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+ Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Note on Contacting the Parish Church:
We are making a major transition in our telephone / internet service to improve quality, speed, and flexibility. This requires upgrading all our communications infrastructure (some dating back to the 90s) throughout our buildings, which involves coordinating several different vendors. Due to this changeover the parish church currently does not have a functioning telephone line. Our internet connection (and thus email access) is working. To reach us by phone during this interim period, please call our Parish Administrator, Emma Glennen, directly (503-899-3053) or email the Parish Office at mail@sainttimothys.org.
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Word from the Rector...
St. John the Baptist's Day & the Struggle against Lies
Today is the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus who prepared the way for the unveiling of the Son of God. One of John the Baptist's characteristics was his insistence on the truth. He confronted people with the honest truth about their life when most other leaders were more concerned with preserving power. Because the Baptist was not beholden to any institution but to God alone, he was free to do this. Can the same be said for us?
The collect for this day asks God for the grace to "constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake." To undertake this work has always been a struggle (otherwise we wouldn't be praying to God for grace to do it). Today, with so many people questioning the very existence of Truth and showered with lies and manipulation in ways heretofore undreamt, it is perhaps even more challenging.
To give up on this work is unthinkable. We who confess Jesus to be "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" are committed to maintaining communion with and proclamation of the Truth--in season and out of season. To do so requires a great deal of nourishment in the presence, love, and power of God. This makes worship, study, fellowship, and times of refreshment extremely important. The amount of energy and focus required to resist the solicitations of evil and despair is tremendous, and the inputs to remain constant in our affirmation of Truth must match the outgo.
This is why I teach on the subject of spiritual practice and why our parish puts the Church Year and fellowship at its center: to live in a community grounded in communion with the Truth allows us to share that Truth from our own experience and with the assurance that we are not alone. As we celebrate the birth of the Holy Forerunner I commend to you the life and practices of faith which will allow us to follow in his holy footsteps and be found worthy to share in his relationship to Christ: "He must increase and I must decrease."
All the Quiet Ways of Faith
I usually fuel my car from one of two gas stations in town. One of these recently changed hands and an entirely new set of employees were hired. I began to notice that there was often only one employee on hand in a neighborhood that cannot be described as particularly safe. One day I asked her if she was in fact the only one working there. She said that she was, even though company policy was that there had to be two people working at all times. Apparently, her boss often goes on visits to other stations owned by the same company while on duty, claiming that this is part of his position's description while officially being clocked in at one station. The young lady was clearly pretty downcast about the situation and said she had applications in all over town but hadn't been able to find a different job.
I wasn't really sure what I could do to solve her problem, but I decided to say that I would pray daily for her to find a new job--even though I would miss her kindness and helpfulness when fueling up at that station. She said "thank you," making eye contact for the first time in our conversation. I have kept my intercessory promise.
There are many quiet ways of faith. They are spontaneous, unplanned, and natural. They can come in the form of providing food for a hungry person, a job for someone desperate to work, refuge for the lost and tempest-tossed. They can be material assistance or the gift of time. With so many people today being disconnected from family and community, simply listening and caring about another's story and struggles is another way to show Christ's presence.
One of the privileges I enjoy as a priest is hearing your many stories of the quiet ways of faith--something that characterizes the culture of St. Timothy's particularly. Like you, I don't like to beat the drum of religiosity. Rather, I pray that I will be open to the moment as God gives it, even if it is at a gas station when I am running late. The God who takes infinite care over a sparrow (Matt. 10:29-31) calls us to do no less for those we encounter, recognizing the irreplaceable image of God in them as we so desire others to see in us.
The Feast of the Apostles: Christ's Love Conquers All
Next Monday is the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Apostles. It is the double commemoration of these two central figures of the Apostolic Era. Both died in Rome as martyrs, but in so many ways they were utterly different personalities who didn't always see eye-to-eye. If one reads the the Book of Acts and the Epistles with care one can see there were tensions between these two men and, at times, between a number of the early disciples. Yet, one of the icons associated with this feast shows Peter and Paul embracing, their halos forming a kind of heart-shaped sign of love and acceptance in Christ.
A visitor to the parish remarked after a service that it surprised him how much we focussed on faith. He was used to churches which made politics the focus---clearly indicating who is welcome and who is not. He assumed it would be so here. What we try to do every day in this congregation was rather revolutionary to him.
While no parish is going to meet everyone's needs or say precisely what everyone wants to hear (nor should it, in many cases!), I believe every parish should bear in mind the feast of SS. Peter and Paul. It shows how the Christian faith can draw together vastly different people in one community of love and service, bridging many differences in a shared experience of transformation and healing. By emphasizing our common need rather than common opinions we fulfill the words of the collect for this feast, being "knit together in unity" by the Holy Spirit, and ever standing firm "upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord."
This takes a great deal of work by everyone involved (including my opinionated self), but the result is a witness desperately needed in our times: a place where a common experience brings together those the world would keep divided.
Faithfully in Christ,
Brandon+
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The Week Ahead...
Parish Office Summer Hours: Tue, Wed, Thurs: 9:30 AM - 2 PM
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Thursday, June 25: Ferial Day
Friday, June 26: Isabel Florence Hapgood, Ecumenist, 1929
- Fridays are marked by acts of discipline and self-denial. If you wish to know more about the meaning of this practice and its benefits, please enquire with Fr. Brandon.
