Deacons

JOYhas been the watch-word of the Deacons in 2022, but at times it is very difficult for us to be JOYFUL amid tragedy, pain and loss. Christian writer Anne Stricherz provides an interesting approach to help us find and retain JOY, even in the darkest of times. Here is an excerpt from one of Ms. Stricherz’s blogs.

What’s the Difference Between Joy and Happiness? It’s not a matter of whether this makes you happy or not because happiness is affected by many external factors (sleep, illness, hunger, loneliness, etc.). Happiness changes from moment to moment, day to day. Joy, on the other hand, is much deeper and much more central, it comes from within, and it’s a genuine rightness of how one lives one’s life. So, I would like to reflect on what any Christian can do— or at least the way he or she can live their life with the “rightness of way” Jesus models for us—to cultivate joy.

1. Pay Attention

One of my favorite poems is "Instructions on How to Live a Life" by Mary Oliver. She writes, 1. Pay attention. 2. Be astonished. 3. Tell about it. I have noticed, that when I pay attention to someone or something, my brain settles into a different gear. Distractions lose their power. Music sounds better. I never heard that base line in that song before—wow! Conversations are richer. The questions I ask are more thoughtful. Relationships improve. Humans are more interesting; we are indeed funny and quirky beings.

2. Laugh

Who doesn't feel better after a deep laugh? Laughter never goes out of style. Jim Martin, the culture editor at America Magazine agrees. In his book “Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor and Laughter are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life, Martin writes, “Humor serves some important purposes,” he said. “First, it can remind you of your poverty of spirit. Laughing at yourself reminds you that you are a human being reliant on God just like anybody else.” For leaders, humor is essential, Martin said, “particularly in the religious world, where we all tend to think that we alone are doing God’s work.” We feel drawn to religious leaders with a sense of humor. It shows us that they understand their essential poverty of spirit and their own reliance on God. It shows humility, which is also essential in the spiritual life. You take God seriously, Jesus seriously and the Gospel seriously, but you shouldn’t take yourself too seriously.”

3. Spend Time in Nature

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “The earth laughs in flowers.” Who doesn’t feel better after smelling a fresh flower or gathering wildflowers for a bouquet? Indeed, another way to cultivate Christian joy is to spend time in nature or at least pay attention to it. I just spent a week in a small town in North Carolina. Every lamppost was graced by baskets of hanging flowers. Noticing their vibrant colors, distinct fragrances and simple beauty brought a joy into my heart and a smile on my face. I write of flowers, but nature is evidenced in seascapes and mountaintops, majestic trees, flora and fauna. In “The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility,” St. John Paul II wrote, “Finally, the aesthetic value of creation cannot be over-looked. Our very contact with nature has a deep restorative power; contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity. The Bible speaks again and again of the goodness and beauty of creation, which is called to glorify God.” Spend some time out of doors paying attention to the natural world and I think it’s hard not to “be astonished,” — the second step of Mary Oliver’s “Instructions for how to live a life.

4. Tell Stories

I believe that living a life for others or in service to one another can’t help but yield a few stories. When we spend time with those in need, when we put others before ourselves, we open up more than just our hearts. We open our eyes and our ears, too. In that time, eventually a story is shared or is revealed. We all have them. And they ought to be captured, discussed and heard because stories have power. They capture our heads and our hearts. Jesus knew this, which is why he used so many of them in His ministry. Stories can reveal a beautiful or painful truth about life and about love.

You might not have your own adventures that merit dramatic story telling, but when you stand in solidarity with others, you might learn about theirs. Pay attention. I think you might be astonished. To cultivate joy, tell others about what you have seen and what you’ve heard. As Christians, we are called to transform the world. Think of the stories of those who have—all because they heard of the story—the life, death and resurrection of one man. I believe they did it with more than just love. I have a feeling it was with joy, too.

Sunday, September 11 Following the worship service join us in Spencer Hall for some refreshments and to meet your deacon and other members in your parish.

CHURCH TOUR

All are welcome to join a "Behind the Scenes" church tour on Sunday, October 23, following the worship service. The guided tour is intended to orient, inform, and familiarize you with the spaces and activities that take place at FPCN. The 30 minute tour will include the offices, Choir Room, Mase Christian Education Center, Youth Room, Chapel, and other spaces with some historical perspectives from parishioners.

Participants should assemble at the front of the Sanctuary 15 minutes following the church service. Church tours will be a recurring program about once per month going forward. We are looking for additional volunteers to help lead or assist with upcoming tours. Please sign up in Spencer Hall or contact Sandy Knight in the church office to register (239.262.1311 or sandyp@fpcnaples.org) for this tour and/or to express an interest in future participation.