November, 2008
From the Rector’s Desk
November is upon us with the changing of the clocks “fall back, spring forward!” The thing that is different this year is that we are facing a presidential election on November 4th. Our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori has recently sent out “An Election Day message” in which she states: “I would encourage every eligible voter to prayerfully consider the choices before us and commit to using the political process to seek solutions to our society’s most intractable problems.”
“Our baptismal ministry calls us to transform our communities into something that looks more like [the] Reign of God. That is our part in God’s mission. We are sent and commissioned to build a society where all have adequate access to health care, where the weakest are protected and God’s creation safeguarded, and where each person has access to the blessings of life. That work requires committed engagement in the civic life of our nation if we seek to make God’s dream more effectively real and complete in this world.
As caretakers and stewards of all God’s creation, each one of us is responsible for the flourishing of the rest of the human family. As in all elections, on 4 November we have the opportunity to continue working to reconcile and heal the world. I urge every citizen to use this opportunity to motivate our government to respond to, and participate in, building the Reign of God. We prepare the ground for the possibility of more abundant life through our part in the ministry of government.”
Bishop Paul in his Convention address devoted time to the forthcoming elections, part of which I want to share with you. “I believe that at no time since the civil rights era are there such important choices in front of the American Christians, and some of them are not popular. Unlike some religious leaders, I do not believe that is the job of your bishop to tell you how to vote.”
“It is a no-brainer that Christians have an obligation to love their neighbor. When we talk about how to love more than one neighbor at a time, however, we are engaging the world of the political, not the partisan, but the political.’
“Let me put some questions as sharply as I can.”
“First, we must decide as a nation whether we shall continue the now decades-old policy of privatizing profits while socializing losses.
Then, we must decide whether we shall continue to be the only industrialized country on the planet where health care is not available to all citizens....
We have got to give a clear message that the American electorate finds its intelligence insulted and its core values dishonored by state and national political campaigns that are organized around fear mongering, half-truths, and gross distortions.
We must decide whether decades of de-regulation and following the path of trickle-down economics has helped you, your neighbors, or especially, the stranger at your gates. ...”
So far, so good. Both John McCain and Barack Obama seem to agree that the issues I mention are important, each with his own set of solutions, of course. Deep change has to happen, and Republicans and Democrats both acknowledge it. The question to us the electorate will be how change is to occur.” ...
“To sum this section up: I ask you to believe that for Christians there are many issues, never just one issue, and I have tried to make that point by highlighting just a few of the many moral issues we must engage if we are to strive to love the neighbor in a democracy where we the people hold the power. Complex thinking, praying, and acting are our duty. Let’s be sure that we treasure all Episcopalians’ right to think for themselves - but let us insist that they think. I believe that the action that follows such thinking will please God and serve creation.”
Bishop Marshall’s complete address is available on line and at the office if you wish to read it in its entirety.
These are weighty issues that all must deal with, but we must be thankful that we do live in a democracy where these things can be talked about openly without fear or reprisal. I wish everyone a healthy and happy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Father Marshall
Fruit Sale
Our church is sponsoring a citrus fruit sale this fall. We are offering navel oranges and red grapefruit from Florida Indian River Groves. Delivery is scheduled for Saturday, December 6th. You will need to come to the church on that date to pick up your orders. Deadline for orders is Sunday, November 9th. Payment must accompany order. Please remit your payment in one check payable to St. Clement & St. Peter’s church. If you have any questions, you may contact the Parish Office at 822-8043.
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Something to Think About
New Vestry Members are elected each year at our Annual Parish Meeting. This year there will be two (2) vacancies to be filled. This position is a three-year term. To be eligible, one must be eighteen years of age and a member in good standing. If you are interested in running for one of these positions, please notify the Parish Office, Fr. Marshall, or any current vestry member so that names may be presented to the vestry at the next meeting.
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Prayer Walk
There will be a prayer walk following the church service on Sunday, November 16th. Please join us in praying for the people in our surrounding neighborhood. The walk will take approximately 30-40 minutes.
Invite A Friend!
Sunday, November 16th is also “Bring a Friend to Church Day”. Please invite a friend to join us in our celebration of Christ’s love.
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United Thank Offering
Sunday, November 23rd is the date of the fall ingathering for the United Thank Offering. Proceeds are used for church work throughout the United States and around the world. Please give as generously as you are able to this worthy cause.
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Thanksgiving Eve Service
All are invited to attend the Downtown Ministerium Ecumenical Thanksgiving Eve Service on Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 PM. Fr. Marshall will be delivering the homily. The location of the service is still to be determined. You may call the parish office at 822-8043 for the location of the service.
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