Rector's Reflections

Rector's Reflections

By Fr. Andrew 13 Mar, 2024
The past few weeks we have explored two of the three pillars of Lent; fasting and almsgiving. Both are intended to create space in our lives so that we can spend time with the Lord. The chief way we do so is through prayer. Communication is the key to strengthening and maintaining any relationship, and the same is true of our relationship with the Lord. Cultivating and creating times to be with the Lord is vital to our spiritual growth. Prayer is a two way street, one in which we both converse with God and He converses with us. As one of the Church Fathers, Isidore, wisely noted, “Anyone who wants to be always united to God must pray often and read the Bible often. For in prayer it is we who are speaking to God, but in the readings it is God speaking to us.” As simple as that reminder may seem, it can be a challenge to put into practice. Yet, such moments are vital to keep us grounded in the trials and chances of life, to keep perspective, and to allow us to further trust Him. Through prayer and times of listening by spending time God’s Word we train ourselves to go to God with all things in our lives from the hurts, difficulties, decisions, and thanksgivings. Each afford us an opportunity to dialogue with God about what is going on in our lives and seek guidance from Him. We seek counsel from so many people in this life. What if we went to Him as frequently as we did a friend, parent, sibling or spouse with what was happening in our lives? How might it change us if we sought out our Author and Creator first and foremost above all others? We would discover a greater peace and clarity through moments in His presence. Such a discovery isn’t necessarily directly correlated to the amount of time spent with Him as Osawald Chambers observed, “It is not the thing on which we spend most time that molds us, but the thing that exerts the greatest power. Five minutes with God and His word is worth more than all the rest of the day.” Certainly this is a great place to being. Learning to cultivate times and keep and ongoing dialogue with the Lord throughout the day transforms us and aligns our lives with His will for us. The challenge for us in this season is creating space in our lives to find this to be true. The even greater challenge is allowing ourselves to continue to create such moments beyond this season to carry on daily. May God continue to assist us with His grace as we seek Him first, bring things before Him and allow Him to speak to us through the pages of His Word. Blessings, Andrew
By Fr. Andrew 06 Mar, 2024
Almsgiving Last week we explored fasting as a practice to draw us closer to the Lord during this season of Lent. Closely related to it is the practice of almsgiving, which is another pillar of this season to assist us in our growth, return, and refocus in these forty days. Almsgiving and fasting are linked, because in generations past when one gave up meat on Wednesday and Friday, or fasted from a meal entirely, the money that would have been spent was set aside for the work of ministry. It was another way to order one’s appetites by returning more of oneself to the Lord. Therein lies the purpose for such a practice, namely to bring our lives more fully under God’s reign and rule by placing Him first. Almsgiving may also serve as a valuable discovery tool in our lives and routines as well. For example, giving up a cup of Starbucks coffee on the way to work each day can easily amount to $150 a month in savings, and forgoing lunch out each day can amount to even more. At times we may not realize how much small items add up, and how much of an impact small sacrifices could make in the advancement of the Gospel. Choosing to set aside the money we would have spent on something during this season can have a bigger impact than you may imagine. Returning to our Starbucks example, the amount of $150 spent for coffee would provide an entire month’s salary for a pastor in Africa or 1/5 of the annual support needed to invest in a life at La Gran Familia orphanage in Mexico. It may also be the amount needed in the life of someone in our community who is out of work to keep them from eviction or help them keep the lights on another month. The mite boxes you have found throughout the church serve as a place to gather these funds, which we will disperse during Easter.. Almsgiving is yet another practice to help us refocus upon what matters most as we give beyond our normal offering to the Lord. It also provides a way to simplify and to bring to our awareness where our resources go and perhaps the excess we have. May God use this season to draw our hearts closer to His in this area of our lives. Blessings, Andrew
By Fr. Andrew 21 Feb, 2024
