We are ALL called to be light-bearers

5 Epiphany Year A - Feb 9, 2020

Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 112: 1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; Matthew 5: 13-20

 

Do you ever wonder why you are here? I mean, really pausing to ask yourself that question… Why am I here?

Not only here, as in you’re sitting here in the church today…But, I’m asking you to think for a moment on the times in your life, in past years and presently…when you’ve caught yourself wondering aloud to God: Why am I here? What am I supposed to be doing? What’s my purpose?

And, oftentimes, those big questions, lead us to cry out with other tough questions – why is there so much suffering? Why is there so much hatred and division among people? What can I possibly do to change any of this?

I can remember one vivid and life-changing moment for me, when I felt like I received an answer to one of my big questions about the why, why, why…there is so much suffering, and what could I possibly do that would ever help change the suffering of these young children I cried for…

As a child, I was always particularly drawn to the tv ads, and the magazine articles that showed the faces of hungry and suffering children…and people, of all ages who were suffering from diseases in other countries…When I was old enough to read, I devoured the articles about the people and the agencies and the churches on the front lines who were reaching out to help these suffering children….and asking others to join them in helping…

It felt overwhelming to see and hear about the enormity of this world-wide issue of poverty and disease…and these were only the stories that I read about and saw…realizing that there were many others suffering, behind the scenes, in places that would I never hear about or see with my own eyes..

My heart would break, at times…with tears streaming down my face, as I lay in bed, late at night, wondering and crying out to God…. Why? Why are they suffering so much? Why can’t you help them, God?

It wasn’t until many years later, as an adult, that a priest and mentor said something to me that shed light, on these questions that have had weighed so heavily on my heart for so many years…and still do, at times…

When I shared my story, that I just shared with you about the suffering children, he said something like this to me, “The children are suffering because WE, all of us, aren’t helping them. WE, all of us, are the ones called to love and care for each other. WE, all of us, are the ones God uses now to end the suffering.”

I realize now, as I look back...at how easy it was, to convince myself that I could never make a difference in the suffering of these children. And I realize that at the same time, it was overwhelming, and it seemed impossible to imagine that I could ever make a dent in the suffering of the world. I was only a drop in the bucket. So, all I felt like I could do was to just stand-by and watch and cry and hope that “those” people could help them.

This was the turning point for me. “Those” people…I came to understand, included ALL OF US. All of us, who are blessed by God, and are beloved children of God’s one world-wide human family…All of us, who are named and called by God…to go out into the world to love and care for one another, as Christ has shown us…

All of us, called to work together, using the gifts that have been given to each one of us, inspired and strengthened through the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed upon us by God…to be used to love and care for one another…by walking in the light and love of God, as made known to us, through Jesus Christ.

Now, more than ever…Our world, God’s world… needs ALL of us, to stand up and proclaim this love and light, through our words and actions, to a divided and suffering world.

Our communities, local and afar, need ALL of us, who believe that God is light…that God is Love…to share that we believe, that Jesus has come into this dark world to show us what this love looks like, and to help others see, why this matters and how this love has the power to change lives and transform people’s lives.

ALL of us, need to make some time to be with God, in silence and in prayer, and in community with one another, to discern the ways we are being called in this time and in this place to proclaim God’s light and love… to promote healing, reconciliation, justice and peace…for all God’s children…

As someone who professes that I believe this, the Gospel compels me to not only hear what the scriptures are saying to me, but to act on them…

I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children are being separated from their families. What about you?

I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children of all ages, are being killed by violence in all its forms. What about you?

I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children of all ages, are suffering at the hands of those who are stripping away their freedoms and human dignity. What about you?

I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as children of all ages, are being bullied and oppressed to be silent, when their voices are crying out with a truth to be heard. What about you?

I can no longer stand by idly, watching, as our creation, is being destroyed by those who turn a blind eye and deaf ear to listen to what science and wisdom are teaching us. What about you?

I can no longer stand by idly, watching and crying because of what “those” people are doing or not doing. What about you?

 

The Motto of The Order of the Daughters of the King says it best (for me):

For His Sake…

I am but one, but I am one.

I cannot do everything, but I can do something.

What I can do, I ought to do.

What I ought to do, by the grace of God I will do.

Lord, what will you have me do?

 

Lord…what will you have me do?  Lord, why am I here?

Here’s Jesus’ answer to that life-long question, as found in the Gospel of Matthew today, according to the Message translation:

Matthew 5:13-16 The Message (MSG)

 “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.

