Week of October 25

Zacchaeus, hurry and come down (from that tree) has been a favorite bible citation of children for years.  There is something alluring about a short man climbing a tree to see Jesus.  But the point of the story is that Zaccaeus was a rich man who had become wealthy as a chief tax collector.  Chief tax collectors usually obtained their wealth by squeezing taxpayers out of money by collecting much more that was needed to send to Rome.  Needless to say this legal graft made all tax collectors hated by the populace.  Looking at what has been going on in the up coming elections we see accusations of "pork barreling" and even more serious transgressions by the political opponents.  The liberals call  the conservatives crooks because they have sold out to the rich, the conservatives call the liberals crooks because they believe in taxing and spending.

Jesus ends today's story by stating:  "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham."  On election day  we should remember  that all the candidates are children of Abraham.   Candidates should be elected based on their positive attributes rather than on the smear tactics employed during the campaign.

Perhaps Jesus was speaking of today's politicians when he said, "For the Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost."  Instead of denigrating our leaders perhaps we should try praying for them.

Peace Jim

Week of October 18

Bullying is deservingly receiving much attention by the media and by lawmakers.  Christianity is built on a foundation of respect for the rights of others.  Christian inclusiveness states that infringement of the rights of others cannot be tolerated.  Bullying is just such an infringement..  Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that scrupulous adherence to one's belief to the detriment of others is not the way of Christianity.  The bullies of the world see any threat to their own world view as proof of the victim's unworthiness.  In a typically juvenile response to another's outsiderness is to make fun of that others' appearance, belief system, life style, race, religion, sexual orientation or country of origin.

A recent article in Time magazine make the point that today's technology has brought bullying to a new level. In the past few weeks cyber bullying has resulted in four teenage suicides.  I applaud this Wednesday's movement to honer these recent deaths by wearing purple.

I invite a dialog centered on what we can do about this unnecessary loss of young lives.

October 15, 2010

We have had an eventful week.  Last Saturday we had a combination dinner and Complin Service at the Pocahontas Historical museum.  The dinner marked the end of Summer Hours at St. John's Marlinton,  Starting this Sunday, October 17th we will be reverting to our normal Schedule, Sunday's at 11:00.  Last Sunday also marked the end of the Summer hours at the Chapel on the Mount.  We will suspend services at the Chapel on the Mount until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  On Sunday the 28th of November we will begin Service on the mountain at 9:00 AM each Sunday for the entire ski season.

Sunday the 28th of November also marks the beginning of Advent.  Advent is a time of expectancy of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.  It is a time set aside for preparing ourselves for the great event of Christmas,  During Advent we all examine ourselves to enable us to be ready for our Redeemers birth.  More on Advent later.  I want to have something to talk about in December.

I look out the window and see the last vestiges of green and the beautiful yellow, red and rust that marks Autumn and the end of the growing season.  The earth is going to sleep and Autumn is natures way of yawning in preparation for Winters sleep.  I alway enter a melodically mood this time of year.  Another year is coming to an end.  My mind drifts back to last January when I like many just knew that I would make many changes for the better.  In October when I reflect over the past year I am aware of some positive changes, sadly however I am painfully aware that basically little has changed in my life except I have gotten one year older, and no much wiser.

Gods peace on each of you

Rev. Jim   

October 3, 2010

Another week has passed.  You probably noticed I had the wrong date for the 20th Sunday after Pentecost.  The readings I posted last week are really for this week.

 Last Friday I and most of the clergy from West Virginia visited with the Presiding Bishop.  It was a most interesting meeting.  Kathryn Jefferts-Shori was everything I would want in a church leader.  We discussed much including the role of tiny churches within the totality of the Episcopal Church.  I was able to redirect my thinking with respect to what impact I might be having on the Mountain.  That impact was made most evident after the 9:30 service at chapel on the mount when a woman engaged me after the service was over and questioned me about the Episcopal Service and let me know that she was going to find an Episcopal Church in Florida to attend because of how much she got out of our Service.

This is just a note letting everyone know that St. John's Marlinton is having a picnic Supper at 5:00 PM Saturday October 9, 2010.  All

 are invited, if you wish you can bring a dish to the picnic.  A Complin Service will follow the dinner.  Y'll come ya hea.

The last Sunday Service at Chapel on the Mount will be October 10, 2010 at 9:30 AM.  Services will resume on November 28, 2010  at 9:00AM Thats the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

On Sunday October 17, 2010 St. John's Marlinton will resume its Fall Winter schedule:  That is 11:00 on Sundays,.

Peace Jim