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This week I participated in a two-day seminar at Phillips Theological Seminary. We heard reflections from several of the faculty members.
One thing that continues to gnaw at me is the question of what we might be called to do as a community and individuals of faith given today's current political and national climate. Perhaps you've been following the various executive orders and pronouncements coming out of the Whitehouse. Some of these are deeply troubling. Now I recognize that some of us are a bit leery of talking politics, but we, as Christians do have a moral and ethical responsibility to speak out about issues that are in conflict with what we believe to be just and compassionate.
In our Old Testament reading assigned for this Sunday, we hear from the Prophet Micah:
"God has told you, O mortal, what is good: and what does the Holy One require of you but to do justice, and love kindness and walk humbly with your God."
As one person in the seminar pointed out, we are often too complacent. Perhaps the problem is that we claim that we are "children" of God, and thus we tend to act as if we are children. God then becomes the powerful "daddy" who will take care of us. She pointed out that
we need to grow up! We are adults! We are called to be actively working as agents of the Most High, not sitting on the sidelines assuming God will take care of everything.
One speaker pointed out he had a friend tell him that he didn't see a need to worry about climate change. He trusted that God would not let us completely destroy the environment. While trust in God is a good thing, it can be a handy excuse for doing nothing. The interesting thing is that this friend who trusted in God's protection from Climate Change just so happened to work in the oil and gas industry. Do you think he had a reason for clinging to the belief that God would take care of the environment?
The obligation for each of us is to pay attention, to get involved, to stand up for justice and peace. We have an ethical mandate to speak up when we see things that are amiss.
We are to embrace one another: GLBT, straight, Jew, Muslim, Christian, male, female and intersexed, evangelical, catholic, or non-believer.
We are to be a reconciling people working to tear down bridges, not build walls. We are to fight for the good of our planet, not allow it to be abused and contaminated for profit. We are to welcome the immigrant and refugee, not turn them away in fear. We are to stand up for women's rights regarding pay and to honor their sacred gift of conscience regarding their own bodies.
The Kingdom of God is about reconciliation - bringing others together in community. We are to welcome one another as kin. In fact, the word Kingdom should perhaps be understood as
"Kin-dom." After all isn't that what God's kingdom is all about?
You know, we often claim to be open, affirming and welcoming. But how willing are we to be welcomed in return. How willing are we to enter into another's space in order to strengthen relationships. Welcome and inclusion are two-way streets.
(That is why our ecumenical participation in the 3-Parish Discussions are important!)
in closing, during this seminar I was reminded of a powerful passage from
1 John 4:20 -
"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen."
Perhaps I might paraphrase that passage just a bit:
"Who ever ignores the plight of a sister or brother, ignores God, for whoever has not demonstrated love to a brother or sister, has not demonstrated love to God."
Sisters and brothers, let's love one another. Let's do justice. Let's practice kindness. Let's stand up for injustice and oppression - wherever it may be found. And let's walk along as adult children - partnering with God.
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Giving Statements for 2016 were mailed out, USPS, on January 16th for individuals/households giving a combined $250 or greater for the year. If you don't receive your letter, or if you have any questions, please contact your Treasurer.
Thank you for your giving and continued support of St Jerome!!
Donna Eastham
Treasurer
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Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12
To read the scripture passages for Sunday, click here: Lectionary
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Friday
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Daytimers Group
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11:00 a.m.
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Sunday
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Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
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Tuesday
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Knitting Group
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6:00 p.m.
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Wednesday
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Choir rehearsal |
7:00 p.m.
