Rector's Ramblings

The Rev. Jim Stewart

     Life can sometimes throw you a curve.  We have had two well loved members pass away this last month.  There is great sorrow in our hearts for the loss, but we will continue remembering the love they have given to all of us.  I still see the joy on both of their faces as I would show up to visit them.  Just knowing someone cares can be of great comfort.

     Last evening I was playing on my phone looking at things that will never be of importance in my life, and I came across a preacher speaking on society today.  It is nothing for us to spend endless hours on our phones looking at all kinds of senseless information that we do not need.  The preacher said we sometimes need to kick our minds on other things but what if we took half the time we spend on the phone and dedicate it to studying the bible or God centered thoughts.  I must admit I was a little ashamed of all the time I was on the phone.  I was in the front room watching sports and looking through my phone.  It is an addiction. 

     I put my phone up and shut the tv off.  I still don’t know who won the game and personally I don’t care.  I took out the bible and began        digging.  After a couple of hours, I realized it was about time for bed.  I had spent time with God and had forgotten all about the addiction I am creating with my phone.  What a lovely evening I had spending time with the one that is always available for all of us.

     It soon came to me that life can be like that for all of us.  We get so involved with our own lives that we can forget about God and all the pleasures he gives us.  So, I am working on a new idea that I have been thinking about for a while.

     Every time I talk to some people and say we have missed you at church, I get an answer that they were at a sporting event or that they were so tired they could not get up.  Starting in Advent, if I get the   bishops permission I am going to start a service on Sunday night.  I thought about this, and people always have enough time to go to the store for a few items.  It only takes 15 minutes or so to run into the store.  I am planning to start a service that will have a confession, prayer, the Eucharist and dismissal.                                                                         This would make it so all would be able to take the Eucharist each week even if they did not have time to go to church.  15 minutes on a Sunday evening is a way to start putting God back in our lives and being in  communion with others.

                                           Blessings, Jim