Saturday, June 27: Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, 444
- 6:30 PM: Ice-Cream Social at On Any Sundae (more info)
- Prayers for the the Departed in Christ, traditionally said on this day
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+ 8 AM: Holy Eucharist (said). In-person.
+ 9:50 AM: Nursery open (Godly Play is on break for summer)
+ 10 AM: Holy Eucharist (sung). In-person and online.
Coffee Hour following the 10 AM Liturgy.
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Monday, June 29: The Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul
- The parish office is closed on Monday.
Tuesday, June 30: Protomartyrs of the Church of Rome, 1st Century
Wednesday, July 1: Ferial Day
- 10 AM: Rite I Holy Eucharist
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Prayer Requests from this Parish: Joan Williamson, Pat Klopfenstein, Martina Sierra, Liz McClure, Dale & Jeanné Cannon, John & Judy Sullivan, Juanita Rivera, Br. Matthew Tenney nOGS, Scott Kohl, Robert Barbor Jr, Rorey DeWitt, Rich Zorko, Mike Martin, Mary Ann McMurren, Julia Smith, Kerrie Harwood, Family Promise, Salem for Refugees, Mending Wings Youth Ministries. For peace; for those who serve in the Armed Forces and their families.
For Those with Birthdays Next Week: Benjamin Chavez, David Lite, John Daniels, Julia Miller, Penny DeWilde, Melinda Filbert
For the Dead in Christ: Keith Eckley; for his family and friends, who mourn him.
In the Diocese of Oregon: St. Barnabas, McMinnville
In the Anglican Communion: The Anglican Church of Southern Africa
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Zoom Recording of Last Week's Sermon
Sunday, June 21
Passcode: B2c4NZ$Y
Links will be valid for two weeks.
The Lectionary Readings for this past Sunday can be found here.
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Ice Cream Social
This Saturday, June 27, 6:30 PM
On Any Sundae
Join some of the families of Saint Timothy's for a little summer social, and enjoy some delicious ice cream (while supporting local business!). We'll be meeting at On Any Sundae in South Salem (directions here). All are welcome! In addition to this gathering, we are hoping to have some more family-friendly social events this summer. Look out for info in future eTidings.
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Salem Memory Cafe
The Memory Café is a monthly meeting for persons experiencing memory loss, along with their carers and loved ones.
They meet Every 3rd Friday in Salem at the Center 50+, along with every 3rd Monday in Keizer at St. Edwards Catholic Church.
Hosted by the Alzheimer's Network. More information online here.
Connection - We love creating time to make sure that those suffering with memory loss can connect with each other, and with those coming to support them.
Community - Memory Café is an opportunity for those suffering with memory loss to come together and have fun. We create a safe space for your loved one to do activities such as crafts, planting flowers, learning to Hula dance, and more. When you leave Memory Café, you will leave knowing that you have people around to support you.
Family - Memory Café encourages people to come and spend time together as a family. With your loved one suffering memory loss, we offer a unique opportunity for spending time alongside others doing the same.
Safe Environment - Whether with a caregiver or family member, Memory Café creates a safe space for those suffering memory loss to be themselves with those that love them. Restaurants can be loud and chaotic, causing anxiety, lack of communication, and confusion for those suffering memory loss. Memory Café allows those with memory loss to be somewhere they can be safe and comfortable.
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From Your Parish Librarian
Saint of This Week ....
Bernard Mizeki (c1861-1896)
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In present-day Mozambique, the parents of a new-born boy named him Mamiyeli Mizeki Gwambe; and when he was baptized, he took the name Bernard Mizeki.
He left home while in his teens to be a servant to an European hunter in Cape Town, South Africa. It was at this time that Bernard had his first opportunity for an education, which was at the night school run by the Anglican mission. After four years of study, he volunteered for the pioneer mission in present-day Zimbabwe (place names may change, but the Lord’s care for His children does not).
The political unrest and the local witch doctor caused a rebellion against British rule. The people obeyed the witch doctor and stopped attending Bernard’s morning service, but they did continue to willingly come to Evensong. Enraged, the witch doctor threatened to kill Bernard. He was warned to flee, but Bernard would not desert his converts at the mission station.
On June 17, 1896, Bernard was dragged from his home and killed by rebel warriors. Somehow he managed to crawl to a nearby hillside before he collapsed where his wife found him, and with a friend she tended to him. Leaving just long enough to get blankets, she returned with another friend and all three were terrified by what they reported as an unearthly sound “like many wings of great birds” and by a dazzling light that moved toward the spot where Bernard lay. When the women came to that place, they found that his body had disappeared. It was never found.
A shrine was built near Bernard’s resting place that has attracted pilgrims for the last 130 years. Every year on the Saturday nearest June 18 (which would have been last Saturday, the 20th), a special liturgy of Holy Communion is held to commemorate the Anglican martyr of Central and Southern Africa.
The love of God kindled in St Bernard’s heart. O, that we might have a like faith and love for God and for our sisters and brothers in Christ.
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You can read and subscribe to daily saint biographies here. “Holy Women, Holy Men” and “Lesser Feasts and Fasts” are saint resources published by Church Publishing, and copies can be found in our Parish Library.
—Bonnie Bonham—Parish Librarian—
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The Collect for the Feast of the Nativity
of Saint John the Baptist
Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth's sake; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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