Vicar's Blog
20-Minute Spiritual Workout, Monday, February 15, 2010
(Consider having a timer nearby that will beep or alert you when a designated period of time, like 5 minutes, has elapsed. That will enable you to enter fully into reflection without being bothered by keeping time.)
Opening Prayer: Invocation of the Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in us the fire of your love. V - Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created R - And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray: O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy your consolations. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Expression of hunger for God, Psalm 63:1. Let these words express your prayer of hunger for God in your life.
O God, you are my God; eagerly I seek you; * my soul thirsts for you, my flesh faints for you, as in a barren and dry land where there is no water.
Reflection on Scripture: Read these verses first.
Then Jesus said to them all, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? (Luke 9:23-25)
Spend 5 minutes reflecting on these questions.
How did Jesus “lose his life” for our sakes? Did he cease being himself or did he become fully himself as God’s Son and our Savior by giving himself?
How can you become more fully yourself by “losing yourself” in giving to God and others? Can you do that while being yourself, your best self?
Expressing Regret
What is your deepest regret about the past weekend? What thought, word, act, or failure to act haunts you?
Share that regret with God and ask God to forgive you and to help you forgive yourself.
Celebrate God’s forgiveness by making Psalm 103:1-3 your prayer: Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and forget not all his benefits.
He forgives all your sins * and heals all your infirmities
Celebrating God’s Goodness
What experiences of abundance and goodness came to you this weekend? What difficult moments did you experience? What might those moments show you about yourself, God, and others?
Spend 5 minutes reflecting on these questions and giving thanks to God for God’s goodness.
Psalm 106:1
Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, * for his mercy endures for ever.
Praying for Others
Who is on your mind today? Can you pray for them by name and ask God to bless them without telling God how to do it? Share their need(s) with God and trust God to act.
For those we Love
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come,knowing that you aredoing for them better things than wecan desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 831)
Moments of Silence
(Set your timer for five minutes.) Spend five minutes in silence. Sit comfortably. Breathe easily. If you feel distracted, simply reaffirm your intent to be inwardly still with these words “God. Help me be still.”
After the silence. What did you hear? Consider writing down any insight or call to action that came to you.
Closing Prayer of Commitment
Jesus, my Savior, who lost yourself for my sake, take me outside my comfort zone today. Give me courage to dare at least one thing for you today. Amen.
"Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Book of Common Prayer, pp. 832-833.]
could this prayer outline also be available on the table Sun ? (or did I miss it last Sun) very nice -
I like a hard copy tucked in my books
also - I know there are links etc but could the lectionary for the days be posted on the web site?
I'm just learning to check the site
Jane
In today's homily, I am inviting you to dare this prayer each day this week. It comes from our Book of Common Prayer, pp. 832-833.
Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
Would you join me each day this week in praying this prayer? And, would you add to that a request to Jesus to take you outside your comfort zone and give you courage to dare at least one thing a day for him this week. I'm going to try this myself. Would you join me? And, would you consider emailing me about what this proves to be like? You also are free to post on this blog.
I mentioned a 20-minute-a-day spiritual workout as an idea. More on that later.
Peace,
David
Because you led me to this prayer, I took the time 1st thing in the day before the world took over. Mary W.
Dear All Souls Community,
At our annual meeting, February 14, we will elect two persons to rotate onto the Vestry Committee for three year terms. They will be replacing Carroll Jones and Pat Pace, who are rotating off.
I've gotten a number of questions about the Vestry Committee and the election. Feel free to add to this blog with your own questions.
Question: "What is a vestry/vestry committee?"
Answer: The vestry is a group of people elected by the congregation who have responsibility for exercising oversight of the life of a parish or mission (in a mission like All Souls, the group is known as a vestry committee). That oversight includes the following duties:
+ Election of a rector with the advice of the bishop. In a mission, the vestry committee elects a vicar upon nomination by the bishop.
+ Make an annual pledge in support of the ministries of the diocese.
+ Oversee the business and financial life of the parish (approving budgets, supervising collection and disposition of funds, etc)
+ Oversee the care and maintenance of the church property.
+ Make provision for the worship of the church (prayer books, hymnals, vestments, etc)
+ Maintain all records of the church (except the parish register).
Question: "How many people serve on a vestry/vestry committee?"
Answer: The canons of this diocese specify no fewer than three and no more than twelve (except in the case of larger parishes, who may have up to eighteen, governed by a formula of parish members to vestry members.)
The All Souls vestry committee has six members.
Question: "What are the minimal requirements for serving on a vestry/vestry committee?"
The short answer, "Confirmed communicants in good standing above the age of 16." A confirmed communicant is someone confirmed as an Episcopalian, or someone confirmed in another tradition who has been personally received by the bishop. Persons baptized as adults or older children in a denomination that does not practice confirmation are considered as confirmed. They, too, must be personally received by the bishop to be confirmed Episcopalians.
In good standing means having attending at least twice in the past year and being known to the treasurer (be a giver). Obviously, it would e desirable to have someone serving who attends regularly.
Question: "Who are the senior and junior warden and what do they do?"
Answer: The wardens are elected by the vestry/vestry committee. The senior warden traditionally has been known as the "priest's warden," the person who works closely with the priest in the leading of the congregation. The junior warden traditionally has been known as "the people's warden," the person to whom the people look when they need to communicate about parish business. The junior warden traditionally has been the person most directly tasked with caring for church property.
Question: "How long may vestry members serve?"
Answer: The canons of our diocese limit terms to three or four years maximum. We have opted for three year terms. Those who rotate off must stay off for one year before they can stand for election again.
Please add your questions in the Add New Comment link below.
Peace,
David Perkins,
Vicar
Since there are two seats open, does that mean each member will cast 2 votes?
