John Mark's Blog

Friends and Neighbors, We opened our space on election day so folks could pray and be still. That evening we gathered to have chili and play games. We had many neighbors come to be with us, and I pass their gratitude on to you. I truly believe that prayer and meditation help ground and center us so that we can be more responsive rather than reactive. Breaking bread and connecting help us know God's love and share it. I was so encouraged by the response to our providing this space on a tense day.

Friends and Neighbors, Opportunities abound this weekend for connection and community, The Pumpkin Patch continues, there will be pancakes, and you can invite friends and strangers to the ECW Rummage Sale. In the middle of all that, you can have some quiet and walk the nave labyrinth between 10:00 am - 2 pm. Don't forget to prayerfully consider your pledge and have your pledge card ready for our Sunday worship time where we will collect and bless pledge cards. Join us after the 10:30 service on Sunday for our annual meeting where we will select new vestry members, look at the past year, and consider the future.

Friends and Neighbors, October is a busy month here at St. James. The past few weeks have also been a heavy time as we see the news of hurricanes and of increasing military conflicts. The anxiety and tension around the upcoming elections here in the US are mixed with that.

Friends and Neighbors, The world is tossed and turned these days. The devastation from Helene continues to unfold and we are now watching another hurricane approaching Florida. The war in the Middle East only escalates as do conflicts worldwide. I pray that you are caring for your soul in these times. It is good to be informed and engaged. We can also guard ourselves from despair, cynicism, and the conspiracy theories that abound. We do that as we pray together, trusting that God is with us all. We live faithfully as we give to relief efforts and work to love God and neighbor right where we are. Our faith doesn't deny or turn away from suffering. Our faith is that God can transform our loss and suffering.

Friends and Neighbors, Heavy on the hearts of many of us is the devastating impact of hurricane Helene on our neighbors so near. You can see Bishop Cole's remarks here . You can give financially to help folks at the following links:

Friends and Neighbors, I returned from a men's retreat in the Virginia woods this past Sunday night. It was a deeply experiential retreat that I know will continue working in me for some time. St. James came to mind as many men on the retreat shared how their experience of the church had hurt them. I was thankful to be part of a community that welcomes the hurting and offers a healing balm. I am under no illusion that we are a perfect community. We are a bunch of sinners seeking and celebrating God's grace and sharing that with others. We are also people with various gifts that the Spirit empowers us with to share love and grace.

Friends and Neighbors, Thank you so much for celebrating our ministry together. It seems like 15 years has passed in the blink of an eye. Then again, I can think of some friends who are no longer with us. We have all known some joys and sorrows over the years. I am grateful to have heeded the call to be a priest and be with people on their journey. Thank you for affirming that call and helping me learn what it means to name God's presence in community.

Friends and Neighbors, I remember September 12, 2001. I recall Christians, Muslims, and Jews praying together in the Alabama town where I served. The horror and shock of the previous day drew people together in solidarity. We continue to see tragedy, division, and evil in our world. We also bear witness to those who work for peace and justice. It is normal to see a rise in connection during a great tragedy. There is also the ongoing faithfulness that often goes unnoticed as we carry on in the ups and downs of life.

Friends and Neighbors, As we seek to love God and our neighbors as ourselves we find that it isn't always easy. There are challenges all along the way. Sometimes I am the source of the difficulty, other times we encounter folks who cause us to question what this loving is all about. In scripture, I find that the "love" isn't always about affection, but more about basic care for the general welfare of others. Thus James speaks of true religion as "care for the widows and orphans". These acts of mercy are a basic step to showing care. You and I know that even that work can be frustrating. I find that these frustrations and challenges can lead me to a deeper practice of faith.