grasp, and every year pain, heartbreak, failure and disillusionment are the products of that season’s harsh realities- except for the very few. But because hope does spring eternal, despite all the disappointment, we do it again the next year…and ever after!
It’s seems crazy, beyond rational understanding. But to those of us who believe, it makes perfect sense. And it gives life deep meaning…and hope!
“ He is risen! The Lord is risen, indeed! Alleluia!”
Other Matters of Interest
Additional Organist To Assist Music Program
Dianne Falkner will be joining Nativity’s music program this Sunday, April 16. She will be offering her gifts as an organist on the third Sunday of each month. Welcome, Diane, and thank you for this gift!
Brenda Prager will continue to coordinate our music program and serve as organist on second Sundays and major feast days.
Ordination of Tina Frizzell- May 27 at 10:30am
Bishop Seage will be ordaining Tina to the Sacred Order of Deacons at St. Peter’s, Oxford, her home church. All are invited to this special moment to celebrate Tina’s ministries so freely shared this past year with us at Nativity. The Mission Committee, on Tuesday, voted to give Tina a white stole as our gift in thanksgiving to her.
Bishop Seage has assigned Tina to work primarily at St. Peter’s, beginning in August, but to remain at Nativity in some , still to be negotiated, capacity.
Baptism of Ariana Leigh McKey, Vivian McKey's granddaughter- APRIL 23rd
Reception to follow at the Salt and Light building. Please bring sweet or savory snacks, per coffee hour usual.
Nativity’s First Annual Rogation Sunday Celebration, Blessing and Picnic-May 21
Deep within our Anglican roots is the tradition of Rogation Sunday in which our liturgical ancestors in rural England would process out of their churches on Rogation Sunday to bless the neighboring fields. Many churches in this country, particularly in farming communities, continue the practice today. Episcopal churches in the Mississippi Delta celebrate Rogation Sunday in both serious, and joy-filled, ways.
We will be instituting this new celebration at Nativity immediately after worship on May 21 with a church-wide picnic at the home of Jenni and Mitch Campbell. Details will follow, but mark your calendars now.
Mission Committee Report
At its monthly meeting on April 11, the Mission Committee of Nativity,
—Learned from the Treasurer that Nativity is in strong financial shape, having received almost half of its budgeted income for 2023 by early April;
—Heard a report on the progress of the handicap accessibility ramp for the
Church;
—Thanked Les and Jan Nichols for their pre-Easter deep cleaning of the church;
—Noted with appreciation the work of the Altar Guild throughout Holy Week;
—Heard James McCormick’s request for help with the Sunday bulletin and “buttonizing” the organ on Sundays when there is no organist;
—Learned of the ordination of Tina Frizzell and voted to give her a white stole as an ordination gift;
—At the Vicar’s request, reviewed and offered comments on the program and liturgical offerings during Lent, Holy Week and Easter;
—Learned of plans to inaugurate an acolyte program, beginning on the Feast of Pentecost-May 28;
—Gave approval to the request of the Altar Guild for new white altar, pulpit and lectern hangings;
—Gave thanks to Jenni Campbell and Tina Frizzell for their work in producing a tentative church directory;
—Learned that, following the approval of the lease by the Trustees of the Diocese on April 20, we will have full access to the “Salt and Light” building on May 1;
—Approved a request for the church to be a supplier and seller of Christmas Greenery ( wreaths, garlands, etc.);
—Clarified a regular rotation schedule for members of the Mission Committee.
Blessings to you all. See you on Sunday!
Peace,
Duncan
(601)260-1937
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