7 Epiphany and parish update, 2/20/22

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. James,

I write to thank you again for your participation last Sunday, 13 February, in our Annual Meeting. As I noted prior and during our meeting, and repeat now afterwards, to hold such an important gathering via Zoom, whether visually or via telephone conference, as did we, is not desirable, as such a meeting reduces the personal ingredient of community. Nevertheless, we were able to have a conversation that, as we seek answers and undertake actions, will move us into new arenas. Even in a non-visual meeting, I sensed renewed commitment to and energy for the ministry of St. James in Teele Square. I am grateful.

It is in that spirit that I use this occasion to lay before you my thinking regarding Ash Wednesday, and how we may best observe a Holy Lent. ASH WEDNESDAY occurs on 2 MARCH, slightly over a week away.

My primary commitment to you, as your priest, is to provide, as clearly and as theologically sound as possible, based on my training and experience, a basis for things I do and say. The sole commandment of communal worship is that given by Jesus himself: When two or three are gathered in his name, to recall his institution of bread and wine as central to our faith and the community. At the same time, we submit ourselves to his Summary of the Law, “and the second is like unto it, to love your neighbor as yourself.” To that end, I “present my case” for my decision.

• For three years, we have not been able to observe this solemn day, as in the past: 2019. 2020, and 2021.
• I forego a history of the evolvement over centuries of the liturgical tradition of applying ashes upon the forehead, in order to remind ourselves of the finiteness of our humanness. As an ardent advocate and practitioner of traditional liturgy, I do not denigrate it that or any other ancient act of devotion.
• Our bishops have provided guidelines for those clergy and parishes who wish this year to return to some format that recognizes our liturgical tradition. I summarize approved formats: make packets of ashes available, so that individuals may apply ashes upon themselves; hold in-person liturgies, but apply ashes with Q-Tips, but one unique to each individual. Face-coverings must remain in place. No application of ashes by hand is permitted. “Ash and Dash,” as some have practiced in the past, was never an option for me, as it belittles in my theological thinking the seriousness and solemnity of why at all we apply ashes to our foreheads.
• Even as we become aware of declining cases of infection from Covid-19 in our community, I am concerned that, in our desire to return to practices of former times, we may be tempted to relax our diligence to thwart infections.

As you have come to know me during these last four years—yes, I begin now in March my fifth year with you—you know that I am a pragmatist. I believe, if I am to believe in the existence of such a higher power, that God has endowed us with a brain and with a heart: the ability to discern and the ability to feel/to empathize. Both are essential to my thinking and my actions. And my thinking is, as I have reviewed demographics of our congregation and other liturgies available to us during Lent, with which to honor God and to remind ourselves of our humanness: IT IS INADVISABLE TO HOLD AN ASH WEDNESDAY LITURGY FOR THE APPLICATION OF ASHES. On the first Sunday in Lent, we shall intone The Great Litany, and throughout Lent, our liturgy will reflect our commitment to God and to our neighbor.

Of your charity, I bid you pray fervently for those who minister to the sick and those in need of humane services.

We unite in prayer:
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we do is worth nothing: Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you, and those whom you love, for ever. Amen.

Your fellow traveler on the Way,
CEB+