Torrence's Weekly Message
“Snapshots”
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I awake this morning to, yet again, slightly overcast skies. Within a few minutes though, thin streaks of dawn color the horizon shedding light on the couple of weeks old corn growing in the field across our road. Only time will tell how fast and tall this crop of corn will grow, how abundant its life will be dependent on the weather and a lot over which it does not have control. Over the river in front of the house there are some bands of blue making way through thinning clouds. Despite all the threats of rain recently day by day maybe, like the last few days, it won’t.
Pinterest - Phil Koch Photography
I’m headed up the road to Maryland. Grandson Matthew is graduating from high school. It is our family’s third “graduation” of grandsons in the last seven months – two from college and now Matthew who will head off to college and new horizons in his life this fall. So many folks I know (mostly grandparents) are having a busy May and June – with graduations, weddings, end of year dance recitals and other programs, etc., etc. Perhaps remembering their own, their children’s. After all it is a season of making memories and, also, of honoring memories.
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Yesterday, we honored our veterans, calling forward three veterans at Farnham and two at St. John’s. We sang patriotic songs out of respect for Memorial Day. We gave thanks for God’s favor on this “good and pleasant” land we have been gifted by our Creator. Flags flew on graves in our church cemeteries and those at other churches dotting our rural and town roadsides. They remind us of those in the past who at some time in their careers came forward, put their name on a dotted line and basically committed, “Here I am, send me!” if needed.
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There have been two deaths in the Farnham parish recently and gatherings planned to celebrate the full and vibrant lives of those who, as some traditions say, passed on. Loved ones will grieve over what feels so like loss even while everyone is encouraged to highlight the good times. Pastor Daniel at the Methodist church around the corner from St. John’s called yesterday to check with me about a funeral he is conducting there today since the burial afterwards will take place in our St. John’s cemetery. My heart stretches to embraces those, known or unknown to me, who have been left behind.
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But of all these recent events I am remembering especially with immense joy the baptism that took place in the church this past Sunday. Such joyful excitement when an almost brand new little one is among us on the threshold of life and we celebrate and embrace that little life among us as we vow “to help this child grow into the full statute of Christ.” Isn’t our enthusiastic, “We will!” simply a way of affirming our desire that this little life, as well as life for every one of us and those we love, continues to grow abundantly with compassion, love and interconnectedness with all that is good?
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photo courtesy of Anne Neuman
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Last night as I read a recent “blog” of one of my favorite current authors, Richard Rohr my heart and mind paused over a portion of it. Rohr was talking about the idea of our being created in the image and likeness of God. He quoted another of my favorite authors, Parker Palmer, from Palmer’s now several decades old (but still fresh in its insights) book,
Let Your Life Speak
. Rohr leads into a wonderful Parker illustration with the following observation:
“As conscious human beings our life purpose is to be a visible expression of both the image and likeness of God. Each of us reveals a unique feature of the divine.”
Rohr continued with Parker Palmer’s illustration so beautifully penned. In Palmer’s words: “My newborn granddaughter did not show up as raw material to be shaped into whatever image the world might want her to take. She arrived with her own gifted form, with the shape of her own sacred soul. Thomas Merton calls it true self, Quakers call it the inner light, or ‘that of God’ in every person. The humanist tradition calls it identity and integrity. No matter what you call it, it is a pearl of great price.”
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photo courtesy of Anne Neuman
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My heart and mind skipped back to Sunday, to remembered “sounds” and a wonderful “sight.” The sound of voices gathered in the sanctuary singing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine.” Then an always to be remembered and celebrated “snapshot in time” moment at the end of the service when little Leighton Grace splashed in the water of her baptism.
As her little life and the life of each of us unfolds in the days to come, may our lives shine with the light of divine love and may we also be treasured as a “pearl of great price” in the heart of God.
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By divine amazing grace, may it be so,
. . . . . . . Torrence
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Editor's Note: The two deaths in the Farnham parish this week will result in
two funerals at Farnham on Saturday
; the one for "Skip" Sichols at 11:00 a.m. and the one for Fred Bryant at 2:00 p.m.
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This Sunday's loose plate offering goes to the Farnham & St. John's Discretionary fund to help the needy in the local Community. Please be generous!
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Summer is here and so is our Summer Schedule
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Service Summer Schedule
starts this Sunday
, June 3rd.
We will have one joint service each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. alternating churches. (St. John's 1st & 3rd, Farnham 2nd & 4th)
The full summer schedule in posted on the web-site; click the link below to get to it.
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E-pistle Summer Schedule
The E-pistle will only come out every other week during the summer, with the next one
coming on June 13th.
We'll revert to the usual schedule the week of 9/4
Here's the whole schedule:
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Next Saturday in Alexandria, June 2nd,
Toni & Peter Hogg's son, John, will be ordained a Deacon
in The Episcopal Church. Normally, as we expect, six months later he will complete the second and final step on the journey with ordination to the priesthood.
Your prayers for this lifetime journey are appreciated!
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Don't forget to sign up for the parish
Shrine Mont weekend
"There's Music in the Mountain Air" the weekend of Sept. 14 - 16.
Sign-up deadline is June 14.
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Free Kayak Lessons & Family Paddles at Menokin!
The Menokin Foundation would like to share new information about water and paddling access at their site. Last Fall, they were awarded a grant from the Gwathmey Foundation to purchase a fleet of kayaks for educational purposes. Part of the new program includes FREE kayak lessons on Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm. They have two trained and certified instructors. Space is limited, so you must register in advance. Call (804) 333-1776 or E-mail
menokin@menokin.org. They're also offering free Family Kayak Paddles on the last Saturday of the month. You can launch your own paddle boat any time or rent a kayak Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Sunday June 3rd
Summer Service Schedule
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
at St. John's
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Sunday June 10th
Summer Service Schedule
10:00 a.m.
Morning Prayer
at Farnham
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Sunday June 17th
Summer Service Schedule
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
at St. John's
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Sunday June 24th
Summer Service Schedule
10:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
at Farnham
"Queen Anne Sunday
"
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Come Worship With Us
Sunday Service this week
10:00 a.m.
St. John's Church, Warsaw
Summer Schedule
10:00 service alternating between St. John's & Farnham
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