Fasting During Lent Lent is upon us. A season of spiritual growth that is set aside for refocus, return to the Lord, and reprioritizing in the days leading up to Easter. Traditionally, this season has been marked by three practices to assist toward that end: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. Over the next few weeks we will explore each of these pillars and practical ways to implement them as tools to further our growth in the likeness of Jesus during this season. Historically, during Lent, fasting is encouraged on Fridays. Many wonder why this is a custom in the life of the Church. There are many reasons, but the first may be to remind us of the day. It is akin to tying a string around your finger, or in this day and age, sending yourself a reminder on your phone or computer. It marks the day as different as we set aside portions of the day to seek the Lord. For this reason fasting is often encouraged when we need the Lord’s guidance on a matter or issue in life. We see our Lord point to this in Scripture (i.e. Acts 13:2 and the choosing of the disciple to replace Judas). Beyond merely marking the day, fasting also serves as an offering to God. We give up the time we would have spent over a meal in prayer. Even in our fast paced society today, we often have at least an hour for lunch. And if we turned this into an hour of prayer or studying God’s Holy Word, we present our time and ourselves as an offering back to Him. In times of trial or great decision we ‘carve out’ time to listen and seek the Lord for guidance, and on Fridays in Lent it allows us time to reflect upon our Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf on that day. Lastly, Fr. Homer Rogers, a priest from this area of a generation past, once said that fasting helps “to discipline and train the bodily appetites in obedience to the higher faculties of the intellect and will.” Put another way, fasting helps develop in us a discipline to seek God above all else. It places us in a position of both humility and availability as we seek His will. During Lent abstinence from meat on Wednesday and Friday is also done for many of the same reasons. The goal of course was not so focused upon the meat, as what the meat represents: extravagance. We don’t think of meat as extravagant, but it is certainly more rare than other food items (and a luxury in other parts of the world, or to the poor in our own communities). The goal behind this custom was to live more simply during this season. As we take times to refocus upon the Lord through both fasting and abstinence this season, I pray that we draw nearer to Him through these practices as we learn to seek Him above all else. Blessings, Andrew
By Fr. Andrew 14 Feb, 2024
Observing a Holy Lent Lent is a word which we use to mark the forty days that lead up to Easter. The word quite literally means, the spring season. But as in many points throughout history, Christians brilliantly captured the words and customs of surrounding pagan cultures to use them for evangelization. Subsequently, the Early Church used this season to prepare new converts for baptisms on Easter. For these catechumens, or individuals receiving instruction on the Christian faith, fasting, almsgiving, prayer, and repenting from worldly and pagan practices were as much a part of the preparation as the instruction itself. Lent was also a time when those who were excommunicated, removed from receiving Communion, would do penance. As they were removed from the life of the Church, during these forty days, it allowed a time for them to redirect their hearts and actions back to God. At Easter, they would be restored into the Faith Community through receiving Communion once more. For those who did not fall into either category, it remained a season for both refocus and return. The intentional time allows one to examine the Faith afresh, and in doing so, repent and turn away from sinful desires and behaviors in one's life. In doing so, one draws nearer to God. The marks of fasting, almsgiving and prayer have always stood as a means to assist toward that end. For instance, the old practice of abstaining from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays dates back to a time when the wealthy had multi-course meals. Fish would be one of the earliest courses, before entrees of meat, which were more expensive and rare. The Church encouraged those who were of such means to abstain from such lavishness in order to both save money to give to the poor, and also to create more time for prayer and contemplation. As we examine our lives, we too are called to fast from distractions and indulgences and to take on practices that foster more time with the Lord. If we give up alcohol, sweets, or soda, we can spend that time, even if only 5 minutes, in prayer or the study of God's Word when the urge for such treats arise. Also, the money that would have been spent upon such items can be saved during these forty days and given to the Church for God’s work in the world through our own almsgiving. Although the self-denial may only last forty days, the practices and disciplines we take on for our spiritual growth should last a lifetime! As we were reminded on Ash Wednesday, we are invited to observe a Holy Lent. Determine to do so through fasting, almsgiving and prayer. In doing so, prepare to more fully receive our Lord in the yearly remembrance of His death and resurrection in the weeks ahead. May our desire to keep a Holy Lent further us in this earthly pilgrimage to grow to look more like Jesus, by the Holy Spirit’s work in us, until we see Him face to face. Blessings, Andrew
