Which part of the Bible you're reading now?
What suprised you?
What made you angry?
What made you happy?
Anything else?
BEING COMMUNITY
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Sunday Forums, Continued
From yesterday's (March 11) forum on prayer and the Book of Common Prayer
Most Christian denominations have statements of what they believe, in addition to the Apostles' and the Nicene Creeds.
The Methodists have the Book of Discipline, which includes their articles of belief.
The Lutherans have the Augsburg Confession. The articles of belief included in this confession was later translated and enlarged to produce the Church of England 39 Articles.
The Presbyterians have the Westminster Confession of Faith.
The Episcopal Church at one time subscribed to the 39 Articles, adapted for post-revolution America. Currently you can find them at the back of the Prayer Book in the Historical Documents.
We continue to profess the Nicene Creed, or on baptismal Sundays the Apostles' Creed, every Sunday. However, we do not have any distinct statement of our doctrine above and beyond the creeds. Instead, when people ask what Episcopalians believe, we direct them to the Book of Common Prayer.
By reading and praying the BCP one "doctrine" you will find is our belief in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and the Psalms. We read a lot of scripture in worship and sing or say a lot of psalmody. In addition, we make a statement every Sunday when we pray the Collect of the Day. Pay attention to the collect next Sunday and see if you can discern some piece of what we believe. You will usually find it in the first sentence, before the colon.
Thought for the day: It is said that one can tell what a people believes by the way they pray. This is why we direct people to our BCP as the only faithful statement we can make of our belief. When you pray, what do you say? What do you ask for? What words, if any, do you use in praise or thanksgiving or confession, in your personal life? What do your prayers say to you about what you believe about God?
In preparation for next Sunday's forum, The Ministry, you might take a Prayer Book and read through the vows in each of the three services of ordination:
Deacons - pg. 543
Priests - pg. 531
Bishops - pg. 517
Also please note the order in which these ordination services are found: Bishops first, then priests, then deacons. Also please review the vows taken at baptism, before any other ordinations: pg. 304
Ask yourself, what might your vocation be? And are vocations only found in the Church? What is your evidence?
Next forum: Sunday, March 18 at 9:00 a.m.
Most Christian denominations have statements of what they believe, in addition to the Apostles' and the Nicene Creeds.
The Methodists have the Book of Discipline, which includes their articles of belief.
The Lutherans have the Augsburg Confession. The articles of belief included in this confession was later translated and enlarged to produce the Church of England 39 Articles.
The Presbyterians have the Westminster Confession of Faith.
The Episcopal Church at one time subscribed to the 39 Articles, adapted for post-revolution America. Currently you can find them at the back of the Prayer Book in the Historical Documents.
We continue to profess the Nicene Creed, or on baptismal Sundays the Apostles' Creed, every Sunday. However, we do not have any distinct statement of our doctrine above and beyond the creeds. Instead, when people ask what Episcopalians believe, we direct them to the Book of Common Prayer.
By reading and praying the BCP one "doctrine" you will find is our belief in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments and the Psalms. We read a lot of scripture in worship and sing or say a lot of psalmody. In addition, we make a statement every Sunday when we pray the Collect of the Day. Pay attention to the collect next Sunday and see if you can discern some piece of what we believe. You will usually find it in the first sentence, before the colon.
Thought for the day: It is said that one can tell what a people believes by the way they pray. This is why we direct people to our BCP as the only faithful statement we can make of our belief. When you pray, what do you say? What do you ask for? What words, if any, do you use in praise or thanksgiving or confession, in your personal life? What do your prayers say to you about what you believe about God?
In preparation for next Sunday's forum, The Ministry, you might take a Prayer Book and read through the vows in each of the three services of ordination:
Deacons - pg. 543
Priests - pg. 531
Bishops - pg. 517
Also please note the order in which these ordination services are found: Bishops first, then priests, then deacons. Also please review the vows taken at baptism, before any other ordinations: pg. 304
Ask yourself, what might your vocation be? And are vocations only found in the Church? What is your evidence?
Next forum: Sunday, March 18 at 9:00 a.m.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Bible Challenge Check In
Where are you in your reading?
What's surprised you in your reading?
What insights have you had?
What's surprised you in your reading?
