St. John's Episcopal Youth Community, Austin TX

EYC Pool Party

2008-06-30T15:57:00.003-05:00

We had a great end of the school year pool party thanks to Ms. Margaret hosting a bunch of crazy kids this Sunday!! We're on summer hiatus, but with big plans for YES and Happening in late August!

Refugee Donation Drive

2008-05-15T09:24:00.002-05:00

Through the Episcopal Migration Ministries 50 new refugees will be calling Austin home in the next few weeks. Most of our new neighbors will be under the age of 18, which is why we’re focusing our donation drive on items for kids, ages 3 months to 18 years.

When? Now through June 15th
Bring items to church to give to youth members.

Have questions?
Email Megan at
StJohnsEYC@gmail.com

"I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
-Matthew 25: 31-46

Items for Donation
· Picture books
· Coloring books
· Diapers
· Board games
· School supplies
· Art supplies
· Toys
· Sport equipment (soccer ball, basketball, jump rope, etc)
· Toiletries (bubble bath, hair brush, baby shampoo, etc)
· Young Adult novels
· Gift cards to Old Navy, Target, Wal-mart, etc.

Want to learn more about our new neighbors? Many are Karen from Burma. Check out this article to learn more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5301736.stm and http://www.tbbc.org/.

Holocaust Remembrance Day

2008-04-30T11:48:00.000-05:00

Here's an article for you 8th graders and up (who should have studied the Holocaust by now): From Auschwitz, a Torah as Strong as Its Spirit: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/nyregion/30torah.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5087&em&en=563347743858e1ff&ex=1209700800
It's about a Torah that survived Auschwitz during a time that the Nazis (helped by the Church's silence) tried to destroy not only the Jewish people, but the Jewish faith too.
This Friday is Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Rememberance Day.

Take a moment on Friday to consider how individual Christians had to make the choice to either stand up and help others or remain silent and do nothing. Six million Jewish people and over six million others were killed because of who they were. Consider what choices you make if you decide to stand up for others in your daily life. Not all choices to stand up are huge, grandiose moments either. But they add up.
Want more info?
Houston has a great museum and resources: www.hmh.org.
PBS explores America's involvement with the Holocaust: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/holocaust/
Want to know about current day genocide, check out: http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/
Perhaps you've heard about the Olympic protests that have happened this year because of human rights issues in China. Did you know that Hitler hosted the Olympics? Check this out: http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/olympics/
An article from the Episcopal News Online: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_82318_ENG_HTM.htm

For the adults seeking more knowledge on the Anglican church and the Holocaust: https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.cgi?path=223551195851387

Holy Week around the World

2008-03-17T11:13:00.001-05:00

Presiding Bishop: "Stir things up, for this world certainly hasn’t yet reached that divine dream of shalom."

Marking the annual Palm Sunday celebrations and the start of a week-long visit to the Holy Land, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori made Anglican history on March 16 becoming the first woman ever to preach at St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem.

Read more here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_95739_ENG_HTM.htm

Crop Walk

2008-03-04T11:19:00.004-06:00

I'm so proud of our youth group. With a goal of raising $500 put before them, the St John's youth raised $797!! A big thanks goes out to all the kids and members of the church who helped make that happen!! It was a windy, windy day, but we had a great Crop Walk! There were stations along the route where we learned about the countries we're helping. Kids who raised $100 or more also received flags of the various countries receiving aid along with a description about the country. For more information check out: http://www.churchworldservice.org/CROP/

Thanks to all those kids who walked!!

Lock-In Video

2008-01-30T15:59:00.000-06:00

I asked both the guys and girls to figure out a short video for the lock-in. The girls came up with a feat of strength and teamwork - the guys came up with a reenactment of Guitar Hero. And while I still have Barracuda and Slow Ride stuck in my head, there's strangely very little sound in either clip.

Lock-In Pictures!

2008-01-21T11:11:00.000-06:00

First Event for 2008

2008-01-16T09:56:00.000-06:00

The Lock-in is back!! This Friday the 18th we'll be kicking the year off with the ever popular Lock-in. We'll talk a little bit of business (we do have the Crop Walk coming up!), but mainly we'll be hanging out, watching movies, playing Capture the Beanbag and so much more. We hope you can make it! Be sure to let Megan know if you're coming!

We're Back!

2008-01-07T09:13:00.000-06:00

Sunday School is back! Yesterday we broke apart the Magi narrative and put it back together. We hope you can make it next Sunday when we discuss the challenges of the "grey" areas of the Bible!

Winter Hiatus

2007-12-21T09:32:00.001-06:00

After last week’s Rosary making Sunday class, our St John’s EYC is on Christmas hiatus. We’ll be back in 2008 with Sunday school classes starting on Epiphany – January 6th.
Our first big event will be a lock-in on the 18th!
Stay tuned for the next newsletter to arrive in your mailboxes soon!

Upcoming Misfit Christmas Party

2007-11-14T16:39:00.001-06:00

This Sunday the 18th!

2007-11-13T10:34:00.000-06:00

Karoline will be continuing the God & Church curriculum - the major project - a video documentary about St John's!

Also, our second to last Pizza Party will be taking place in the Y'ALL building after the 11:30 service.

There will be no Sunday School service Sunday the 25th, following Thanksgiving.

1st Annual Fall Madness!

2007-11-02T14:38:00.000-05:00

This Sunday is our 1st Annual Fall Madness event. The youth building will be open for everyone and we'll be having lunch after the 11:30 service. This event is for the entire family of our EYC kids. Considering how busy our lives are these days, this is a time for everyone to share in good food and relaxing fellowship. Come unwind, at least for an hour!

Youth Sermon

2007-10-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

On September 30th, Youth Sunday Service, Sean Jones, a senior EYC member, gave the homily. He has graciously allowed it to be shared on our blog.

[Reading info: Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Year C, Proper 21, Gospel:
Luke 16:19-31.]

Today’s lesson is the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus. The rich man is a man with security. He has a home to sleep in, a car to get around, a steady 6 figure income, and health insurance if he gets sick.
Lazarus has none of this.
He walks the street, to nowhere in particular.
He has no shelter from the heat of summer or cold of winter.
He can never hold a job, let alone one that pays enough to live off of. And without the money he has no way to get help when he gets sick.

Jesus taught us that the two most important Commandments are 1. Love God and 2. Love your neighbor. He told us that the Kingdom of God started here on earth and we should follow its rules to ensure our acceptance into the kingdom after death.

Lazarus lived just outside the rich man’s house. So everyday when that rich man left his house for work or a social event he would have to pass Lazarus. A man so hungry he would eat the crumbs from the rich man’s table and everyday the rich man would simply ignore Lazarus neither helping nor tormenting his fallen neighbor.

In the end Lazarus dies and enters the Kingdom of Heaven. Shortly thereafter the rich man dies as well and enters the torments of hell. There the rich man cries out for comfort, he cries for Lazarus to drop one drop of water on his tongue so that he would be soothed from the agony of hell’s fire. What irony?

In this very room, all of us have our needs met. We’re not on the streets struggling to put food in our stomachs. None of us are a Lazarus.

So isn’t it our obligation to take care of the Lazarus’s in the world?

Some would say no. They would deny him stating it’s his fault for getting there.

Maybe he’s a druggie, an alcoholic, or just doesn’t have the ability to handle money in a responsible way. But Jesus would say it doesn’t matter how Lazarus got to the state he’s in. Lazarus is a suffering human being making it the obligation of those well off, like us, to help him.

The rich man chose his fate. By choosing not to live in God’s kingdom on earth he was not included in God’s kingdom in death.

So let us not forget the Lazarus’s in the world. So we can live in the Kingdom today.

Episco-Disco

2007-10-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

We raised $124 last week at our Episco-Disco!! Several parents and congregational members chipped in with donations of goods, talent and time! Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible!

Book Review of The Lost Christianities

2007-09-21T13:48:00.000-05:00

During the summer I read The Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew by Bart Ehrman. It was an intriguing read and exploration of the various Christian groups that formed after Jesus. As the publisher writes, “Some groups of Christians claimed that there was not one God but two or twelve or thirty. Some believed that the world had not been created by God but by a lesser, ignorant deity. Certain sects maintained that Jesus was human but not divine, while others said he was divine but not human.” Every group believed they had the Truth.

Have you ever been to a sports game where you and your friend saw the same events play out in the field and yet when you hear your friend retell the story later to someone else you wonder if they were at the same game you were at? Two people can witness and hear the same thing and come out with two completely different points of views and beliefs. It’s no surprise then that from the beginning of Jesus’ time people had various interpretations and ideas of who Jesus was, what he stood for and how people should follow his ideas. Christian denominations and various different takes on what it is to be a Christian that we experience today are not much different than the ones two thousand years ago. Who’s a heretic depends on who’s got the power.

While I liked this book a great deal, I’m probably going to have to reread it sometime for deeper details. If you want to start off with a good book on early Christian and Jesus issues, I suggest you read Ehrman’s other book, Misquoting Jesus. It’s an easy read – flows wonderfully – and is still highly informative and intriguing. High schoolers could read it with very little difficulty.

For those who’d like a gentle nudge or discussion group to go along with reading this book, attend the next few weeks of adult education class Sunday mornings at 9:15 in the parish hall as this book is on the reading list; the subject at hand: the first four hundred years of early Christianities.

My current book is Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. I read this book at the suggestion of Father Richard back when I was a high school camp counselor for our little Episcopal summer camp called Camp Living Waters. (You may have seen me wearing my ratty old blue shirt from there.) Ft Richard was the first priest who showed me what it is to be an intellectual Christian.

Rally Day

2007-09-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

This year at our annual church Rally Day, EYC helped the younger youth have a little fun.

Thanks for helping out guys!!

Lock-In

2007-09-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came and to those who helped. The lock-in was awesome, and surprisingly everyone fell asleep at some point in the morning. We also learned who's cranky when woken up early!!

Madeleine L'Engle, writer and Episcopalian, dies at 88

2007-09-11T13:19:00.000-05:00

Taken from the Episcopal News Service.

Madeleine L'Engle, a lay Episcopalian who wrote more than 60 books ranging from children's stories to theological reflection, died September 6 in Litchfield, Connecticut. She was 88.
Her death, of natural causes in a nursing home, was announced September 7 by her publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, according to the Associated Press.

L'Engle was best known for her children's classic, "A Wrinkle in Time," which won the John Newbery Award as the best children's book of 1963. By 2004, it had sold more than 6 million copies, was in its 67th printing and was still selling 15,000 copies a year, the New York Times reported.

She had been the writer-in-residence and librarian at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

In November 2000, she told an interviewer for Religion and Ethics Newsweekly that suffering and grief are a part of life.

"In times when we are not particularly suffering, we do not have enough time for God," she said. "We are too busy with other things. And then the intense suffering comes, and we can not be busy with other things. And then God comes into the equation. Help. And we should never be afraid of crying out, ‘Help!' I need all the help I can get."

Vintage 21 Jesus Video #4

2007-09-11T12:22:00.001-05:00

Vintage 21 Jesus Video #3

2007-09-10T15:07:00.001-05:00

In the Spring of 2003, a youth group had a four week series on Jesus Christ, taking a deep look at what He said and did. They took old videos and added soundtracks to them. They write, “It was difficult at times to get past our preconceived notions that had been developed by staunch, starched Sunday School classes of old. This is a satirical look at what some people think Jesus is like. Thank goodness He's not.”

Sunday Education is around the corner!

2007-09-07T09:28:00.000-05:00

On this day in 1783, Evangelical Anglican Robert Raikes formed the Sunday School Society to raise money for weekly Christian schools, which met each Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm—the original Sunday schools.

Aren't you glad Sunday school isn't even a full hour these days, compared to the seven hours back then?

Go here to see what else was happening in 1783.

See you at the Pole

2007-09-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

While this may be a stance most youth leaders won’t take, I’d like to express to youth and their families, why I do not support the upcoming annual See You at the Pole (SYATP) event.

The SYATP website declares: “See You at the Pole™ isn't about groups, grades, clothes, or churches. It's about praying. It's about all of us coming together and laying aside all the labels for one day, simply to call out to God, just as Jesus did in John 17 and say, "Lord, may we be one in you--whether jocks, preps, geeks, Pentecostals, Baptists, Catholics, freshmen, or seniors--may the world believe that You are real and have sent us to touch other through you, regardless of the dividing lines drawn by a broken world!" So are you in? Are you ready whatever group you're in, to join us in the circle?”

On some levels these ideas are good and clearly well intentioned. Students, especially Christians, called upon by God, should question social groups, labels, and seek unity and comfort in a world filled with so many challenges (especially during middle and high school years).

On many more vital levels though, the SYATP stance not only doesn’t go far enough in one area, it goes too far in its exclusivity: there’s an innate hypocrisy within the project.

Let me first explain why I don’t think the project doesn’t challenge students (especially Christian students) at a high enough level. Asking students to “(lay) aside all the labels for one day” is a good first step, but it is by no means good enough. Every day students hear and say comments about the groups they identify for others and identity with themselves. Laying aside a label one day indicates it’s fine to pick that label up the moment the prayer is over, or at the very least, adopt the label again the next morning. While it’s naïve to think labels will ever disappear, students (and adults) need to be more aware of possible negative effects labels can have. How closely related are labels to stereotypes, after all? Praying for a few moments before school together with people of different groups may be a good start, but dialoguing about our differences, the labels we give those differences, needs to be a next step.

As for how I view the exclusivity and hypocrisy. Let’s say you’re a Jewish, Muslim, Jehovah Witness, atheist or any other non-Christian type student trying to go to school on SYATP day. SYATP states it’s not about groups, but clearly, they’re putting a limit to whose group really counts – they’re talking about the Conservative Christian students. They’re the groups they’re concerned about – all other students aren’t welcomed. How is that being one in the Lord? While they say they gather “regardless of the dividing lines drawn by a broken world,” they are enforcing several dividing lines as a foundation for their own project. A truly inclusive prayer around the flag pole would welcome various forms of prayer from various religions seeking a closer relationship with God. School social networks can be exclusive and dangerous as they are, why use God and prayer to encourage the dividing lines?

“Fortunately, there is a Biblical passage which precisely defines "What Would Jesus Do" about prayer in public with fellow believers. He specifically prohibited public prayer, and stressed that prayer is to be performed only when one is alone:
Matthew 6:5-6: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...."
The synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) contain many references to Jesus praying. In each case, he withdrew from others and went off by himself to find an isolated place where he could pray alone. Other passages indicate that it is permissible to give thanks to God before a communal meal. More details.
It would appear that Jesus promoted private prayer only, while condemning prayer in public. Christians who wish to follow the Bible and Jesus' teachings might consider not attending a SYATP event.” (Religious Tolerance)

An interesting website with more detailed challenges to SYATP: http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_syatp.htm

This year’s SYATP takes place between Yom Kippur and Sukkot and during Ramadan. Why not make this prayer day an opportunity to learn about the Abrahamic religions and discover unity there?

