22 Feb

Newsletter, February 22

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week
Tell no one about the vision…
The transfiguration of Jesus reads like a journalistic report.  It’s meant to.  There is so much in it that we can’t really get to grips with it.  Like the Resurrection, these events are beyond the scope of our understanding.  Last night I watched “Sully” the movie of the airplane crash onto the River Hudson.  What lingers, is the realization that 155 people, souls as Captain Sullenberger declared them, were rescued from the semi-submerged plane within 24 minutes.  24 minutes.  That is almost as near to a miracle as we come.  Even so, we can listen to the emergency responders moving into well rehearsed action and believe it.  After all, we saw it happening in real time with our own eyes.  Transfiguration is a tougher sell.  There has only been one.  Seen by very few.  But whatever happened up on that mountain, it has transformed the world we inhabit, and that alone is amazing.

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15 Feb

Newsletter, February 15

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?” Matthew 5:38-48
It’s hard isn’t it to live those we don’t like, or don’t agree with, or who hurt us? But this Gospel calls us to do just that.  Walk the extra mile, turn the other cheek – and yes these were actions of passive resistance, but they are also filled with humility.  In a recent Ted Talk, Brene Brown talks about the authority of vulnerability.  Contrary to our perception that vulnerability signals weakness, there is something very powerful about vulnerability.  When we signal a willingness to be available, even to be hurt, we can invite others into real relationships.  It’s the stuff of love  – that’s the theological imperative of the Gospel, and it has always been so. +

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10 Feb

Newsletter, February 8

Rev. Sheelagh’s Thought For The Week
We held our first (experimental) family friendly service on Sunday with a children’s sermon.  It went well and everyone got a glow stick to demonstrate their inner light shining. The choir gave us a wonderful rendition of “This Little Light Of Mine.” As the kids commented, shining our light is as simple as a smile, a hug, being thoughtful, creative, sharing with others and welcoming others.+
Reminders
Date
Time
Event
February 12, Sunday
11:30am-1pmVestry Meeting
February 15, Wednesday
7:30pm-10pmFinance Committee Meeting
February 15, Wednesday7pmLenten Pilgrim Program
February 26, Sunday
4pm-5pmBeckerath Organ Recital
February 28, Tuesday
6:30pmPancake Supper
March 1, Wednesday
6:30am-7:30amAshes to Go
Millburn Train Station
March 1 Wednesday
12pm-1pm and 7pm-8pmAsh Wednesday Services
  

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