Immigration and the Church

The current discussion of U.S. policy on immigration raises issues of justice and values in the church and society. In response, Bishop Alan M. Gates and Bishop Gayle E. Harris are convening a special event for education and strategizing about the church’s response and responsibility in ministry with immigrants.

“Immigration and The Church 101: The Lord’s Song in a Foreign Land” will be held on Sunday, March 26, 4-8 p.m., at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) in Boston. Guest speakers will share expertise in legal and other aspects of the issues at hand.

All clergy and lay leaders in the congregations of the diocese are invited to participate.

Refreshments will be served. To ensure that there will be enough food, seats and materials for everyone, RSVP by March 22 to Marsha Searle at msearle@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 445.

A Question for Lent – March 5, 2017

A Sermon for St. John’s Episcopal Church
Charlestown, Massachusetts
March 5, 2017
by the Rev. Thomas N. Mousin

Matthew 4:1-11

Just who do you think you are? That is a question we often ask of another when her or she is getting too big for their britches, or acting out of turn, or trying to make us do something we do not want to do. Just who do you think you are?

Of course, tone and inflection has a lot to do with what we mean by that question. I could ask it in another way, with a different inflection: Just who do you think you are? Asked that way, it becomes not an accusation or question made in anger, but instead an inquiry, an invitation to the one being asked to consider his or her identity.

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Toddler Time Worship – Every Friday

Every Friday at 10 am, we gather in the church for a time of singing, praying, and learning more about what it means to worship God. All children – from infants to preschoolers, are welcome to join us, along with their parents and caregivers. We meet for about 25 minutes on a rug in front of the altar. We hope you can join us.

Capital Campaign: See God’s Beauty

Dear Friends,

When our vestry adopted a new mission statement last September, one of the primary statements that emerged was a call to “See God’s Beauty.” That statement emerged in part from conversations about the legacy of beautiful and historic structures that we have inherited from those who have come before us. On many occasions, a newcomer or visitor will comment to me about the spacious inviting beauty of our sanctuary, or of the quiet serenity of our garden. Yes, our buildings are beautiful.

God’s beauty shines through more than our stained glass windows, however. The vestry was also well aware that we behold God’s beauty in many other ways: we see it in a family gathered around the baptismal font as we welcome a new member into the Body of Christ,  in a 12 step recovery community gathered to support one another each week in the Parish Hall, or in our young children learning about the “ten best ways” to live in Godly Play – these are all windows as well in which and through which we behold the beauty of all that God has made.

Our new capital campaign, with a goal of $175,000 is designed to enable our parish to preserve and improve our church and parish house so that they will be places that help us to carry out God’s mission in the years to come.

I hope you will join us for one of our two remaining receptions: Wednesday, March 15 at 4 pm or at 7 pm. There you will learn more about our plans for improvements, and how you can participate. It will also provide you with an opportunity to have your questions answered and to share your thoughts. Each reception will be about an hour in length.

Together, we can do more than see – we can also help to create the spaces and community where people will continue to hear the Spirit, see God’s beauty, and act in love.

Faithfully,

Tom

 

Beholding Glory – February 26, 2017

A Sermon for St. John’s Episcopal Church Charlestown, Massachusetts
Preached on February 26, 2017
The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
by the Rev. Thomas N. Mousin

Exodus 24:12-18 Matthew 17:1-9

This week, with the gift of some extra time, I beheld Glory. I was not on Mount Sinai with Moses, where the glory of the Lord appeared like a devouring fire. Nor was I with Peter, James, and John, when Jesus was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun. Rather, I was in the small town of Gilead, Iowa, the location of three novels by the author Marilynne Robinson. Continue reading