May 2020.2 The Monthly Newsle er of Grace Episcopal Church • Hutchinson, Kansas
REOPENING: RESUSCITATION OR RESURRECTION It has long been recognized that the gospels of Ma hew, Mark, and Luke share a lot in common with one another, a lot more than any of them share in common with the fourth gospel—John. Consequently, the first three gospels are o en referred to as the Synop c Gospels (synop c = “see with one eye”). It is generally agreed that the similari es between the Synop cs are due to a literary rela onship between them, with the prevailing theory being that Ma hew and Luke used a wri en manuscript of Mark when compiling their own accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry. That being said, there is also evidence that the author of John’s gospel was familiar with the Gospel of Mark, and we find also some very interes ng points of contact between John’s witness to the life of Jesus and Luke’s witness to Jesus. In any case, one of the more fascina ng differences between John and the Synop cs has to do with the circumstances leading to Jesus’ death. In par cular, what was the catalyst that led to Jesus’ arrest and subsequent execu on? According to the Synop c accounts, the catalyst was Jesus’ public demonstra on in the temple following his triumphal entry. When Jesus interrupted the religious and economic ac vi es in the temple and then returned each day to teach in the temple precincts, the authori es and powers began to conspire to bring about Jesus’ death. But in John, the socalled “Cleansing of the Temple” takes place very early on in Jesus’ ministry, and not the week of his death. Instead, in John, it was Jesus’ raising of Lazarus that lead the Jewish authori es to plot his death (John 11:45-54), and not just Jesus’ death, but Lazarus’ as well. Apparently, they wanted to get rid of all evidence of this miracle (John 11:9-11). This brings us to an observa on and a dis nc on. Lazarus died once; and he could die again. You see, when Jesus called him forth from the grave, Lazarus did not enter the New Crea on; he simply returned to his old life. Certainly, he was happy to be alive again, but this was not a permanent state of affairs. One day he would die again. So we call what happened to Lazarus resuscita on, and we dis nguish this from resurrec on, which is what happened to Jesus. For, when God raised Jesus from the dead, Jesus did not return to his former life. Instead, he entered into the New Creation, which is why Paul describes the Risen Jesus as the firstborn of the dead (Col 1:18) and the first fruits of the resurrec on (1 Cor 15:20). Having been resurrected, and not merely resuscitated, Jesus was beyond the reach of death; he would never taste death again. This is the future that what awaits those who pledge their allegiance to Jesus in faith. It is what we call the blessed hope of the resurrec on (Acts 23:6; 1 Pet 1:3). I highlight this dis nc on between the resuscita on of Lazarus and the resurrec on of Jesus, because it helps us understand the nature of our work as the body of Christ, it can provide a source of strength and courage as we navigate the next few weeks, the next few months, and the next few years. As we look forward to the re-opening of the state, the re-opening of our communi es, the re-opening of our churches, and the re-opening of our public lives, there is a part of us that longs to go back, to return to what was before; there is a part of us that longs for resuscita on. But I also think we are slowly coming to terms with the fact that there is no going back; there will be no return to a me before COVID-19. Perhaps that is a scary thought, or a depressing thought, or an overwhelming thought, but it is truth. There will be no return, but there is s ll hope in the here and
SERVING CHRIST BY MINISTERING TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY & THE PARISH
now because there is resurrec on in the here and now. Resuscita on is no longer an op on, but resurrec on is, and that is where hope is to be found. Even when we do not feel par cularly hopeful, hope remains alive and well because, as the church, we are the body of the Risen Jesus. The church is the community that was formed by the Risen Jesus, and we are called to be the Spirit-empowered witnesses to the Resurrec on and the birth of the New Crea on. And so, the very presence of the church—in whatever form it takes—is the visible sign of this invisible hope that we so desperately need. Of course, we have always needed hope, but perhaps we have become even more aware of our need for hope throughout these past several weeks. When will we return to church? That is the ques on that I have started being asked now that the State of Kansas has begun to re-open in phases and that is the question that the Vestry and I have been diligently working on. Of course, everybody who has asked me that ques on has also said that we do not want to rush back too soon. We all want our return to public worship at 2 Hyde Park Drive to be a sustainable blessing, and so we are making plans. At present, in keeping with several other churches in Hutchinson, we are planning for a so re-opening on May 31st, which happens to be Pentecost Sunday. I should be clear, that is the earliest date we an cipate. We will con nue to monitor what is happening in our community with regard to the coronavirus as we make prepara ons for a safe return. Beyond that I don’t have any specific details to communicate at this me as those are s ll being worked out. But here are a few things I can communicate. We are commi ed to everyone’s safety. We are also working out ways to con nue streaming our worship. And we know that returning to public worship will take place in phases. We also know that the worship we return to will look and feel a bit different. And some of the worship and church life we experience may even be unrecognizable, but perhaps that it will be because it has been resurrected by God, and not simply resuscitated by us. A er all, a er his resurrec on, the first followers of Jesus who had walked with him and talked with him during his earthly life me, they did not recognize him at first for Jesus had been resurrected, not merely resuscitated. So, as we look forward to re-opening, let us risk having the faith and courage to look forward to resurrec on, and not back to resuscita on. As we begin to re-open church, as we begin to re-open our lives, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to give us the eyes to see and the hearts to burn and the faith to trust in the blessed hope of resurrec on, both in the future and in the world about us. Blessings, Fr. Ted +