Service at Trinity Center

2007-08-19T18:53:00.000-05:00

What a busy day! We had church at St John’s in the morning (some where there at the 8am service even!); we hung out in the Y’ALL building playing a serious game of pingpong; traveled across Austin for lunch; learned about and walked the labyrinth at St David’s; and finally set up, served at Trinity Center, and cleaned up! Two fantastic parents helped shuttle everyone around and shared in our fellowship and service together: a big thanks goes to Karoline and Mary Jan for helping! A total of ten awesome kids came from St John’s to serve, and Cathy’s two kids joined us as well! I’m so proud of our youth today – some stepped out of their comfort zones and really rose to the occasion by serving others. Other kids were always checking to see what else they could do to help out. We have some awesome youth at St John’s!

From the youth:

“I loved being able to put a smile on a complete stranger’s face today. It was so fulfilling. Also, it was a blast making food and lemonade and just goofing around with each other. When I saw some people who had less than me, it made me forget all my problems.”

“One of my favorite parts about today was spending the extra time and effort making the desserts and serving them to our less fortunate neighbors.”

Trinity Center Voluteer Gig

2007-08-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

Don’t forget, this Sunday we’re heading to Trinity Center to help service our downtown neighbors! After church at 12:30 we’ll have lunch and check out downtown's St David’s before our 2pm volunteer time starts.

For more info on Trinity Center, check out: http://www.trinitycenteraustin.org

Simpson's Bible Quiz

2007-08-15T13:40:00.000-05:00

I don't know how I keep running across Simpson and Bible articles, but here's another round:
Simpson Bible Quiz

Making Sense of Sin: Father Matthew Presents

2007-08-14T15:58:00.001-05:00

How have you come to understand sin? We confess every Sunday:
Most merciful God,we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved thee with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in thy will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
What does this _mean_?

Prayer for the Techie in You

2007-08-08T14:36:00.000-05:00

(The Title: Prayer for the Techie in You is a link to the MP3)

I was at a loss of what to post today. There is a saint for today (and I’m sure everyone would find Dominic and interesting fellow), but I’m a little bored with the saints. Ever since the eye popping story other saints seem to lack that extra “something.” And I did enjoy the chance to share the EpiscoPals superhero team idea.

Here’s a podcast by Pray as You Go, an online resource you can download to your MP3 player. They’re about 12 minutes long. (Ok, the one I listened to was about that long; I’m assuming most are the same.)

This one has monks singing, a British man narrating and a Welsh (?) woman reading scripture – it’s got it all!
Today’s pod scripture is actually one of my favorite readings: a woman who answers back to Jesus – Matthew 15:21–28 – an example of determination and faith. It’s all about persistence and clever wordplay people (it’s always nice to have scripture support my investment in two college English degrees).

The Brit poses the notion that it’s a scene of robust banter. How often do you hear people described as bantering with Jesus? Is Jesus good with a punch line, do you think? Can you imagine him saying to a disciple, “just joshin’ with ya (ye)!”

Here’s what the My Faith My Life website says about Pray As You Go:
“Pray-as-you-go offers daily prayer podcasts to download to your iPod or audio player. It guides listeners on their daily journey to work, school, or college through prayer and readings from the Jesuit's daily lectionary. Produced by Jesuit Media Initiatives.”
http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/

It's Not Easy Being Green

2007-08-06T11:03:00.000-05:00

Just yesterday Sarah and I were talking about recycling at St John’s; I’m always drinking soda so I’m in constant search of recycling bins. Whenever we have our pizza days or other events, there are several items we could save from the trash and recycle. Of course at St John’s we have the obligatory Sunday bulletin recycling. Also, our church offers a community-wide paper recycling bin as a service to our neighborhood. The company we use for the paper recycling does not take tin/aluminum cans or plastic. My apartment complex takes both; I recommend we set up a recycling area in either/both the parish hall or the Y’ALL building. Every once and awhile I can take a few bags to the center at my complex, and perhaps someone else can step up and help take the cans another time.

I had no idea there was such a thing as the Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN). EpEN is a nationwide network within the Episcopal Church USA that coordinates with the Peace and Justice Ministries Office of the Episcopal Church USA. As such they are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and find their roots in the Celtic Spirituality of this tradition. The EpEN includes all concerned Episcopalians who are helping our Church assume a leadership role in the worldwide environmental movement, just as our Church leads in other peace and justice issues.
Ecology comes from the Greek word, oicos, which has ties to the English concept of household or dwelling. EpEN sees it as the relationship between living beings, the environment in which they live, and God, the Creator.

For more info: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1829_ENG_HTM.htm
And: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/globalgood_84988_ENG_HTM.htm

I found this Statesman article on the Episcopal news page:
Episcopal flock going green for God
Read the full article here: http://www.statesman.com/search/content/news/stories/local/07/22/0722greenchurch.html

Here are a couple of bits I particularly enjoyed:
“We're supposed to take care of the Earth, not just take what we can get from it.”

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, which includes parts of central Texas, has set up a website explaining how churches can build in environmentally sensitive ways. The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Dripping Springs recently completed a church that has double-paned, tinted glass -- "seventy percent of the time, we don't even have to turn on a light," said the Rev. Nancy Coon -- and a zoned heating and air-conditioning system so the church can heat or cool only the areas that are occupied.

Bob Adams, a consultant with North Carolina church building company J.H. Batten, told the newspaper that much of the energy behind greener churches is coming from congregations, rather than pulpits. More church members are seeing their employers pursue green construction, he said, and "they come back to their churches and say, 'What are we going to do?'”

Faith Descriptions -

2007-08-03T10:36:00.000-05:00

Do you know what Zoroastrianism is? Or what about Jainism? Or what about the true definition of what Rastafarians believe?

Always seek to know and understand other people's faiths and ideas; one of the deepest signs of true respect you can show another person is to demonstrate an honest desire to understand them (without judgment).

Check out a great BBC resource to find out more about other faiths:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/

God & Pain

2007-08-02T10:56:00.000-05:00

Dare to Speak Out and Cutting :: by Crystal Kirgiss

If you, or someone you know, is suffering from deep pain and hurt that has led to problems with eating, with self-injury, with feelings of depression, or any other potentially dangerous result, do your friend and yourself a favor—talk to someone. Even Jesus, when He was faced with deep pain and fear of death, didn’t try to go it alone—He counted on His friends to be there for Him and to care for Him.

Read Crystal's full article here: http://www.walkthru.org/site/PageServer?pagename=YWguysgirls

D'Oh! Top Ten (Plus One) Religious Episodes on 'The Simpsons'

2007-08-01T13:44:00.001-05:00

If you're a fan of the Simpson's, you've got to check out: http://www.beliefnet.com/gallery/simpsons.html

Today's Holy Saint: Ignatius of Loyola

2007-07-31T10:17:00.000-05:00

Described by James Kiefer as a mystic, educator, preacher and founder of the Jesuits, Ignatius of Loyola lived in the mid 16th century.

He was a solider who was badly injured. After healing a bit, “he went on pilgrimage to Montserrat (near Barcelona), where he hung up his sword over the altar, and then spent about a year at Manresa near Montserrat first working as a nurse and orderly in a hospital there, and then retiring to a cave to live as a hermit and study The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, a book urging the Christian to take Christ as example, and seek daily to follow in His footsteps. It is probably during this year that he wrote his Spiritual Exercises, a manual of Christian prayer and meditation. He directs the reader to begin with an event in the life of Christ, and to imagine the scene in detail, to replay the episode in his mind like a movie script, and to try to feel as if he had himself witnessed the event, and then to use this experience as a motive for love, gratitude, and dedication to the service of God.”

