The Uncanny and Coincidental Holy Spirit

Christ Episcopal Church, Montpelier, VT

There is a palpable Spirit stirring at Christ Church in Montpelier.  Did I say stirring? No, more accurately the Spirit is bouncing off the walls like an excitable child full of Halloween candy anticipating Christmas and a trip to the fair  and fireworks all in one day!  Most of the time, we recognize the stirring of the Spirit in predictable patterns.  But these days at Christ Church, the way the Spirit has been moving makes the faithful grin and the faithless seriously consider conversion.  As my father often states, “If I didn’t believe in coincidence so much, I’d be inclined to think it’s the divine hand of Almighty God at work here.” It is almost spooky sometimes the ways circumstances line up to create little bits of miracles for this faithful community. Let me tell you a story of one such little miracle.

images from the Reuse Fair; all the artwork is recycled/reused material

One day not too long ago, there was a young man who was full of goodness and compassion whose hope was being sorely tested. This young man had been searching for a place where he and his people at PlantingHope could hold a Reuse Fair which would celebrate and educate about sustainable communities. But, alas, no one in the city was willing to allow them the space, for they were afraid. They were sure that showcasing garbage could not possibly be artistic and would only engender derision from the townsfolk. So when the young man came to Christ Church, he was sure he’d hear “no” once again, yet he bravely pressed on and made his pitch one more time.  But the young man did not hear “no!”  Instead, he and Planting Hope were warmly invited to partner with Christ Church and together they put on a festive and artistic fair. One that included an exhibition of art created entirely from reused and recycled materials, a lineup of live musical entertainment, and a showcase of vendors who embrace a sustainable way of life.

members of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus rehearse at
Christ Church in Montpelier

Meanwhile, several months earlier, the chorus for the state orchestra had been invited to perform in the annual Sing for Peace concert that would take place in that august city.  However, the poor chorus had no place to rehearse. The chorus coordinator, like the young man from Planting Hope, called several places only to be turned away because they could not pay the rental fee.  Finally, the chorus coordinator, who also happens to be an Episcopalian, called Christ Church to see if they would be willing to donate rehearsal space. Of course they said yes because the people of Christ Church want to encourage community partnerships and the use of their space. And, they are basically kind and generous people. Arrangements were made for the chorus to rehearse at Christ Church on the same day that Planting Hope would have their Reuse Fair.

Now, so far, these two events don’t appear to have much in common beyond the generosity of Christ Church.  But the impish Holy Spirit smiled and played. “Wouldn’t it be fun,” surmised the Spirit, “if we were to make a connection here?” And so it came to pass that the young man’s organization, Planting Hope, was named the beneficiary of the donations raised at the Sing for Peace concert—that same concert which was held the day after the Reuse Fair and at which the chorus would perform.  Still, who would ever have known such a connection existed, but for the chorus coordinator? That chorus coordinator just happens to be the writer of this story and only learned of this connection upon visiting Christ Church for her “diocese pilgrimage” blog. How serendipitous that she scheduled her visit to Christ Church only days before the Reuse Fair and the Sing for Peace concert!  Even still, had she not been keenly interested in the message of the Reuse Fair because she is part of the Diocesan Earth Stewards Committee, she may never have asked the question, “What’s this Reuse Fair all about?”

