Dear Friends,

In sermons, newsletters, and conversations, I  have invited us to consider the ways that God is inviting us to fullfill our callings. Quite often, we use the term “call” to refer to those who are seeking ordination to the priesthood or the diaconate. But our Baptismal Covenant makes it clear that every Christian is called to seek and serve Christ. The church community is a place where we can discern our call, and at times there may be particular ministries of the church help us fulfill that call.

Alice Krapf receives a shovel from the grateful Board of the Mattapan Community Health Center

But God’s call can also be fulfilled in the vocations we choose (or to which we are called) beyond the walls of the church. I was powerfully reminded of that last night, when I attended the Annual Meeting of the Mattapan Community Health Center. There, the Board of Directors presented Alice Krapf with the Dr. Leon Hicks Exemplary Service Award. In her work as a consultant and project manager, Alice has been engaged for the last nine years with the Health Center, shepherding them through the design, financing,  and construction of a new $34 million facility in Mattapan Square. The deep appreciation, respect, and love that members of that community have for Alice was palpable. In addition, persons from past projects that Alice has worked on, including affordable housing developments, were there to express their gratitude. (And to top it off, Wednesday, October 16th was declared “Alice E. Krapf Day” in Boston by Mayor Tom Menino).

“Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” That is one of the questions we are asked whenever we renew our baptismal vows. Alice’s particular work in the world provides a resounding “yes” to that question. Not every one of us can fulfill our call within the confines of our workplaces. But consider your call. How and where is God calling you? I would love to share in future newsletters, some of your  thoughts and reflections on how you are living out your call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the world.

Faithfully,

Tom

Dear Friends,

I have written more than once about the ways in which our worship is made possible each Sunday by the contributions of so many persons. At the 8 am service, early arrivers are always helping to prepare our space for worship, (now returning indoors after a glorious season of summer Sundays in the Garden). And long before 10 am, the choir, the Altar Guild, the ushers, the Coffee Hour Hosts, and our teachers in the Godly Play rooms are preparing the way for all of us to worship God.

Now there is another way that we can be preparing ourselves. Any of us who can are invited to join Douglas Witte, our Director of Music, and the choir at 9:30 am  to go over the hymns and the psalm we will be singing that morning.  Even a brief introduction to the words and tune of each song can lead to more confident singing. If chanting the psalm each week feels like a challenge, this time on Sunday morning will give you the opportunity to practice surrounded by the choir, whose voices will lead us in worship as well. After about 15 minutes of singing, you will then have time to sit and prepare heart, mind, and spirit for the worship service, as others gather in the church.

I know arriving up to a half hour earlier may not always seem possible or practical. But consider those times when it just might be possible,  and  do come. You might be surprised by how much it enhances your worship of God, and the community’s offering of praise.

Fred Pratt Green, the author of our final hymn this Sunday, puts it well in his concluding stanza:

Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always –
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Peace,
Tom

PS – And don’t forget the Sunday Forum this week, where we will have a chance to sing some more and talk about music in church.

Dear Friends,

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of presiding at a family wedding. Allison, my niece, and Bill, her husband, were surrounded by family and friends as they made their vows at a beautiful spot in the Hudson Valley. Like many weddings, it was an occasion for family members to gather, and to meet members of another family with whom we will now be connected. There was, inevitably, much laughter, much love, and much joy.

We are not gathering for a wedding this Sunday at church, but these first Sundays in September also have aspects of a reunion. Many of us are returning to more regular schedules, and there is always delight in seeing both familiar faces and meeting new folks who are visiting St. John’s for the first time.

This is a gathering time. Just consider the many ways you can greet friends old and new in the week to come (and you can learn more about these elsewhere in this News and Notes)

Welcome Back Cookout in the Garden – Thursday, September 12th, 5:30 to 7:30 pm

First Choir Rehearsal of the Season – Thursday September 12th, 7:30 pm

First Children’s Choir Rehearsal – Sunday, September 15th at 9:30 am

First Full Day of Godly Play – Sunday September 15 at 10 am

Ministry Forum – Sunday, September 15th, after Coffee Hour, upstairs in the Parish House

Of course, most importantly, there will be the gathering that occurs Sunday after Sunday, as we join together our hearts, our minds, and our voices, praising God and encountering Christ’s presence in the bread and wine and the Word proclaimed.  After my own time away, I cannot wait to see you all. And I can assure you, that in all these gatherings, like at any wonderful wedding,  there will be much laughter, much love, and much joy.

Faithfully,

Tom