POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCEfiles.ctctcdn.com/f98f4610101/d1f2172a-197c-4ac6-968c-29b1566d784… · News...
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www.gracechurchamherst.org News from Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst May 2015 POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE Where has the academic year gone? It feels as if the spring semester began only a few weeks ago, when suddenly spring break came upon us, and then last week, UMass began the local commencement cycle. While I did not attend the official ceremonies, I did get to experience the time-honored traffic jam on Route 9: the mass exodus of students heading west to whatever awaits them this summer and the equally matched influx of proud families, friends, and guests coming east over the Calvin Coolidge bridge to see their loved ones graduate. Part of the ceremonies here and throughout the country is the annual commencement address. Students will hear from presidents, politicians, corporate CEOs, innovators, writers, artists, actors, and even a few comedians. Some will offer words of wisdom as emissaries from “the real world”, some will promote causes, and some will entertain. As for their words, some will be remembered, a few will be protested, and many will be quickly forgotten. What if Jesus gave a commencement address? What would Jesus say? What advice might he offer newly minted graduates who are about to embark on the next chapter of their life’s journey. Here are some thoughts, taken from the Gospel narratives of Jesus’ life and teachings. Do Not Worry. Worry and anxiety are wasted energy. Life is more than a career or an occupation. Don’t measure your life by how much wealth you accumulate. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.” (Matthew 6:25) Always Be Generous. Even a cup of cold water given to someone who is thirsty will not go unnoticed. (Matthew 10:42) Forgive As Often As You Can. Make forgiveness a way of life. Offer forgiveness as much as you ask for it. Despite how well you may have done in school, you are not perfect and you will make mistakes. In seeking forgiveness, always remember to forgive as well. (Matthew 18:21-35) Greatness Is Measured By Service To Others. Don’t measure your life on vanities – affluence, attractiveness, and accomplishments. Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be the servant of all. Given the choice: seek to serve rather than being served. (Mark 10:43-45) Live A Compassionate Life. When you love your neighbor as yourself do not have a myopic view of who your neighbor is. When you see someone in need, do something to help that person. Showing mercy is the true sign of being a good neighbor. (Luke 10:29-37) Do Not Try To Control Life. Try as you might, you are not in charge. You are not self-made. You are a lovely creation, made by God and shaped and influenced by those around you. I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5) Pray Constantly. Fulfilling relationships with others takes work – lots of care and attention – and so does a fulfilling relationship with God. Nothing is more valuable than God. (Matthew 13:44-50) These Were NOT The Best Years Of Your Life. Anyone who tells you that these were the best days of their life is leading a boring unfulfilled life. Today is the beginning of the rest of your life. Don’t waste your time looking for the living among the dead. Don’t linger at an empty tomb. Life is ahead of you. Go forward – there you will see me. (Luke 24:5; Matthew 28:7) May Almighty God who has begun a good work in each and every graduate, direct and uphold them in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen. Congratulations Graduates! Tom+
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Transcript of POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCEfiles.ctctcdn.com/f98f4610101/d1f2172a-197c-4ac6-968c-29b1566d784… · News...
www.gracechurchamherst.org
News from Grace Episcopal Church, Amherst May 2015
POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE
Where has the academic year gone? It feels as if the spring semester began only a few weeks ago, when suddenly spring breakcame upon us, and then last week, UMass began the local commencement cycle. While I did not attend the official ceremonies, Idid get to experience the time-honored traffic jam on Route 9: the mass exodus of students heading west to whatever awaits themthis summer and the equally matched influx of proud families, friends, and guests coming east over the Calvin Coolidge bridge tosee their loved ones graduate. Part of the ceremonies here and throughout the country is the annual commencement address.Students will hear from presidents, politicians, corporate CEOs, innovators, writers, artists, actors, and even a few comedians.Some will offer words of wisdom as emissaries from “the real world”, some will promote causes, and some will entertain. As fortheir words, some will be remembered, a few will be protested, and many will be quickly forgotten.
What if Jesus gave a commencement address? What would Jesus say? What advice might he offer newly minted graduates whoare about to embark on the next chapter of their life’s journey. Here are some thoughts, taken from the Gospel narratives ofJesus’ life and teachings.
