Holy Innocents and St Columba Episcopal Churches

Rosa Parks, Dead at 92

Civil Rights pioneer Rosa Parks has died. Please remember her and her family in your prayers, and give thanks for her courage.

Hope In a Time of Crisis - Katrina

Anletter from our bishop:

Dear clergy and people of the Diocese of Chicago,

Many of you are concerned about how we can best and most effectively respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. There are unlimited needs and many groups are mobilizing to bring aid. While numbers of churches have been totally destroyed and others badly damaged, existing churches and congregations are being used to feed and house refugees from the storm.

Most needed at this time are prayers and cash. I would encourage each congregation to raise a special offering for the U.S. Hurricane Fund of Episcopal Relief and Development. Also, please print the following and publicize it as widely as you can.

To make a contribution to help people affected by Hurricane Katrina, please donate to the US Hurricane Fund by credit card at http://www.er-d.org/ or by calling , ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, c/o US Hurricane Fund, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.

As is so often the case, long after the TV cameras leave, the needs will continue. Also, persons who are poor, who lack resources and insurance, will continue to suffer greatly. As part of the Episcopal Church, we have a special responsibility to care for our brothers and sisters whose lives have been so shaken. Of course, our love and care extend from them to all who need our prayers and support. I am confident that the people of our diocese will be generous in responding to this disaster.

Thank you and God bless you as you help to focus our response.

Faithfully,

William D. Persell Bishop of Chicago

From Forward Movement/Day by Day:

God of goodness and love, In whom we can trust in every hour of need; Have mercy on all who are faced with fear and distress. We ask that help may be given to them speedily, And that this emergency may be turned into an opportunity To strengthen the bonds of love and service Which bind men and nations together; Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and beyond who are forced to flee home and property from the raging aftermath and continuing peril of Hurricane Katrina.

Episcopal Relief and Development, an official agency of the Episcopal Church, has been working to mobilize help and aid for those affected by the hurricane, and donations can be made via their website at Episcopal Relief & Development. Also, a list of needed supplies is available on the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi website. And further news and resources are available from The Episcopal News Service.

Additional information about help and support can be found at the websites for the Diocese of Louisiana, the Diocese of Western Louisiana, the Diocese of Central Florida, and the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

Readings for October 30

Proper 26, the Sunday Closest to Nov 2

The Collect

Almighty and merciful God, it is only by your gift that your faithful people offer you true and laudable service: Grant that we may run without stumbling to obtain your heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Old Testament

Micah 3:5-12

Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets
who lead my people astray,
who cry "Peace"
when they have something to eat,
but declare war against those
who put nothing into their mouths.
Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision,
and darkness to you, without revelation.
The sun shall go down upon the prophets,
and the day shall be black over them;
the seers shall be disgraced,
and the diviners put to shame;
they shall all cover their lips,
for there is no answer from God.
But as for me, I am filled with power,
with the spirit of the LORD,
and with justice and might,
to declare to Jacob his transgression
and to Israel his sin.
Hear this, you rulers of the house of Jacob
and chiefs of the house of Israel,
who abhor justice
and pervert all equity,
who build Zion with blood
and Jerusalem with wrong!
Its rulers give judgment for a bribe,
its priests teach for a price,
its prophets give oracles for money;
yet they lean upon the LORD and say,
"Surely the LORD is with us!
No harm shall come upon us."
Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height.

The Psalm

Psalm 43 Page 644, BCP
Judica me, Deus

1
Give judgment for me, O God,
and defend my cause against an ungodly people; *
deliver me from the deceitful and the wicked.

2
For you are the God of my strength;
why have you put me from you? *
and why do I go so heavily while the enemy oppresses me?

3
Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, *
and bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling;

4
That I may go to the altar of God,
to the God of my joy and gladness; *
and on the harp I will give thanks to you, O God my God.

5
Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *
and why are you so disquieted within me?

