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SUNDAY READINGS
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44
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October 30, 2009
Special Note:
Daylight Savings Time ends this weekend.
From the Rector's Desk
Growing Oaks
Fall is one of my favourite times of the year, especially if we can manage to eke out a little sunshine now and again. Despite the current dreary days this autumn there is a dazzling array of colour in my neighborhood and throughout this region as maples, hickories and oaks burst into one last hurrah of life before the onset of winter. It's one of the things I missed in living out West—the clear change of season heralded by the venerable old trees that are so plentiful here.
I thought of this as our staff was on retreat in Wisconsin a couple of weeks ago. Having undergone a staff transition over the last few months it was important for us to spend some time in prayer, reflection and 'dreaming' about God's plans for our work together. At one point we headed outdoors for a brief walk on the beautifully wooded monastic-like campus of Nashotah House seminary. Stopping at the foot of an oak we each picked up acorns as we talked about the life cycle of this magnificent tree, and the important lessons that we can learn from it about life and ministry. Much of that learning has to do with time.
Oaks are slow growing, and only one in 10,000 acorns will become a tree. The ones that do grow put down deep tap-roots and then begin to struggle upward, adding about a foot per year to their height. The saplings that survive the first tentative years will not produce acorns for several decades, and they will not experience their peak of acorn production until they are nearing 100 years of age. At that point they are considered mature and live as long as environment and conditions will allow, usually several hundred years. Oaks are not in a hurry.
There are faster growing trees, and we see them in gardens and on boulevards and other places where quick growth and coverage is desired. But many of these types of trees are more susceptible to disease and infestation by various insects, and they don't live nearly as long. Apparently with trees, as with most other things, there are tradeoffs between time and quality.
The lessons for us, especially in ministry, are compelling: We can't grow strong communities overnight. Much of our initial work is in putting down roots, and is not evident to others, maybe not even to ourselves. It may take a long time before fruit is seen, and the best growth is not rushed. The long view is important to avoid quick, unreflective responses and discouragement. These things were not lost on our staff as they considered their labour alongside all of us to serve and build in ways that may not have evident fruitfulness for some time. It's not easy work to plant or nurture where others may harvest, but that's the nature of the life of the church and deep Christian ministry—it is known fully only over time.
After our walk Kari Hanlon said it reminded her of a scripture that Jesus quotes in beginning his own ministry. "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor....
that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified" — Isaiah 61:1-3.
Our ministry together at Church of the Redeemer is not just for us and our immediate concerns, but for what we can plant and give for others; for our children and grandchildren, for those who are not yet among us, a blessing to this region for the long term. And it is a work of faith. There is a story in the Talmud of an old man planting a fig tree. When a passerby asks him if he really thought he would live long enough to consume the fruits of his labour, he replies, "I was born into a world flourishing with ready pleasures. My ancestors planted for me, and now I plant for my children".
As we approach All Saints this Sunday I give thanks for those who have gone before, and for those who are here now. I'm grateful for the faith of those who planted this church, many of them in the autumn of their lives, and I give thanks that we have opportunity now to do the deep and costly work of tending and nurturing that can only be measured in the fullness of time.
Grace and peace,
Jay
The Rev. Jay L. Greener, Rector
Church of the Redeemer
frjay@redeemernorthshore.org
Sonrise Benefit
Saturday night was a tremendous celebration as we gathered for our annual benefit for Sonrise School in Rwanda. Many people commented on the focus and energy of this year's banquet, as it brought together the film on Sonrise and Bishop John's challenge and encouragement to us. Over $56,000 was raised for the school, an amount that will significantly help with the shortfall they experience each year between the value of sponsorships and the total cost of operating the school. Redeemer's partnership really enables them to continue offering this level of excellent education to the most needy, even though they receive numerous requests from those who could pay their own way.
Special thanks to Michele Becker and Julie Battaglia and their team for an outstanding event, to Mark Rosengren for his film, and to Bob Dwyer and Joyce Wingett, who run the office for Mustard Seed in Pittsburgh, and were in attendance on Saturday. Thanks be to God for this partnership, and to all who prayed and participated in its work.
More from Rwanda
Matthew Andris, Redeemer's Missioner in Rwanda, has posted some new reflections on his adjustment to life in Kigali. His recent post is full of insight about culture and the celebration of life, even amidst tragedy. We encourage you to view the blog, comment, interact with Matthew, and pray for those you read about.
Parents Night Out / Kid's Journey to Rwanda
Who? — Parents, enjoy the night while we take care of your kids, infants-6th grade, and their friends
What? — * A date night for parents and a fun night for kids
* Games, crafts and activities centered around the church in Rwanda and Sonrise School
* Sandwiches, snacks and Rwandan food (to try) are provided
When? — November 7th 2009; 5:00-9:00 p.m.
Where? — Church of the Redeemer
1731 Deerfield Road in Highland Park
Hosted by Church of the Redeemer's children and youth ministries
RSVP to Emily.Cool.Greener at gmail.com
Alpha Weekend
This Saturday evening into Sunday twelve people will be participating in the Alpha Weekend, a time to consider the work of the Holy Spirit and to receive prayer for the Spirit's work in one's life. This is a very important time and we're grateful that so many will be participating. While they will be away from our Sunday worship this week we will hold them in prayer. Fr. Todd Murphy will be participating in leadership, as will Danielle Miller. Ricki Rosengren will serve as host at her retreat house, La Hacienda, in Freeport.
Blair Baby Shower
Please join us . . .
Sunday, November 15th
3 O'clock in the Afternoon
at Amanda Holm's Home
122 Highwood Ave, Apt. 2R
Highwood, Illinois
RSVP to Christy Glick
at clglick at gmail.com or 847.650.9185
The Blairs are registered at BabiesRUs and Target.
If you would like to participate in a group gift,
please let us know when you RSVP.
Hope you can join us!
Stewardship
We're now in the last quarter of our year—a time in which we seek God and encourage each other so that we finish well. Throughout 2009 we have remained on-budget in terms of support and a little under budget for expenses, and we are grateful to be in this position. However, a large portion of our support is received each fall, and the budget reflects this. Because of this we'll begin reporting the total amount needed as a year-end goal.
At the beginning of October, we needed to receive $125,000 by year's end to meet our budget obligations. We're thankful that this is a somewhat smaller figure than in previous years, but still significant. So thank you for your prayers and your participation to help us, as a church, to meet this need.
Offering last week: $1,833
Amount Needed by December 31st: $104,711
Redeemer at Prayer
Remember that we are now gathering twice a month for corporate prayer on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings of each month. The first one is a prayer service for our church leaders, ministries, etc, and the 3rd Wednesday is a prayer service with Eucharist and healing prayer.
We pray this next Wednesday night at 7pm at the EC Church in Highland Park
Upcoming special worship gatherings for your calendar:
— Thanksgiving Day, 10am at Redeemer Lutheran
— Advent Lessons and Carols, December 6th at 6pm
— Christmas Eve Service, 6:30pm
Please pray for . . .
- The mission and vision of Church of the Redeemer
- Our growth in prayer, discipleship and outreach
- Those who need healing, employment, and other provision, especially Dave Vroom, Charles Herman, Mark Sershon, Jamie MacLean and others
- Our financial need at year's end
- The Alpha weekend this Saturday and Sunday
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