27 February 2019

From the rising of the sun

From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11


From the rising of the sun

From the rising of the sun to its setting my Name shall be great among the nations, and in every place incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure offering; for my Name shall be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 1:11


The "Waterboys" led by Chris Long are headed back to Mt. Kilimanjaro

One of our outreach efforts is to support the bring of water in the form of sustainable wells in parts of Africa where water is very scarce.  The "Waterboys" organization is led by Chris Long and you can read an update on these efforts below:




Countdown to Summit.

This week I leave for my fourth Conquering Kili trip with a class of decorated military veterans and current and past teammates. It’s an annual opportunity for me to see the work that our Foundation funds and share my love of Tanzania and my deep-seated belief in the power of clean water with other passionate supporters.

Conquering Kili is a program designed to bring professional athletes and veterans together to raise awareness and funds for the clean water crisis, all while challenging them to train for the hike of a lifetime up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Each year, before the climb, we spend two days in-country visiting a prospective well site and villages where Waterboys wells have already been erected. For many of the guys, it will be the first time they see how the clean water crisis impacts the citizens of Tanzania and just how different day-to-day life is with and without a well nearby.

As my friend Elliot, a veteran on last year’s trip, described it. “You logically know that they are going to use the old oil jugs, caked with residue, to collect this unsafe water for their families, but when you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder helping them do it, all the while knowing it could make them sick, it shakes you to your core.”

I know exactly what Elliot means, and it’s the same reason why I require everyone who is planning to make the climb to attend these visits. Because that reality will not only help fuel every individual to the summit, but also inspire the continued dedication to talking about the clean water crisis for days, months, and years to come. And for me, that is the most significant gift we can give to those we serve and the most important part of this program.

After the village visits, the tone around the group shifts. It’s difficult to describe but palpable in-person. The urge to get up the mountain is just as strong, but the reason WHY has likely morphed.

It’s hard to describe what the team and I are in for next week but this short video compiled from The Way Up footage last year does a solid job of capturing the power and challenge of the experience.
I want to thank all of my fellow 2019 Conquering Kili classmates for their partnership as advocates and fundraisers these past couple months. I hope you all will follow our journey both in the villages and on the mountain. For 11 days we will give all of our attention to the cause at hand and the mountain ahead of us. I hope you will send us your support for a successful summit on March 10 and if you can, donate to help the team get water to as many Tanzanians as possible.

Upward for water!

Chris Long
Defensive End
Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl Champion LI & LII
2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year
Well Warrior: Brad Leach
& City Life Church

Brad is the founder and lead paster at City Life. While he's a self-proclaimed basketball fan, his love of fantasy football and clean water put Chris Long and the Foundation on his radar. After researching our work and our focus countries, Brad's stepped up in a BIG way to back our mission. Huge thanks to Brad and the congregation at City Life for "proving it"! We continue to be able to serve our neighbors - here and abroad - because folks like you see the big picture. 
Athlete Feature
Joe Harris

Hoops2O Starting 5 member, Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets, was part of this year’s 2019 Mountain Dew 3-Point Contest during NBA All Star Weekend. Harris surprised many by edging out big names like Steph Curry to become the first Net to ever win the competition. What makes it better is that Joe dedicated his participation to raising funds and awareness for Hoops2o! There's still time to celebrate Joe's BIG win here!
Dig Deep! Every Donation Counts.

The "Waterboys" led by Chris Long are headed back to Mt. Kilimanjaro

One of our outreach efforts is to support the bring of water in the form of sustainable wells in parts of Africa where water is very scarce.  The "Waterboys" organization is led by Chris Long and you can read an update on these efforts below:




Countdown to Summit.

This week I leave for my fourth Conquering Kili trip with a class of decorated military veterans and current and past teammates. It’s an annual opportunity for me to see the work that our Foundation funds and share my love of Tanzania and my deep-seated belief in the power of clean water with other passionate supporters.

Conquering Kili is a program designed to bring professional athletes and veterans together to raise awareness and funds for the clean water crisis, all while challenging them to train for the hike of a lifetime up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Each year, before the climb, we spend two days in-country visiting a prospective well site and villages where Waterboys wells have already been erected. For many of the guys, it will be the first time they see how the clean water crisis impacts the citizens of Tanzania and just how different day-to-day life is with and without a well nearby.

As my friend Elliot, a veteran on last year’s trip, described it. “You logically know that they are going to use the old oil jugs, caked with residue, to collect this unsafe water for their families, but when you’re standing shoulder-to-shoulder helping them do it, all the while knowing it could make them sick, it shakes you to your core.”

I know exactly what Elliot means, and it’s the same reason why I require everyone who is planning to make the climb to attend these visits. Because that reality will not only help fuel every individual to the summit, but also inspire the continued dedication to talking about the clean water crisis for days, months, and years to come. And for me, that is the most significant gift we can give to those we serve and the most important part of this program.

After the village visits, the tone around the group shifts. It’s difficult to describe but palpable in-person. The urge to get up the mountain is just as strong, but the reason WHY has likely morphed.

It’s hard to describe what the team and I are in for next week but this short video compiled from The Way Up footage last year does a solid job of capturing the power and challenge of the experience.
I want to thank all of my fellow 2019 Conquering Kili classmates for their partnership as advocates and fundraisers these past couple months. I hope you all will follow our journey both in the villages and on the mountain. For 11 days we will give all of our attention to the cause at hand and the mountain ahead of us. I hope you will send us your support for a successful summit on March 10 and if you can, donate to help the team get water to as many Tanzanians as possible.

Upward for water!

Chris Long
Defensive End
Philadelphia Eagles
Super Bowl Champion LI & LII
2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year
Well Warrior: Brad Leach
& City Life Church

Brad is the founder and lead paster at City Life. While he's a self-proclaimed basketball fan, his love of fantasy football and clean water put Chris Long and the Foundation on his radar. After researching our work and our focus countries, Brad's stepped up in a BIG way to back our mission. Huge thanks to Brad and the congregation at City Life for "proving it"! We continue to be able to serve our neighbors - here and abroad - because folks like you see the big picture. 
Athlete Feature
Joe Harris

Hoops2O Starting 5 member, Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets, was part of this year’s 2019 Mountain Dew 3-Point Contest during NBA All Star Weekend. Harris surprised many by edging out big names like Steph Curry to become the first Net to ever win the competition. What makes it better is that Joe dedicated his participation to raising funds and awareness for Hoops2o! There's still time to celebrate Joe's BIG win here!
Dig Deep! Every Donation Counts.

25 February 2019

God's Grandeur

Ashley Wolff

God's Grandeur
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)

God's Grandeur

Ashley Wolff

God's Grandeur
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)

Knock



Knock, & the door will be opened. -Luke 11.9


24 February 2019

God's Grandeur


Ashley Wolff

God's Grandeur
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.


Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)

Send your Holy Spirit






O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Send your Holy Spirit






O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

23 February 2019

Bishop Gutierrez reflects on St. Polycarp





Today we celebrate St. Polycarp. My favorites saint and my namesake.
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. Saint Irenaeus mentions Polycarp’s relationship with the Apostle John, noting that Polycarp, who knew John, was his own teacher and mentor.
Growing up among the Greek-speaking Christians of the Roman Empire, Polycarp received the teachings and recollections of individuals who had seen and known Jesus during his earthly life. This important connection – between Jesus' first disciples and apostles and their respective students – served to protect the Church against the influence of heresy during its earliest days, particularly against early attempts to deny Jesus' bodily incarnation and full humanity.
Irenaeus, wrote that Polycarp "was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ; but he was also, by apostles, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna." In a surviving letter that he wrote to the Philippians, he reminded that Church – which had also received the teaching of St. Paul – not to surrender their faith to the "gnostic" teachers claiming to teach a more intellectually refined gospel.
Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a ChristianAt 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive.
When the Roman Magistrate urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, and place a pinch of incense in a brazier burning before a statue of Caesar. Polycarp replied: "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and Savior?"
Polycarp was sentenced to be burned alive. Before the crowd, the Roman proconsul demanded again that he worship the emperor. "Hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian," the bishop said. "And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and you shall hear them."
As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed:
“Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.
The fire was then lit The flames did not harm him. Losing patience, they ordered him to be stabbed to death. From the resulting wound, "there came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished.” The centurion ordered the saint’s body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death. He died in 155.
Saint Polycarp reminds us of a truth that takes us beyond our own experience and brings us face to face with the Lord’s stinging words: “No slave is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…”
May Saint Polycarp intercede for us and give us the strength and courage to bear witness to the faith in the face of opposition and persecution.

