"Muscle Memory"

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

West Point, Mississippi

The Incarnate Word

1 September 2011

One of the things that is evident in developing athletic and some artistic skills such as a golf stroke, a gymnastics or dance move, a proper lead and reaction in skeet shooting, or a tennis serve is muscle memory.  Muscle memory involves the repetition of a motion enough that the involved body parts are trained to react, and we don’t have to think about the stroke, the step or the shot.  (In fact, when we do think about the stroke, the step or the shot, we tend to do it less well.)

Muscle memory reflects the development of a native gift as a result of intentional training.  In the practice of religion some muscle memory can be developed.  Episcopalians of long-standing just seem to know when to kneel, and if you sign the cross on yourself, you probably don’t think much about how to do it.

In the Body which is the Church or a congregation of the Church, “muscle memory” involves those patterns of doing things that we have learned and absorbed through long practice, and so we don’t have to think so much about how to do something.  This institutional character becomes especially visible whenever change happens.  Sometimes the “memory” causes resistance to change; more often it serves as a necessary balance and process check.  In the case of a change in leadership, “memory” becomes more important, and as we move into a transition in leadership the patterns under which this congregation has grown up and learned how to be a church will allow Incarnation to continue to grow and thrive.

Incarnation has strong and gifted lay leadership, and is blessed with a strong deacon, music minister, and youth leader.  In addition to the gifts and dedication that each member of the leadership team offers, the congregation as a whole has the “memory” of knowing how to “be” a church, and so the parish will continue to do well regardless of how long it takes to call a new priest.  But, there’s a catch to how “muscle memory” works.  For the training to kick in, you still have to focus on the golf stroke, and intend what to do.  For the congregation to still serve our Lord in the way you are called, you have to focus on what it means to be a church, and intend to make this offering.  This focus and intent, combined with the gifts of all in the parish, and with the abiding presence of our Lord, will allow you to both walk and lead “... in love as Christ loved us, and offering and sacrifice unto God.”

Fall programs:  Fall programs kick-off on Sunday, 11 September.  This includes EYC, Sunday School and Adult Education.  EYCS details will be provided in a separate communication.  Sunday School will include the existing age group programs.

Adult Education programs will be offered on both Sunday mornings and evenings.  Course offerings will last 6 weeks, and will rotate from morning to evening, with new courses added first in the morning cycle.  Morning classes will last from 9:15 until 10:00.  Evening classes will begin with a light supper at 5 p.m., and will conclude by 6:30 p.m.

The first offerings will be:  Morning, A Survey of Christian Art (K. Dyess); Evening, A Critical Survey of Holy Scripture (K. Schaffenburg).  The second offering (beginning 23 October) will add The Acts of the Apostles (K. Schaffenburg, curriculum developed by N. T. Wright), with the art course rotating to the evening time slot.

Kick-off barbeque and Open House:  Don’t forget to join us on Sunday, 11 September, at 5 p.m. for a parish barbeque.  The Men’s Fellowship will manage grilling.  ECW are managing vegetables, side dishes and desserts.  Shurley Sugg is coördinating planning.

Invite your friends to join us.  We will have an open house, with information available about church programming.

Coffee hour sign-ups:  We need people to sign up to host coffee hour.  Snacks can be very simple.  Please sign up on the sheet in the kitchen.

New to the prayer list:  Tyler, Les (sick); Mike Coachys (military).

Thanksgivings:  Thanksgivings to Christy White, and the Falkner, Hay and Stevens families for organizing the Prairie Arts Festival parking at the parish.

Upcoming conferences:  The conference schedule for The Center for Formation and Ministry at The Gray Center can be accessed at http://cffm.dioms.org  .  The schedule includes a 16 and 17 September conference offered by Sewanee on An Anglican Perspective on C. S. Lewis.

Sure Foundation:  A joint ministry of the American Anglican Council and Acts 29 Ministries, Sure Foundation is a training and equipping program that enables congregations to grow numerically and spiritually.  Designed for parish leadership (clergy and lay), it addresses issues of vision, evangelism, discipleship, every member ministry and much more! Sure Foundation also helps parish leadership teams develop a strategic growth plan for their congregation.  The first Sure Foundation training will be conducted on 30 September–1 October in Columbus.  There is no cost.  See http://www.americananglican.org/surefoundation/ for further details.  Please indicate your interest in attending to Fr. Karl.

