May 21, 2022
Dear PJ's Community, This week we celebrate completions and beginnings. Sunday, we recognize the completion of degrees by students at university and graduate school. Monday leads to new beginnings. St PJs is blessed by having many students worship in our space. They bring energy, ideas, technical skills, thoughtful sermons, and often very beautiful voices. Each student has been on a journey of hard work, late nights, deadlines, exams, and seemingly endless papers. That has now come to an end, at least for a short time until they enter their new beginnings. I am struck by the Lesson this week from Acts (16:9-15). In a vision, Paul was told to travel with his followers to Macedonia to proclaim the good news. The writer describes the journey: sailing from Troas to Samothrace, then to Neapolis and finally, overland to Philippi, where they ‘remained… for some days’. Since there probably was not a synagogue in Philippi, they went to the river to speak to some of the women who had gathered for prayer. One, named Lydia ‘opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.’ They didn’t meet a huge throng of people. They didn’t convert hundreds. They made a journey, based on a vision, to find one woman who opened her heart to God, and, with her household, was baptized. New beginnings do not need to be full of large or exciting events and accomplishments. The journey starts with the people you meet, the respect and love you give, the relationships you form. And, over time, little by little, something wonderful can build. For each of us on our journey, whether it is new or old, Jesus reassures that the Holy Spirit will help to guide us. ‘I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid’ (John 14:25-27). Godspeed. David Hill Treasurer
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May 14, 2022
Dear PJ's Community, Jesus was a fully formed human, a complicated person. Many popular images and hymns portray him as gentle and mild, a serene peacemaker, and thoughtful teacher. He did say that the meek would inherit the earth. The Gospels also describe how Jesus could be intense, and a person of action. Yes, he healed the sick, and ministered to the broken and marginalized. But he challenged the wealthy, the powerful, and the self righteous. He spoke with authority when arguing with religious leaders, even when threatened with death. Our churches often reflect the cultural view of Jesus as solemn and comforting, contemplative, and even contented. Sitting in church during a service is a good way to connect with Jesus in these ways. But Christ called his first disciples as he was walking beside the Sea of Galilee and he said to a few fishermen, " Come, follow me!" Most of us are not in a position to put down our nets and follow Jesus. So how are we to be "people of action"? What can our 'following Jesus' look like? Well, this Sunday you can lay down your "net", and pick up a watering can! The St. PJ's Garden Ministry needs volunteers to help water our planters and gardens after Church on Sundays if we have not had rain. Or consider being a greeter at the front doors of the Church, before and after services, to engage with other worshippers, especially new-comers. We have a need for liturgical assistants to serve at the altar. The Capital Campaign will need volunteers to do research and development. We are forming a Columbarium Committee to clarify and reorganize our approach to the internment of ashes there. So if you feel called, or if you receive a call from someone in the parish inviting you to step up, you might just be hearing Jesus saying "Come, follow me". Frequently, during Dismissal at the end of the service we are called to "Go forth into the world in peace, to love and serve the Lord". Now is the time. Peace, Brian Fillmore, co-warden May 7, 2022
Dear PJ's Community, Change is everywhere and often when I hear that word, bells go off in my head. What is wrong? What can I do? What should I do? But change doesn’t have to set off these bells or whatever it does for you. Change can be good as well, I‘ve been noticing all the buds popping everywhere, trees stretching their limbs and unfurling new leaves. And even some surprise visitors among the blooms! So, with change there can be life-giving newness. We don’t always have to fear change. And so too for us at St PJ’s. Jesus is risen and life is reborn within us. And it’s not the addition of chairs alone at St PJ’s that reflect a change and newness. It’s within each of us. Under the leadership of Brian and Claire and supported by sharing in Eucharist with Nathan we are becoming something new as a community of faith at St PJ’s. At Noon Day Prayer this past Wednesday, we read from Luke 7:11-17 about the death of a widow’s son and how Jesus brought him to life again. And following this, "they all realized they were in a place of holy mystery”. And I believe we too at St PJ’s are in a place of holy mystery. A time of change, yes and transition, yes; but we must trust that our God is with us and within each of us as we move forward to a new future as the people of God on this corner of Chapel and Olive. Let us not fear change, but rather welcome it, with renewed faith in ourselves, one another and our God. I close with a prayer, author unknown, which fell out of my Book Of Common Prayer. (Just by chance?) “May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. (And I would add laugh.) It is there for each and every one of us.” Blessings to all! Marilyn J. Bergen, Vestry Member April 30, 2022
Dear PJ's Community, This week, I marched with fellow Yale graduate students and supporters up Hillhouse Avenue as we expressed our support for the formation of a graduate student union. We were joined by our partners UNITE HERE Local 217, Local 34, Local 35, Yale Unions Retirees Association, Students Union Now, and New Haven Rising, as well as workers from the Graduate Hotel in downtown New Haven who are also in the process of forming a union. As a graduate student, I feel like I straddle a strange line between being a student and being a worker. While my grad student colleagues and I are getting an education, we are also doing invaluable work for the university, including performing cutting edge research, writing and applying for grants, and teaching classes. Graduate workers across the country are mobilizing to form unions, saying that the work we do matters and is essential to our universities and should be treated as such. I share this with you all this week, because while in the United States we celebrate Labor Day in September, International Labor Day is this Sunday, May 1st. Across the globe, workers are getting days of rest, organizing marches, and standing up for the rights of all who work. As I was walking up tree-lined Hillhouse Avenue with my fellow graduate students, I wondered what Jesus would think of all of this, and how it fits with my identity and beliefs as a Christian. While pondering this, one of the lines from my baptismal covenant popped into my mind: “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Remembering this, I felt proud to be a part of a larger labor movement across the United States, where workers are standing up against wealthy and powerful corporations and institutions to demand a living wage, basic rights, and dignity. This week, I invite you to think of ways in your lives to live into your baptismal covenants – seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving your neighbors, striving for justice and peace, and respecting the dignity of every human being. Peace and blessings, Claire Cody Co-warden |
AuthorPJs Wardens and Vestry Archives
August 2022
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