Do You Want To Be Made Well?

I went to the acupuncturist yesterday. Many of you know (and have heard in my voice onSundays) that the pollen in Maryland is out to get me. I don’t remember my allergies being this bad when I lived here 20 years ago, but perhaps the pollen has changed... or I have changed... likely both. I am taking multiple allergy medicines and rinsing my sinuses regularly, but I also asked for some assistance from my acupuncturist.

As my session was ending yesterday, the acupuncturist placed two tiny needles with adhesive backing on my left hand and wrist. They look like little circular bandaids, and they can stay in place for 2-5 days. This means I am typing with needles in my hand right now. They do not hurt at all.

After placing these needles in my hand, my acupuncturist turned to me and said: “Do you want one for anxiety too?” I cocked my head and paused. I don’t typically think of myself as an anxious person. But then I thought of all transitions coming our way: kids leveling up a grade, the mental shift from school to summer routines, my own aging body, life transitions in our parish, Rev. Nathan’s move to St. Stephen’s next month, even this unpredictable weather... I saw the seemingly knowing look in my acupuncturist’s eyes and said: “Yes.”

This Sunday gives us two options for Gospel readings, and the one we are not reading in church tells the story of Jesus asking a man who had been sick and unable to walk for 38 years: "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man doesn’t say yes or no, but instead responds with all the reasons he can’t get well—saying no one will help him get into the healing waters of the pool he sits beside. Jesus then says to the sick man: "Stand up, take your mat and walk."

I love this story because Jesus sees the man, knows he is sick without the man even asking for help, and realizes that what the man really needs in order to heal is the ability to care for himself. Jesus could have just touched the man and healed him on his own, but instead he invites the man to participate in his own healing.

How are you taking care of yourself? How are you participating in your own healing?

None of us can stop the passage of time or the various transitions coming our way, but we can care for ourselves in the midst of them. We can hear the words, “do you want to be made well?” and know that Jesus is inviting us to partner with him in our own healing and in the healing of our community. We can stand up and walk, knowing that Jesus walks with us in the unknowns ahead.

I pray that you will take a few minutes today to consider what is ailing your spirit or the spirit of our community. Is it anger? Fear? Disbelief? Broken relationships? Depression? Addiction? Self-loathing? Impatience? Overwhelm? Loneliness?

And then consider how Jesus is inviting you to participate in your own healing. Is it calling a friend? Scheduling an appointment? Creating space on your calendar for sabbath? Joining a support group? Removing apps from your phone? Booking a flight to see a loved one? Journaling your prayers?

Whatever ails you, Jesus offers healing—and it may not look like what you expected. Our Gospel reminds us that healing isn’t something that happens to you, but with you. May you ponder the invitation to heal with Jesus this week.

~ The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Rector

Click here for the worship bulletin

As we continue to celebrate the fifty days of Easter, I am grateful for feelings of new life and energy from our beautiful services of holy week, and for the opportunity to serve my church family on the Vestry.

At our May meeting, we heard from our Rector of moving new forms of service, including Maundy Thursday feet washing of some homebound parishioners, and notes to those who have lost their mothers this past year. In this spirit, we Vestry members will now be joining the note-writing team, each of us connecting to and praying for ten fellow-parishioners.

Also in the Rector Report, we heard about ongoing efforts and related expenses to maintain our property. The soffits and gutters in the Memorial Garden are being replaced. The steps up to Heck Hall need to be replaced, and cost-effective options are being considered.

After many years, the foundational document defining the parameters of our Endowment Fund has been finalized and is in the process of being signed. Thanks were voiced for the time and talent of those who worked on this effort, developing the document and protocols for the Fund, including Charlie Fitzgerald and the Finance Committee, Cate Hopkin, Amy Tate, and Betsy Bannat. Their work and the Fund will enable us to contribute to the financial security of the future of our church family. We are encouraged to come to the Adult Formation presentation “Leaving a Legacy of Love” on June 1 at 9.00 a.m. to hear more about this.

The Senior Warden reported on attending the “kick-off” meeting of the emerging Partners in Transition (PIT) resource group, which took place Saturday morning, May 10. The group continues to gather resources relevant for anyone in employment transition, brainstorm about engaging more parishioners, and will begin reaching out to other churches in Severna Park to exchange ideas and resources.

The Rector shared the Head of School report. The fundraising Gala on May 3 was a success, and we will know how much money was raised (minus expenses) shortly. Also good news, the school will add a second Kindergarten class next year, as many of our Pre-K students are choosing to continue their education at St. Martin's.

Amber Kaltz, our Communications Coordinator, presented the staff report, and shared what she does, and how her administrative and communications roles have evolved over the past eleven years, through three rectors and two interim priests. Thanks were shared with Amber for all of her hard work and commitment to St. Martin’s.

Sally Burton, our Treasurer, reported that we are 33% through the fiscal year, and our pledge income and spending is in line with that.

We learned about The Jack Gibbs Trust Model, how it can be used to better understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities of parish life. The model outlines four “layers” of focus; the primary, biggest layer being Trust. Resting on that, the second layer is focused on all things related to Information Sharing. Out of information sharing comes the third layer of Goals and Productivity. The final, fourth layer is our Vision and Structure. According to this model, when struggles are identified at one “layer”, we increase attention to the layer below it. i.e., we are focused on trust and information sharing to prepare for developing goals productivity that will inform our vision for where God is calling us. A useful lens!

Speaking of information sharing, we look forward to our Realm Launch on Tuesday, May 27. This system of communicating will be an expansion of what we used to use our parish directory for.

Also looking ahead, June 8 will be a big day for us. There will be a Pentecost Party during the 9.00 a.m. hour, baptisms and a confirmation. In the afternoon, there is a Confirmation/Reception service at the Cathedral of the Incarnation. More new life!

Our Music Director, Dr. HyeSung Hwang, will be away for a sabbatical from June 30 through August 25. We wish her many blessings, and a wonderful time!

Bless us all, and bless St. Martins.

In gratitude ~ Susan Gibbons, SMITF Vestry Member