Dear St. John’s, Somehow, the August insects always sound different to my ears. They remind me that, even as we continue to enjoy hot sunny days and beautiful flowers, summer is winding down. Autumn is on its way. Sometimes we know change is coming. But sometimes it arrives abruptly. I’ve been reminded of that repeatedly in the last few weeks, as I’ve received word of sudden deaths at St. John’s and elsewhere. In the news, we see devastating wildfires in Hawai’i, a coup in Niger, political assassination in Ecuador. Through it all, we are comforted by the steadfastness of the God whose love for us never changes and by Jesus’ promise to be with us always. We remember that we remain in God’s care, no matter what happens. May we cherish our days together and trust that God will guide us through whatever changes are in our future. Rev. Sharon P.S. – Don’t forget that this Sunday we collect food for the local food pantry. We also will offer healing prayers after the worship service at the altar rail.
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“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28 Dear St. John’s, Earlier this year, WNYC radio host Brian Lehrer asked listeners to share the events that shaped them in a series called “News That Defined Your Generation.” While major events like Watergate and 9/11 immediately came to my mind, I realized that the event that affected me the most was one whose true impact I only felt years after it happened: the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church. July 29 marks 49 years since the first 11 women became Episcopal priests in Philadelphia in what initially was labeled an “irregular” ordination. Two years later, General Convention officially approved ordaining women to the priesthood starting Jan. 1, 1977, and “regularized” those 11 ordinations and four more that followed in Washington, D.C., in September 1974. I was a child when all of this happened and couldn’t have imagined the tremendous impact numerous female priests would have on my life, let alone that I myself would be called to ordination. I can only imagine how hard it was for women who previously felt that call and were told “no” simply because they were not men. I remain incredibly grateful for the Philadelphia 11, the bishops who ordained them and all who worked for many years to allow all who hear God’s call to ordination the opportunity to pursue it. Let us continue to work toward equality and equity for all within the church, for we all equally are children of God. Rev. Sharon P.S. – This Sunday, we will celebrate the anniversary of women’s ordination during our 10:30 a.m. Eucharist. Join us, and hear our guest preacher, Ms. Brigid Dwyer. She is the Youth and Children's Minister at St. George's Episcopal Church, Maplewood, and a PhD student in Bible and Cultures at Drew Theological School, where she also received her Master of Arts and Master of Sacred Theology, and was a classmate of mine. Brigid is also a nominee for Diaconal orders, serves on the ACTS/VIM board, and previously served on the Executive Board of the Union of Black Episcopalians, Diocese of Newark chapter. Dear St. John’s,
I recently heard a talk on “Sisters, not Strangers” at a women’s spirituality event. The speaker was a Muslim woman who, among other things, serves as an elected official in her town and assists a refugee-resettlement agency. She also raises sheep. When breeding sheep, she chooses mates based on their diversity because this produces stronger, healthier lambs, she said. Diversity is a strength – for humans as well as sheep. It reminds me of a friend’s comment that, when she dies, she’ll know she’s in hell if everyone is exactly like her. We’re currently observing two events that celebrate the value and strength of our diversity: LGBTQ Pride Month and Juneteenth. On Saturday, June 17, St. John’s we participated in the Boonton Rainbow Pride celebration at Grace Lord Park. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in this country. June 16 was the state holiday and June 19 is the federal holiday commemorating the day federal troops informed slaves in Galveston, Texas, that they were free – 2 ½ years after the civil war ended. I hope we all can join in celebrating these events and each other, giving thanks for the wonderful diversity of the human race and all of God’s creation. For we are fearfully and wonderfully made, each of us unique, each of us in God’s image, all of us beloved children of God. Rev. Sharon P.S. – Don’t forget to bring groceries on Sunday for our monthly collection for the Boonton food pantry. Dear St. John’s, I’ve been thinking a lot about breathing during these last few days of smoky haze and dangerously high levels of air pollution. I suspect most people most of the time don’t spend much time thinking about breathing. It happens automatically. We take it for granted. That changes when we’re bombarded with unhealthy levels of tiny particles in the air from distant wildfires or when we catch a respiratory illness like the flu or COVID-19 or we suffer from a chronic condition such as asthma or emphysema. Our breathing becomes labored. We realize how precious and vital it is for our existence. In Hebrew, the word Ruach means wind, breath, spirit. Ruach, the Spirit of God, is there from the beginning, hovering over the waters at creation in the Book of Genesis. Like the air we breathe, the Spirit of God may be something we ordinarily don’t think about too much. But it, too surrounds us, moves within us and is vital to our existence. The Spirit strengthens and guides us, if we only will pay attention. As our skies finally begin to clear, let us give thanks for the gift of clean air to breath. And let us continue to remember and give thanks for the Spirit of God that envelops us in God’s love and remains with us, even when our earthly breath subsides. Rev. Sharon Dear St. John’s, June is a month of celebrating milestones. It marks the end of another school year and, for some, graduation ceremonies. In this favorite month for weddings, many couples mark the milestone of entering holy matrimony or celebrate their anniversary of “tying the knot.” It’s a celebratory month for me personally as I mark the 4th anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood and my first anniversary as priest in residence at St. John’s. I continue to give thanks for my call into this vocation and to this wonderful parish and community. This morning, I attended another milestone, a celebration of life for the Rev. Deacon Kathleen Ballard, who died last week at age 98. Deacon Kathleen was a woman of deep faith and dedicated service who spent much of her life as an educator. She served many roles in her church and this diocese and was ordained at age 80. I particularly knew her through our diocese’s prison ministry, where we worked with the children of incarcerated parents. She was ever kind, joyful and eager to serve – a true example of someone who answered God’s call. This Sunday’s Gospel is “the Great Commission,” God’s call to all of us to spread the good news and make disciples of all people. As we mark our own milestones in this life, let us continue to listen for God’s call to us and live out our commission wherever we may be: in our schools, our jobs, our families and friendships, our church and our communities. Let us follow the example of Deacon Kathleen, who never stopped learning and loving in God’s service. Rev. Sharon Dear St. John’s,
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