e-piphanies

Way to Go!

 

Several remarkable things have happened during the two months I’ve been with the People of St. Andrew’s Cathedral and I want to make some remarks about some of them.

Electronic Mail – We use Constant Contact for our weekly e-news and any number of other communications with our members. Constant Contact provides us with metrics that help us understand how many people open emails, how many bounce, and how many emails are sent. Last week, The Epistle was emailed to 901 addresses, 368 of which actually opened the email. That’s a 42% open rate. While 100% would be better, Constant Contact tells us that 33% is a very good open rate. So, our members are above average in reading their emails. This tells me you are interested in what is happening at your church. That makes my heart glad.

Stewardship Campaign – 224 households have pledged to give $1,054,341 next year for God’s work through St. Andrew’s Cathedral. 69 pledges are new and 94 are increases in giving. Each pledge represents a commitment to God and God’s Church to engage in faithful stewardship as a spiritual discipline. The prompt and generous response is a sign of spiritual health.

Habitat for Humanity – On Wednesday of this week, the Staff and others from the Cathedral spent the day working on the house that four Episcopal churches are building on Greenview Street. During lunch, served by the Holy Smokers, our fearless and able leader, Thorne Butler, thanked everyone for participating and made some announcements. When he was finished, I asked him if he had full sign up sheets. He said, “Yes! In fact, we oversubscribed. There are even more people than we expected.” That’s an indication that members of the Cathedral community want to be engaged in Christ’s work in meaningful, life changing ways

Meals on Wheels – At a meeting of the newly revitalized Pastoral Care Commission, June Stevens reported that she has forty people who are participating in this important ministry. Forty! That is another indication that the members of the Cathedral community want hands-on engagement.

Newcomer Dinner – Thirteen people who are new to the Cathedral recently attended a lovely dinner at the home of Gayle and Holmes Adams. Several members of the vestry and staff, along with a wonderful group of hosts, were there to extend a generous and warm welcome. The newcomers left with a feeling that they have a place in this community of faith and the warm glow on the faces of all those who made the evening possible indicated that they knew they got their message across.

Women’s Book Study – If one more person shows up for the Women’s Book Study, they may have to move to the Parish Hall. They enjoy each other’s company and the lively discussion of some significant literature.

Men’s Ministries – I’ve tried unsuccessfully several times to start opportunities for men’s fellowship, including a Society of St. Andrew and something like the Dean’s List. I was impressed upon arrival at the Cathedral that we have both opportunities and they are thriving.

This is a community of Christians who enjoy one another’s company, look forward to opportunities to work, pray, give, and play together, and go out of their way to include everyone.

These are certainly not the only examples of congregational health, but I wanted to recognize them and call your attention to them in hopes of encouraging all our ministries and all our groups to keep up the good work because in so doing you are building up the Church and living in the spirit of the exhortation found in the Letter to the Hebrews, "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24).

The distinguished English church musician Percy Dearmer penned these stanzas that I think could be the theme song of St. Andrew’s Cathedral because they so beautifully describe the quality of common life the Holy Spirit is stirring up around here, at the Altar, at fellowship meals, in our study, caring for one another, and in service to our neighbors in need. Here is a setting by Harold Friedell sung by the Choir of Men and Boys at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, in New York City.

Draw us in the Spirit's tether;
For when humbly, in thy name,
Two or three are met together,
Thou art in the midst of them:
Alleluya! Alleluya!
Touch we now thy garment's hem.

As the brethren used to gather
In the name of Christ to sup,
Then with thanks to God the Father
Break the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluya! Alleluya!
So knit thou our friendship up.

All our meals and all our living
Make us sacraments of thee,
That be caring, helping, giving,
We may true disciples be.
Alleluya! Alleluya!
We will serve thee faithfully

Words: Percy Dearmer
Music: Harold Friedell

I’ll see you in Church!