What insights have you had?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunday Lenten Forums
Dear Friends,
Yesterday (Sunday March 4) we continued the Sunday Lenten Forums with a look at how we read scripture. We found we read scripture for various reasons: history, finding out how to live our lives, to get something out of it, to know Jesus better, to name a few.
We were then introduced to four ways to approach and read scripture that puts God at the center, with no agenda but to sit with God and the words.
Basics: Lectio divina is the foundation of reading scripture in a way that may open our minds to God. The steps for lectio divina are reading, reflection, prayer, and still presence. After being introduced to all four options, we then practiced this exercise, briefly, to get an idea of it.
We begin to read a part of scripture slowly, silently to ourselves, stopping when a word strikes us, or stands out, or shimmers, becomes vibrant. We cease reading and stay with that word. The intent is not to get to the end of the passage. Rather, you stay with this word through which God may touch you now. Through staying with this word, even if its "shimmer" is only faint, we await God's presence.
In reflection, we move toward an understanding of God in the word. You use your mind to reflect on the possible spiritual meaning of the word for your life. Important: Don't try to force this. Things may be only faint, not clear. Let God work through the word in you. You may not understand what is happening until much later. The importance of this step is to trust and be open to God.
We then pray actively, opening our hearts to God, through this word, in direct communication, letting your will be open to the possibility God may lead you to action in response to the exercise.
Finally, we enter still presence, sitting quietly with God, in the spaciousness of God, beyond the images and feelings that may arise.
Three variations on lectio divina are the following.
First variation: either after step 4 above, or in place of steps 2 through 4, stop and sit with the word, and let yourself breathe it. Exhale into surrender to God, then breathe in the word letting God quietly work in you through the word. You may want to take the word with you throughout the day, letting God be present with you. Try using this variation to read the newspaper, or a novel, or a spiritual classic!
Second variation: is to read a passage several times, with pauses between each reading, letting past and present disappear, letting the words of the past become present through the day. Monastic practices included having a passage read over and over out loud until, one after another, each of the monks had hold of the passage enough to return to their cell and let the passage work on them. As Tilden Edwards writes, in Living in the Presence, "Try to let yourself open to an intimate presence for God through whatever images may appear in a particular passage. Eventually the images may dissolve, leaving a still, open presence for God.
A third variation: draws on your imagination. Read some passage, preferably one that is vividly pictorial - one of the miracle stories in a gospel, for instance. If possible, have someone read it to you, as you close your eyes and try to picture the event in your mind. See if you can join in the scene, being present there as one of the characters or simply yourself, watching, maybe taking part. Hear, smell, taste, touch, see as clearly as you may. After a time, let the scene fade, leaving only you and Jesus there. This is your time with Jesus. Share anything you want to with him. Bring any distractions, fear, resistance to him. Optionally, you might write down an imaginative dialogue with Jesus, letting it unfold spontaneously.
After practicing the first exercise, the basic lectio divina, we discussed what it was like for us, without sharing the details of the experience itself.
In conclusion, all are invited to write down one question you have about the scriptures, to bring to next Sunday's forum. During the week, try to find for yourself the answer to the question. We will spend the first ten minutes on Sunday, March 11 at 9:00 a.m. on these questions.
The main study for next Sunday's forum will be praying with the Book of Common Prayer. The phrase to keep in mind this week, in preparation for next Sunday's study with the BCP is: Praying shapes believing.
For those who were here last Sunday, this is a refresher on yesterday's study. For those who were unable to be here, you do not lose anything by that. I ask God's presence to be with you all.
Faithfully,
Lois Keen
Yesterday (Sunday March 4) we continued the Sunday Lenten Forums with a look at how we read scripture. We found we read scripture for various reasons: history, finding out how to live our lives, to get something out of it, to know Jesus better, to name a few.
We were then introduced to four ways to approach and read scripture that puts God at the center, with no agenda but to sit with God and the words.
Basics: Lectio divina is the foundation of reading scripture in a way that may open our minds to God. The steps for lectio divina are reading, reflection, prayer, and still presence. After being introduced to all four options, we then practiced this exercise, briefly, to get an idea of it.
We begin to read a part of scripture slowly, silently to ourselves, stopping when a word strikes us, or stands out, or shimmers, becomes vibrant. We cease reading and stay with that word. The intent is not to get to the end of the passage. Rather, you stay with this word through which God may touch you now. Through staying with this word, even if its "shimmer" is only faint, we await God's presence.
