Epiphany Episcopal Church
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT, 2009
Envisioning the Future: A Buddhist Ecology
A Dharma Talk By: David Astor, OPB
The global environmental crisis, which threatens not only the future of human civilization but all life on earth, is fundamentally a moral and spiritual problem. It calls upon us to exercise our human freedom with a renewed sense of humility and responsibility. Which raises questions that are becoming ever more urgent at this moment of unprecedented danger to the global environment & economy. In what sense does the environmental crisis reflect a crisis of moral values and religious faith? What spiritual resources do the various religious and ethical traditions of the world hold for us at such a time? What do the different traditions have to say to one another today that may clarify what it means to have a proper respect for the earth in our personal and social choices? And how do religious traditions need to be reevaluated and reconstructed in light of our increasing environmental difficulties? Today’s lesson ask us to consider - will we continue living a life with little regard our actions have for the world around us, for what will it profit us if, by doing so, we lose everything. The Lord will provide if we only trust the lessons nature is sending us in an alarming manner by changing our priorities.
Human history’s major theme in recent centuries has been a struggle to overcome oppression and a quest for social and individual freedom. Despite the persistence of poverty in much of the world and the emergence of new forms of social oppression, gains in intellectual, political, economic, moral, and religious freedom have been substantial throughout much of the world. Nevertheless, this new freedom has not brought the happiness that many believed would automatically follow. There is an important lesson to be learned in this regard, which is directly related to the current environmental crisis. Ideas of God and teachings about the relation between God and the world shape human attitudes toward nature. The cooperation of the World’s religious in helping civilization address the environmental crisis is essential. I want to approach this dialog today from a Zen perspective.
The more time I spend sitting on my meditation cushion listening to what my teacher calls the “ringing stillness of the universal mind,” the more I feel the warm embrace of Mother Earth. It is an awareness of being cared for and nurtured, like being in a long slow dance with Creation. I can almost remember in my childish thoughts years ago when heaven and earth were one. Only too soon is the child’s clarity of vision obscured by a host of cultural conditioning, firm views, judgementalism and denial.
The Dharma, (which are universal teachings pointing to reality), is about a way to end unsatisfactoriness, by facing existing circumstances with equanimity and the resolve to do our best. Looking deeply at things as they are can be painful, and that is why some may want to call Buddhism pessimistic. But it has also been known as an ancient art and science for personal achievement.
While the earth is changing in response to human carelessness, and the problems that lie ahead are vast and perilous, the emerging ecocrisis is energizing a strong desire for a positive vision of the future. If Christianity and Buddhism are to be relevant to this earth crisis, we must believe it possible that we can rise to the quality and refinement of character exemplified by Christ and the Buddha. And the teachings of Jesus and Siddhartha remind us that it is a realistic achievable goal to develop compassion not only for our human brother and sisters but also to all living & non-living things. The importance of mountains, water, trees, and air is as important as sentient beings. Why? Because everything is interconnected and interdependent. It is vitally important that we restore the natural, heartfelt perception of our interdependence. Until this fundamental alienation and division is healed, there may be no lasting solutions to the environmental problems affecting the earth. Human beings destroy the ecology at the same time as they destroy one another…healing our society goes hand in hand with healing our personal connection with the phenomenal world.
Healing on this scale means profound re-education aimed at inspiring a deep sense of the interconnectedness of all life. This healing education must include practical methods that can help us feel our interconnectedness and the pain of what is actually happening to the earth at this moment; in turn, it must then generate the compassion needed to restore wholesomeness. Healing is ACTION that shows us how we can proceed, with this understanding to restore balance to the human presence within the global ecosystem. Or one day there may not be a human presence. For the first time in human history, it is absolutely clear that our survival, alongside the survival of all living species, depends upon our recognition of equality and interdependency. It is how the laws of Creation work. If we only still the mind, we will hear the Creator’s voice reflected in all things. It is both a spiritual and pragmatic task to restore wolves, trees, rivers, and rocks to equal standing with us, to affirm their equal rights to territory, life, air, water, food and their own distinct ways of being. For all we know, the very nature of the cosmos itself, the stars and nebulae, may soon be revealed as an elaborate system of interdependency we can not yet even imagine.
It is vital that we reduce pollution, plant trees, recycle, and so forth, and yet the most critical change that must take place is a transformation in our very relationship with earth. The earth does not need to change in order to survive - she will survive with or without us. If WE are to continue, it is our values that need to change. And make no mistake, earth has begun to protect herself by fighting back, and SHE WILL WIN. The Buddha’s insight that the earth is also mind can serve us as we endeavor to define a new ecological ethic. We must become aware and accept the reality that we must change from an EGOcentricity to ECOcentricity and a true greening of our mind.
In meditation we learn to be mindful. To become aware of the intent of our thoughts and actions. Mindful living cultivates a view of human beings, nature, and their relationship that is fundamentally ecological. Awareness opens our perception to the interdependence and fragility of all life. We must come to know that it is ecology itself that is a massive interdependent, self-causing dynamic energy-event that is in ceaseless change.
It is not very long ago that Native Americans had a sophisticated ecological teaching representing a grounded idea in an honorable partnership with a living Mother Earth, from which all life springs. Their belief was that everything in our experience is part of us, and we are part of it. It is interesting to contemplate the notion that nature is an active partner in all thought.
The Buddhist tradition, in all of its historical and cultural manifestations, encourages greater identification with the natural world. It suggests that all things - objects and beings - exist only inter-dependently, not in-dependently. In a Buddhist perception, everything is alive and influences everything else. All of nature is vibrating with life, even the air. From this point of view, while unity is the essence of the principle, so is the fact that differences and variety in nature are not just to be tolerated, but encouraged. Our very survival depends on diversity. Unity is diversity, and diversity is unity. From my point of view, the mystery of Creation did not place man as superior to other forms. Everything is equal because there is only the One. When we come to see this reality, we see the earth in a different light. All things, not just humans, are thus expressions of the Universe.