images at Christ Church

This story is typical of the kind of stirrings that have been happening at Christ Church. When their Priest in Partnership, Rev. Paul Habersang, joined the ministry at Christ Church two years ago, the search team had been all set to call a rector.  But at the last minute, they decided to go in the Priest in Partnership direction because they realized what they really wanted was a partnership. They wanted a partnership with a priest who believed, as the congregation did, that Christ Church was so ready for the kind of intentional creativity that arises from a relationship of equal partners with individual gifts.  And the Spirit made it so.  Because of this partnership, the congregation can address issues from a fresh perspective and revived faith—one that sees them becoming a more visible part of their community.  For instance, it was agreed that something needed to be done about children’s Christian education, and adult education also needed attention.  At the same time, Auburn Watersong, who has a gift as a youth formation leader, was ordained as a priest. The Spirit moved in the coinciding of Christ Church’s need and Rev. Watersong’s available gifts. Her talents attracted the attention of the congregation, and it wasn’t long before she too became a part of the partnership at Christ Church. Even though her employment is rather minimal, she adds another invaluable priestly presence in worship and Spiritual growth at Christ Church. With her partnership, the children’s and adult’s separate formation ministries evolved into a unified Christian Formation ministry that focuses on developing character-shaping events in which all ages may participate and benefit from one another.  A bread-making session designed to provide loaves of bread for the local food shelf offers an opportunity for children and grown-ups to work together to make the bread while learning about the Spiritual metaphor of the bread of life.

renovation project at Christ Church, Montpelier

As the congregation grows in this climate of Spiritual Partnership, the condition of the space in which they worship became a paramount issue. They agreed that if they were to become more visible and more integral in the community of downtown Montpelier, that view really needed to become more appealing. The City of Montpelier made the decision to reduce its carbon footprint by converting the heat plant for the government buildings on State Street to a wood chip fuel burner (as opposed to oil). All the other businesses on State as well as Christ Church were invited to become a part of this process. At first, Christ Church had to decline because the cost was just going to be too exorbitant. But with an anonymous gift of $40,000 and additional grant funding, participation became not only possible, but a moral and Spiritual responsibility.  So the Spirit moves. This new partnership energized the parish to look into other building matters, like revitalizing the courtyard, fixing the roof on the church and renovating the bell tower. These massive undertakings present huge financial burdens that collectively prove to be overwhelming. But before debilitating discouragement could set in, the Holy Spirit stirred. A business neighbor found the overhanging trees bordering the courtyard at Christ Church were become hazardous to their patrons.  So they offered to cut down those trees and replace them with new healthier and safer trees.  And to compensate for the loss of the shade trees, they would provide attractive pergolas.  This led to a renaissance of the courtyard that at the completion of its rebirth will see the walkway leveled and the flagstone pavers re-laid. Today, even with the walkway in disrepair, the courtyard attracts people from town to sit and relax for a time under the protective wing of the lovely church.  It made for an ideal venue for Planting Hope’s Reuse Fair.

Symbolic of the transformation that has been happening at Christ Church in Montpelier is the great window in the sanctuary of the church. The stained glass window had been “protected” from the elements with a plexiglass covering that over time had blackened with dirt, soot and age.  It had darkened so much that no light shone through the beautiful colors of the stained glass and you could not see the image.  And the church grew heavy and somber with darkness.  As physical darkness overtook the church, so did Spiritual darkness overtake the people as complacency and indifference settled upon them (albeit, in spite of a general resistant to that encroaching darkness).  One day, a piece of the darkened plexiglass broke way up at the top, where the image of the Holy Spirit as a dove shone through, the only light to offer a beacon of hope.  It was enough light and enough hope to stir the people into action.  The funds were raised to remove the plexiglass and restore the beautiful stained glass to once again give glorious light to banish the darkness. As light returned to the sanctuary, so too did the people return to the Light.  And at Christ Church, the Spirit soars!

note the dove at the very top

A Time for Breaking Down and a Time for Building Up

Ecclesiastes 3, in one of its most familiar passages teaches us that there is a time for every action, and everything that happens comes in its own time. The passage illustrates the cycle of life, to which no part of our lives is immune.  The life of a church also lives according to this cycle of ups and downs, of activity and rest.  It’s interesting to witness the juxtaposition of two churches in what appears to be opposite ends of the swing.  St. Mary’s in Northfield is experiencing a trending period of rest, a time marked by a contemplative period that might lead to either renewal of life and purpose or to a timely and well-earned death.  While just over the ridge in Barre, the Church of the Good Shepherd by all indications has embarked upon an upward trend of socially conscious activity.

