Over the last month or so there has been a lot of conversation around our liturgy and some of the choices that have been made as we seek to find meaningful ways of expressing our worship.  The language that we use, influences how we perceive and experience God in our lives, and while we have inherited a rich liturgical tradition, the Church has always been seeking more expressive ways of interacting with the Holy.  We can see this through the various versions of the Book of Common Prayer that have evolved over time and across space. Perhaps one of the most beautiful examples of this is the New Zealand Prayer Book.  (Check out the Wikipedia page for the Book of Common Prayer for a discussion of Prayer Book Revision over the course of time.)  Our General Convention, which is the decision making body of The Episcopal Church, has authorized a number of supplements to our current Book of Common Prayer, some of which are expressed in the five volumes of Enriching Our Worship.  A similar journey is taking place with our musical tradition, with the publication of supplemental Episcopal Hymnals and resources such as Lift Every Voice and Sing, II and Enriching Our Music.  
 
So, why is it important that we use these resources, you may ask.  First, just as is happening throughout our nation, The Episcopal Church is rapidly becoming more multi-cultural and these resources help us to experience God through expansive and inclusive language.  There is movement happening in the Church toward Prayer Book revision, and we need to be familiar with these supplemental resources because, if history holds true, many of them will likely appear in our next Prayer Book.  

I understand that change can be challenging, particularly when we are asked to consider new language for something that is as meaningful and personal as our prayers.  But the Church has never been static, and as our understanding and experience of God continues to change us as individuals, it only stands to reason that the Church shifts too.  So, as we continue to draw on our wealth of historical and new liturgical resources, I am forming a Worship & Liturgy Committee to help guide our practices here at St. John’s.  Over the next few weeks I will be inviting individuals to be a part of this work and will announce the members of the Worship & Liturgy Committee soon. This will be a Standing Committee reporting to the Vestry.  If you have any questions or input as we move forward in this direction, please feel free to reach out to me, and, please keep our Church and this new Committee in your prayers.  

As I reflect on the Gospel lesson for this Sunday, I wonder, “Am I a Mary, or am I a Martha?”  I hope that I am a little bit of both, because both exemplify good and healthy faith.  Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him, learning from him, and worshipping him, reminds us that we need those times of contemplation, of worship, of basking in the presence of God.  These times of quiet reflection reenergize us and are necessary for a healthy and mature faith.  But remember what James says in his epistle, that faith without works is a dead faith. We build relationship with God in these times of quiet so that we can be challenged to put our faith into action. Martha, the dutiful sister, the one preparing the meal, feeding the people, cleaning the house, doing all the work that is necessary in a healthy ministry, reminds us that our faith requires action.  Our mission, here at St. John’s, is to form disciples, to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus.  In Mary we see a disciple being formed, building relationship with God through Jesus. In Martha we see a disciple who is being the hands, feet and heart of Jesus, as she feeds those who are hungry and loving them with radical hospitality.  We will soon be marking our first year here at St. John’s.  As we continue living into this collaborative ministry together, I challenge each of us to consider how St. John’s is forming us to be disciples of Jesus in this trying world.  But don’t stop there.  How is our faith being put into action?  How are we being the hands, feet and heart of Jesus to those around us?