Reflections

Reflections

Easter Sunday was a wonderful moment in the life of Nativity. More than 80 folks, including lots of visitors-young and old-jammed into our little church to remember and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. The wonderfully chaotic way in which chairs were brought over from the Salt and Light building, and folks moved around in the seats and pews to make way for others in this overflow moment, was a marvelous thing to behold. Loud noises from little people made for a wonderful angelic chorus from all the saints. Alexe and Kagan’s traditional hosting of a pot luck lunch at their home was a very special conclusion to this remarkable day for this amazing congregation. Alleluia! He is risen, indeed!

And then, a remarkable thing happens in the life of the church. On the heels of all of this excitement and joy, the Gospel reading for the Sunday after Easter gives us Thomas, in all his uncertainty, saying to his companions that unless he sees and touches the scars of Jesus he cannot believe that Jesus is alive. Just when we have been lifted up by the great joy, indeed certainty, of Easter, we are reminded that there is, within our our souls, that nagging doubt that it all may just be an illusion. It is in these moments that we all get in touch with our Missouri roots, and say, like Thomas, “Show me!”

I am going to preach on this reality on Sunday, so I won’t reflect much more in this newsletter. But, it is important to note that Jesus does come to Thomas and give to him what he needs. So, too, he comes to us, but maybe not quite in the way that we had anticipated.

Other Matters of Importance

Dates to Remember:

    May 19- At 6:00pm we will gather at the Compassion Food Ministry distribution center at 1301 Highway 7 North to pack boxes of food for distribution to families in need during that week. This is a joint project of churches in Water Valley and we will be sharing that day with our Methodist Church neighbors. There is a sign up sheet in the rear of the church that will help us in our planning.

    May 25- Rogation Sunday/ Blessing of the Fields. After worship we will gather at the home of Vivian McKey ( 3263 CR 90) and family for a pot luck lunch and the traditional blessing of the fields, which will include the commercial flower gardens of Vivian’s daughter, Kris. Rogation ( from the Latin, “rogare”, meaning “to ask”, in this case for blessing) Sundays have their origin in the rural parishes in our spiritual ancestor, the Church of England. On this particular Sunday the congregation would process into the fields just outside church forthe traditional blessing of the fields, that included prayers for an abundant harvest.

              We first did this Rogation celebration/ picnic at the home of Jenni Campbell, and it was lots of fun! Additional details will follow, but mark your calendars now!

Forward Day by Day Booklets-

        There is a limited supply of Forward Day by Day booklets available in the rear of the church for those who wish to use these daily devotional resources rom the Episcopal Church. Please know that these same devotional booklets have been made available to residents of our local jail, so that as you pray these daily, you will be in prayerful communion with those that Jesus asked us to be particularly mindful of. They are free of charge and cover the months of May, June and July. If there is a need, we will order additional copies.

Service Bulletins to be Discontinued-

       After 4+ years of writing and publishing the Sunday worship bulletins, James McCormick has asked to be able to step down from this responsibility. Thus, for the time being, the only handouts we will have for worship will be the scripture readings insert. Going forward, the Daughters of the King will be coordinating the prayer list that James has been putting in the bulletins.

       If you are willing to assume a role in the publishing of the church worship bulletin, please see James or the Vicar. James will be glad to train any interested person(s).

     Thank you, James, for your faithful and, mostly, unseen, work over these many years!

New Doors on the Blessing Box-

     The doors on the Blessing Box outside of the Church had, over time, lost their facade. . As you recall, the original structure had been built by Clyde Robinson, but the doors, in particular, were in need of repair. Our heartfelt thanks to Marty Pitre for repairing the doors and giving them a Nativity-like image. If you haven’t yet noticed them, take a look, and give Marty a high five for work well done!

See you Sunday!

Blessings and Peace,

Duncan

dmgrayiii@gmail.com

(601)260-1937