6
Put your trust in God; *
for I will yet give thanks to him,
who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

The Epistle

1 Thessalonians 2:9-13,17-20

You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how pure, upright, and blameless our conduct was toward you believers. As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father with his children, urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers.

As for us, brothers and sisters, when, for a short time, we were made orphans by being separated from you-- in person, not in heart-- we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face. For we wanted to come to you-- certainly I, Paul, wanted to again and again-- but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? Yes, you are our glory and joy!

The Gospel

Matthew 23:1-12

Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted."

Throw Wide The Doors

U.S. Episcopal leader says church must be inclusive

The Episcopal Church must reach out and "embrace all whom God sets before us," the church's top American cleric told a Sparks' congregation Sunday.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold, presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church in the United States, gave a sermon at St. Paul's Episcopal Church as part of the Diocese of Nevada's annual convention this weekend. The event coincided with the 100th anniversary of St. Paul's.

In his sermon, Griswold cited Christ's analogy of the kingdom of heaven being like a wedding banquet, a feast reserved not for the chosen but for all people.

"And so the door to the banquet hall is flung wide and all sorts of riffraff, troublesome to us but close to the heart of God, are ushered in and given a place at the table," Griswold said.

Throwing the doorshas been a recurring theme at Holy Innocents of late; it was one of the images that kept coming up in the recent Bishop's Committee retreat - the one that started the new "Mission, Ministry, Evangelism" program that we're in the process of formulating.

On a recent Sunday, this metaphor was taken to an extreme. It was a warmish fall day outside, but quite chilly inside. The red French entrance doors were bothd wide. No one got up to close the doors, because keeping the doorsand in factng them even wider has been a topic of several recent sermons. So no one closed the doors, but everyone kept their coats on.

Now that the weather has finally changed from Indian summer to late fall, the doors will remain closed during services, but they are always " to everyone.

Prayers for the Diocese of Southeast Mexico

Hurricane Wilma battered the beaches of Cancun and the situation there is still pretty dire. Large crowds of people have been released from shelters but reports of looting are widespread, while many tourists are still waiting for the airport to re

Cancun is part of the Diocese of Southeastern Mexico. Regular Anglican services are held there during the "high" tourist season at the Casa Magna Marriott. Little is known how badly the hotel has been damaged in the storm or what the situation is with the local Anglican community at this time.

Information:
Diocese of Southeastern Mexico
St Michael and All Angels, Cancun

The Good Bishop

That's all Gene Robinson wants to be known for being: the good bishop, and not just the gay bishop.

According to the article, the Diocese of New Hampshire is doing very well, with most parishes reporting modest growth, especially from young families. And there's been a surge of applications for clergy positions in the diocese. Most are not gay, but think New Hampshire is the place for them to begin their journey.

A Second Iona

An acquaintance writes a weblog about European archaeology, and this article about the discovery sheds more light on one of our patrons, St Columba of Iona.

Experts unearth an Iona of the east - The Herald

WHEN St Columba landed in Scotland in the Dark Ages, he set about creating a centre of learning that would illuminate the Christian world.

His monastery on Iona, founded in 563AD, became a place of pilgrimage for saints and kings. It is believed to have produced the Book of Kells, one of the world's most famous religious manuscipts.

However, archaeologists have discovered the site of a second monastery in Scotland which they believe was also founded by St Columba at about the same time.

The linked article goes on to describe the ruined "second Iona," what was found in the ruins, what may have gone on there, and how the monestery came to be abandoned.

Readings For October 23

Proper 25 The Sunday closest to October 26, BCP

The Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Old Testament

Exodus 22:21-27

God said, "You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.

If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. If you take your neighbor's cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbor's only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbor cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate."

The Psalm

Psalm 1 Page 585, BCP
Beatus vir qui non abiit

1
Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, *
nor lingered in the way of sinners,
nor sat in the seats of the scornful!