By Fr. Andrew 08 Feb, 2024
Ash Wednesday is less than a week away (February 14). Its arrival marks the beginning of Lent and a new season in the Church Year. On that day we pause and attend a rather unique service as we embark upon this season together. But, what exactly is the history and significance of the service? What is the purpose of ashes? And what is the scriptural basis for all of these things? The earliest liturgical record of an Ash Wednesday service dates back to around 960 A.D., finding its roots in the Romano-Germanic pontifical (a collection of liturgical services dated to the 10 th century and later widely distributed throughout the Ottoman Empire and Italy). Yet, the historical use of ashes is found much earlier within the Old Testament. Often when the Israelites turned back from their sins to God, they did so in sackcloth and ashes (see Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 6:26; Daniel 9:3; Jonah 3:6; and Jesus references to it in Matt 11:21 and Luke 10:13). The act was one of humility, in which an individual would turn away from the things of the world through fasting in order to recommit oneself to the Lord. Doing so also served to reminded them of their humanity. In spite of their pride and false sense of self sufficiency, they were confronted with the reality that they are created beings whose days are fleeting (Genesis 3:19; Psalm 39:5,11; 62:9; 78:33; 94:11; 144:4). Therefore, as we begin Lent, we too, begin in like manner. As we will hear in the service that evening, we are invited, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and alms-giving; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. We are called to draw back to our first love. Traditionally, the ashes used are the burned remains of the palms from the past year’s Palm Sunday. These are sprinkled with holy water, and sometimes incensed, as a series of four ancient prayers are prayed over them. The custom serves to remind us of our fickle nature. We, too, cry out to the Lord with our wants, but quickly turn away from Him when they are not met as we desire! The pillars of Lent are housed in the exhortation that evening to assist us in reorienting our hearts and lives over the following forty days. Interestingly, we find a model for them in the practice of fasting from meat on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent. Historically, those of means would only eat the first course of a three-course meal, usually a fish dish, as part of their Lenten fast. The money saved in the more meager portions lead to almsgiving. These saved resources would be returned to the Lord to tend to the less fortunate and for the advancement of the Gospel. Finally, the reduced meal preparations and time spend eating allowed for more time with the Lord in prayer, Scripture, and worship. While customs change, the principles do not. Begin searching your heart for what you may fast from this season. Focus upon something that you ‘hunger’ for regularly and whose presence will be missed. When forgone it should serve as a reminder to you and create space in the midst of your day. It could be times on social media, alcohol, shopping, or a TV series. The times opens moments for prayer and time in God’s Word. Likewise, the financial savings may allow you to sow into the advancement of God’s Kingdom. May we all keep a Holy Lent, as we begin to think and prepare toward that end in order to draw nearer to Jesus over the next forty days. (Photo by Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash )
By Fr. Andrew 06 Jan, 2024
This week can come as a bit of a let down on the heels of various celebrations over the past several weeks. With the boxing up of decorations, return to school, and resuming routines comes a longing for more celebration as things go back to normal schedules. We certainly see this yearning evidenced in our culture by the emerging Valentine’s Day decorations and candy littering the shelves throughout various stores. Who doesn’t love a reason to celebrate?! The joy of the Christian calendar is that the celebration does not end this week. We merely transition from one celebration to another. As Friday marked the end of Christmas, it signaled the beginning of Epiphany (which lands on Saturday this year). Epiphany, meaning manifestation or revealing, celebrates the arrival of the wise men from the East to see the newborn King. This moment fulfilled the prophecies of old which foretold of a time when the nations would be gathered back to God through Israel’s relationship with Him (see Isaiah 42:6). Jesus, representative of Israel and in perfect relationship with God, is made known to the world as the star shines as a spotlight upon Him. We rejoice in this moment, because it is good news for all. Good news that the way to God is opened to all through Jesus Christ, as He shines the way for each of us to come into relationship with Him. In every age the invitation