St. Mary Church, Northfield, VT

inside St. Mary Church

The building where the congregation of St. Mary worships is actually older than the congregation itself, having been built as a Unitarian meeting house in 1843.  The Episcopal congregation was founded in 1851 and they purchased and moved the church to its current location just a year later. Even though Norwich University did not move to Northfield until 1866, the congregation has connections intricately entwined with the school.  Many of the university’s leaders and professors have been members of St. Mary’s Church. Over the years, much of the congregation’s activities and community outreach have been motivated by Norwich University as the school is such a visible and integral part of the community. The two organizations have always enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship.  Off and on throughout the years, St. Mary has offered a “Rooks Breakfast” for the incoming freshmen at the University.  And in return, veterans of the school became actively involved with the operations of the church. Norwich University has always prided itself on being a vanguard in American education.  Taking inspiration from that legacy, in the early 1980s, St. Mary’s opened a preschool that had served the community for thirty years. But as all things change, the preschool was closed in 2008.  That, combined with the change of priestly presence and the typical declining trend of members, has served to send the congregation into a period of rest and prayerful introspection.

St. Mary's parish hall

These days, the congregation of St. Mary Church is comprised of mostly older professionals.  They are small in number of a Sunday, but consider themselves a close-knit family. During this quiet time of rest and reflection, they continue to live the baptismal covenant through their various outreach endeavors. Northfield’s Community Emergency Relief Volunteers (CERV) benefits from the congregation’s generosity of both time and materials.  Once a month, members take their turn volunteering at the food shelf, and regularly a collection of food and clothing is taken to the community shelter. Periodically, St. Mary participates in community “progressive dinner” fundraisers in support of other outreach projects like CROP Walk for Hunger. (A “progressive dinner” is one where several organizations participate by hosting one course of a meal.  During their course, they share whatever information they deem important to the diners.  The diners then move on to the next organization and course.  At the end, everyone meets in one location for networking, fellowship and entertainment.)  Yet, while the mission of outreach is still important to the parish, this is one of those periods of time they must take to consider what their new mission will be.  Right now, the greatest mission is to serve Christ in worship and prayer.

Church of the Good Shepherd, Barre, VT

As one church family experiences a slowing pace, another’s tempo is on the rise.  Just up the road, a mere twelve miles away is the Church of the Good Shepherd in Barre. As St. Mary reflects the academic and professional demographic of the community in Northfield, Good Shepherd is reflective of the granite and labor industry in Barre.  The building is constructed of sturdy Vermont granite quarried right there in the Barre area.  Even the baptismal font and the altar top are made from finely carved and polished local granite. One can see similarities in the characters of the people in the Barre community and the stone they quarry: strong, sure and solid, gritty and resolute. But people are not stone, and there is also compassion and determination to do what is right and good in the sight of God and their neighbors.

images at Church of the Good Shepherd

About a year ago, the Church of the Good Shepherd celebrated a new season of ministry with their new rector.  But the new season of ministry for this parish was about so much more than the happy arrival of the Rev. Earl Koopercamp and his family.  The congregation at Good Shepherd’s “new season of ministry” is also about their own dynamic upswing.  They celebrate young people who bring energy and direction to the parish mission. They celebrate renewed activity and awareness of their place in the community.  They celebrate the gifts they have to offer in the areas of social justice and local outreach.  They celebrate the diversity of their own community and those communities to which they belong.  Would that we all could learn from this congregation’s example!

