Note from the Rector, Dec. 17 - St. George's Episcopal Church

In his sermon last Sunday, our guest preacher, the Reverend Bob Miller, shared a wonderful quote from the contemporary American writer and theologian, Frederick Buechner (in his book Wishful Thinking): “To repent is to come to your senses. It is not so much something you do as something that happens. True repentance spends less time looking at the past and saying, “I’m sorry,” than to the future and saying, “Wow!”” It helps us put John the Baptist’s Advent cry to repent into a different perspective. This Sunday we will encounter Mary, the pregnant mother of Jesus, as she offers her own, “Wow” in the words of the Magnificat: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord!” We repent when we say, “wow!” to God at work in our lives. Where are you experiencing what might be called “the wow of God” this Advent?

Mary’s “wow” comes in the context of a visit with her elderly kinswoman, Elizabeth. Elizabeth recognizes the amazing gift to the world growing in Mary’s womb. Another way we might repent is to reconnect with our brothers and sisters in Christ whom we have not seen in a while. How might we celebrate the gifts from God we see in each other? Look through your church directory (let us know if you need one or need access to the online version) and get in touch with someone who might appreciate knowing that others are thinking of them. A simple phone call, email, card, or even a text message might mean the world.

Connections and compassionate community will be the theme of our upcoming weekend February 5-7 with Natalie Finstad. Watch her TED talk here:

Save the date for this time of important conversations about how we create community that honors everyone as God’s beloved. This work is another form of repentance.

As we wait for Christ, may we hear the Advent call to “Repent!” with fresh ears and turn our hearts to God and each other in fresh ways.

Your fellow servant in Christ,

Joe+

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