Dear All Souls Community,
At our annual meeting, February 14, we will elect two persons to rotate onto the Vestry Committee for three year terms. They will be replacing Carroll Jones and Pat Pace, who are rotating off.
I've gotten a number of questions about the Vestry Committee and the election. Feel free to add to this blog with your own questions.
Question: "What is a vestry/vestry committee?"
Answer: The vestry is a group of people elected by the congregation who have responsibility for exercising oversight of the life of a parish or mission (in a mission like All Souls, the group is known as a vestry committee). That oversight includes the following duties:
+ Election of a rector with the advice of the bishop. In a mission, the vestry committee elects a vicar upon nomination by the bishop.
+ Make an annual pledge in support of the ministries of the diocese.
+ Oversee the business and financial life of the parish (approving budgets, supervising collection and disposition of funds, etc)
+ Oversee the care and maintenance of the church property.
+ Make provision for the worship of the church (prayer books, hymnals, vestments, etc)
+ Maintain all records of the church (except the parish register).
Question: "How many people serve on a vestry/vestry committee?"
Answer: The canons of this diocese specify no fewer than three and no more than twelve (except in the case of larger parishes, who may have up to eighteen, governed by a formula of parish members to vestry members.)
The All Souls vestry committee has six members.
Question: "What are the minimal requirements for serving on a vestry/vestry committee?"
The short answer, "Confirmed communicants in good standing above the age of 16." A confirmed communicant is someone confirmed as an Episcopalian, or someone confirmed in another tradition who has been personally received by the bishop. Persons baptized as adults or older children in a denomination that does not practice confirmation are considered as confirmed. They, too, must be personally received by the bishop to be confirmed Episcopalians.
In good standing means having attending at least twice in the past year and being known to the treasurer (be a giver). Obviously, it would e desirable to have someone serving who attends regularly.
Question: "Who are the senior and junior warden and what do they do?"
Answer: The wardens are elected by the vestry/vestry committee. The senior warden traditionally has been known as the "priest's warden," the person who works closely with the priest in the leading of the congregation. The junior warden traditionally has been known as "the people's warden," the person to whom the people look when they need to communicate about parish business. The junior warden traditionally has been the person most directly tasked with caring for church property.
Question: "How long may vestry members serve?"
Answer: The canons of our diocese limit terms to three or four years maximum. We have opted for three year terms. Those who rotate off must stay off for one year before they can stand for election again.
Please add your questions in the Add New Comment link below.
Peace,
David Perkins,
Vicar
The comments posting is now working! It took longer to troubleshoot the problems than I estimated.
Dear All Souls Community,
At our annual meeting, February 14, we will elect two persons to rotate onto the Vestry Committee for three year terms. They will be replacing Carroll Jones and Pat Pace, who are rotating off.
I've gotten a number of questions about the Vestry Committee and the election. Feel free to add to this blog with your own questions.
Question: "What is a vestry/vestry committee?"
Answer: The vestry is a group of people elected by the congregation who have responsibility for exercising oversight of the life of a parish or mission (in a mission like All Souls, the group is known as a vestry committee). That oversight includes the following duties:
+ Election of a rector with the advice of the bishop. In a mission, the vestry committee elects a vicar upon nomination by the bishop.
+ Make an annual pledge in support of the ministries of the diocese.
+ Oversee the business and financial life of the parish (approving budgets, supervising collection and disposition of funds, etc)
+ Oversee the care and maintenance of the church property.
+ Make provision for the worship of the church (prayer books, hymnals, vestments, etc)
+ Maintain all records of the church (except the parish register).
Question: "How many people serve on a vestry/vestry committee?"
Answer: The canons of this diocese specify no fewer than three and no more than twelve (except in the case of larger parishes, who may have up to eighteen, governed by a formula of parish members to vestry members.)
The All Souls vestry committee has six members.
Question: "What are the minimal requirements for serving on a vestry/vestry committee?"
The short answer, "Confirmed communicants in good standing above the age of 16." A confirmed communicant is someone confirmed as an Episcopalian, or someone confirmed in another tradition who has been personally received by the bishop. Persons baptized as adults or older children in a denomination that does not practice confirmation are considered as confirmed. They, too, must be personally received by the bishop to be confirmed Episcopalians.
In good standing means having attending at least twice in the past year and being known to the treasurer (be a giver). Obviously, it would e desirable to have someone serving who attends regularly.
Question: "Who are the senior and junior warden and what do they do?"
Answer: The wardens are elected by the vestry/vestry committee. The senior warden traditionally has been known as the "priest's warden," the person who works closely with the priest in the leading of the congregation. The junior warden traditionally has been known as "the people's warden," the person to whom the people look when they need to communicate about parish business. The junior warden traditionally has been the person most directly tasked with caring for church property.
Question: "How long may vestry members serve?"
Answer: The canons of our diocese limit terms to three or four years maximum. We have opted for three year terms. Those who rotate off must stay off for one year before they can stand for election again.
Please add your questions in the Add New Comment link below.
Peace,
David Perkins,
Vicar
In response to the question about how many people each person will vote for, yes, each member would vote for two nominees.
At the deadline, we had only two nominations, and we do not accept nominations from the floor. The reasons for that are several. First, accepting a vestry committee nomination requires time for discernment and prayer. One cannot do that on the floor if their name is submitted in the meeting. Second, a newly nominated person will not have had the time to publish their biography and answer questions from parishioners. They would not be on a level playing field. Third, the deadline for nominations was published almost two months beforehand to give those who desired to nominate someone time to pray and to get the permission of the nominee. Nominating from the floor precludes that.
Because we only have two nominees, I suspect you will be asked to elect them by acclamation.
Peace,
David Perkins