stands to imitate the example of the wise men and come to Jesus. One eloquent preacher and bishop in our tradition by the name of Lancelot Andrews noted, “They came a long journey, and they came an uneasy journey; they came a dangerous journey and they came now, at the worst season of the year. They stayed not their coming till the opening of the year, till they might have better weather and way, and have longer days and so more seasonable and fit to travel in. So desirous were they to come with the first, and to be there as soon as they possibly might; broke through all these difficulties, and behold, come they did. And we, what excuse shall we have if we come not? If so short and easy a way we come not, as from our chambers hither? And these wise men were never a whit less wise for so coming; nay, to come to Christ is one of the wisest parts that ever these wise men did. And if they and we be wise in one Spirit, we will follow the same star, tread the same way, and so come at last wither they are happily gone before us.” Many cultures continue the festivities with a King Cake, parades, and other customs to recall this momentous occasion. As we live under the reality of the Resurrection, perhaps you may embrace or start such a custom in your home. You could make crowns to wear, have a special dinner, or pick up King Cake as a way to remember and celebrate the greatest moment in human history. As is also customary in these days, perhaps you’d like to have your home blessed. May we celebrate this season to help us reflect, return, and ever hold fast to the Good News manifest to the world in Jesus Christ our Lord. Blessings, Andrew
By Fr. Andrew 13 Jun, 2023
What the Church Fathers teach us about fatherhood. As Father’s Day approaches this weekend it seems fitting to turn our gaze upon the Church Fathers who embodied the very nature of fatherhood. These leaders of the Faith, living in the first eight centuries of the Church, wrote, taught, and led lives of sanctity to assist others pursuing an upward call in Christ Jesus. In many ways they embodied the call of fatherhood, namely to be grounded, growing, and guiding others back to God, our heavenly Father. Therein are some great lessons for Father’s Day, and the call of fatherhood as well as for men who invest in the lives of others. First, the Church Fathers were always sons themselves. Many were fathered in the Faith by the apostles and those we read about on the very pages of scripture. Throughout their lives they never stopped growing in knowledge and pursuit of a life in Christ Jesus as they remained students of scripture, grew in the Faith delivered to them (Jude 3), and continued to seek others to challenge them. Dads and spiritual fathers, we are called to do the same. We must first be sons, before leading as fathers. We cannot give away what we do not have. Be students of God’s Word, be mentored by other men who will spur you on in the Faith, continue to seek, hunger, and thirst for righteousness in your life. If you have never engaged the Church Fathers before, this weekend may be a perfect time to do so. There are a host of resources available, even some daily devotionals that are quite useful (click here for one I’d recommend) and you may find a free online library of them all by clicking here (try starting with Augustine’s Confessions). Secondly, the Church Fathers gave what they received. What they passed on to generations to come was what they had been instructed, believed, and lived out in their own lives. They didn’t add to or take away from it, but faithfully upheld, contended for, and applied it in ways that would assist others. Dads, we are called to be faithful in this way as well in our own lives. Give away what has been given to you. Don’t add to it, embellish upon it, but faithfully disciple, raise up and invest in the faith of others. It starts in the home, but even if you aren’t a biological father, it starts with those around you and with whom you have influence. Find ways to humbly bring them into what you are walking out in studying God’s Word, engaging God in prayer and your pursuit of holiness. Finally, the Church Fathers contended for the Faith. Many of the writings of the Church Fathers clarified and at times rebuked errant teachings in their day. Like a good father they instructed and corrected others, but never drew back from the Truth even when it meant they were the only ones who stood for it (as was the case of Athanasius who was even banished for doing so, read more about him here ). Dads, standing for the Truth isn’t easy. But we don’t teach our kids or those we invest in to back down from the hard choices, and we shouldn’t when it comes to our Faith either. Rather, we must be willing to engage the tough issues, speaking the Truth in love and point our families and society back to the One in whom we place our faith, God Himself. So this Father’s Day as we celebrate our dads in our lives, and ask for God’s grace as fathers to press into such a high calling, leaning into the wisdom and walking in the footsteps of those who faithfully have gone before us.
