Practicing Resurrection

I really love sermon prep—so many interesting ideas, and so much to learn, every time I look at a familiar passage of scripture one more time. For this Sunday, I was struck once more by the doubt of the disciples at the resurrection, and the fact that it was after Jesus was crucified when all their deepest hopes had been shattered that they came to embrace his message, mission, and life.

I struggle with practicing resurrection because in times of trial—times when things have gone wrong and I can’t see how they will be righted—I don’t want to be a fool or a Pollyanna. This means that I am surprised, over and over, when there is resurrection in my life and the life of others: when unexpected new life grows from ruins that have destroyed previous hope. This doesn’t mean that sadness and grief don’t continue; they often will. But they will change.

I wanted to share the entirety of the poem I quoted from on Sunday. It is by Wendell Berry (I gave a mistaken attribution to WS Merwin, a poet also worth looking up), because it has such a comprehensive and striking list of suggestions for practicing resurrection. I’ve taken the liberty to highlight some of my favorite passages about practicing resurrection. Enjoy—and let me know other ideas you have for this holy practice.

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front
by Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something
that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.

Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion — put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie easy in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn’t go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

“Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” from The Country of Marriage, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1973. Accessed 18 April, 2022 from https://bookpeopleblog.com/2011/04/05/poem-of-the-day-manifesto-the-mad-farmer-liberation-front/.

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Oldstone-Moore, Rector

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING SINGING, MASKING, AND SEATING

As we gather in person for Sunday worship, please remember we still need to be protective of each other as the Omicron Subvariant of the Covid virus continues to spread. Even those who are vaccinated may become infected and transmit the virus. To protect our communities until this subsides, we suggest that you wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. We also ask that you maintain social distancing. We now encourage you to sing, but with your masks on. The choir will continue to wear their masks. Many thanks to everyone for your patience.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THE PRAYER LIST

We need your help! The parish office will be keeping a record of when names are requested for prayer. Names added to the Prayers of the People will be kept on that list for a month and then moved to an on-going prayer list for three months, a list for the congregation’s daily devotions and prayers. You may request that a name be returned to the Prayers of the People list by contacting the parish administrator, Renee Hood.

A NOTE OF SPECIAL THANKS

There are so many people who made our Passiontide services so beautiful and so inspiring, and I am deeply appreciative to all for the warm welcome and orientation that I have received.

I want to give a special note of thanks for Sue and Dave Murray, who have been assisting and welcoming me for many months now, and who, from what I understand, have been instrumental in keeping St. Andrew’s going for these two plus years of both COVID and not having a priest. I can’t list all the things that have been done over these years, but can say that there have been many ways, big and small, that they have paved my way, including help unloading a truck that has helped furnish my “studio apartment” (just the bare necessities in that great big house—the big and final move will be in May), feeding me at various moments, and providing guidance, history and background, and camaraderie.

As your Senior Warden, Sue has had the lion’s share of administrative and practical tasks over these two years. She was essential in helping with Passiontide planning and implementation. In addition, I can see from the vibrancy of St. Andrew’s, even after all the challenges you’ve faced, that we are ready for strong start together.

The church is the body of Christ, and so many of you have been a part of sustaining life and energy here—and I do thank you all. But I hope you will join me in extending a special thank you to Dave and to Sue for their work over these two challenging years.

Yours in gratitude,

Jen+

OPPORTUNITES ABOUND
Memorial Garden Workers: We are in need of interested persons to form a small group that would be responsible for caring for the garden. Please let Renee know if you are interested.

Newsletter Feature Article Writers: We would like to open this up to parishioners who would like to occasionally write a short article for our on-line newsletter which publishes weekly on Wednesday mornings. Previously this task had been done by the Rector, Wardens, and a few others. We’d like to have parishioners share their voices, poems, etc. If interested, please contact Renee.

Coffee Hour Hosts: If you would like to host the Sunday Coffee Hour following the Sunday service, please sign up on the sheet by the Coffee Maker this Sunday. We are hoping to keep this very simple with just coffee, cookies/donuts, or something similar. The Vestry will be hosting the 1st month! Our current COVID protocol during coffee hour is to wear masks when moving about the room, and to remove them while sitting at tables.

Sunday In-Person Morning Worship Service, April 24 led by The Rev. Jen Oldstone-Moore

You can connect to the service via Zoom. Click on this link to connect. If you have not used Zoom before, you will be prompted to download Zoom, go ahead and do that. When you enter the meeting you should be able to see and hear others and others can see and hear you. If you come in a little late, please listen for a moment before speaking. In order to see everyone, go to Gallery view (upper right on PCs and upper left for Macintosh). When we get started everyone except the speaker will be muted. If you are reading or playing music, please be sure to unmute yourself.

If you are connecting via telephone dial 301-715-8592 and when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 858 0497 0006 and press #, then enter the password: pray and press # again. NOTE: This is a new ID number as of April 4, 2022 so be sure to enter the new information!

Click here for the service booklet for April 24

Your prayers are asked for: