|
|
 |
|
| |
 |
We have a new Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller! He was
consecrated on October 18th and Trinity was well represented at this
very special event. Fred Bowden and Kathy Madigan sang in the choir,
Jim & Barbara Ballard and Robert & Jean-Margaret Merrill-Beech in the
congregation and I was in the procession. All were impressed by the
ceremony and by the graciousness of our new Bishop.
Bishop Miller brings many gifts and a history of "success" in every
place he has been. He builds consensus, but is firm in his vision and
understands his gifts well. It seems to me that his ability to build
consensus through conversation and sensitivity will serve us well in
a stressful time in the life of the Church.
He also has a passion, as well as gifts, for church growth, with
special connections to a national organization known as the
Congregational Development Institute (CDI). He promises to bring this
organization and its leadership training component to our Diocese. I
expect this to impact our congregation directly in the coming years.
We will get to know our Bishop better when he visits on December
21st, but I suspect that we will get to know him very well, indeed,
in the years ahead, as he provides leadership to the Diocese and to
our congregation. I assure you, we are blessed by his presence among
us!
A THREE HOUR CRUISE
THROUGH EPISCOPAL WATERS
On Saturday, December 13th (9 a.m.-noon) you are all invited to a
workshop about the Anglican and Episcopal Church. This is for
newcomers and "old timers." For newcomers, it can be the "lock"
through to Confirmation on the 21st of December and for old timers,
it's a refresher course that will remind you of the depth of our
Faith and our history. There will be a sign-up sheet, so that
adequate materials may be provided. If you want more information, see
Father Fliess. If you know you wish to be confirmed or received on
December 21st, please talk to Father Fliess as soon as possible!
THE JOY OF TRINITY
October 2003
I like to share with you the things I see and hear and feel that
bring me joy at Trinity. You may do the same whenever you wish.
Fall at Trinity is beautiful We have trees and shrubs that are
unsurpassed in Mineral Point!..see www.mineralpoint.com.
The harpsichord brings me joy and I am so grateful that Dorothy
provided it and plays it for us from time to time!
Visitors, in bunches, as we had one Sunday this month are a great
treat. It was wonderful to see Carol Jean and Bernie Brown again, and
to have several other visitors, all talking about our beautiful
church and friendly congregation!
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
I have spent a lot of time recently thinking about my own spiritual
growth as well as our church's spiritual growth. Through prayer and
conversation with my church family and friends, I have come to this
conclusion: If we want to see spiritual growth and movement within
the church, we each must first look within ourselves.
We can spend time studying the Bible, praying, going to church,
learning about the Anglican community and learning about the Book of
Common Prayer, all of which are noble and good efforts. However, I
believe we need to act upon what we have learned and experienced by
sharing God's love before we can truly achieve personal spiritual
growth.
Individually, we need to open our hearts to all possibilities. Let
the spirit touch your heart until you are ready to burst with joy and
love. Then open your heart to someone, sharing that loving spirit
that is exploding within you. That is how spiritual growth and
awareness happens, from one heart to another.
How do we accomplish this? The spiritual touch on your heart can come
from anywhere and most often from unexpected directions:
- Listening to a solo sung at the prelude by a loving, gentle, giving spirit.
- Watching love blossom between two people you care about.
- Celebrating the joys and triumphs of your children.
- Hearing a sermon that totally comes from the heart.
- Sharing a Morning Prayer service led by a gentle loving voice.
- Sharing and receiving God's peace with true love in your heart.
- Finding something new to think about in a prayer that you have
repeated every Sunday for as long as you can remember.
- Joining voices in song, letting the words and music flow through your heart.
- Being the Usher on Sunday morning and having the opportunity to
greet every person that walks into the church.
- Being sensitive to peoples' feelings, showing you care about them
as individuals.
- Learning from your mistakes.
- Taking the time to visit with church family and friends outside of church.
- Putting away anger and trusting that there is a reason for everything.
I could easily list many more examples from my life. Can you take
some time to make your own list of ways that the spirit has or can
touch your life? Then think about how you can lovingly share that
spirit with someone else.
Only through a loving and open heart can we reach out to people and
help them along their path to God. Ultimately, our reason for being
on this earth is to live and celebrate God's love and the incredible
sacrifice He made for us.
I believe if we practice individual spiritual growth, there is no
limit to the good we can do for God, our selves, our church, our
community and beyond.
Lovingly,
Laurie Rossing
|
 |
|