Buddhist Dharma offers a clearly defined system of ethics, a guide to ecological living, right here, right now. Meditation is its primary tool for raising ecological consciousness. In meditation, awareness of our environment deepens and our identity expands to include the multitude of circumstances and conditions that come together to inform us of our existence. Curiosity and respect for the beauty and power of nature is enhanced, revealing an innate bio-spirituality (if you let me use that expression). This is why being outdoors, experiencing nature, is so enriching for most of us. Becoming aware we may find ways to avoid irreversible damage and ultimate self destruction.
Many industries among the developed nations creates vast amounts of pollution, drains the planet’s resources, and threatens the earth’s very survival as a life sustaining body. But our two faiths help us realize that it is futile to blame others as solely responsible. We are encouraged to take a closer look at the unwholesome tendencies in our own behavior. Are we recycling? Are we consuming Conscientiously? Is the job we spend so much time in contributing to the problem.
Practice prepares us to glimpse the immediacy of life so we can experience ourselves and nature as one- operationally. It brings a meditative attitude of complete attention and focus to all our activities. By practicing in our community, our church, with others who share a Green perception of the future, we are liberated from the myth of our separateness.
While considering what to say today I found
something Carl Sagan recently told an audience of scientists that “efforts to safeguard and cherish the environment need to be infused with a vision of the sacred.” Many ecologists, Christians, and Buddhist’s recognize that our environmental problems are rooted in a possible spiritual crisis. We seem to be awash in a great sea of duality between our own aliveness and the life of the planet, between mind and body, and between many social issues of the day. We are challenged to understand with our intellect, our heart, and with our experiences the seemingly ironic state in which we are both uniquely different from everything else AND intrinsically inter-connected with each other and the entire living cosmos.
What the Buddha might say is this: - If you do your best and the situation is turned around then that is good and there will be good fruits of those actions. But, if you do your best and the situation is not turned around then that is still good and there will still be good fruits of those actions. We will never know if it is enough. Motivation and intention is everything. The outcome is out of our hands.
Let us close with a moment of silence as we consider these compassionate words from the monastic Thomas Merton: “The most wonderful moment of the day is that when creation in its innocence asks permission to “be” once again, as it did on the first morning that ever was.”
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT, 2009
BITE YOUR TONGUE
Verlyn Warrington, M.D.
Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
When I was asked to speak about “keeping body and soul together “ , yet somehow incorporate the concept of going green, I thought that it was going to be an interesting proposition. However, it turned out to be a lot easier than I initially thought. God has created us as in his own image and has entrusted the earth and its resources to our safe keeping. It is therefore an offering of thanksgiving that we engage in the art of self care and seek to preserve the integrity of the earth that he has given to us.
There are four elements that are essential to human well being . These include physical, mental and spiritual health as well as connectedness i.e. relationships. It seemed a daunting task to address these globally in the allotted time, so I decided to focus on a small muscle that has profound impact on these 4 aspects of human well being as well as a dramatic impact upon how we use the earth’s resources. I will be speaking about the tongue.
Most of you have at some time been to the doctor’s and as you get home an anxious friend or family member inquires, “ what did the doctor say?” There have been times when I see a patient with so many ailments , that as I dispense advice as to how to manage the asthma, the arthritis, the cholesterol, the diabetes, the high blood pressure, I myself as a physician, am overwhelmed. Today the message is simple. The doctor is saying, ”BITE YOUR TONGUE”.
Most clinicians would agree ,that you are what you eat. Physical wellbeing is in a large part dependent upon sufficient available of a reasonable quantity and quality of food. Approximately 1 billion people in the world are dying of starvation, while paradoxically, another 1.2 billion are dying of obesity.
In the United States approximately 64% of adults are obese or overweight. Obesity costs the US $117 billion per year in medical costs and lost productivity. This does not take into account the $42 billion that Americans spend on weight loss products – a figure almost twice what it would cost to eliminate malnutrition in the world. Obesity is responsible for 300,000 premature deaths annually. It is associated with a much increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, breast, endometrial, colon and prostate cancers, arthritis, skin disorders, sleep apnea, infertility, depression, eating disorders and self esteem issues.
Although we would like to blame other factors such as genetics, pregnancy weight, medications, broken scales etc. for our increasing weight, the truth of the matter lies with the tongue. The tongue is the center of taste – sweet, salt, sour, bitter and some researchers believe even fat. The tongue therefore plays a key role in identifying the tastes that we find appealing and through a fairly complicated nervous system conveys this information to our brain. The tongue is therefore the first step in determining what we eat.
Did you know that the average American consumes 154 pounds of sugar per year? We erroneously attribute this to our sweet tooth, but in reality, it is the tongue that is to blame. Did you know that the average American consumes 67 pounds of beef per year? Did you know that 75% of the corn grown in the United States goes to feed livestock? Did you know that corn fed cows produce meat that in 500% more fat than grass fed cows – guess where that fat goes. Did you know that with our current livestock raising practices, it takes 6600 gallons of water to produce 8 ounces of beef? This does not include the water used in the slaughtering process. Think about that math next time you eat a hamburger.
What about our children? Almost one fifth of our children are obese or overweight. This is the first generation of children who are predicted not to live as long as their parents. This is because of the obesity epidemic and what we are feeding our children. Let us commit to protect our planet and our children.
Let us train our tongues and those of our children to be more discerning – to abhor the taste of fast foods and highly processed food substitutes. Train your tongue to appreciate the vast palette of God’s gifts – the tartness of a granny apple, the sweetness of a grape as opposed to the 24 chemicals listed in a poptart, the texture of nuts and the bite of a jalepeno pepper. Let us train our tongues to decrease consumption of the foods that deplete the earth’s resources. Let us show God our appreciation for the bounty he has provided for us by eating the health sustaining foods.
Now you may think that the tongue is getting a bad rap , but consider this. Every time you swallow a mouthful, it is the tongue the pushes the food against the palate compresses it in a ball or bolus, so that you can swallow. So the next time you are tempted to over indulge or eat foods whose production methods damage the earth, BITE YOUR TONGUE.
