Padre's Post-Being The Beloved Community

"See how good and pleasant it is for the brothers and sisters to dwell together."

As I have experienced the three congregations come together to share two services in August, there is a palpable sense of joy and affection that fills the church. Being a member of St. Andrew has made us family. People, who were separated by three different worship hours, now find themselves sharing a pew, receiving the sacrament side by side at the communion rail, exchanging an exuberant sign of peace with one another. There is a deep sense of belonging and love in our church.

The summer season is coming to a close. Come and be present with your church family as we continue our journey to becoming God's Beloved Community.

Fr. Richard

Wisdom

Father Richard's sermon for August 19, 2018

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A Be-Loving Community II

Father Richard's sermon for August 12, 2018

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Padre's Post-The Beloved Community III

At our home, Annie insists upon an arbor that frames the entrance into the front garden. She said, “I like the feeling of passing through the arbor from one world of reality into the world of home”. She is greeted by the smells, sights, bees and butterflies that fill the garden that is our front yard, and feels she is no longer in Kokomo, but the mystical realm of home.

This is the vision intended for the community of the church. When one crosses the thresholds between one world and the beloved community, we are greeted with the seen and unseen ways and ethos of love, of peace, of grace, and of forgiveness. What a beautiful gift to give to the world. What an amazing privilege to be part of such a community of humanity and divinity, of flesh and of spirit, of beauty and grace, of belonging and of sharing of one’s life for the help and sake of others. This is the church. This is who we are, this is who we can be, this is what we are intended to be..."

Join us this sunday as we continue our journey on being God's Beloved Community. Sunday Services 8am & 10am

Fr. Richard

Padre's Post-The Beloved Community II

What happens in life and community when love directs the way we hold ourselves and look at others? I think it sounds easier than it is.

Love is a conscious and challenging pursuit and it is the founding principle and ethic of relationships and behavior amidst the Church community: Love one another...respect one another...forgive one another...bear with one another...encourage one another... be patient with one another believe and hope for one another... be generous with one another... be slow to speak and quick to listen to one another. Prefer one another before yourself. Practice hospitality, welcome strangers to your table, provide for those who are in need with no means to meet their own needs. Care for the sick and suffering - Pray without ceasing - give without receiving - forgive without resentment - love without condition.

All these instructions and many more appear in the letters to the early churches all commanding that the communities of the church were to practice the ways of love.
My hunch is, the prolific mentions of loving behavior in the New Testament testifies to the un-loving ways persons in the churches were behaving toward one another. The ways of love do not simply or naturally happen - Love is a choice among many in the way we choose to treat ourselves and others.

Fr. Richard

Padre's Post-The Beloved Community I

I was happy to return to the altar at St. Andrew this past Sunday to continue our work together as a Beloved Community in the heart of Kokomo. I initiated a four week reflection titled "A Be-Loving Community." Inspired by the words we read from the letter to the Church in Ephesus, "...lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

What does it mean to live a life of love? To endeavor to cultivate a community committed to loving one another, and loving our neighbors as ourselves? It means we choose to respect and listen to the other, embrace ad honor one another, forgive and uphold one another, pray for and cherish one another.

Being in church is being in community. At St. Andrew, for many, it is a family. I have returned from a restful time away to renew and pursue the bonds of affection and appreciation we are called to embody as the divine community, the church.

Fr. Richard

A Be-Loving Community I

Father Richard's sermon for August 5, 2018

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Padre's Post-Being A Beloved Community

The parish of St. Andrew has been part of the city of Kokomo since 1885. We have been the only representation of the Episcopal Tradition throughout our 133 year history. The Episcopal tradition and ethos is a unique stream within American Christian history, offering the ancient rites of the sacramental tradition while being a prophetic voice for cultural change when our society and world enables and promotes economic, ethnic, cultural, religious, and gender discrimination. The Episcopal tradition is unique in its retention of the catholic faith even while engaging the world in the midst of cultural evolution.

The Parish of St. Andrew accepts and embraces its identity as The Episcopal Church in Kokomo, offering the spirituality of the catholic tradition and the relevant voice and practice of faith, hope, and love in our city and world, today. We are a parish In The Heart of Kokomo, with a Heart for Kokomo, committed to serving and living on behalf of the city, while being an oasis and beacon of God's compassion, embrace, and wellness to all who seek the ways of faith, hope, and love in our world, today.

Fr. Richard