june 2014 newsletter · on a wing and a prayer . june 2014 newsletter . guardian angels catholic...
TRANSCRIPT
On a Wing and a Prayer June 2014 Newsletter
Guardian Angels Catholic Community – Just. Faithful. Catholics.
2004 – 2014 Ten Years Loving God and Each Other!
www.guardianangelscatholiccommunity.org https://www.facebook.com/GuardianAngelsCatholicCommunity
Join us for Mass every Sunday at 9AM and every Wednesday at 7AM
Wear Red to Mass on Sunday, June 8 for Pentecost!
Pentecost Power Unless the eye catch fire,
God will not be seen. Unless the ear catch fire,
God will not be heard. Unless the tongue catch fire,
God will not be named. Unless the heart catch fire,
God will not be loved. Unless the mind catch fire,
God will not be known. ~~Poet William Blake
Guardian Angels Calendar
https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=pastorsue%40cox.net&ctz=America/Phoenix
Preachers: June 1: Sue; June 8 PENTECOST: Sue & Your Leadership Council; June 15 Father’s Day and Violet’s Baptism: Sue & Robert; June 22: Elaine; June 29: Elaine
News from Your Leadership Council
We are calling on The Guardian Angles Catholic Community to give us input on the candidate they would most like to see elected Presiding Bishop. Please review the following links on each candidate:
ECC Synod 2014 is scheduled for October 7-10 at Church of the Holy Family in Aurora, CO
This is a big year for the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC). We will be electing a new Presiding Bishop for the first time in our history. There will be two candidates. (1.) Rev. Frank Krebs of Saints Clare & Francis Ecumenical Catholic Community in Webster Groves, Missouri and (2.) Rev. Kae Madden Church of the Beloved in Northglenn, Colorado.
Rev. Frank Krebs: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Sue/My%20Documents/Ecumenical%20Catholic%20Communion/Fr%20Frank%20Packet%20Infomation.html Rev. Kae Madden: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Sue/My%20Documents/Ecumenical%20Catholic%20Communion/Mthr%20Kae%20Packet%20Infomation.html We will offer an opportunity for the entire community of Guardian Angels to vote on the Presiding Bishop. More info on this in On a Wing and a Prayer, the July issue! Currently voting members from Guardian Angles Catholic Community have been identified as: House of Pastors (HOP): Rev. Sue Ringler and Rev. Elaine Groppenbacher House of Laity (HOL): Marie Renner (GALC) and Jeanie Ghan (GALC) (Because of the size of our parish we actually qualify to have another HOL delegate. The Leadership Council will discuss this at their June meeting.) Single day observer registration is available for those interested in how the process works. If you are interested e-mail Marie [email protected] or Jeanie [email protected] Special Services and Blessings are available to All We all enjoyed celebrating Jeanie and Bob’s 40th Anniversary at mass on April 6 (you just saw the pictures ). In celebrating these occasions and blessings our church is constantly bearing witness to the presence of God in our lives. If you have a special anniversary or occasion you wish to celebrate contact Pastor Sue [email protected]. This includes any need you may have for memorial and remembrance services/masses. Many of us have family and friends who are far away. Your community is here for you in good times and bad.
New Directory of “Angels” available electronically! Let Jeanie [email protected] know if you would like a Guardian Angels Directory of Members. This Directory includes emails and addresses & phone numbers if we have them.
Decision
Your Leadership Council has approved funds to send 4 voting members representing Guardian Angels to the Synod in October. (2 to the House of Pastors & 2 to the House of Laity…another HOL delegate will be discussed at our next meeting)
As we celebrate Pentecost on June 8 Pastor Sue and members of the Leadership Council will offer a State of the Parish Address (during homily time). As we remember the Church’s Birthday, we will share with all of you the amazing news about who Guardian Angels is, where we’ve come from and where we are going. The dreams and passions of this community belong to ALL OF US! The Leadership Council works on YOUR behalf! We are excited to talk to you on June 8 about our Beloved Community! AND hear back from you about your dreams! Feedback
Your Leadership Council invites you to attend our meetings on the 3rd Sunday of every month after mass in the fellowship hall. Because of Father’s Day the June meeting has been moved to June 22nd. Questions and suggestions are welcomed so we may better serve our community. We may be contacted at:
Barb [email protected] Carol [email protected]
Christine [email protected] Marie [email protected]
Jeanie [email protected] Robert [email protected]
Frank [email protected] Terry [email protected]
PASTOR SUE GOES TO WASHINGTON!!!