Stress. Stress is everywhere. Stress is meant to be protective but short term – the flight or fight response to danger. However, prolonged stress has profound impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Americans are thought to be some of the most chronically stressed people in the industrialized world. We eat breakfast in the car, lunch at our desks. The Spanish have learned to take daily siestas. We are allowed little vacation time and 6 weeks of maternity leave is standard compared to the year or so many European companies allow new moms and dads. Yet we are not the most productive society when compared to other industrialized nations which take time for rest and recreation. Chronic stress results in the release of cortisol which can damage brain cells, increase anxiety and depression and affect weight. It can also decrease melatonin which affects the quality of sleep.
How do we get away from the things that stress us? Turn off the beepers, the cellphones, the radio. Take time for peace and quiet. Let the tongue be still. Mark 6:31 – “………. withdraw from the crowd for a while”. Let your tongue be quiet and turn your thoughts inward for meditation. Take time to slow down, smell the roses, get in touch with your inner self. Studies show that people who meditate have much lower rates of stress and better health.
What about the spiritual being? Does the tongue have a role there? In 1793, the song writer John Wesley wrote:-
Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
God in his great wisdom has given us those thousand tongues minus 999. Make sure that yours sings a great song. Praise and thanksgiving acknowledge not only the gift, but the sovereignty of the Lord and our unworthiness to receive these gifts. Lift your tongue daily in prayer. Give thanks for the gifts and mercies that God has given you. Give thanks even for those things that you are yet to recognize as gifts.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord …”Psalm 19:14. Your tongue is the liaison between your innermost thoughts and the external world. Let your tongue never be ashamed to profess your faith and proclaim your redemption through Christ’s blood. Never forget that your tongue is an ambassador for Christianity. You in particular, but Christians in general will be judged by what comes of your mouth. Let your tongue be an asset to God’s kingdom and a reflection of his children everywhere – kind, loving , accepting, encouraging. So if what you speak does not glorify the kingdom of God, BITE YOUR TONGUE.
Your tongue is an instrument of God’s work. Use it wisely. Sometimes despite you, God will move in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.
It was July 1992, and I was a bright eyed, bushy tailed intern, eager to stamp out disease and pestilence in Baltimore. It is well known in medical circles that you do not go to a teaching hospital in July because the interns have more enthusiasm than any real knowledge. One of my first patients was a 15 year old girl who already had a toddler and was pregnant with her second child. Over the three years of my residency, I delivered three babies for her. Each baby had a different father and each father was in jail. I also treated her for venereal diseases multiple times. I had never heard such profanity on the tongue of some one quite so young. I would often threaten to take some bleach and a scrubbing brush to her mouth.
I was really frustrated, because underneath it all, despite her choices, she was a smart and resourceful kid. One day, she presented to the office for treatment of yet another sexually transmitted disease. After I had completed the exam, I asked the nurse to leave the room, so that there would be no witnesses to the “conversation” – and I use that word loosely- that we were about to have. With every vestige of professionalism having long since deserted me, I laid into her. I unloaded every bit of my self righteous indignation on her, handed her a prescription and left the room without my tongue offering a word of comfort or encouragement.
However, she continued to come to see me. At age 21, with 5 children, a full time job and a divorce to her credit, she decided to go to college. She is now remarried, the proud and very strict mom of 6 children, the owner of a graduate degree and a Baltimore city firefighter.
Don’t forget that God can use your tongue as an instrument of his work. Like I said before, God moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform. Twelve years after that ugly conversation, I walked into a room where this young woman was chatting with a medical student. She laughingly turned to me and said, “Dr. Warrington, do you remember the day you cussed me out?” I was a tad embarrassed – after all, one of my tasks is to model professionalism for my students. Her demeanor sobered as she added – “that was the first time that anyone ever made me feel that I could be more than I was.”
Remember that sometimes, despite you, God will use your tongue as an instrument of his work. If what comes out of your mouth doesn’t glorify the kingdom of God, BITE YOUR TONGUE.
Human beings are social creatures and even as babies thrive on relationships and connectedness. A study done in an orphanage showed that babies that were held and cuddled thrived, whereas those that just received basic care became depressed and did not do well physically.
There is an old Chinese proverb that sits over my desk at UMBC. I do not know where it came from, but I have always been struck by the simplistic truth of it.
If there is righteousness in the heart,
There will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation
When there is order in the nation, there will be
Peace in the world
Nothing can threaten the harmony of a home like a wayward tongue. I listen to WAVA on my way to work in the morning. A few weeks ago, a pastor issued a 30 day challenge to wives. They were instructed to say at least one positive thing to their spouse each day. In addition, they were not allowed to say anything negative to or about him. Imagine what only positive talk could do for a marriage or any relationship for that matter. People often remember the sarcasm, the subtle put downs, the negative connotations, long after the incident has passed. It is estimated that it takes at least 5 positive things to bring a relationship back in balance after a single negative expression. The more intimate the relationship, the higher the ratio.
The nature of your tongue will determine the type of relationship that you have with your significant other, family, friends, coworkers, God’s people and God. Your tongue can provide respite and encouragement to the downtrodden and dispirited, companionship to the lonely, comfort to the sad. On the other hand, an unbridled tongue can be as deadly as a nuclear weapon – dispersing sarcasm and ridicule, slicing through egos, decimating character, reputations, church families and other and relational ties.
Sometimes, even when the tongue is silent, AKA the cold shoulder, it can disrupt the harmony of a home. If the words or the attitude of the tongue is not becoming to God and the relationships that he has blessed you with, BITE YOUR TONGUE.
So in summary, watch your tongue. Give God the glory for the things he hast ordained. Refrain from eating the foods that harm the temple of God and deplete the resources of his earth. Use your tongue as a peacekeeper and comforter, an ambassador of Christianity and if the words you speak do not glorify the kingdom of the Almighty God, BITE YOUR TONGUE.
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT, 2009
The Fingerprint of God
William Moulden
4th Sunday of Lent / Earth Day, March 22, 2009
Epiphany Episcopal Church
1419 Odenton Rd.
Odenton, MD 21113
410-674-8819
Let us pray.
O Loving and Creative God,
awaken me to the beauty of your world,
allow me in this moment to perceive your love and teachings,
empower me by the Holy Spirit to sustain my faith.
May I always realize that the Earth and all Creation is a precious gift & blessing
and that you are present in it.
