Thoughts
Because of our trip for Taylor’s wedding, I’m writing this two weeks before you read it. Given the gap in time, I’ll do something different this week and share a few random thoughts.
The Diocesan Ordination Process: Those who worshipped at St. Paul’s this past Sunday, whether in person or via the livestream, heard Jeff Wise preach. Jeff is a member of St. Paul’s who is discerning a call to ordination to the priesthood. The initial part of the diocesan ordination process takes place in the parish. Jeff and I met regularly for more than a year to discern his experience of God’s call. In August, after receiving permission from Bishop Jennifer to continue the process, Jeff began regular meetings with a Congregational Discernment Group (CDG). The CDG, made up of six parishioners, will meet eight times throughout the fall to discern with Jeff. If they believe Jeff is called by God to the priesthood, they will submit a recommendation to the vestry, our governing board. The vestry will then endorse Jeff’s call and ask the diocesan Commission on Ministry to continue guiding his discernment.
Pastoral Care: Since the Rev. Barb Kempf’s departure to work for the Presiding Bishop we no longer have a single member of the clergy who holds primary responsibility for managing pastoral care. This does not mean the clergy aren’t paying attention or responding to your needs. You are welcome to contact any of the clergy for support. We are happy to arrange a visit, meet for coffee or at St. Paul’s, or talk on the phone. If you are in the hospital, please call the church to let us know. If you are experiencing an emergency, call the church and press 1 to leave a message for the on-call priest. If you know of someone else in the parish who could use pastoral support, let us know. Don’t assume we know about a situation. Communication from you makes all the difference in our ability to respond.
Is Religion Good for Your Health? A parishioner shared with me an article by David DeSteno from The Wall Street Journal which explored this question. The article makes some interesting points, two of which I’ll share here. First, participating in community is an antidote to the experience of isolation and loneliness impacting many in our nation. As DeSteno writes, there is “ample evidence that socializing is a boon to health.” Second, DeSteno points out that “Reciting prayers, chanting mantras and engaging in deep contemplation affect worshipers in multiple ways. These practices slow breathing and brighten emotional states, with a direct positive impact on the cardiovascular system. They alter thought processes, imbuing situations that might seem hopeless with a sense of optimism, which is also linked to improved health.”