Do Not Worry. Worry and anxiety are wasted energy. Life is more than a career or an occupation. Don’t measure your life byhow much wealth you accumulate. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body,what you will wear.” (Matthew 6:25)
Always Be Generous. Even a cup of cold water given to someone who is thirsty will not go unnoticed. (Matthew 10:42)
Forgive As Often As You Can. Make forgiveness a way of life. Offer forgiveness as much as you ask for it. Despite how wellyou may have done in school, you are not perfect and you will make mistakes. In seeking forgiveness, always remember toforgive as well. (Matthew 18:21-35)
Greatness Is Measured By Service To Others. Don’t measure your life on vanities – affluence, attractiveness, andaccomplishments. Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you mustbe the servant of all. Given the choice: seek to serve rather than being served. (Mark 10:43-45)
Live A Compassionate Life. When you love your neighbor as yourself do not have a myopic view of who your neighbor is.When you see someone in need, do something to help that person. Showing mercy is the true sign of being a good neighbor.(Luke 10:29-37)
Do Not Try To Control Life. Try as you might, you are not in charge. You are not self-made. You are a lovely creation, madeby God and shaped and influenced by those around you. I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5)
Pray Constantly. Fulfilling relationships with others takes work – lots of care and attention – and so does a fulfillingrelationship with God. Nothing is more valuable than God. (Matthew 13:44-50)
These Were NOT The Best Years Of Your Life. Anyone who tells you that these were the best days of their life is leading aboring unfulfilled life. Today is the beginning of the rest of your life. Don’t waste your time looking for the living among thedead. Don’t linger at an empty tomb. Life is ahead of you. Go forward – there you will see me. (Luke 24:5; Matthew 28:7)
May Almighty God who has begun a good work in each and every graduate, direct and uphold them in the service of Christ andhis kingdom. Amen.
Congratulations Graduates!
Tom+
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Newcomers
If you are new and would like to be introduced to the Grace community via an interview,please contact Janine Kelly at [email protected] or 549-6418. Janine will also letyou know when we are hosting newcomer events!
Please visit www.gracechurchamherst.org and join our mailing list to receive Grace Notes andweekly emails with event updates!
We are a community striving to be fully alive in the glory of God — in ourlife together, in our participation in the sacraments, and in our efforts torespect the dignity of every human being.
Come worship with us, join our Music Ministry or the Altar Guild, help out withSunday School, or join us in service at the Interfaith Cot Shelter, Craig’s Doors, or Not Bread Alone. Try knitting aprayer shawl, or grab a shovel and help us to plant our new gardens in the spring! We hope that you will join us and finda home where you can discover the life of Christ that dwells within you and that needs community to find its fullexpression.
We look forward to seeing you in Church, at gatherings in the Parish Hall, or at coffee hour after services, in theConnector. If you are new here, please fill out a blue “Welcome card” (found in the pews). Just place it in the collectionplate, and indicate if you would like to speak with a member of the clergy.
Are you new to Grace? If you are, did you know thatwe will host a dinner in your honor? Pleasecontact Janine Kelly ([email protected] )to find out when the next dinner will be held.This festive event will give you a chance to meetother newcomers as well as members of the clergyand parish, and to learn more about what is goingon at Grace Church. We’d love to have you!
Newcomer Luncheon!Our next newcomer luncheon is being planned!
Luncheons take place following the 10:30 service inthe library upstairs in the Old Rectory. If you are new,or contemplating membership at Grace, please join us!
Details to come.
We are so glad you are here.
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Youth MinistryMomentum Sunday - Youth Gospel Presentation and Sermon
On Sunday, April 12th at both services, the youth were in the pulpit and presented theGospel story and preached as Rev. Tom Synan and Rev. Sarah Dunn assisted asCelebrant and Deacon. The youth did an amazing job and we could not be moreproud to have them here at Grace!
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Grace Notes “Notes”Graduations and Commencements!Are you or someone you know graduating this season? On Sunday, June 14th, we would like torecognize all who have graduated in the last academic year, from Pre-school to Post-Doctorate.Send us the names of graduates, so we can include them in the service. If you or someone youknow is going off to pursue further studies, please let us know that too. Please contact the ParishAdministrator, Angela Battle, at 413.256.6754 or [email protected] to requestrecognition.
