FOR MY FRIEND MARGARET

Margaret and Joel are doing what needs to be done before heading out to their new home in the Episcopal Mission on the Cheyenne River Reservation, South Dakota, home to Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Today at her blog, leave it lay where Jesus flang it, margaret speaks of the move and about leaving Richmond, Virginia:

I have loved it here. Truly loved it. The people. The foods. The worship. It hurts to pull on these roots....

Perhaps I can braid them, clean them off and make them strong, and carry them with me as an unexpected gift. One body. One Spirit. One calling. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God. Through all and in all.

To the big sky country, big wind country, sight equal only to the horizon... a new river to come to know.

I am so ready. Got so much to do. Amen.

From the wonderful book, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, by Kathleen Norris, who now spends half her time in South Dakota and the other half in Hawaii:

Communal worship is something I need; that it is an experience, not a philosophy or even theology. Whatever the pitch of my religious doubts, it is available to me for the asking. It seems a wonder to me that in our dull little town we can gather together to sing some great hymns, reflect on our lives, hear some astonishing scriptures (and maybe a boring sermon; you take your chances), offer some prayers and receive a blessing....

We all know that margaret needs communal worship, because she urges us each week, "G'wan. Go to church!" And nearly every Sunday, I follow her advice, because I, too, need communal worship, which is, indeed, a wonder. Margaret will preside and preach at the services in her churches. I have never heard margaret preach, but I have read her sermons, and I've read her blog for a number of years, and I have never been bored by what margaret writes. I rather doubt that the flocks in her new churches will be bored by her sermons. I just don't see it happening.

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom comes every good and perfect gift: Send down upon our dear margaret, and upon the congregations committed to her care, the healthful Spirit of your grace: and, that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honor of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The picture is lifted from margaret's blog.

PLEASE PRAY...

Joel is in the hospital. He has chronic and serious health issues. If you follow their story at Margaret's blog, Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It, Margaret lost her job; they are now trying to sell their house; and day before yesterday was their 30th wedding anniversary. In the face of all their trials, Margaret posts:

Paul (to the Philippians beginning at 2:1)

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus...

Margaret: I consider these words to be a description of the Christian life-style... but was Paul himself ever able to live them? No... which is where the glory comes in --the glory. And that Paul himself was never able to live them makes them not less true, but more true and more the glory.

At least, that is my hope --the glimpses... of glory....

...but all of us do get glimpses of it... every now and then...

The great riddle of the Gospel --it's all ours, not because of what we do, but because we are loved --so we should try to do... but even what we do in faith will need redemption... so it is all grace. All is grace.

From the Book of Common Prayer for which I am so very grateful:

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Joel the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for both Joel and for Margaret. The prayer that comes to mind is from Morning Prayer for individuals in the Book of Common Prayer.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

From the Houston Chronicle:

Texas wildfires claim 2 lives

A wildfire is forcing authorities to evacuate an area of more than 2,000 residents in Waller County this afternoon, according to the Waller County Sheriff's Office. The area being evacuated is south of FM 1488 between Kickapoo Road and the Montgomery County line.

---

Fed by wind and parched vegetation, wildfires continued to rage Tuesday through Central Texas, where an out-of-control blaze claimed two lives and 550 homes, and in the Magnolia area, where officials ordered the evacuation of more than 4,000 households.

Sadly, that's not the end of it. Read it all.

O God, creator and preserver of all mankind, we pray for those who died. May they rest in peace and rise in glory. May God give comfort, consolation, and the peace that passes understanding to all who grieve.

We pray for those who lost their homes, that they will receive help in their time of need and distress, and that God will give them strength and courage to rebuild their lives and their homes.

We pray for the safety of the firefighters.

We pray for all in the path of Texas wildfires, especially for the sick and disabled and those who care for them; for all who watch and wait in uncertainty; we ask you to comfort and relieve them and bring them safely through the fires. And this we pray for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

PLEASE PRAY FOR JOEL AND MARGARET

Joel is in the hospital in the cardiac ward, and he has other chronic and serious health issues. If you follow their story at Margaret's blog, Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It, Margaret lost her job; they are now trying to sell their house; and today is their 30th wedding anniversary. Margaret says:

And, I pray for my beloved --that his grief and frustration with his body do not overwhelm him, that he may be given a path to stability, and that he may bring to mind all the true blessings we share.

From the Book of Common Prayer for which I am so very grateful:

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Joel the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us pray for both Joel and for Margaret. The prayer that comes to mind is from Morning Prayer for individuals in the Book of Common Prayer.

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

When my friends have trouble upon trouble come upon them, I'm all too often left without words. Such is the case now with Joel and Margaret, except to say that I will hold them in my heart and in my prayers.