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Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church
St. Matthews Episcopal
Church | 695 Southbridge St | Worcester, MA 01610 |
Rector's Greeting
May 2008
Dear Friends:
On the Second Sunday of Easter, I baptized five children, ranging in age from a few months old to almost 11 years of age. It was an exciting and joyous day for their families – and, I hope, for Saint Matthew’s! In the intervening weeks of Easter Season, I have been thinking about what it means to be a community of baptized people, and how we all might live into the reality of our Baptismal identity with more integrity, and perhaps, even more joy.
In the fourth century, that famous saint (also bishop and preacher) of Constantinople, John Chrysostom (and, yes, I have made reference to him before in other newsletters) wrote:
As soon as they (the newly baptized) come forth from those sacred waters, all who are present embrace them, greet them, kiss them, rejoice with them, and congratulate them, because those who were heretofore slaves and captives have suddenly become free people and children and have been invited to the royal table. For straightway after they come up from the waters, they are led to the awesome table heavy laden with countless favors, where they taste of the Master’s body and blood, and become a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. Since they have put on Christ himself, wherever they go they are like angels on earth, rivaling the brilliance of the rays of the sun…
Ever think of yourself that way? “Rivaling the brilliance of the rays of the sun”? I don’t know about you, but it seems that whether we have just been brought up dripping from the waters of baptism, or just returned from the Altar Rail, filled with the Holy One’s Presence, the “brilliance” dims quickly, and the shadows of life threaten to overwhelm the Baptismal “glow.” Sometimes we refer to that as “real life” breaking into our spiritual experience, and we believe that explains it all. We tell ourselves that we can’t stay on the mountaintop, that we have to live in the valley of shadows into which our lives take us, and that we’ll just muddle through…somehow.
I think that Baptism (and a community of baptized people) gives us more than the capacity to “muddle through.” I think that John Chrysostom’s description of the newly baptized, as well as all the gifts that have been given to them, suggests that the life that you and I live in Christ – buried with him in his death, raised with him in his resurrection – gives us much, much more! The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that has been conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit, making of us God’s New Creation – and if that is so, then we are called to do a great deal more than “muddle through.” How we live with one another, how we speak with one another, how we work together, how we pray together, how we love one another – all of this becomes a daily opportunity to live out a truly Real Life, the new life of the Baptized, a common life that gives glory to God!
You and I are “free people and children” who “have been invited to the royal table…heavy laden with countless favors…” There is only abundance there, more than enough for us and for all. Perhaps if we were better able to remember what our Baptismal identity makes of us, we would find ourselves less anxious and frightened, and more generous and compassionate – with others and with ourselves. Perhaps we would even believe that ALL of the Baptized – even us! – might shine with that brilliance that rivals the sun’s rays, that the Glory that is God’s might be reflected in our lives, so that others might see and give praise and thanks to God! (See Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:16.)
Why don’t you and I spend some time in these weeks of Ascensiontide and early Pentecost reflecting on the grace – and the joy – of our Baptisms? My guess is that if we do that, we might just come to a new self-awareness – and a new community understanding – of who we are as God’s beloved ones, gathered on Saint Matthew’s corner in South Worcester – and we might even see a glimmer of brilliance!
See you in church!
In Christ, Our Risen and Ascended Lord,
Nancy Baillie Strong, Rector
AN ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE PARISH – 19-20 January 2008
“Transition” and “change” are words that we sometimes find exciting, challenging, hopeful, or perhaps anxiety-producing and disconcerting, and even frightening. However, we usually recognize that “transition” and “change” are part of the cycle of life, just as “birth” and “growth” and even “death” are. Sometimes we welcome “transition” and “change” in our lives, sometimes we resist them, and sometimes we are confused by them.
