Jesus’ encounter with the Gerasene demoniac is rich in interest, but also in pathos. What is it to be so controlled by other forces, whatever we name them, that you cannot control your behavior even to the point of harming yourself and being removed from community?

The man was possessed by Legion. A Roman legion was 4000-6000 soldiers, so the passage suggests that this poor man was possessed by thousands of hostile and destructive demons. But the questions asked and the answers given also bring up the identity. Where is the “I” that I reference, the “Jennifer”? We tend to think that we are what we think—that we are our cognitive, thinking minds—but we are more than that and different from that. Everyone one of us has experience of deciding to do something—exercise every day, finishing a chore before watching a favorite show (these are mild examples)—and then doing exactly the opposite of what our minds tell us are wrong. We are not our minds. It is all very confusing: we speak of people with mental illnesses and dementia as having “lost their minds” but also say that they are “not themselves” which are really two distinct functions, the “self” including but not limited to the mind.

These can be academic questions, but they are painfully real life as well, and have been since recorded history. I don’t think that we need to make a final decision about whether “demons” means the same thing as “mental illness” in order to learn from Jesus’ healing of the Gerasene demoniac. What we realize in this encounter is our own helplessness and need for healing. And we realize that the painful change and adjustment which is for the good is requires more than just individual will, whatever we may call that power. And as I said on Sunday, we can all appreciate the need for healing of the man possessed, but we also need to be aware of the need for healing, and the reluctance to be healed of those who were “normal” but who begged Jesus to go away when they realized that the man with the demons was now “in his right mind.”

I think you will enjoy this reflection by Nadia Boltz-Weber about her demon which she named “Francis.” She has wonderfully insightful, piercing, and honest reflections about things religious—and despite her irreverence and bad language, she is orthodox in her theology. (If you want to read more, you can check her blog; I also have two of her books, each chapter an essay like this one.)

Wishing you peace of heart, mind and body,

Jen+

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/nadiabolzweber/2013/06/demon-possession-and-why-i-named-my-depression-francis/

I would like to discuss our returning to communion by wine via the common cup.

Background: The Diocese of Indianapolis has stated that we may return to full communion (both bread and wine), but that receiving the wine can be by common cup only. Several parishioners have had questions about this. Here’s what I’d like you to know at this point.

• The Vestry voted and approved our new COVID guidelines recommended by the Regathering Committee.
• We might use the words “full communion” to indicate that we are finally back to both bread and wine, but it has ALWAYS been true that taking either one is a complete communion. You do not need both to fully commune.
• The choice is yours, Eucharist by Eucharist. You can decide to let the cup pass because you have a cold; if you are worried about others you can pass; you can wait until we return to intinction. Just cross your arms over your chest—or just shake your head and quietly demur.

Yours in health, restoration, liturgical engagement, and literature review,

Rev. Jen

Rev. Jen has set her office drop-in day as Wednesday of each week from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. for anyone who would like to stop in and visit. NOTE: No Drop-In hours on June 29 and July 6. Rev. Jen will be out of the office June 23 – June 30 and also July 6 – July 7.

Sunday Morning In-Person Worship Service, June 26 led by The Rev. Charles Carpenter, 10:15 a.m.

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 June 26.

TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY AT 4:30 P.M. IN HAMILTON HALL

We will continue our Bible study on Tuesdays, reading and discussing the Gospel passage that is assigned for the following Sunday. The Gospel passage for Sunday, July 10 is Luke 10:25-37; it will be our text for the July 5 Bible study. You can always find the week’s Bible readings at lectionarypage.net/YearC_RCL. For the Season after Pentecost 2022, we are in Year C, and we will use Track One readings. Hope to see you there! NOTE: There will be no Bible study on Tuesday, June 28.

We have heard that the daily reflections and scripture readings provided during Lent were appreciated. The meditations are written by persons from Saint Andrew’s, Gobin UMC and Beech Grove UMC. They will be in the newsletter each week and go from Wednesday to Tuesday, except for Sunday. Whether you enjoy these every day or as the Spirit moves you, may this resource continue to bring you spiritual food for the journey. Blessings!

Click here to view the readings and accompanying links.

Your prayers are asked for: