I made this cool word cloud with the old "wordle" word cloud app some years ago. It's the words of the Book of Common Prayer, with the most-commonly-used words appearing largest.
29 March 2022
24 March 2022
Feast of Oscar Romero
“I don’t want to be an anti, against anybody. I simply want to be the builder of a great affirmation: the affirmation of God, who loves us and who wants to save us.”
~ Oscar Romero, ‘The Violence of Love’
22 March 2022
Join us for Prayers for Peace, Wednesdays 11:45am-1pm, St. Mary's, Cathedral Road
Join us for Prayers for Peace, Wednesdays, 11:45am-1pm, St. Mary's, Cathedral Road
Join us for Prayers for Peace, Wednesdays 11:45am-1pm, St. Mary's, Cathedral Road
Support the Diocese of Jerusalem this Eastertide
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12 March 2022
The White Oak Tree at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood, VA
Emmanuel Episcopal Celebrates Venerable White Oak Tree
There’s really nothing rushed in the life of a white oak tree. In her book Seeing Trees, Nancy Ross Hugo noted that they spend 200 years growing, 200 years living and 200 years dying. Sadly, the beloved white oak that’s graced the grounds of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Greenwood for centuries is in the final phase of its long life, and the community is responding with heartfelt gratitude as well as sadness.
Although no one really knows its age, some stories establish the tree as 400 years old, which means it was a large tree even when construction of the church began in 1850. Long-time caretaker Michael Abbott, a master arborist working for Bartlett Tree Experts, said its age can be at least partly verified once the tree is cut down, by counting the rings in the lower trunk.
Abbott, who has been caring for the tree throughout almost his whole career, said the tree’s location near plentiful water and the lack of competition for light from other trees in a canopy allowed it to channel a lot of growth into its enormous spreading branches. The Emmanuel oak is actually thicker than it is tall, with limbs spreading widely over the front lawn. One of the largest (60 feet long) has been low enough for centuries for children to reach and climb. The trunk itself is more than six feet in diameter, Abbott said. “This doesn’t happen when a tree grows in a forest.”
Despite its advantages, some years may have been a little rougher than others. For a while, a buffalo and Indian trail ran over its roots, but that traffic was sporadic. Since the coming of the automobile and the Episcopalians, but long before the fairly recent paved parking lot, folklore says that one Emmanuel rector put up a sign, “Thou shalt not park here,” which saved the earth around the oak from becoming too compacted.
Everything possible has been done to save the tree, but nature and time made its death and removal inevitable. Knowing its future was uncertain, a group of tree lovers from Charlottesville gathered there last year for their annual picnic to enjoy the tree while it still survived, but they observed sadly that half the tree was already completely dead.
Long-time church-goer Mary Buford Hitz recalled how, as a child, the tree gave her a sense of freedom, because it marked the end of her journey from Richmond to the countryside, a trip she made often. When she became a permanent resident, she was awed by its spectacular beauty. “To me, it was always the outstanding feature of the local landscape,” she said.
Emmanuel’s rector, Rev. J.T. Thomas, said he saw the tree as both a gateway to the church and a symbol of Emmanuel. When he came to Greenwood to be interviewed by the search committee, he had already learned a few things about the ancient oak. He also observed the large number of other impressive white oaks back from the road, and the walking trail.
To him, it was obvious that his potential congregation valued what nature had provided. “I felt the same way about the built environment,” he said, noting that the newest structure at Emmanuel dates to 1905. “These things don’t stay with us by accident.” He said he’s always known that what communities choose to preserve says a lot about them: “I began to think that these might be my people.” Later, he found the tree to be a constant figure in the vestry minutes and also in the budget for the last 30 years, as Emmanuel leadership deliberated on the best way to protect it.
As someone who’s always loved the outdoors, Thomas said he was comfortable when the pandemic caused Emmanuel’s Easter service to move outside. To him, watching the children run around and play under the tree made the solemn celebration more meaningful. “We’ll be outside again this Easter, weather permitting,” he said.
Thomas sees all kinds of ancient themes in the demise of the great oak, and touched on them in a February sermon. “…even massive, thriving trees are not eternal, at least in the form we call tree,” he told congregation members, reminding them that the tree had already provided seeds for countless other oaks, created a rich soil for abundant life, and provided food for generations of birds, bears, deer and, ultimately, for people.
There’s much about the tree that corresponds with the Lenten liturgy. “In time, it will take on new forms of matter and energy, no longer what it once was, but part of what is and is to be,” Thomas continued.
As though to further emphasize the transformation and meaning of the tree even as it spends its last days in its present form, the congregation let some of the branches from the tree’s last trimming remain on the ground, and people in the community have asked permission take little bits and pieces from the downed branches to carve, sculpt and fashion into mementos of its long and graceful life.
They’re trying to figure out what to do with the truly massive amount of wood on a larger scale, Thomas said, noting that the wood will need to weather for quite some time before it can serve as a reliable building material. He likes the idea of fashioning simple wooden benches for people to rest and enjoy the landscape, and there are lots of other good ideas, too.
Thomas has heard many opinions about the tree, not only from his parish, but from the wider community. He welcomes all of them. “We’re just stewards of the trees, not its owners,” he said. In voicemails, people have scolded him for “letting the tree die,” as well as criticizing the church for delaying in taking it down.
