Spirit of the Eagle – November 2012
Rector’s Reflections from Fr. Bryan Newman
One of the great prayers in the Prayer Book begins with, “until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed.” It is actually referring to nightfall but it always reminds me of the onset of winter. As temperatures fall and the days become shorter it’s tempting to withdraw into our homes for comfort and the assurance of security. But our faith urges us to get out into the community and have an impact on the lives of our neighbors and thereby affecting their faith.
For a small Church we are doing a wonderful job of having an impact on our community and I encourage all of you to keep striving to help those around us. As the holidays approach there will be opportunities to be involved in activities that provide support and sustenance to our neighbors. As in the past I’m sure all of you will participate in ways that will demonstrate how we ‘love our neighbors as ourselves’. God Bless you all!
Spiritual Tidbits for November from Fr. Tim Butler
If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark.
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591), Confessor and Doctor of the Church… Feast Day: 24th of November
Spiritual persons suffer great trials from the fear of being lost on the road and that God has abandoned them. Their soul was taking pleasure in being in that quietness and ease, instead of working with its faculties. Let them trust in God… who will bring them into the clear and pure light of love. This last He will give them by means of that other dark night. The way to conduct themselves is to allow the soul to remain in peace and quietness, although it may seem clear to them that they are doing nothing and are wasting their time. What they must do is merely to leave the soul free and disencumbered and at rest from all knowledge and thought, but contenting themselves with merely a peaceful and loving attentiveness toward God, and being without anxiety, ability and desire to have experience of Him or to perceive Him.
When the soul desires to remain in inward ease and peace, any operation and affection or attention wherein it may then seek to indulge will distract it and disquiet it and make it conscious of aridity and emptiness of sense.
By not hindering the operation of infused contemplation that God is bestowing upon it, the soul can receive this with more powerful abundance, and cause its spirit to be enkindled to burn with the love which this dark and secret contemplation brings with it and sets firmly in the soul. For contemplation is naught else than a secret, peaceful and loving infusion from God which, if it be permitted, enkindles the soul with the spirit of love. ~ St. John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul, Chapter 10
I highly recommend reading Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross. It is spiritual feast; however, it is not a book to pick up with any distractions around. Don’t let its small size fool you it is intensely deep. Dark Night of the Soul is considered one of the greatest religious poems ever written. This masterpiece of Mystic Christianity examines faith and how to keep faith when all seems lost. Think of it as guide to making it through the dark night of the soul to a brighter, happier, faith filled tomorrow that awaits. ~Father Tim
Spirituality Class for November
Our 6 part series through Surprised by Hope is over! Congratulations to those who attended and survived! It was a tough book and by the last class we were all gasping for breath. Now it is time for a change! In November we are going to kick back, make some popcorn, buy some Twizzlers and fire up Rich and Lori Seyberth’s movie projector in the Parish Hall. Please join us November 18th for the St. John’s premier of OCTPOB (The Island).
OCTPOB is a 2006 Russian movie filmed on northern Russia’s White Sea, some of which lies north of the Arctic Circle approaching the tree line, which is why the landscape is so bleak and barren. The little stone boiler room, with just one window, is where the film’s protagonist Father Anatoly lives as a hermit. The island and boiler room are connected by a rickety walkway built out over shallow tidewater to the nearby shore where a Russian Orthodox monastery, bell tower, living quarters of the clergy, and outbuildings are located. Anatoly often rows out to a barren island where his prayer is undisturbed and far removed from the daily cares of his world – a holy place.
The movie opens with Father Anatoly rowing to a tiny island where he often spends hours in prayers of repentance for his sins. As he lies prostrate in prayer, we are taken back to 1942 to relive the events that led to his present life on these islands.
