A MESSAGE FROM FATHER GEHLSEN:
In the season after the feast of Pentecost I can't help but wonder how we set the workings of the Spirit aside. I don't believe we do it on purpose, but we get so caught up in the days of summer that sometimes religious commitment isn't on the top of our priority list.
The Pentecost event is so powerful and so dynamic that an indelible mark should be within us. The passion of the Spirit should be directing us to share our gifts and talents like the disciples and apostles. We probably won't be able to speak in different languages, but we can be attentive to those around us who manifest fear, worry, sickness, societal troubles, family issues, and personal hardships. It was the apostles who eventually brought the hope of resurrection and healing to all hardships in life.
We are called in the same manner as the apostles to be alert to the needs and spiritual concerns of others. Summer doesn't lighten our loads of Baptismal Covenant Ministry. We are to be vigilant and awake to respond to the needs of those around us.
Have a wonderful Summer!!
Fr. Tom
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Little Thing
Little things can really be big things! A small stream can eventually wear away a might rock. A small favor can sometimes reconcile an enemy, or make a friend. A small encouragement can brighten another person's day, or make a daunting task seem much less difficult. A small detail can sometimes be the difference that makes an outstanding performance. A simple expensive gift in significance. A life-changing event can happen in a moment.
Nothing is small or insignificant when it come to faith. Jesus likens the kingdom of God to a small mustard seed. The seed may seem insignificant, but it can grow into the greatest of shrubs. The significance of the seed is not in its initial identity, but in its magnificent potential. If we see only the seed, and ignore what it can become, we seriously misunderstand. It can become much more than a small, individual seed.
Our imperfect love is the seed of faith. God perfects our imperfection, and will draw the seed of our faith into the fullness of glory.
Father Tom Gehlsen
Monday, May 11, 2009
Who are the theologians?
I have come to realize over the past several years why I am Anglican. By its nature Anglicanism is Catholic (as in Roman Catholic) and Protestant. It is a faith describes and uncertain and ambiguous by its detractors and as willing to live with uncertainty and ambiguity by its proponents. One thing was always stressed to me as I learned about the faith: no one claimed to have all the answers and all the Truth. I also learned that I needed to be a theologian. Fredrica Harris Thompsett wrote We are Theologians in 1994 to address the need for the laity to have and be theologians and to nourish their own spirituality.
I will quote segments from her book, now in reprint, over the next weeks.
Chapter 1. Gods Work and Ours.
A Voyage of Discovery
"What does it mean to be Christian today? .........Questions proliferate when we set out to discover our mission. What is our mission as members of a local congregation, as participants in a Christian denomination, as part of Christianity worldwide? What do we believe about the nature and purpose of the church? What is our theology, our doctrine about membership in a church? What images of the church inspire us, and what images oppress us? What hopes do we have for the mission, the ethical character, of the church in a new decade, indeed, of all Christians in a new millennium?"
These are hard questions. If we were to go to a seminary the term that would be applied is ecclesiology. This is the formal theological term for understanding the nature of the church. Whether you have thought about it or not, if you are a Christian you have your own ecclesiology. Thompsett goes on to discuss that the above questions are all things that the laity must answer for themselves. We must not identify the church with what the ordained do. She refers to it as a "clerical reservation" that only the ordained can understand.
Thompsett is a historian. At this point she stresses the need to remember: remember our stories, remember the stories in the Bible are the stories of a people, not a few chosen leaders. Our collective memory becomes crucial.
I welcome your comments.
The next segment will be "Standing the Bible on Its Feet"
I will quote segments from her book, now in reprint, over the next weeks.
Chapter 1. Gods Work and Ours.
A Voyage of Discovery
"What does it mean to be Christian today? .........Questions proliferate when we set out to discover our mission. What is our mission as members of a local congregation, as participants in a Christian denomination, as part of Christianity worldwide? What do we believe about the nature and purpose of the church? What is our theology, our doctrine about membership in a church? What images of the church inspire us, and what images oppress us? What hopes do we have for the mission, the ethical character, of the church in a new decade, indeed, of all Christians in a new millennium?"
