As we engage the second decade of the 21st century
(can you believe it?), my
memory is still fresh with gratitude for the “I
could have been killed” experience of my auto accident
last October – actually the second of its kind for me.
The previous one having been in December 1975 when
the Boeing 707, that I was a passenger in, crash-landed
at Milano airport in Italy. The newspapers billed that
accident as the “Christmas miracle” because it happened
so close to Christmas - December 22. For me the accident
on October 11, 2009 was no less of a miracle.
So obviously I begin 2010 with a sense of immense gratitude for just being alive, but also with a keen consciousness that God doesn’t seem to be done with me yet - just as He isn’t quite done with any individual who has a desire to serve Him in life. God is forever giving us opportunities, and so one must seek what it is that may still be “unfinished” in one’s life.
Being “unfinished” isn’t necessarily a bad thing for us human beings. When we think about it, humans are essentially “unfinished” – diamonds in the rough, so to speak. As we grow in age and, hopefully, some wisdom, we realize that “becoming the best that we can be” is the essence of being a human being. That should be the mantra for all of us.
It is the same for Christians, but with a twist. God, through Christ, calls us to grow not just in age and wisdom, but also in “grace and wisdom”. Grace introduces the “spiritual” into our lives, and thus for Christians life is not just a journey but a “pilgrimage”.
So in the spirit of our common pilgrimage, I invite you to join me in seeking the “unfinished” in your life and be open to what may lie ahead for us. We have the assurance of His grace, so let us not fear. And as we step forth and strive, let us ask for His grace in prayer; let us invite Him to travel with us…
Come travel with us, Lord;
Walk by our side.
Be our rock and be our guide.
Be our consolation; be our strength.
Be our watchful protector in the midst of danger.
Be our light in the midst of darkness.
Be our comfort in times of sorrow.
Be our teacher in our confusion.
Be our voice when ours goes silent.
Be our peace in times of turbulence.
Be our strength in times of fear.
Be our balm in times of pain.
Be our hope when we feel hopeless.
Be our strength when we feel helpless.
By your power may we be strengthened;
By your love be embraced.
By your mercy may we be cleansed;
And by your grace may we be saved.
Loving God, you call us daily;
Ne’er a day when You do not beckon.
Wilt thou have us…weak and sinful?
Just as we are, wilt thou uplift?
Faithful God, forever calling
One and all to come to Thee.
How can mortals respond in measure?
How can we live up to Thee?
In our lowliness we surrender.
In our worthlessness we despair.
With Your gracious majesty
Come lift our lives to Thee.
Come, O Counselor most worthy;
Come and be, here to stay.
O Light of the world; O Word eternal
Come and be, here to stay.
AMEN!
Serving you in His Name,
Vincent +
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all who have suffered in the earthquake in Haiti, especially those who are homeless, the sick and injured, and those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
Strengthen us in faith and inspire us in reaching out to them that we may help to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, to rebuild their land, and to turn their sorrow into joy.
Grant this for the love of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Please remember that Haiti will need help in the weeks, months, and even years to come. Donations to Haiti relief efforts can be easily made online by visiting the website of Episcopal Relief and Development.
Age: 10
Favorite subject: Art
Favorite color: Green
Favorite food: Enchiladas
Favorite free-time activity: Doing art – coloring, painting
What she likes about St. George’s: “It has a lot of nice people and the Sunday School is fun.”
Other things to know about her: “I’m creative. I like smiley faces; I draw them a lot. I love stuffed animals!”
Which book of the Old Testament is exactly in the middle, with 19 books before it and 19 books after? What is this book about? (Hint: Read Chapter 1 verses 2-4)
(Bring your answer to Sunday School for a prize.)
Richard Smith does not need an introduction, not even to parishioners who have joined our family in the recent past. He is a fixture at just about every service, event or function at St. George’s – and usually in a serving capacity of some sort.
Let me list the ways that Richard has served and continues to serve St. George’s - he has chaired the Finance Committee from before my time at St. George’s; pays all our bills on time and accurately; has served on Vestry several terms and as Sr. Warden, twice just during my tenure; faithfully and perseveringly sings in our choir; willingly provides sweat-labor at every one of our social and fund-raising functions. And the list doesn’t end there. He is, at present, the only member of St. George’s who serves at the diocesan level - serving both on the diocesan budget committee as well as on a “diocesan audit team” that offers pro-bono audit service to parishes that request it.
A person of conviction and passion, Richard willingly takes a back-seat as needed, and in so doing he embodies the servant-leader that he is.
Here's to you, Richard!
Fr. Vincent
Lord,
Teach me to be Generous;
Teach me to serve you as you Deserve:
To give and not to count the Cost;
To fight and not to heed the Wounds;
To toil and not to seek for Rest;
To labor and not to seek for Reward;
Save that of knowing I do your most Holy Will.
During Sunday services on January 10, 2009 Marianne Chriswell and Virginia Price, members of St. George's Altar Guild present new purificators for a blessing by Fr. Vincent Raj. The purificators were made by Marianne.
Sitting down to share a meal is a wonderful way
to get to know someone. If you would be interested
in meeting your fellow parishioners for dinner
6 times per year, read on.
The group has been meeting for 3 years and welcomes all parishioners as well as any family, friends, or neighbors who would be interested.
It’s such a great way to get to spend time together in a smaller group (8-12) and get to really know each other better.
The hosting party prepares the entrée & drinks. The rest is assigned to the other participants. The host home rotates each time we meet. If a home is not large enough to seat 8-12 people, the church hall may be utilized. Or, the group may choose to go out to dinner instead. It’s all very flexible.
If you would prefer not to be committed but would still like to participate, you may sign up as a substitute. It is really important to have a substitute list as we always try to have at least 8 people at each dinner. Therefore, if someone from a scheduled dinner group can’t make it for any reason, a substitute would be called (possibly at the last minute) to fill that space for the evening. One may also opt to be on the substitute list as well as a regular (if we have more than 1 group going).
For more details, or to sign up, please call Annette Campbell at 632-0130 or email annette.campbell@gmail.com.
The dinners will begin in March.
Please sign up by February 22.
I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) offers single men shelter, food, and support though the gracious, generous, and continued support of over 60 Monterey County churches, synagogues, temples, and religious organizations - including St. George's. The dinners that we host are on the 3rd and 5th Thursday of the month.
The I-HELP calendar for the coming year is posted on our website's Calendar Page. If you contribute food or items-of-the-month, please have them at the church by 5:00 pm on the day of the dinner.
Thanks, in advance, for your support!
Laura Lawrence and Stephanie Meineke
Here is Stephanie Meineke's Frito and Corn Salad recipe — a dish which has been frequently requested at recent potlucks.
1 c. red onion, chopped
1 c. green pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
2 cans whole kernel corn
1 c. mayo
2 c. mild cheddar, shredded
1 - 9 oz. bag chili cheese Fritos
Mix first 5 ingredients together. Add cheese and Fritos when ready to serve.
The project now has its own website. Visit www.CommunityGardenOfSalinas.org
Robert has been busy and you will love what he has done!! We’re on the map! Really; Google Maps has us listed at 98 Kip Drive, Salinas, CA 93907.
Things are moving along!
Susan Smith, Project Coordinator
