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SUNDAY READINGS
Genesis 29:15-28
Psalm 105:1-11, 45b
Romans 8:26-39
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
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July 24, 2008
From the Rector's Desk
A number of weeks ago Susan and I had opportunity to spend a few very restful days on an island. This was not an exotic island in the south Pacific, or off the windswept coasts of Ireland, or under the Mediterranean sun. This was Wisconsin. Now don't misunderstand—Washington Island is a beautiful place off the tip of Door County, complete with forests and rocky coastlines and waving wheat growing in its 35 square miles of earth, and in that regard, totally unexpected. And it is a true island, surrounded by water and only accessible by a 40 minute ferry ride.
It was a great place to unwind, catch up on sleep and amble along country lanes. The pace was definitely leisurely, and the shops and restaurants, such as they were—including an old fashioned general store—seemed to remain rooted in an era long gone. I even began to be tempted to think about the many forested and shoreline acres for sale on Washington Island, and that maybe I could find a way in the future to lay my claim to a plot of earth on this island settled generations ago by foresters, fishermen and farmers.
Then I began to hear the stories about those from the mainland who had purchased land and sought to make a new, peace-filled life, far from the friends and neighbors that overwhelm the cities and towns across the six miles of water. After a couple of winters and the reality that Washington is indeed an island, cut off from emergency medical care, Starbucks and a hardware store, they put their properties up for sale and make the migration back home. After all, how can you be happy in a place where the morning paper doesn't arrive until after lunch?
 I was thinking how we are often tempted to make a similar journey in our spiritual lives. To cash in the stress and bother for the monk's cell—hoping that distance, or high walls, will bring healing and perspective. And often it does, for a time. Then the emergency comes—the call in the middle of the night, the doctor's worried frown, the emptiness within—and we discover there are few resources on the 'island'. Those who truly love and care for us have been shut out, or kept at a distance even as we sought tranquility, quiet and refuge.
Henri Nouwen differentiates between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness, a state related to isolation, is something we all have known, and it can overwhelm us unexpectedly. The island of loneliness is full of pain, distance and self-doubt, and does not lead to healing, but to addiction and distraction. Nouwen says that Christ calls us, instead, to solitude—an inner quality that is not dependent on external distance and isolation, but is the peaceful fertile ground for the spiritual life and true community. Solitude can be known on a beautiful tropical beach, or in the midst of a rush-hour subway. And solitude does not separate us from each other, but brings us together as we recognize Christ in each other—as my solitude speaks to yours, and vice versa.
While evading authorities in an underground seminary during Hitler's reign of power and terror, Dietrich Bonhoeffer lived in community with those who were preparing for ministry in a turbulent time. The insights he gained were published in Life Together, written after the seminary was closed in 1938. Bonhoeffer said that Christians were called to learn and live solitude practiced within community. "Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. Into the community you were called—the call was not meant for you alone; in the community of the called you bear your cross, you struggle, you pray. You are not alone even in death, and on the Last Day you will be only one of the great congregation of Jesus Christ. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ."
This is the reason that at Redeemer we have been talking about connections, and small groups, and community for quite a while now. And I think as we move forward you will only hear about it more as the Holy Spirit continually calls us to redemption and transformation. Faithful worship, discipleship and service require it, though it's often a struggle in our world. That's probably why solitude and community are referred to as 'disciplines'—they go against the grain of our culture but they lie at the heart of God's kingdom.
Will I visit Washington Island again? Sure. Its beauty and quiet are healing and renewing. But I'm not going to buy land there. I need you too much, and you need me. I also need my morning paper.
Blessings and joy,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Mark your Calendar:
On August 3rd Mt. Zion Anglican Church and members of Redeemer at Northwestern will join us in worship at 10am at our usual location, Redeemer Lutheran Church in Highland Park. The Mt. Zion Choir will share some music with us and we'll enjoy some African treats during the coffee hour following the service.
Following the coffee hour on August 10th we'll give you an update from the GAFCON event in Jerusalem. During this Forum we'll hear some personal experiences and take a look at the statement that was issued at the conclusion of the conference, and what it might mean.
Redeemer Kids - Service Opportunity
Our nursery is rapidly growing, and Redeemer Kids is looking for individuals who would be interested in caring for our youngest members. There are spots for those who would like to serve once a month as well as availability for others who are interested in doing so occasionally. Please contact Allyson Entner for further info.
Hunger Relief Yard Sale
The Hunger Relief Sale is coming soon! Please contact Danielle if you are planning to make a donation.
We still need tables and clothes racks for the day of the sale. Let us know if you would be willing to lend these items.
Please spread the news about the sale. Feel free to contact either of us if you would like a flier of the sale.
THE HUNGER RELIEF SALE
Saturday, July 26 9am-3pm
15909 W. Washington St. Gurnee
Proceeds will benefit Compassion and any unsold items will be donated to a local charity. Contact Danielle Miller at: dmiller@stablegroup.com or (847) 612-5555
Stewardship
Thank you for praying for God's provision throughout the summer months, especially, and for your ongoing faithful investment in God's work.
Average offering needed each Sunday: $6,900
Offering last week: $8,182
Offering previous week: $2,307
2008 Givings shortfall at end of June: $12,000
Prayer for Lambeth
July 16 to August 3 is the Lambeth Conference held in Canterbury, England. Convened every ten years by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the conference usually gathers all of the Anglican bishops from around the world. However, due to the tear in the fabric of the Anglican Communion, brought about by revisionist churches in the 'West', this year's conference will not have many of the Global South leaders in attendance. In fact, our own Anglican Mission Bishops and Archbishop Kolini will not be attending. But there are some African, South American, Australian and Common Cause (from USA and Canada) bishops going, and we have been asked by our leadership to pray. Bishop Sandy Greene said in Jerusalem that the scripture that came to him was:
Esther 4:14 "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Archbishop Kolini has asked to pray for God to give protection, boldness and wisdom for the Bishops attending.
Prayer Notes . . .
- for the Mission and Vision and Outreach of Church of the Redeemer
- for our children and children around the world
- for those in need in body, mind and spirit
- for those traveling during the summer months
- for our small groups and Bible studies
- for new people at Redeemer, and their connection here
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