Bishop Gutierrez reflects on St. Polycarp





Today we celebrate St. Polycarp. My favorites saint and my namesake.
Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna, disciple of Saint John the Apostle and friend of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, was a revered Christian leader during the first half of the second century. Saint Irenaeus mentions Polycarp’s relationship with the Apostle John, noting that Polycarp, who knew John, was his own teacher and mentor.
Growing up among the Greek-speaking Christians of the Roman Empire, Polycarp received the teachings and recollections of individuals who had seen and known Jesus during his earthly life. This important connection – between Jesus' first disciples and apostles and their respective students – served to protect the Church against the influence of heresy during its earliest days, particularly against early attempts to deny Jesus' bodily incarnation and full humanity.
Irenaeus, wrote that Polycarp "was not only instructed by apostles, and conversed with many who had seen Christ; but he was also, by apostles, appointed bishop of the Church in Smyrna." In a surviving letter that he wrote to the Philippians, he reminded that Church – which had also received the teaching of St. Paul – not to surrender their faith to the "gnostic" teachers claiming to teach a more intellectually refined gospel.
Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a ChristianAt 86, Polycarp was led into the crowded Smyrna stadium to be burned alive.
When the Roman Magistrate urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, and place a pinch of incense in a brazier burning before a statue of Caesar. Polycarp replied: "Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and Savior?"
Polycarp was sentenced to be burned alive. Before the crowd, the Roman proconsul demanded again that he worship the emperor. "Hear me declare with boldness, I am a Christian," the bishop said. "And if you wish to learn what the doctrines of Christianity are, appoint me a day, and you shall hear them."
As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed:
“Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the whole race of the upright who live in your presence: I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit. Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.
The fire was then lit The flames did not harm him. Losing patience, they ordered him to be stabbed to death. From the resulting wound, "there came forth a dove, and a great quantity of blood, so that the fire was extinguished.” The centurion ordered the saint’s body burned. The “Acts” of Polycarp’s martyrdom are the earliest preserved, fully reliable account of a Christian martyr’s death. He died in 155.
Saint Polycarp reminds us of a truth that takes us beyond our own experience and brings us face to face with the Lord’s stinging words: “No slave is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you…”
May Saint Polycarp intercede for us and give us the strength and courage to bear witness to the faith in the face of opposition and persecution.

21 February 2019

Renew us


Renew us


St. Mary’s Episcopal Church ~ Cathedral Road Liturgical Assistants and Readers Schedule for March-2019

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church ~ Cathedral Road
Liturgical Assistants and Readers Schedule for March-2019


Below is the schedule for March.  Please find your own substitute if you cannot make your scheduled Sunday and let the Rev. Peter M. Carey know about the switch revpetermcarey@gmail.com .  Virginia Trimble is the Coordinator for Liturgical Assistants and Alice Hershberger is the Coordinator for Readers.  Elizabeth Lowther is the Coordinator for the Altar Guild. Thank you!

Please also note that the only people who should be in the Sacristy before or after the service are the people listed below for that particular Sunday.  Liturgical Assistants, Acolytes, Celebrant, Readers, Prayers of the People Leader and Altar Guild members who are scheduled for that particular Sunday as well as the three coordinators listed above.

There is too much socializing and people coming in and out of this sacred space which has the purpose of setting aside an area for the preparation for the service and for the work to conclude the service.  

