Season of Dazzling Darkness

What are We Doing this Fall?

by the Rev. Dr. Paul S. Nancarrow

Well, it’s September. The start of another program year. The time when we rev up a new round of projects and programs and processes. The time to renew Sunday School and choir and adult education and two services on Sundays. The time when folks come back from vacations, people come back to the regular rounds of their lives, and the calendar of church events begins to fill out.

Typically, the rector uses the newsletter column of the September issue to introduce the program year’s offerings, and to encourage people to participate in all the various opportunities. Traditionally, I’d use this space to drum up support for all the good works we have going on here at St George’s this fall.

This September I’m going to break with tradition. Instead of calling for support for our programs, I’m going to

ask a question. It’s a question many of you will recognize from our Sunday worship services.

So what?

We do a lot at St George’s. So what? We put a lot of time and effort and energy and money into programs and ministries and buildings and volunteers. So what? What difference does it make? If our mission and ministry and community and common life at St George’s are important, then they ought to make a difference. What difference do we make?

As you look at the announcements and programs and opportunities in the rest of this issue of St George’s Today, ask yourself: What difference does it make to me to be a member of St George’s? How is my life changed by being a member of this parish? What would I miss if St George’s were gone, or if I no longer participated in its common life? Think of one thing--or, even better, think of several things--that really make a difference to you about being a member of St George's--and they will be your so what for this new program year.

But don't stop there. If our life and work together as a parish is important to us, it should be important to others as well. St George's is here on this busy street corner in St Louis Park--but so what? What difference do we make to our neighborhood? How do you see our programs and projects and mission and ministry embodying Good News for our neighbors? If a tornado came down Minnetonka Blvd tomorrow and lifted St George's right away, would anybody notice? Think of one way--think of several ways--in which our parish community shows forth God's goodness for our civic community--and that will be a so what for our presence in the neighborhood.

And we could go on: What difference do we make for our diocese? For the ecumenical community of many "flavors" of Christians in our area? For the interfaith community of Christians and Jews and Muslims and Buddhists and others in our city? For the poor and the marginalized and the outcast, for those who deeply need good news for their lives? We are a thread woven into this remarkable tapestry of a world--so what? How does our ministering here make a difference?

I believe there are many answers to these questions, and if we think about it, we will think of many ways we really do make a difference. All our programs and projects and things we do, here at the start of another program year, are more than just "church stuff" we "have to do" because "we always do it." They are the real and concrete so whats of our common Christian life.

So maybe I am writing this to drum up support for our fall programs. But not just because that's what I "have to do" because "I always do it" in September. It's because it makes a difference, and we at St George's have a lot of so whats to share with our world. Let's start sharing!

Evangelism Initiative
by Sandy and John Stonhouse

Warden’s Corner God at LaGuardia?
by Al Kotula, Senior Warden

The Enquirer reports periodic Elvis sightings throughout the country. Is it possible God could be at LaGuardia?

Last Thursday afternoon was the end of my regular business trip with a flight scheduled back to Minneapolis. First the power dropped and locals expected it was maybe an isolated incident; everyone was to stand by. Next was a flight cancellation and normal rush to other airline gates—same cancellations. Re-book a later flight? Panic, calling rent-a-car outlets, hotels overbooked, phones jammed. By 8:00 p.m. thousands were escorted from the gates to dark lobbies to watch the sunset. Some airline reps closed up shop and left. Electronic water faucets and toilets did not function without power. How could God be present in this mess? HE was there. You had to look/listen for him. HE was there!

A small lady airline agent yelled for the crowd verbally attacking her at 11:00 p.m. to “Get back—everything is going to be all right—you will see!” The crowd calmed and HE was there. The maintenance group handed out a limited number of sleeping cots. Some fought for a cot, yet a group of traveling execs said to give theirs to an old man and some children. HE was there. I followed by example. Every couple hours water was handed out by the smallest airline. Some hoarded and grabbed extra—yet many adults gave their cups to the elderly and the kids—HE was there. Two women got into a Jerry Springer type fight over a spot in line when a Jamaican agent leaped in between and yelled, “Hey mon—wat’s a matta wit you—we all in dis together—chill!!!!! Now you go in front and you only one spot back anda tak care each other” - and they chilled. HE was there. Three older male travelers demanded answers on delays and wanted immediate results or else! A comedic Rabbi with great beard and hat working the crowd jumped in and yelled “Shalom! Hey listen you guys, I usually do not make adult circumcisions at airports but if you keep this up we are going to start this practice immediately with you three!” HE was there. The crowd laughed...then the three angry travelers laughed...and they went back in line. Almost 24 hours passed with the 90+ degree heat in those lines with many false hopes and continued delays. Yet HE was there. As our flight was announced finally for boarding, a triumphant cheer filled the terminal like Rocky Balboa winning the fight as an underdog—everyone thanked our agent and many hugged, cheered and clapped and thanked GOD. HE was there.

Many times through adversity we come together. God is present in lives yet we may not recognize it. He is present in the lives of all at St. George’s. Just like my travel experience, we may not always know he is there, but he is there. Look around us and be thankful for all we have at St. George’s and recognize the improvements we are making all the time. Chill! - and we will be stronger for the journey.