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 As I start a New Year, I am reminded of the words of the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews, “Therefore,
since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside
every weight and the sin that clings so closely,^* and let us run with
perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our
faith…” (Hebrews 12:1-2a NRSV).  A lot of people who have gone before me have helped me and inspired me to reach this point in my pilgrimage.  They have cheered me on and still do.  The journey continues into the future.  Jesus Christ, the pioneer who set out before me is the One who calls me forward toward fulfilment.  I'll lay aside the weights and all that clings to me and slows me down so that I can run with perseverance.  At such a moment in his life a half-century ago, Malcolm Boyd asked, "Are you runing with me, Jesus?"  I've thought about that prayer for a long time and have decided that it is a good one to offer from time to time.  If he's not running with me, I may be on the wrong track!

God, help me stay on the right track this year!

RDP+

St. Bernard of Clairvaux once remarked that three miracles are reported in the story of the Annunciation:

That a virgin should conceive a child

That God and humans should be united in the child
That Mary should believe what had been announced to her

Commenting on the three miracles, Martin Luther said that the first is a trifle for God, the second is greater, and the third, that Mary should believe that the first two miracles would be accomplished in and through her, is the greatest.

God frequently wants to work miracles through us.  If by some miracle we happen to be listening and hear the divine voice, will we believe it enough to "let it be?"  Or, will we take a pass because it is too fantastic, an imposition, or something for which we are surely not worthy?

In the likely event God should get your attention and you are tempted to take a pass, remember that God's choice of people through whom to accomplish things leaves something to be desired by human standards.  The biblical record alone shows that God prefers to work the greatest miracles through unlikely people, from unlikely places, at unlikely times, and in unlikely ways.  There's a reason angelic messengers usually begin by saying, "don't be afraid."  Next time, as unlikely as it may seem, it could be you!

Whenever that happens, may faith conquer our fears and excuses so that Mary's prayer might be our own:  "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

RDP+

In his First Letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul exhorts Christians to be people who always rejoice, always pray, and always give thanks.  How in the world does one go about living such a life?  It is a very important question to ponder since, as St. Paul says, it is God's will for us.

To rejoice does not mean simply to adopt a positive attitude, cheer up, or have a nice disposition.  To rejoice means to be centered in the joy that comes from having been joined to Christ in the waters of Baptism and thus in his ultimate victory.  That joy in our lives is born of the awareness that no darkness can ever overcome the Light to whom we belong.  In every circumstance, this is all the reason we need to rejoice!

To pray without ceasing does not mean to spend our days on our knees with our nose in the Book of Common Prayer.  Prayer on our knees, alone or together, using the prayer book is an essential part of the life we are called to live.  Those prayers are extended as we grow in conscious contact with God during our routine daily activities.  Brother Lawrence called it "practicing the presence of God."  In this conscious, constant dialogue with the Divine, our offering of all that we see, do, and think encounters God who is constantly giving himself to us.  God is with us.  We are never alone.  In every circumstance, this is all the reason we need to pray!

To give thanks in all circumstances does not mean to give thanks FOR all circumstances.  Not every circumstance is a cause for thanksgiving.  Many circumstances are not God's doing.  But no circumstance is beyond God's reach.  When we know that, we look more carefully to discern God's hand at work for good, God's power at work to overcome evil, God's mercy at work to heal and transform.  What we see is not all that is there and gratitude opens our eyes to see what God wants us to see.  In every circumstance, this all the reason we need to give thanks!

So, rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks always are expressions of a life that is conscious of God and conscious of the circumstances in which we live our lives moment by moment, breath by breath.  This is an especially helpful insight at this particular time on Galveston Island in the wake of  Hurricane Ike.  The other day, someone observed that life here right now in these circumstances is an emotional roller coaster.  One day, you make a little progress toward normalcy; the next day you have a setback.  St. Paul's exhortation to always rejoice, pray, and give thanks grounds us and centers us in a normalcy that can't be conquered by the ups and downs of life. 

The truth is, the more we rejoice, pray, and give thanks, the more conscious we are of the presence and power of God at work in us leading us through the present with all its ups and downs and into a hope-filled future.  For it is not the divine will for us to draw life from the circumstances, up or down, but from our relationship with God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of all life.  Even now during these days of Advent, God is coming to us in power and might to make of us more than we can make of ourselves.  In every circumstance, that is all the reason we need to rejoice, pray, and give thanks!

RDP+

Here in Galveston, we have reached a stage in our recovery from Hurricane Ike that is characterized by a great deal of waiting.  Waiting for the insurance adjuster, waiting for the contractor, waiting for FEMA, waiting for the check in the mail, waiting for a roof over our head.  Waiting, and lots of it!

How fitting it is to reach that stage during Advent, when our waiting is set in the context of God's  
redemptive plans.  People of faith have done a lot of waiting and learned something from it.  I am reminded of this comment by the late Henri Nouwen:

"Waiting, as we see it in the people on the first pages of the Gospel, is waiting with a sense of promise. 'Zechariah…your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son.' 'Mary…Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son.' (Luke 1. 13, 31) People who wait have received a promise that allows them to wait. They have received something that is at work in them, like a seed that has started to grow. This is very important. We can only really wait if what we are waiting for has already begun in us. So waiting is never a movement from nothing to something. It is always a movement from something to something more."

RDP+

St. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians, " Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).

In the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Ike, this may seem like a tall order for many people.  And yet, in the midst of our losses, there have been occasions that have surprisingly caused rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving.  I recall the day when Gay and I found a Mexican restaurant open on the Seawall.  We rejoiced that something "normal" had returned.  When we sat down inside, our hearts were gladdened by the sight of the heart and soul of America – people from everywhere who had left their homes and families to come to Galveston to help us recover.  And they are still coming.  The first responders were here to restore utilities and clean up debris.  Now we are seeing volunteers and neighbors from churches and service organizations helping us hang sheetrock, install windows and doors, and hold our shaking hands.  All of these people along with the skill and compassion they bring create occasions for rejoicing, prayer, and thanksgiving, even in the midst of loss.  They are living, breathing expressions of God's bountiful love!

A Prayer for Thanksgiving Day

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them.  Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

From The Book of Common Prayer, page 246

Before Hurricane Ike disrupted our lives on this island on the Texas Gulf Coast, it had been my intention to offer a few thoughts on the Lambeth Conference, which took place on another island on the other side of the Atlantic.  Now that things have calmed down a bit, I am taking the time to draw attention to some hopeful signs that have emerged from the conference.

In his concluding address to the bishops of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams emphasized the need for a covenant as called for in the Windsor Report.  The most recent draft of the proposed covenant is posted here.  While many are wary of the elements of the covenant that might create more bureaucracy, hierarchy, or some sort of foreign control, the covenant that is emerging has many very strong points that commend it.

One of the strongest points is Section 2: "The Life We Share With Others: Our Anglican Vocation."  In this section, each Church in the Communion is called to affirm that communion is a gift from God, the ongoing mission work of the Communion, and that there is an ecumenical dimension to our mission work.  Then, each Church is called to commit itself to the missionary role of the Communion.  Here is the text of that commitment:

2.2      In recognition of these affirmations,each Church of the Communion commits itself:

(2.2.1)  to answer God’s call to evangelisation and to share in his
healing and reconciling mission for our blessed but broken, hurting and
fallen world, and, with mutual accountability, to share our God-given
spiritual and material resources in this task.

(2.2.2)  In this mission, which is the Mission of Christ, each Church undertakes:

(2.2.2.a) to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God;

(2.2.2.b) to teach, baptize and nurture new believers;

(2.2.2.c) to respond to human need by loving service;

(2.2.2.d) to seek to transform unjust structures of society; and

(2.2.2.e) to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.

I believe this is a wonderful summary.  The only things I would change would be to remove "seek to" and "strive to" from the last two points.  As Yoda said, "There is no try, only do."  Let's agree to "transform unjust structures of society" and to "safeguard the integrity of creation and renew the life of the earth."  In matters that important, why leave ourselves any wiggle room?  We should be willing to be as accountable in the last two missionary tasks as in the first three!

To move our focus as Anglicans from endless, divisive debates on issues toward involvement in Christ's mission would indeed bring healing.

This is not to say that we should simply set aside any issues that divide us. Nor is it to disregard the need for accountability for our actions.  Walking together and watching over one another in love involves engagement with ideas and responsible behavior, always respecting those who journey with us.

