St. Martin of Tours

News Updates

Welcome to our news page.

Fall Programing Underway

We are so pleased that as a result of the August 6th meeting with the Episcopal Churches of the Southern Omaha region, and also with Trinity Cathedral and St. Andrew's, a joint youth program, Journey toward Adulthood is available to the youth of St. Martin's.  Two of our young people are fully enrolled and active members. The young people meet this Fall at St. Martha's in Papillion every Wednesday evening, 6:30-8:30. The meetings begin with a meal.

A second opportunity that arose as a result of the August 6th meeting was to explore the feasibility of a mentoring / tutoring program in conjunction with South Omaha High School. St. Martin's is just across the street from the High School. The aim would be to develop this as a collaborative project and on as broad a base as may be possible. Beth Mincer has been in touch with the new principal, Cara Riggs.  She is most open to our visiting with her. This week a date and time has been set for our meeting. It will be Wednesday, September 17th, 3:15 pm.

Sunday worship begins at 9 AM followed by our "second table" downstairs.  Come and join us. The theme for this coming Sunday is "Grace beyond Comprehension."  The sermon will be an open ended investigation of Peter’s question on “how many times am I to forgive?” and Jesus’ Parable on Forgiveness.”  (Matthew 1823:35) 

Sunday, September 14 will also be a potluck.  We are honoring one of our members on his very special day.   It's a surprise for this person, so no name for now.

Looking ahead to the Fall

1. Journey to Adulthood is now official, a program for our youth, 6th grade through 12th grade is being offered.

Following Sunday Service, August 20th at our Second Table, Kristi Smith of Holy Spirit, Bellevue, spoke with us about Journey to Adulthood and invited us to participate.  It is a program being jointly offered by St. Luke's, Platsmouth, St. Martha's, Papillion, and Holy Spirit, Bellevue.

The program takes place on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The kickoff session will be Wednesday, August 27th. Youth are invited to bring their parents to this opening.

This Fall's first gathering will be at St. Martha's, 780 Pinnacle Drive in Papillion, just off 72nd Street and 1/4 mile North of Cornhusker.  A meal will be served, and details on how the program works will be shared.

We are invited to "come and check it out"   If you have questions, please call Kristi Smith at 714-7013.

2. Exploration of a mentoring / tutoring program took another step, Sun., Aug. 10th

This morning following the Service at our Second Table we talked about the meeting at Holy Spirit this Wednesday "Imagining our Future Together". While there will be a follow up meeting on Saturday, September 6th, to continue exploring our future, one item that has been talked about among us for several months was how we might mentor our young people in our neighborhood.

We have a strategy. Fr. Tom Jones said to me last Wednesday that were St. Martin's to put together a program for mentoring / tutoring the youth at South Omaha, he would help procure the volunteers to make it happen. I trust I have said this right. Beth Mincer and Deacon Nancy Hughston at this same meeting last Wednesday had identified that they know personally the new Principal coming to South Omaha Highschool. This morning Beth offered to get in touch with the Principal about what we are thinking about, and offering the possibility that several of us would like to meet with her sometime in Mid-September to discuss whether St. Martin along with a number of churches, working together, could be helpful for the students of South Omaha in a mentoring / tutoring type of program. It could take place at St. Martin's.

So, there's the strategy. It will unfold, and it will do so keeping all informed as to how it is unfolding. It is most clear to us here at St. Martin's that by ourselves we can do very little, but we know that we are strategically located in South Omaha. With the opening made by Fr. Tom Jones of St. Andrew's, the identification of personal relationship with the new Principal, and the conversation underway to "Imagine our Future Together," who knows what may develop?  We shall see.

3.  A new page at the NEWS section was added, "Scripture in Everyday Life."

Check it out. This page will provide an opportunity for reflecting on the readings for the coming Sunday. A question or two will be raised and as the week progresses a comment or two. Suggestion: As you read the texts be on the look out for a word or a phrase that leaps off the page for you. That will be for you a point of entry for your listening to what the Spirit may be inviting you to hear.

