February 13, 2011

Dear Partners in the Gospel,
 A vivid memory came to me this week. It happened nearly sixteen years ago as a group of us were traveling by jeep through the bush country of the Indian province of Andhra Pradesh, to a very remote preaching station in the Anglican Diocese of Dornakal. Our team, consisting of Indian and western Christians, was the first joint mission venture in that part of India. Many of us had been sick for days, and all of were exhausted from the long of hours of travel, especially sitting on the wheel well of the jeep or on the floor. We were caked with dirt and dust from head to toe. (It was everywhere you can imagine.) Knowing that we would not get to our destination until late evening, we were truly miserable. In fact, when we did get there we did not get to sleep. A crowd had traveled miles on foot to greet and hear us and they continued to wait into the late hours of the night until we arrived. When we finally got there we could not disappoint them.
The team preached and held a service. How did we get the strength to do it? During the travel day a “God moment” happened that touched us. As we were languishing in the back of the jeep someone suggested that we pray and praise Jesus Christ. A smile came on all our faces, thinking the same thing. Why had we not considered this before? So we held a service of prayer and praise right there, in the back, with the jeep exhaust belching away between sung stanzas.  God met us there in the midst of all our miseries!!  And despite our tiredness, the dust, and the sickness, it has been the most real touch of heaven I can ever remember. All our team experienced it together as we were encouraged to deepen our relationship with Christ and with each other.
 Paul, in many of his letters, talks about the Church as the body of Christ, the family of God. Our Lord has invested so much, not only in having a personal relationship with us, but also, at the same time, moving us to invest relationally with one another. Because of this no Christian is just a mere acquaintance. We have a shared affection, a shared suffering, a shared proclamation. We hurt together, we love one another, and we share a common purpose. Even in the midst of daunting challenges, every day we can experience a piece of heaven when we encounter each other in the Eucharist or in the fellowship hall, or anywhere else. As Christian song writer, Ken Medema, has expressed in a refrain to one of his songs, “You’re in my family, in Him you’re kin to me, now you are one with me, shall we learn to be friends?”
 The commitment, that continues to challenge us as we enter 2011, is to financially stabilize our parish family to ensure our present and future ministries here in the Kirkland community. Your vestry has worked hard to this end. Please encourage them and give them your hearty thanks. Remember also to pray for your leaders. We need this always. There can be nothing accomplished unless your prayers are behind the work.  All this is the shared work of the Christian community. Both financially as well as in ministry, your participation is critical. Christ is counting on us!
 Also, in the coming year, we hope to explore some new ventures in evangelism. We need to find fresh ways to share Christ more effectively and invite the wider world to experience the St. John’s parish family.  On a personal note, thank you all for your prayers, cards, and calls during my convalescence. You have shared in my affliction and you are the reason I am gaining strength through our Lord’s gracious healing.
Blessings always,
Fr. Scot+