Amen.
My mother was born in 1931, her mother in 1897, her mother’s mother (my Nana) in 1871. This Bible was given by my Nana to my mother on the occasion of her 8th birthday in July 1939.
I’m traveling now, down the long haul into history back.
I’m 8 years old, it’s July 1963.
The morning fog is just lifting,
most things wet from the morning dew.
My buddies and I throw off our bow line, throw off the stern,
head out Fadeley’s channel.
Past the stone breakers where we’ve walked countless times,
passing main pier where I swam as a kid.
Throw a wave to the Lewalds walking the Beach Road.
The birds show up: herring & laughing gulls, ring-bills, big black-backs,
the sun hits you, the morning light shimmers the water, the bluffs a burnt clay orange.
Pass the marker at Brewer Point, head east towards the Bay.
Open up to 12 knots – little boys off to the day’s adventure chatting each other up.
You know what, you’re free now. Is there anything better in the world?
Episcopalians, who owns the world?
In the Bible there are 936 references to our Earth. The first book, the first chapter, the first verse Genesis 1:1 begins with its creation. And 66 books, 1,189 chapters, and 31,101 verses later it notes in Revelation the end of days as we know it. Did you know that the Bible can be read aloud in 70 hours?
The question again, who owns the Earth?
Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Psalm 24:1, The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.
Psalm 95:5, The sea is his, and he made it.
Matthew 6:28-29, God tells us that He clothes the lilies of the field so that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Not even a sparrow falls without God's knowledge and permission.
Who owns the Earth? … God does.
Who has the right to rule over the Earth? … to have dominion.
Genesis 2:15, And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Genesis 1:28 God tells Adam and Eve … Be fruitful, and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
While God the Creator owns it, he has given us dominion. Everything we have has come from God, who created all things. We don't own the creation, we have been granted dominion as a gift. It is not only a birthright, but a stewardship responsibility, to be passed as a gift and blessing to the generations that follow. God calls us to make use of this great gift, to enjoy its fruits and blessings, and to be a good steward of it.
Stewardship, to be a good and faithful servant, Matthew 25 comes to mind. You know this one, The Parable of the Talents.
… a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
Something new for your reflection regarding this most familiar gospel. What if Matthew 25 is not a parable at all, but rather an allegory, the representation of a spiritual meaning through visible forms, the figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. What if “the man” is Jesus Christ? What if the servant is you? What if the term Talent is not a sum of money at all, but rather the sum of your blessings. What if the verse, “Then he went away.” is the ascension? There’s more …
He who had received the five talents (blessings for the purpose of my lesson today) went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents (blessings) made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent (the one blessing) went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money – blessing.
Now after a long time the master of those servants came (the Second Coming perhaps) and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.' His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.
Why did the servant do this? Why bury the talent? He told us, “I was afraid.” And, his Lord was furious in the burial of His talent.
You, you, you, and you, and you, and I, all of us - are this servant. We have all buried portions of ourselves. We have buried blessings stemming from one sort of unfounded fear or another. We have permitted the tyranny of the urgent to forsake those things that are important. Even though Jesus promises to be with us always, even though God teaches us, “If I am with you, who can be against you? “ But, we are stubborn and not assuaged to dig up our talent.
What does this have to do with Earth Day? Everything. Did you think I was called here to tell you to go plant a tree? God wants something more. This is not about what you are going to do for His Earth. This is about what His Earth is going to do for you.
It is sometimes said, a fish would be the last to know it was swimming in water – such a common element, like the ocean of air around you now. We, like that servant, in our hurried lives likewise are the last to know our blessings, especially the ones we’ve buried.
We busy ourselves every day. We run here and then we run there. Did Jesus ever run anywhere? The story of Lazarus teaches us – no. For many of us, as a practical matter, we are divorced from – God’s good Earth. We move from one box, be it a room or a car, to another box. Through technologies, now indistinguishable from magic, we are connected to an artificial cyber world moving at the speed of light. Do you realize that our founding fathers moved in a 4 mile an hour world – the speed of one walking?
Question: Are you happy? God calls you to be so. Are you happy? Are the urgencies of your life – truly that important? Have you ever taken the time to think about that? Pray about that? Jesus teaches us to “be”, not “do”. The apostles teach us to be Christ-like, not confused with a busy do gooder. There is a difference here.
What if, beginning this Earth Day, you unearthed a blessing long buried. What if you just stopped, and dug up the blessing of time. What if you took the time to watch the glory of a sunrise, or sundown? What if you took a meal outside to hear a song bird Spring or summer symphony? What if you took an extended walk in one of God’s forests? What if you took the time for a game of catch with your son, daughter, grandchild; or went fishing or crabbing for the whole afternoon? Go exploring in a canoe? Take a dinner cruise? Lay out on a beach? Stand in the surf? Spend a day at the ocean? What if you routinely and by willful choice baptized your self in God’s creation in one manner or another? Not particularly doing anything specific, just being in His presence. Do you actually think you could escape God’s blessing in such places? In slowing down, would you not finally see His glory, hear His voice? Do you actually think that His green cathedral although simple, easy, and free would not empower you?
Last Sunday, what did Dr. Warrington tell you in this regard? Do you remember those passing remarks in countering the distractions and stress of our day. He said, Turn off the beepers, the cell phones, the radio. Take time for peace and quiet. He cited, Mark 6:31 … withdraw from the crowd for a while. Let your tongue be quiet and turn your thoughts inward for meditation. Take time to slow down, smell the roses. He was prescribing this to you as a good doctor and faithful servant of God. Did you hear? Do you understand the personal empowerment of simply disconnecting from distraction?
As many of us stare into the abyss of a second Depression, wise people of faith will take advantage. They will use the imposed opportunity to return to a simpler happier God-centered life. They will awaken to the epiphany that God’s glory is everywhere and they will reconnect to a long buried blessing.
Should someone ask you later today, what was the sermon about? Say, we should celebrate God’s good Earth, we should reap free blessings. It was about freedom.
Let us pray.
Lord, as we approach Easter and the resurrection, send the Holy Spirit to resurrect your blessings long buried in me. Empower me to be free.