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Summer at St. Martin's  

So here's our plan for pushing this idea one step forward,   June 15th marks the beginning of several changes in our summer services. The times remain the same, 9 AM with the Second Table after the liturgy. During the months of June and July we will have guest celebrants and one Sunday in June and one Sunday in July, we will have Morning Prayer, led by our deacons. The schedule will be as follows:

• June 15, 9 am, Sunday Service, Dean Ernesto Medina, Preacher & Celebrant
• June 22, 9 am, Morning Prayer, Deacon Wes Agar, Preacher & Officient
• June 29, 9 am Sunday Service, Fr. Ron Whitmer, Preacher & Celebrant
• July 6, 9 am Sunday Service, Fr. Ron Whitmer, Preacher & Celebrant
• July 13, 9 am Sunday Service, Canon Judi Yeates, Preacher & Celebrant
• July 20, 9 am, Morning Prayer, Deacon Kim Roberts, Preacher & Officient
• July 27, 9 am, Sunday Service, Fr. Ron, Preacher & Celebrant
• August 6, 7 pm, Wednesday, Imagining our Future for Mission/Ministry Together, Church of the Holy Spirit, Bellevue. Present will be clergy and lay from Trinity Cathedral, St. Martha's, Papillon, Holy Spirit, Bellevue. The meeting is being convened by Canon Judi Yeates of the Diocesan Office.

For a report on the August 6th meeting go to "Our Mission and Goal" under the News section of this web site.

A New Page for our Web Site: Scripture and Ministry in Everyday Life 

We have recently added a new page in the News section, titled "Scripture and Ministry in Everyday Life."  Here we will post reflections on Scripture and our experience. The Scripture texts that will be engaged will be, most times, the readings for the coming Sunday. In July we were reading from Matthew 11, 12, and 13. Our opening reflection is on the parables of Matthew and stories for transformation, new ways of being with one another together. 

The readings for August 10th are Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28; Romans 10:5-15; and Matthew 14:22-33.
  

Memorial Services for Doris Anthony 

Services for Beth's Mother were held Thursday, July 10th at St. Timothy's Lutheran Church in Fremont at 10:30 AM.  Memorials can be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Keene Memorial Library or St. Joseph Villa Homecare and Hospice.  Doris died peacefully in the arms of our Lord, Thursday evening, June 27th at St. Joseph Towers here in Omaha.  While here in Omaha she often attended St. Martin's for Services and special events.  Our thoughts and prayers continue for Beth and the Mincer family, and all her brothers and their families. We give thanks for the life of Doris. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, rest in Your everlasting peace. 

Additional information and the obituary are posted at this url: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dorisanthony.
  

A Most Important Sermon by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Sunday, July 6th marked the opening of the Synod for the Church of England at York Minster, UK.   Archbishop Rowan Williams was the preacher for the Eucharist.  Some who were present who heard this sermon described it as “a defining moment.”  Some noted that when he was finished, there were few dry eyes to be seen. However it was heard – or upon its reading, is received – this sermon by our Archbishop is and will remain a very important sermon. I commend it to you. He speaks humbly yet passionately to all of us who at one time or another know what it is to be in the bottom of “ a waterless pit.” There is more, but I leave that for you to read and discover.  At the very least, for us giving thought to mission and ministry in South Omaha, we will find much here to consider.  It speaks to us at the level not just of doing, but of being. 
                     Fr. Ron Whitmer, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, South Omaha

Archbishop of Canterbury's Sermon at York Minster
Sunday 06 July 2008
General Synod, July Group of Sessions

Any congregation might be forgiven for wondering what are we going to hear about this morning. Members of Synod in particular (but perhaps members of the Church of England in general) may have the slight sense that there's rather too much to be hearing about, that we're suffering somewhat from issue fatigue. So perhaps we ought to begin where we always ought to begin, in listening to what the Word of God has to say. And scripture says, 'Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion. I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit". And today's scriptures say, 'Who will rescue me from this body of death. Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord'. And scripture says, 'Come to me all you who travail and are heavy laden. My yoke is easy and my burden is light'. In a way, the pivot for understanding all this is provided in the epistle today. Paul in the letter to the Romans gives us the key.

We live under law, different kinds of law. The law of God, which is for our health, and the law we make for ourselves. We long to be masters of our future, and so we become the prisoners of our past. We long to take control of the world we're in. And because we are who we are, and our histories have been what they have been, we dig ourselves deeper and deeper into unfreedom. The will that we want to use to conquer the world, is a will weakened and bruised by the legacy of self-love, going back to the very roots of the human race. The effects of that legacy work themselves out as relentlessly as any oriental karma. We want to take hold of our future and we are gripped, paralysed, by our past.