Pastor Sue enjoyed a very stimulating couple of days at the National Council of Church's 2014 National Christian Unity Gathering with fellow Ecumenical Catholic Communion members: David Gerardot, Teri Shackelford Harroun, Michael J. Nicosia, Tom Altepeter, Jim Schratz, Kay Schmitt, and Frank Krebs. The focus of the Gathering was mass incarceration and reform of our criminal justice system. Many, many good ideas were brought back to our local communities and the NM/AZ ECC communities has decided to work on this issue together. I am happy to report that before we left the Conference, on Tuesday, May 20 the ECC was accepted as a member of the National Council of Churches!!! Many thanks to Bishop Chuck Leigh and Rev. Frank Krebs for leading the ECC in this process!!!
Reverends Michael Nicosia and Teri Shackelford Harroun, both from ECC Communities in Colorado
A MOTHER’S DAY HOMILY by Barb Moen
To preface this homily: As I sat at my computer in frozen fear and regret, trying to get my random thoughts and
my many scribbled scraps of paper to gel, I came upon this Scripture: "I do not fill my sermons with profound
words and high-sounding ideas, for fear of diluting the mighty power there is in the simple message of the cross of
Christ.” --St Paul (1 Corinthians 1:17)
Far be it for me to mess with that simple message...expect no profound words or high sounding ideas from my lips!
St Paul has freed me from the pressure of having to say anything noteworthy or coherent!
So, I begin this morning with these instructions:
• Feed the hungry
• Give drink to the thirsty
• Clothe the naked
• Shelter the homeless
• Visit the sick
• Visit the imprisoned
• Bury the dead
Is there a Baltimore Catechism Whiz Kid out there who recognizes these words? Yes...the Corporal Works of
Mercy. Today I propose that they could also be called The Corporal Works of Mothering. Are these not all actions
we associate with motherhood? Cooking, feeding, clothing, keeping up the home, ministering to the sick, serving
on the Funeral Committee. These Corporal Works of Mothering are deemed so important that in psalms, in Gospels,
and in biblical stories our Nurturing Mother God is described as personifying these works, modeling these
behaviors. To me some of the most beautiful language of the Bible has to do with our God giving-birth and
mothering:
Deut. 32:18 “You forget the rock who begot you, unmindful of the God who gave birth to you” Romans 8:22 "From the beginning to now the entire creation has been groaning in one great act of giving birth" Luke 13: 34 (Matt 23:37) "...how often I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings
The beautiful poet Isaiah 46:3 " ...for you who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb…
even when you turn gray, I will carry you. I have made and I will bear, I will carry and I will save." And again
Isaiah: "...as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you..."
Our gospels tell stories of Jesus, our sister, speaking of providing "Living Water" for the thirsty, urging the hungry to
"not live by bread alone". Jesus visited and healed the sick, mourned with those who lost, called people forth from
the prisons they had created in their lives that separated them from their Mothering God. Both Jesus and our God
actively lived the verb "raham", the Hebrew word meaning "to have compassion"..."raham" which is derived from
the word "rehem" meaning "womb". To have compassion flows from the womb. We tend to associate the idea of
"womb" with being a woman. But I believe this association shortchanges our perceptions of who is able to give
birth, and it limits our definition and understanding of motherhood. We all, who are made in our God's image and
likeness, are also created for motherhood.
Everyone who gives birth to compassion does so from a womb...everyone who gives birth to a new idea does so
from the creative internal place in which new life is sparked, nourished, formed and pushed forth into the world.
