Pax et Bonum

The Online worship resource for St. James Parish

September 23, 2009

Lifelong Christian formation in The Episcopal Church is growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ and is informed by Scripture, Tradition and Reason.
---The Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation---

Through The Episcopal Church, God INVITES all people:

Into a prayerful life of worship, continuous learning, intentional outreach, advocacy and service.

To hear the Word of God, to honor church teachings, and continually to embrace the joy of Baptism and Eucharist, spreading the Good News of the risen Christ and ministering to all.

To respond to the needs of our constantly changing communities, as Jesus calls us, in ways that reflect our diversity and cultures as we seek, wonder and discover together.

To hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people, placing ourselves in the stories of our faith, thereby empowering us to proclaim the Gospel message.

Formed in Faith

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to hear Bishop John Rabb speak of the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation, which was passed as a resolution at General Convention. The Convention did some things that were controversial, as has happened for several years, and some of their actions have created a great deal of anxiety for some, and freedom for others. But n the midst of the controversial issues, the Christian Formation Committee, of which Bishop Rabb is a member, met and formulated a charter stating the need for Formation: education, worship, spiritual practices, for parishioners of every age. The charter acts as a mission statement for the Church, setting out in plain terms that God invites, inspires and transforms us throughout our lifetime.

Our formation begins with baptism, and ends with the Liturgy for Burial. In between we are formed, for good or ill, by the practices we keep. If we attend worship, pray regularly, and take advantage of opportunities to learn more about our faith, we will continue to grow wise, and our spiritual life will be fulfilling. If we choose to take little advantage of what is offered, we will have little growth.

This week we begin our Confirmation class for high-school aged youth. In preparing for the class, I was reminded of our rich heritage as Christians, as Anglicans, and as members of St. James. Let us continue to learn, to worship, and to pray together as God gives us opportunity.

Through The Episcopal Church, God INSPIRES all people:

To experience Anglican liturgy, which draws us closer to God, helps us discern God’s will and encourages us to share our faith journeys.

To study scripture mindful of the context of our societies and cultures, calling us to seek truth anew while remaining fully present in the community of faith.

To develop new learning experiences, equipping disciples for life in a world of secular challenges and carefully listening for the words of modern sages who embody the teachings of Christ.

To prepare for a sustainable future by calling the community to become guardians of God’s creation.

Daily Morning Prayer

Daily Morning Prayer

This Week at St. James

NOTE: There will be no Pax on Wednesday September 30th. I will be out of town for Continuing Education.

Prayers Etc.

For those on our prayer list:

For Matt Rogers, our Postulant
For those who are deployed and their families.

Through The Episcopal Church, God TRANSFORMS all people:

By doing the work Jesus Christ calls us to do, living into the reality that we are all created in the image of God, and carrying out God’s work of reconciliation, love, forgiveness, healing, justice and peace.

By striving to be a loving and witnessing community, which faithfully confronts the tensions in the church and the world as we struggle to live God’s will.

By seeking out diverse and expansive ways to empower prophetic action, evangelism, advocacy and collaboration in our contemporary global context.

By holding all accountable to lift every voice in order to reconcile oppressed and oppressor to the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord.
---from the Charter for Lifelong Christian Formation---

In Closing:

I love you, O God,
My Love,
My Warmth,
My solace,
My Fulfillment,
All that I am,
All that I do
Finds meaning and purpose in you.
Fill me with the full force
Of your love
And its passionate splendor;
So that I might hold
And heal all those who are crying out for
Love,
Love through me
All the unreconciled
Whose homes and hearts
Are broken,
And let them know
I am able to love
Because you have first loved me.
---Miriam Therese Winter---

Pax et Bonum,
Loree+

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