By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Why are you here, you wonder?

You are here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth…to use your God-given gifts and seasoning to share the love of God with others…as only you can do…

You are here to be Light, bringing out the God-colors of the world…shining light on the belovedness of all God’s children…

And we are all here, today… to be a living response to God’s invitation to join in the long line of saints and those who have gone on before us, who have answered God’s call in the night, who have answered God’s call in dark times,  to be light-bearers…to shine… to proclaim the love and light of God, with all that we are…and with all that we have been given…

God speaks to us and asks us this:

I who made the stars of night, I will make their (the people’s) darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go Lord, if you lead me, I will hold your people in my heart.

(Wonder Love and Praise - #812  I the Lord of Sea and Sky)

 

Rev. Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple

The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple

Feb 2, 2020

Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Opening prayer: O God of grace and glory, lift up our hearts and turn our eyes upon Jesus, open them wide with wonder and love, to look full in His wonderful face; so we may see that the things of this earth will grow strangely dim, in the gracious light of His glory and grace, in the gracious light of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (adapted from a hymn: Turn your eyes upon Jesus)

A little background info first, about today’s special feast day on the church calendar.  No… The celebration of Groundhog Day or Super Bowl Sunday is not on the church calendar today… On the Church Calendar for today is “The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple.”

It is defined this way in the book: An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church:

“The Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple”

A feast of our Lord celebrated on Feb. 2, also known as Candlemas and the Feast of the Purification. It commemorates the presentation of Jesus and the purification of Mary in the Jerusalem Temple forty days after Jesus' birth, in accordance with the requirements of Jewish law (Lv 12:2-8). The feast is celebrated about forty days after Christmas. According to the account of Lk 2:22-39, the presentation of Jesus was also the occasion of the meeting of Jesus with Simeon and Anna. Simeon's prayer of blessing is the basis for the canticle Nunc dimittis (or commonly known as the Song of Simeon) (see BCP, p. 120). Celebration of the feast dates from the fourth century in Jerusalem.

It was introduced in Rome in the seventh century, where it included a procession with candles and the singing of the Nunc dimittis.  The celebration came to include the lighting and blessing of candles which were carried in procession. This feast was known as "Candlemas."

No matter the name that one refers to this special feast day…it’s primary focus is on recognizing Jesus, as the Light of the world…

…. recognizing Jesus as the promised One, the Light that has come into this world, to overcome the darkness…to give us hope, when there seems to be no reason to hope…to enlighten a path towards healing, reconciliation and peace, where one cannot see how this is even possible….and to remind us that the light of God, the love of God… is right here, in our midst, for all the world to see… in the long-awaited Savior, the long-awaited Messiah, who Simeon acknowledges when Jesus is lifted up in the temple, for all of us to see…in the hearing of today’s scriptures…

When Simeon took the child, Jesus, into his arms…he knew…in the depth of all his being…he knew that Jesus was the One he was waiting for his entire, long life…it was a moment of peace that surpasses all understanding…a moment of grace upon grace…a moment of deep joy and gratitude…an encounter with love so powerful, so pure, so blinding…that everything around Simeon grew dim for a moment…the years of heartaches and suffering and worrying and waiting….all he could focus on, was lifting up this child of pure light and love, praising God:

"Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Joseph and Mary were amazed to hear what Simeon was saying about their child. I imagine they could see in Simeon’s face, the joy, the peace, the hope, and the love, that was being held in his hands, as he lifted Jesus up in thanksgiving to God….

I imagine they were sharing in Simeon’s joy and thanksgiving for their child, too. But that joy, for a moment was interrupted, when Simeon blesses them, and turns to Mary and says, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed-- and a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

I imagine Mary, already knew this deep in her soul, from the moment the angel Gabriel had announced to her, that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son, and name him Jesus. I imagine, she knew, as only a mother of her child could know...the heartaches that were to come upon her, and her child…the suffering that she could only hope would not come to pass…

But, she knew…she knew that all of us…man, woman, child…will endure a lifetime of joys and sorrows…but Jesus… Jesus was destined for something different….something more… By his death, we would have life…eternal life…by his suffering, and rising to life again…we could live in hope…

Mary must have known, deep in her heart, the preciousness of her child…this gift of light and love…so powerful…that no darkness, no suffering, no sorrow could ever extinguish it…

