A future not our own ~ Archbishop Romero

A Future Not Our Own 

It helps, now and then, to step back
And take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
It is beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
The magnificent enterprise that is God’s work.
Nothing we do is complete,
Which is another way of saying
The kingdom always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the church’s mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see the end results,

but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders,

ministers, not messiahs.

We are prophets of a future not our own.

Nice to see a fellow Episcopalian doing good stuff! Drew Brees threw a TD pass tonight for the 48th consecutive game.

Nice to see a fellow Episcopalian doing good stuff!

Drew Brees threw a TD pass tonight for the 48th consecutive game, breaking Johnny Unitas' 52-year-old record.

His Saints improved to 1-4 with a 31-24 win.

Francis of Assisi

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sending Silence Packing at UVA

SENDING SILENCE PACKING AT UVA

Posted: Oct 04, 2012 6:26 PM EDTUpdated: Oct 04, 2012 9:41 PM EDT

 

 

Hundreds of backpacks with a message dotted the University of Virginia's lawn Thursday, and each one told a tragic story.

Every year, 1,100 college students commit suicide, and 1,100 backpacks on the lawn showed students the magnitude of that number.

The nonprofit group Active Minds brought its traveling display to UVA to raise awareness about mental illness.

"A lot of people don't want to talk about depression - it's something that i feel like as a culture we kind of keep to ourselves and we just kind of let it build up," said Clint Sydnor, a student who stopped to take in the letters and pictures from loved ones of suicide victims.

He says the sight of these backpacks and the messages attached to them help people suffering from depression come out of their shells and realize they are not alone.

"I've suffered from depression in the past and so seeing something like this is really good because it shows that there are people out there that want to try and help others that are dealing with this," said Sydnor.

Send Silence Packing aims to spark conversations about mental illness, and encourage students in need to ask for help.

"I think there's a bit of a stigma attached to you know admitting you might need help for a mental health disorder and I really think that's a shame," said Meredith Was, president of the UVA chapter of Active Minds. "I think the stigma prevents people from seeking help."

Volunteers handed out flyers raising awareness about mental illness and resources available to students.  Active Minds says they hope to encourage students to speak up about mental illness and ask for help when they need it, just like they would if they had a cold or a broken leg.

"I'm happy that we are trying to shed light on depression and make people feel better about coming out about things like this," said Sydnor.

Blessing of the Animals at St. Paul's Memorial Church in Charlottesville, VA

Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 7th, at 5:00 p.m

In honor of St. Francis, a Blessing of Animals will take place on the Church Lawn on Sunday, October 7th, at 5:00 p.m.  Everyone is invited to come enjoy this event! Feel free to join us for our regular 5:30 p.m. service of Holy Eucharist. Dinner will be served following the service. All are welcome!