Haiti Benefit Concert

There will be a concert at Christ Church on Sunday, February 7th at 4pm.
While the concert will be free to the public, its purpose is to raise an offering from those present to benefit Episcopal Relief and Development's ongoing work in Haiti.

We have a variety of musicians from our congregation and community who are planning on participating. A complete list will appear later in the week. We can use folks willing to welcome visitors to the church and to help spread the word. As ever, share the stoke.

The Fourth Sunday After The Epiphany

This week Jeremiah receives his divine commission, the Corinthians hear something very familiar, and Jesus runs afoul of expectations. All this plus the three most ubiquitous surfing rules.

The lections may be found here.

REMEMBER THAT THERE WILL BE ONE LITURGY TOMORROW AT 9:30 AM.

Friday Photo: Mexican Well

Archaeological News

When I studied archaeology, my field was Meso-America, specifically the Maya. Actually, my speciality was Mayan buttons [it's a long story]. Anyway, this story caught my attention as it may either be a remarkable development or it's an archaeologist looking for some sensational press coverage because his grant is running out. In either case, it is interesting.

Mexican archaeologist finds tomb in Mayan area, say it could shed light on collapse

The Feast Of Thomas Aquinas

It seems hard to believe now, but there was a time, specifically in the 13th century, when the works of Aristotle had fallen out of common usage and were unstudied in the universities of Europe. Thanks to the Muslim scholars of Arabia and Spain, who were enamored of Aristotle's natural philosophy [Islam and its relationship with Western thought has really changed since then, eh?], Aristotle was ready for re-discovery when Thomas of Acquin, a Dominican monk of no small intellect, published a series of works re-presenting Aristotelian thought to his contemporaries and matching it with the theological framework of medieval Christianity. [It is helpful to remember, despite what trendy secularists would have one believe, that Christianity created the university model that educates the Western world to this day; not to mention also enabling scientific method to develop.]

As one with degrees in both philosophy and theology, I can testify to the continued influence of Aquinas in both fields. In fact, his popularity in secular philosophy continues to grow. All subsequent Western philosophy is in reaction to Aquinas's works. There is no greater figure in history whose accomplishments so strongly stand in the face of the errant belief that there is, or should be, a separation between theology, philosophy, and science.

Perhaps his most interesting contribution to human thought is through the field of natural theology. In an overly succinct definition, natural theology is the study of God as known not through sudden revelation, but through the application of observation and reason.

I would encourage readers to follow the links for more information. I will leave with this piquant quotation from G.K. Chesterton, the Catholic writer [and creator of the literary detective "Fr. Brown"] as to Aquinas's ecclesial abilities and ambition:

"His experiences included well-attested cases of levitation in ecstasy; and the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, comforting him with the welcome news that he would never be a Bishop."

He died on this day in the year 1274.

The Feast Of John Chrysostom, Bishop Of Antioch And Constantinople

John was called Chrysostom (which means "Golden Mouth") because of his eloquence. He was a priest of Antioch known as an outstanding preacher. So much so that congregations were warned not to carry large sums of money when they went to hear him speak, since pickpockets found it easy to rob his listeners as they were too intent on his words to notice. His sermons were mostly unadorned expositions of Holy Scripture emphasizing literal meaning, even though the style in Alexandria in his day tended to the allegorical.

He loved the city and people of Antioch and they loved him. However, he became so famous that the Empress at Constantinople decided that she must have him for her court preacher, so she had him kidnapped and brought to Constantinople and there made bishop. This was a failure all around. His sermons against corruption in high places earned him powerful enemies (including the Empress), and he was sent into exile, where he died in the year 407.

O God, you gave your servant John Chrysostom grace eloquently to proclaim your righteousness in the great congregation, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of your Name: Mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellence in preaching, and faithfulness in ministering your Word, that your people may be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

What A Beautiful Morning

My father is not the most loquacious of people even under the best of circumstances, especially with electronic communication. [This is ironic since he's been working with computers since 1962, back in the days when a small one filled a warehouse.]

So, imagine my delight at receiving this message from him this morning:

"My cancer is gone or diminished beyond detection..Just came from the doctor's office."

Thanks for the prayers, everyone.

A Special Request, Especially Of Cat Lovers

All -

My close friend passed away yesterday. She has two beautiful cats that need a home. They have lived with my friend for 13 years in her studio apartment in New York, and I am afraid if I take them, they will be miserable with the commotion, and terrified of our 80lb dog - and our cat. If you can think of a someone with a quiet household who would like to be the "parent" of two healthy albeit older cats, please please let me know. She loved her pets, and I would like to find them a good home. One is all black and the other is black with a white blaze. Their names are Siesta and Soleil. Attached is a photo taken when they were younger, but they still look the same - only bigger! They will need to stay together. They are up-to-date with their shots etc...