Her son, Jesus, would be lifted up for the whole world to see…that God is light…God is Love…and when we lift up Jesus, through our words and actions….when we lift up this light and this love for others to see… it changes things…it changes us…it changes others… it transforms people’s lives and the world among us… 

I have seen how lifting up this light and following this light and love in the church is making a difference:

  • In the times when an elder, turns and lovingly smiles at a wiggly child in the pews…and the child and the parent return the same glance of joy in each other’s meeting…

  • In the times when the children get up to read, and I look at the smiles on the adult’s faces, as you send up quiet thoughts of support and affirmation for the great job they are doing…

  • When the children are helping out with different parts of the service, and encouraging the adults to join them in singing, and clapping hands…I see hope twinkling in the eyes of all gathered…

  • In the times when children of all ages come up to the communion rail…I see a family of God…united by the light of Christ and the love of God…

  • In the Friday morning prayer service, when the members of the Society of St Simeon and St Anna gather to pray for the children of St Peter’s and the youth in our community…I see the light of Christ’s love shared and lifted up…

I see all of this, and it gives me great hope…

Hope for the children, of all ages, who are outside of the church doors… the ones who are hungry, suffering, hurting, lost, lonely….

I have hope…because I have seen in you here, in this place…the light of Christ, shining through you…I have seen how you lift it up, and make it known..

I have hope… because I have seen already, how you are taking this light out to the community, by visiting and working with elders, helping out with transportation, taking care of children and family members,  advocating for the care and stewardship of creation, volunteering with the Manna meals, working with people who are homeless, people who are living in abusive relationships, people who are struggling with addiction…There are many other places, I know you are called to go throughout the week….

I have hope, because I believe that there will be new ways, yet unknown, where the light and love of Christ will invite you to go…and you will have the courage to answer the call and go!

I have hope…because, in the hearing of today’s scriptures, I am reminded once again, through the witness of Simeon and Anna,  that the gift of light and love, the gift of Jesus has been given for us, and has been lifted up in the temple,  for all the world to see and to believe….

To believe…that God is light…God is Love…and when we lift up Jesus, through our words and our actions….when we lift up this light and this love for others to see… it changes things…it changes us…it changes others… it transforms people’s lives and the world among us… 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. (Hymn #97 – Praise Chorus Book)

Audio recording of sermon here

Rev Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

Annual Meeting Day

3 Epiphany/Year A

ANNUAL MEETING DAY

January 26, 2020

Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 5-13; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23

 

One bread, one body, one Lord of all,

one cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many, throughout the earth,

We are one body in this one Lord.

One body, the body of Christ, the church of God, the people of God…all gathered here today for our annual meeting…

And I am counting my blessings, as I think about the many ways, the light of Jesus, and the love of God, has shown through all of you, here in the church, and in the community.

As I reflected back on this past year, and as I look out at all of you gathered today…I am glad you are here…and thankful that you choose to gather here with others….week after week, month after month, year after year…I am thankful for the gifts you share, to help grow and strengthen our relationships with God, with one another, our church, and our community. I am thankful for the diversity of gifts that are present here in this place we call the church building, but more importantly, the presence of the people of God, YOU, who are called the church, the body of Christ…a community gathered around God, as revealed to us in Jesus, the great light that has come among us, and ushered in a new day…

In the annual meeting presentation that will take place in the See House, after our service this morning…you will see the many ways, the people of St Peter’s have answered Jesus’ call to “follow me”…and allowed the light of Christ…to strengthen them, to lead them and guide them…one new day, at a time…

You will see how Prayer, is one way, the people of St Peter’s have allowed the light and love of Christ to strengthen them, lead them and guide them…prayer, as a personal discipline, prayer together here during the service, prayer with others in the community. Any time, spent in prayer, and with each other, reminds all of us, that we are not alone in this world, to navigate the daily challenges, and troubles and times of darkness that threaten to extinguish our hope…

You will see how Studying scripture is another way, that the people of St Peter’s have been changed and transformed in the past year, by following the light of Christ…listening to the scriptures here on Sundays, Sunday school, books & conversations, lunch & learns, scripture reflections, personal studies on one’s own, or interacting with others online….all ways that keep us focused on Christ’s light, and learning from His way of love revealed to us, in the scriptures, and in our conversations and in our relationships with one another…

You will see examples of the ways the people of St Peter’s have been serving God and serving others, as Jesus has served us, shining God’s light this past year, on new outreach collaborations and feeding ministries that have sprouted up, far and wide, in our community.

