Today was the feast of Christ the King and this is a special day at the church I attend, Christ Episcopal Church in Redondo Beach. That is who the church is named after. This is Fr. Bob Cornner, our rector, and our associate, Mother Katherine Keyser-Mary. We call her Mother Kat.
Mother Kat's vestment is spectacular--beautifully quilted on front and back. It was hand made for her when she retired as chaplain in Episcopal Homes. Inside of it are embroidered several names and wishes to her from the people she loved and served. Fr. Bob is announcing that he has advent calendars for all the kids. Advent starts next Sunday. Next Sunday is also the second annual taping of the Christmas story with the children playing the roles. It is shown to the parish at Christmas. This has turned out to be a very creative solution for making sure all the kids who want to participate get an opportunity to do so as many are not actually at church at Christmas but with their extended families.
I'd like to mention another Episcopal priest friend, Ann Markle, from St. Raphael's Parish in Crossville, TN. Ann is a wonderful preacher, as are Fr. Bob and Mother Cat, and Ann sends me a copy of her sermon each week--and today was Christ the King. Ann, how about posting your sermons on your parish's website? I bet all your parishoners would love that and probably a whole lot of other people would, too.
So, I got the wisdom of two of my favorite priests.
Lately I have been so deeply touched by the "simple" things in my parish and in my community. It reminds me of a simpler time when I was a child, before fancy dinners and benefits with caterers and high-end auctions.
Two and a half years ago Christ Church's hall burned down and tomorrow it will be officially completed. We've been celebrating and meeting on the fly -- and I, for one, have far more appreciation of the ministry and our community now that we can expand what we do again. What a Thanksgiving we will have.
