September 2011 ~ Emmanuel Way Article ~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

The Rev. Peter M. Carey

September 2011 “Emmanuel Way” Column

An invitation to transformation

From Christian Education through Christian Formation to Christian Transformation

An often-used metaphor for education is of the pail that is filled; that we must fill the pail with knowledge of readin’, writin’ and ‘rithmatic, or in churchy terms – the Bible, liturgy, and tradition, perhaps.  However, we probably know that God wants more from us than to be “full pails.”  Rather, God wants us to be fully alive, living abundant lives and seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. 

Perhaps a better metaphor is perhaps being sculpted, or “formation.”  It has become common in church to talk about “youth formation” and “adult formation” and “lifelong formation,” with the understanding that we are all works-in-progress.  No matter how well we think we are doing, we can do better.  No matter how proud of our efforts, God sees that we have more within us.  The nice thing about this metaphor of being sculpted is that we recognize that God is the sculptor, and we are mere stones, and we are contingent upon God’s grace and God’s work in our lives.  [You will notice that I am beginning to use the term “Christian Formation” and not “Christian Education” in our various publications and on our website.]

However, I believe that God is looking even deeper.  I believe that God is actually seeking “transformation,” for each of us.  God is seeking that we don’t just become well-crafted statues, but that we are actually changed from the inside-out.  God is seeking us to turn to God, and turn with compassion to one another.  God, after all, sent his son to redeem us, and to help us live abundant lives.  “I have come so that you might have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10.  It is this life of abundance that Jesus is calling us to, and moving us towards, always.  This kind of transformation takes work on our part, work to consider the ways that our lives are closely linked with lives of people close by and far way.  This kind of transformation calls us to not only recite the creeds and the baptismal covenant, but actually live them out in real ways each day.  This kind of transformation will require more of us than we can possibly imagine.

So, how might we engage with this kind of transformation.  I would argue that there is an inward journey and an outward journey.  The inward journey might include taking on a prayer and study discipline (even thought is it not Lent) that would include reflecting on the Sunday lectionary readings.  Our Sunday School will be studying the Sunday readings each week – could we each pledge to join in this effort?  Could we step up and “read, mark, and inwardly digest” the scriptures in a deep and dedicated way ~ and then see what might emerge?  The outward journey might include reflecting deeply on the places of dryness and hardness in our lives – those places where we’d rather not go.  Those places may just be the places we actually ARE called to go!  The admonition to “take up your cross and follow” might just include traveling that way that is most difficult.  What work do you need to be doing?  Who do you need to forgive (perhaps yourself!)? Where is there pain and heartache in your own circle of friends and family?  Where is there pain and suffering in our community?  This kind of transformation may indeed move us into the mission field in an even more engaged way.

It may be that what we are each called to do is to delve deeply into our very souls, using prayer and scripture as a guide, and then find the outward pathway that might move us each in a new direction.   Our transformation as children of God may just be moving us to a place where we haven’t been before, and to a way of life that we haven’t yet already lived.  Do we have the courage to do it?  It can be helpful to remember that God is guiding us and supporting us at all times.  To what is God calling us?  Transformation and a new abundant life await each of us! 

Peter+

August 2011 ~ Emmanuel Way Article ~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

The Rev. Peter M. Carey

Emmanuel Way Newsletter Column, August 2011

With the season of Pentecost beginning on June 12^th, we enter the “Ordinary Time” in which we recognize the coming of the Holy Spirit among the disciples as they struggled to see how this Jesus Movement would continue after Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension.  The coming of the Holy Spirit brought with it the sense of the many gifts that are given to us in our lives.  We are given our life itself, we are given some time on this earth, we are given some health, some wealth, and some skills and attributes.  Perhaps we wish for more health, or wealth, or skills or attributes.  There are days when I wish I could run as quickly as an NFL wide receiver or that I could increase the hours in a day.  However, I pray that I will be grateful for the gifts that have been given to me, and I pray that I might live more often a life of gratitude rather than a life of regret or envy. 