 

 

 

 

The Very Reverend Ronald D. Pogue
Interim Dean
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral
Jackson, Mississippi

 

 

Take Comfort in Rituals

 

On a September Sunday morning several years ago, while we were visiting our son in Vancouver, I walked to the Anglican Cathedral for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Along the way, I noticed an inscription etched in the glass door of a Starbucks shop. I have since realized that it is on many Starbucks doors. The inscription read, “TAKE COMFORT IN RITUALS.” It struck me that I was on my way to participate in a ritual because I do indeed take comfort in them. So, I took a photo.

When I arrived at the Cathedral, there were many things that comforted me – the holy water in the stoup, the Compass Rose insignia of the Anglican Communion, people kneeling in prayerful preparation, the processional cross leading the choir, liturgical ministers, and clergy down the aisle. There were familiar hymns, the opportunity to make an offering, the exchange of the Peace, the bread and wine, the Celebrant making the sign of the cross during the absolution and the blessing, the dismissal by the Deacon. I took comfort in those rituals!

However, I also realized a certain amount of dis-comfort. The sermon pricked my conscience at several points. The degree of inclusive language was far beyond what I am accustomed to and, although I happen to agree intellectually with their choice of words, I was startled nevertheless. I was likewise approving of, yet surprised at the dis-comfort I felt in, the multicultural diversity represented in the worshiping congregation.

So, it was an epiphany for me to realize that there is also DISCOMFORT in rituals. That is true of just about any rituals, religious and otherwise. Even a visit to Starbucks or a morning cup of their great coffee, which are rituals for many, can be discomforting. But this leads me to another epiphany: the word comfort has more than one meaning. Our modern use of the word comfort has to do with “solace.” An earlier meaning is to “strengthen intensively.” And an even earlier meaning is “together strong.” That’s the one I like best!

So many times I have guided people through rituals at some of the most uncomfortable moments – ministration at the time of death, funerals, prayers before surgery, sermons about the “hard sayings” of Jesus, and fall stewardship campaigns, to name a few. The desired outcome is always to help them find comfort, solace. Beyond solace, however, we hope they find the strength that comes from the rituals we do together – strength to go on, strength to face an uncertain future, strength to do the right thing. COMFORT – together strong.

The rituals Christians experience together often make us uncomfortable in the process of making us strong. That is an important reason God calls us to gather week by week in worship. An associate of mine often used to pray, “O God, comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” In one of our Eucharistic prayers, we ask God to “Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only and not for strength.” That’s what I am getting at!

Let us indeed take comfort in rituals, religious and otherwise. But let us remember that comfort is not merely solace, as important as that may be. Comfort is also strength – the strength we gain from engaging together in the sacred rituals of our faith in the One who is the source of that strength.

I’ll see you in Church,

 

 

 

 

The Very Reverend Ronald D. Pogue
Interim Dean
St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Jackson, Mississippi

 

 

Take a deep breath!

 

Dear St. John’s Friends,

Let me begin this week’s reflection by saying how excited Gay and I are about the new Rector of St. John’s Church! Jimmy and Cindy Bartz, along with Jas and Jade are perfect for this parish and community. The Search Committee and Vestry have discerned wisely.

And, I am now able to tell you that Gay and I will be moving to Denver at the end of June where I will serve as Interim Dean of St. John’s Cathedral. This will be a very different challenge and blessings you have given to us during our time with you will make a difference in our life there.

Now, let’s reflect on Pentecost.

Approximately 16 times every minute we human beings do something we all take for granted…we breathe. About 16 times every minute we inhale and exhale air, and we usually do it without a second thought. The process started at birth and will continue until we draw our last breath. Breathing was a deep mystery to the ancients, before we learned about the biological process. And, like all mysteries, breathing has been an integral part of the religions of the Tibetans, the Indians, the Chinese, and the Japanese. It was a feature of the cults of the Egyptians. We see it also in the Bible. The ancient Hebrews used the word wind, the breath, in context with soul. In the Biblical account of creation, we read that, “God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life and he became a living soul.” In the NT, the Greek word pneuma is used in speaking of the human soul. Our word, spirit, is from the Latin verb spirare, which means “to breathe.”