Eco-Tip!Cold water, cool savingsWashing your clothesuses a sizable amount ofenergy, especially is youuse warm or hot water.Consider washing yourclothes in cold water.
Sign Up Now!! MUSIC -THEATRE- ARTS CAMP: Week of July 27th, 9-2 Monday - Friday, Saturday morning, August 1st: dress rehearsal,performance: Sunday, August 2nd as a part of the service. Sam Lowry iswriting a musical play about “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego” (storyfound in Daniel chs 1-3). Children age 6 and up. Details in the making but thechildren will make costumes, scenery, sing and act, help back stage, paint,draw etc. Anyone who is interested in helping with any part of this campplease let me know. Sign up as soon as possible! Contact Mary Hocken tosign up at [email protected] , 413-549-8773, or 413-537-0251.
Bicycle Coventry Join fellow Grace Church cyclists forcasual, leisurely bike rides around the back roads and railtrails in the Pioneer Valley. Rides vary from 12-20 milesand always involve food and fellowship. For informationabout upcoming rides, please contact Betsy Mathews [email protected].
COMPOSTING at GRACE CHURCH!We have compost bins behind the Parke House onSpring St. Please consider bringing your kitchenfood waste to add to them. Fruit, vegetables, tealeaves, coffee grounds, grass cuttings, flowers andany plant material (NO WOODY STEMS orWEEDS) are all welcome. PLEASE NO FATS,MEAT or PLASTIC BAGS! The worms are alreadydoing their wonderful thing, so it would help them ifall contributions could be put under the pieces ofcarpet. Thank you so much. Instructions are on thebins. Questions Mary Hocken 549-8773 [email protected] for the Garden Committee.
Grace Church represented at theNorthampton Pride Parade March!
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Service at Grace
OutreachOutreach Commission is reaching out to you, beloved co-parishioners. Due to the happy circumstance of fundsnewly available, the Outreach Commission seeks to provide seed money for new outreach projects originatingwithin our congregation. If you have an idea for service to our community – defined as local or more largely–which may draw upon our energies and talents, yet needs a little start-up help, please bring it forward; this isyour Kickstarter. Contact co-chairs Marion Rosenau, [email protected], or Chris Hoffman,[email protected], Outreach Commission, or any member of the Commission: Ann Lowell, Eve Webster,Sara Stelzner, Mary McCarthy, Jim Duda, Sandy Muspratt.
Grace Church Annual Plant Sale!Donate plants from your garden – and come to buy more—at the May 23rd plant sale held by the Garden Ministryto help raise funds for the landscape of Grace Church. Perennials, tomato seedlings, houseplants and more will befeatured in the plant sale to be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the church.Plant donations are welcomed -- indeed, urged. Start potting up your plants now to donate to the sale. Last-minutedigging results in wilted plants that won’t sell! Use good soil, large pots and water well. Label accurately, please.Bring your potted plants to the Undercroft on Friday afternoon, May 22, from 4 until 6 p.m. or call Sherry Wilson(256-6955) to arrange another convenient drop-off time. Garden books, decorative pots and garden ornaments alsocan be donated.
Daffodils!!!Sherry Johnston, Mary Hocken, Janine Kelly, and SherryWilson planted hundreds of bulbs using proceeds from lastyear’s plant sale. Sherry Johnston went back to water themand discovered the squirrels had dug most of them up andso she replanted the lot! What a gift to us and the town.Thank you Sherry!!!
New Archives Committee Formed!Janine Kelly, Nancy Lowry, Anne Homme, Kate Katigbak, and Mel Carlsonhave joined together to generously donate their time to unearthing, sorting, andstoring and labeling the massive amounts of records, pictures, and documentswe have in our archive room. This is a very important project as GraceChurch’s history needs to be preserved. Thank you to all who are involved!
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Outreach
The fellowship meets at noon on the second Sundayof each month to pray, discuss, and plan responses
to social and economic injustices locally, nationally,and in the world. We welcome everyone to our
monthly meetings.
