NEWS FROM THE PEWS
The Newsletter of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Billings, Montana
July, 2008
Dear Friends,
On July 4th, 1964, we were on the Atlantic Ocean three days out from New York, on the Cunard Liner, “The Sylvania”. Although this ship was flying a British Merchant Navy Flag, there was a celebration honoring July 4th and the Declaration of Independence of the Colonies. This was our first experience of the real significance of the place Independence Day holds in the lives of the American nation.
Since then, of course, we have become American citizens, and so hold, dual nationality, and have the privilege and responsibility of sharing the traditions of the ‘old’ conjoined with the developing traditions of the ‘new’.
Over the years we have seen many changes take place in both our citizenship nations, some for the better and some for the worse, but these are the inevitable result of the freedom we cherish. But, as we remember and give thanks for our freedom this July 4th, surely we should also remember and give thanks for the great freedom that our other citizenship confers on us. St. Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20 that “our citizenship is in heaven”. July 4th celebrates freedom from subjection to what some term an oppressive monarch, others think he was just mad! And similarly, each Lord’s day, each Worship Service, each Eucharistic celebration, is a time to express just how grateful we are that “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”. (Galatians 5:1) Jesus tells us that He is ‘the truth’ (John 14:6). He further tells us that “the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32). He who is the truth, has set us free. Free from the bondage and power of sin, free from defeat, free from despair, free from failure, to mention just a few of the freedoms we have in our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, on this July 4th weekend, let us celebrate our national freedoms, but also, let us not forget that we are “One nation under God” and further, we rejoice because “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”. (John 8:35)
Your fellow servants in the Work of the Lord,
The Revs. Ernest and Cynthia Seddon
SUNDAY CLASSES
Father Jacob will be presenting a four-week class on “Jesus and Judaism” beginning on August 10th and continuing through August 17, 24, 31. The class will be held after the 9am Sunday Service from 10:30 to 11:30am. Please mark your calendars.
PRAYER CHAIN
In order to fulfill our Pastoral Care ministry more effectively, we are asking to extend our Prayer Chain. If you would like to be part of this important ministry, please contact Deacon Cynthia at 256-9586 or the church office. Also, if you have any requests for prayer, large or small, contact Deacon Cynthia.
DEACON’S NOTE
June 21st – officially summer. I am happy to report that lots of birds are using our bird feeder. Wild rabbits are plentiful, we saw seven in one garden, and it’s a great time for people who like to walk dogs. Speaking of dogs, I read an amusing piece in our veterinarian’s magazine, which I reproduce with permission- this is for all dog lovers and should cause some smiles.
THE DOGUE DICTIONARY
Bath: This is a process by which the humans drench the floor, walls and themselves. You can help by shaking vigorously and frequently.
Bump: The best way to get your human’s attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.
Stand: Every good dog’s response to the command “sit!”
Sofa: A large napkin. After eating, it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.
Deafness: This is a malady that affects dogs and when their person wants them in and they want to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.
Dog Bed: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch.
Drool: Is what you do when your persons have food and you don’t. To do this properly, you must sit as close as you can and look and let the drool fall to the floor, or better yet, on their laps.
Garbage Can: A container that your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. Be creative in your approach to remove the lid, and you are rewarded with food, toys, wrappers, bones and crunchy goodies of all kinds.
Leash: A strap that attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want her to go.
Love: Is a feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. The best way you can show your love is to wag your tail.
Thunder: This is a signal that the world is coming to an end. It is necessary to warn humans of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, hiding, panting and barking.
Wastebasket: This is a dog toy filled with paper, envelopes and old candy wrappers. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home.
Bicycles: Two-wheeled exercise machines. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, barking loudly and run alongside for a few yards.
July is bound to be a warm month and many will be away on vacation. Wherever you are or will be, enjoy the sunshine, the animals, and above all, relax in the warmth of God’s love.
Lovingly,
Deacon Cynthia
July Birthdays: 2 Peggy Hofmann, 3 Shelly Nauman, 4 Richard Edgerton, 9 Julie Middleton, 10 Colton Coffee, Jane Pannill, 11 Eva Koessler, 12 Daphne Hansen, Knox Pannill, 14 Ralph Spence, Nicki Broch, 15 Sarah Maynard,16 Patti Heimsness, 18 Rene Brown, 19 Duncan McBane, 20 David Jaynes, 21 Kim Thompson, Dennis Young, 23 Bill Speare, Eva Knee, 27 Rich Nauman, Patti Harcharik, Beth Miner, 28 Eleanore Denegre, Virginia Garretson, 30 Darla Bustos, 31 Andrew Seddon.
July Anniversaries: 2 Steve and Doris Gerstner, 3 Larry and Nancy Downer, 14 Bill and Gerry Thompson, Jim and Tempe Lemon, 17 Scott Dahmer and Susan English.
JUST STAY
There are some things in this world which are gifts beyond price; gifts that mean so much to another there is no way to fix a value. Sometimes we might never know the value of what we do. We do it because it’s the right or appropriate thing to do.
A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. “Your son is here,” she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened. He was heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack; he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man’s limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement. The nurse brought a chair so the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man’s hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious to her and to the night noises of the hospital – the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of other patients in the ward.
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night. Along towards dawn, the old man died. The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse. While she did what she had to do, he waited.
Finally, she returned. She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her. “Who was that man?” he asked. The nurse was startled. “He was your father,” she replied. “No, he wasn’t,” the Marine replied. “I never saw him before in my life.” “Then why didn’t you say something when I took you to him?”
“I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn’t here. When I realized that he was to sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he need me, I stayed.”
The next time someone needs you, just be there. Just stay. Some food for thought….
From The Anglican Digest, by The Rev. Guido F. Verbeck, III, St. Paul’s, Shreveport. LA
CLASSIC CHRISTIAN PRAYERS
brought to you by Deacon Cynthia
Your unfailing love, O Lord is as vast as the heavens
Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the ocean depts.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
Psalm 36:5-6 N. L.T.
My God, I give you this day. I offer you, now, all of the good that I shall do. And I promise to accept, for love of You, all of the difficulty I shall meet. Help me conduct myself during this day in a way that pleases you. – Francis de Sales.
