Dear Ones at Grace,

I think it is time for the Episcopal Church (TEC) to step out of its state of denial and recognize that we are a church in serious trouble. Membership numbers have been on the decline for many years, decades really, and there does not seem to be an end in sight. The problem is not the current turmoil over sexuality issues or the past turmoil over women’s ordination. They are only symptoms of the deeper problem. The issue at the heart of it all is really the authority of the Holy Scriptures and how that authority is understood and applied in doctrine and practice. While the Anglican Church is not a doctrinal church in the sense of having a confessional statement that new members must sign off on before they can be admitted, we do have some very clear doctrines via the Articles of Religion aka the 39 Articles (p. 867 in the Book of Common Prayer). They form the backbone of what Anglicans believe based primarily on the Scriptures followed by tradition and reason. But TEC is making reason the primary lens of interpretation (along with experience) and downplaying both scripture and tradition. A very recent example of this can be seen from our Presiding Bishop’s opening address at our recent General Convention in July. To understand the impact of her words however, let me give a little background by way of a theologian from another denomination.

Several years ago, Methodist theologian Thomas C. Oden announced a most unusual quest: "I am earnestly looking for some church milieu wherein the sober issue of heresy can at least be examined," he declared. He added, "I am looking, like Diogenes with his sputtering lamp, for a church or seminary in which some heresy at least conjecturally might exist."

As Oden acknowledged, his announced quest was deeply ironic, for in the world of mainline Protestantism heresy has become an almost absent category. With so many alternative theologies, revisionist doctrines, and radical conceptions of Christianity, heresy has become the norm, rather than the exception. As Oden explained:

"I have sought for some years to find a theological dialogue where a serious methodological discussion is taking place about how to draw some line between faith and unfaith, between orthodoxy and heresy. But almost everywhere that I have asked about the subject I have found that the very thought of inquiring about the possibility of heresy has itself become marked off as the prevailing arch heresy. The arch heresy is the one who hints that some distinction might be needed between truth and falsehood, right and wrong."

In other words, the only heresy recognized in much of liberal Protestantism is the heresy of believing in the possibility of heresy. This is not only a matter of observation - it is a declaration proudly made by many, who declare the categories of heresy and orthodoxy to be both out of date and out of style.

All this makes recent comments by Dr. Katherine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church (TEC), all the more interesting. In her opening address to the General Convention of TEC, meeting during July in Anaheim, California, the Presiding Bishop raised, of all things, the issue of heresy.

In the history of Christian theology, the word heresy has been most properly applied to what the church has recognized as false and unbiblical teachings concerning the doctrines most closely related to Christ and the Trinity. The word heresy should properly be reserved for teachings that directly reject what the Bible reveals and the Church has confessed concerning the person and work of Christ and the reality and integrity of the Trinity. There are any number of false teachings and erroneous doctrines, but the term heresy should be restricted to those most central to the Gospel itself.

The bishop raised no shortage of eyebrows when she ventured to use the word heresy - a word hardly common to recent Episcopal discourse. As Bishop Jefferts Schori offered her remarks, our church was entering its General Convention after suffering the defection of many churches and several dioceses. As she acknowledged in an understatement, our denomination is in crisis. In light of this crisis, she offered her diagnosis of the problem. Here is the paragraph that encapsulates Bishop Jefferts Schori's diagnosis:

"The crisis of this moment has several parts, and like Episcopalians, particularly the ones in Mississippi, they're all related. The overarching connection in all of these crises has to do with the great Western heresy - that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God. It's caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus. That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy, at the center of existence, as the ground of being. That heresy is one reason for the theme of this Convention."

There it is - that word so recently denied entry into any discussion. But note carefully that the Bishop identified as heresy what the church - throughout all the centuries and in every major tradition - has recognized as central to the Christian faith. The confession that "Jesus Christ is Lord" has been central to biblical Christianity from the New Testament onward. In every tradition, some individual profession of this "specific verbal formula" has been understood to be essential to Christian identity.

The irony of all this was not lost on many Episcopalians and other observers. The Presiding Bishop of TEC finally summoned the determination to apply the word heresy - and then applied this most serious term of odious rejection to the Gospel itself.

If this is where our leadership is taking us, and I’m afraid it is, then we need to pray, not for a spirit of reconciliation in TEC but for a spirit of repentance for TEC. Strong words I know but words which I believe are true. Please join me in praying for such a spirit for our church and her leaders.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Jim+

PS: I suggest the use of prayer #7 – For the Church – on p. 816 in the Book of Common Prayer as a form for this prayer.

Summary of Jim’s ministry in June & July of 2009:

In June I made 20 home visits, 11 hospital visits, met with 8 people in my office and had 3 “other” visits by phone or some other place. I served as preacher and musician at a 50^th wedding anniversary celebration eucharist in Fairfax and presided at two funerals for non church members. In addition I was “dean for a day” presiding at the Region 13 Clericus. I attended 2 Saturday training sessions as Black Horse Brigade Chaplain with the VA Defense Force (VDF).

During much of July I was on vacation or recovering from foot surgery. I was able to make 2 home and 6 hospital visits as well as 1 visit in my office and 3 other visits as well. During the week between my return from vacation and my surgery, I attended a planning meeting for the 2010 Small Church Leadership Conference. Even though on convalescent leave, I attended a meeting of some clergy with Bishop Johnston in Fredericksburg after General Convention. My only duty regarding the VDF was a visit to the Deputy Chief of Chaplains after his surgery in mid July.

TREASURER’S REPORT

JULY 2009

Income for the month of July was $9,076.15; expenses totaled $10,003.03, resulting in a deficit for the month of $926.88. Our year-to-date income is $78,968.63 (budget - $77,783.00) and expenses are $81,194.05 (budget - $77,455), resulting in a year to date deficit of $2,225.42

Please continue to pray for Grace Church that it will grow spiritually, financially and numerically. If anyone has any questions regarding this report or any financial matter, please feel free to contact me.

Judy Ball

Treasurer

SEPTEMBER QUILTING GROUP

Mark your calendars for Wednesdays‑ September 2nd and September 16th

We will meet from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Parrish Hall to put together the quilt tops that have been already made and start on Christmas themed wallhangings to sell at the November Bazaar We need the efforts of a few more people who will use their sewing machines and make tops.

Blocks are already cut and bagged and ready to be picked up on a pew in the back of the church. Sewing machines will be available on Wednesday group nights.

There are alot of jobs for nonsewers‑ plenty to do for plenty of hands. If you just can't work Wednesdays or sewing into your schedule and want to help in other ways ‑ we need red and green and blue embroidery thread and quilt batting‑. The batting comes in bundles and rolls, any size is fine . It is available at most craft or sewing stores ,the Walmart in Culpeper , or JoAnns fabrics in Warrenton.

Come out and have fun!

Bazaar Crafts

Carol Goshorn has kindly agreed to again lead a Christmas craft- making group to make items for the Bazaar in November. The group will meet in the Parish Hall every Thursday evening at 7 PM (except on Oct. 15 - the Ruritan Dinner night) until the Bazaar. New ideas and/or craft materials will be welcome..Please come and enjoy the work and fellowship. For more information call Carol (Home 540-341-7052l Cell:540-222-0706) .

Renovating Your Temple

Excerpts from Fitness Magazine

Workout Tips:

1. Stick to a time, but if you find you can’t make the scheduled time, do it later, even if it is late. Do not skip your workout!

2. Be comfortable, but if your crummy looking sweats are un‑motivating, hit the thrift or white elephant store for “new” ones.

3. Change it up, so you won’t get bored. Do different exercises on different days or change the routine weekly or monthly.

4. Find friends who love to workout. You’ll encourage each other.

5. Don’t overdo it. Too much exercise can be harmful if your body isn’t ready for it – just be sure you have a regular commitment to do something on scheduled days each week.

Fast‑Food Tips:

There are some nutritious food options available at fast‑food locations around the country. Samples from 2 menu boards are shown below:

STARBUCKS: Oatmeal with brown sugar & nuts, tall black coffee

DUNKIN’ DONUTS: Egg White Turkey Sausage Flatbread Sandwich, coffee with skim milk

A 1,500 Calorie Day:

For those trying to cut calories try these tasty, but nutritious choices:

Breakfast:

Waffles with Blueberry Maple Syrup

1/3 cup frozen blueberries

2 teaspoons maple syrup

2 whole‑grain waffles

1 tablespoon pecans

Microwave blueberries and syrup together for 2 to 3 minutes, until berries are thawed. Toast waffles and top with warm blueberry syrup.

Snack

10 tortilla chips and 2 tablespoons guacamole

Lunch

Spicy Bean & Guacamole Burritos

½ cup canned low‑fat refried beans

¼ cup salsa

3 tablespoons prepared guacamole

1 cup shredded remain lettuce

2 small (6‑inch) whole‑grain tortillas

1 cup red grapes

Stir together beans and salsa. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes. Place warm bean mixture, guacamole and lettuce on tortillas and roll up. Serve with grapes on the side.

Snack

1 chewy granola bar and 1 cup herbal tea with 1 teaspoon honey

Dinner

Italian Sausage & Veggie Pasta

2 oz. uncooked whole‑wheat pasta

½ cup spaghetti sauce

1 pre‑cooked Italian‑style chicken sausage, sliced into rounds.

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ cup chopped mushrooms

½ cup chopped onions

½ cup chopped zucchini

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Heat spaghetti sauce, sausage, garlic, and veggies for about 12 minutes until veggies are tender. Top pasta with sauce mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

Spiritual Tip:

Are you working out alone? Pray. You’ll have lots of company and you can say anything to Him you want!

Submitted by Mary Neal

Grace Church September 2009

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

11:00 AM Senior Center

Quilting Group 7-9 PM

*Shelly Shipe

Crafts group

7 - ?

*Amy Payne

Worship 9:00

Office closed

Labor Day

11:00 AM Senior Center

Crafts group

7 - ?

#Jimmy & Karen Walton

Worship 9:00 AM

Parish /Community Picnic & Softball @ Childs Field.

4:00 PM

Rain date 9/20

7:00 Vestry Meeting

Grace Notes deadline

11:00 AM Senior Center

Quilting Group 7-9 PM

*Linda Swann

*Gregg Leonard Jr.

Crafts group

7 - ?

*Michael Calhoun

Worship 9:00

*Jimmy Walton

11:00 AM Senior Center

Crafts group

7 - ?

*Andy Butler

Worship 9:00

Healing Service 5:00 P

*Ray Graham

* = Birthday #Anniversary

Grace Church Serving Schedule -- September 2009

Date

Svc

Day

Lessons

Lector

Acolyte

Altar

Coffee Hosts

Sep 6

9:00

Pent 14

Psalm 125

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23

James 2:1-17

Mark 7:24-37

Judy Ball

Jack Perry

Charlotte Perry

Melba & Ancel Hendrix

Sep 13

9:00

Pent 15

Psalm 19

Proverbs 1:20-33

James 3:1-12

Mark 8:27-38

Dee Garrett

Madell Day

Mignonne

Spell-meyer

Mary Neal

Sep 20

9:00

Pent 16

Psalm 1

Proverbs 31:10-31

James 3:13—4:3, 7-8a

Mark 9:30-37

Betsy

Anderson

Jack Perry

Betsy

Anderson

Sue Ballentine

Sep 27

9))

Heal

5 pm

Pent 17

Psalm 124

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 8:20-22

James 5:13-20

Mark 9:38-50

B. Gould-thorpe

Madell Day

Carol

Goshorn

Judy Shipe & Sharon Woodward

Oct 4

0:00

Pent 18

Psalm 26

Job 1:1; 2:1-10

Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Mark 10:2-16

Linda Swann

Jack Perry

Barbara

Jacobs

Karen & Jimmy Walton

Non Profit Organization

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID

Casanova, VA 20139

Permit No. 1

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The Rev. James Cirillo, Rector

P.O. Box 18

Casanova, VA 20139

(540) 788-4419

Website: gracechurchcasanova.org

Services every Sunday at Grace Church on Route 602 in Casanova at 9:00 AM, followed by a coffee fellowship and Sunday School for all ages in the Family Center near the church.