Not Bread Alone is a community meal program thatoffers FREE homemade, hot meals and groceries to
anyone in need. Meals are provided three days a weekand on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas inthe lower level dining room of the First Congregational
Church in Amherst, 165 Main St. Grace Churchmembers volunteer on the second Saturday of each
month from 10:30-2:30. For more information or to vol-unteer, please contact Chris Hoffman
Ongoing Interfaith Vigil against Drone Warfare: Tuesdays, April 7th
and April 21st, at noon in the Parker Room. Silent meditation, prayers,discussion. Pray for peace in our time. All are welcome.
Outreach!Our April Outreach Offerings brought in $772.25to be sent to Family Outreach of Amherst.
Volunteers Needed!
We are looking for volunteer positions to be filled in the following capacities: * Coffee hour hosts (now and in the fall) * Sunday School Teacher for the Atrium program (starting in September) * Parish Life Co-chairs (starting in June) * Garden Committee (immediately)Contact Janine Kelly for information about Coffee Hour, Sunday School Teachers, andParish Life. 549 -6418 or [email protected] Sherry Wilson for information about the Garden Committee.256-6955 or [email protected]
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Grace in Haiti
Interested in seeing other ways to contribute to the Haiti Ministry’s mission?Click here http://www.graceinhaiti.org/ways-to-help/ to view options!
www.gracechurchamherst.org
Upcoming Events
Sunday School Potluck Picnic on May 17thChildren up to 6th grade and their families are having a
Potluck Picnic in the Parish Hall and Garth to celebrate theend of the Sunday School year following Liturgy in theChapel. Please RSVP and sign up to bring a dish withMeghan Siudzinski (phone: 540-239-6072 or email:
[email protected]). Also, families are invited to jointheir children during Sunday School May 17th for a behind-
the scenes tour of the church.We hope to see you there!
“It Ain’t Easy Being Breezy”Join us in the Parish Hall on May 17th
from 3:30-5:30pm for GreeningGrace’s showing of Four Rivers
Charter School senior class film onCape Wind, “It Ain’t Easy Being
Breezy”. Bridget Lowry is part of theclass and helped make the film.
Please come and show your support!
Adult Education “The Solovki Monastery: Hermits, Fighting Monks, Prisons andRedemption.” Wednesday, May 20th at 7pm in the Connector. The Solovki Islands in theWhite Sea chronicle the history of Christianity in Northwest Russia. Their remoteness wasattractive for hermits and those seeking monastic lives. The Solovki Monastery became animportant (and wealthy) pilgrimage site and cultural center, interrupted by its use as a penalcolony during the early years of the Communist regime. Martin and Jude Wobst will talkabout this rich history, and the religious and cultural patrimony of Orthodox monasticismthere, based on their travels there.
GRACE CHURCH ANNUAL PLANT SALESaturday, May 23rd, 9am-1pm
Saturday, May 23rd
“Over 60s Gathering at Grace”11-12:30 in the Connector. If you’re over60, embarking on the best years of your life(in spite of rumors to the contrary) and havesome serious concerns to explore withfellow adventurers, please join us forfriendly conversation as we connect aroundcommon interests. We meet bi-weekly, onthe 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month.For more information contact Adrian Stair,230-3868, [email protected].
Pentecost Sunday, May 24th One serviceat 9:30am and Parish Picnic followingWe will have one service at 9:30am onPentecost Sunday. Brother Lawrence Guildwill oversee the parish picnic immediatelyfollowing the service and will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, vegetarian options, andbeverages. We ask that those attendingbring salads, desserts, or side dishes.We look forward to seeing you then!
Tea and Titles willtake place on
Thursday, May 28th at4pm in the Connector.
All are welcome!
www.gracechurchamherst.org
CommUNITY!
Parish Work Day!Volunteers are needed to help move mulch on Saturday, May 16th, from 10-12pm. Tools and drinks will be provided. Please come and help us keep thegrounds of Grace Church looking beautiful. For anyone new who is lookingfor a way to be of service, this is a great way to not only help, but also to get toknow the Grace community a little better!
www.gracechurchamherst.org
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we havemade, how many great things we have done.
We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I washomeless, and you took me in.”
-Mother T eresa
seeks to further the healing ministry ofJesus Christ in our parish family byoffering prayer and support to members ofGrace Church who are sick, injured,disabled, aged, and those who findthemselves in crisis or in challengingtransitions. For more information or torequest assistance, please contactJeannette Stebbins ([email protected]).
