An Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 11/7/2020

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Dear Members and Friends of St. James,

My weekly report will of necessity be extremely brief.  I sit in a virtual Diocesan Convention as I write my update.  As your priest, I am obliged to attend and I do so willingly.  However, the genius of modern technology of the vendor for votes has assigned my voting rights to the Michigan Democratic Convention 2020.  I await further clarification and relocation to the M-State of Massachusetts, which, thanks to that same modern technology, allow me to communicate with you.

This week has not permitted my visits to our church campus, but fear not.  Thanks to the sharp eye and devotion of our junior warden, I am sure that everything remains in fine condition.  Pastorally, I have not received any calls that would cause immediate concern for members and friends of the parish.  Even so, you all remain in my prayers.

I use this public forum to thank all of you who have ministered to me and have called to boost my spirit, as we all, whatever your political inclination may be, have witnessed and participated in a most challenging national election.  In addition to your being “pastor” to me, I report, on a personal note, that this week of election drama has produced an even stronger bond between my 12-year old grandson in Hong Kong and me, to wit: as a budding history buff, he rings in daily in order to explain in a language for humanists, like myself, the complicated statistics and charts that baffle me.

The task of reconciliation looms before us as a nation.  The enthusiasm and hope of youth, as exhibited by both grandchildren in Hong Kong, for our nation which they rightly call “America,” not home, are exhilarating and reassuring in the rightness of our intention to live out the Good News.  I pray, that we, in our various communities and using St. James – Somerville as our locus, will join other citizens locally and nationally in the realization of a “more perfect union.”

Let us pray:

O Gracious God, who has filled the world with beauty: Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.  Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither our of many kindreds and tongues.  Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.  In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.  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 Chris our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with and remain with you and those whom you love this day and for ever. Amen

Your humble fellow in The Way

 CEB+