Thank you!
Cindy Turner

Those interested may contact the parish office at christchurchoffice@att.net

I Think This Photo Sums It Up

One of the reasons that I have been highlighting Haitian recovery efforts, and will be directly joining in them in a couple of weeks, is because of our long-standing diocesan relationship with the Episcopal Church in Haiti. This is the reason that we pray for a different Haitian parish each week. In turn, Haitian Episcopal parishes pray for those in Connecticut, including Christ Church.

Above is a photo of a Baptist church in Port-au-Prince. That's its pastor, by the way. Although I do not yet have photos of Episcopal churches, suffice it to say that they are in the same shape, as are the 200+ Episcopal schools in the country.

[Some folks have pointed out to me that there are needs to be met in the USA, too. Yes, there are, especially on reservations set aside for America's indigenous population, which is another area of interest of mine. However, and this is important to anyone who seeks to live in a Covenant relationship with God, we have made a promise of support to the Diocese of Haiti that should be honored. As their needs are extraordinary, so should be our response.]

The Feast Of Timothy And Titus

From the Universe Bulletin [a Roman publication known for its scholarship]:

"St. Timothy has been regarded by some as the "angel of the church of Ephesus", [Revelation 2:1-17]. According to the ancient Roman martyrology he died Bishop of Ephesus. The Bollandists (24 Jan.) give two lives of St. Timothy, one ascribed to Polycrates (an early Bishop of Ephesus, and a contemporary of St. Irenæus) and the other by Metaphrastes, which is merely an expansion of the former. The first states that during the Neronian persecution St. John arrived at Ephesus, where he lived with St. Timothy until he was exiled to Patmos under Domitian. Timothy continued Bishop of Ephesus until, when he was over eighty years of age, he was mortally beaten by the pagans. According to early tradition Titus continued after St. Paul's death as Archbishop of Crete, and died there when he was over ninety."

Almighty God, you called Timothy and Titus to be evangelists and teachers, and made them strong to endure hardship: Strengthen us to stand fast in adversity, and to live godly and righteous lives in this present time, that with sure confidence we may look for our blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Day Off On Monday

I know, I don't know what's gotten into me. But, I will be taking Monday off in order to, um, meditate and stuff.

Actually, I have to customize a guitar for a client and, thus, need to spend a day inhaling paint fumes. Back to the office on Tuesday.

The Third Sunday After The Epiphany

This week Ezra offers an ancient version of a telethon, Corinth learns the meaning of the Body of Christ, and Jesus shocks the home crowd. All this plus the two top music groups enjoyed by the lower school students.

The lections may be found here.

[I'm sorry this was so late today. What with the Oratory, the Benefit Concert, the approaching annual meeting, and dealing with the owners of a DC-3 in Knoxville (long story), I almost forgot to post the lections.]

Oratory Of The Little Way

Just a reminder that there will be a presentation by folks from the Oratory Saturday morning at 10am. This will serve as an introduction to their ministry and courses, and, I hope, also serve as an encouragement for those willing to help us construct and larger and more frequently offered sacrament of healing.

More about the Oratory's work may be found at their website.

The Inflatable Hospital

We're All Buck Rogers Now

Man Buried in Haiti Rubble Uses iPhone to Treat Wounds, Survive

News From The Episcopal Diocese Of Haiti, Via The Wall Street Journal

More Haitian News

Missionaries call on church's deep connections with Haiti

The Finest And The Bravest Just Got Finer And Braver

Joint NYPD-FDNY rescue team pulls two miracles out of rubble

The Feast Of Fabian

No, not the singer of "Like A Tiger" and star of "Ride The Wild Surf". This is the Fabian who was Bishop of Rome in the mid-Third Century.

"Upon the death of Roman Bishop Antherus in 236, a council was convened in Rome to elect his successor. In the crowd was Fabian, a layperson. According to the historian Eusebius, a dove flew into the building and landed on Fabian's head. The people immediately interpreted this to be an omen, and unanimously acclaimed Fabian as Rome's new bishop.

He turned out to be an excellent leader. He organized the parochial structure of the Church that is still in use, developed the rites of veneration for the martyrs buried in the catacombs, and appointed fourteen scholars to record the lives of the martyrs so that they would not be forgotten in future years.

In 239, the Emperor Decius instituted a persecution of Christians. This was the first persecution to be waged throughout the entire Empire, rather than just a local phenomenon. Fabian was captured and brutally executed. The courage with which he went to his death was an inspiration to thousands who followed him in martyrdom. His broken tombstone in Rome still exists, with three words on it are still legible; 'Fabian ... bishop ... martyr.'"

O God, in your providence you singled out the holy martyr Fabian as worthy to be chief pastor of your people, and guided him so to strengthen your Church that it stood fast in the day of persecution: Grant that those whom you call to any ministry in the Church may be obedient to your call in all humility, and be enabled to carry out their tasks with diligence and faithfulness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

"Secret Jesus Bible Codes?" Really?

Of course, normal people just call them Bible verses.

U.S. Military Weapons Inscribed With Secret 'Jesus' Bible Codes

Wow, ABC, whatta expose! [It took three reporters to come up with this.]

By the way, our "secret Jesus Bible codes" for this coming Sunday may be found here.