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Reflections from the Rector:
Sabbatical
It has been a wonderful gift to St Matthew's Episcopal Church for Bob Lively to sojourn with us as a teacher and writer over these past several months. Bob is a warm and wise man and his two classes have helped advance our understanding of the role of contemplation in the Christian life. Bob will be seeking full-time employment elsewhere and though it is disappointing that he will not be teaching and writing on our campus, our relationship with Bob will endure. He is working closely with Phil Webster, Barbara Pitts and I on a conference planned for September entitled "How to Be a Family." Bob will be our initial speaker and he has done yeoman work in bringing three other excellent speakers to our campus for that event. Our work with Bob Lively is, in many ways, just beginning and we will keep Bob and his family in our prayers as Bob continues to discern his future work in the Kingdom.
Family Camp
Our first attempt at Family Camp was a treat! Parents and children swam, ate pizza, played Bunko, enjoyed Ben and Jerry's ice cream, toured the campus on scavenger hunts, ate chilidogs, ate a great chicken dinner, and learned to swing dance. All together - always together. Thanks so much to members of the Children's Council, Vestry and Associate Vestry and many others for making it possible for the families to stay and play together. A special thanks to Gina and Franz Henning, Kathy Dugat, Crystal Wade, Ann Hart, Pat Sutherland, Martha Webb and Isabel Bursk for unique efforts in making the Family Camp worth the wait.
Vision Day
Vision Day was a very inspiring day for me. The 120 people gathered were serious and playful, forward looking and grateful for the past, complimentary and constructively critical. Each table of 6-8 persons contributed unique ideas and concerns. I am so grateful to the Wardens, David Price and Babs Clendenin, for the work they did with Peter Steinke to accomplish such an organized and meaningful Vision Day. Please note elsewhere in this newsletter articles from the Warden's and their reflections on our life together.
Weekend of Prayer
I have written many times of my personal commitment to contemplation as a way of life. Again, what I mean by this is to find time for silence with God - at least 20 minutes per day using a method called Centering Prayer. I also mean more than that. Contemplation also means for me a way of seeing the world about me. I want to let go of instant judgments about others. I want to let go of divisiveness and pettiness in political and church issues. I want to learn how to listen to others, not just react. Contemplation is about spiritual formation, growing more and more into the likeness of Christ - something I have no power to accomplish on my own. I want to thank Susan Barnes and Jim Williams for planning an excellent Weekend of Prayer. The Rev. Sandy Casey-Martus is a gifted teacher. I know that my commitment to prayer has been renewed.
July Quiet
Apart from our two Discipleship Journeys and our IHN ministry of hospitality to those living on campus with us in July, we will be reducing our schedules to give staff and lay leaders time to recharge and plan for the fall. We will take a sabbatical in Sunday Christian Education from July 3 through August 7. We will have a revamped Ministry Fair on Sunday August 14 and Christian Education for all ages will begin again on Sunday August 21.
Vacation
The Wade's are happily contemplating a family vacation from July 7 - 28. Susan Barnes will be present and I confidently leave all pastoral concerns to her able gifts and capacities. As usual, Dave Bowman will manage the finances, office issues and buildings and grounds concerns.
Pray
I encourage you to pray in gratitude for the stunning
blessings of the first six months of 2005. Pray for the young people and
adults on mission and retreat in
God bless you one and all!
Merrill