Our ongoing attempts to understand one another with our diverse viewpoints on issues should not distract us from Christ's mission.  We can and should continue to have respectful dialog as we seek the truth.  In that way, we help one another grow toward maturity in our faith.  In that dialog we must remember that many idealogical issues tend to regard people as objects, thereby marginalizing or rejecting them.  That in itself is harmful to communion because we are the Body of Christ.  St. Paul reminds us that one member cannot say to another, "I have no need of you" because that harms the entire body.  It seems to me that staying faithfully focused on our common mission, as articulated so well in the Covenant, is one way to avoid that pitfall.  Our missionary work can hold us together and define us when we are tempted to permit an issue to be thrust upon us and threaten to disrupt our oneness in Christ.

I invite your comments.

Ron+

On Wednesday, October 15, Bishop Don Wimberly visited Galveston Island to meet with heads of Episcopal congregations and institutions and to inspect the damage to our properties.  He also met with those who are coordinating the volunteer effort.  Volunteers assemble at William Temple Episcopal Center at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday for deployment to locations on the island where people need help with their residences.  The Rev. Doug Tucker and Ms. Kathy Hill are providing leadership for this important outreach ministry that will eventually include people from across the Diocese of Texas and beyond.

At Trinity, Fr. David Dearman took Bishop Wimberly to see the Beginning School, Lower School, and Middle School where construction is underway.  Classes will resume at Trinity Episcopal School on Monday, October 20.  Contractor Ed Rismiller is making great progress in restoration efforts.  School faculty and staff met on Tuesday to make preparations.  Fr. Dearman expects approximately 75% of the students to return next week.

Fr. Pogue then led the Bishop on a tour of the nave, cloister, parish house, and Eaton Hall.  Much remediation work still has to be done before these facilities are ready for use.  Fr. Pogue hopes to be able to hold worship in the nave by November 16.  However, there will be no heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and the electrical connection will be temporary.  The electrical service and HVAC systems must be redesigned and relocated.  The work will be performed over a three to six month period.  Their present location is below the allowable level and was damaged by rising water.  

Pews will be removed and sent away for restoration and chairs will be used in the meantime.  While the pews are away, we are hopeful that improvements can be made to the appearance of the nave floor.

Trinity's architect, Joe Oppermann, structural engineer Pat Sparks, and mechanical engineer Ron Brown are conferring with Dave Mistick, representing Church Insurance Co., and with Fr. Pogue as elements of the work to be done are taking shape.  Final recommendations will be presented to the vestry as soon as possible.

Our insurance deductible is 10% of the limits on the buildings.  For the church buildings, we will need to raise $756,000 and for the school buildings we will need another $100,000. 

An ad hoc committee, convened by Dr. Bill McMullen, has been appointed to identify non-church sources for which we may qualify and file the proper applications. 

Harriet Latimer and Associates in Houston was engaged by the vestry to work on capital fund raising for restoration prior to the storm and is working with Trinity leadership to make the appropriate adjustments in the scope of work to assist with the deductibles. Senior Warden Susan Duif, Capital Campaign Chair Dr. Harry Kelso, and Fr. Pogue are meeting with Ms. Latimer this week.

Bishop Wimberly and the Diocesan staff are developing an appeal that will benefit all thirty-five churches that were damaged by Hurricane Ike.  The vestry finance committee, led by Carl Schutz, has developed a plan for covering operational costs until regular giving and special contributions improve as recovery proceeds. 

The Rev. Lillian Hyde is heading up an effort to establish a respite center in the 2900 block of Broadway to be staffed with people who are trained as chaplains, both lay and ordained, to care for people who are helping with the recovery effort, people who are troubled losses, and people who just need to talk.

Both the Diocese of Texas and Trinity Church have DONATE buttons on their websites to facilitate giving.  The challenge is great, but we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses in a community of miraculous expectations!  We are not alone.   The Episcopal Church: Here to Help.

On Saturday evening, October 11, Galveston's Trinity Church gathered for a fellowship meal for the first time since Hurricane Ike slammed into our lives.  Gay prepared a big pot of her famous cajun red beans and rice.  Several folks brought cornbread, salad, brownies, and cookies.  The ice chests on our spacious verandah were loaded with cold beverages.  But the true feast was in the reunion of our people who had been longing to see the faces of their sisters and brothers in Christ during the past month in which we have been scattered due to the evacuation.
 