Amen.
THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT, 2009
Maryellen Polvino-Bodnar, PhD
Pastoral Associate, Epiphany Church
I want to start this morning by reminding you that June 12th is a BIG day. Come on – you know, it is the day that everyone who wants to continue to view their favorite shows has to have installed the convertor box or purchased a digital TV in order to receive TV signals. The original date was February 19th – but that date came and went. What happened? Seems that there were many people who still had not changed over for some reason. Sometimes it is denial that there is a need to change – if I ignore the issue it will somehow go away. Sometimes it is laziness, it is just too much effort to change or, I am much too busy to get to it right now. It might also be that there is fear – if I change I won’t know what it going on, it will all be unfamiliar to me, how will I ever learn how to use it. Whatever the reason – there were many people who were continuing to live analog in a digital world.
All through this Lenten season we have been talking about “going green” and preserving the Earth on which we live. In fact – in reading the Maryland Church News this week it is evident that “going green” is a clear priority for the diocese. But what does it really take to make a serious commitment to preserving God’s creation for generations to come or, for that matter any other serious undertaking? I think today’s gospel clearly delineates the path we need to travel. And while the path is clearly marked and relatively simple like many things, it is not necessarily easy. First – there has to be deep understanding. We need to not only recognize but also understand the interconnectedness of all the various components of this Earth on which we reside. While we may think there is little if any difference in the terms recognition and understanding I would suggest that the difference is very important. Recognition means that we perceive that something is true. I doubt there is anyone who does not perceive that if we continue to use resources in an unchecked manner and be under-concerned with the effects of our lives on the ecosystem the environment will continue to decline. However, we have still continued with practices that undermine the very cloth of the environment apparently not connecting our behaviors with the consequences. For example – how many of us still purchase water in those disposable plastic bottles? Those bottles are made from petroleum or oil and their production also utilizes oil to power the plants in which they are manufactured. Understanding means that we grasp the significance of the issue and that is when passion and love can begin – with understanding. By the way, I would just about assure you that if you talk to any child older than about 8 they can tell you exactly what the connection is between oil and plastic water bottles. They get it – they UNDERSTAND the connection.
When our oldest daughter Clare was about 8 or 9 she and I were shopping for John’s birthday presents. One of the things she absolutely HAD to purchase for him was a lunchbox as he carried his lunch to work every day. When she presented him with this beautiful blue insulated cloth lunchbox she informed him that he could no longer use brown paper bags. When he asked why she explained to him that the use of wood to produce the paper for the bags was directly affecting the habitats of many birds and if those birds died that would affect other animals that might eat the birds for their food. Not a bad grasp of the interconnectedness of species for a 4th grader. So – we need to not only recognize but also understand the intricate balance between the resources of the Earth and the needs, not desires, but the needs of all of its inhabitants.
Once we truly understand then we have a choice to make – do we stay the same – living analog in a digital world – or, do we change? And this is at the crux of the gospel today –
“Very Truly, I tell you,
unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies;
it remains just a single grain;
but if it dies, it bears much fruit”
And so it is with old ways of living and behaving – in order for us to change the manner in which we use the Earth’s resources we need to let go of or, allow our old habits to die so that new ones can replace them. The reference here to a grain or seed is no mistake – although I doubt it was put here for my convenience! And for me – the words have meaning at many levels. First the obvious – in order to give rise to new life the seed or grain itself ceases to be – it gives up its identity as a grain in order to give rise to something greater than itself. We too must consider giving up our identity as constant consumers to give rise to something better. So – in terms of how we treat our resources and earth – our old habits must die or there is no room for something else to replace them. The difficulty comes in that change is difficult for many of us – denial, laziness, or fear can take over leaving us frozen in our ways. We are afraid, letting go we are trading the known for something that is unknown and the new may in some manner not be as good as what we currently have – so we do nothing. We recognize but do not understand – ah – perhaps we choose to live analog in a digital world.
The deeper meaning of those words for me comes from my experience as a science teacher and a gardener. When we plant a seed or grain the first thing that happens is the seed coat breaks and a fragile green shoot starts to rise from the soil. The source of energy and nutrition for this initial growth comes from the seed itself. But the really important part is what is happening under the soil – roots are starting to form. It is through the roots that the growing shoot brings in water and nutrients. If the plant fails to develop roots the shoot soon runs out of food and dies. This shoot is no different than the recognition that we need to change to conserve and preserve the earth’s resources. If no roots develop – if there is no real understanding of why it is so important to care for the earth and act accordingly, the shoot will only grow so far and then die.
What I would like to suggest to you is that our “roots” for the “green movement” are actually the children and youth of the world. That is somewhat different from how we normally view things – generally we feel it is our job to be the roots for our children. Our commitment to the environment must actually involve us teaching them the interconnectedness of the ecosystem and the fragile nature of the balance between its subsystems. This is a multistep process which I believe should begin with acknowledging that the earth, in all its glory, is God’s. Mr. Moulden eloquently pointed this out last week in his sermon – do you remember the references?
Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Psalm 24:1, The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.
Psalm 95:5, The sea is his, and he made it.
Matthew 6:28-29, God tells us that He clothes the lilies of the field so that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Not even a sparrow falls without God's knowledge and permission.
As such – we need to live with grateful hearts and protect that which has been given to us. Again – referring back the gospel several weeks ago – we must use our assets wisely in order to be trusted with more.
In order to use the earth wisely the second step is to learn about and understand, at a deep level, the intricacies and relationships between natural resources, their use and the well being of all living things. It is then that we will begin to change our own behavior. As we read in Isaiah 43: 18- 19:
“Do not remember the former things,
Or consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
Now it springs forth,
Do you not perceive it?”
We are in fact, the shoots of the plant – we can spring forth and exist for a period of time without the roots – but we must develop roots in order to sustain progress in protecting and restoring the environment. In other words – our old ways of wasteful and thoughtless living must change, must die before the new outlooks and habits can take root and grow. For us – sustainability will come from our children and our children’s children.