During WWII in 1942, Anatoly is a lowly boiler stoker aboard a tug pushing coal barge in northern Russia. He and his tug’s captain, Tikhon, must quickly bury themselves under the coal one dark night when they’re boarded by a Nazi patrol. Anatoly’s chronic cough quickly gives away his hiding place, after which he is forced to reveal that of his captain. They are both lined up to be executed while German soldiers set timed explosives on the barge. With loathsome sniveling, Anatoly begs his captors not to shoot him, and quickly agrees to kill his captain to save his own life. The Germans leave the now gloating coward on the barge, knowing it will soon blow up under him.
After washing ashore, monks discover Anatoly near death, and drag him to their monastery so his injuries might heal. From then on, he begins a lifelong repentance for his traitorous murder, since there is no corresponding “quick fix” for healing his sinful past. Saved by the grace of God, he discovers the struggle of discipleship, prayer, and service that accompany true repentance in pursuit of forgiveness. Regarding himself worthless, he again labors as a boiler stoker for the monastery that rescued him, while others – even people from the mainland who travel great distances to seek him – come to know him as a holy man with truly remarkable spiritual presence.
The movie picks up thirty-four years later into Anatoly’s life of repentance as a hermit monk at the monastery. Never grumbling about his lowly tasks, he is never at peace with his sins, even though he is able, after three decades of abiding faith and constant prayer, to heal the sick, provide spiritual guidance, and preach the word of God. Those who make their tortuous pilgrimage to him do so believing him to be well able to answer their specific needs. Yet most prove to be merely interested in a “quick fix” with no further responsibility. While they plead for an answer to their prayers, “delivery” is acceptable only on their terms, as if the act of pleading should be sufficient. Thus how sad are those who turn and walk away from the very blessing they so fervently seek. For most of his life, Anatoly lives each moment on the brink of despair praying for forgiveness and closure for the magnitude of his sins. How then can he (or any sinner) be forgiven?
In the West, this movie is relatively obscure, yet it has found its way into our hands. How exactly did this happen? How indeed. Please feel free to watch the movie trailer at www.imdb.com/title/tt0851577/
Please join us in November! ~ Father Tim
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In November we will be closing out the long Trinity season. I thought it fitting to close with a beautiful and very deep spiritual tidbit “Of the unity of the Divine Nature in the Trinity of The Persons”.
The most high and super-essential Unity of the Divine Nature, where the Father and the Son possess Their nature in the unity of the Holy Ghost – above the comprehension and understanding of all our powers, in the naked being of our spirit – is a supernal stillness, wherein God broods above all creatures in the created light. This most high Unity of the Divine Nature is living and fruitful; for, out of this same Unity, the Eternal Word is incessantly born to the Father. And, through this birth, the Father knows the Son; and, in the Son, all things. And the Son knows the Father; and all things in the Father. For they are one Simple Nature. From this mutual contemplation of the Father and the Son, in the eternal radiance, there flow forth and eternal comfort and a fathomless love, and that is the Holy Ghost. And through the Holy Ghost, and through the Eternal Wisdom, God inclines Himself towards each creature in particular, and lovingly endows and enkindles each one, according to its worth and the state into which it has been put and to which it has been destined by its virtues and by the Eternal Providence of God. And thereby all good spirits, in heaven and on earth, are moved to virtue and righteousness. ~ John of Ruysbroek, Flemish Christian Mystic (1293 – ?) – The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage, Chapter XLVIII
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In November may God Almighty, The Father, and The Son, and The Holy Ghost, be with you, and remain with you always. Father Tim
A Message from Devan Smith
I would like to send my greetings to everyone in my church family at St. John’s. I am now the executive officer in Alpha Company, Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Bragg NC. We treat Soldiers in Transition who have been wounded or injured while they have been in the Army. We have two soldiers in my company who are in need of assistance – either food or gas cards would be greatly appreciated.
SSG R was flown out of Afghanistan to us for severe injuries; he came to us from the Special Forces. He has a wife and two kids and they are living pay check to pay check while he is recovering. His wife has taken a leave of absence from work to help him get back and forth from appointments until he can take care of himself. We are looking for donations of food and gas cards so that they can focus on the bills until she can get back to work.