Thank you!

Peter+

March
3rd Last Epiphany
10am ~ Liturgical Assistants : Valerie James, Sandi Davis
Readers: Joe Trelli, Valerie James
Prayers of the People: Sandi Davis
Altar Guild: Valerie James, Olivia Van Osten
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial: The Rev. Daniel K. Sullivan
Adele Sullivan
6th Ash Wednesday - 10am - Virginia Trimble
7pm - Valerie James
10th Lent 1
10am ~ Liturgical Assistants : Virginia Trimble, Steve Snyder(chalice)
Readers: Elizabeth Lowther, Jean Duncan
Prayers of the People: Barbara Baumgartner
Altar Guild: Valerie James
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial

17th Lent 2
10am ~ Liturgical Assistants: Valerie James, Christine Snyder (chalice)
Readers: S. Zartarian, H. Zartarian
Prayers of the People: Carol Palmer
Altar Guild: Abby York, Valerie James
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial  

24th Lent 3
10am ~
Liturgical Assistants : Virginia Trimble, Sandi Davis
Readers~ Bob Kirkpatrick, Diana Menick
Prayers of the People ~ Jim Cochran
Altar Guild: Christine Snyder, Olivia Van Osten
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial
31st Lent 4
10am ~
Liturgical Assistants : Virginia Trimble, Sandi Davis
Readers~ Alice Hershberger, Mark Sullivan
Prayers of the People ~ Joe Trelli
Altar Guild: Virginia Trimble
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church ~ Cathedral Road Liturgical Assistants and Readers Schedule for March-2019

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church ~ Cathedral Road
Liturgical Assistants and Readers Schedule for March-2019


Below is the schedule for March.  Please find your own substitute if you cannot make your scheduled Sunday and let the Rev. Peter M. Carey know about the switch revpetermcarey@gmail.com .  Virginia Trimble is the Coordinator for Liturgical Assistants and Alice Hershberger is the Coordinator for Readers.  Elizabeth Lowther is the Coordinator for the Altar Guild. Thank you!

Please also note that the only people who should be in the Sacristy before or after the service are the people listed below for that particular Sunday.  Liturgical Assistants, Acolytes, Celebrant, Readers, Prayers of the People Leader and Altar Guild members who are scheduled for that particular Sunday as well as the three coordinators listed above.

There is too much socializing and people coming in and out of this sacred space which has the purpose of setting aside an area for the preparation for the service and for the work to conclude the service.  

Thank you!

Peter+

March
3rd Last Epiphany
10am ~ Liturgical Assistants : Valerie James, Sandi Davis
Readers: Joe Trelli, Valerie James
Prayers of the People: Sandi Davis
Altar Guild: Valerie James, Olivia Van Osten
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial: The Rev. Daniel K. Sullivan
Adele Sullivan
6th Ash Wednesday - 10am - Virginia Trimble
7pm - Valerie James
10th Lent 1
10am ~ Liturgical Assistants : Virginia Trimble, Steve Snyder(chalice)
Readers: Elizabeth Lowther, Jean Duncan
Prayers of the People: Barbara Baumgartner
Altar Guild: Valerie James
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial

17th Lent 2
10am ~ Liturgical Assistants: Valerie James, Christine Snyder (chalice)
Readers: S. Zartarian, H. Zartarian
Prayers of the People: Carol Palmer
Altar Guild: Abby York, Valerie James
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial  

24th Lent 3
10am ~
Liturgical Assistants : Virginia Trimble, Sandi Davis
Readers~ Bob Kirkpatrick, Diana Menick
Prayers of the People ~ Jim Cochran
Altar Guild: Christine Snyder, Olivia Van Osten
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial
31st Lent 4
10am ~
Liturgical Assistants : Virginia Trimble, Sandi Davis
Readers~ Alice Hershberger, Mark Sullivan
Prayers of the People ~ Joe Trelli
Altar Guild: Virginia Trimble
Flower Memorial
Tabernacle Light Memorial