Almost Easter...

..but still Lent.  However, we turned the corner this past Sunday by switching the proper preface for the Eucharistic prayer.  The azaleas are blazing around here and the dogwoods are lighting up as well.  Hope there will be flowers for the flowering of the cross Easter Day - BUT we always wonder and there is always something.  God is good!  Palm Sunday is little less than two weeks away.  The GL Taber azaleas in my backyard are looking a little leggy (wish I could say the same thing about myself) so that means it will be time to do a big cutback.  In a way, this is what Lent can be for us - a chance to cut way back and to get down to the growing heart of our spirits.  It's not too late for this year for you because its still Lent.  Blessings one and all.

My backyard this week.

Shrove Tuesday Pancakes - Coming Right Up!

St. James Family and Friends are warmly invited to our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - February 21st - featuring pancakes, sausage, and all the trimmings.  Please plan to join us. 

The next day is Ash Wednesday -Feb. 22, service at 6:30 PM.

Word cloud for Vocation Class

Happy Twelfth Night! - Epiphany Party this Sat, Jan 7, 5:00pm

Today, Jan 5, is the twelfth day of Christmas. In the Orthodox Churches, Twelfth Night is celebrated the same way we celebrate Christmas Eve. Children receive their presents just as the Three Kings brought presents to the Christ Child and all are admonished to follow the Light of Christ.

Everyone is reminded of our Epiphany Party this coming Saturday at 5:00 pm at the Hurteau home. Please join us for chili, fun and a celebration of the Three Kings.

Fractal Art above by an artist who identifies himself only  as FracFx.  Here is his website  http://fracfx.deviantart.com/  Deviant does not refer to character but to  show fractal variations on a theme in his art. Check it out.

A Lovely Poem for Christmas

The Christ-child
The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap,
His hair was like a light.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here is all aright.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's breast,
His hair was like a star.
(O stern and cunning are the kings,
But here the true hearts are.)

The Christ-child lay on Mary's heart,
His hair was like a fire.
(O weary, weary is the world,
But here the world's desire.)

The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee,
His hair was like a crown.
And all the flowers looked up at Him,
And all the stars looked down.

GK Chesterton

So this is Christmas

"So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun"  - John Lennon.

Thus begins the song of John Lennon.  It is somewhat melancholy, and Christmas really can be melancholy if its sole purpose is taking stock of what we have done and  left undone. Perhaps, this is one reason gift giving can become so frantic, so unrealistic.

 Now, please understand - I believe that stock-taking is something that we need to do regularly.  Thomas Cranmer, framer of our Book of Common Prayer, understood that we need confession and to hear the Declaration of Forgiveness.  But, we make a mistake if Christmas is about us and our failings.

No, Christmas is about what God has and is doing.  Christmas is, in part, God's response to our failings and, so it is a time of JOY.  God has unilaterally declared peace with us.  "The war is over" as Lennon sang.  While Lennon was most likely referring to the Vietnam War, he spoke more truth than he knew.  For, in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, God has declared "The war is over."    Remember the angels' song "Glory to God in the highest and Peace to his people on earth. "     God  has declared peace with us.  This Christmas, why don't you and I  declare peace with those with whom we have been at odds - family members, neighbors nearby and  those who may be far away.  May you have a Holy and Blessed Christmas and remember "The war is over."

JTCO

Ponder This: A Murmuration

A remarkable glimpse of the mystery of God's creation!  A murmuration...


Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.