“Today, his followers are aggressively proud of the fact that no member of their order has ever sat on an Inquisitorial tribunal. (It is possible that Ignatius already had doubts about the Inquisition. He was a Basque, and I am told that the Inquisition was never active in Biscay because the Basques, although thoroughly orthodox Christians, would not tolerate it.) In 1534, he and six fellow students formed a group who vowed to travel to Jerusalem and there preach the Gospel to the Muslims. (The most famous of the six is Francis Xavier, who went to India and China as a missionary, and who is commemorated on 3 December.) This group later took the name, "The Society of Jesus," and were nicknamed "the Jesuits" by outsiders, a nickname that stuck.” (Kiefer)

Buy a book of Ignatius quotes at Amazon, or his letters at Powell’s (the greatest bookstore in the world).
Lessons: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Ignatius.html
More info: http://www.luc.edu/jesuit/ignatius.bio.html
Catholic insight: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07639c.htm

Today’s Holy Saint: William Wilberforce

2007-07-30T11:23:00.000-05:00

Wilberforce was a deeply religious English member of parliament and social reformer who was very influential in the abolition of the slave trade and eventually slavery itself in the British empire (BBC).

He introduced his first anti-slavery motion in the House of Commons in 1788, in a three-and-a-half hour oration that concluded: "Sir, when we think of eternity and the future consequence of all human conduct, what is there in this life that shall make any man contradict the dictates of his conscience, the principles of justice and the law of God!"

The motion was defeated. Wilberforce brought it up again every year for eighteen years, until the slave trade was finally abolished on 25 March 1806. He continued the campaign against slavery itself, and the bill for the abolition of all slavery in British territories passed its crucial vote just four days before his death on 29 July 1833. A year later, on 31 July 1834, 800,000 slaves, chiefly in the British West Indies, were set free. (Kiefer)

Wilberforce's other efforts to 'renew society' included the organization of the Society for the Suppression of Vice in 1802. He worked with the reformer, Hannah More, in the Association for the Better Observance of Sunday. Its goal was to provide all children with regular education in reading, personal hygiene and religion. He was closely involved with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was also instrumental in encouraging Christian missionaries to go to India. (BBC)

Lessons: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Wilber.html
More info: http://www.brycchancarey.com/abolition/wilberforce.htm
And don’t forget the info on slavery I posted before: http://stjohnseyc.blogspot.com/2007/07/todays-saints-day-sojourner-truth.html

Yesterday’s Holy Saints: Mary and Martha of Bethany

2007-07-30T11:11:00.000-05:00

We were introduced to these two ladies the other week in the gospel reading (Luke 10:38-42).

Mary and Martha lived with their brother Lazarus at Bethany, a village not far from Jerusalem. They are mentioned in several episodes in the Gospels. On one occasion, when Jesus and His disciples were their guests (Luke 10:38-42), Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to Him while her sister Martha busied herself with preparing food and waiting on the guests, and when Martha complained, Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part. When Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, had died, Jesus came to Bethany. Martha, upon being told that He was approaching, went out to meet Him, while Mary sat still in the house until He sent for her. It was to Martha that Jesus said: "I am the Resurrection and the Life." (John 11:1-44) Again, about a week before the crucifixion, as Jesus reclined at table, Mary poured a flask of expensive perfume over Jesus' feet. Mary was criticized for wasting what might have been sold to raise money for the poor, and again Jesus spoke on her behalf. (John 12:1-8)

On the basis of these incidents, many Christian writers have seen Mary as representing Contemplation (prayer and devotion), and Martha as representing Action (good works, helping others); or love of God and love of neighbor respectively. (Kiefer)

Lessons: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/MaryMart.html
Fantastic read about the history of understanding Mary & Martha: http://www.thewitness.org/agw/redmont071504.html
Mary & Martha comic: http://www.agnusday.org/comics/188/luke-10-38-42-2007
Visuals of Mary & Martha (very interesting): http://www.textweek.com/art/mary_and_martha.htm

Youth Sunday

2007-07-27T09:50:00.000-05:00

The last Youth Sunday went really well - I heard tons of great comments from the congregation about the amazing sermons!

Our next Youth Sunday is coming up July 29th!

While Cathy is handling the sermon, I thought you'd enjoy a little sermon fun with Ft Matthew's video on writing sermons.

Sermon #21: Father Matthew Presents

2007-07-27T09:21:00.001-05:00

Today’s Holy Saint: William Reed Huntington

2007-07-27T09:08:00.000-05:00

Huntington was a priest at the turn of the century; although never a bishop, he had more influence on the Episcopal Church than most bishops. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, in 1838, the son of a physician, studied at Harvard, and was ordained a priest in 1862.

In his book The Church Idea (1870), Huntington undertook to discuss the basis of Christian unity, and he formulated the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, a statement adopted first by the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church in 1886 and then, with slight modifications, by the Bishops of the world-wide Anglican Communion assembled at Lambeth in 1888. The statement set forth four principles which Anglicans regard as essential, and offer as a basis for discussion of union with other Christian bodies. (See pages 876-878 of the Book of Common Prayer.) (Kiefer)

His works: http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/wrh/
Two of his Poems: http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/huntin01.html
A Short History of the BCP: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/short_history_BCP.htm
His sister’s comments on him: http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/wrh/memories1910.html
Lessons: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Hunting.html

Today’s Holy Saints: The Parents of the Virgin Mary

2007-07-26T08:54:00.000-05:00

Mary’s parents are the first grandparents who had to deal with the challenges of buying both birthday and Christmas presents for their grandson, which was especially difficult with the lagging economy of the era. (Hanukkah wasn’t as commercialized then, so present giving for each day wasn’t as big a deal as it is now.)

The Scriptures tell us nothing about the parents of the Virgin Mother, not even their names. An early but unreliable document, known as the Proto-Gospel (or Proto-Evangelion) of James, calls them Ann and Joachim, by which names they are customarily known. Our only real information about them, however, is an inference from the kind of daughter they reared. (Kiefer)

Lessons: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Parents.html
More info: http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/44sr.htm

Today’s Holy Saint: Saint James the Apostle

2007-07-25T09:24:00.000-05:00

St James the Apostle, the son of Zebedee, with his brother John left a prosperous fishing business to follow Jesus. James was the first of the Apostles to die for Jesus (Acts 12: 1-2). Today, you can walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain to visit the shrine containing his body.

For Catholics he’s the patron saint of laborers, equestrians, veterinarians and more.

More Info:
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/209.html
Lessons & Prayers: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/YearABC/HolyDays/James.html

Yesterday’s Saint: Thomas a Kempis

2007-07-25T09:09:00.000-05:00

Author of the "Imitation of Christ", born at Kempen, Germany, in the Diocese of Cologne, in 1379 or 1380; died July 25, 1471. His book, translated into over 50 languages provides meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus.

Quotes by Thomas a Kempis: http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Thomas_a_Kempis
Lessons and Prayers: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Kempis.html
More Info: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14661a.htm

Other exciting events of the early 1400s –
1420: Construction of the Chinese Forbidden City is completed in Beijing.
1429: Joan of Arc ends the Siege of Orléans and turns the tide of the Hundred Years' War.
1438: Pachacuti founds the Inca Empire.
1453: The Fall of Constantinople marks the end of the Byzantine Empire.
1455-85: Wars of the Roses - English civil war between the House of York and the House of Lancaster.
(Dates taken from Wikipedia)

Today’s Holy Saint: Mary Magdalene

2007-07-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

I didn’t forget that yesterday was Saint Mary Magdalene’s day, it’s simply that between church, youth group, and finishing Harry Potter, I simply didn’t bother turning on my computer. And yes, you read that right, I read Harry Potter books. It all started years ago when I used to work for an after-school program and the kids were beating me at the Potter board games. I had to start the book series to save face and to make sure that those third graders didn’t get too big for their britches thinking they could win so easily. Anyway, back to St Mary Magdalene.