In today’s Gospel reading, whether John the Baptizer, Andrew and the other disciple recognize it or not, they are living in the midst of “transition” and “change.” These three men may well have longed for “change” to come, may have been working for it and praying for it to come, but the “transition” from the message and baptism of John at the Jordan River to the preaching and ministry of Jesus cannot have been an easy one. Andrew and the others who were attracted by John’s call to prepare a way for God’s great act have committed themselves to be disciples…of John the Baptizer. And now, they hear their teacher tell them to follow someone else…an unknown itinerant rabbi, whom John identifies as the “Lamb of God.” They are curious about this fellow, but they know little about him, whereas they know a lot about John the Baptizer…they know his message, his ministry, his works, where he hangs out, what he eats for dinner, his peculiar personality…in short, they know what to expect with John. He calls a spade “a spade,” he doesn’t mince words, he’s very direct and clear…
…but they hear John cry out, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” and they leave their teacher, and follow this unknown one…who asks a lot of questions, who teaches with stories that are often hard to understand, who does not directly confront the obvious enemies and oppressors of God’s people, who is something of a mystery…and yet this one invites all who would to “come and see”…what a remarkable “transition” for Andrew and his companion, what an amazing “change”! I’m sure that Andrew and all the rest of them wondered about their decision to follow Jesus of Nazareth at times…especially as they began to see some of the implications of his works and his words. But in the end, later in John’s Gospel, it is Andrew’s brother Peter, the first one to hear from Andrew about the Messiah’s appearance, who says to Jesus, “Where else would we go, Lord? You alone have the words that give life.”
Indeed, where else will you and I go? Here at Saint Matthew’s, you and I have been moving through “transition” and “change” together over the last 8 years. Sometimes we have approached the process consciously, such as when your Search Committee members chose me to come to share ministry with you as your Rector, and when I prayed and thought long and hard about accepting that call. Sometimes, we have been less conscious, less pro-active, as “changes” and “transitions” have come upon us…parishioners aging and becoming shut-in or moving away to live with family, youth growing into young adulthood , and leaving for college or the service or employment elsewhere, individuals and families that have come and worshipped with us for a time, and then are gradually no longer seen in our midst…or the subtle signs of “change” and “transition” that we almost miss seeing in ourselves…I know now that that my hair is a lot more gray than it was when I first came to Worcester, and my own children have grown up before my very eyes, and there were little ones who were barely walking when I came to Saint Matthew’s who will shortly become members of the Youth Group…and I recognize my astonishment when faced with each of those facts!
Saint Matthew’s is always “changing” – each baptism and each funeral marks a “transition” in our common life, and we sometimes take note of that. But more often, I think, we seek safety and comfort in the illusion of “stability,” in the status quo, in the theory of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”! The problem with that search for safety and comfort in what appears “stable,” is that we do not seek it in the One who is Unchanging, but rather in “the way we have always done things.” In other words, we look for security, as it were, “in all the wrong places.” And then what happens?
When “change” comes, as it always does, it feels cataclysmic, a shock to our systems, something for which we have not prepared. A death, a serious illness, a loss of employment, a catastrophic event in our family or community – or our nation – or the world – these can shake us to our core…and shake our faith as well. Sometimes, perhaps you and I need such a proverbial “wake-up call.” But, long before the cataclysm, the shock, perhaps there were also opportunities to prepare ourselves, to hear a word calling us to go a different direction, to choose to follow in a new way.
I am calling on all of us – not solely the parish leadership -- to give thought and prayer to how 2008 might be a year to explore and prepare for “transition” at Saint Matthew’s. “Transition” and “change” do not always have to be terrifying experiences; they can be deeply renewing and energizing processes in individuals and communities. “Transition” and “change” do not have to represent negative judgments on the past; they can be times of great thanksgiving for the gifts that have been given, the seeds that have been planted, the foundations that have been laid for us to build upon. “Transition” and “change” are part of the life of grace – they offer us the gift of repentance, meaning “a change of heart, a change of mind,” they offer us the gift of renewal, of a “fresh start,” or a new opportunity to grow. Times of “transition” and “change” do not have to be filled with pain and anxiety (though some may be): a “transition” can be as simple as a handing over of leadership or responsibility to the next generation of leaders, with the recognition of ministry well done and faithfully.
When we are prepared for “change” to be a necessary part of our life in Christ, both together and individually, some of the terror goes out of it. Andrew, Peter and the rest take up their walking sticks to follow Jesus, the Rabbi from Nazareth, not sure where the path may lead them, but ultimately finding their security in Him, the Word of God, the Word from God, the Word which is always Life, Love and Light. In Him, and there alone, is where our only security and stability are to be found. And, if that is the case, then some of the things we might fear or about which we may have anxiety might be seen for the opportunities that they present to us, to look for God’s presence and great work in our own lives and in our own day here at Saint Matthew’s.
