March 2012
St. Mark’s News Volume 15/Issue 3
From the Assistant Rector Back when I was a Girl Scout, I had a cheap compass that wasn’t well made, and which wouldn’t reliably point toward true north. It seemed to at times, but wavered and got stuck more often than not. (We would also try to find moss growing on the south side of trees so we could know which direction north lay, but that was not reliable either.) All compasses have the tendency to point to the nearest magnet that pulls at them, and only when they are safely away from other magnets do they point toward due north. Compasses with magnetized needles also needed to be refreshed, rubbed on a magnet, to “remember” how to find north. We are like compasses. We are at our best, and fulfilling our created purpose when our souls are turned toward God, when our habits and prayers and choices are shaped by continued devotion toward God. Unfortunately, we are easily distracted, and turn toward, gravitate toward, magnets closer at hand, and focus our lives on them. Some distractions are obviously destructive, like addiction, and the famous seven deadly sins like violence, sloth, vanity, pride, or envy. But less destructive but equally deceptively magnetic are those close misses, secondary goods that are worthy, but cannot completely fulfill who we are and who we are created to be. Some examples are family, justice, patriotism, and church doctrine, to name a few.
In This Issue From the Assistant Rector ......... 1 Vestry Highlights ....................... 2 Diocesan Council Highlights ..... 2 Lenten Calendar ....................... 3 Parish Life ................................. 4 Music Notes .............................. 6 Christian Formation................... 7 Caffeine Ministry ....................... 8 Celebrations.............................. 9 Calendar ................................... 10 ROTA........................................ 11
Lent provides an opportunity for “truing;” for redirection. It is a season to examine our lives and the ways we have become distracted, misdirected, or have allowed false gods take over our devotion and loyalty. So many voices are clamoring for our attention and devotion. It is good to examine the many “magnets” that pull at us and recommit ourselves to that true north that is ours through Jesus Christ. It is good to “pare down” in Lent. Seek opportunities for reflection and worship. Refresh your faith in Jesus Christ. Come to the Wednesday night Lenten series, if you are able, and turn your lives back toward our one true source of life and light, who has sent his son, Jesus Christ, to draw us back to him. Susie+
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