You will see how giving generously this past year, has shed a bright light on various outreach opportunities, and the outpouring of support to repair our See House roof…and to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of the first service held in our church building…both buildings that offer a light of welcome, for the whole community.

You will see how all of this comes together to inform our own faith stories: to help us SHARE the Good News of our relationship to God, to share our own faith stories about how the light of Christ, has been strengthening us, leading and guiding us, and transforming our own lives, and the lives of people around us…

You will see how all of this comes together to help us answer the call to follow Jesus…and to help others be drawn to this light of Jesus, that they see in you…

You will see how it is, and how it can be: that through the love and light of Christ…we are united and reconciled to God and one another…as one body…the body of Christ….the church of God…the people of God…

One bread, one body, one Lord of all,

one cup of blessing which we bless.

And we, though many, throughout the earth,

We are one body in this one Lord.

For all this, and on this day of celebrating another year with all of you…I count my blessings, as many and varied…and look forward to all the ways, that we will count and share our blessings together, in the year ahead…

Instrumental Hymn at conclusion of sermon:

Lift Every Voice and Sing II - #151 One Bread, One Body

Rev Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

let us pray

List/links to prayers in the Book of Common Prayer

*Take some time throughout the day, to pray...

Prayers for the World

Joy in God's Creation
All Sorts and ConditionsThe Human Family
Peace
Peace Among the Nations
Our Enemies

Prayers for the Church

The Church
The Mission of the Church
Clergy and People
The Diocese
The Parish
A Church Convention or Meeting
The Election of a Bishop or Other Minister
The Unity of the Church
Those About To Be Baptized or To Renew Their Baptismal Covenant
Monastic Orders and Vocations
Church Musicians and Artists

Prayers for National Life

Our Country
The President of the United States and All in Civil Authority
Congress or a State Legislature
Courts of Justice
Sound Government
Local Government
An Election
Those in the Armed Forces of Our Country
Those Who Suffer for the Sake of Conscience

Prayers for the Social Order

Social Justice
In Times of Conflict
Agriculture
The Unemployed
Schools and Colleges
The Good Use of Leisure
Cities
Towns and Rural Areas
The Poor and Neglected
The Oppressed
Prisons and Correctional Institutions
The Right Use of God's Gifts
Those Who Influence Public Opinion

Prayers for the Natural Order

Knowledge of God's Creation
The Conservation of Natural Resources
The Harvest of Lands and Waters
For Rain
The Future of the Human Race

Prayers for Family and Personal Life

For Families
The Care of Children
Young Persons
Those Who Live ALone
The Aged
A Birthday (1)
A Birthday (2)
The Absent
Travelers
Those We Love
A Person in Trouble or Bereavement
The Victims of Addiction
Guidance (1)
Guidance (2)
Quiet Confidence
Protection
A Prayer of Self-Dedication
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Christ is Our Light - 2 Epiphany Sermon

2 Epiphany/Year A

January 19, 2020

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-12; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1: 29-42

Opening Prayer:

Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ, be our light! Shine in your church gathered today. Amen. (Longing for light, #45, My Heart sings out)

We’ve just begun a new season in the church year, the season of Epiphany…a season we often associate with light shining in the darkness, the light of Jesus Christ come into the world, God made manifest in Jesus. We spend all of this season, (a total of almost 8 weeks, including Epiphany Day), listening to the Gospel stories which reveal to us Jesus’ identity, shining light on Jesus as the promised One, the Messiah, the Anointed, Emmanuel, God is with us…Shining light on the One, who seems to enter our lives, at times, suddenly, surprisingly, and with a question too important to ignore… “What are you looking for?”

Our gospel reading today began with John declaring, as he saw Jesus coming toward him, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”, and later on, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, again, when Jesus walked by, John exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, “What are you looking for?”

I got the sense, that when Jesus, turned around to ask his new followers what they were looking for, they were caught off guard for a moment, he probably gave them a bit of a startle, a moment of… Uh…I don’t know how to answer that question just now… But… let me ask you this, Jesus… where are you staying?

