Archives: February 2006

Rector's Reflections

But they who wait upon the Lord

shall renew their strength,

Thy shall mount up with wings like eagles . . .

Isaiah 40:31

The weather during the past month has allowed us to get outdoors and enjoy the mountains, streams, and rivers that are the Ozarks. I have been blessed to be outdoors with my fly rod in hand on several occasions. I watched a mink play along the banks of the White River , saw geese fly over my head in formation, and ducks speed by me just above the water. I have seen up close some feisty rainbow trout and I saw eagles soaring high above the river and then swoop down to also fish the river.

One of the days I was on the river was the day after we celebrated the life of Jane Grady. As I watched the eagles soar high above my head, all I could think of was how Jane's soul soared like an eagle during her life among us. I remembered our conversations about her great love for children and Christian Education and the joy she experienced as a teacher and as a Christian Education Director. Her spirits dropped when she spoke about how money issues always seemed to dominate parish conversations rather than the concern about how to better teach our children about Jesus. Jane was an eagle and not just a squeaking gull, so Jane gave $3,000 to purchase any materials I deemed necessary for children's education. Her family also gave seed money for a Children's Library that will also include materials for Christian parenting. Jane wanted all our children to know the Bible and about God's unconditional love. She wanted the children to be able to mount up on eagle's wings and soar right into the Kingdom of God .

As I reflect on the world in which we live, including our beloved nation, the prayer for “Young Persons” rings in my ears. “God our Father, you see your children growing up in an unsteady and confusing world: Show them that your ways give more life than the ways of the world . . .”

As we approach the Lenten season, I know that we need to be offering more programs for our children, teens, and adults. Our Sunday morning program has been effective in large part because of our dedicated teachers! They, too, know that we need to be the “other” voice in their ears that says: “Do not be afraid. God loves you!”

Therefore we will have programs for our children and teens during the Tuesday Lenten programs as well as the traditional program for adults. We all need to know more and more about Jesus in order to lead others to the empty tomb so that they too need not be afraid. Come and see.

Fr. Ken †