SFC F's family was moved from Germany to here (NC). He has a wife and three kids and is here to seek medical treatment and surgeries. His youngest son (who is 7) is currently in Charlotte's children's hospital (3 hours away) recovering from emergency surgeries that will keep him there for 3 more weeks. SFC F's wife is staying with the son while he is there but SFC F is traveling back and forth every weekend so that he can take care of his kids here and attend his appointments. We are asking for food donations and gas cards so that he able to keep traveling back and forth while his son recovers.
If anyone would be willing to donate food to these soldiers, there will be a Soldiers in Transition box placed in the parish hall. I will be home for Thanksgiving and can take anything you would be kind enough to donate back to Fort Bragg when I return. If you would prefer to donate gift cards, gas cards would be wonderful. Gift cards to Kroger, Walmart, Wahlgreens etc… would also be greatly appreciated.
Looking forward to seeing you soon,
Devan
End of the Month Club
The End of the Month Club is a chance for parishioners and friends to meet at a local restaurant to share a meal and fellowship. All are welcome. Most times we meet for lunch on the last Thursday of the month. A few times a year we meet for dinner, so those who can’t make the lunches have a chance to share in this fellowship. Due to the busyness of the holiday season, our November and December meetings will be cancelled. We will resume after the first of the year.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is responsible for making the sanctuary ready for all services. Its members maintain the church’s liturgical requirements for services by preparing the altar, laundering linens, preserving the sacred vessels, and arranging the floral displays that beautify the church. If you would be interested in serving on the Altar Guild, or if would like to give flowers for a Mass in memory of a loved one, please contact Joyce Murray. Also, we are in desperate need of an individual or two to begin serving on our Altar Guild. If you are interested, please see Joyce and she would be happy to let you to shadow her for a couple of weeks until you are ready.
Sunday School Director Needed
Our Sunday School Program is in need of someone with drive and vision, who has a passion for the welfare of children and a desire to help them come to know Christ. We need an individual who has a gift for organization and leadership who can pull together all of the resources we have available and run a program to educate our children to prepare them for life in the Church. If this sounds like something you may be interested in, Please let Fr. Newman know.
September Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mary Anne Neuroth – Birthday – November 9
Tim & Jerri Lenz – Anniversary – November 11
Bob Schmerge – Birthday – November 13
Bob & Carolyn Schmerge – Anniversary – November 16
John & Donna Lipscomb – Anniversary – November 26
Thanksgiving Outreach
The distribution of Thanksgiving meals and non-perishable items to 8 local families will occur on Sunday, November 18th. Just 2 weeks away! We are in need of non-perishable items and monetary donations to make this a success. Please be generous. Non-perishable items can be placed in the baskets in the back of church. Monetary donations by check can be made out to St. John’s ACC with the memo designation it to ACM Men’s Group. Thank you for your support.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Once upon a time is how this story starts.
When I was just a babe, You touched my parents hearts.
They brought me to the water and made a vow to You.
To raise me to know Jesus, and His teachings through and through.
When I reached my teen years, the heart You touched was mine.
I knew Your Son had come for me; would love me for all time.
But as I went out in the world, a young adult you see,
I tried to do it on my own, but You still carried me.
As I tried to win that fickle race of fame and fortune true,
I must confess my sin right now; I had forgotten You.
When my troubles were aplenty, You eased my pain and strife.
Because my parents and You had taken a vow, to guide me through my life.
Looking back, I now know You were there through all of those years.
You offered me unconditional love and dried up all my tears.
You have truly blessed me with great friends to brighten my life with joy.
Your Church with traditions, Love and Support has made me one happy boy.
So today I am thankful for all of Your love as we celebrate this Thanksgiving.
You help me shine my light on the world to teach others Your Son is still living.
St. John’s Anglican Catholic Church
Blessing of the Animals Ceremony – 2012