Music this week:  The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

Psalm119.330-40, recited

Pro.      376, Joyful, joyful, we adore thee

Seq.     593, Lord, make us servants of thy peace

Off.     Anthem:  God is Love (hymn no. 576)

Rec.     594, God of grace and God of glory

Com.   301, 304

Habits of Holiness

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

West Point, Mississippi

The Incarnate Word

25 August 2011

As much as we would like to believe that holiness is a process, Scripture makes it clear that we actually face choices.  God does really offer alternatives, but what He does not offer is a middle ground on which we are getting holier, and that’s OK as-is.  Thanks be to God (literally!) that the difference between our own status and real holiness is accounted for by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  If there is a “process” involved, therefore, it is the question of how and to what extent we do take up our cross to follow Jesus.  How do we become more Christ like?

We become more Christ like every time we receive His blessed Body and Blood in the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, provided we are in a spiritual state to receive this grace.  Frequent communion is thus a very good thing, but apart from frequent communion, what habits of holiness can we cultivate?  Notice I said habits.  There is no magic, one-time, formula.  We have to work at following God, and this work involves habits in small things:  daily prayer; daily study of Scripture; returning thanks; confessing our failings to God; attendance on worship; works of charity done as a thank offering to God.  All, or almost all, of these things can and should be done every day.  Trust that God will guide you, and then live into this trust by first examining your conscience to determine what separates you from God.  Confess this to God and ask His forgiveness.  Pray to God:  for yourself, for others, for the Church, for the world.  Study His holy Word.  Be faithful in worship.  It is by these habits that you will fulfill Jesus’ instruction which we will hear this coming Sunday:  “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mtt. 16.25).

Fall programs:  Fall programs kick-off on Sunday, 11 September.  This includes EYC, Sunday School and Adult Education.  EYC details will be provided in a separate communication.  Sunday School will include the existing age group programs.

Adult Education programs will be offered on both Sunday mornings and evenings.  Course offerings will last 6 weeks, and will rotate from morning to evening, with new courses added first in the morning cycle.  Morning classes will last from 9:15 until 10:00.  Evening classes will begin with a light supper at 5 p.m., and will conclude by 6:30 p.m.

The first offerings will be:  Morning, A Survey of Christian Art (K. Dyess); Evening, A Critical Survey of Holy Scripture (K. Schaffenburg).  The second offering (beginning 23 October) will add The Acts of the Apostles (K. Schaffenburg, curriculum developed by N. T. Wright).

Coffee hour sign-ups:  We need people to sign up to host coffee hour.  Snacks can be very simple.  Please sign up on the sheet in the kitchen.

New to the prayer list:  Evelun Andrews (deceased), the Andrews family, Bob Harrell (military).

Thanksgivings:  Thanksgivings to all those (11 people!) who turned out for the planning session held this past Thursday for Christian Education.  Thanksgivings as well to Bill Gentry for fixing the spriklers in front of the church office.

Upcoming conferences:  The conference schedule for The Center for Formation and Ministry at The Gray Center can be accessed at http://cffm.dioms.org  .  The schedule includes a 16 and 17 September conference offered by Sewanee on An Anglican Perspective on C. S. Lewis.

Sure Foundation:  A joint ministry of the American Anglican Council and Acts 29 Ministries, Sure Foundation is a training and equipping program that enables congregations to grow numerically and spiritually.  Designed for parish leadership (clergy and lay), it addresses issues of vision, evangelism, discipleship, every member ministry and much more! Sure Foundation also helps parish leadership teams develop a strategic growth plan for their congregation.  The first Sure Foundation training will be conducted on 30 September–1 October in Columbus.  There is no cost.  See http://www.americananglican.org/surefoundation/ for further details.  Please indicate your interest in attending to Fr. Karl.

Music this week:  The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

Psalm 26.1-8, recited

Pro.      565, He who would valiant be

Seq.     484, Praise the Lord through every nation

Off.     Anthem: 

Rec.     657, Love divine, all loves excelling

Com.   440, 314

Diligence in Will

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

West Point, Mississippi

The Incarnate Word

18 August 2011

This Saturday is the Feast of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, an 11^th century mystic remembered for many things, including a commentary on The Song of Songs as an allegory of the love between Jesus Christ and His Church.  The idea and experience of love reminds us that lovers are passionate.  For example, the behavior of St. Francis of Assisi can only be properly understood when we realize that we witness in him the passion of one in love; otherwise his actions appear anything from curious to morbid.

St. Bernard and St. Francis remind us that in faith we can experience the truth of love (an affective faith) or we can focus on the love of truth (a faith in which we are enlightened to God’s will).  But, really we need to have a faith which combines the heart and the mind, to live in the truth of God’s love (and so embody this love to others), and to love the truth of God’s Word (that we may proclaim His Good News to all).  To combine these two aspects of faith into the love of God not only with heart and mind, but above all with soul (Mtt. 22.37), requires diligence in will.  Fortunately, the Church provides ways to do this, such is in the practice of the Daily Office.

