VIRUS UPDATE FOR ST. JAMES

Weekly Video Check-in with Father Forbes Sirmon, April 6, 2020.

Weekly Video Check-in with Father De Freeman, March 31, 2020.

Click the video to the left to watch a Zoom conference with St. James Vestry Member Dr. Elizabeth Orr, speaking with St. James' Christian Formation Director, Anne McEniry, about the Coronavirus.
Dr. Orr suggests that we use the CDC's webpage as a source of the most accurate and up to date information.

Weekly Video Check-in with Father De Freeman, March 25, 2020.

Click the video to the right to take a virtual prayer walk around St. James. This video was created by our Associate for Children's Ministries, Ellen Huckabay. We hope you will enjoy it.

ANCHOR LINES UPDATE

Virus Update for St. James

April 1, 2020

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We are a community anchored in Christ, seeking God, sharing His love and serving others.

Dear Ones and Friends,

I am captivated by stories. Perhaps you’ve noticed? For me the world, the gospel message, and even God’s subtle actions can be witnessed through story. Whether they be snapshots and occasions of ordinary real lives, or creative retellings of fictional events, stories teach us about who we are and who we are meant to be. Lengthier stories tend to teach us the most about life itself since they begin in the realm of what is normal, or the here and now, and then move to a place of “other”; a magical forest, a desert wasteland, or a galaxy far, far away. This place of “other” is where the action of the story takes place and where characters become heroes or even villains. If you really pay attention to the storyline, you’ll notice that most characters don’t really want to be in this place for long. How the character handles this area of transition, or liminal space, is the most important part of their story. Heroes and even villains come into being during this time.

I invite you to focus on the liminal space we have entered during this time of pandemic. Globally, we have come to a place outside of the realm of what we consider to be normal, and what we do here in this space is important. Look around you and take it all in, see the space for what it offers you--and me. It is a rather frightening place we have entered into if we sit idly watching news for hours on end, but there is more here. We don’t need to be frightened. God tells us time and time again from the pages of the Bible, not to be afraid. Remember, this is the place where character can be further developed and changed. It’s also a place where we can be transformed into something new, and for good or for ill, our lives may be forever changed. If you’re up for approaching all of this a little differently, then put this thought of being transformed at the forefront of who you are and what you do. The current challenge, though daunting, provides an opportunity to become something more. Remember your disciplines: prayer, study and action.

First, pray. Focus yourself on the mind of Christ… what would Jesus do? Think about that and then allow yourself to close out all other thoughts, desires, or even constraints of time; listen for God in the silence. In silence, tune that prayer to the teachings of Christ in thinking of others before you think of your own needs. Take your time with this; give it as long as it takes. Begin simply and with what you know. Pray for those who are sick. Pray for those who might also be alone. Pray for those who have died and for those who have lost someone. (Remember to leave space in between these prayers so that you might recover your focus on the silence.) Pray for those who are hungry. Pray for those who are without. Pray for those who are tending to the sick and the shut-ins. Pray for all those who are putting themselves at risk, stocking shelves or cleaning shopping carts at the stores. Pray for your enemies. Pray for the people you dislike. Continue as prayers come to mind-- for as long as it takes. Pray for the Lord to lead you.

Make time to study. Reading the Bible is an excellent way to work on getting to know God better. I would recommend focusing on the Gospels beginning with The Gospel of Mark. Remember to take notes. Keep a running tab of where Jesus is, what he says in that place, what he does, where he goes from there. The object is to learn and to digest the “Good News”. Once you finish Mark, move on to Luke, and then on to Matthew and John. I want to know what you discover in the process, and I’m looking forward to being able to hear all about it once we’re back together.

Another way I’m studying is by feeding my soul on a daily basis. I’m personally working my way back through The Screwtape Letters. It has been years since I read the book, but it is so incredibly insightful, as if C. S. Lewis was writing for the pandemic specifically. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this book as well.

Finally, there is action. Even in the midst of sheltering in place there are ways to be active, and I don’t mean going crazy with exercise or home improvement. The Lord knows you can only organize your closets, and clean the house so many times, so be creative. Think of how you might brighten someone else’s day. Call a friend or loved one, reach out to the people you share your pew with, invite someone to coffee or for happy hour via FaceTime or Facebook Messenger. Write a note to the lady who rang you up the last time you went to the grocery store and let her know you appreciate her. Share the light of Christ. The point I’m trying to make is that there are plenty of opportunities to pass on love and grace to others, so be creative. Feel free to share them with us on our Facebook site or send a note in to the office letting us know what you’re doing. Before you know it, your actions will have fostered community, even though we’re physically separated. I’m praying for God to inspire you. Be the person God called you to be.

One last thing, we’re heading into Holy Week and it hurts my heart to know that we’re only going to be together virtually. By now you will have read or heard that the Bishop has asked us to refrain from distributing communion. None of us are really happy about this, but I believe he means well, and I want to be positive. It just means that we all have something more to look forward to when we can finally gather together again.

Palm Sunday is happening in a few days. I invite you to go out into your yards and cut your own palms or gather clippings from junipers, hollies, or any other evergreen plant you can find. Hang some on your front door to let others know how important this day is for all of us, and then be ready to join us for our streaming service at 10 AM this Sunday morning. Wave your branches as we celebrate the Liturgy of the Palms and our Lord’s Triumphal Entry.

The schedule for Holy Week continues to evolve. The staff of our church continues to inspire me with creative means to worship together, so I certainly hope you’ll keep an eye out for what’s coming. We will continue to gather virtually for the next few weeks including Maundy Thursday (4/9 at 6pm), Good Friday (4/10 at 12:30pm) and Easter Sunday on (4/12 at 10 AM). I’m guessing that more will come as we continue to work on being the church in a new way.

You should also know that it has been uplifting for me to walk into the church each day and see so many friendly pictures. I hope you keep sending them in. Please know I miss you all and your notes of love and support have been a wonderful help to keep us going. This, too, will pass and God is still in charge. I look forward to discovering with you all, who we will have become once we move from this liminal space. God bless you and God love you.

In his Love, Joy and Hope I remain your faithful servant,

De

Click here to watch Father De's video message to the congregation, published on our website and Facebook page on March 31, 2020.

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ANCHOR LINES UPDATE

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