St Mary Magdalene is one of those Catholic and Episcopal saint crossovers. (If you’re a Catholic hairstylist, she’s your patron saint.) Saint Mary Magdalene is sometimes called the apostle to the apostles because she was the first to witness the resurrected Christ and share what she had seen with the disciples. She was a caring companion of Jesus through his ministry.

You may sometimes here that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. This is a complete creation by men in the early church. As you may notice, there are lots of Marys in the Bible. Some groups think several of the Marys are the same person, thus Mary Magdalene is sometimes seen as the sinful Mary who washes Jesus’ feet. How being sinful and being a prostitute become one in the same, is a question for the early church. One thing seems clear to me, Mary was important to Jesus as a disciple. One thing that doesn’t work well in a patriarchal society is having strong women, and so they cast stones upon her name and reputation. It’s always been interesting to me that Jesus’ men, who were of course, also sinners, remained unscathed by their sins in comparison.

Lesson and prayers: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Mary_Magdalene.htm
More info: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/41685_87291_ENG_HTM.htm

Check out Ft Matthew’s November video discussing Mary Magdalene.

Father Matthew Presents: Mary Magdalene (Episcopal)

2007-07-23T10:13:00.001-05:00

Today’s Saints’ Day: Sojourner Truth, Harriet Ross Tubman, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Jenks Bloomer

2007-07-20T09:37:00.000-05:00

These four women are described as Liberators and Prophets.

The Episcopal Church has added to its Calendar four American women who were pioneers in the struggle for black emancipation and for women's votes. The date chosen for commemorating them is the anniversary of the Women's Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, 19-20 July 1848. (James Kiefer)

“That little man in black says woman can't have as much rights as man because Christ wasn't a woman. Where did your Christ come from? . . . From God and a woman. Man has nothing to do with him.” - Sojourner Truth speaking at the Ohio Woman's Rights Covention in Akron, Ohio, 1851. (American Suffragist Movement.)

Sojourner Truth, originally known as Isabella, was born a slave in New York in about 1798. In 1826 she escaped with the aid of Quaker Abolitionists, and became a street-corner evangelist and the founder of a shelter for homeless women. When she was traveling, and someone asked her name, she said "Sojourner," meaning that she was a citizen of heaven, and a wanderer on earth. She then gave her surname as "Truth," on the grounds that God was her Father, and His name was Truth. She spoke at numerous church gatherings, both black and white, quoting the Bible extensively from memory, and speaking against slavery and for an improved legal status for women. The speech for which she is best known is called, "Ain’t I a Woman?" It was delivered in response to a male speaker who had been arguing that the refusal of votes for women was grounded in a wish to shelter women from the harsh realities of political life. She replied, with great effect, that she was a woman, and that society had not sheltered her. She became known as "the Miriam of the Latter Exodus." (Kiefer)

Harriet Ross Tubman was born in 1820 in Maryland. She was deeply impressed by the Bible narrative of God's deliverance of the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, and it became the basis of her belief that it was God's will to deliver slaves in America out of their bondage, and that it was her duty to help accomplish this. In 1844, she escaped to Canada, but returned to help others escape. Working with other Abolitionists, chiefly white Quakers, she made at least nineteen excursions into Maryland in the 1850's, leading more than 300 slaves to freedom. During the War of 1861-5, she joined the Northern Army as a cook and a nurse and a spy, and on one occasion led a raid that freed over 750 slaves. After the war, she worked to shelter orphans and elderly poor persons, and to advance the status of women and blacks. She became known as "the Moses of her People." (Kiefer)

Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a pioneer in the early women’s rights movement. In 1848 she joined other women for the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls and prepared a Declaration of Sentiments based on the Declaration of Independence that called for radical changes for women including the right to vote. Stanton, an activist and reformer, focused her energy on temperance, suffrage and women’s rights. She helped to found the National Women’s Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869 with Susan B. Anthony. Together with Susan B. Anthony, Stanton also took the initiative to compose a Woman’s Bible that would include notes and reflections especially for women. Stanton, raised in the Presbyterian Church, was often annoyed with ministers she encountered who did not promote women’s rights. She attempted to call them back to the Gospel message and preached in many churches herself regarding women’s rights. (EWM)

Amelia Bloomer, A peer of Elizabeth Stanton, Bloomer (1818-1894) was deeply involved in the women’s rights movement. She began her own publication The Lily, which some call the first feminist magazine, in 1849 in order to share her views on temperance, and women’s rights. One year earlier she attended the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls. In addition to making her literary contribution, The Lily, she also developed a new fashion for women. In the nineteenth century women’s clothing was not only restricting, it was in some cases a health hazard. The tightly laced garments constricted the women and sometimes caused breathing problems. Bloomer invented a new fashion of wearing loose baggy pants (nicknamed “Bloomers” in honor of Amelia) under shorter, looser skirts. (EWM)

Check out the Episcopal Women’s Ministries: Working for Gender Justice in the Church & in the World - http://www.episcopalchurch.org/41685_87018_ENG_HTM.htm

Lessons and Prayers: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Stanton.html

Things to keep in mind about our history:
1863 – Emancipation Proclamation declared (but highly limited in effectiveness)
1867 – 14th amendment passes Congress, defining citizens as “male;” this is the first use of the word male in the Constitution.
1868 – 15th amendment passes Congress allowing black men to vote.
1920 – 19th amendment passes Congress allowing for women to vote.

Slavery is not a thing of the past: http://www.antislavery.org/
The Archbishops of Canterbury article: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_83528_ENG_HTM.htm
The Episcopal history in regards to Slavery: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/1866_84319_ENG_HTM.htm

Today’s Holy Saint: St. Macrina the Younger

2007-07-19T09:47:00.001-05:00

Macrina is one of the Saints I mentioned yesterday who crosses both the Catholic and the Episcopal sainthood list. She led a devout life dedicated to seeking God’s truth. One of the biggest credits several sources give her is in leading her brothers to a right and proper religious life. You know what they say, behind every Saintly male bishop is a saintly sister. She started and ran a nunnery, and was one of the more influential women of the Eastern Church.

If you think you have pressure to live up to expectations, you should consider yourself lucky not to be part of Macrina’s family. Macrina’s father, Basil the Elder (son of St. Macrina, one of the great matriarchs of early Roman Christianity), and her mother Emmelia, (herself the daughter of a martyr), had several distinguished sons, including Basil the Great (see 14 June), Gregory of Nyssa (see 9 March), Peter of Sebastea, Naucratios, and Dios of Antioch (founded one of the most celebrated monasteries in Constantinople). Macrina’s brother Gregory wrote a book about her: Life of Macrina. (Ft Robert F. McNamara, James Kiefer)

Lessons and prayers: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Macrina.htm
More info: http://www.stnina.org/journal/art/1.3.4
Prayer to use with Anglican rosary: http://www.gigibeads.net/prayerbeads/saints/macrinayounger.html

Today(ish)'s Holy Saint: William White

2007-07-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, really, yesterday was William’s day, but I focused on good ol’ Benedict since I missed his day (July 11th) because of my busy schedule.