where the mission begins at Good Shepherd

Good Shepherd has become more intimately involved with a number of social justice issues in their local area, including organized labor (especially with the quarry workers) and their focus on increased worker safety measures. There is also an active concern about the consequences of the changes in our healthcare system and the effects of Vermont’s upcoming universal healthcare program and its implications for healthcare accessibility by the real masses of middle class. Good Shepherd is already involved with the community planning group that seeks to address potential problems before they become social issues. Coping with issues such as local poverty, homelessness, hunger, criminal justice, employment opportunities can easily become wrapped up in administrative bureaucracy, so it is vital for faith communities to participate so that God’s work can be done—that those in need still warrant the respect of their dignity, and that the faithful baptized serve according to their baptismal covenant.  This is the driving motivation for Good Shepherd’s community involvement.  One of the growing hopes of endeavor for the parish includes developing a prison/criminal justice ministry. Ideas are kicking around for ways to safely and compassionately reach out those incarcerated and returning to the community.  As part of their community involvement, the Church of the Good Shepherd has a strong ecumenical connection with other area churches and faiths.  The often participates in activities with the Unitarian church (which shares a parking area with Good Shepherd), the congregational church, the evangelical church and the Presbyterian Church, to name a few.  There is a sense at Good Shepherd, that when you become an active part of your community, reaching out takes on a whole new meaning.  That is, when you have a relationship with your neighbor, you don’t have to extend very far to reach out to them; so when you do extend in your outreach, you connect with a wider and broader world. The people of Good Shepherd, led by their enthusiastic and capable rector, are encouraged to speak out and reach as diverse a population as possible.

As vast as the realm of God may be, in our little corner of it as the Diocese of Vermont, we are blessed with the fullness of the glory of the Spirit.  It is seen as simply as in the contrasting circumstances of neighboring parishes.  Yet both situations—either of seeming diminishment or apparent enrichment—demonstrate the fullness of God’s grace.  “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).”

The Islander Church

The Borders Regional Ministry
top left: St. Thomas, Noyan; top right: St. George, Clarenceville
bottom: St. Luke, Alburgh

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Alburgh, VT boasts one of the most uniquely quirky characters of all the parishes in our diocese. It is part of The Borders Regional Ministry in cooperation with St. Thomas’ Anglican Church in Noyan, and St. George’s Church in Clarenceville, both in the Province of Quebec.  It is also part of the islands community of Lake Champlain, which offers its own inimitable sense of identity. Being interwoven in the fabric of these two dynamic cultures provides St. Luke’s Church with charm and allure that is a special gift to this diocese.

part of the Chazy Reef on Isle La Motte

In the middle of Lake Champlain lies an emerald green archipelago that until fairly recently in its history could only be reached by boat. These are geologically ancient islands. The Chazy Reef on Isle La Motte, part of rock formation stretching from Newfoundland to Tennessee, is recognized as the world’s oldest reef, exposing underwater fossils some 480 million years old. The sense of timelessness in the Champlain Islands is substantiated by its human history of the last three or four hundred years. Prior to Samuel de Champlain’s introduction of the first Europeans in 1609, the islands provided for the summer villages of Abenaki, Huron and other local tribes.  The lake allowed for year-round living, but archaeological evidence indicates that it was rare for a village to stay year-round on the islands—probably due to the lack of hunting game which was so much more prevalent on either shore of the lake. Once the French arrived with the Champlain exploration, very little time passed before Europeans built fortifications and permanent residences on the islands. Some of the founding families still make up the core of the community. 

Lake Champlain

The islands played key roles during both the Revolutionary War and War of 1812, serving as both battleground and hospital. Yet, during both these wars, the islanders themselves tended to keep their distance and watch from afar.  Like gems embedded in the hilt of a silver dagger, several large islands make up the Champlain Island Community: Isle La Motte, North Hero, South Hero, Grand Isle, Crab and Valcour Islands, and the Alburgh Peninsula.  While the peninsula is not an island, it extends into the heart of the island community and maintains that “islander” characteristic. The particular “islander” characteristic in question is defined by its people’s tenacious independence predicated upon their relative isolation. In spite of the bridges and causeways that now connect the islands with a scenic drive, the ideal of being accessible only by water prevails.  This makes for a community of people who become either determinedly resourceful or resigned to doing without. This you can see reflected in the congregations of the Borders Regional Ministry as it exists today.