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LOOKING AHEAD
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February 5
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Bishop Rick will be our guest Preacher and Celebrant
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February 19
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The Rev. Twila Gibbens will be our guest Preacher
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Those who are ill or recovering
Anne Austin (friend of Kathy Elliott)
Steve Culley
Chris Curtis (friend of Raul)
Sol Smith
Josh Ritter (business friend of the church)
Mary Messenger (Fr. D's mom)
Linda Stevens (friend of Francie)
Joyce Lynch
Terry Geasland
Steve Deming (partner of Sol Smith)
Steve Rathburn and wife, Lori (family of Mikki Mast)
Barbara Schoelen (mother, Steve Schoelen)
Mike Alcott (friend of Danny Mackey)
Allen Carpenter (brother, Bill Carpenter)
Parker Bowles (nephew of Johna and Sandy)
Judy
Keisling (Paul Gossett's friend)
Ralph Krause (preparing for surgery)
Mary Lynn Ruehlen (friend of Rack and Eric)
Sarah Vizza (daughter-in-law of Kathy Elliott)
Retha Vargas (friend of Danny Mackey)
Mike Feess
Karl Villadsen
Ted Boltz
Carlene Sanchez (now in the care of Hospice)
Roseanne O'Brien
Those who are (or will be) traveling
Those who have died
Denise Scheele (Karl Villadsen's sister)
Gloria Goodpaster (Scott's mom)
Those in need of comfort or support
Family & friends of Denise Scheele
Family & friends of Gloria Goodpaster
Mark Watkins & Victor Evans on the loss of Napoleon
In thanksgiving for birthdays and anniversaries
Shelley Cailler (January 28)
Marcia Burrus (January 30)
Zack Welden (February 2)
Michael Person (February 2)
Steve Culley & Gary Cornett (February 4)
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God, you are the source of life and growth. Pour out your Spirit upon us that we may grow together in wisdom, love, devotion, and faithfulness. Stir up within us a desire to draw closer as one family. Give us a yearning for outreach, that we may serve a hurting world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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Here is the schedule of those providing refreshments for the weeks ahead:
Week 5 - January 29 A-Z
Week 1 - February 5 A-D
Week 2 - February 12 E-K
Week 3 - February 19 L-R
Week 4 - February 26 S-Z
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Gloria D. Goodpaster, nee Seghetti, born January 16, 1929 in Spokane, WA, passed away at home January 19, just in time to avoid a Trump presidency. Graduated from Holy Names Academy and NSU with a master's in education, Gloria spent much of her life improving the reading skills of countless students whether in the classroom or as the Reading Specialist for TPS. She is survived by a sister, Marlene Gurdin of Beverly Hills, CA; by two children from her marriage to Charles Goodpaster: Julie Collins Pearson of Tiburon, CA, and Scott Goodpaster of Tulsa; and two grandchildren, Holly Pearson of Sacramento, CA and Sean Pearson of New York, NY.
Gloria spent many of the best years of her life with Harold Gimlin and will be fondly remembered by his children: Curtis Gimlin (Carol) and Leslie Day (Pat) and by his grandchildren, Daniel and Mathew Gimlin. Gloria traveled most of the globe, much of it happily at Harold's side.
An avid bridge player, a dedicated volunteer for nearly fifty years, a stylish dresser who was never without a hundred pairs of shoes, she smiled through her troubles, became stronger with each challenge and found bravery to face every obstacle. An iron lady with a tender heart, the light by which she read the book of life has gone out because there is a new dawn.
Service will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, January 28, 2017 at
Church of the Madalene,
22nd & Harvard.
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We have two guest preachers coming to be with us in February. Bishop Rick will be our Celebrant and preacher on February 5th, and The Rev. Twila Gibbens, retired Pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Tulsa, will be our guest preacher on February 19th.
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Fr. Dewayne and Br. Ray will be away on vacation beginning Monday, January 30th through February 6th. In case of emergency, please contact the church office or Helen Johnson: 918-261-8136. If it is not an emergency, Fr. Dewayne will be checking emails periodically while he is away.
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Perhaps you've noticed that our entrance doors are beginning to show some significant wear and tear. The Vestry is well aware that the time for their replacement has come and has appointed a subcommittee to begin the process of putting together a proposal. The subcommittee includes Rack Brown, Kellie Wright, Joyce Lynch, Fr. Dewayne Messenger, and Angela Sexton, an Architect from Andy Kinslow's Architect firm. Our goal is to reconfigure the entrance to make it both accessible and attractive. Tentative plans are for the doors to be dedicated in memory of Michael Surbaugh.
If you are interested in donating toward this project, please contact one of the subcommittee members.
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 To download this app, go to your Play Store and search for Churchlinkapp. Select the app and download. (The app is free.) Once downloaded, open the app. Allow it to know your location. In the search field, type in "the parish church of st. Jerome." Select our parish, and you should be connected.
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Parish Church of St. Jerome
Thank you for being part of our parish family!
See you Sunday at 11:00 for Mass.
205 W. King Street
Tulsa, OK 74106
918-582-3088
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