As any gardener knows – in order to get good root development you use a product such as Rootone® and spend time weeding and tending to your plants. And so the third step in the process is to feed the minds of our children and tend to their development. While feeding the minds of our children is something that most of us are attentive to it is the attending to their development that might be where we need some work. All major theories of development in children agree that the most important aspect of moral development is modeling the behavior we want children to exhibit rather than talking about proper behavior and modeling a different pattern of behavior. When there is dissonance or conflict between what we say and what we do children will always follow what they see rather than what they hear. In fact – such dissonance is actually dangerous as it teaches children that it is acceptable to say one thing and do another.
So – first, it is important to talk to your children about environmental issues. As a science teacher I can assure you that most of your children have heard about the poor condition of the Chesapeake Bay and the problem with global warming in school. In fact, you might find that they know a great deal about environmental issues. While many of us want to keep our children sheltered from worry, it is possible to discuss what steps a family can take to do their part to protect the environment and accentuate the positive aspects of doing so. Being proactive always works better than being reactive with children – they like to feel as though they can contribute and be part of something bigger than themselves. By including children in the discussion and local action we can begin to change the collective conscience about how to care for the Earth.
Second – it is important to not only talk the talk but walk the walk. If we say that recycling is important but then continue to throw recyclables into the general trash we are delivering a message that says it is not critically important to take care of the earth. And when children here us say that we need to reduce the production of greenhouse gases to reduce global warming but continue to drive large, gas-guzzling cars and never use mass transit, they begin to infer that it is someone else’s responsibility to take action – not theirs. Remember – we do not own the Earth – God does. And, it is everyone’s responsibility to care for and protect the resources of the earth. In doing so we bring honor and glory to God’s creation and isn’t that really the purpose of our lives as people of faith? Isn’t that the love we should show forth to God in grateful thanksgiving for all we have been given?
So – we all must make the choice – individually and collectively. Are going to continue to live analog in a digital world – or are we going to move forward with change that will be pleasing to God? Whenever I am stumped by hard questions, which as a middle school teacher is several times a day, I turn to a short prayer which I would like to share with you. I hope you find it helpful.
Grant us oh God, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you
would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices,
and that in your light we may see light and in your straight path may not
stumble.
Amen.
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
A Dramatic Presentation by P. L. McPherson adapted from Tim Russert’s autobiography,Big Russ & Me
Announcer: Joe MartinTim Russert: Brian Denham
LIVE FROM NBC NEWS IN WASHINGTON
INTRODUCTION
(NBC Signature Music from Meet the Press)
NARRATOR: Live from NBC News in Washington, this is Meet the Press, with Tim Russert. Our coverage this Sunday is a celebration of Christ’s power of life over death. You may or may not remember, that according to the Gospel of Matthew, after the crucifixion there was an earthquake,
“And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
and came out of the graves and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.” So, today, we have an exclusive interview with Tim Russert, who died Friday, June 13, 2008 at the Washington D.C. bureau on the job. He was 58.
Tim was the Managing Editor and Moderator of "Meet the Press" and political analyst for "NBC Nightly News" and the "TODAY" program. Russert also served as senior vice president and Washington bureau chief of NBC News. "Meet the Press", the longest-running program ever on network television, premiered in 1947. For almost as long as there has been television, there has been "Meet the Press." Russert was best known for his on-air tenacity as a reporter and his consuming passion for politics, which were evident during his nearly round-the-clock coverage on election nights.
But behind the scenes, Russert was a family man. He loved his wife Maureen and their son, Luke. He loved his country, his faith, his Buffalo blue-collar upbringing, and he loved his job. Earlier this year, Time magazine named Russert one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Tim honored and love his hardworking father, writing a best-seller about his Dad -- Big Russ and Me. It was such a hit, that letters starting coming in from all over the world--people writing to him and sharing stories about their dads, so Russert compiled them and Wisdom of Our Fathers was published in 2006--both books were New York Times #1 bestsellers.
PART ONE
TIM RUSSERT: Small town America. Hardworking people. This is the good stuff. I’m not sure how I got here from from South Buffalo, or from Heaven, for that matter, but I’m delighted to be with you. Last thing I knew I was taping voice-overs at NBC...but that was yesterday.
You know, I’ve been interviewing people around the world for 16 years as the Moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press and those interviews have made history-but this is where I’m from. From a place like this. And from people like you. You are the people who make America. You raise families and hold the values that make our nation great. Greatness is all about what’s important, what really matters at the end of the day. It’s the people who are around you. How you treat each other. Being down-to-earth and honest. Respectful. Working hard. Doing your part. As Big Russ, my father would say, “Keep it simple. Keep the talk straight. Don’t make it more complicated. Just tell it like it is, so that people in towns all over America will understand what’s going on.” Good advice for a journalist and good advice for all of us. It’s true about politics and its also true about our faith. Be humble. Just tell the story. And be respectful of everyone’s perspective.
PART TWO
1985 I was granted the extraordinary opportunity -- a private audience with the Holy Father, the late great John Paul II. I'll never forget as the door opened, there was the Pope, dressed in white. He walked solemnly into the room, and at that time, it seemed as large as this church. Can you believe it, I was there to convince him it was in his interest to appear on the "Today" show.But my thoughts quickly turned from Bryant Gumbel's career and NBC's ratings, toward the prospect of my salvation! So, as the Pope approached me -- this tough, no-nonsense, hard-hitting moderator of "Meet the Press" began our conversation by saying "Bless me Father." He took my arm and said "You are the man called Timothy from N-B-Chee (PHONETIC)." I said, "I am your guy. Don't forget this face!" He said, "They tell me you're a very important man." I said, "Your Holiness, with all due and deep respect, there's only two of us in this room. I'm a most distant second." He put his hands on my shoulders, looked me in the eyes and said, "Right."
Well, with YOU this day, I feel the same way. It is a great honor to be here. There are many great people in this world, everywhere. And it has been my privilege to be with many of them -- and today, it is an extraordinary privilege--to be with you.
PART THREE
Now I suppose you want to hear me say something astute and relevant to our times--you’ve got some confusing things going on economically and with global politics. Perhaps you’re looking for advice on what to do, how to live, in the meantime. I’d like to start with what my father taught me. When I am at my best, I’m Big Russ’ son and Luke’s dad. And what I’ve learned from Big Russ and what I hope to have taught Luke is what I want to share with you.