In reflection, we move toward an understanding of God in the word. You use your mind to reflect on the possible spiritual meaning of the word for your life. Important: Don't try to force this. Things may be only faint, not clear. Let God work through the word in you. You may not understand what is happening until much later. The importance of this step is to trust and be open to God.
We then pray actively, opening our hearts to God, through this word, in direct communication, letting your will be open to the possibility God may lead you to action in response to the exercise.
Finally, we enter still presence, sitting quietly with God, in the spaciousness of God, beyond the images and feelings that may arise.
Three variations on lectio divina are the following.
First variation: either after step 4 above, or in place of steps 2 through 4, stop and sit with the word, and let yourself breathe it. Exhale into surrender to God, then breathe in the word letting God quietly work in you through the word. You may want to take the word with you throughout the day, letting God be present with you. Try using this variation to read the newspaper, or a novel, or a spiritual classic!
Second variation: is to read a passage several times, with pauses between each reading, letting past and present disappear, letting the words of the past become present through the day. Monastic practices included having a passage read over and over out loud until, one after another, each of the monks had hold of the passage enough to return to their cell and let the passage work on them. As Tilden Edwards writes, in Living in the Presence, "Try to let yourself open to an intimate presence for God through whatever images may appear in a particular passage. Eventually the images may dissolve, leaving a still, open presence for God.
A third variation: draws on your imagination. Read some passage, preferably one that is vividly pictorial - one of the miracle stories in a gospel, for instance. If possible, have someone read it to you, as you close your eyes and try to picture the event in your mind. See if you can join in the scene, being present there as one of the characters or simply yourself, watching, maybe taking part. Hear, smell, taste, touch, see as clearly as you may. After a time, let the scene fade, leaving only you and Jesus there. This is your time with Jesus. Share anything you want to with him. Bring any distractions, fear, resistance to him. Optionally, you might write down an imaginative dialogue with Jesus, letting it unfold spontaneously.
After practicing the first exercise, the basic lectio divina, we discussed what it was like for us, without sharing the details of the experience itself.
In conclusion, all are invited to write down one question you have about the scriptures, to bring to next Sunday's forum. During the week, try to find for yourself the answer to the question. We will spend the first ten minutes on Sunday, March 11 at 9:00 a.m. on these questions.
The main study for next Sunday's forum will be praying with the Book of Common Prayer. The phrase to keep in mind this week, in preparation for next Sunday's study with the BCP is: Praying shapes believing.
For those who were here last Sunday, this is a refresher on yesterday's study. For those who were unable to be here, you do not lose anything by that. I ask God's presence to be with you all.
Faithfully,
Lois Keen
Monday, February 27, 2012
Bible Challenge 2012: How's It Going?
Where are you in your reading?
What's been your experience so far?
What has surprised you?
What's been your experience so far?
What has surprised you?
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Priest's Annual Address to the Annual Meeting
The Reverend Lois Keen
Sunday, January 22, 2012
On the first Saturday in Advent some of us were in the building all day for a quiet day. All the doors were open, and in the morning a woman came in looking for a collection box. One of us was there and she said she comes often to sit in the parking lot while her son plays chess at the library. She left some cash and a check in thanksgiving. A couple of Sundays later she returned, after church, to just sit in the quiet. A parishioner encountered her and the woman said she comes in whenever the doors are open, because she finds such peace here. In thanksgiving, she gave everything in her wallet except for one dollar.
This building hosts three AA meetings every week. Many of the people in those groups have told me how grateful they are for this place, Grace Church. One of those people, who does not go to any church anywhere, identifies with Grace Church, although his primary worship is his AA meeting, and on New Year’s Day he left an offering, in thanksgiving.
One recent Thursday night, while the Bell Choir was practicing, a man came in and asked is he could stay and listen. A bit later, he asked if he could try a bell. He had been a musician, a bass guitar player. The choir welcomed him, let him play a bell, and gave him a schedule of rehearsals.
One day while I was leaving Norwalk Hospital after making visits, I met a man from Iglesia Betania. We were talking in the hall, and I realized his wife was a little ahead of us, with her back to us, talking in Spanish to another woman. I overheard tell the woman twice that she attends church at Grace Episcopal Church.
These are only four examples, of the many I experience every week, of just how important this place is to so many people – a place of quiet, of peace, of refuge, of welcome.
We are here against all odds.