These are hard questions. If we were to go to a seminary the term that would be applied is ecclesiology. This is the formal theological term for understanding the nature of the church. Whether you have thought about it or not, if you are a Christian you have your own ecclesiology. Thompsett goes on to discuss that the above questions are all things that the laity must answer for themselves. We must not identify the church with what the ordained do. She refers to it as a "clerical reservation" that only the ordained can understand.
Thompsett is a historian. At this point she stresses the need to remember: remember our stories, remember the stories in the Bible are the stories of a people, not a few chosen leaders. Our collective memory becomes crucial.
I welcome your comments.
The next segment will be "Standing the Bible on Its Feet"
Monday, May 4, 2009
We can't run
A MESSAGE FROM FATHER GEHLSEN:
As we journey through the Easter Season, we await the Ascension of Jesus. He is in preparation for leaving the earth and turning his ministry over to his apostles and disciple. For these followers this was a very scary set of circumstances.
They had already experienced Jesus leaving them through his death. They ran as most of us would when someone dear to us is dead. We are sorrowful and sad, so you can imagine what they felt when they saw him after the resurrection. Now they have go through it again, only to have Jesus physically leave and no longer be in their presence
What they had difficulty with was knowing that Jesus wasn't leaving them. He gave them the tools, authority and power to carry on. Their minuscule faith lead them to believe they were again alone.
Doesn't this sound familiar, even to the point of running away from our call to ministry. We may say, "We are to busy;" Let someone else more qualified do it;" "I really don't want any part of it!" We really can't run. We have to face the call and act on it as Jesus is with us in risen form to give us the tools and means to bring his death and resurrection event to all those we come in contact with.
God bless you!
Fr. Tom
As we journey through the Easter Season, we await the Ascension of Jesus. He is in preparation for leaving the earth and turning his ministry over to his apostles and disciple. For these followers this was a very scary set of circumstances.
They had already experienced Jesus leaving them through his death. They ran as most of us would when someone dear to us is dead. We are sorrowful and sad, so you can imagine what they felt when they saw him after the resurrection. Now they have go through it again, only to have Jesus physically leave and no longer be in their presence
What they had difficulty with was knowing that Jesus wasn't leaving them. He gave them the tools, authority and power to carry on. Their minuscule faith lead them to believe they were again alone.
Doesn't this sound familiar, even to the point of running away from our call to ministry. We may say, "We are to busy;" Let someone else more qualified do it;" "I really don't want any part of it!" We really can't run. We have to face the call and act on it as Jesus is with us in risen form to give us the tools and means to bring his death and resurrection event to all those we come in contact with.
God bless you!
Fr. Tom
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Touch and see.
Luke was the subject of the RCL Gospel reading last Sunday. It amazes me how much meaning and how many interpretations can be packed in such few words. Jesus returns to his disciples as flesh and blood. His first words were, "Peace be with you." It would not be the peace of a long and comfortable life. It would be that greater inner peace that comes at a great price. Their fears were reassured with "Touch me and see." While we can not literally touch and see, we can through the amazing power of faith and belief "touch and see" that God is very real.
Peace be with you.
Diana Wright
Peace be with you.
Diana Wright
Monday, April 20, 2009
Entering the Easter Mystery
Spring is always amazing. Your leave the seeming dead world of winter behind and enter into the dance of life. Each year that circle of life and mystery comes around in the church. As we enter the season of Lent and somber reflection we know that the incredible mystery of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ are mirrored in the world of nature around us. Today I saw a magnolia in all its splendor. Who could not notice that display of life and joy? So I celebrate what is to me the most incredible event in human history.
It is time to renew our commitment to Christ and to one another, regardless of the human labels we so like to use. Alleluia. Christ is risen. Have a blessed Easter.
Diana Wright, St. Martin's Episcopal Church
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Now playing: P. St. Olaf Choir - We Praise You, O God
via FoxyTunes
It is time to renew our commitment to Christ and to one another, regardless of the human labels we so like to use. Alleluia. Christ is risen. Have a blessed Easter.
Diana Wright, St. Martin's Episcopal Church
----------------
Now playing: P. St. Olaf Choir - We Praise You, O God
via FoxyTunes
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