When my father was still in his teens, he left high school to help win WWII. He never talked much about what happened to him -- though I know that he was a parachute stuffer and that the plane he was in with ten men was shot down over enemy territory and that he was one of only two men who survived the crash. And when the war was over he came home, and went to work and took on another mission--raising a family and educating his kids. For most of his life he worked two jobs and never complained. I never saw him bitter or cynical about anything, or anyone. To this day, he believes his glass is two-thirds full. Or, as he puts it, “I’m truly blessed.” And so are you. He used to say, “the world doesn’t owe you a favor.” But he added, “You do, however, owe this world something.” He said, “I will always be there for you, but remember, while you are always, always loved, you are never, never entitled.” He taught me, “You do, owe this world something. To live a good and decent and meaningful life. The best exercise of the human heart is reaching down and picking someone else up.”
PART FOUR
The first big test in my childhood was getting to school. When I was a boy, grown-ups loved to tell us how tough life had been when they were our age, and their testimonies invariably included an enormously long and arduous walk to school. ‘Yes sir, it was eleventy thousand miles, and it was uphill, both ways. It took us two weeks to get to school in the monring, and another two weeks to get home--and that’s when the weather was nice. Our eyes would glaze over when we heard these stories, and yet I am compelled to tell my own. Because as we walked to school, two miles each way, real life was unfolding right in front of us. We came home for lunch, so that means that four times a day we’d walk past the little general store, past Vince’s Barber Shop, Belvidere Cleaners, Mike’s Sub Shop, a Five & Dime, a pool hall, a couple of gin mills (which is what bars were called). a library, and a drugstore. And since my school was on a busy intersection, we had to cross them both to get to school. We did that with the help of a crossing guard. She was very strict. She would say, “I don’t want to see any feet on the street.” And then she would add, “Young man, your toes are part of your feet.” Any child who disobeyed Hazel would hear about it from the principal who would tell your parents which meant that you’d find yourself in trouble from three different directions. “You be nice to that woman, Dad would tell us,”because she’s got a tough job.” Some people, without ever realizing it, spend their whole lives preparing for a single moment. One day in 1967 Hazel spotted an out-of-control truck heading toward her corner and her kids. Without hesitating, she pushed thirty-five children back to the school grounds so quickly that nobody was hurt. How do you thank somebody for saving the lives of children? She wore badge number 473 and in her steady, reliable way, she made our world a little safer. most people don’t even notice crossing guards. Until then, I didn’t, either.
PART FIVE
Being down-to-earth and honest. Respectful. Working hard. Doing your part. As Big Russ, my father would say, “Keep it simple. Keep the talk straight. Don’t make it more complicated. Just tell it like it is,You, dear Friends, raise families and hold the values that make our nation great. Greatness is all about knowing what’s important, what really matters. At the end of the day, it’s the people who are around you. How you treat each other. How you reach out and help others. Hard work. Sacrifice. Honesty. That’s what love means. And that’s what makes a good and honorable life.
EPILOGUE
One more thing: a person from a Good Family like this one, doesn’t go through life on his own. You will need prayer in your life. You will need to ask the Lord to help you and the Holy Spirit to guide you. Without prayer, you’re only half educated. You may be smart, but if you’re not respectful and you don’t take responsibility, you’re not a full person. Don’t be afraid to ask God’s help.
JUNE, 2009 Jackie M. Clarys
Sunday School Director
Lord, open our eyes that we may see, our ears that we may hear, and our hearts that we may love.
"Could I climb to the highest place in Athens, I would lift my voice and proclaim, 'Fellow citizens, why do you turn and scrape every stone to gather wealth and take so little care of your children to whom one day you must relinquish it all?"
Some of you may know the author of this quote, or where I might have seen it recently. But if you do, I would ask a small favor, that you keep it a secret for the time being. And later on, I'll mention the author and the source. And if I forget, please remind me. And, I especially invite the children present to remind me.
You know, when we say that God is the Alpha and the Omega, or we say God is everywhere, in everything, and that we are all connected, to everyone, everywhere, and everything, we aren't kidding. It seems that absolutely every time I turn around, I get evidence for this summation of our experience on the earth. This is what I mean.
This past week Soledad Obrien, CNN, interviewed African American celebrity and comedian D.L. Hughley during the pre-Show for Black in America aired from Times Square. She had asked Hughley, among others, to credit one person in his life that made the big difference for him, providing that 'moment of truth' as she called it, and then invite that person to appear with him on the show. His quick wit is nothing if not acerbic, but I do find him to be "hugely" funny, if outrageous. So it was with great interest, literally holding my breath, that I watched as, on a nationally televised forum, in the center of New York City, he broke down in fully visible emotion during the interview about his honoree. When she gently asked "Why tears?", he said 'Because I came this close (and he measured a tiny space with his fore-finger and thumb) to bein' nothin'; nothin', he repeated, 'except for my fifth grade teacher sitting beside me, who told me he thought I would be somethin'.' And he went on to recount a brief, painful reminiscence of his mother saying to him 'It's rotten, just like you.' after biting into his gift of a shiny, red, but spoiled apple. Hughley further admitted that by the time this teacher found him, remember, 5th grade or so, he was already associated with a gang. It is breath taking, isn't it? It's a commentary on how much children need to feel loved, like they belong, are valued, cared about, and connected.
I'm certain this kind of thing happens more often than we hear about, but there's a reason to tell you one more detail. As it happens, Hughley's 'moment of truth' teacher is Caucasian. Being part of Epiphany, I notice things like that, especially when it airs the very week I'm preparing a sermon about valuing ALL OF THE CHILDREN (not some, but all), and what that means for both our Sunday School and our mentorship potential with Van Bokkelen Elementary School in Severn, Maryland. This is synchronicity in its glory. In a week when we have witnessed the most painful undercurrents of our country's and culture's racial difficulties in countless news stories, I watched two people, side by side, one black, one white, fully and gratefully acknowledging one another in their shared humanity, illustrating in this bright moment born from the darkness of our human condition, our common struggle for dignity, acceptance, and hope, and a very long list of the important things in life for all people. Much as we do each Sunday at Epiphany
We have an award which speaks to this fact hanging on our church wall. In 2007, Epiphany was the first recipient of The Bishop's Award for Outstanding Mission Initiative from the Diocese of Maryland. The citation reads:
"In the work for racial justice we must have communities of faith whose life and witness reflect that radical hospitality that Christ Jesus demands of us. This radical hospitality was manifest to young men who were called up in World War I when this congregation began. Today this radical hospitality is manifest in a church whose community is truly the house of prayer for all of God's people."
