Interim Priest’s August Newsletter

Dear friends-in-Christ,

Thank goodness that we are having some respite from the heatwave, but we have to remain prayerful as the world encounters extreme heat, extreme cold, extreme flooding in certain countries. Think of our firemen, construction workers, farmers and many who were and are impacted by our climate. But thanks to climate change, we are seeing wicked big shifts in temperatures on land and at sea, putting all that natural beauty at risk. The combination of heat stress and poor urban air quality can pose a major health risk to vulnerable groups like the young, the elderly, those experiencing homelessness, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions. I read somewhere that people who are aged 65 and older are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Advancing age and the prevalence of special needs increases the vulnerability of these individuals to climate stressors and risks.

Among the many joys I experience with you at St. Cyprian’s have been the many Blessed conversations we had and continue to do. Conversations, especially with our seniors, are centered around family and vulnerability of old age. We know that no guide and no single conversation can cover all the decisions that you and your family may face. How can we provide a shared understanding of what matters to us and our family, which makes it easier to make decisions when the “time comes.” If this is of interest to you, please reach out to me to plan for a workshop.

From our seniors to our youth. Another joy I have experienced at St. Cyprian’s has been ministry to our children, in particular during Sunday morning worship. It is my absolute joy that I will be doing another Children’s Service on Sunday August 25 at 9.30am. Please encourage your children to participate with ushers, lectors, Offertory and plate bearers, and acolytes. The question however remains, “is the church still relevant to young families?” If following Jesus is only about sitting in a church service once a week and going to meetings, young adults opt out. Teenagers and young adults are looking for things that are worth their time. Authentic, genuine, relevant relationships where people are growing in relationship with Jesus is appealing. Meaningless duty and ritual hold no attraction.

There are no guarantees that your children will follow Christ even if you have a vibrant, purposeful relationship with Him. But, on the other hand, if we as parents do not do all we can to help our children develop meaningful relationships in Jesus, we miss a major opportunity to lead them and show them the path worth walking. We love your kids. We love them enough to send you this letter.

The work of discernment for a new Priest-in-charge continues. I would like to plan a day of prayer and reflection. The details are to follow. We appreciate this wonderful but necessary gesture as St. Cyprian’s prepare for a new priest-in charge. I do believe that the congregation is in the process attaining to the developmental task for its future, namely:

–           Coming to terms with its history                (focus point)         Heritage

–           Allowing needed leadership change          (focus point)         Leadership

–           Renewing denomination links                    (focus point)         Connections

–           Discovering a new identity                          (focus point)          Mission

–           Commitment to new direction                   (focus point)         Future

I will be taking a month’s leave between September 2 to October 2. When I return I will be conducting a Taize style worship service for our young families. We will share an agape meal of pizza and juice (with conversation). It is hoped that our young families and youth will attend. Our focus will be prayer, song, and listening, with deliberate quiet times in between.

The focus for October will be STEWARDSHIP. (Some reflection) How we handle money reveals much about our priorities. That’s why Jesus often talked about money. One-sixth of the Gospels’ content, including one out of every three parables, touches on stewardship. Jesus wasn’t a fundraiser. He dealt with money matters because money – matters. For some of us, though, it matters too much.

Jesus warned that we can become slaves to money. We may not think that money means more to us than God does. But Jesus did not say we must serve God more than we serve money. The issue isn’t what occupies first place in our life, but whether we serve money at all. Author George Buttrick said, “Of all the masters the soul can choose, there are at last only two—God and money.

Pax et Bonum

Noble+