Surprised by the Sacred
Earlier this summer in the Sunday lectionary, as we worked our way through the stories that involve Jacob in Genesis, we heard the story of his divine encounter in the wilderness. As Jacob was dreaming, he saw the world above him open up, and something like a ladder reach above him, where angels were ascending to heaven, and descending to earth. And God gave him a vision of what lay ahead of him and promised to be with him until the promise was fulfilled. And then Jacob offered a response that reverberates through the centuries, “Truly God is in this place and I did not know!”
Often when we think about sacred places we imagine churches or cathedrals. And while it is true that God can often be reliably encountered in those set apart places, as Jacob’s story reminds us, holy buildings are not the only sanctuaries for the Divine.
Many times I have stumbled upon moments shot through with divinity outside of the walls of a church. For me, that kind of thinness of Life Itself was recently found in the Flattop mountains of Colorado. I was fishing a high altitude pond, fed by springs of crystal clear, cool Rocky Mountain water, the wildflowers were blooming in riotous colors, and my son and I spent, well, I really don’t know how long, casting towards cruising trout. And I found myself overwhelmed, surrounded and suffused in the seemingly gratuitous beauty. It was a moment of synchronicity, of the entering into the sublime. And then it passed. But it was there. Now, I didn’t set up an altar of stones and consecrate it with oil. But I did the next best thing, which was to enter it into my ongoing note of spectacular places where I have met God that I want to make sure and visit again someday.
This summer has been a time of travel and exploration for scores of All Soulsians, as it has for many, many Americans––we have at least 5 All Soulsians making pilgrimages on the Camino de Santiago alone. Those of us who curate the Pathfinder are inviting you to share a story of wonderment and awe, or a story of traveling mercies. It could be a sentence or two, or a paragraph or two. Photos are welcome, because they often tell stories and ways that words cannot. These sacred encounters might have taken place in set aside, holy places, like churches, or monasteries or cemeteries––Tom Varghese’s moving account of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and his visitation to Oskar Schindler‘s grave is witness to that. And some will have taken place in more unlikely places––in a village square at dusk, by the side of a river, at a deserted train station.
If you’ve had a moment this summer when you were taken by surprise, realizing that God was in that place when you hadn’t known, send it to me or to Emily. Together we will compile our own altar at Bethel, made up moments of unexpected encounter, witnessing once again that God is waiting to be found in the most surprising of places.
Peace,
Phil+
Statement by Bishop Marc on the fires in Hawai’i
Dear Beloved Community,
The recent devastating fires in Lahaina and other parts of Maui and the Island of Hawai’i have left us all in shock and sorrow. These wildfires have been both fierce and unpredictable, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Our hearts go out to our siblings facing this calamity, a familiar sorrow to those of us in California.
In light of these tragic events, The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, Bishop of the Diocese of Hawai’i reports on the fire in Lahaina:
“It included our church, Holy Innocents, with roots back to a land grant from King Kamehameha V (and responsibility for the ‘foreigner’s cemetery’). The Sanctuary, vicarage, preschool, and office are gone (as is the public elementary school next door).”
Reflecting on the previous outpouring of support and prayers, the diocese in California have received when fires have burned ferociously across the state, I believe that we have the blessing of being able to return in kind what we have received. This is in line with an inherent value of our diocese, to stand by those in need. We can do this collectively by supporting and pouring out our prayers and finance as able. Together, let us embrace the Diocese of Hawai’i just as we have been embraced by the wider Church community in our own times of need.
As we well know, recovery from such a calamity is a long journey that requires unwavering commitment and support. Let us come together now and in the days and weeks to come to embody a spirit of compassion and solidarity with our siblings in Maui and Hawai’i. Join me in praying for, with, and over the Diocese of Hawai’i with this Jesuit prayer, which you can find among others on the Episcopal Relief and Development page for prayers during disaster:
Holy One, you are our comfort and strength
in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos.
Surround us now with your grace and peace
through storm or earthquake, fire or flood.
By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen,
sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild,
and fill us with the hope of your new creation;
through you, our rock and redeemer
– Jesuit Prayer
Finally, I invite you to join me in prayerfully considering a contribution to the relief funds listed below. By supporting these funds, we can extend a helping hand to our siblings in Christ during this time of trial.
Episcopal Relief and Development disaster response fund
A Cup of Cold Water (ACCW) – The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai’i is coordinating immediate Diocesan relief efforts to the Lahaina Fire disaster through ACCW a separately incorporated subsidiary of the Diocese that serves the houseless on Maui.
May our collective prayers and generosity bring comfort and hope to those affected by this tragedy.
In Christ’s abiding love,
The Right Rev. Dr. Marc Andrus
Bishop of the Diocese of California
Announcements
Nursery The downstairs nursery is open and available to you for your use whenever you’re at All Souls. This is not a staffed nursery, so an adult must be there with your child, but if you need a quiet place to take a time out, change a diaper, let your child play or take a rest, the nursery is open for you to do all of those things. If there is a service going on that’s being livestreamed, you will be able to watch the livestream on the computer in the nursery as well.
Sunday School This week, join us for Children’s Chapel during the 10:30am service. Children are invited to follow the Children’s Chapel leaders down the center aisle after the gospel reading, and rejoin their families before communion!
Youth Sunday morning hang outs and youth group are on hold for the summer.
Sunday Night Service on Summer Break The core team for the Sunday Night Service has decided to have the weekly worship services for the Sunday Night Service take a summer break (with the rest of you!). We’re going to take this time off and devote some of our energy to relaxing and making some plans for the future.
We’re hiring! Our beloved administrator, Annie Rovzar, has stepped down and we are hiring a new part-time administrator. Please click here to read the job description, and pass along this notice to anyone who you think might be a good fit!
Free Books The late Rev. Anne Coburn left some Bible study books to be passed along to anyone interested. You can find those books on the back counter of the Narthex—please feel free to take them home with you.
Making Space for Others As we’ve moved to one principle service, the Nave is feeling a little more full on Sundays (which is great!) As a way to help folks who are late or new feel welcome, please try to sit as far forward as you’re comfortable and try to sit in the center of the pew, leaving space for others on the sections of the pew closest to the aisle.
Celebration of Marriage This coming Sunday, during the liturgy, we’ll have a celebration of marriage for Jill Anderson and Ofoegbu. There will also be a cake reception in the Parish Hall to follow the 10:30a service! All are welcome.