This might be a good time to explain how the Episcopal Church defines Saint. The average Joe probably thinks of Saints as performing miracles and dying horrible deaths. One might also conjure up the idea of Patron Saints – Saints you pray to intercede to God on your behalf regarding certain issues. For instance, Patron Saint of Social Justice, of Babies, of Beekeepers and Parking Spots (ok, so I made that last one up, but not the beekeepers one). This concept comes from the Catholic Church. Check out the Catholic Church’s online listing of Saints here for more info. The Episcopal Church, from my limited research, has no where near as many Saints as the Catholic Church, although there’s some overlap. One definition of Saint for the Episcopal Church basically covers some early Christian martyrs, as well as generally super-duper special Episcopalians. “The Saints were heroes of the Church.” This idea of Church heroes totally relates to this idea my friend Evan and I had of Episco-Pals, average super heroes who go around helping people. We worked out a lot of details, including sidekicks, cars and scenarios. (See what fun can come of avoiding homework during graduate school?!) Check out the Episcopal definition here and extra insight into the Episcopal idea of Saints here.

William White was a super-duper Episcopalian, not a martyr. And, because of William, I’m also going to go into another definition about the Episcopal Church, namely the name, Episcopalian. Episcopal (adjective) is derived from the Greek word, episkopos, which basically means bishop. Episcopalians are Anglican (Church of England). The thing is, back in 1700s when the colonies we trying to become a country independent of England, we couldn’t really be part of the Church of England since it was an oxymoron – American Anglicans couldn’t swear loyalty to the King because we rejected the King. So we improvised and said, well, we’re still Anglicans at heart, but let’s skip over the King issue and rename ourselves Episcopalians (since we’re a church of bishops and not under a pope). Ask your local priest for a more “official” explanation.

“William White was born in Philadelphia in 1747, went to England in 1770 to be ordained deacon and priest, returned in 1772 and became first an assistant and then the rector of the Church of Christ and Saint Peter in Philadelphia. He served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1789, and then as Chaplain of the Senate. White was largely responsible for the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. At his suggestion, the system of church government was established more or less as we have it today.” (James Kiefer)

One thing to really keep in mind is that William (or Billy, as I like to call him), really believed in unity, peace and moving forward. When we look around, not just at our congregation, but at the larger Church, consider where you see strife, and how harmony and community could be restored.

Lessons and prayers: http://satucket.com/lectionary/William_White.htm
More Info: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/202.html
Egads, More Info: http://www.archives.upenn.edu/histy/features/1700s/people/white_wm.html
Questionable info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_White_%28Bishop_of_Pennsylvania%29

Today’s Holy Saint: Benedict

2007-07-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

Basic info:
Benedict was born at Nursia (Norcia) in Umbria, Italy, around 480 A.D.[1]. He was sent to Rome for his studies, but was repelled by the dissolute life of most of the populace, and withdrew to a solitary life at Subiaco. His chief founding was Monte Cassino, an abbey which stands to this day as the mother house of the world-wide Benedictine order. Benedict drew up a rule of life for monastics, a rule which he calls "a school of the Lord's service, in which we hope to order nothing harsh or rigorous." The Rule gives instructions for how the monastic community is to be organized, and how the monks are to spend their time. An average day includes about four hours to be spent in liturgical prayer (called the Divinum Officium -- the Divine Office), five hours in spiritual reading and study, six hours of labor, one hour for eating, and about eight hours for sleep. The Book of Psalms is to be recited in its entirety every week as a part of the Office.

A Benedictine monk takes vows of "obedience, stability, and conversion of life." That is, he vows to live in accordance with the Benedictine Rule, not to leave his community without grave cause, and to seek to follow the teaching and example of Christ in all things. We owe the preservation of the Holy Scriptures and other ancient writings in large measure to the patience and diligence of monastic scribes. In purely secular terms, their contribution was considerable. Monks were both scholars and workers. A monk, after spending a few hours doing some laborious task by hand, was likely to think, "There must be a better way of doing this." The result was the systematic development of windmills and water wheels for grinding grain, sawing wood, pumping water, and so on. The rotation of crops (including legumes) and other agricultural advances were also originated or promoted by monastic farms. The monks, by their example, taught the dignity of labor and the importance of order and planning. (James Kiefer)

Gospel connection:
Luke 14:33:
Fancypants version - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Everyday version- So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions

Some may note that there’s a theory Jesus was introduced to, or was for a time a member of, the Asceitic monistary. “The adjective ‘ascetic’ derives from the ancient Greek term askēsis (practice, training or exercise). Originally associated with any form of disciplined practice, the term ascetic has come to mean anyone who practices a renunciation of worldly pursuits to achieve higher intellectual and spiritual goals.” (Tragically taken from Wikipedia, a highly disreputable source.)

What do you think some of the biggest challenges are to this passage in Luke? If you really want a piece to debate, check out Luke 14:25-33 and see how much Jesus is challenging the people.

Patron Saint details:
His mortal remains, and those of his sister Scolastica, rest beneath the High Alter at Abbey of Montecassino. St. Benedict, Patron Saint of engineers, speleologists and of "Opera della Bonifica" (land reclaiming) was proclaimed main Patron of Europe by Pope Paul VI on the occasion of his visit to Montecassino on October 24, 1964 with the following motivation: "Messenger of Peace, Unifier, Master of Civilization and in particular Herald of Faith and Iniziator of monastic life in Western Europe". (Papal Brief - Pacis Nuntius).

Lessons and prayers: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jul/Benedict.html
More info: http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/198.html

[1] Other exciting events of the 480s! – Emperor Julius Nepos is murdered by his own soldiers leading to the “fall" of the Western Roman Empire. Euric, a Visigoth King, invades Spain. The Gupta (India) Empire’s era of peace ends when the Huns invade from the North. Mookini Heiau, a human sacrificial temple, is built in Kohala, Hawaii. Clovis establishes the Frankish Empire (currently known as France). King Arthur theoretically fighting, searching for the Grail, and doing whatnot in Britain.

Refugees in Austin - Invisible Children's

2007-07-10T10:36:00.001-05:00

While we begin our work in helping Austin refugees settle into their new lives here in Texas, it’s important to realize how few refugees ever have the chance to resettle into countries like ours. Luckily, there are a lot of amazing young people in the world working to make a difference for those in need.
________________________
Once refugees have escaped the immediate crisis they faced at home, they are met by an uncertain future. They are often traumatized by the experiences that caused them to flee their homelands; they have only those possessions they could carry with them, and they suddenly find themselves dependent on others for their very survival. Although they may be out of immediate danger, their lives are untenable; their future uncertain. In most cases, refugees flee to countries with fragile economic and political systems that lack the infrastructure to absorb thousands of refugees long-term basis.

Unfortunately, however, many refugees end up spending several years, even decades, in refugee camps where they face overcrowding, lack of privacy, and shortages of basic necessities like food, water, medical care and sanitation. Refugees languish in camps without the right to work, farm, or otherwise provide for their own livelihood. Children lack sufficient educational opportunities (EMM).

Check out more info from the National Episcopal Migration Ministries website: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/emm.htm

Invisible Children: The Proof 2006

2007-07-10T10:35:00.003-05:00

Invisible Children: http://www.invisiblechildren.com

Schools for Schools: The Teaser

2007-07-10T10:35:00.001-05:00

Refugee Donation Drive

2007-07-02T09:18:00.000-05:00

Organization for the refugee donation drive has begun. While everyone will be helping the actual donation drive part, I’d love to have a teen help with the planning. (Parent volunteers are welcome too!)

To help give you an idea of what we’ll be collecting, here’s a list of only some of the items: bedroom furniture, living room and dining room furniture, kitchen items, linens, home office supplies, school supplies, books, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Remember, people arriving in Austin are starting life here with nothing in their homes. They don’t have boxes arriving from storage; they don’t have a lot of luggage to unpack. Imagine your house completely empty – you own nothing – if you can visualize that you’re just on the first step of understanding their plight.