The joy and liveliness of the fellowship were moving!  The stories of how lives have been changed were amazing!  The sharing of experiences, understanding, and compassion were healing!  I sensed a powerful spiritual bond among us as we shared in Devotions for Early Evening from the Book of Common Prayer, concluding with the beautiful prayer,

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is
past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and
awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in
Scripture and the breaking of bread.  Grant this for the sake
of your love.  Amen.

The impact of seeing familiar faces within the community of faith reminds me of the sentiments expressed in Charles Wesley's hymn, "And Are We Yet Alive?"  Although it first appeared in 1749, it could have been composed last week for our gathering.

And are we yet alive,
And see each other’s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give
For His almighty grace!

Preserved by power divine
To full salvation here,
Again in Jesus’ praise we join
And in His sight appear.

What troubles have we seen,
What mighty conflicts past,
Fightings without, and fears within,
Since we assembled last!

Yet out of all the Lord
Hath brought us by His love;
And still He doth His help afford,
And hides our life above.

Then let us make our boast
Of His redeeming power,
Which saves us to the uttermost,
Till we can sin no more.


Let us take up the cross
Till we the crown obtain,
And gladly reckon all things loss
So we may Jesus gain.

We are all seeking normalcy during the resurrection of our lives on this island.  They tell us that eventually we will discover a "new normalcy."  Times of worship and fellowship help, even though we will not be able to return to our sanctuary for several weeks. We have been worshiping at St. George's Church in Texas City and are grateful for their hospitality.  Beginning Sunday, October 19, we will worship at 9:00 a.m. in the Chapel of The William Temple Episcopal Center, 5th and Market, in Galveston.

Our next gathering for fellowship will be Saturday, October 25, from 4:00 until 7:00 in the evening at our home, 3017 Avenue O in Galveston.

Ron+

On Sunday, September 28, forty-five members of Galveston's Trinity Church gathered for worship at St. George's Church in Texas City.  That will be our temporary place of worship until we are able to return to our own in about a month.

Ron Wyatt was present to play the organ, Beth Ebert and Sean Peterson were our acolytes, Mary Hearn Served as Worship Leader, Carl and Judy Schutz were our Eucharistic Ministers, Mike Peterson and Robert Ebert were our ushers, and I was preacher and celebrant.

Following worship, we gathered in the parish hall to talk, listen, and share information about our experiences in the past two weeks.  Senior Warden Susan Duif and Junior Warden Robert Ebert brought words of reassurance and encouragement from the vestry.  Using newsprint and post-it notes, we made lists of needs, resources, and things for which to be thankful.  It was great to be together again as a community of faith, face to face!

During the service I made an announcement that was supposed to have been made at our services on September 14.  It is an awkward announcement to make under our present conditions, but you need to know that I am one of five nominees for Bishop of the Diocese of Northwest Texas.  I have sent an email message to the parish containing additional information.

The election is November 22.  To learn more about it and meet the other nominees, visit Northwest Texas Nominees.

The election of a bishop, like the election of a rector, is a process of mutual discernment.  It is not a perfect process, but those involved with every facet of it are conscientious and seek God's guidance in making decisions that will build up Christ's Church and advance the reign of God.  We are grateful and humble about our role in it.

We ask for your prayers and your support.  As always, you have ours!

RDP+

Here are two pieces of good news in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike:

The congregation of Galveston's Trinity Church will worship this Sunday, September 28, at St. George's Church, Texas City, at 9:00 a.m..  Following worship, we will gather in the parish hall to talk to one another and determine who has needs and who has resources to help.  If you are in or near Galveston, please be there.  We need to see and support each other so we will remember that we, and not the building, are the Church!  Please spread the word.

The Diocese of Texas, Church Insurance Co., and Episcopal Relief and Development are rapidly putting measures in place to facilitate assistance on several levels.  As you already know, remediation crews are working at Trinity and other locations that were hard hit.  Supplemental funds to help our congregations cover payroll and other necessities are being transferred electronically to our accounts.  Details regarding what we need to do to host teams of workers will be discussed tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. in a meeting at St. Thomas the Apostle, Nassau Bay, for clergy and members of our congregations.