The Daily Office in your prayer book includes Morning Prayer, Noonday, Evening Prayer, and Compline.  Try to pray at least one of the hours of the office.  Noonday and Compline take less than five minutes; M.P. or E.P. about fifteen.  You can use your prayer book, or you can use a computer or smartphone to access a site like http://www.missionstclare.com/english/, which will walk you through the prayer service with lessons, notes on the feast, even hymns.  When you make prayer a regular practice in this way, you will better experience the truth of love as you live your love of the truth.  And, when these complimentary loves come together, you will find (as do all lovers) that the experience of God transforms.

Fall programs:  Please be sure to fill out a parish survey on Adult Christian Education.  Survey’s will be available at Sunday worship for the next two weeks.  If you are going to miss worship, please return the survey which you received by email.

Sunday School and EYC planning:  A mark of health in any congregation is reflected in our epistle lesson for this coming Sunday, that we are one Body in how we engage in ministry (Rom. 12.4).  At a practical level, this means that we may be called to serve when we do not “consume,” and this is clear in the provision of Christian Education.  Please consider in prayer how God may be calling you to serve in instruction in one of the Sunday School classes, and with the youth group, regardless of whether you presently have children in any class.

Coffee hour sign-ups:  We need people to sign up to host coffee hour.  Snacks can be very simple.  Please sign up on the sheet in the kitchen.

New to the prayer list:  Laverne Fowler, Fr. Bob.

Thanksgivings:  Thanksgivings are offered to Dcn. Patricia Cantrell for providing coffee hour this past Sunday.  Please note that the sign-up list has had vacancies, and consider how you may be called to this ministry of hospitality.

Upcoming conferences:  The conference schedule for The Center for Formation and Ministry at The Gray Center can be accessed at http://cffm.dioms.org  .  The schedule includes a 16 and 17 September conference offered by Sewanee on An Anglican Perspective on C. S. Lewis.

Sure Foundation:  A joint ministry of the American Anglican Council and Acts 29 Ministries, Sure Foundation is a training and equipping program that enables congregations to grow numerically and spiritually.  Designed for parish leadership (clergy and lay), it addresses issues of vision, evangelism, discipleship, every member ministry and much more! Sure Foundation also helps parish leadership teams develop a strategic growth plan for their congregation.  The first Sure Foundation training will be conducted on 30 September–1 October in Columbus.  There is no cost.  See http://www.americananglican.org/surefoundation/ for further details.

Music this week:  The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

                        Psalm 138 (recited)

Pro.      522, Glorious things of thee are spoken

Seq.     516, Come down, O Love divine

Off.     Anthem:  You are the Christ

Rec.     438, Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!

Com.   707, 343

Called to Holiness

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

West Point, Mississippi

The Incarnate Word

11 August 2011

In years in which 7 August does not fall on a Sunday, the date is observed as the feast of Bl. John Mason Neale (d. 1866).  Gentleness combined with firmness, good humor, modesty, patience, and devotion, with an “unbounded charity,” describe Neale’s character.  Neale died on 6 August, the Feast of the Transfiguration.  His many gifts to the Church, included many hymns, the revival of a sacramentally focused liturgy, the foundation of a religious order for the relief of suffering women and girls, and numerous scholarly works.  But it is in reflecting on the collect used at his feast that we can best connect Neale’s witness to our own lives:

Grant, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Mason Neale, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Neale’s witness is that every one of us is called to holiness, and that holiness involves a sure knowledge of God’s presence, and a sure submission of our own wills to God’s.  When we know God, and when we give our hearts to Him, then we may accomplish His purpose in our lives and in the lives of those around us.  We may do this, bearing the burdens that will be placed on us, by the strength of Jesus Christ.  Most of us will not leave memorials as public as those left by John Mason Neale, but when we do God’s will, our memorial will be in the hearts of those who come to know and love and serve God because of how God has used us.

Fall programs:  Please be sure to fill out a parish survey on Adult Christian Education.  Survey’s will be available at Sunday worship for the next two weeks.  If you are going to miss worship, please return the survey which you received by email.

Sunday School and EYC planning:  A meeting is scheduled on Thursday, 18 August, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the curricula and programming for Sunday School and for EYC.  If you teach or participate in any class or help with EYC–or is you want to help in any of these programs–please attend the meeting, which will be held in the fellowship hall.

Coffee hour sign-ups:  We need people to sign up to host coffee hour.  Snacks can be very simple.  Please sign up on the sheet in the kitchen.

New to the prayer list:  Carley, Fr. Bob.

Thanksgivings:  Thanksgivings are offered to Kyle Chandler IV for his work in overseeing building and grounds maintenance, and to Cheryl Sundbeck for her maintenance of all of the altar linens and liturgical cloths.

