Newsletter--October 1999

Whither...

It may seem a rather unlikely union, but prototypical English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams chose the poetry of not-so-typical American poet Walt Whitman as the basis for his first symphony, best known as "A Sea Symphony." Those of us who have spent most of our lives on the Great Plains may have to stretch our imaginations to picture the allure of the sea; it's heaving waves, salty air, myriad moods. But we can all identify with the sea as the great playing field of the symbolic voyage or quest. We talk of "life's tempestuous seas" or "embarking" on a new undertaking. These images form part of our common life and culture.

Within the culture of the Church, the seas of the past 20 years have been far from placid. At the end of the 20th century we find ourselves adrift -searching for the safe-harbor. Whitman's verses set to music by Vaughn Williams seem especially appropriate:

Wandering, yearning with restless explorations, with questionings, baffled, formless, feverish...with that sad incessant refrain, "Wherefore unsatisfied soul? whither...?"

"Whither..." is the question to be taken up in the upcoming adult education series. The past twenty years in the American church have seen unprecedented changes in worship, in polity and in doctrine. During this time, many people have come to the point wherein they have chosen to leave the ship which we call ECUSA (Episcopal Church USA). Some have joined other vessels, some have been left to drift.

There are those who think the answer to the many problems faced by ECUSA today could be found in the creation of a separate province of ECUSA, one which would consist of "orthodox" bishops and clergy along with the many faithful who hold fast to the faith "once-delivered from the apostles." Up until recently this talk of a separate province was only that: talk.

But on September 22nd of this year it was reported that "A document calling for dramatic changes in the structure of the 2.3 million member Episcopal Church USA urg(ing) alternative Episcopal oversight, and other initiatives, has been received by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and his Council of Advice in San Diego, California where the bishops are meeting."
Many who still hold out the hope of orthodoxy for ECUSA are heartened by this action. It means that there may be a place after all in the "inclusive" milieu of ECUSA for even those of us who buck the tide of ever-burgeoning heterodoxy.

Before this happens, there will be a lot of planning, maneuvering, name-calling and other not-so-pleasant activities if history is any witness to the activities of the Church.

Rather than be a part of any rancor, I call all members of this parish first and foremost to remember our Lord's command that we love one another as He has loved us. This means that, while we may not agree with their ideas, we will respect those brothers and sisters in Christ whose beliefs and values differ from ours. Secondly I invite you to an adult education series to be held on three Wednesday evenings in November listed below. This will allow the opportunity to look at the issues facing the church and formulate an educated and faithful response.

None of us can guess where the Holy Spirit will lead. But we can open ourselves to hear the still, small voice of the Almighty and pledge faithfulness to that call. Whether we are prepared or not, there is a journey ahead. Faith in the power of God "to hold and lead" will enable us to embark upon this journey echoing further the words of Walt Whitman:

Joyously we too launch out on trackless seas, Fearless for unknown shores on waves of ecstasy to sail...Caroling free, singing our song of God, Chanting our chant of pleasant exploration.

Adult Education
"Wonderful Wednesdays"

November 10, 17, 24
6:30 - 8:00

Pizza provided
Donations gratefully accepted

Clean-Up Day

Come join us on October 16 from 9 a.m. until Noon for a Fall cleaning day. There's something for everyone to do: bush trimming, dumpster filling, pew washing, etc. Let's get the "old girl" looking her best before Winter is upon us.

High Tea and Solemn Evensong

Tea beginning at 4:30 in the afternoon
Evensong and Benediction at 5:30
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Musical selections by Tallis, Morley, Wesley, Bach and Clarke-Whitfeld.
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This has come to be the premiere musical offering of this parish,
attended by an average of nearly two-hundred people each time it is held.
Plan now to be part of this celebration of all that is good
that Anglo-Catholicism has to offer: fine food, fine music, fine worship

Welcome a New Member

While we don't ordinarily run a special feature on new parishioners, our latest member is a bit out of the ordinary. For one thing, she has probably come from the farthest distance of any new member in anyone's memory (Margaret Salyards excepted).

Tutu Bainda comes to us from the African nation of Liberia. She will be in this country for two years working on a graduate degree in nursing education at Clarkson College.

While I am loathe to admit it, my knowledge of geography, and African geography in particular, needed a bit of a refresher. A quick dip into the encyclopedia gave me the following information about Tutu's native country:

Liberia, republic in western Africa, bounded on the north by Sierra Leone and Guinea, on the east by Côte d'Ivoire, and on the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean. Liberia has an area of 99,067 sq km (38,250 sq mi). Liberia was founded in the early 1800s by freed American slaves. Monrovia is the capital and largest city.

Tutu's husband is an Anglican/Episcopal priest. She will be joined by a fellow-student in January.

Please welcome her, and all newcomers, with the warmth for which our parish is duly known.