re: Rector’s newsletter article for October, 2009

From the Rector’s Desk:

Marianne and I had a wonderful vacation during August on Dodge Pond near Rangeley, Maine. We took the dogs for walks and explored the area waterways in our kayaks.

I read a big book about Abraham Lincoln and his Cabinet by Doris Kearns Goodwin (Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln). I also read A Most Wanted Man by John LeCarre. I got hooked on a new series by Alexander McCall Smith: These are novels about a Scottish philosopher-busybody named Isabel Dalhousie who solves mysteries while editing the Journal of Applied Ethics and still taking time to have tea with her niece.

We worshiped at Church of the Good Shepherd, Rangeley. While we were in Maine the new rector, The Rev. Jud Pealer (and spouse Sandy) arrived and he officiated at his first services. Fr. Pealer was rector at St. Eustace, Lake Placid earlier this decade. Everybody looked very happy with their choice, and we pray the Pealers’ will find Rangeley a satisfying and fruitful missionary outpost for ministry.

While on vacation I thought how wonderful it would be to be able to row a boat next year in Maine. A few years ago Marianne gave me a birthday present of rowing lessons, and then I drove regularly to Fish Creek (Saratoga Lake) to row. The long drive early in the morning became too much for me (and too dark at 5 am during September as well), and I gave it up. But this summer I became obsessed with the idea of finding a used rowing shell to buy. I found a nice boat on Craig’s List in Falmouth, MA., but someone else got to it ahead of me. Eventually, I located another one in Boston, and I successfully negotiated the sale. When we returned from Maine we made the trip to Boston and brought the boat back on my trailer. We did the trip in one long day! After getting the boat home I made some needed repairs and painted the top. Fortunately, I had the able assistance of Adrain Clayton, who is a professional painter and small boat expert.

Coincidentally, earlier this year the city of Watervliet embarked on a long-range plan to develop it’s waterfront as a rowing center. So far they have installed a terrific new dock designed especially for rowing shells and kayaks. I am blessed indeed to have a convenient place to launch my new boat! This was totally unexpected. I had assumed I would be traveling to Albany to row my boat. God is good!

It happened that when I was getting ready to launch my rowing shell this afternoon, the city manager of Watervliet, Mr. Mark Gleason, stopped by to ask me if I was enjoying the new dock. He was quite pleased that I was making use of their facilities. He said that a number of local schools plan on using the dock next year. In the future there will be extra parking and boat storage space added, as well as other amenities.

I look forward to helping with the development of the new rowing center across the river, and God willing, making new friends with members of the various clubs and teams that will no doubt be drawn to this wonderful new recreational facility.

I never cease to be amazed at how God works in my life to achieve His purposes!

Blessings, Michael+

re: Rector’s Newsletter Article for August 2009

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1, 2 RSV.)

From the Rector’s Desk:

By the time you read this I will, God willing, be on my annual vacation. Once again we will be heading for a lake-side cottage in Rangeley, Maine. This year we will be taking our two dogs, Babette and Oscar, as well as our big Maine Coon Cat, Kirby. This will be the first trip to Maine for these dogs. Last year we had our beloved dog Ollie with us, who especially enjoyed riding in the kayak with Marianne. We had no idea then that it would prove to be his last trip to Maine.

So, here we are, getting ready to take our annual trip with two dogs and a cat. Of course, Kirby-Kat is an old hand at summer camp in Maine. Admittedly, he’s not that happy about the car ride, but once he gets to Maine he settles in quite nicely. After hiding under the sofa for a few hours Kirby comes out and waits patiently by a window, hoping to get a glimpse of his friend the neighborhood moose. Kirby says that in the very-old days, when Maine cats were much larger, they would hunt for bear and spend Friday nights bopping moosies on the head just for the sport of it. Also, just so you know, I’m not too sure how the new-dogs-in-the-kayaks will go. Probably will be diverting.

And now, on to more lofty topics.

Last Sunday (July 12, 2009) in the liturgy we began a course-reading of St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, which will continue until the end of August. I am very interested in Chapter 5, especially verse sixteen.

When reading most modern translations you are liable to think that St. Paul is giving some avuncular advice to the effect that the church members at Ephesus should be diligent in getting all their chores done. I’m sure the phrase, “making the most of the time,” isn’t anything like what Paul had in mind. In the original Greek the salient word is “exagorazo,” which literally means ‘ransom.’ The best translation I’ve seen is from the King James Version: “15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Redeeming (ransoming) the time. Taking it back. But from who, or what, are we supposed to take the time? And what exactly are we to do with the time once we have it? St. Paul says in the fourth chapter that when you really know Christ you are taught to “ put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, RSV.)

Here Paul is saying that we should imitate Jesus, and that we should not take on the values and priorities of this world. Just think for a moment what Jesus has accomplished:

1. Jesus united heaven and earth in his intimate relationship with his heavenly Father – a relationship that Jesus offers each of us in the power of the Spirit.
2. Jesus unites this age with the age to come – in dying for us and then rising to new life. Each time we share in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper we receive a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.
3. Jesus unites humanity by breaking down the artificial barriers created by prejudice and hatred. He ate with sinners, healed the sick, and welcomed the thief into paradise. Since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we are all the same before God – and each of us is entirely dependent on his mercy.

Summertime is an excellent time to resolve to take back the time for God – not just “make the most of it” by staying busy – but instead, to resolve to live in mindfulness of what Jesus has done for us.

May the remainder of your summer be a blessing and rich in opportunities for redeeming the time.