Upcoming conferences:  The conference schedule for The Center for Formation and Ministry at The Gray Center can be accessed at http://cffm.dioms.org  .  The schedule includes a 16 and 17 September conference offered by Sewanee on An Anglican Perspective on C. S. Lewis.

Sure Foundation:  A joint ministry of the American Anglican Council and Acts 29 Ministries, Sure Foundation is a training and equipping program that enables congregations to grow numerically and spiritually.  Designed for parish leadership (clergy and lay), it addresses issues of vision, evangelism, discipleship, every member ministry and much more! Sure Foundation also helps parish leadership teams develop a strategic growth plan for their congregation.  The first Sure Foundation training will be conducted on 30 September–1 October in Columbus.  There is no cost.  See http://www.americananglican.org/surefoundation/ for further details.

Music this week:  The choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

                        Psalm 67 (recited)

Pro.      410, Praise, my soul, the King of heaven

Seq.     542, Christ is the world’s true Light

Off.     Anthem:

Rec.     539, O Zion, haste, thy mission high fulfilling

Com.   321, 383

Good Intentions and God's Will

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

West Point, Mississippi

The Incarnate Word

4 August 2011

It is a truism in society that “the road to Hell is paved with good intentions”.  Society is wrong.  Society is right to say that as humans we will rationalize our bad intentions and actions whenever we have the chance, but truly good intentions remain good.  It is possible to have bad intentions about good things, but it is not possible to have good intentions about bad things.  Why?  Because there are no bad things!  Everything created by God is good.  God looked upon all creation, all the material world, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold it was very good” (Gen. 1.31).  The work of heaven alone was material, the making of the material world.  The work of hell is entirely spiritual, because the work of hell is all about intentions.

We may seek to rationalize our intentions and actions, but evil intent does not yield any good.  Evil need not be active and malevolent; it just needs to be the will to ignore God’s will.  Once this will is formed, whatever we try to do to “make things come out right” cannot work, because it is a mathematical fact that if a line is not directed perfectly to a given point, it will actually go further away from the point the closer it gets to it.  “Mid-course corrections” are not possible provided the original intent is not good.  We can only correct evil by allowing God’s will to prevail over our own, and this involves the one true act of will that we can make when we are in the wrong.  This is to repent.

All of the world created by God is good, and the evil we see around us results from human sin.  But God not only forgives our sins when confessed, He empowers us to act as His partners in the redemption of the world.  While we are doing this work, let us never forget that the start and finish of our faith is the praise of God.  We praise and thank God that the world He has created is good.  We praise and thank God that in our fallen state He sends His Son to us to redeem the world.  We praise and thank God that He send His Spirit to us to give us faith and to empower us to do His will.  Let His will be done “on earth as it is in heaven”.

Fall programs:  In the past couple of newsletters mention has been made of Christian Education options for the Fall.  We really need feedback on what options people want, and who wants to participate.  Otherwise we cannot plan the courses.  Options include:

The Acts of the Apostles (Bible study), Sunday mornings

Women in the Bible, Sunday mornings

A Brief History of Christian Art, Sunday mornings

We will additionally be working under the 18 month “Sure Foundations” program of Acts 29 Ministries.  The organizational meeting for this will be on 30 September and 1 October, in Columbus.  Please contact Fr. Karl for details.

Bridges Out of Poverty:  This program (which was described at one of our Lenten suppers) is starting up in Starkville, under the direction of The Rev. Dcn. Lynn Gaines Philips.  The first information and training session will be held on 9 August.  For details speak to Dcn. Patricia Cantrell.

Coffee hour sign-ups:  We need people to sign up to host coffee hour.  Snacks can be very simple.  Please sign up on the sheet in the kitchen.

New to the prayer list:  Kenny Jackson, Ray, Bailey Ward, Don Parmenter.

Thanksgivings:  Thanksgivings are offered to everybody who worked so hard to make Bishop Gray’s visit such a success.  This includes everybody who prepared food, and the crew which set up for the luncheon (Lucille Armstrong, Juanita O’Brian, Kamil Kassees, Dawn Richardson), altar flowers (Betty Trulove), and visitation set-up (Susan Chandler and Sandy Gentry).

Upcoming conferences:  The conference schedule for The Center for Formation and Ministry at The Gray Center can be accessed at http://cffm.dioms.org  .  The schedule includes a 16 and 17 September conference offered by Sewanee on An Anglican Perspective on C. S. Lewis.

Music this week:  Sarah is back, and choir will again practice regularly on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., and on Sundays at 9:45 a.m.

                        Psalm 85.8-13 (recited)

Pro.      388, O worship the King, all glorious above

Seq.     529, In Christ there is no East or West

Off.     Anthem: Faithful cross, above all others (WLP 737), a capella

Rec.     559, Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us

Com.   301 (sung twice), 579