 Jesus gave a breath of fresh air to his disciples. On the first Easter Day, he came into the place where the disciples were, breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” It was this same breath of fresh air the disciples received on the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the resurrection. This Holy Breath in turn came out of the apostles that day as they witnessed and preached so that those around them heard in their own languages. On this Day of Pentecost, I’m here to tell you we dare not take this spiritual breathing for granted because the quality of our breathing affects the quality of our lives – our health, moods, energy, creativity. Likewise, our spiritual lives are dependent upon the breath of God supplying the invisible virtues that are necessary for spiritual health, moods, energy, and creativity.

If we are constantly putting ourselves in a place where we can breathe in the Breath of God together, it will not be long before we will be breathing out the Breath of God in the world around us. Magnifying Christ and proclaiming the good news of what God has done, offering hope in the face of despair, peace in the face of hatred, comfort in the face of pain and suffering, and the eternal God in the face of the uncertainties of human existence. Elizabeth Barrett Browning once wrote, “He lives most life whoever breathes most air.” Jesus breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Let us make a new resolve to join with one another in the greatest deep breathing exercise ever known – to receive the Holy Spirit, let our lives bear the Spirit’s fruit, dream dreams, see visions, and experience the mighty works of God first-hand by becoming one of them!

I’ll see you in Church!

 

 

 

P.S.  Here is one of my favorite hymns about the Holy Spirit, "Come Down, O Love Divine," sung by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. I've included the text beneath the video.

 

Come down, O love divine,
seek thou this soul of mine,
and visit it with thine own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let thy glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

Let holy charity
mine outward vesture be,
and lowliness become mine inner clothing;
true lowliness of heart,
which takes the humbler part,
and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.

And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till Love create a place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.

Words: Bianco da Siena, d. 1434; translation by Richard Frederick Littledale, Jr., 1867
Music: Down Ampney, North Petherton

I'll see you in Church!

 

 

 

The Very Reverend Ronald D. Pogue, D.Min.
The Interim Dean
Saint John's Cathedral

 

Sermon at Christ Church Cranbrook ~ September 29, 2013

 

Founders' Day Sermon

Watch the Video of the Sermon for September 29, 2013

 

Read the Sermon for September 29, 2013

Listen to the Sermon for September 29, 2013  

 

 

 

When I look at your heavens...

It took months for photographer Randy Halverson to photograph the stars above the White River in central South Dakota, Arches National Park in Utah, Canyon of the Ancients area of Colorado, and Madison, Wisconsin. He combined his images in a time-lapse video with music by Bear McCreary, composer of soundtracks to "Battlestar Galactica" and "The Walking Dead."

Along with a star-filled sky, Halverson captured the tail of a meteor and the northern lights. In this four minute video, Halverson takes us through "Temporal Distortion." There is also a 23-minute version.

 

God took a long time and immeasurable care to create a universe that sustains human life.  We are the stewards of it.  What a privilege.  But I'm not the first to notice!

Psalm 8 (NRSV)

O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.
   Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
   to silence the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
   the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
   mortals that you care for them?

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
   and crowned them with glory and honour.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
   you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
   and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
   whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Sovereign,
   how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Give thanks to God today for your amazing place in this amazing universe.  Do something today to exercise your role as a steward of it.

Confirm Thy Soul in Self Control

As we approach this Independence Day, my thoughts are on the internal threats to our nation and the need to restore unity.  Whatever problems we face, "we the people" are much stronger than a mob of individuals pointing fingers, insisting on our own way, and fighting over ideologies.  We also know better than that and we've always been more effective in solving our problems by pulling together than by pulling apart!