Helping refugees face the difficult challenges of adjustment to life in the U.S. and building a hospitable environment for their resettlement make a world of difference for refugees trying to find a place they can call home. Only a small number of the world's refugees ever have an opportunity to resettle in another country such as the United States.

The New Testament urges validation of each person by reinforcing biblical hospitality. Hebrews 13:2 urges, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” The mandate was and remains clear. As we read the New Testament, we see people moving freely, without borders, and we see new life, as their lives are changed through contact with Christ and / or his disciples. Paul reinforces this teaching in Romans 12:13, with, “Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.” (Christian Hospitality and Welcoming the Stranger.)

At our meeting the other Sunday I tried to explain a little bit about who refugees are and what they’ve gone through before they arrive in our town. If you’re looking to understand more here are several good sites to check out:
Basic facts: http://www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/stats.html
Understanding the Journey: http://www.churchworldservice.org/Immigration/journey.html
Read the Seven Biblical Principals for the Care and Nurture of Refugees: http://www.crcna.org/pages/osjha_refugeecare.cfm

Meeting Notes & Plans

2007-06-27T18:57:00.000-05:00

Greeting from Houston! It’s been a few days since I posted anything, and that’s because I’m at a diversity workshop for my job. I’m having a great time. I hope your week is going well too.

I wanted to cover the things we talked about at our last EYC meeting. Some activities for the year you guys came up with were a lock-in, laser tag, roller skating, and ice skating. We also discussed holding an Episco-disco as a fundraiser to help purchase a playscape for our St. John’s toddlers. This will be a great opportunity to combine fellowship with congregational service. Another service project that was approved by the group was a donation drive for refugees in the Austin area. The details in how we’ll go about organizing the drive are still to be decided.

For the first High School special activity, I’d like to suggest we have a movie night. High Schoolers, please email me to let me know if there’s a Thursday or a Friday that works well for you in July.

As always, let me know if you have any thoughts, or would like to help with the planning of any of these activities.

Today's Holy Saint: Alban

2007-06-22T09:33:00.000-05:00

Alban, the first British martyr, was tortured and killed in the place of a priest who was fleeing persecution.

Alban lived (at some time during the 3rd century) in the Roman city of Verulamium. Although he was then a worshipper of Roman gods including the emperor, he gave shelter to a Christian priest fleeing from persecution. Influenced by the priest's prayer and teaching he became a Christian.

When the authorities discovered the priest's hiding place Alban exchanged clothes with him. The priest escaped and Alban was bound and taken before the judge. The judge was furious at the deception, and ordered that Alban should receive the punishment due to the priest, if he had indeed become a Christian.

Alban declared his Christian faith, saying in words still used as a prayer "I worship and adore the true and living God, who created all things." Despite flogging he refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods and was sentenced to death. He was brought out of the town, across the river and up a hill to the site of execution where his head was cut off.

Legend tells us that on the hill-top a spring of water miraculously appeared to give the martyr a drink; also that moved by his witness the original executioner refused to carry out the deed, and that after his replacement had killed Alban the executioners' eyes dropped out. [Other stories indicate that the original executioner became the second British martyr after hearing Alban's testimony and being so impressed that he became a Christian on the spot, and refused to kill Alban. The third martyr was the priest, who when he learned that Alban had been arrested in his place, hurried to the court in the hope of saving Alban by turning himself in.]

Info taken from the Cathedral & Abbey Church of St Alban.

Lessons and prayers: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jun/Alban.html
For more info: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Alban.htm

Invitations

2007-06-21T13:21:00.000-05:00

As a new member not only to St. John's, but to EYC too, I found Kristen Glass's article, "E-vites, Invites, and Other Ways to Welcome," especially interesting. Be sure to check out Elizabeth Conway's Faith Reflection section too.

Café is an electronic magazine for young women who want to build Community, participate in Advocacy, strengthen Faith, and strive toward Enlightenment (CAFE!). Women of the the ELCA, the women's organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, creates and publishes every issue of Café.

You can check out their articles online, or for you ipod lovers, sign up for their monthly podcasts.

Writing Contest about Poverty & Hunger

2007-06-20T08:27:00.000-05:00

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) is pleased to announce a writing contest for youth. We invite you to present your views on how to arrive at a world where no one lives in poverty and hunger.
Deadline for submissions (typed and in English only): August 1, 2007
Length: 2,000 words maximum

Use your writing skills to write an essay, short story, poem, open letter to a national leader, short play, or other text on

How we can make poverty and hunger problems of the past in all nations across the globe.

Prizes:
First prize is US$ 500, plus a booklet in which your essay will be published with other high-quality contributions. Runner up prizes are US$ 250, plus a booklet in which your essay will be published. The booklet will be posted on IFPRI's website.

For additional guidelines and details, please visit our website: http://www.ifpri.org/2020chinaconference/chconfcontest.asp

Please send your submission to:
Writing Contest
IFPRI
2033 K Street NW
Washington DC 2006, USA

Fax: 1-202-467-4439
Email: IFPRI-2020WritingContest@cgiar.org

The Episcopal Youth Event (E.Y.E.)

2007-06-19T08:46:00.002-05:00

Once every three years the Episcopal Church holds its Episcopal Youth Event and next year it will be held in San Antonio, July 8-13, 2008. It serves as a celebration to inspire a deeper faith in Jesus Christ, and a renewed commitment to mission and ministry. E.Y.E. is for young people who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 by spring of the event year and have not already attended college. Each Episcopal diocese is initially allocated 15 slots (12 for young people and 3 for their adult sponsors). Participants must apply and register through their diocese. EYE is also attended by numerous staff, resource people, and bishops.

Registration will open in the fall of 2007. If you are interested in attending E.Y.E. please contact your local diocesan office. $480 covers your housing, meals, program, and registration for six days and five nights of worship, learning, and fun. The Episcopal Church's budget picks up the difference between your registration fee and the actual cost of the event.

For more information: http://www.eye2008.org

Episcopal Youth Event 2005

2007-06-19T08:46:00.001-05:00

A short video about the last E.Y.E in Kentucky.

The Prayer

2007-06-19T08:45:00.001-05:00

Hip Hop Eucharist at the 2005 E.Y.E.

Today's Holy Saint: Bernard Mizeki

2007-06-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

Bernard Mizeki, Christian witness and martyr in South Africa, dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel in South Africa. He was killed during an uprising of the native people against the Europeans. He would not desert his converts at the mission.

Bernard Mizeki was born, probably in 1861, on the shores of the Bay of Inhambane, in Mozambique south of Beira. At 14, he travelled to Cape Town with other young men to look for work. He found work in a butchery and during his time there he came into contact with the Anglican Church. He was baptized and confirmed. Although he did not begin his education until late he had particular gifts for music and languages. He was also a man who prayed much, and his gentleness and graciousness impressed all who met him. In time he came to believe that God was calling him to be a missionary.

His chance came in 1891, when Bishop Knight-Bruce recruited him to join a party to make the difficult journey via Beira into Eastern Zimbabwe to found the new diocese. Mizeki was given the task of living among Chief Mangwende's people near Marondera, and to build up the mission there. For the next five years, Mizeki worked hard and after a time, he became a key member of the small group which was given the task of producing part of the Prayer Book and the Scriptures in the vernacular.

He soon realised that the belief of the local people was something to be respected, and upon which he could build. His humility was such that he destroyed furniture he had built for himself because he wanted to live the same life as those around him. His identification with Mangwende's people became even more complete when he married a young woman called Mutwa, who was related to the Chief.