Arborist Michael Abbott said the decline of the majestic tree has many causes. “Mostly old age, but oaks all along the east coast are suffering. We’ve lost a lot of them.” He also cites more recent weather extremes as contributing to the loss of many large oaks.
The final removal of the oak will be no easy matter, Abbott said. “Because you rarely see a tree this size, there really aren’t suitable tools.” Even using the largest saw blade, it will take nearly an hour to make one cut to the trunk, and the saw will require repeated sharpening. Emmanuel expects the removal to happen sometime in March.
“There’s really no liturgy for a funeral for a tree,” Thomas said, “but we’d like to allow everyone in the community to pay their respects.” Emmanuel has scheduled a short observance around the tree after the 10 a.m. service March 13. All are welcome.
09 March 2022
Join us for Prayers for Peace, Monday-Thursday, 11:45am-1pm, St. Mary's, Cathedral Road
Join us for Prayers for Peace, Monday-Thursday, 11:45am-1pm, St. Mary's, Cathedral Road
07 March 2022
Join us today for Prayers for Peace from 11:45am-1pm at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Cathedral Road
Join us today for Prayers for Peace from 11:45am-1pm at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Cathedral Road
04 March 2022
Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.
Athanasian Creed
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith unless every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Essence. For there is one Person of the Father; another of the Son; and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one; the Glory equal, the Majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is; such is the Son; and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreated; the Son uncreated; and the Holy Ghost uncreated. The Father unlimited; the Son unlimited; and the Holy Ghost unlimited. The Father eternal; the Son eternal; and the Holy Ghost eternal. And yet they are not three eternals; but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated; nor three infinites, but one uncreated; and one infinite. So likewise the Father is Almighty; the Son Almighty; and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties; but one Almighty. So the Father is God; the Son is God; and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods; but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord; the Son Lord; and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords; but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity; to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion; to say, There are three Gods, or three Lords. The Father is made of none; neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created; but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten; but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is before, or after another; none is greater, or less than another. But the whole three Persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid; the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved, let him thus think of the Trinity.
Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation; that he also believe faithfully the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right Faith is, that we believe and confess; that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man; God, of the Substance [Essence] of the Father; begotten before the worlds; and Man, of the Substance [Essence] of his Mother, born in the world. Perfect God; and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father as touching his Manhood. Who although he is God and Man; yet he is not two, but one Christ. One; not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh; but by assumption of the Manhood into God. One altogether; not by confusion of Substance [Essence]; but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man; so God and Man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead. He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he will come to judge the living and the dead. At whose coming all men will rise again with their bodies; And shall give account for their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith; which except a man believe truly and firmly, he cannot be saved.
03 March 2022
02 March 2022
Marked by Ashes, Brueggemann
Marked by Ashes
Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day…
This day — a gift from you.
This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.
This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.
This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day, for we are already halfway home
halfway back to committees and memos,
halfway back to calls and appointments,
halfway on to next Sunday,
halfway back, half frazzled, half expectant,
half turned toward you, half rather not.
This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday,
but all our Wednesdays are marked by ashes —
we begin this day with that taste of ash in our mouth:
of failed hope and broken promises,
of forgotten children and frightened women,
we ourselves are ashes to ashes, dust to dust;
we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on our tongues.
We are able to ponder our ashness with
some confidence, only because our every Wednesday of ashes
anticipates your Easter victory over that dry, flaky taste of death.
On this Wednesday, we submit our ashen way to you —
you Easter parade of newness.
Before the sun sets, take our Wednesday and Easter us,
Easter us to joy and energy and courage and freedom;
Easter us that we may be fearless for your truth.
Come here and Easter our Wednesday with
mercy and justice and peace and generosity.
We pray as we wait for the Risen One who comes soon.
Walter Brueggemann (b. 1933)
Marked by ashes
Marked by Ashes
Ruler of the Night, Guarantor of the day…
This day — a gift from you.
This day — like none other you have ever given, or we have ever received.
This Wednesday dazzles us with gift and newness and possibility.
This Wednesday burdens us with the tasks of the day, for we are already halfway home
halfway back to committees and memos,
halfway back to calls and appointments,
halfway on to next Sunday,
halfway back, half frazzled, half expectant,
half turned toward you, half rather not.
This Wednesday is a long way from Ash Wednesday,
but all our Wednesdays are marked by ashes —
we begin this day with that taste of ash in our mouth:
of failed hope and broken promises,
of forgotten children and frightened women,
we ourselves are ashes to ashes, dust to dust;
we can taste our mortality as we roll the ash around on our tongues.
We are able to ponder our ashness with
some confidence, only because our every Wednesday of ashes
anticipates your Easter victory over that dry, flaky taste of death.
On this Wednesday, we submit our ashen way to you —
you Easter parade of newness.
Before the sun sets, take our Wednesday and Easter us,
Easter us to joy and energy and courage and freedom;
Easter us that we may be fearless for your truth.
Come here and Easter our Wednesday with
mercy and justice and peace and generosity.
We pray as we wait for the Risen One who comes soon.
Walter Brueggemann (b. 1933)
01 March 2022
Ash Wednesday Service at 11am on March 2nd at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Cathedral Road
Ash Wednesday Service at 11am on March 2nd
Join us!
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