It has nothing to do with the money. It never did. It has to do with these stories.
Grace is still here because we’re doing the right thing – making time to listen, invite, and welcome three AA groups, the Manic/Depressive group, ESL classes, the Haitian Baptists, the Roman Catholic Voices of the Faithful, the Fairfield Symphony, Family and Children’s Agency, and others who make up this greater Community at Grace, including people who just drop in. I’m reminded of a Hindu woman who, nevertheless, comes here during the day because this is a place of peace.
This year I especially want to hold up to you some gatherings of Grace that have sustained the community here; ministries that feed, sustain and grow faithful ministers who take their faith out into their daily lives.
Holy Needles embodies the spiritual practices of creation, fellowship, and connection with those in need. Holy Needles meets on the first and third Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. The people who gather knit and crochet shawls, scarves, mittens, hats and other things for giving away to people who need the comfort of knowing they are embraced, literally, by the prayers and care of the maker. In addition, conversations during Holy Needles time extend to the lives, inside and outside the church, of the people there and their observations of finding the holy in the ordinary things of life. Holy Needles is open to anyone who wants to just stop by and chat. No need to knit or crochet or do anything but just drop by and sit down.
Practicing Prayer embodies the spiritual practice of prayer as filling the whole of life. Practicing Prayer is in its third year of learning what prayer is, and sharing our various practices of praying, while observing the results of prayer on and in our own lives in the world outside the church.
Another spiritual practice is reading the scriptures, the Bible. This is a practice you can do on your own. Several people here have taken on the Bible Challenge, reading the entire Bible over the course of this year of 2012. This is not a Bible study. Instead, we are reading, separately, on our own, letting the words of scripture seep into us, into our souls, while being watchful of how this practice of daily reading the words of the people of God over millennia works on us and maybe even changes us. Everyone is invited to meet this challenge of reading the scriptures this year. I do ask you to let me know if you are taking up this challenge so we can pray for one another, and know we are not alone in this practice.
Still another spiritual practice, making a joyful noise unto the Lord, is embodied on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. in the choir room – Music Skills. In this group anyone can try out an instrument, even if you have never done so. This group draws people from as far away as Bridgeport. Combined with the Bell Choir and the Vocal Choir, our Music Director Richard Andrews has contributed greatly to the spiritual health of this Community at Grace.
And with regard to the spiritual practice of hospitality, I thank all of you who are embracing the people of Iglesia Episcopal Betania. Your faithful attendance at bilingual services on the last Sunday of the month, and participation at gatherings for the purpose of conversation and fellowship is greatly appreciated. Next Sunday our monthly bilingual service will be followed by a covered dish lunch with food provided by all of you and by Betania. Please plan to be here for that service and luncheon.
I thank all of you who continue to support the worshiping community of Grace with your offerings and your presence at worship. I thank those of you who embrace the larger Community at Grace by your welcoming presence. I thank God for the continued privilege of leadership in this worshiping community of Grace Church and in this greater Community at Grace.
We are people of faith. We don’t know how long this will go on here at Union Park and Mott Avenue. However, as people of faith, we will keep on doing the right things – being a haven of rest, refreshment, learning, refuge and spiritual practices for the community in which this building resides – Grace and Betania Episcopal Churches and the Community at Grace. May God give you blessing and peace.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
On the first Saturday in Advent some of us were in the building all day for a quiet day. All the doors were open, and in the morning a woman came in looking for a collection box. One of us was there and she said she comes often to sit in the parking lot while her son plays chess at the library. She left some cash and a check in thanksgiving. A couple of Sundays later she returned, after church, to just sit in the quiet. A parishioner encountered her and the woman said she comes in whenever the doors are open, because she finds such peace here. In thanksgiving, she gave everything in her wallet except for one dollar.
This building hosts three AA meetings every week. Many of the people in those groups have told me how grateful they are for this place, Grace Church. One of those people, who does not go to any church anywhere, identifies with Grace Church, although his primary worship is his AA meeting, and on New Year’s Day he left an offering, in thanksgiving.
One recent Thursday night, while the Bell Choir was practicing, a man came in and asked is he could stay and listen. A bit later, he asked if he could try a bell. He had been a musician, a bass guitar player. The choir welcomed him, let him play a bell, and gave him a schedule of rehearsals.