We have been given many gifts individually, and we have been given many gifts here at Emmanuel.  We are blessed with many many wonderful people who help us to continue the great story of God in this place and this time.  I am deeply thankful for the many gifts that you offer to us, and I pray prayers of thanksgiving for all that you bring to our community. 

In this season of Pentecost, when we remember the ways that the Spirit has offered each of us many gifts, we also hope that you might consider offering your gifts in new and even more abundant ways to Emmanuel and to the greater world.  What gifts do you have that are not fully engaged?  We need your help, we need you to offer more of yourself to the others in our church.  I pray that you might reflect on the gifts that you have been given and consider how you might offer these to our church.  There are many many opportunities for ministry here, and where we don’t have a program or ministry that matches up with your gifts, there is room for the Spirit to move us to do something new, something different.  As we move into the late summer and fall, you will hear about opportunities to give your gifts here at Emmanuel.  I pray that you might offer a bit of the many gifts you have to others in our community, knowing that in giving freely a bit of your abundance you will also receive abundantly.

In gratitude for all you are, and all you give,

In Joy,

Peter+

May 2011 ~ Emmanuel Way Article ~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

The Rev. Peter M. Carey

Emmanuel Way Newsletter Monthly Column

May 2011

Easter is 50 Days!

With the Easter candy arriving in the stores shortly after the Valentine’s candy left, it might feel like we’ve already been “observing” Easter for a couple of months.  However, those of us who strive to follow the church liturgical calendar know that Easter Sunday begins the season of Easter.  While the stores might be now stocking the shelves for the next minor consumer holiday, we know that the season of Easter has only just begun, and continues for 50 days, until the Day of Pentecost on June 12^th.  On Easter we proclaimed, “Christ is risen – the Lord is Risen indeed – Alleluia!” and this is our proclamation for each day of Easter season. 

What might it mean to live “Easter Lives” or to be an “Easter People”? 

Well, we know that the disciples huddled in fear in the upper room after hearing the story from Mary Magdalene about the Resurrection.  In the midst of that room, Jesus came and proclaimed “Peace be with you!”  In the midst of fear and doubt, Jesus stepped into the room and blessed them, and gave them a charge to bless others and to forgive them.  Jesus forgave his disciples, even though they abandoned him.  He blessed them, even though they did not really deserve blessing.  We have been blessed – whether or not we feel like we deserve it.  God blesses us!  As we are! And we have been forgiven.  We have been empowered to live as “Easter people” who would be the sort of people who would go out “rejoicing in the power of the Spirit” and who would be a blessing, and offer blessing, and forgive others. 

What needs blessing in your life?  What needs your presence, your attention, your prayers and compassion?  You can offer a blessing to those places, relationships, and patterns that need it?  Where is forgiveness needed?  Start with yourself, what about yourself needs your own forgiveness?  Stop and feel God’s forgiveness for your own regrets and mistakes.  Take time, be gentle with yourself.  After working on your own forgiveness, see if there is one person, one relationship, one memory, that you can offer forgiveness.  Don’t rush it.  If you are not ready, don’t rush.  However, strive to forgive, for you have been forgiven.

Easter is 50 days!  Alleluia!  Christ is Risen!  The Lord is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery

established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all

who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body

may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you

and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

May you feel God’s blessing and forgiveness as you strive to be a blessing and offer forgiveness, Peter+

April 2011 ~ Emmanuel Way Article ~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

The Rev. Peter M. Carey

Emmanuel Way Column – April 2011

As we make our way through the season of Lent, we walk the way with Jesus in the desert, considering not only his journey there, but also the journey of his life on earth.  As we approach Palm Sunday on April 17^th and Holy Week, which follows, the drama of the season reaches its height.  Jesus enters Jerusalem as the messiah and king.  However, as the week proceeds, his disciples and followers learn that he is a messiah like no other, and a king like nothing that they had ever seen.  The messiah who entered Jerusalem to the waving of palm branches and hails and shouts of joy ends the week on a cross.