By Fr. Andrew 08 Jun, 2023
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17 ESV Sunday we kicked off our first Family Camp Sunday! And what a day it was for so many different reasons. It brought me great joy to see so many little faces wrap the altar rail at Communion, and to hear the fun they had after worship as they splashed outside in pools and water slides over lunch. Yet, the highlight for me was watching two families who brought friends. Both of whom shared they had little to no Faith background. One of our guests, who I spoke with loved being with us and had such an amazing time. She plans to join us again this Sunday! The other engaged in all activities and had a blast, as his friends included him in all the fun! It was a great embodiment of the Great Commission which stood central to the day. And the reminder that God is always 21drawing us to Himself and these families who brought friends and neighbors serve to remind us all that we have a part to play toward that end. I hope to see more this Sunday as we have a field day theme around Saint Barnabas Day. Do keep our teachers, younger worshippers and their families in your prayers. And I pray we all have such ease and boldness to draw others into what God is doing in our lives to bring them along to come and see as well! Blessings, Andrew
By Fr. Andrew Petta 31 May, 2023
On the heels of Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate all Persons of the Godhead on Trinity Sunday. Although the celebration of Trinity Sunday dates back to the twelfth century in Anglicanism, its origins are much earlier. In the fourth century, a priest named Arius believed that Jesus was a created being, thus denying His divinity. His beliefs subsequently denied the Trinity as well. Unfortunately, he led many astray with this heresy, resulting in the persecution of orthodox Christians. However, a faithful Bishop, Athanasius, stood as Arius' chief opponent. He championed the orthodox view of Jesus and the distinct nature of the Persons of the Trinity. Doing so resulted in his exile. However, even from afar, he remained a faithful pastor, bishop, and theologian. It took time, but Truth prevailed in the Council of Nicaea, as Constantine gathered all parties to address the divisive issue. From that Council we received the Nicene Creed, which we say weekly, affirming both each Person of the Trinity and their role in salvation history. In the centuries to follow, prayers, hymns, and Christian liturgies developed emphasizing the Trinity. Eventually, in the tenth and eleventh centuries, the Sunday after Pentecost became a universally observed time to celebrate the Trinity in the Divine Offices. In England, however, it became a principle feast day through the petition of Thomas Beckett. He was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 AD on the day. Later, in the thirteen century, it became a universally established feast day in the church calendar. On Trinity Sunday we recite the creed attributed to Athanansius instead of the Nicene Creed. Although it highlights the same tenants found in the Nicene Creed, it likewise serves as an important reminder of our history. In spite of various trials that assault the Faith, the Truth always prevails in the mystery, that we as Christians proclaim of the Trinity. You may find the text here .
By Fr Andrew Petta 24 May, 2023
Dear beloved in Christ Jesus, If you missed our big announcements last week, I want to make sure you aren’t left out. The news was twofold and included major campus improvements to accommodate our growth as well as a new ministry opportunity. Each have been carefully discerned, discussed, and decided upon with your Vestry. First, we are moving forward with many site improvements due to the growth in our numbers in worship, children’s ministry, and the nursery. We will be repainting the education wing on the heels of Family Camp Sundays in June as our Preschool moves to a new site at the close of this school year. We will also be transforming several rooms; a classroom will become another Worship and Wonder space with expanded curriculum, the quiet room will become a second nursery (which we plan to staff as needed), and our Youth Room will be reworked to facilitate for more meetings and gathering spaces for both teens and adults alike. We anticipate that the entire education wing will be in full use this fall! We are likewise overhauling the audio system to upgrade speakers, sound equipment, and expand the use of our system as we look to future use (such as the one below). As one Vestry member stated, “You won’t see the difference, but you will hear it!” Secondly, after much prayer, discernment, and conversations with colleagues and Bishop Reed, we will be starting a second service this fall, in Spanish. We hope to be a pilot for Spanish services that are launched alongside existing and thriving English speaking services that share in community, catechesis, and mission together. We will be learning from a native Spanish speaking colleague of mine, Fr. Salvador, who has much experience in launching such services over the years. The aim is to take the lessons learned to establish them into a model that may be replicated around the diocese. Likewise, in working with Fr. Salvador, the need for English services was identified for our Latino congregations to reach their children and grandchildren. Toward that end, Bishop Reed has approved Dcn John Heffron to serve in both congregations after his ordination to the priesthood. Dcn. John will be ordained at Saint Barnabas later this summer, Lord willing, and will serve at San Juan the Apostle with Fr. Salvador on Sunday mornings and with us on Sunday evenings as we begin a Spanish service. After the first year, we hope to move that service nearer to noon after I catch up to Dcn. John in my Spanish proficiency, and / or, God raises leaders from among that service that allow for my Latino colleagues to no longer rotate to assist us each week. On June 12 from 7:30-8:30 Fr. Salvador, Dcn. John and I will host a forum to answer questions and share a bit more about the details of this exciting endeavor. You are welcome to attend, ask question, merely listen to the conversation. God is doing big things here and I am excited to share in it with you! Please uphold all these endeavors in your prayers and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! Faithfully, Fr. Andrew Petta
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