Monthly Archives: April 2016

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 27, 2016

“The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly…”

The reading from Acts this weekend  recounts the journeys of Paul and the disciples as they travelled around the Mediterranean bringing the good news to various towns and cities.  What is interesting to me is that they were clearly feeling “called” by the Holy Spirit to some places, rather than others.  “Call” is something that it isn’t easy to explain, and I shall refer to it when I describe what my sabbatical time is going to look like after the service on Sunday.  This I do know.  I feel “called” from the depths of my heart to do this work.  There is no doubt in my mind that this is a “call” because I am filled with passion and joy when I think about it or talk about it.  My heart quite literally leaps whenever I hear or read anything about what this “going local” with millennials might be.  Come and experience some of that feeling, and discover the ways you can be part of this journey with me.  Oh, and also hear about the more mundane arrangements will be while I am gone. Continue reading →

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 20, 2016

The last few weeks have been filled with evocative scriptures for me.  During my pre-ordination retreat, we were charged to allow a scripture to enter our imagination.  Mine was the responses of Peter last week: “feed my lambs, feed my sheep, feed my lambs.”  It is probably why my ministry has been concerned so much with food and feeding.  However, over ten years on, I would say that Jesus’ own last commandment is my guiding mantra. “love one another, as I have loved you.”  Jesus tells us this is what marks us out as his disciples.  God itself knows how hard this is, which is why it is utterly all embracing of what God’s love means. Continue reading →

In the Family

Visitation hours for John Sherwood, Kim and Karen’s son-in-law are WEDNESDAY 3pm-5pm; and 7pm-9pm at Tuttle Funeral Home,272 Highway 10, Randolph.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday 14, at 10am at St. Matthew the Apostle, Randolph.
Donations to the Nate and Gabe Sherwood College Fund, P.O.Box 357, Ironia, NJ 07845.
May light perpetual shine upon him+

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 13, 2016

This Sunday is affectionately known as “Shepherd-y Sunday,” as we are treated to the iconic 23rd psalm, images of Jesus the shepherd of the flock and we, the people, as the sheep. It’s an image that maybe doesn’t sit too well in our contemporary thought. No-one really likes to be called a sheep, right? It suggests following blindly, not thinking things through, having little or no opinion of one’s own. Yet there are times I suspect, when we all feel the need to be a part of the crowd; to go with the flow; not to stick out or be different. There are also times, I suspect, when making all the decisions feels burdensome, and we yearn for someone else to take care of us. That’s the good news. God, Jesus, knows each one of us by name. No-one can snatch us away, Jesus promises us, and even if they do, he will search high and low for us. The Lord is our Shepherd translates in our contemporary world to the offer of a place of peace, where, if we can let go of our own ego for long enough, and trust the Good Shepherd to watch over us, we will have the peace that passes all understanding + Continue reading →

Reverend Sheelagh’s Thought for the Week: April 6, 2016

This Sunday we have the joy of a Baptism!  Alleluia!  It is always wonderful to welcome a new member into our Christian community.  The words are particularly beautiful, listen,  “We thank you Father, for the water of Baptism.  In it we are buried with Christ in his death.  By it we share in his resurrection.  Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit…” BCP p. 306.

Furthermore, Ann will also have a cross marked on her forehead with Chrism oil and will be “sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever,” just as we all were when we were baptized.  For those who fear that Episcopalians who were baptized as infants have not been “born again” – listen carefully to the pledges and promises made on Ann’s behalf.  Also witness how we live into our promises as we prepare to welcome our guests from IHN, seeking to serve Christ in all persons.  Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
Continue reading →