Kind intentions, words of comfort, hugs of reassurance...all are pieces of compassion, flowing from the womb.
Together these birthing acts make us all mothers. Every time you have cheered for new life...whether watching the
family cat birth kittens or noticing that the seemingly barren ocotillo is budding out in small green leaf...every time
you applaud life...you are a mother. If you have ever adopted a rescue dog, and then patiently worked your way
through kennel cough, fungal disease, Dorito diarrhea, and a live tick...you are a mother. If you have ever found a
wounded bird...and tucked it into a safe corner sheltered by scraps of styrofoam...and set water and crumbs nearby
to nourish it...you are a mother. If you have ever watched a wet, exhausted baby chick struggle to peck its way out
of its shell, and understood, that as much as you want to help it...it is the slow work of getting out of its shell that
will strengthen the chick and help it to develop life skills. And so you hover and cheer in your best mother voice,
"C'mon on baby chick! You can do it baby chick!" And when new life emerges, worn and wet and not at all
fluffy...but finally free...you have been part of the eternal birthing process...and this active concerned participation
makes you a mother.
We live in this world...and each and every time we encourage someone to break through their shell...their shell of
indifference, their shell of entitlement, their shell of materialism, bigotry, addiction, judgment, resentment...our
encouragement and compassion and love defines us as mothers. As much as we give birth to goodness, as much
as we struggle with the labor pains of growing in God's love...we are mothers. And in the same loving way our
Creating Father and Nurturing Mother God everlastingly cares for and mothers us...we are (and will be) continually
called to mother each other.
This should not surprise you. If you have attended Guardian Angels for awhile, and have a good memory...you will
recall that in a past homily I informed you all that you were pregnant...pregnant with a God seed. (Some of you did
belly bumps during the Sign of Peace!) So now it should be a logical progression to learn that every single one of
you (man, woman and child) are mothers. Ann...who gives voice to and advocates for so many children.
Sheila...who births beautiful artwork. Terry...who Mother Hens the LC. Pedro...who uses bus stops as a mothering
soapbox. All mothers.
And so...all you Mothers here today...this day is for YOU. Happy Mother's Day.
And tonight...have a good night...sleep tight...and don't let the bedbugs bite! Amen
Pastor Sue joined more than 50 other clergy from a variety of denominations who participated in a news conference on May 27 to speak in solidarity for Marriage Equality in the State of Arizona. The link to the article is below.
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/05/28/group-arizona-clergy-backs-marriage-equality/9678085/
Angels LOVE to Serve!
Growing Pains by Fr. Rick McFarland, Guardian Angels Missionary
I grew up on “Growing Pains”…both the show and the pains. From the pain standpoint, I was that freaky little kid who would stand by my parents bed at night while they were sleeping and just stare at them, until one would wake up, jump out of bed like they were having a seizure, and loving yell “what?” From the show’s standpoint, it was your typical 80’s sitcom. Alan Thicke, then, like now had as much acting ability as – oh – a table. But, the show’s star was Kirk Cameron. Girls swooned for him (while I was watching the droopy shirt 80’s cut shirt of his sister), but us guys longed to act as stupid and goofy as Kirk and still get away with it like he did.
But, time went on. The show got cancelled. And, Kirk became – well – an “in your face” “born again” jerk. (Jerk is more in reference to “in your face” than Kirk, who I know nothing about personally.) Why is this, that with the Great Commission I would have a problem with “in your face”? There are three reasons.
First, choice. God values choice in as much as God values love. Choose to love. Choose God. Choose whether to eat fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Choose whether to be Christian or Buddhist or nothing at all. Life is full of choices and God values our choice whether to love God and follow God or carve out our own path. Like a bird watching its chicks take flight the first time, the bird does not want the chick to fall but it is the chick’s choice to whether spread its wings.