2
Their delight is in the law of the LORD, *
and they meditate on his law day and night.

3
They are like trees planted by streams of water,
bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; *
everything they do shall prosper.

4
It is not so with the wicked; *
they are like chaff which the wind blows away.

5
Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, *
nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.

6
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the wicked is doomed.

The Epistle

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

You yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you was not in vain, but though we had already suffered and been shamefully mistreated at Philippi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition. For our appeal does not spring from deceit or impure motives or trickery, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts. As you know and as God is our witness, we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed; nor did we seek praise from mortals, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children. So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.

The Gospel

Matthew 22:34-46

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "`You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: `You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: "What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?" They said to him, "The son of David." He said to them, "How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying,

`The Lord said to my Lord,
"Sit at my right hand,
until I put your enemies under your feet"'?

If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?" No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

Francis of Assisi, Friar

Loyal friend is gone, but his spirit still inspires

He was the mayor of Baylor Street, proclaimed innocent by the neighbors even after the Fire Department blamed him for that suspicious blaze. He greeted shoppers at Whole Foods Market and offered spiritual insight to his best friend, an Episcopal priest.

Until his death Aug. 26, Sam Houston was a revered theologian "a rare canine version" whose near-death experience in a house fire 10 years ago gave him legendary status in some circles.
Tonight, on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals, the Rev. Bill Miller will do his part to keep the Airedale terrier's legacy alive.

The Collect for Francis of Assisi, Friar

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Those of us who have pets give thanks for them today. Those of us who have lost pets remember them today. And all those of us who love animals, please consider donating "time and talents" to an animal rescue group today.

Out Of Deep Waters: Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold speaks from New Orleans

From Episcopal News Service:

[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold visited hurricane-impacted churches along the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans September 19-20. In an interview with Episcopal News Service, Griswold speaks about the faith and determination of Gulf Coast Episcopalians and notes the resiliency and and "deep compassion" of the local community.

A video stream and downloadable MP3 of the Presiding Bishop's interview are available online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_64854_ENG_HTM.htm.

An ENS article about the Presiding Bishop's visit to the Gulf Coast is available online at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_67676_ENG_HTM.htm.

ENS Podcast

For iTunes users, a podcast of the Presiding Bishop's interview is available at: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=77908688.

To subscribe to ENS podcasts from any podcast capable software, the following URL must be used: http://episcopalchurch.org/ens_podcasts.rss.

A podcast is an audio file, most commonly in MP3 format, made available online in a way that allows software to automatically download the files for listening at the user's convenience.

Podcast software is required to select the programs you would like to download. The software can check the internet regularly and start a download whenever it finds something new. Free podcast software is available from iTunes, iPodder, jPodder, among others. Further information about podcasting for iTunes can be found online at: http://www.apple.com/podcasting.

If any of you are curious about the "podcasting" phenomenon, please drop an email to the webmistress.

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Episcopal Relief

ECUSA Meeting Focuses on Rita and Katrina Devastation:

The five-day gathering of the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. in Puerto Rico drew to a close earlier in the week. The members focused on the devastation wrought by the recent devastating hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, to hit the Gulf Coast. A report by the ECUSA House of Bishops read: “Throughout this meeting, we have been reminded that in sharing the grief of so many along our nation’s Gulf Coast, and in considering our relationships one to another and within the larger Church, we so always bearing hopeful witness to the power of Resurrection.”

The first day of the meeting saw descriptions from Duncan Gray, Bishop of Mississippi, Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana, and Philip Duncan, Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast, of the devastation of the hurricanes in their areas.

Numerous churches have been destroyed throughout the hurricane-afflicted areas, Mississippi, one of the lesser hit areas, losing six churches and nine rectories completely.

ECUSA has been heavily involved in the relief response to the devastation. Members at the meeting were able to hear accounts of the work going on the affected areas by different ministries within the Church.

Donations are still needed at Episcopal Relief and Development. People who have lost everything need our help.