Reflections
When I talk with young people about the Episcopal Church, I find it helpful to begin with their questions. That allows me to know what they are really interested in and not waste my time and theirs with lots of things that I may think are important, but about which they have very little interest. Today I was having just such a conversation, and a question was asked, “Why do we pray?” It was a wonderful question, and more foundational than a question about “how” to pray that would come from an adult.
I began with the easiest part. “We pray because Jesus asked us to,” I said. Of course, that begs another question that he was too polite to ask, “Why did Jesus ask us to pray?”
We talked about prayer as the means by which we open ourselves to God, and in so doing, we develop and deepen a relationship with God. I shared my own thoughts about how prayer is not a magic light switch, and the way prayer “works” is, ultimately a divine mystery. But my experience, and the witness of the community of faith for thousands of years is that in prayer my relationship with God in Christ grows, my relationship with those for whom I pray deepens, wisdom comes as a gift, my perspective on life is altered, and, on occasion, miracles happen.
We talked about the repetition of liturgical prayers and how that repetition slowly, but surely, shapes our view of life and nurtures the relationships we share with others gathered for that common prayer.
I could have talked for a much longer time, but those youthful eyes that were so very bright when the question was asked, began to glaze over, and I knew the window of curiosity had closed.
How would you respond if you were asked that question? More importantly, make the question very personal: “Why do I pray?” Or, if you are brave enough, ask yourself, “Why do I not pray.”
I’d be glad to talk with you about your responses.
Other Matters of Interest:
The Rev. Ann Whitaker at Nativity-
This Sunday,September 29, Ann Whitaker will be our celebrant and preacher at the 10:30am worship service. She will also be leading our 9:30am Bible study class on the Gospel of Luke. Your Vicar will be the guest preacher at St. Paul’s, New Orleans- my first post-retirement congregation.
Blessing of the Animals: Saturday, October 5 in Pocket Park at 10:00am-
This annual celebration in conjunction with the Feast of St. Francis always points us toward the presence of God in “all creatures great and small.” Our thanks to James McCormick and daughter, Hannah, for updating our publicity sign and posting it at Pocket Park. All sorts and conditions of critters are welcome!
Coffee Hour Sign-Ups Needed-
A sign up sheet for making our Coffee Hour “happen” through October is available on the table in the entrance hall at the Salt and Light building. Please help us keep this time of fellowship alive and well at Nativity.
Day Trip to Carrollton and North Carrollton: October 4-
Marybeth Marchbanks, a member of St. Peter’s, Oxford, and a regular visitor to Nativity, has organized a day trip to Carrollton for anyone interested in exploring that historic community. The mayor of Carrollton will serve as guide and hostess to tour the Carroll County Courthouse, the Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches ( all built before 1900) and Cotesworth, the antebellum home of Senator J. Z. George. Additional information will be in an insert in Sunday’s bulletin. If you are interested contact Marybeth Marchbanks at marybmarchbanks@yahoo.com, or Margaret-Love Denman at mldg@denmans.us.
Third Quarter Pledge Statements Being Sent-
Those who have made a financial pledge to Nativity will be receiving an update in October on the status of their pledge through the third quarter. This practice is the normal operating procedure for most churches and will become our standard practice at Nativity going forward.
Blessings and Peace,
Duncan
(601)260-1937
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