Converts began to gather round Mizeki but some of his teachings aroused jealousy. So, when the behaviour of many white settlers provoked the first great rebellion anyone associated with them was under threat. Mizeki was advised to leave his post and seek safety until peace was restored. He refused to leave his converts, and on 18 June 1896, he was speared to death by two of Mangwende's sons. Mutwa escaped, and in November gave birth to a daughter, Bernardina.

Mizeki's life and death have deeply influenced the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe. His memory is preserved by books that have been written about him, and schools named after him.

The shrine which Bishop Paget caused to be erected at the site of his martyrdom is the scene of a huge open-air service held each year at the weekend nearest to 18 June.

Info taken from Diocese of Southwark in London.
Prayers and Lessons for Today: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jun/Mizeki.html
For more info: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Bernard_Mizeki.htm

Today's Holy Saint: Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham

2007-06-16T16:45:00.000-05:00

Joseph Butler, Bishop of Durham, helped revive the Church in eighteenth century England and defend the Church against Deism.

What's Deism you ask? Look at the word for a sec. Have you heard the word "deity" before? Deity is from the Latin word, "deus" which means "God". [We've all heard the Spanish phrase (a Latin based language): ¡Dios mío!] So Deism is a belief in God. Have you ever heard someone say they were spiritual, but not religious? That belief goes along with what a Deist believes. A dictionary description of Deism says a Deist is, "one who believes in the existence of a God or supreme being but denies revealed religion, basing his belief on the light of nature and reason."

The 18th century was called the age of Enlightenment. The big philosophical names of the day were Descartes, Voltaire, Kant and Rousseau. (Okay, so there were tons more, but these are the names I remember from my 18th century literature courses.) Instead of the world being a huge puzzle that only God really knows, people began to see that they could logically figure out, or deduct from scientific reason, how things worked. Most people still believed in God, but they also felt that the Church didn't allow for individual freedom and expression of thought. It's far more complicated and interesting, but this is a broad brushstroke for you to see what Butler was all about.

Lessons and Collect for today's Saint: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/LesserFF/Jun/Butler.html
For more info on Butler: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Joseph_Butler.htm
For more info on Deism: http://www.deism.com/
For more 18th Century fun: http://history-world.org/age_of_enlightenment.htm

The Tale of the Faithful Acolyte: Father Matthew Presents

2007-06-15T08:19:00.001-05:00

You may also enjoy the “Tale of the Faithful Acolyte”. My favorite line: "Maybe we should just create an angry mob and go after her."

Do you think St. John’s is small, medium or large? In the church I was an acolyte in, we were so small, and getting smaller, that we were downsized from “church” status to “mission” status. (And as for a youth group – there was me and this guy, Nick – that’s it.) Father Matthew’s church in Yonkers had a similar problem; however, they had a more extreme situation and their church was closed. It’s been reopened now and they’re working on expanding the small church.

In an article from their webpage we can see just how small we’re talking:
“Sunday service at the church now draws some 25 people, up from just five when it closed. Part of that audience comes from a supporting parish in Manhattan that sent congregants to Yonkers to help revive the church.”

Ft Matthew says, "You get out a message and all you need is creativity." What do you think our message is for St. John’s EYC?

More info: http://www.spcy.org/artman/publish/article_88.shtml

Diversity in Faith: Father Matthew Presents

2007-06-15T07:56:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine at St. David's downtown sent me the link to Ft Matthew's work in Yonkers. He does an online YouTube show every few weeks. http://www.youtube.com/fathermatthew The clip here is about the diversity of faith found in the world, let alone in our Episcopal churches.

Today's Feast Day Honors Evelyn Underhill

2007-06-15T07:45:00.000-05:00

THEOLOGIAN AND MYSTIC (15 JUNE 1941)
Evelyn Underhill was born in 1875 and died in 1941. English lay theologian and writer, Evelyn Underhill awakened the spiritual hearts of her contemporaries and -- without realizing it -- pioneered a path for women in ministry. Born in South Kensington the only child of nominally Anglican parents, Underhill described her early life as lacking religious nurture. But even as a teenager, Underhill showed spiritual sparks that would be fanned into flames in young adulthood. Underhill graduated from King's College, London, and in her twenties began writing novels about the spiritual quest. After her marriage to Hubert Stuart Moore, Underhill began writing her best-known work, Mysticism (1911), which continues to be a standard on the mystical life. After the devastation of World War I and years of struggling with a longing to become a Roman Catholic, Underhill renewed her membership in the Anglican Church. She turned her attention to the spiritual formation of the average Christian by offering retreats for clergy and laity, radio talks, and as a spiritual guide. ... Having a strong ecumenical vision, Underhill created important bridges to believers of the Eastern Orthodox tradition and to spiritual writers beyond the Christian tradition. She authored thirty-nine books and over 350 articles, almost all on spiritual themes.
More info: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Evelyn_Underhill.htm

Youth Sunday

2007-06-14T12:09:00.000-05:00

What's Your Spiritual Type?

2007-06-14T10:36:00.000-05:00

"Personality types and spiritual types help us develop our self-awareness and our self-understanding," writes Neinast, author of MX Spiritual Types Test. "Types help us uncover the things that give us energy and joy. They alert us to the filters we use — our five senses, and our 'sixth sense' of intuition — to perceive the world around us. Types help us understand how we make decisions and why we interact with the world around us the way we do."
Check out your Spiritual Type here!

When you're finished you can check out the website's section on different prayer methods.

Diocesan Events!

2007-06-13T08:32:00.000-05:00

Here are some upcoming events in our Diocese.
June
25-30, Christian Leadership Conference @ St. Stephen’s School, Austin
The Division of Youth’s Christian Leadership Conference is a youth-led event that exists to connect youth through worship, ministry, discipleship, fellowship and evangelism. The weeklong senior high (grades 10-12) event focuses on the practical application of faith and includes various workshops along with its social activities.
http://www.epicenter.org/edot/Christian_Leadership_Conference.asp?SnID=67933746
Please discuss attending this event (held in our own Austin backyard!) with Rev Cathy.

August
24-26, Happening #120, YES #87 @ Camp Allen
A Happening is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Through this experience the Happening encourages participation in one's own parish and youth group. Any youth in 10-12th grade may attend Happening. http://www.happeningtexas.org/

A Youth Encounter Spirit (Y.E.S.) weekend brings together members of the 7th-9th grade youth of the Diocese of Texas as a Christian community.
http://www.epicenter.org/edot/YouthEncounter_Spirit.asp?SnID=67933746

Welcome to St. John's Episcopal Youth Community

2007-06-12T15:23:00.000-05:00

Welcome to St. John’s EYC! Even though it’s summer, we still have some great things happening with our Middle and High School youth.

Summer Pizza Sundays:
Come enjoy pizza and fellowship in the Y’ALL building after the Jubilee service at 12:30!
June 24
July 22
August 26

Faith in Action:
Trinity Streets
On August 19th St John’s EYC will work the Trinity Streets Sunday worship and meal project. Trinity Streets is a Sunday afternoon worship service and meal for about 80 neighbors (people experiencing homelessness and poverty in downtown Austin). We will work from 2pm-4:30pm on Sunday the 19th. Our EYC participated in January and we look forward to the experience again! http://www.trinitycenteraustin.org/

Youth Sunday Services:
On the fifth Sunday of the month the EYC group leads Sunday services. Below are the upcoming dates for 2007.
July 29
September 30

EYC Bible Studies will begin in September.

For more information contact Megan at StJohnsEYC@gmail.com