In Christ, Michael+

re: Rector’s Newsletter Article for June, 2009

As we make the transition to summer-mode at St. Paul’s I would like to take up two items for your consideration. One, to pause and reflect on the good work begun with this past winter’s Inn From The Cold project. And two, to introduce you to our new Deacon, The Rev. Alicia B. Todaro.

Seasonal Shelter
The Inn From The Cold program was conceived as a way to combat the problem presented by the lack of adequate shelter for homeless persons. During the winter of 2007-2008 in Rensselaer County there were 301 persons living out in the cold. The director and staff at Joseph’s House, a year-round shelter in downtown Troy, invited churches nearby to a meeting to develop a plan to provide temporary seasonal shelter.

The program eventually included sites at Christ Church, United Methodist (December 2008), St. John’s Episcopal (January 2009), St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Shrine Church and the Roarke Center (February and March 2009), and St. Paul’s Episcopal (April 2009).

On the evening of May 14th Joseph’s House gave a celebration banquet at The Roarke Center to publicly recognize the organizations that provided the shelter sites, and to honor the numerous shelter volunteers. Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino was on hand to present certificates of commendation from her office. I was pleased to be able to accept the award on behalf of St. Paul’s Church. Among the many kind and complimentary things that Ms. Jimino said during her remarks that evening, one comment stood out from all the rest: This past winter no one died in the county because they had to sleep out in the cold. It is my hope that we will open our facilities again next winter to continue to be part of the Inn From the Cold program.

Our New Deacon
Bishop Love has assigned The Rev. Alicia B. Todaro to St. Paul’s to assist me with the pastoral and program work of the parish. Deacon Todaro is a graduate of RPI and teaches chemistry at Siena college. She and her husband Mark have a daughter, Susanna, who has just finished her first year at Harvey Mudd College.

In addition to pursuing her teaching vocation and pastoral duties, Deacon Todara will serve at the altar at the Eucharist in the liturgical role of Deacon. The diaconate is one of the three clerical orders of ministry in the Church (the others are the presbyterate (priest) and the episcopate (bishop). The role of the deacon is to embody servant-ministry, and the main tasks given to the deacon in the liturgy are to proclaim the Gospel, preach, assist in the administration of the Eucharist and to serve the poor and outcast. At the service of ordination of a deacon the Bishop says, “you are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.” It is my prayer that our new deacon will assist us at St. Paul’s to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, so that we may join her in serving “all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.” (BCP, p. 543)

Blessings,

MIG+

The Rev. Michael I. Gorchov, Rector

2009 Stewardship Letter

Dear [Friends of St. Paul]

It was around this time last year I wrote to you reporting that the contract to commence work on the church tower had been signed and that our new organist/choirmaster, Brian Hoffman, had just completed his first Sunday at St. Paul’s.

The tower work was successfully completed last summer, praise the Lord! My thanks go out to the many people who gave generously to the project. In addition, Mr. Hoffman, now with us for a full year, has met and exceeded our expectations! It has truly been a pleasure to work with Brian on the weekly services, special events, and the start-up of the new Music School. Throughout this long winter a dozen or so children have come faithfully to sing, study, and share fellowship in the Music School. We have been blessed also with a cadre of faithful parents and volunteers who have prepared meals, and helped Brian with teaching the kids. On the Sundays when the vested children’s choir is present in church, I have heard comments like, “This is so wonderful!” and “This reminds me of the way church used to be.” My prayer is that we will continue to grow and expand the children and youth ministry at St. Paul’s.

I have also been very encouraged by the commitment Brian has made to put worship at the top of his list of priorities. On Ash Wednesday we had a very good turn-out for the noon service, which was enhanced by his exceptional musical skills and with the addition of a special adult choir drawn from members of the St. Paul’s Choristers.

My homily for that service centered on the symbol of the cross, which is imposed on the foreheads of the congregation at the Ash Wednesday service. The black cross is made from ashes out of burned palm fronds. The palms are a symbol of Christ the King and the ashes symbolize our mortality. The cross itself however, is a symbol of the hope we have because Jesus has conquered death. In a sense the cross is a type of brand. We are sealed, or branded, with the cross at Baptism. And we are reminded on Ash Wednesday that the brand of the cross continues to identify each one of us past death and into eternity.

In the same homily I read off a rather long list of brand-names of commercial products and companies that have long since gone the way of all mortal flesh. I also recited a list of financial institutions that have recently failed or are now on life-support. At some point in life we end up choosing where we put our real trust: Should we place our faith, security and self-esteem in the hands of corporations and their products – all with a limited shelf-life? Or should we throw ourselves on the mercy and grace of Almighty God?

Obviously, the answer to both of these questions is easy. The only brand that has true staying power is the Cross of Jesus!

This brings me to another important question: Where is this life-saving message to be heard today?

The place where the life-giving and sustaining Word is proclaimed is still predominately in the local parish church. Certainly there are Christian radio stations, TV broadcasts, and even internet sites. But it is in the local church – your own neighborhood church – through Sacraments, Preaching, Artistic Beauty, and Fellowship where the enduring message of new life in Jesus is brought directly to ‘all sorts and conditions’ of people.

I am encouraged and delighted to see so many new faces in the congregation. This is truly an exciting time in the life of St. Paul’s and we have every reason to be hopeful about our future, however our financial needs at St. Paul’s are great. We are not a rich church. Our limited reserves are diminishing. I implore you to seriously consider increasing your financial support. Please ask yourself how important this local church is to you, your family, friends – and to the children who are coming to the church and learning about God’s amazing love and forgiveness.

I remain yours in Christ Jesus,

MIG+

The Rev. Michael I. Gorchov, Rector