Jesus, has their attention now, and eases up the moment, and invites them to come and see…and maybe, just maybe…when the disciples follow Jesus, remain with him, learn from him…they can begin to find what they were looking for…what they were longing for…what they were hoping for…

All, I can think of here, for a moment… is a flashlight… I’m remembering times, when I have been in total darkness, and someone turns on the flashlight…makes me jump back in surprise momentarily, by the sudden burst of light, the little bit of light, that is almost overwhelming…. But the light, helps me navigate this new territory of darkness that I find myself in…and I am thankful that I have this light to help me find my way….

I’m thinking of Jesus right now…as a flashlight….

I know it probably sounds a little simplistic or silly…but just think about how a flashlight helps us…it shines light in the darkness, it helps us see things, that we couldn’t see before, when walking in the darkness; it helps us to walk more confidently in the darkness; when we shine it on the path in front of us, it leads us and guides us forward; it leads us to observe new discoveries; it brightens the space all around us, encircling us with a bit of light….

The Light of Jesus does all of this and more…

The Light of Jesus, reminds us that God’s presence, is among us to help us navigate the seemingly endless days and nights of darkness that threaten to extinguish our hope, and our joy in our day to day lives…

The Light of Jesus, rekindles in our hearts, the belief that there is more to this life than we sometimes see, there is more to this life that matters and fills our life with meaning and purpose…

The Light of Jesus, transforms us, in our darkest moments, by His grace and mercy…making a way forward for us to walk in love, and in the light of hope again…

The Light of Jesus, invites us to come and see…how the love of God, revealed to us, in the life of Jesus, has the power to heal our divisions, reconcile us to one another, and help us live into the dream of the beloved community, that God intended for all of us, to be a part of…

…A beloved community, as the Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr envisioned as a society based on justice, equal opportunity, and love of one’s fellow human beings….a global vision, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. A Beloved Community…where poverty, hunger and homelessness will not be tolerated because international standards of human decency will not allow it. A Beloved community where Racism and all forms of discrimination, bigotry and prejudice will be replaced by an all-inclusive spirit of sisterhood and brotherhood. A beloved community committed to a way of non-violence.  (thekingcenter.org)

The Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, spent his entire life, pointing people towards the vision of becoming a beloved community…where the Light of Jesus, was at the heart of all the Good News he proclaimed to the world, through his words and actions.

It was startling Good news to many listeners… and many were probably caught off guard by his words and actions at times…but he had a gift… a gift of inviting people to come and see, and envision and dream of a world, where a beloved community was possible...and he never wavered in his belief and hope for all God’s children…to be loved and cared for, unconditionally…

John the Baptist, Andrew, Simon Peter, The Rev Dr Martin Luther King, Jr… were all witness to the power and compelling Light of Jesus, to transform their own lives, and the lives of others…and without hesitation, were eager to invite others, to come and see, how the Light of Jesus, was helping them to find what they were looking for, longing for, hoping for…

So, get out your flashlight this evening…(Took a flashlight out of my pocket, turned it on, and held it up for the duration of the sermon) and be reminded of the Light of Jesus that has come into this world, to unite us all to one another, in joy, and light and love…and remain there for a time, surrounded by the light and presence of God, in the quiet, in prayer, in meditating on the scriptures which help us get to know Jesus, the light that shines in the darkness… 

And then go…go invite others, to come and see…by pointing them to the Light of Jesus, who still shines his light and love in our world today…and invites, all of us…to come and see…

Closing Prayer: The Hymnal 1982 - #538 God of mercy, God of grace

1          God of mercy, God of grace, show the brightness of thy face.

            Shine upon us, Savior, shine, fill thy Church with light divine,

            and thy saving health extend unto earth's remotest end.

2          Let thy people praise thee, Lord; be by all that live adored.

            Let the nations shout and sing glory to their Savior King;

            let all be, below, above, one in joy, and light, and love.

 

Rev Julie Platson, Rector

St Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church

Sitka, Alaska

St Peter's by the Sea Weekend Announcements - Jan 17 2020

Pearl of the Week
How God will guide you and reveal life to you will be beyond what you can rationally quantify, compute, defend, explain, adjudicate. Use your mind. But don’t limit God’s work of revelation to just your mind.
There is always More. -Br. Curtis Almquist SSJE