Our own Lenten journey would be enhanced if we each enter into the story in whatever way that we can as we approach Holy Week.  It has become my practice to read each of the four canonical gospel accounts of the Holy Week.  Have you read these accounts recently?  Have you used your imagination to consider how you might have seen these events?  What about a bystander?  What about a follower of Jesus just outside the close companionship of the disciples?  What about the experience of someone who had earlier been healed by Jesus?  What about the experience of Lazarus of Bethany, who had been raised by Christ?  What about the perspective of the Temple priests?  What about the perspective of Pilate’s wife (who may have been a sometime follower of Jesus)?  What about the experience of those whose feet were washed by Jesus on Maundy Thursday?

How well do you know the gospel accounts?  Where might you find yourself in the story? 

Though we read these stories every year, and though we walk the way of Jesus each year as Holy Week approaches, we can find new sights, new sounds, new smells, new tastes and new perspectives on this old old story.  Do you have (new) eyes to see?  Do you have (new) ears to hear?

I encourage us all to continue to keep a holy Lent, and to consider entering into Holy Week with new eyes and ears.  The more we can enter into Holy Week, the more we can rejoice in the Easter Feast on April 24^th!

Peace and Blessings,

Peter+

March 2011 ~ Emmanuel Way Article ~ The Rev. Peter M. Carey

The Rev. Peter M. Carey

Emmanuel Way Column ~ March 2011

With the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday on March 9th, it is a good time to take on a new practice during these 40 days. Some people strive to give up something that they love in order to bring greater focus upon our need for God in our lives.

This practice has been a fruitful one for many people for centuries. Are you “giving something up” something for Lent? Whether you are or not, you might think about “taking on” the practice of reading along with your fellow parishioners here at Emmanuel.

During the Adult Forum sessions on March 27th and April 3rd, groups of people will gather to discuss three books which we hope will be fun to read and also help us to see things in a new way. The three choices (and you are welcome to read all three!) are:

1) Neve:Virginia’s Thousandfold Man, by our own Frances “Jack” Scruby which is a wonderful book which describes this most remarkable man and the work that he did in our own area; 2) Mudhouse Sabbath, by Lauren Winner which is another wonderful book by a woman who grew up as an Orthodox Jew and later became an Episcopalian.  In her book, she reflects on the Jewish roots of the many practices of her faith, and she wrote much of the book on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall at the Mudhouse Coffeeshop, hence the name of the book, “Mudhouse Sabbath.” 3) Your Faith, Your Life by Jennifer Gamber is another great book that we examined a bit last Fall, and which has some great final chapters which discuss prayer and other ways that we live out our Faith.

So, please do choose to read one or more of these books. We have copies of Gamber’s book in the Parish Hall and the Neve book is available from Frances “Jack” Scruby. We will also have a few Mudhouse Sabbath books, and they are also available online and at some bookstores.

In addition to these three books, I would like to recommend a fascinating book called, “Barefoot Disciple: Walking the way of Passionate Humility,” by Stephen Cherry. This is the  Archbishop of Canterbury’ s

Lent book for 2011 and I recommend it highly. The book takes up the topic of humility, passionate humility, and explores several questions, including “how can we develop our humility?” If there is interest, I would love to find a time to gather to discuss this book, please let me know if you are interested.

Lastly, I have a recommendation for children of all ages, and this is a storybook Bible by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the former Archbishop of South Africa and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. “Children of God Storybook Bible,” is a wonderful retelling of many of the key Bible stories and would be a marvelous book to read with your families during Lent.

I pray that we are given the gift of keeping a holy Lent, and amidst the busy-ness of our lives, I also pray that we find time to read and explore our Faith with one another.

Peace and Blessings,

Peter+