Second, Christian. We are Christian. We are FOLLOWERS of Christ. This means we are to follow the examples set forth. Nothing in the Gospel says Jesus walked around at parties and asked people if they were good people and whether they were going to heaven or hell. This is the form of evangelism known as “The Way of the Master” made famous by Cameron and his pastoral colleague Ray Comfort. Now, I will grant you that these men believe they are “saving” people and thereby loving them in their own way. But, again, I see no Biblical foundation for this nonsense. If we follow Christ’s path, we dine with the prostitutes, break bread with the IRS auditor, and visit even the rapist and school shooting mass murderer in prison.
Finally, Anno Domini. That’s right: A.D. We have B.C. and then we have A.D. There’s “Before Christ” and the “Year of Our Lord.” In other words, the years where his reign is enthroned. We pray “thy kingdom come,” but our calendar says it’s here. We believe in Christ’s return, but Christ’s reign has been established. The king, simply put, is just away. Like the Royal Palace in London, the flag may not be currently flying outside the palace. Indeed, Her Royal Highness may be on an overseas Commonwealth visit – opening Parliament in Canada or such. But, the Queen remains the Queen of England even when away in Canada. And, Jesus remains our Christ even when preparing a place for us. We are still to behave like his subjects following what he taught us, not what dime store evangelistic trickery tells us. To be honest, you are not even to follow what I tell you. You are to behave by following what Christ has said, not even what Rick has said.
And so, Pentecost approaches. The birthday of the Church! You are then asked is this a church yet to come? Must you “be saved” to attend this party? Or, did Christ come once for all, to be with all, and to start a kingdom for then, now, and always?
On May 31st the Ecumenical Catholic Communities of Arizona and New Mexico gathered at Guardian Angels.
The purpose of the gathering was for the communities to get to know each other better and share our stories.
The community blessed Rev. Delores and Theresa in celebration of their recent wedding in California.
The AZ/NM ECC Communities came together and declared that we will work as a region on the problem of Mass Incarceration and we called Rev. Kate Lehman as the person we will recommend to Bishop Peter as our Regional Vicar.
Rev. Kate accepted the call and everyone in attendance signed the Proclamation that will be sent to Bishop Peter.
The next gathering of the AZ/NM ECC Communities will be on Saturday, August 23. We will again meet at Guardian Angels and we will celebrate Guardian Angels 10th Anniversary with a mass and of course, a party!
Coming up in June at The Commentary Interfaith Library….
3 work days are scheduled as we get ready to open up to start loaning out books!!
Monday, June 2, 2PM – 4:30PM; Saturday, June 7, 1PM – 4PM and Monday, June 16, 2PM – 4:30PM
And this summer’s classes…
And part two of Judaism 101, with Rabbi Susan Schanerman – Covering Holidays and Life Cycle Events
– will be held on Tuesday, June 24 at 6:30 PM in our Parlor
INTERESTED IN SERVING IN A MINISTRY AT GUARDIAN ANGELS? Interested in helping to set up before mass and greeting everyone before mass?
Contact Marie, Leadership Council [email protected]
Interested in being a Lector? Contact Barb, Leadership Council [email protected]
Interested in being a Eucharistic Minister? Contact Nancy [email protected]
Interested in baking our Altar Bread? Contact Jeanie, Leadership Council [email protected]
Interested in helping with clean-up after mass? Contact Carol, Leadership Council [email protected]
If you have any financial questions about the parish, ask Treasurer Frank, Leadership Council
[email protected] or pick up the monthly financial report available on the back counter where you pick up your worship aid.
BRING YOUR QUESTIONS TO
GUARDIAN ANGELS!! WE WANT TO HEAR
THEM
THE ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC COMMUNION -- A Wonderful Way of Being Catholic!
http://www.ecumenical-catholic-communion.org/
You can request a subscription to the Monthly ECC Report at [email protected]
For more information check out the ECC Constitution at http://www.ecumenical-catholic-communion.org/eccpdf/constitution_2012.pdf
And don’t forget the ECC 101 report from our January 2014 meeting
http://guardianangelscatholiccommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2014-01-18-ECC-101-With-History.ppt.pdf