The award is the result of much work and a vision, but awards, even ones as marvelous as this one, usually only mean one thing: There's so much more to be done. And, it seemingly all starts with the children, which makes me ask: what is Epiphany doing to create 'moments of truth' for the children entrusted to us?
To begin, there is Epiphany's Outreach Partnership with Van Bokkelen Elementary School, an Anne Arundel public school, a relationship which began in 2003 with a summer reading program put together for the students by three Epiphany members. The school was chosen in direct support of our stated church mission as a "bloom where we're planted" effort, and we have remained in relationship with them since that time.
In May, I attended Van Bokkelen's Fifth Grade Graduation Exercises. Graduation Day 2009 for two of the fifth graders dawned with unexpected and far-reaching changes for their lives: during a severe storm the night before, lightning struck their homes starting fires that destroyed everything for families who can least afford such setbacks. But when morning came, with the help of the school social worker Claudette Robinson and faculty members, they and their families were present, dressed for the occasion, behaving as though no adversity had come their way.
This is the spirit of a school which has its roots in the post Civil War era, created through the leadership of The Reverend Libertus Van Bokkelen (1815–1889), educator, Episcopal priest, church and civic leader, for whom the school is named. He was, at the time, Maryland's first State Superintendant of Public Instruction, appointed on November 12, 1864; it was in this capacity, in 1866, that he found it necessary to go before the General Assembly of the State of Maryland and insist that public funds be allocated for schools serving the African American population. Even when the legislature ultimately voted to provide public funding for all public schools, no money came to schools serving African Americans for five (very long) years, so Rev. Van Bokkelen had to secure private funding for them. Van Bokkelen School exists because of him, and is his gift to us. Epiphany's choice to support this school directly reflects our mission statement, and is a continuance of Rev.Van Bokkelen's vision for children.
Van Bokkelen treasures its connection to Epiphany for many reasons. The latest research shows that school success is dependant primarily upon relational trust within the school, and between the school and its community. And lucky for all of us, it doesn't take money to build a trusting relationship. That is a heart matter.
Our Old Testament reading today is a story of a legacy being handed down to the next leader, a passing of the baton, from Elijah to Elisha, in a most dramatic telling. Fast-forwarding a few thousand years, we're still writing about it. Lines from the poem "In Flanders Fields" written by the battlefield surgeon John McCrae (1872–1918) are deeply familiar to us in this World War I Chapel, legacy words again reminding us:
"To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high."
You know, we have the metaphor "to light the lamp of knowledge. My guess is that Reverend Libertus Van Bokkelen gladly took up his torch, his baton, and the deep, rich legacy left to him in a church tradition that reveres the study of knowledge. I can almost hear him in his remarks to the legislature: "If knowledge is good for any, it is good for all."
Reverend Van Bokkelen's thread of educational hope for children in the late 1800's is being picked up by Epiphany, and woven into the present-day tapestry of making up for the past. In a task so large, steps we make often can seem small, even insignificant. But to the children of Van Bokkelen, every effort matters, and one day they will carry it all forward. So, here's what's been going on:
Epiphany's volunteers read to the children, help students in classes, assist teachers, and deliver weekly food and clothing donations. Two emergency collections for the victims of those fires garnered over $1000.00, additional gift cards, and clothing.
"Green Day" achievement recognition for the children sparked an ice cream social put together by church members. When asked by Epiphany, Brewster's Ice Cream of Glen Burnie donated enough ice cream, cups, spoons, and napkins, for 371 children and their teachers.
The day before Maryland School Assessment testing at Van Bokkelen was designated Spirit Day to boost students' confidence. Since it fell on St. Patrick's Day, a leprechaun from Epiphany (rumored to be the rector) attended the student rally, giving each child a green paper shamrock decorated with a shiny new 'lucky penny'.
On January 20, 2009, the children celebrated with President Obama at their very own Van Bokkelen Inaugural Ball, and were featured on WBAL-TV evening news. Each child received a White House style invitation to the ball sponsored by the church, a memorable dress-up occasion which included music, waltzing, book donations, party bags, refreshments, cupcakes, tiaras for the girls and top hats for the boys. Later, each child received a copy of the book Barack Obama, United States President from Anne Arundel County Board of Education, a gift coordinated by Epiphany.
I've been focusing mostly on Van Bokkelen. I'd like to bring the focus in to our own church now, where there is another opportunity we have for creating those 'moments of truth’. Epiphany's Godly Play Sunday School program is also a volunteer program, run and staffed completely by church members.
Trajectory is everything in this line of work: think of the effect of one teacher's comment on one child. When we willingly participate in the healing intention of God, we create a little piece of heaven on earth, the giver receiving far more than was given.
In today's lesson, Paul assures us that each of us has something to give; maybe he is talking about our baton, our torch, and our personal legacy. He asks us to grow in spiritual maturity, which I take to mean gives us full license to discover, explore, and keep, our "childness". And what does it mean to have our childness? It means to bring a child's sense of wonder to all that we do and are. To bring, not drudgery, not duty, not entitlement with its accompanying sense of superiority. But the sense of things that says "I'm here, now?! I can do what?! These possibilities are available to me? I can spend time with who?! doing what?! Woowww! :-)
What could be more fun? And who but our children will help us do that?
Amen.
Oh yes, I almost forgot: The quote is Socrates, and it was on a flyer for Odenton Christian School, affiliated with Odenton Baptist Church, Piney Orchard.
SERMONS & SUCH
This is a new addition to our website. Scroll down to see sermons recently preached at Epiphany Church.
