Messages from Our Church
November 28, 2020 ~ News from the Diocese
Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe has announced earlier this month that all in-person worship and gatherings will be suspended due to the rising numbers of the COVID-19 cases. This begins November 29 and will continue through the end of 2020. The only exceptions to this are the Soup Kitchens and Support Groups (AA, NA, etc), which are considered essential programs. We will continue our worship and gatherings through Zoom and Facebook.
October 1, 2020 ~ Welcome Fr. John Rohde!
We start a new journey with Fr. John Rohde guiding us and leading us on our faith walk!
August 30, 2020 ~ Change of Seasons
In the Fall, the leaves changes colors - to let go and change for a new beginning. Our church is also beginning to change as our Priest, Mother Kathlyn, retires as of August 31. We start a new chapter in our lives as we go forward.
Seasoned Messages
3/29/20 Sunday Worship Sermon
By: Mother Kathlyn
I don’t know how you all feel. This life we are living right now just doesn’t seem normal. Doesn’t feel normal. Of course we might debate what “normal” life really is. But seriously, how are you all doing with our social distancing and being grounded in our homes? How are you dealing with the risks that seem to surround us?
These are scary times. Just like they were scary times for Ezekiel’s people. Just like they were scary times for Mary and Martha. The key to all this - God is part of this whole scenario. God will never let us go through this alone.
God is with the thousands of people who have COVID-19. God is with their families and friends who wait in quarantine to see if they too will get sick.
Coronavirus has changed a lot of things in our lives, in our country, in our world. I sort of feel like I am on pause. Most of us are used to being out and around at least as much as we want to. We are not used to meeting electronically. But this makes it easier not to shake hands at the Peace today!
I am very glad to see you. Thanks for braving the new “temporary” way of being church. It feels strange to know that this is the last Sunday in Lent. Next week is Palm Sunday - and I hope we can all meet again for that. No actual palms, no procession, but people gathered to once again to hear the Passion story and know that we have each other to support us.
Ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones is one of the most intriguing scriptures to me. What looked like Death Valley, becomes the place of re-birth for many.
That story of life beyond their wildest imaginings was essential to these people who had lost heart. They were in exile, their normal life in the Promised Land - seemed at that moment to be beyond their reach far beyond “normal”.
God begins by presenting a riddle to Ezekiel: "Mortal, can these bones live?" I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act,” says the Lord. The beauty of the story lies in the possibility that even in this landscape full of death, a hope for renewed life remains. Ezekiel prophesies to the bones just as God told him. They come together, the breath of God enters them and they live once more.
Moving forward several centuries, we see Jesus’ relationship with his dear friends. We encounter Mary, Martha, and Lazarus many times in the gospels. The women knew their friend Jesus was capable of anything. They loved him. So when their brother became sick, their natural inclination was to call on Jesus to help. He could do anything after all! But Jesus delayed before going to them. That part has always challenged me. Why did Jesus wait? Most us us are not terribly comfortable with delays. When we need something, or when we want to do something - we want it now. But we are getting practice in waiting now, right?
Some people tell me that they don’t want to pray any longer - that God isn’t listening anyway - nothing happens - that praying doesn’t do any good. It can be hard to see God’s action in our lives when times are hard or frightening. We don’t know what God’s plan is - It’s beyond our understanding. Who really knows? Like Ezekiel, we too could answer, "O Lord GOD, only You know.” When times seem impossibly tough - it is the most powerful message to receive - that from death, God can bring life.
These are difficult days. I see the statistics - the virus is spreading - on the news through every day. More sick every day. More deaths. I don’t want to watch, so I am so relieved that we have this wonderful promise from ourGod who loves us.
Today, the scripture is giving us what no one else can - when times seem impossibly tough - it is the most powerful message to receive - that from death, God can bring life. Amen!
I don’t know how you all feel. This life we are living right now just doesn’t seem normal. Doesn’t feel normal. Of course we might debate what “normal” life really is. But seriously, how are you all doing with our social distancing and being grounded in our homes? How are you dealing with the risks that seem to surround us?
These are scary times. Just like they were scary times for Ezekiel’s people. Just like they were scary times for Mary and Martha. The key to all this - God is part of this whole scenario. God will never let us go through this alone.
God is with the thousands of people who have COVID-19. God is with their families and friends who wait in quarantine to see if they too will get sick.
Coronavirus has changed a lot of things in our lives, in our country, in our world. I sort of feel like I am on pause. Most of us are used to being out and around at least as much as we want to. We are not used to meeting electronically. But this makes it easier not to shake hands at the Peace today!
I am very glad to see you. Thanks for braving the new “temporary” way of being church. It feels strange to know that this is the last Sunday in Lent. Next week is Palm Sunday - and I hope we can all meet again for that. No actual palms, no procession, but people gathered to once again to hear the Passion story and know that we have each other to support us.
Ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones is one of the most intriguing scriptures to me. What looked like Death Valley, becomes the place of re-birth for many.
That story of life beyond their wildest imaginings was essential to these people who had lost heart. They were in exile, their normal life in the Promised Land - seemed at that moment to be beyond their reach far beyond “normal”.
God begins by presenting a riddle to Ezekiel: "Mortal, can these bones live?" I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act,” says the Lord. The beauty of the story lies in the possibility that even in this landscape full of death, a hope for renewed life remains. Ezekiel prophesies to the bones just as God told him. They come together, the breath of God enters them and they live once more.
Moving forward several centuries, we see Jesus’ relationship with his dear friends. We encounter Mary, Martha, and Lazarus many times in the gospels. The women knew their friend Jesus was capable of anything. They loved him. So when their brother became sick, their natural inclination was to call on Jesus to help. He could do anything after all! But Jesus delayed before going to them. That part has always challenged me. Why did Jesus wait? Most us us are not terribly comfortable with delays. When we need something, or when we want to do something - we want it now. But we are getting practice in waiting now, right?
Some people tell me that they don’t want to pray any longer - that God isn’t listening anyway - nothing happens - that praying doesn’t do any good. It can be hard to see God’s action in our lives when times are hard or frightening. We don’t know what God’s plan is - It’s beyond our understanding. Who really knows? Like Ezekiel, we too could answer, "O Lord GOD, only You know.” When times seem impossibly tough - it is the most powerful message to receive - that from death, God can bring life.
These are difficult days. I see the statistics - the virus is spreading - on the news through every day. More sick every day. More deaths. I don’t want to watch, so I am so relieved that we have this wonderful promise from ourGod who loves us.
Today, the scripture is giving us what no one else can - when times seem impossibly tough - it is the most powerful message to receive - that from death, God can bring life. Amen!
March 27, 2020
Hello all!
We will be using Zoom for a number of our worship.
If you don't already have familiarity with Zoom, here is a training video.
We would send you an invitation with sign in instructions. 201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-
We may add Facebook live - more info coming on that as we go forward.
Let me know if you have questions or if you would like to help out, if you would like to take part in worship.
Blessings to you all - I hope you are staying well.
Kathlyn +
Hello all!
We will be using Zoom for a number of our worship.
If you don't already have familiarity with Zoom, here is a training video.
We would send you an invitation with sign in instructions. 201362193-How-Do-I-Join-A-Meeting-
We may add Facebook live - more info coming on that as we go forward.
Let me know if you have questions or if you would like to help out, if you would like to take part in worship.
Blessings to you all - I hope you are staying well.
Kathlyn +
March 20, 2020
Dear Friends,
It is a new reality that we cannot meet in person for our usual worship. However, there are so many ways to pray! I suggest you go to the Diocesan website - cnyepiscopal.org
There are messages from our Bishops as well as access to some prayer resources. We will plan to get worship up here on Facebook soon. Meanwhile, the Bishop will lead Morning Prayer on Sunday morning. Canon Carrie Schofield-Broadbent will preach. Do join many others from our Diocese for this worship.
I found this prayer from an Episcopal clergy site and have permission to share this with you. Let us pray:
Prayer for Times When the Church is Unable to Gather
Lord Christ, you have promised that where two or three are gathered in your name, you are in the midst of them, and that even when we are alone, you will never leave us or forsake us. In these days when we cannot assemble as usual, give to the members of your Body full assurance of your presence. Meet us in prayer and in the reading of holy scripture, as in the bread and wine from which we fast. Unite us in your love, and inspire us to connect across distance. Protect us from danger, and speak your abiding peace into our hearts. Amen.
~Shared by the Rev. Regina Laba Walton
May God’s blessing fill your hearts with peace and joy this day!
Kathlyn +
Dear Friends,
It is a new reality that we cannot meet in person for our usual worship. However, there are so many ways to pray! I suggest you go to the Diocesan website - cnyepiscopal.org
There are messages from our Bishops as well as access to some prayer resources. We will plan to get worship up here on Facebook soon. Meanwhile, the Bishop will lead Morning Prayer on Sunday morning. Canon Carrie Schofield-Broadbent will preach. Do join many others from our Diocese for this worship.
I found this prayer from an Episcopal clergy site and have permission to share this with you. Let us pray:
Prayer for Times When the Church is Unable to Gather
Lord Christ, you have promised that where two or three are gathered in your name, you are in the midst of them, and that even when we are alone, you will never leave us or forsake us. In these days when we cannot assemble as usual, give to the members of your Body full assurance of your presence. Meet us in prayer and in the reading of holy scripture, as in the bread and wine from which we fast. Unite us in your love, and inspire us to connect across distance. Protect us from danger, and speak your abiding peace into our hearts. Amen.
~Shared by the Rev. Regina Laba Walton
May God’s blessing fill your hearts with peace and joy this day!
Kathlyn +