One day while I was leaving Norwalk Hospital after making visits, I met a man from Iglesia Betania. We were talking in the hall, and I realized his wife was a little ahead of us, with her back to us, talking in Spanish to another woman. I overheard tell the woman twice that she attends church at Grace Episcopal Church.
These are only four examples, of the many I experience every week, of just how important this place is to so many people – a place of quiet, of peace, of refuge, of welcome.
We are here against all odds.
It has nothing to do with the money. It never did. It has to do with these stories.
Grace is still here because we’re doing the right thing – making time to listen, invite, and welcome three AA groups, the Manic/Depressive group, ESL classes, the Haitian Baptists, the Roman Catholic Voices of the Faithful, the Fairfield Symphony, Family and Children’s Agency, and others who make up this greater Community at Grace, including people who just drop in. I’m reminded of a Hindu woman who, nevertheless, comes here during the day because this is a place of peace.
This year I especially want to hold up to you some gatherings of Grace that have sustained the community here; ministries that feed, sustain and grow faithful ministers who take their faith out into their daily lives.
Holy Needles embodies the spiritual practices of creation, fellowship, and connection with those in need. Holy Needles meets on the first and third Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. The people who gather knit and crochet shawls, scarves, mittens, hats and other things for giving away to people who need the comfort of knowing they are embraced, literally, by the prayers and care of the maker. In addition, conversations during Holy Needles time extend to the lives, inside and outside the church, of the people there and their observations of finding the holy in the ordinary things of life. Holy Needles is open to anyone who wants to just stop by and chat. No need to knit or crochet or do anything but just drop by and sit down.
Practicing Prayer embodies the spiritual practice of prayer as filling the whole of life. Practicing Prayer is in its third year of learning what prayer is, and sharing our various practices of praying, while observing the results of prayer on and in our own lives in the world outside the church.
Another spiritual practice is reading the scriptures, the Bible. This is a practice you can do on your own. Several people here have taken on the Bible Challenge, reading the entire Bible over the course of this year of 2012. This is not a Bible study. Instead, we are reading, separately, on our own, letting the words of scripture seep into us, into our souls, while being watchful of how this practice of daily reading the words of the people of God over millennia works on us and maybe even changes us. Everyone is invited to meet this challenge of reading the scriptures this year. I do ask you to let me know if you are taking up this challenge so we can pray for one another, and know we are not alone in this practice.
Still another spiritual practice, making a joyful noise unto the Lord, is embodied on Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. in the choir room – Music Skills. In this group anyone can try out an instrument, even if you have never done so. This group draws people from as far away as Bridgeport. Combined with the Bell Choir and the Vocal Choir, our Music Director Richard Andrews has contributed greatly to the spiritual health of this Community at Grace.
And with regard to the spiritual practice of hospitality, I thank all of you who are embracing the people of Iglesia Episcopal Betania. Your faithful attendance at bilingual services on the last Sunday of the month, and participation at gatherings for the purpose of conversation and fellowship is greatly appreciated. Next Sunday our monthly bilingual service will be followed by a covered dish lunch with food provided by all of you and by Betania. Please plan to be here for that service and luncheon.
I thank all of you who continue to support the worshiping community of Grace with your offerings and your presence at worship. I thank those of you who embrace the larger Community at Grace by your welcoming presence. I thank God for the continued privilege of leadership in this worshiping community of Grace Church and in this greater Community at Grace.
We are people of faith. We don’t know how long this will go on here at Union Park and Mott Avenue. However, as people of faith, we will keep on doing the right things – being a haven of rest, refreshment, learning, refuge and spiritual practices for the community in which this building resides – Grace and Betania Episcopal Churches and the Community at Grace. May God give you blessing and peace.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Day 4 the Bible Challenge - from Rev Lois Keen's journal
Today was the fourth day of my keeping the Bible Challenge. I am reading straight through, as much or as little as works for me on a given day, beginning with Genesis. On day four I was reading about Isaac and Rebekah and found that Isaac did the same thing his father, Abraham, did twice. Twice Abraham passes Sarah off as his sister when he is in foreign parts so men won't kill him in order to take his wife. Both times he is found out, but still lives. Isaac does the same, passing his wife off as his sister.
At least Abraham was partly right. Sarah was his half-sister as well as his wife, so he wasn't really lying. But Rebekah and Isaac are - oh dear, who can figure this family - cousins? Anyway, he lied.
Some families never learn from the mistakes of the past.
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