From the Rector's Desk

Annual Church Meeting & Celebration

Epiphany Blessings

Leaders' Training

Baptism

Redeemer Kids Corner

Prayer Notes

MINISTRY NEEDS

Set-up Team: 2-3 people to help with set-ups on Sundays and for special events. Contact Julia at the church office, (847) 681-2872.

BIRTHDAYS

1/4 Jason Miller
1/6 Dan Babarik


SUNDAY READINGS

Isaiah 60:1-6,9
Psalm 72
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

January 03, 2007

From the Rector's Desk:

Welcome to the New Year…2008. I had just gotten fairly consistent in writing "'07" on things in the last couple of months, but time marches on. I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas and are ready to move forward into this new doorway of opportunity.

As at every year this time we are hearing a lot about 'resolutions'--those personal (and usually weak) motivations to bring about change in our lives. Change can be a good thing, and its something the Gospel calls us to, but real change and transformation usually takes time and it something that emerges from consistent patterns, what Eugene Peterson called 'a long obedience in the same direction'. Sometime New Year's resolutions can lead to that kind of re-orientation of life, but often they are momentary and transitory, giving way to frustration and guilt by the time February finds us.

I would like to offer some random thoughts about approaching change in the new year, acknowledging that I am also seeking God about ongoing transformation in my own life and am still driving under a 'learner's permit', most days.

1. Don't do resolutions---at least in the traditional sense. New Year's resolutions usually fail because they are personal and internal. Instead prayerfully identify areas of growth and change that are needed, then invite others into that place. Forge a godly friendship or two to live out that desire for transformation in shared honesty and vulnerability.

2. Understand that transformation requires time. There is such a thing as instant healing, but more often than not we walk a road—a process of change. We see this principle at work all around us, and it is expressed in the incarnation, itself. Jesus didn't burst onto the scene as an adult, but was born and lived out the natural process of growing from an infant, to a child, to a man. Speaking in Mark's gospel (chapter 4) our Lord said that this is how things grow and develop, even the kingdom, “first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel…”. We walk out this process in our personal lives, our families, and our church. We will grow and develop throughout our whole lives, and authentic, deep change is lived out over time.

3. Treat yourself with tenderness. This is tough for many of us, and a reason that resolutions and self-willed transformation often doesn't work. We start out alright, but when the going gets tough and we encounter some failure, we beat up on ourselves, pour on the guilt and usually quit. We're worse off than we were before. But Spirit-led growth and transformation draws upon God's strength to carry out the process that God desires for us, with a 'fierce mercy' that allows us to be changed in the power of the Spirit. I would recommend a book by Brennan Manning that takes up this important message, “The Wisdom of Tenderness”. The boot straps just don't work, so let's “let go of worry, stop organizing everything as a means to an end, and begin to live fully in the awareness of God's infinite grace and mercy in each moment”.

4. Be open to new things. It's easy to get in a rut. But God and the creation that he made are infinitely fascinating and wondrous, with so many opportunities for growth and fulfillment and joy. This year do something you have always wanted to do. Learn a new language….take up a musical instrument…go on a retreat…grow a garden…reach out to people on your street…live more into your calling. These things reflect God's creative gift that resides in us, and can help us to move to new places of enjoyment and ministry.

5. Live openly. This relates to #1, but I want to touch on it just a bit more. We are people that are 'fearfully and wonderfully made' (Psalm 139:14), with the face of God imprinted on and in us. We aren't called to live in separate categories (family, church, job, recreation, etc) but as whole and integrated people, where our various interests, desires, passions and joys intersect and enrich each other. This is also true of our relationships with others, where when we live our lives with openness we have the opportunity to encourage and challenge others to be the people they are called to be, even as they shape us. For Henri Nouwen this vulnerability was actually the heart of community. Real transformation—called forth by God and empowered by the Spirit—happens where we can live openly and 'authentically' before God and each other.

I'll give you an example. When I became Rector I wanted to follow an example of one of my mentors and observe a 'quiet day' each month. This is a day to be still, read, study and pray specifically for the congregation, usually at a place away from the office or home. In 15 months I've probably only done this 2 or 3 times. Yes, I'm reading, and studying and praying for you, but I have allowed the many pressures and requirements of the ministry to push out the important 'focused' day of prayer and spiritual reading that I believe I am called to. So I open it to you, and hope that you will ask me from time to time how it is going with my 'quiet day' each month, and what God is teaching me there. As I am able to live into it, you probably won't need to ask, because it will shape and inform my preaching, writing, and pastoral leadership. But you are a part of my growth in this area, and many others.

My hope and my trust is for a great year ahead for all of us, with many opportunities to grow and be changed as people of God, especially as he has placed us in community at Church of the Redeemer.

With prayers for blessing,
Jay+


The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org


Annual Church Meeting & Celebration

Please mark your calendars for our church meeting, following the Sunday worship service on January 20th. This will be a great time to celebrate what God has done in 2007 and look forward to the opportunities of 2008. We'll also be presenting the budget for the year and new vestry members.

We are planning on a potluck again this year, details will be coming soon!


Epiphany Blessings

This Sunday marks 'Epiphany', a time that recalls the manifestation of Jesus to the whole world, not just the Jewish family from which he came. The word itself means to show, or make known, or reveal, and the season commemorates a number of incidents in Jesus' life that reveal his identity and mission as God's Son.

It is traditional to offer the blessing of homes during the season following Epiphany, which ends on Ash Wednesday, February 6th. This involves a brief visit, prayer and home blessing for the coming year. It's not meant to be lengthy, but a moment of prayer, anointing and connection in the parish.

If you would like to schedule a home blessing with Fr. Jay and others from the church, please contact our office.


Leaders' Training - January 12

On Saturday morning, January 12 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. we will have our second gathering for those leading ministries at Church of the Redeemer. If your name is listed in the bulletin as leading a ministry or you serve on the vestry then this time is for you. The training will be at the Evangelical Church in Highland Park.


Baptism - January 13

Baptism is essential in our walk of faith, and we encourage and welcome those who are considering a response of obedience to this call of the Lord. At Church of the Redeemer we baptize those who are committed to the Christian faith and their children, provided they have not been baptized before. We believe that in this way we are participating in the sacrament of baptism as it was practiced in the New Testament, the early church, and throughout the history of God’s people in Jesus Christ.
To inquire about participating, please contact Father Jay at frjay@redeemernorthshore.org, or call the church office.


Redeemer Kids Corner:

A reminder to all Redeemer Kids volunteers- Nursery through 5th Grade
Avoiding the Millstone: a Preventative Program for Avoiding Sexual Misconduct, will be held Saturday morning, February 2, from 9:00-12:00. This is a mandatory training from AMiA, so please plan to attend.

Volunteer Sign-Ups
Sunday morning children's ministry volunteers, that serve the 3 year olds- 5th graders, are asked to sign up at the children's ministry table this Sunday with the dates you would like to serve during January, February, and March, or email those dates to Allyson Entner.


Prayer Notes. . .

  • for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
  • for our Rector, Fr. Jay, and his family
  • for Bishop Sandy and Gigi Greene
  • for our staff and their families
  • for our leadership (Vestry, ministry leaders)
  • for our finances and stewardship
  • for this season of waiting and anticipating God's action and vision at Redeemer
  • for the Anglican Church of Rwanda, its leaders and people
  • for all who serve within the context of our faith community
  • that we would faithfully reach out to the spiritually disconnected and hurting, and bring them into fellowship
  • for other congregations in relationship to us
  • to enrich and expand our life of prayer