February 8, The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Music with the Angels : 

Sunday February 8, 4:00 p.m. 

The Roosevelt Ensemble presents a concert this Sunday at 4:00 o’clock.  Barbara Trevino plays the organ, Susan Stanley plays flute along with Ron Radlein, and Wesley Radlein plays bass viola da gamba.  You’ll hear trio sonatas and music for other combinations of instruments from the 17th to the 21st centuries, including the original music on which Stravinsky's Pulcinella  suite was based and a flute piece written by a friend of Barbara’s. Admission is free; light refreshments afterwards.

 Emmaus Road

Monday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.

 Emmaus Road begins reading Thomas Cahill’s Heretics and Heroes.  Below is a description of the book.  For Monday we’ll be reading the 2^nd Chapter.

 In Volume VI of his acclaimed Hinges of History series, Thomas Cahill guides us through a time so full of innovation that the Western world would not again experience its like until the twentieth century: the new humanism of the Renaissance and the radical religious alterations of the Reformation   This was an age in which whole continents and peoples were discovered. It was an era of sublime artistic and scientific adventure, but also of newly powerful princes and armies—and of unprecedented courage, as thousands refused to bow their heads to the religious pieties of the past. In these exquisitely written and lavishly illustrated pages, Cahill illuminates, as no one else can, the great gift-givers who shaped our history—those who left us a world more varied and complex, more awesome and delightful, more beautiful and strong than the one they had found.  

 The book is available at Vroman’s or at Amazon.  Everyone is welcome to join in.  7:00 p.m. Monday evenings in the Parish Hall Living Room

Food For Thought

On the Food For Thought Table This Sunday two articles from “The Other Side,” or the “Dark Side,”  or just plain life without faith.

 1.  From The New York Times: Building Better Secularists.  This is an article by columnist David Brooks reflecting on the rising number of people who are simply a-religious or secular.  What are their concerns, values, sense of meaning?   They are very nice people, but as Brooks points out at the end, the secular conception of what it means to be human which emerged out of the 17^th Century Enlightenment doesn’t match what we know about humanity today.  If the premises are wrong, then what? 

 2.  From The Anglican Theological Review:  The Alethes Logos of Celcus and the Historicity of Christ.  Well, that’s a mouthful!  Actually it’s not that bad.  It is a very short article about how serious intellectuals challenged Christian claims in the very early Church.  And we thought we were the first to ask such questions!  

 It’s always a good thing to hear what the other side is saying.  At the gym where I go, in the cardio room they have side by side TV monitors with both Fox News and CNN.  The balance keeps me from falling off the Eliptical!

 Spirituality Education Opportunity

Anglican Rosary Workshop:  Led by Suzanne Edwards-Acton

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Hollywood

Saturday, February 21 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 Lent is a great time to pick up a new prayer practice, renew an old one or continue moving deeper into a practice that you are already using :: maybe Anglican Prayer Beads/Anglican Rosary!

I hope you will join me at the Lenten Anglican Rosary Quiet Day I am leading on Saturday, February 21st from 10am-2pm at St Stephen's Episcopal Church in Hollywood.  Learn about the history, structure, and development of the Anglican Rosary  as well as several ways to use this set of prayer beads as a tool for organizing time of prayer and as a means for entering into contemplative prayer and initiating silence in meditation.

Learn to make your own Anglican Rosary and meet new friends and fellow
travelers on the journey.

*The cost is $25 which includes LUNCH and the MATERIALS  to make
an Anglican Rosary that you will use for the sessions and keep at the end
of the workshop. * 

*Please register in advance **(click on the donate button below) **so we
have food and materials ready for YOU!*  http://ststephenshollywood.org/donate/>

 The Anglican Rosary:  What in the world is that?

I’m glad you asked that question:  See below

Major religions have for centuries advocated the use of prayer beads as an aid to prayer. A modern twist on this ancient tradition is the development of the Anglican Rosary, also known as "Episcopal Prayer Beads" or "Christian Rosary". Known and used as "Rosary beads" by Roman Catholics, "Mala beads" in the Hindu religion and "Chotki" in the Greek Orthodox tradition, the earliest prayer beads were most probably loose stones carried in the pocket, used to number one's prayers at set times of day. Eventually they were strung together so as not to be so easily lost.

While the Catholic Rosary has 59 beads and the Hindu mala 108, the number of beads in the Anglican rosary has been set at 33, the number of years in Christ's life. A set of Anglican beads is comprised of four sets of 7 beads called "weeks". The number 7 represents wholeness and completion, and reminds us of the 7 days of creation, the 7 days of the temporal week, the 7 seasons of the church year, and the 7 sacraments. Four "cruciform" beads separate the "weeks". They represent the 4 points of the cross and its centrality in our lives and faith, the 4 seasons of the temporal year, and the 4 points on a compass. Anglican prayer beads use a cross rather than a crucifix. Near the cross is the "invitatory bead". The beads may be of wood, glass or stone and the cross of wood or metal.

The Anglican Rosary is more than a simple recitation of prayers. The beads offer a focal point to help keep the mind still while praying, thus allowing the prayer to become physical as well as mental. The purpose of praying with beads is to allow the repetition of words (a Bible verse, mantra or portion of a psalm, for instance) to quiet the mind and bring us into stillness. At the end of the rosary we are invited to sit in silent communion with God.

The Anglican Rosary is limited only by one's imagination. Portions of the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer, such as the daily devotionals or Prayers of the People, are easily adapted to rosary praying. The daily collects and lectionary readings are another possibility. One might use a favorite canticle or psalm, or the Nicene Creed, or even the verses and refrain of a favorite hymn. The Jesus Prayer, Lord's Prayer or Serenity Prayer also lend themselves well to the rosary, as do adages such as "this, too, shall pass" or "let go and let God". All of these methods are simply a means to the Way, a vehicle to deep, still silence in God's presence, the ultimate form of prayer.

Lent?  Did someone mention Lent?

 Yes actually, in the announcement about the Anglican Rosary above.  Lent begins with Ash Wednesday:  February 18.

The day before is Shrove Tuesday, February 17. 

 So Mark on Your Calendar:

 Shrove Tuesday Dinner:  Tuesday, February 17, 6:00 p.m.

Ash Wednesday Liturgy:  Wednesday February 18, 7:00 p.m.

Imposition of Ashes & Holy Eucharist