Rev. Valerie's Reveille

In our Anglican Tradition, worship or liturgy (the work of the people) is our central act, which we offer most usually on a Sunday morning.   Since the 1979 Book of Common Prayer (BCP) reclaimed the Eucharist [i.e. The Great Thanksgiving] as the primary form of communal worship in the Episcopal Church, most congregations offer Eucharist every week. For me, who grew up with the 1979 BCP, attending a worship service without Eucharist feels like something has been left undone. For many, it is the primary way we interact with and learn our faith, and yet we don’t spend much time actually teaching why we do what we do in worship in order to pass along the tradition in a meaningful way. The Church owes The Rev. Callie Swanlund a huge debit of gratitude for creating the “How2charist” videos that bring together the best of our tradition and graphic design in a digital Instructed Eucharist.   These videos offer a “layered” approach to participating in a Eucharist by having elemen...

Now as [Saul] was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ He asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The reply came, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.’ Acts 9:3-5 I grew up (and was deeply formed as a Christian) at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bound Brook, NJ. Like most children, I did not really understand the pattern of our worship, but I knew there was a rhythm that was repeated every year, especially Christmas, Easter and Pentecost (to a lesser extent). As for minor feast days, they were a mystery, unless they happened during Sunday worship.   For example, we at St. Barnabas celebrate our patron saint on the Sunday closest to his feast day, June 11.   I am sure that we did that for St. Paul as well – the Feast of his Conversion is January 25 th . ...

January 15, 2019 would have been Martin Luther King’s 90 th birthday.   It seems strange to think of such an icon as an old man, especially because he was killed before he was 40 years old. The irony is that his martyrdom made his legacy even more indelible than if he had lived a long life. What we missed was what else he could have accomplished, which I am sure is a great loss. There is a song in the Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing hymnal that we as a congregation haven’t sung (to my recollection) about Dr. King.   It is number 46 and I encourage you to look at all the words, but here is a sample: Holy God, you raise up prophets; Praise and honor do we sing, For your faithful, humble servant, Doctor Martin Luther King. Refrain Blessed Martin, pastor, prophet you the mountaintop did see; Blessed Martin, holy martyr: Pray that we may all be free. Champion of oppressed humanity Suff’ring throughout all the world; He offered pride and dignity Let Christ’s banner...

Some liturgists view the Church seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany as a unit, inviting the faithful into a deeper understanding of Emmanuel, “God with us.” It is a surprising and awe-inspiring event that God chooses to limit God’s self and live as one of us, a mortal being. The season of Advent allows us both time and space to remind ourselves of what the world was like before Jesus was born.   We also walk with the faithful (Mary!) and not so faithful (Zachariah!) as they struggle to understand and respond to the Spirit’s work in their lives.   We celebrate the miracle of the “Word made flesh” during the Christmas season.   Unfortunately, reflections on the incarnation can be overshadowed by our secular observances, vacations and other distractions.   It is important to take some time to reflect on this wondrous event and how it affected everything in our world forever. The Season after the Epiphany varies in length depending on the date of Easter. ...

I came across this wonderful prayer that is both a great way to develop holy habits and re-dedicating ourselves – everyday! – to be a faithful disciple of Christ.   As we begin 2019, I offer this as a way to frame our personal and communal lives.   I pray that this year will deepen our love of God and each other. In Christ, Rev. Valerie+

‘Twas a week before Christmas and all through the land The Church reminded us that the Savior’s birth was at hand. The season is not about the perfection of glitter But about a loving God who would not leave us bitter. And so God sent us his Son wrapped up like a present In the garb of our mortality, the human flesh of a peasant. The cookies may not be made, the decorations may not be hung, The cards may not be sent, the lights may not be strung. Yet let us all make the true preparations for the coming of our Savior And open our hearts and lives to the Lord’s loving favor. No more precious gift has ever been received. It is up to us to remind the world what we truly believe. Not in jolly old elves, talking snowmen or reindeer in flight But in God, who loves us with all of his might. So stop for a moment and take a deep breath, As we await the Christ, the true conqueror of death. Let go of the need to fulfill a secular call to perfection And allow Jes...

A couple of weeks ago I as asked about the “meaning” of the candles on the Advent Wreath.  As with most symbols, the question has several different responses. As a whole, the candles help us mark time by offering us a visual reminder of time passing as the candles burn down.  Also, as each week passes and more candles are lit, the entire wreath offers more light, reminding us that Christ is the Light of the World – a light that burn brighter the more it is shared. Each week of Advent has a theme that is connected to the readings appointed for that Sunday. The first Sunday is hope, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in the Lord.” Lamentations 3: 21-24 If you are familiar with the Book of Lamentations, it is not known to be very hopeful, so it is an inte...