We coordinate parishioners eager to helpGrace Church members or their familiesduring an illness or family crisis. Short-termhelp includes offering rides to church or tomedical appointments; bringing meals to thedoor, shopping for groceries, picking upprescriptions, and visiting. Quarterlyfacilitators accept referrals from clergy,family or friends. Please contact JeannetteStebbins([email protected]) for moreinformation.
Do you know someone who can’t get to church?
Lay Eucharistic Visitors or LEV’s are trained ministers who are given Communion from the altar, and take it out toshare with parishioners who cannot get to church. LEV’s offer home-bound and nursing home residents a chanceto share Holy Communion with the rest of the gathered parish. Please think about who would welcome having aLEV bring Communion. Please call the Parish Administrator Angela Battle at 256-6754, speak to any clergymember, or email Mary McCarthy at [email protected] to make arrangements.
Prayer Circle is ready to pray for the needs of those
in crisis who want a degree of anonymity. Names will be
held in confidence by members of the Circle and will not
be published outside Circle members. Names will remain
on the list for a month, unless otherwise requested. If you
would like to be prayed for in this way, or would like to
make a request for a loved one, please contact: MJ
Fowler ([email protected])
May 2015For additional information, please visit www.gracechurchamherst.org
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat1 7:00 Men’s Group 5:30 Evensong 7:30 Pioneer Valley Capella
2
3 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Sunday School
9:00 Coffee Hour 9:15 Bible Study
10:30 Holy Eucharist 12:00 Coffee Hour
12:30 Iconography
4 5:15 UA 5:30 Contemplative
Bible Reflection 7:00 AA 7:00 UMass String Quartet Recital
5 12:00 Interfaith Vigilto Stop Drone Warfare
5:00 Haiti Ministry 5:15 AA
6 11:00 Staff Meeting12:10 Holy Eucharist,
Rite I with Healing Prayer 7:00 Adult Education “Emily Dickinson”
7 5:30 Executive Committee 7:30 Choir
8 7:00 Men’s Group 5:30 Evensong
9 10:00 Diamond Approach10:30 Not Bread Alone
11:00 Over 60’s Gathering
10 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Sunday School
9:00 Coffee Hour9:15 Bible Study
10:30 Holy Eucharist 12:00 Coffee Hour 12:00 Peace Fellowship 5:00 Young People’s Chorus Concert
11 5:15 UA 5:30 Contemplative
Bible Reflection 7:00 AA
12 5:15 AA 6:30 Vestry
13 11:00 Staff Meeting12:10 Holy Eucharist,
Rite I with Healing Prayer
14 7:30 Choir 15 7:00 Men’s Group 5:30 Evensong
16 10:00 Parish Work Day
17 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Sunday School
9:00 Coffee Hour9:15 Bible Study
10:00 Liturgy in the Chapel10:30 Holy Eucharist
12:00 Coffee Hour 12:30 Iconography 4:00 Greening Grace Film Showing , “It Ain’t Easy Being Breezy”
18 5:15 UA 5:30 Contemplative
Bible Reflection 7:00 AA
19 12:00 Interfaith Vigilto Stop Drone Warfare
5:15 AA
20 11:00 Staff Meeting12:10 Holy Eucharist,
Rite I with Healing Prayer 7:00 Adult Education “The Solovki Monastery: Hermits, Fighting Monks, Prisons and Redemption”
21 7:30 Choir 22 7:00 Men’s Group 5:30 Evensong
23 9:00 Plant Sale11:00 Over 60’s Gathering7:30 Haiti Benefit Concert -
Alice Ivy-Pemberton’s Eris String Quartet
24 8:15 Bible Study 9:30 Holy Eucharist
11:00 Pentecost Picnic
25 5:15 UA 5:30 Contemplative
Bible Reflection 7:00 AA
26 5:15 AA 27 11:00 Staff Meeting12:10 Holy Eucharist,
Rite I with Healing Prayer
28 7:30 Choir 29 7:00 Men’s Group 5:30 Evensong
30 4:00 Book Reading by local author Alice Scheffey
31 8:00 Holy Eucharist 9:00 Sunday School
9:00 Coffee Hour9:15 Bible Study
10:30 Holy Eucharist 12:00 Coffee Hour 12:30 Iconography
