Join Us on A Trip to The High Museum

We are planning an excursion, this one to the “new”, and beautifully renovated, High Museum of Art. The plan is to leave the church on January 10th at 11;30, have lunch together at the coffee shop at the High, and then tour the museum. Lee Barthalette (Linda Vinal’s daughter) who is in charge of tours, has said that the entrance fee will be $10 for those who are not members.

I have already been to the exhibit of Andrew Wyeth’s works and am looking forward to seeing it again. It is so well organized and such a great exhibit of his work, I guarantee you will enjoy it. I was also amazed and delighted at the new addition to the museum, the work of Renzo Piano.

If you are interested in joining us, please speak to me by January 4th so we can make arrangements to travel together from the church. I can be reached by calling the church office on Wednesday or Thursday at 404-761-8402.

Ruth Healy

On December 3, I preached a sermon in which I read you a letter from someone who was upset with me and wanted to cancel his pledge (in fact, wanted a refund). Only after reading it did I tell you that the letter was fictitious — a creature of my imagination. (I figured that the impact would not be the same if you knew all along that it was a bit of literary license.) I think most of the folks there got the point I was trying to get across, but I feared that a few would never trust me again.

Not long after preaching that sermon, a friend of mine introduced me to one of his friends who was quick to tell me that he was “not Christian or religious” (people feel the need to tell me these things — occupational hazard). After a conversation, I asked him if I could send him the sermon. I did, and he sent me the following reply. (I am aware that, after having read you a letter I made up, some of you will never believe that this is a real letter, but it is. How ironic that a sermon in which I read a fictitious letter prompted a real letter I want to share.) I have edited a bit with permission of the author, who prefers to remain anonymous.

Dear Jim:

It seems to me that leaders who claim to be Christian but don’t act like it present the big challenge and this is one of the reasons I am often critical of Christianity as a faith and religion. I choose not to separate the religion from its members - the members are the message. It is for so, so, so many believers a Sunday comfort just like Southern Comfort - warms and soothes them and gives them the opportunity to think they are in good shape, and then permits them to go off on Monday and engage in violating virtually every dictum, dogma, and belief. Of course, then they can return and ask for forgiveness while failing to give back their ill-gotten means.

Jim, I know you know all this, and I do not say this to elicit a response or defense. Rather, I write this to let you know that so many people share my view and have it reinforced daily by dishonest businesses, politicians, and even ministers like those that appear on [religious programming]. How desperate we are to believe - to have something that can guide and comfort us in these terrible times. How desperate we are to relieve the pains and pangs of uncertainty and doubt and to live with a feeling that we are right, special, and on our way to paradise by accepting a salvation pathway only to adjust it to our own interpretations, needs, comforts, and conveniences. Yes, many of our religious and political leaders go to church on Sunday, behave in immoral and unethical ways, and then advocate and endorse Jesus. And why shouldn't they since no one calls them on the carpet? How do the ministers and parishioners in their churches tolerate all this?

Dear Jim, I write these words to let you know that many feel as I do. They see Christianity as a European justification for conquering and subduing the non-Western world. It gives them a sense of self-righteousness and justification. It gives many of us a sense of disbelief, pain, and revulsion. Thus, it falls upon you and the many good people that share the Christian faith to raise consciousness and call to task those who abuse Christian precepts. This is an awesome task and one that can lead to many other letters of resignation from the congregation and many ruptured friendships. The line all must walk is indeed difficult and narrow. I look forward to future meetings. I truly do - I guess I just got distressed by reading the morning newspaper.

Sincerely,

[New Friend]

So, how would you respond? Don’t read further until you’ve come up with what you would say.

OK, here’s what I said. I share it with you not because it’s the only or best thing to say, but because I think it only fair to “show you mine” after I’ve asked you to make one.

Dear [New Friend]

If I thought real Christianity were what [the leaders he named] describe it as, I'd be out of here like a shot. G.K. Chesterton once said, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." I will not give up on Christianity because so many people corrupt it. All the more reason to try harder and recognize the greater need.

The challenge for Christians (like me) and folks like you (I suspect) is to continue being faithful to the truth and not fall prey to despair. It is easy to fall prey when one does something as dangerous as reading the paper.

Take care. Hope to speak soon.

Peace,

Jim

Just about each week on Tuesday evening and Saturday morning you will find volunteers from St. John’s working with the Fulton Visitation program. The program is designed to allow children in foster care the opportunity to visit with members of their biological families on a regular basis.

Don Blosser reported that at the end of November, 2005, there had been 196 visits scheduled with another 15 visits expected to finish out the year.

Thanks to all of you for the part you play in making the Begin again visitation center a reality. On behalf of the Juvenile Justice Fund, thanks for the commitment and dedication you display. Because of your untiring efforts, the Fulton Visitation Program continues and children in foster care are able to visit with their biological families on a regular basis.

Thanks again to all of you for making visits possible for the families you touch through the Begin Again center. You are making a positive difference in the lives of people in our community and we are grateful for all that you do. Without you, our program would not be possible.

If you would like to submit an article or information to be published in the Eagle Notes, all information must be in the church office no later than January 18 for February publication. Please have information on diskette or e-mail to: parishadmin@stjohnscollegepark.com

Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose into other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told George and several others that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing. George, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny. He said nothing.

Later that evening, George quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home....and left it there all night.

Don't ya just love old George . . .

Holy Comforter’s ministry to the disabled, primarily the mentally challenged living in group homes, occurs in several contexts. The Friendship Center has grown in number to over one hundred and fifty and your help as a volunteer is needed.

If you are free on Tuesday and Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. please contact Barbara Jamison, program director of the Friendship Center, or Charles Castles, Deacon, to find out how you can help Barbara and Charles can be reached at 404-627-6510.

The Rev. Mark Moline, Vicar of Holy Comforter, has been seriously ill. Please keep him in your prayers.

If you would like to give flowers in memory or honor of someone, please call the office or sign up on the calendar in the office hallway. The cost is $40.

Here are some statistics from St. John’s in 2005 we thought you might find interesting:

Total attendance at Sunday services was 6688.

Average attendance at the 8:00 service was 31.

Average attendance at the 10:30 service was 102.

Total Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) was 133 (this an 8% increase from 2004’s ASA of 123. Yea!)

We observed Morning Prayer 79 times. (We meet in the parlor Wednesday’s and Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. Come join us! It’s a great way to start the day.)

At St. John’s, we’re busy worshipping our wonderful God!

Because the rector lives within walking (or sliding!) distance from the church, we will never cancel services due to weather (or the power being out). During ice storms in the past, we have had meaningful services, remembering that Jesus said, “Whenever two or more are gathered in my name, I will be in their midst.” You, however, should consider carefully whether it is safe for you to attend during inclement weather. Please do not attempt to come if it is not safe for you to do so. In that case, we hope you will take comfort in knowing that a small band of your brothers and sisters in Christ is in the (perhaps cold) church praying on your behalf.

In the unlikely event that Jim is out of town and Ruth can’t drive in, we encourage those who wish to worship to observe Morning Prayer. Someone familiar with the Morning Prayer service will probably show up and can lead worship. If not, follow the directions in the Prayer Book. Whether or not your worship would meet the approval of a seminary professor, God will be pleased with the effort.

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