Announcements

*Sunday Services - 8am & 10am

*Youth Sunday School: January 12 & 26

*Jan 26: One service at 10am – Annual Meeting Day

*Mondays: 4pm-5pm – Mug up meal for homeless

                   Jan 20 – Church Office Closed for Mt Luther King Day

 *Tuesdays @ Noon – Lunch & Learn Gifts of God for the People of

   God: Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church

*Wednesdays: Church Office Closed

                         Taize Prayer Service @ 5:30pm

                         Vestry Meeting: Jan 22 @ 6:30pm                 

* Thursdays: Books & Conversations @ 12pm

   The Good Book Club: The Gospel of John: Epiphany 2020

*Fridays: St Simeon & St Anna Prayer Service @ 10am

stpeters-sitka.org

Feeling Climate Change: Part 1

Jan 17, 2020

(in the Sitka Sentinel)

Feeling Climate Change: Part 1

By John Lewis

I still remember the feeling of relief that washed over me. I was going through one of the most stressful events of my life, then a friend told me that what I was feeling was a normal response to an abnormal situation. In other words, it was a crisis response. 

The feelings of despair, anger, hopelessness, grief and uncertainty weren’t a sign that something was wrong with me. Rather they were the result of an overwhelming experience. These feelings were a natural part of the way we process and eventually move through a crisis. In time, I would feel better and could even grow stronger even if I didn’t feel like it at the moment. 

People are using the term “crisis” to describe our climate and the rapid changes we are going through. And the same feelings that go along with crisis reactions are being used to describe reactions to the climate. The wildfires in Australia are overwhelming, their enormity inspires a sense of helplessness. In Sitka, salmon struggling to make it upstream and unusually sunny summer days leave the impression that something is not right. 

It is seemingly a daily occurrence that we are receiving signals of a changing environment. When any life form senses changes in the surroundings, it produces signals to respond to those changes. Our feelings are signals whose goal is to restore balance within ourselves and our surroundings. If we don’t listen to these signals, and we don’t respond in some way to the change, we end up creating more stress. 

Perhaps this is where we are collectively; we are in the early stages of crisis. Even talking about climate change can arouse powerful emotions. For some, the dominant reaction is denial, to go on like it does not exist or affect us. Others, especially those whose lands and lives have already been directly affected, may be filled with grief. People who see that there is not enough being done, or feel they cannot do enough, are left feeling burnt out or hopeless. But all these reactions are a normal part of the process of adapting, accepting and in the end, acting.

The real tragedy would be to remain in these feelings without any action. An important part of a crisis reaction is the gathering of one’s resources to meet that challenge. In doing so, we can actually become stronger and more connected to those around us. The reality is this: the climate is changing and we must adapt. For each person, family, or community, that adaptation may look different.  

But a big part of that adaptation will mean changes to how we think and how we feel. This is the first part of a once-a-month series here at Climate Connections exploring how climate change is affecting mental health – not only how it makes us feel, but more importantly how we can respond. The intensity of feeling, the crisis response, can be a call to change. It’s only crazy if you don’t listen.

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John Lewis is a behavioral health professional and a member of the Sitka Citizens’ Climate Lobby.

St Peter's by the Sea Weekend Announcements - Jan 10

Pearl of the Week
there is . ..  the inner and very personal conversion when the soul opens to God and knows beyond any doubt that it is loved, that it is cherished and protected, and nothing will ever separate it from that love. Dana Kramer-Rolls

Announcements

*Friday Jan 10 - Girl scouts  - 4:30pm

*Sat Jan 11 - Citizens Climate Lobby - 8:30am

*Sunday Services - 8am & 10am (Morning Prayer/Jan 12)
*Jan 12: Sunday Manna Meal @ Sitka Lutheran Church
 (St Peter’s host)

*Youth Sunday School: January 12 & 26

*Jan 26: One service at 10am – Annual Meeting Day

*Mondays: 4pm-5pm – Mug up meal for homeless

 *Tuesdays @ Noon – Lunch & learn Gifts of God for the people of
   God: Exploring Worship in the Episcopal Church

*Wednesdays: Taize Prayer Service @ 5:30pm
                         Young Life: 8pm-10pm
           
* Thursdays: Books & Conversations @ 12pm
   The Good Book Club: The Gospel of John: Epiphany 2020

*Thursday Jan 16 – Worship Leader meeting @ 11am
   
*Fridays: St Simeon & St Anna Prayer Service @ 10am

*Snow plow broke down yesterday, and did not get to St Peter's yesterday...it has been plowed throughout the week...(just not yesterday)...not sure of when the plow will come as of this morning...there are safe walkways to all entrances to church and see house...(clear as of this morning at 8am)...drive/be safe everyone...

https://www.livingcompass.org/wwow  

stpeters-sitka.org