I would like to recognize some specific “transitions” that we celebrate (or have celebrated in the last year) at Saint Matthew’s:
n the ministries of Father Robert W. Bain and W. Bruce Wirtz which were called to
memory for all of us, and for which we gave thanks on two separate occasions in
2007;
n the passings of Virginia Leach, Wray Schelin and May Giles, whose faithful
presences in our midst over 8 or 9 decades have touched us all;
n the “retirement” from the Ministry of “Counting” of Benjamin Cooper, who has
decided that he really does not need to count any more of Saint Matthew’s
offerings, after so many years of doing so – we thank you, Ben, for all of your
past faithfulness, and for your example of commitment and service to Saint
Matthew’s Parish well beyond “retirement age”! (Though it does mean that the
“Ken and Ben Show” will be missed by Kirsten and myself!)
n the “passing of the mantle” of Church School Superintendent from Karen
Beaudoin to Karen Baldwin – thank you both for modeling and effecting a
graceful -- and grace-filled! – transition in leadership: you both have shown us
what might be possible;
I would also like to identify some specific “changes” or “transitions” that may well be pointing us in a new – or renewed – direction in our parish life and ministry:
n the Reading Group, the group who went on retreat last fall, and the Altar Guild’s
commitment to offering an expanded Quiet Day: there is a deep spiritual hunger
in human beings, a God-shaped hole that only God can fill – perhaps these efforts
that are either new features in our parish life or expansions of what was already
there might continue to address that spiritual hunger.
n the Vestry’s commitment to launch the Parish Hall Renewal project, recognizing
that much of Saint Matthew’s mission and outreach to our community is centered in that single room, and that stewardship of that space includes giving it a “facelift” with a new stage curtain and hardware, and fresh paint. I can report that to date we have received approximately $600 in gifts for this project.
n the fellowship events that offer us a chance to get to know one another better,
break bread together, and celebrate: the Baseball Game “Cook-Out” on the front
lawn, when we also celebrated Arnold Meltzer’s birthday; the “Abundant
Heritage” luncheon for Stewardship; the luncheon hosted by our Liberian
members when Father Bright visited – may we gather for more such events in
2008, to get to know one another better and to deepen and cement our bonds of
affection with one another!
-- the Church School’s Pageant, “People, Look East!,” its journey into “Narnia,” its
plans for a 2008 Summer Sunday program: attendance at Church School has
increased, and there are new opportunities for us to minister with children and
families.
These are just a few of the ways in which “transition” and “change” are being experienced here at Saint Matthew’s – and you may have noticed that I identified mostly positive ones. Rising fuel oil costs that have doubled in less than 3 years, rising health insurance costs, rising assessments to our diocese – these feel like less than positive “changes,” and they raise our anxiety, and shorten our patience. These are indeed important areas of concern, and the Officers and Vestry wrestle with them. However, even these issues can become arenas for growth and grace when we remember who we are – the people of God, followers of Jesus, brothers and sisters of the Risen Christ – and to whom we belong: to the One whose love for us is unchanging, whose life in us is eternal, and whose light has never been extinguished by all the forces of darkness and fear.
As we take counsel together today, I would encourage us to listen for where Jesus may be calling us to “come and see” what our life together might look like in a year or two or five, how we may be invited to “change,” or how we might effect gracious and grace-filled transitions in our parish life. The Mission Statement Task Force will be reporting to the Vestry on its work in the near future, and we may all find ourselves asked to give some thought to our parish’s sense of its core values and central mission…and that will be a good thing for us to do! Your Senior Warden, Millie Cummings, recently shared a wonderful little book with me, entitled “Our Iceberg is Melting!” She and I will be asking that members of the Vestry and Officers read this simple parable and reflect on some of the implications. I would be delighted if other members of the parish read it as well, and if there was interest in an opportunity for conversation about “transition” and “change” in our common life.
Perhaps you don’t think of yourself as having much in common with Andrew the fisherman-follower of John the Baptizer who suddenly found himself following the Rabbi from Nazareth…to the ends of the earth, the end of his life…perhaps you’d rather give “change” and “transition” a very wide berth (I know that I usually try to!) …perhaps you’d like Saint Matthew’s – or the Episcopal Church -- to be “the way it used to be”…at whatever point along the historical timeline feels “stable” enough…Well, baptism makes us – one and all – brothers and sisters with Andrew, and Peter and the rest of the motley crew of disciples, as well as brothers and sisters of the Christ, the Beloved One of God. And, being human beings means that we will always be living with and through “transitions” and “changes” – our choice is not IF we will live with and through them, but rather HOW we will do it. May we choose to respond to the call to “come and see” God’s next great act, and live in and with the “changes” and “transitions” of our times at Saint Matthew’s faithfully, courageously, graciously, and as a people “full of grace.” AMEN.
The Reverend Nancy Baillie Strong, Rector
Saint Matthew’s Parish, Worcester, MA