WORKING IN THE GARDEN Since our annual garden clean up day was cancelled, Toni is asking for individuals to come at your leisure and help in the gardens around the church building. Basic weeding, trimming can be done, and soon she will have new mulch that will need to be spread out. Contact her at the Diocesan office at 669-0006 for more informa on. This is a great way to prac ce physical distancing and get out and get some exercise and sunshine. —2—
EPISCOPAL SUMMER CAMP Episcopal Summer Camp (originally scheduled May 31 to June 6) has been rescheduled for later in the summer in hopes that we might s ll be able to have camp this year. New dates will be: • Senior High Camp (Grades 9-12) — July 12-18 • Elementary & Junior High Camp (Grades 3-8) — August 2-8 The Diocese of Kansas and Camp Wood YMCA are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situa on and making advance plans for wellness screening and sanita on policies and procedures, as needed to reflect the current best prac ces recommended by public health authori es. We will have camp on these new dates as long as it is a healthy and safe op on. If you have already registered for camp this summer, your registra on will automa cally be moved over to the new session on the new dates. If these new dates do not work for you and you need to cancel, you can cancel with no penalty. If you have not yet registered for camp this summer and would like to sign-up, registra on is available online. There is not minimum payment required when you register, and there is no nonrefundable fee. The church will pay one half of the camp fees for each child and youth that a ends camp. Register online at: h ps://edokforma on.wordpress.com/camp/
EPISCOPAL YOUTH EVENT The 2020 Episcopal Youth Event (EYE20), scheduled to be held at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), July 7-11, 2020, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Faith Forma on, which organizes the Episcopal Youth Event, hopes to reschedule the gathering for 2021. The diocese has already issues refunds to registered youth. If you have not received your refund, please reach out to Mother Amy.
GRACE FOOD PANTRY G T Food Pantry Fund has a balance of $405. The Please bring canned meat for our pantry this P m month. We have given out 91 bags of groceries so far this year. During this me of COVID-19 and Sheltering in Place, we have closed our Community Clothes Closet, but we are s ll keeping our food pantry open in this me of food insecurity. We are keeping the church doors locked during office hours, but people needing food can ring the doorbell, and we will bring them a bag of groceries. THANK YOU for con nuing to support this vital ministry, which is just one way we serve Christ by ministering to the needs of the community and the parish. —3—
MAY BIRTHDAYS 3 4 5 10 11 13 16 17 19 20 24 26
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Steve Snook Jeremy Stauffacher Diane Steadman Sydney Jarre Terri Canterbury Kathy Petz Diane Longenecker Mark Treaster Jeanne Ri er Marty Hudson Bill Alexander Brad Smith Larry Co rell Faven Simmons Addi Specht Allen Petz
MAY ANNIVERSARIES 3 9 13 20 21
Charles & Kathy Moll Ken & Fifi Eckrote Gary & Jennifer Barber Doug & Deborah Minner Ted & Rebekah Blakley
Please call the church office if we have missed your special day.
SEAMUS WAMSLEY, son of Mary Gere Bridger and Gregg Wamsley, grandson to Mike and Pa Wamsley, will graduate from Hutchinson High School. Following family tradi on, he plans to a end the University of Kansas in the fall. —4—
HAYLEE LONG, daughter of Mother Amy and Brandon Long and granddaughter of Howard and Polly Dame, will graduate from Newton High School. She plans to a end HCC in the fall in prepara on for a Veterinary Technician program.
CAMRYN LORENA MASKIL will graduate from Sterling High School. She is the daughter of Christy and Dave Maskil, of Sterling, and granddaughter of former parishioners, the late Bill and Harrie Tolliver. Camryn plans to a end HCC and Sterling College and major in elementary educa on. —5—
LIVE-STREAMING BEHIND THE SCENES The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years learning to trust the Lord. Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness being tested by Satan and learning to trust the Holy Spirit. We have been live-streaming our services for more than forty days, and we too are learning to trust God.
Photos submi ed by Toni Co rell.
WEEKDAY SERVICES OF PRAYER & WORSHIP ONLINE Here is a complete list of our weekly online services. If you are having any trouble connecting to our services online, please email or call Fr. Ted (620-314-7520; frted.grace@gmail.com) EVERY EVENING Compline Online at Nine • 9:00 to 9:15 p.m. MONDAYS Centering Prayer • 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. WEDNESDAYS Centering Prayer • 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. Evening Prayer • 6:00 to 6:25 p.m. FRIDAYS Praying with the Anglican Rosary • 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. SUNDAYS Living Streaming with Prelude Music begins at 10:05 a.m. Liturgy begins at 10:15 a.m. To join the service, go to www.fb.com/gracechurchhutch. You do NOT need a Facebook account to watch.
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR TODAY Following today’s service at 11:15 a.m., we are gathering online for a virtual coffee hour. You can join in using a computer, tablet, or smart phone. Simply follow these steps: 1. Go to zoom.com 2. Click “Join a Meeting” 3. Enter Meeting ID: 813-7391-8852 click “Join.” 4. Enter password: 236533.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two X 11