All Souls Weekly Volume 2, Number 16, March 15, 2009
REACHING ACROSS CHASMS
At the Thursday morning Mass last week, the Gospel was from Luke 16:19-31, the story of a rich man and a poor man. The rich man is not named in scripture, but tradition has called him Dives, the Latin word for “rich man.”The poor man is named Lazarus, (not to be confused with a different Lazarus who was the brother of Mary and Martha and who was raised from the dead by Jesus.)The rich man dies and goes to Hades, where it is very hot for him. He sees Lazarus across the way, close to Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel. Dives asks if Lazarus might come over and refresh him with water. Abraham explains that Dives enjoyed the riches of life on earth. That time has ended for him. Lazarus, on the other hand, is only now beginning to enjoy his reward. Dives is confused and angered. As if to explain the confusion, Abraham says to Dives, “Besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed.”
Often between the rich and the poor, there is a great chasm. We might say that the chasm has been placed between us by society, by culture, by the circumstances of our birth, by our education, by the fault of government programs, or by any number of things. But in this Gospel, Abraham implies that Dives has had a role in creating and perpetrating the chasm.
Jesus tells this story to get the disciples (and us) thinking about the things that might separate us from other people. At our Wednesday night Lenten program, we heard about an Episcopal priest from North America who crosses several chasms to be in ministry with the Anglican Church in Burma (Myanmar). Next Wednesday we will look at the various ways Episcopalians are reaching out to people in Sudan.
Throughout this season of Lent, many people choose to give up a meal a week, put that money aside, and then contribute to some fund for the needy. Some take this time for spring cleaning, and then give their extra to people in need. Others may feel called to educate themselves about a particular issue or about people who are suffering somewhere in the world. Each of these efforts is a way of reaching out. Whatever we may do this season, let us pray that God would show us how to cross chasms through prayer, through action, and through faithful living. John Beddingfield
Your prayers are asked for . . . Elizabeth McKee, Freddie Cameron, Robert Long, Richard Aherne, Frank Karel, Jimmy Hobbs, Mark, Jane Titterson, Barb Chaffee, Jim Capen, Harriet Martin, Chris Cobb, Landis Vance, Vickie Drell, Stephanie Russell, Ruth & Fred Huber, Jim St. George, Martha Holdgate, Chip Meyers, Mary Backus, Anne Marie Morotte, Ron Biggs, Steve Coon, Dorothy, Cindy Harvey, Jerome & Mary Ann Gariff, Walter Jason, Arthur Andrew Warren, Robert Osborne, Mary Beth McCutcheon, Bryan Powell, Regina Dading, Julia Gutierrez, Ted Field and for the repose of the souls of Joyce and of Elmer . . . Pray also for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Jack Severson, David Jones, and Timothy Zlatich . . . If you wish to participate in our ongoing Internet Prayer Circle please contact Vicki Lowe at lowevg1@verizon.net.
The parish extends its sympathy and love to Dennis Cole upon the death of his father, Elmer Cole, on March 7, in Canada. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Elmer, for Dennis and Sharon, and for all who mourn.
Around the Parish . . . Join us for the Adult Forum this Sunday morning as we continue to explore ethical questions around life, death and in-between. This Sunday’s discussion has to do with “Life at the end of it: Part Two, the Ethics of Dying and the Care of the Dying,” led by Ted Field. The discussion is coordinated by Dan Davis and meets at 10 a.m. in the Undercroft . . . Attendance Sunday, March 8 at the 8:30 a.m. Mass, 34; at the 11 a.m. Mass, 121 . . . Total pledge offerings this week were $5,028.00. The plate offering was $679.00.
Liturgical Notes . . . During Lent the 8:30 a.m. Mass begins with the Penitential Order. The altar frontal and the priest’s vestments used during the season of Lent are of an unbleached linen and known as “lenten array.” Their simplicity is meant to call to mind the sackcloth and ashes of the biblical penitent. Lenten array, rather than purple, is an ancient custom associated with the Sarum use (from Salisbury Cathedral) since at least the eleventh century . . . Stations of the Cross is offered each Friday evening in Lent at 7:00 p.m. Join us for this forty-five minute devotion as we move through the church with prayers, silence and song . . . Except for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, flowers are not used at the High Altar until Easter . . . The Sanctuary Candle burns to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for “the best Mami ever,” given by Miriam and Luciana Esch-Levanos.
Wednesday Evenings in Lent . . . This Wednesday, we continue to explore Christian missions through a particularly Anglican lens. On Wednesday, March 18 we will discuss the church in Sudan. Join us at 7 p.m. in the Undercroft for a light dinner, which is followed by a video and discussion.
Yoga Workshop at All Souls . . . Saturday, March 28 at 11 a.m. . . . Modern Yoga has its roots in a 2000+ year-old philosophical tradition that teaches stillness of the mind and meditative contemplation as one way to get closer to the Divine. And what better way to observe Lent than to still the mind and engage in some meditative contemplation? Join All Souls parishioner Richard McKewen, RYT, as he leads a two-hour workshop on yoga theory and practice. The workshop is open to everyone, from beginners to experienced yogis. Part of learning to still the mind is learning to still the body through various physical poses. So be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing (gym clothes are ideal) and bring a beach towel. If you have a yoga mat, bring it along, too. And try not to eat for at least an hour beforehand. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Richard at stoligimlet@hotmail.com or 202-309-3566.
Early Music Workshop with Philip Cave . . . “The Elizabethans: Music for the court, chamber and chapel from William Byrd to Orlando Gibbons,” will be offered July 7 through July 12 this summer at the National Cathedral.The workshop is for all levels of singers from advanced high school age and up, choir directors, and for those who simply wish to sit and listen and learn about this music. For more information, pick up a brochure in the choir room or go to www.chorworks.com.
Help All Souls "Go Green". . . by joining a new committee forming to help the parish save energy, combat climate change, and improve our overall environmental stewardship. Send an email to Jeff Wells at jeff.wells@starpower.net.
Readings for the Daily Office
March 15, 2009
Morning Prayer
Evening Prayer
The Third Sunday in Lent
Jeremiah 6:9-15, Mark 5:1-20
1 Cor. 6:12-20
Monday
Jeremiah 7:1-15, John 7:14-36
Romans 4:1-12
Tuesday
Jeremiah 7:21-34, John 7:37-52
Romans 4:13-25
Wednesday
Jeremiah 8:18-9:6, John 8:12-20
Romans 5:1-11
Thursday
Jeremiah 10:11-24, John 8:21-32
Romans 5:12-21
Friday
Jer. 11:1-8, 14-20, John 8:33-47
Romans 6:1-11
Saturday
Jeremiah 13:1-11, John 8:47-59
Romans 6:12-23
Calendar for the Week
March 15, 2009, The Third Sunday in Lent
Low Mass, 8:30 a.m., High Mass, 11 a.m.
Child care provided for both worship services
Continental breakfast in the Undercroft follows the 8:30 a.m. Mass
Choir Rehearsal 9:15 a.m.
Adult Forum: Ethical Questions and Dilemmas: Life at the end of it
Children’s Sunday School 11:00 a.m.
Coffee Hour in the Undercroft follows the 11 a.m. Mass.
A.A. Meeting, conference room, 3 p.m.
Monday
Christ House dinner 4 p.m.
A. A. Meeting, conference room, 8:30 p.m.
