Eucharist on Tuesday, June 13
Our gathering Eucharist this morning carried the theme of the Holy Spirit. We heard from Isaiah 61 that the spirit of the lord God is upon me... and from Luke 11 that if we but ask, we will receive the Holy Spirit. The Presiding Bishop's sermon also focused on the Holy Spirit, asking us - "what if we call upon the Holy Spirit and are taken seriously?" The force of the Holy Spirit may not be altogether comfortable and we may find ourselves pushed and pulled beyond where we are comfortable, to expand our horizon, to grow into God's vision for us.
Bishop Griswald then suggested that as Episcopalians we read both from the book of Scripture and from the book of Experience, and those may be in tension and may cause tension within us, individually and as the Church. This is when we must dare to invoke the Holy Spirit, as the minister of God's truth and love.
Bishop Griswald invited us to examine the prejudices and motivations that we bring to the work of Convention, and to offer them to God. A deep sense of peace and conviction settled over the gathering. I have not been in such a place of holiness before.
Our table facilitators asked us to discuss the question of the day - What gifts has God given us to strengthen us for service and help us become more effective in our daily ministries? At my table, people identified the gift of being present, the gift of experience, the ability to create a safe space for difficult conversation, and the gift of foolishness which is sometimes necessary to keep going in the face of confusion or despair, among other gifts.
I invite you to spend a moment examining yourselves, your prejudices and motivations, and the gifts you bring to your ministry.
Taking communion with several thousand other people is humbling. Quiet, but for the hum of the florescent lights. The woman that offered me the Chalice spoke the words in Navajo. Lines snaking around the tables leading to the communion stations. Community with so many, when I live in a place of few Episcopalians.
I sit here this evening, watching the sun go down over this flat land, humbled by the opportunity to be here. Thanks be to God.
Bishop Griswald then suggested that as Episcopalians we read both from the book of Scripture and from the book of Experience, and those may be in tension and may cause tension within us, individually and as the Church. This is when we must dare to invoke the Holy Spirit, as the minister of God's truth and love.
Bishop Griswald invited us to examine the prejudices and motivations that we bring to the work of Convention, and to offer them to God. A deep sense of peace and conviction settled over the gathering. I have not been in such a place of holiness before.
Our table facilitators asked us to discuss the question of the day - What gifts has God given us to strengthen us for service and help us become more effective in our daily ministries? At my table, people identified the gift of being present, the gift of experience, the ability to create a safe space for difficult conversation, and the gift of foolishness which is sometimes necessary to keep going in the face of confusion or despair, among other gifts.
I invite you to spend a moment examining yourselves, your prejudices and motivations, and the gifts you bring to your ministry.
Taking communion with several thousand other people is humbling. Quiet, but for the hum of the florescent lights. The woman that offered me the Chalice spoke the words in Navajo. Lines snaking around the tables leading to the communion stations. Community with so many, when I live in a place of few Episcopalians.
I sit here this evening, watching the sun go down over this flat land, humbled by the opportunity to be here. Thanks be to God.
posted by Toni Marie | 6:32 PM
1 Comments:
I thought Toni might want to know that the spelling of the Presiding Bishop's Name is Griswold, not Girswald. Oops!!
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