5 Marks of Love There are many ways in which we mark our journey through Lent. Prayer, fasting, almsgiving and repentance are the classics. This year we are being encouraged to use those disciplines in ways that help us align our actions with the mission of Christ. The Church has identified these actions as the 5 Marks of Mission. They are: 1) To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom 2) To teach, baptize and nurture new believers 3) To respond to human need by loving service 4) To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation 5) To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth To simplify those very powerful statements, the Society of St. John the Evangelist, a men’s monastic community in Cambridge, Massachusetts has boiled the lengthy descriptors down to five words they call the Five Marks of Love . . . tell, teach, tend, transform, and treasure. You can find their Lenten guide at www.5marksoflove.org. The youth of the parish will be exploring each of these marks of love on Tuesdays during Lent. Community Conversations Another way of living into these statements is by participating in our Lenten soup and salad series entitled Community Conversations: Cultivating Our Shared Humanity. Childcare will be provided, so do not hesitate to bring the whole family or invite a friend. The series is open to the entire community and will run from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm, March 9 through April 6. The first presenter is a return visit by Mr. Sam Qadri from the Jamestown Islamic Center. Mr. Qadri was here last fall and many people were impressed with his visit and wanted an opportunity to ask more questions. This is your chance to ask those questions or to hear from him for the first time. In support of the initiatives of the group "Stand Up Together," St. James Memorial Episcopal Church is offering a five-week series open to the community. This series is designed to increase awareness of our different experiences, such as religion, race, and class; and to address how we may interact with others in ways that respect our common dignity and shared human experience. The series begins, March 9th, at St. James parish hall, 112 E. Main Street, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Soup and salad will be provided as well as child care. The full slate of presenters are: March 9th: Sam Qadri, Jamestown Islamic Society March 16th: Al Rickerson, Community member March 23rd: Jennifer Wellington, Women's Services, Inc and the Rev. Timothy Maybray, Titusville Free Methodist Church March 30th: Kaitlyn Spaulding, Family Services/Children's Aid Society April 6th: Chief Harold Minch, Titusville Police Department For the past several years, I have listened to Dr. Charles Stanley and his "In Touch" ministry messages/sermons on Sunday mornings before I attend church at St. James. Most of his messages I can relate to. The title of the message he gave on Sunday, Feb. 19 was titled "How to Stay Young And Useful All Your Life".
(1) Keep Learning - We have the responsibility of being fruitful all the days of our lives. We have the choice of continual growth throughout our lives. A lazy brain is a decaying brain. (2) Keep Loving - Love God with all of your heart, soul and mind. Love is an expression we need to share with family, friends and others. (3) Keep Laughing - It keeps your nervous system healthy. When there is laughter your body will respond accordingly. Dr. Stanley says, "Christians should be the happiest people in the world". (4) Keep Leaving Your Cares Behind - Hand your burdens over to God. Don't continue to talk about "junk" in your life. Dragging the "junk" around will slow you down. (5) Keep Longing - Keep dreaming about the future. Think about things you can and want to do. You can do anything that God calls you to do. You are young and useful at any age as long as you look towards the future. (6) Keep Laboring - You can retire but it doesn't mean you have to quit working. Find a hobby, help a neighbor, get involved in something you did not have time to participate in when your work schedule was full. (7) Keep Leaning - Be dependent on the Lord. Live everyday trusting in the Lord and rely on him to give you wisdom. (8) Keep Listening to God - Dr. Stanley believes this is most important (and I agree with him). Be quiet and ask God to speak to your heart. It is essential to listen to God. Start everyday listening to God. AMEN! Noni The St. James Soup Kitchen provides a free, home-cooked meal every Tuesday at noon. But the Soup Kitchen is about so much more than food. It provides hospitality and fellowship to all who attend, including the stranger. (Someone you don't know) The Soup Kitchen name is somewhat a misnomer. Meals are served sit-down style and soup is a sometime food. There are no long lines, standing with soup bowl in hand. Instead, as people are seated, they are given their utensils and offered a beverage (Coffee, tea, water, juice or cocoa). The dinner bell is rung and Canon Martha says a prayer before the meal. Then fruit or salad is served. This is followed by the main course, then dessert. (On Valentine's Day we had strawberry shortcake!) Late comers are served as they arrive. Many people come early to have coffee with friends. We have a donation can and people contribute as they are able. The Soup Kitchen is made possible by the generous donations of time, talent and treasure of many in the Titusville area, from St. James and beyond, who have captured the soup kitchen vision. St. James has created a unique type of "soup kitchen" that offers a true vision of what biblical hospitality looks like and all are welcome.
Soup Kitchen Dates and Stats Meals served in January -- 527 Food Bags given out in January -- 119 Next Bag Day -- March 14 and 28 Next visit by Barb Ives to answer questions about SSA, VA, Medicare and Housing will be March 7 and 21. |
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