"...AND HE IS THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS."
 
A great many Episcopalians have heard this phrase for much of our lives, without quite understanding precisely what it means.  As it is one of the "comfortable words" pronounced after the Absolution, we have probably deduced that it has something to do with Jesus' sacrifice on the one hand and the depth of our sin on the other.  Mr. Webster defines propitiate as "to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate:  tried to propitiate the angry gods".  In seminary we were told that perhaps the better or more precise word would be expiation which Webster's defines as "to atone for; make amends or reparation for:  to expiate a crime".

 The '79 Book of Common Prayer made an attempt to "unpack" this perhaps threatening word by stating that Jesus was the "perfect offering" for our sin...".  The phrase might be clearer than either of the two words above, but it is nevertheless misleading.  That is, to say that Jesus' life is the "perfect offering" for our sin does not really address the fact that His death atones for our sin, or that His death would appease or conciliate God the Father.  In other words, what we encounter here is the revisers' attempt to downplay the substitutionary doctrine of the Atonement which essentially states that Jesus' death was a substitution for our own would-be death penalty imposed by God for our sin.  The attempt to change the Church's understanding of this ancient doctrine is amplified in the same prayerbook's rendition of the Prayer of Thanksgiving, which is practically identical to its predecessors with the exception of having removed the phrase:  by the merits of His most precious death and passion.

 What ought we to think when we hear each week that in Heaven we have an advocate (attorney), Jesus Christ the Righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins?"  Consider oneself on trial for murder or any number of sins we've committed against God.  By right, we ought to be punished.  By right, each of us should be sentenced with the death penalty.  But God's justice is more powerful.  Rather than demanding that our "death sentence" be carried out, God becomes a human being in Jesus and lives the perfect life that we could not live -- as well as the perfect death.  Instead of our having to die for our sins, Jesus appears at our sentencing and as our advocate, asks the judge (God the Father) that He might die in our place -- which He does, indeed He has.  And it is this death which appeases God, and atones (makes us at one with God) for our sins.  Indeed Jesus Christ the Righteous is not only our advocate in Heaven, but quite rightly the "propitiation" for our sins -- a more than comforting thought.  FAB

THE POLITICS OF HAPPINESS

Arthur Brooks had an interesting op-ed piece last week in the Wall Street Journal with the above title.  The article recounted a number surveys that indicated that an individual's "happiness" was directly related to how conservative or how liberal one was.  "35% of people who said they are 'extremely liberal' also reported being 'very happy' with their lives -- versus 22% of people who were just 'liberal' and 28% of moderates.  At the same time, a whopping 48% of people who were 'extremely conservative' were very happy (compared with 43% of non-extreme conservatives)."

Perhaps the idea that the extremists are so set in their ways gives them a greater sense of purpose or vocation than those not so clearly set in their beliefs.  On the other hand, what the survey might possibly be implying is that an extreme liberal or extreme conservative could be so set in his own opinions to the point that he/she would ignore people or issues more moderate than they.  Perhaps their extremist opinions preclude their dealing with people more complex than they.  Not grappling with those other issues could prevent the inherent frustration which would undoubtedly come from having to compromise with those whom they disagree, logically making the extremist "happier."

While Mr. Brook's article had the political scene as its subject, his argument applies just as strongly to the Church.  No matter the divisiveness or seriousness of an issue, it continues to be a scandal that both extremes (liberal and conservative) in the Church include those who are so convinced that they are "the saved" and that those who might disagree in the slightest with their ideas are all but damned.  Far worse, those extremists seem quite happy about their opponents being damned. 

An interesting observation on this survey was made a few days later in the "Letter to the Editor" section:  "Radicals (conservative and liberal alike) who refuse to accept any ideas beyond their own narrow viewpoints, but who are nonetheless happy in these narrow viewpoints, simply prove the adage that ignorance is bliss."

The point for each of us is nevertheless quite clear:  "How much of our happiness as individuals comes at the expense of innocent others?"  Hopefully what each of us considers "happiness" is in fact "blessedness", blessedness being not having what we want, but wanting what we have.  FAB

WHAT IS THE CHURCH?

As we begin our observance of the Pentecost / Trinity season, with Pentecost being the "birthday of the Church", Fr. Ralston's (William was rector of St. John’s, Savannah from 1974-2000) words about the Body of Christ seem more than appropriate.  No one has described Her any better.  FAB

The church exists to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven.  She is the gate of Heaven.  Everything else depends on that one thing.  It governs how we think about the church.  It governs how we speak of our Lord, how we speak his Word and administer his Sacraments.  It rules our imagination of God. 

What is the value of the church?  What can the church do which nothing else can?  What do you hear from the church and receive from the church that will come to you only from her and nowhere else? 

What other thing in this world other than the church in her true self, will tell you that you are not the prisoner of time and circumstance; that you are not an object of any kind for anybody -- not a political object; not a social object; not a sexual object; not a medical object; not something material and physical to be used and abused; not a congery of water and chemicals? 

Where else will you be told that you are a creature who has been made a child of God and an inheritor of his everlasting Kingdom?  This is what you really are.  And, the church exists on this earth and in this world to remind you of it, to assure you of it; to make it real for you.  Everything else she does -- all her comforts and ministries and graces -- all depend on one thing.  And that one thing gives the church her unconditional value.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

Please note that the office will close at noon on Friday during the summer months.            

David Grooms
Senior Warden

BEETHOVEN AT HIS BEST

 It’s been at least a few months since I've recommended any CD's so here goes.  Beethoven's thirty two piano sonatas have never been, nor will they ever be equaled in terms of beauty, passion, and intensity, and the undisputed master of these great works is the German pianist Artur Schnabel, who recorded his famous cycle between 1932 and 1935.  The problem with buying a complete cycle until now has been the cost -- generally well over $100.00 for a package which usually contains at least 10 CD's, that is until now.

 Surfing recently on Amazon's website I encountered a set of Schnabel's Beethoven cycle for $16.99.  There are no notes included with the set, but those can be found easily enough elsewhere.  What one cannot easily find is playing at this level.  The speed, not to mention the darkness he finds in the Moonlight, or Tempest, or Appassionata sonatas is simply hair-raising.  He might miss a note here and there but nevertheless plays as if he is possessed.  The sound obviously is not what one would hear from a more recent set, but for $16.99 it cannot be beaten.  Believe me, the music is all there.

 If anyone has ever wanted to investigate this great music but has been prevented by the price, here is the opportunity.  And if searching for a more modern and up-to-date sound, Claudio Arrau's set on the Philips label from the mid sixties is all one could hope for.  FAB

CONGRATULATIONS!

To Rachel Grooms graduating from Presbyterian College, and to William Crozer graduating from the University of Virginia.

ECW BOOK CLUB

 The first official meeting of this new group will be Wednesday June 13 at 11:50 AM in the Parish Hall.  Lee Mitchell will lead the discussion on Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist.  Lunch will be served -- and the ECW wants everyone to feel comfortable about coming -- even if you haven’t read the book or don’t want to read the book.  Please contact the chair person for that month with any questions and to allow us to get a count for lunch.

 The ECW Book Club schedule follows:

   June 13 The Alchemist    (Lee Mitchell)
   July   No book club meeting
   August 15 Handling Sin   (Fr. Buechner)
   September 12  The Faith Club  (Nancy McCollum)
   October 10 Eat, Pray and Love (Debbie Beeson)
   November 14 Love in the Time of Cholera (Henri Walter)
   December   No book club meeting

 Other books on the agenda include Les Miserables (an abbreviated version!) and Anna Karenina.  Please join us.

Lee Mitchell and Lee Chubb

WILL McQUEEN

Will, Robyn, William (age 4) and Sara Cathryn (age two months) will be moving into their home here in Thomasville June 19-20.  After several years of discussion within the Vestry and congregation, All Saints has issued a call to Will to be our Deacon in Training (one must be a deacon for at least six months before being ordained to the priesthood), and eventually when a priest our priest associate.

The Vestry and I will be mailing more information about Will and his family, but at this point we simply want to congratulate him on his graduation from the School of Theology at the University of the South, and to announce his ordination to the diaconate at St. Mark's, Brunswick on Friday June 8 at 7:00 PM.  He will begin his duties with us officially on Sunday July 1.  We would hope that as many as possible could make the journey to Brunswick for this very important step in the life of a priest to be.  God willing, Will will (that sequence of "wills" not planned) be ordained to the priesthood at All Saints some time in early December.  FAB

USHERS FOR JUNE

June 3      
Bill Ladson     
Bernie Lanigan     

June 10
Denny Lewin
Robert Lynde

June 17     
Paul McCollum     
Buck Mitchell     

June 24
Rick Nudd
Charles Olson

TRANSITIONS:

Happy Birthday in June to:

Russell Therrien    6-1-88
Branden Therrien   6-5-92
Carmen Ellis    6-9-87
Christopher Sanford   6-12-88
Anna Kelly    6-18-97
DJ Grooms    6-27-90
Olivia Kavouklis   6-27-92
Eliza Parvey    6-30-00

Happy Birthday in July to:

Lois E. Mason    7-1-88
Mary Catherine Lanigan  7-7-85
Emma Hutton Daniel   7-7-05
Michael Mirocha   7-21-91
Madeline Claire Bruhn   7-22-98
Stanford Hancock   7-30-96
Henry Simmons Ladson   7-30-02

Requiescat in Pace:

Doris K. Singletary departed this life May 14, 2007.

Mary Neel Anderson departed this life May 25, 2007.

May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through
the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.


Deo Gratias

Mr. and Mrs. Amos McMullian announce the safe delivery of a grandson,
John Treadwell Josey, Jr. (Jack) to Mr. and Mrs. John Treadwell Josey

Mr. and Mrs. Buck Mitchell announce the safe delivery of a grandson,
John Brigham Daniel to Mr. and Mrs. John Daniel.


Marriages

Samuel Gregory Hudson and Bowen Baxley Singletary
were united in Holy Matrimony on April 7, 2007.

Ygnacio Tudor Toulon, V and Susan Traylor McNeill
were united in Holy Matrimony on May 5, 2007.

Christopher Ronald Collins and Leslie Randolph Wortman
were united in Holy Matrimony on May 12, 2007.


Transfer

Please welcome Lisa, Clayton, John and Caroline Penhallegon
from St. Peter and St. Paul, Marietta, Georgia.