So, for those of us who believe we are called to pray for our nation - for one another - now would be a very good time!  There are many fine prayers for such an occasion, but the one that has been on my mind this week is best known as the hymn, America the Beautiful.  Every word is packed with the kind of spirit we need to restore our unity of purpose.  But the words that are ringing in my ears are these:

America!  America! God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law.

In order to face one another and to work effectively with those with whom we differ, we need the humility to admit that none of us has yet achieved the perfection we seek.  Whether or not we ever actually achieve it, we'll come closer if we pursue it in the company of our fellow Americans.  Let us humbly ask God to mend our flaws.

We also need divine help in gaining self-control so that our impulses and anxieties will not drive us apart.  Many of our problems are truly frightening.  No wonder we are so anxious and so prone to knee jerk reactions.  We can't listen to one another or really seek understanding in that condition.  Let us ask God to calm us down.

And, we need to respect the boundaries that make it possible to live and work together.  Some of those boundaries must be imposed from without, but the most important ones must be established within us. Jesus taught us that all the Law is summed up in one commandment, "love your neighbor as yourself."  When that law is at work, we are most inclined to do the right thing in relation to our brothers and sisters at home and abroad.  So, let us ask God to write that law in our hearts so that we all might be truly free.

It will come as no surprise to some of you that I am a longtime Judy Collins fan.  In 1993, she and the Harlem Boys Choir led a host of people on the National Mall in singing America the Beautiful.  It is one of the most moving performances of this prayer/hymn I know.  Maybe you'll enjoy watching the video and singing along.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Go Red

Many churches encourage members to wear red on Pentecost, the Sunday when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.  In Christian symbolism, the color red is associated with the fire of the Holy Spirit and the blood of the Holy Martyrs.  A congregation dressed in red is always a sight to behold from the Altar on the Day of Pentecost.

Reminding my parishioners to wear red each year prompts me to remind women to be aware of the Go Red Campaign, which is focused on women's heart health.  Cardiovascular disease is the nation's number one killer of women.

One of our church members recently had a heart attack while driving. She was unconscious and struck another vehicle. The impact caused her seatbelt to restrain her and, at the same time, restart her heart. Her life was spared.

She told her story to the Lawrence Journal World.  I invite you to watch the video and then take the time to learn more.  This is vitally important for all women and for all the women in your life.

Where is God in the Haitian Earthquake?

Evangelist Pat Robertson said earlier this week that he believes the earthquake in Haiti is the result of a pact with the devil made by Haitians long ago.  Here is a thoughtful response to Mr. Robertson's viewpoint.  I hope it lifts your heart and strengthens your confidence in our compassionate God.

Millennium Development Goals

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are eight interrelated targets for the eradication of global poverty. More than 180 Countries, including the United States, have endorsed the MDGs and promised to direct resources toward their fulfillment.

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child Mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development The 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church adopted the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority for the triennium. 

Read about it by clicking http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3654_77150_ENG_HTM.htm

Watch the video to see how the kids at All Saints’ Church, Highland Park, Los Angeles are doing their part!

Episcopal Church PSA's Helps Fight AIDS

Since the early ‘80s, I have been concerned about the response of the religious community to HIV/AIDS, in terms of caring for those whose lives are affected, advocacy for medical research, and preventative efforts.  I helped establish the Interfaith AIDS Coalition and Omega House, a hospice for indigent, terminally ill persons with AIDS, both in Houston.  In one parish, I recruited people to serve on AIDS care teams.  In another, I organized support groups for persons with AIDS, their friends, and families.  For three years I was privileged to chair the AIDS Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.

I do not believe HIV/AIDS is God’s punishment any more than I believe blindness was God’s punishment for the man whose sight Jesus restored as reported in the Gospel of John.  But I do believe the ongoing reality of this disease throughout the world presents an opportunity for the manifestation of God’s glory through our response.

These three public service announcements, produced by a group of teens from Galveston’s St. Vincent’s Episcopal House, are a fresh example of one way the Church can heighten public awareness of the importance of the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS.