Lay Ministry Schedule / Altar Guild / This Week At St. Paul's / Suggested Readings I am not an economist.  However, I like to read and to listen to people who are a lot smarter than I am.  I believe I know some things about God and the spiritual life, so I am going to take a plunge in this article. For the past few weeks the news has been filled with stories of our country’s “economic slowdown.”  The rising costs of basics like gasoline, food and health care coupled with foolish lending practices, ARM resets, increasing unemployment and rising credit card debt have led to a crisis. Our economic system is fueled by consumption.  If we fail to buy more and bigger and better, our economy slows and may even drift into a recession.  The proposed “economic stimulus package” proves this point.  The idea is to get money into the hands of consumers so they will spend it and fuel a sagging economy.  Those proposing this idea are quick to point out that it will not work if people save the money or pay down debt.  But lack of savings and high consumer debt contribute significantly to the present crisis! Why does the image of a hamster racing on a wheel and getting no where flash into my mind? A significant part of our present economic crisis can be traced to questionable, even immoral, practices.  Unscrupulous lenders suck people into mortgages they cannot afford after the low “teaser” interest rate expires.  Credit card companies offer easy credit to people with no income (college students), or bad credit or even people who have declared bankruptcy!  The top priority of many corporations is shareholder profits over jobs, families and stable communities.  People are seduced into buying things they cannot afford because of the illusion that stuff will make them happy. This is as much a spiritual crisis as it is an economic one.

It is true that consumers and borrowers bear responsibility for the decisions they make.  It is also true that vulnerable people have been deceived and taken advantage of by people whose only concern is making money.  People of faith have also failed to counter the powerful messages of our consumer culture.

This is as much a spiritual crisis as it is an economic one.  These issues are rooted in consumption, greed, self image and lack of concern for the vulnerable and those on the low end of the economic scale.  As a church and as believers we have not done enough to counter the cultural message that happiness is achieved by buying more and having more.  How we spend our money and our time are the two biggest indicators of what we value the most.  Jesus says: “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Lk. 12:34)

A great saint once said that each of us has a God shaped hole in our heart that we spend our lives trying to fill.  Possessions can never fill this hole.  Only God can.

Jesus had much to say about the dangers of possessions and wealth.  (Interestingly, he had nothing to say about sex, but that’s another subject.)  Jesus’ energy was spent teaching the people he met that they had infinite value and worth in the eyes of God.  “Blessed are the poor” the beatitudes tell us.  Even those who have nothing have ultimate dignity and worth to God.

Our present economic situation is due, at lease in part, to the failure of churches and people of faith to proclaim this message: each person is precious in the eyes of God because we are God’s beloved children, created in God’s image and not because of what we own.  We have also failed to proclaim and live the truth that life is about relationships, God, family and community and not a big house, or fancy cars or the latest toys.  Why have we not done a better job of proclaiming that human dignity has everything to do with who we are and nothing to with what we own?

“The people are so happy” he answered.  “They have absolutely nothing, and yet they are very happy.”

I remember a few years ago hearing a young man reflect on his experience of working as a Missionary in the Dominican Republic, one of the poorest countries in the world. Someone asked him what struck him the most. “The people are so happy” he answered. “They have absolutely nothing, and yet they are very happy.”

Take some time this upcoming season of Lent to look into the God-shaped hole in your heart. Be honest about how you go about trying to fill that hole. Remember that you are a beloved child of God regardless of your earthly possessions. Reflect on the ways the things you own or your desire to have more might be preventing you from deepening your relationships with God and the people around you and preventing you from discovering true happiness. The current crisis can be resolved, not by spending more for the externals but by spending some time looking inside and discovering beauty, goodness and wealth.

Peace, Bill Van Oss
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A recent study by “The Barna Group” found that the majority of young non-Christians view Christianity as anti-gay, judgmental and hypocritical.  A follow up survey studied the “unchurched.”  These are people who have not attended church in six months or more.  Among this group, almost three-quarters (75%) think the church is “full of hypocrites,” and even more (79%) consider Christianity to be more about organized religion than about loving God and people.

Interestingly, this latest survey of the un-churched found that 78 percent said they would be willing to listen to someone who wanted to tell them about his or her Christian beliefs.  The survey also found that most of those surveyed (72%) believe that God “actually exists.”

These statistics, especially the number of young non-Christians who see Christianity as anti-gay, judgmental and hypocritical challenge us to work harder at getting the word out about St. Paul’s and a Christianity that is open, accepting and loving.  Clearly, those who have these views have never darkened our doors, and yet the survey indicates that most are willing to listen.  We need to do a better job of telling Christ’s story, and our story as a church, to all those we meet.   Bill Van Oss
 

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Bishop Jelinek has formally announced his plan to retire in February of 2010.  Standing Committee has begun the process to call and elect a new bishop for our diocese.  If you would like to serve on the search or the transition committee, or if you would like more information, please contact Bill Van Oss or Margaret Thomas. 

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Prayer Bead Workshop

Kate Johnson of White Bear Lake, MN is visiting February 10 as part of the Lenten Festival. Kate will be leading a workshop to assemble an Anglican Rosary, while learning the meaning and use of the symbols. A $20 fee covers most materials; however, semi-precious stones are extra. A prayer booklet to get you started is also provided.

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Lenten Festival February 10
 

We will have a Lenten Festival following the service in the Parish Hall on February 10. All ages are invited to help create a large fabric cross which will be hung in the Hall during Lent, as well as other activities to help bring the season of Lent into your home. A special candle display, similar to an Advent Wreath is on of the new projects that you can make to have in your home to mark the Season of Lent. A special session on making Prayer Beads will be presented as well.
 

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