The current manifestation of the Borders Regional Ministry has its roots in earlier versions. In spite of what we learned about border ministries from St. Paul’s, Canaan several weeks ago, the concept of a share ministry between two countries is not immediately perceived as a logical one!  However, the history of this one includes a somewhat historically fluid border, and in the past, Alburgh was actually a part of Canada. Around the end of the 18^th century, the Richelieu Valley region and the upper part of Lake Champlain became a settling ground for British Loyalists, and the need for English language worship services grew. The communities were mostly farming and thus were widespread.  In 1815, congregations in Noyan and in Clarenceville combined their resources to pay for a minister with the stipulation that worship services alternate between the two communities.  To this day, worship is held on the first and third Sundays in Clarenceville and second and fourth Sundays in Noyan—thus the first bonds of mutual ministry were established. 

images from St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Alburgh, VT

Meanwhile, the congregation in Alburgh, just down the road a few miles, flickered in and out of existence several times before becoming an established presence in the early part of the 20^th century.  Bishop Hall consecrated St. Luke’s Church in 1907.  The church was sustained by itinerant clergy from Burlington who traveled by rail to provide services at St. Luke’s.  Even though Alburgh is accessible overland, its border with Canada cut the land off from the rest of Vermont so that it essentially became like the other Champlain Isles—accessible only by boat or train.  When the road was opened in 1933, St. Luke’s was then serviced by ministers from Swanton. Because of its proximity to St. George and St. Thomas, many of the St. Luke’s congregation already interacted and worship with those congregations, so the ties between the three congregations was already solidly established.  In the early years of the 21^st century, a group of lay leaders from the three congregations along with other congregations in Bedford began to work on developing a Borders Regional Ministry that would serve six congregations in both Quebec and Vermont. A celebration Eucharist was celebrated in 2006 with both Vermont’s bishop and the Bishop of Montreal presiding.  But the formation of the ministry was never stabilized and the congregation of Bedford and two others left the Borders Regional Ministry leaving the original three to maintain its ministry.  Today, the congregations support one another and have become settled into a routine of their mutual ministry.

Because of its history both as a church and as part of its community, it is virtually impossible to talk about St. Luke’s without mention of the islands or the other churches in the Borders Regional Ministry.  Those two elements make the deep, rich color of the character of St. Luke’s.  The Sunday I visited the church, the congregation consisted of long-time members of St. Luke’s plus others from both Clarenceville and Noyan.  The conversation during fellowship focused on pastoral care issues particular to the islands (a piece of property on Isle La Motte is being offered to St. Luke’s and ideas for how best to use it were shared; members of the congregation struggle with issues that make it hard to attend worship services; that kind of thing). And often at St. Luke’s fellowship takes the form of lunch at a nearby restaurant or at the Alburgh Golf Club. When you cross the bridge into Grand Isle County, and when you visit St. Luke’s Church in Alburgh, you become immediately immersed in the island character. It is special and uniquely Spiritual.

For the Least of His People

“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:40, NRSV)

St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Springfield, VT

About halfway through my journey of the Diocese of Vermont, I begin to recognize certain patterns emerging.  Our parishes are a lot like individual people and have individual characteristics.  Some are very cautious and act only after due consideration and prayer, while others are willing to take a blind leap of faith and risk taking a misstep.  Some employ careful interpretation of all Jesus’ teachings, using the full extent of Biblical content when determining their own ministries and actions in the world.  Others have the sense that the two Great Commandments are simple enough to interpret and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide them on their actions, trusting that if they live those commandments, then what they do is God’s work.  Most parishes fall somewhere in between those two extremes an rely on certain passages more than others as relevant to their mission.  Willard Jabusch’s song setting of Matthew 25:40 repeating again and again in my head.  For it struck me that this passage most describes the mission and actions of St. Mark’s Church.

As I visited St. Mark’s Church in Springfield, I heard the refrain from

“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” (Matthew 25:35)

images at St. Mark's, Springfield

My visit to St. Mark’s began in July when I called their Sr. Warden (for, like many others, the congregation is in transition and does not have a priest serving with them).  Boris von York not only encouraged me to come visit St. Mark’s at any time, he extended his and the parish’s welcome even further by making a visit to me!  I was a stranger whom he made welcome by visiting me.  I could not turn away from this invitation.  He told me of the congregation’s practice of holding a simple agape meal on the last Sunday of each month and encouraged me to visit in August if my schedule could arrange it.  My schedule did, but I rather rudely neglected to confirm my visit, so my arrival on August 25 was a bit of a surprise.  But I was made to feel my presence was a welcome and happy occasion.  Boris was to lead Morning Prayer at worship that morning, so he was occupied with other matters when I first arrived.  So his wife, Pearl, and several other congregants greeted me and welcomed me with warm sincerity. Again during the service, I was introduced by name as a welcome and special guest.  But even more welcoming than the words were the actions.  Everyone stayed after the service for the agape meal and made me feel even more important, for they listened to my story and shared with me theirs.  And the refrain sang on in my mind: “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”

“I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’” (Matthew 25:36)

As I pulled into the driveway at St. Mark’s on that Sunday morning, I noticed the tidy little church sat on a somewhat large bit of property with a large paved circular driveway.  Off to the side I read a large sign proclaiming “Dump Daze—Saturdays at St. Mark’s.”  There’s a little story behind Dump Daze.  St. Mark’s is a small congregation comprising a diverse group of people, yet none of whom are overly financially well off.  So there isn’t a great deal of resources there to provide for those in need.  But the desire to do so is there in great abundance!  Now, the church is located on a normally quiet street, however, on a Saturday, it turns into a busy thoroughfare as town-folk pass by on their way to the dump just up the road apiece.  It occurred to the congregation that the front lawn and parking lot on a busy Saturday would be a great place for a yard sale; it would get a lot of attention from the passersby. So Dump Daze was inspired.  People from the community are invited to set up their own yard sale table so long as they take everything away with them when they are done.  Dump Daze has all the makings of a community flea market, and thus provides the congregation with a way to fulfill their need to provide for those in need.

more images from St. Mark's Church

Like most churches, St. Mark’s has a Pastoral Care ministry.  They have members who make hospital visits and call on the home-bound.  But special to their church is their prison visit ministry.  Springfield is home to one of the state’s seven correctional facilities, and in keeping with the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, the good folks at St. Mark’s want to be sure that those incarcerated are not forgotten or neglected. Holy Eucharist and the Word are brought to the prison each week for anyone interested in partaking.  But what makes this ministry stand out even more is the offer of a kind of Bible Study in which inmates can pose their questions and doubts without fear of condemnation. They are encouraged to think about the scriptures and the message and consider how the presence of God appears in their own lives.  Within this ministry, St. Mark’s was able to reach several inmates who chose to become baptized into the body of Christ.  Yet, this is not a source of pride in a job well done.  Rather it is a commitment just begun with these souls.  For now the responsibility continues in the expectation of supporting the newly baptized inmates in their journey in faith. And you have to imagine their faith to be a bit rocky this early on!

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” (Matthew 25:37-39)

Is it more in keeping with the spirit of Jesus’ teaching to learn from his words and meditatively plan to fulfill his commandments?  Or is there more sincerity to be found in the spontaneous gestures of “random acts of kindness”?  I’m sure there is fodder for much debate in those questions.  But it seems to me that the congregation of St. Mark’s in Springfield acts in accordance with the stirrings of the Holy Spirit.   They may be deliberate in their ministries, but I experienced the truest sincerity in their actions.  The part of Jesus that resides in my heart smiles.