We find ourselves in that 'waterless pit' of which Zechariah speaks. Waterless pits - perhaps that should trigger a memory of one particular Old Testament story. Do you remember that when Joseph went in search of his brothers and they decided to kill him – they threw him into a pit where there was no water. Remember Joseph? Joseph who was so unpopular with his brothers because he believed his future was in his hands. He knew he could foresee the day that his brothers and his father would bow down to him. But he finds himself in a waterless pit, sold into slavery. God's future for him only begins to happen when he is stripped of his claim to be master of his own future. In a waterless pit the dreams fade away. There is only God over against the body of death.

So, reflecting on Joseph, we can perhaps turn back to our own moments of waterless perplexity, those times in our discipleship, individual and corporate, our discipleship as persons, our discipleship as a Church, to which we may turn back to those moments, as moments when – if we will – we can hear the Word, when – if we will – our dreams are overtaken by God's future. And how very hard it is to let go of our claims upon our own future. How very hard to accept the waterlessness of the pit, how very hard to understand that we are there in the presence of God and of death.

And so we struggle. And no doubt at all that Joseph in the first few hours struggled mentally and physically in his waterless pit and began to devise plans. And as we load ourselves down with that struggle against God and against death, we are doing exactly what Jesus in the Gospel tells us not to do. We are burdening ourselves. One of the desert fathers remarked, 'And how very easily we laid aside the yoke of Christ and burdened ourselves with the heavy yoke of self-justification' - There's a phrase to ponder – a heavy yoke of self-justification. That's the law, that's the curse. That's the waterless pit indeed - where we struggle ceaselessly, unrelentingly, to make ourselves more right, and to lay hold upon our future. We lay upon ourselves a heavy yoke, from which only the grace of Jesus Christ can deliver us. In a nutshell, we lay upon ourselves the yoke of desperate seriousness about ourselves.

And Christ's promise is so difficult because it's so simple. 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being', as the novelist says, that is what Christ offers to us: receiving it is hard. Naaman of Assyria when he came to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy, could not believe that the answer was easy. There must be something complicated for him to do. There must be some magic to be done. The word alone, 'release' is not enough. We long for, we are in love with the heavy yoke of self justification. Naaman wanted to go away from Elisha, able to say, 'Well I had some part in that – I did the difficult things the prophet asked me'. And Elisha, in the name of God, tells him to do something simple, to immerse himself in the mercy of God. And when Jesus says, "Our yoke is easy and my burden is light", that is what he says, to all of us as individuals, to us as a Synod, to us as a Church, to us as a society, to us as a human world: lay aside the obsession to possess the future, receive the word of promise, here. And that's why, as Jesus himself says in the gospel, that's why only some people really do hear the word easily - only the tax collectors and the sinners.

It's never a bad idea, during meetings of synod or indeed any other church activity, to turn your eyes occasionally – literally or metaphorically – through the windows. You might see Jesus passing by. And where is he likely to be and who is he likely to be with? The Gospel suggests very, very strongly that he's going to be first and foremost with those who do find it easy to hear the word of simple promise. Because, in their own waterless pits, they've had to let go of confidence about the future, confidence in their power. 'What would Jesus do?' is a good question to ask, but, 'Where would Jesus be?' is just as good, and, 'Who would Jesus be with?' is a question the Gospels force on our attention again and again.

In the middle of all our discussions at synod, where would Jesus be? Jesus is going to be with those who feel the waterlessness of their position: with those traditionalists feeling the Church is slipping away from them, the landmarks have shifted, and they don't know how what they've taught and heard and what they've been taught can be life-giving for tomorrow. He'll be with those in a very different part of the landscape who feel that things are closing in, that their position is under threat, that their liberties are being taken away by those anxious and eager to enforce new ideologies in the name of Christ. He would be with those who feel that their liberty of questioning is under threat, he would be with the gay clergy, who wonder what their future is in a Church so anxious and tormented about this issue.

Where will he be? He will be with those members of the Synod staff and the staff of the University of York; the people in the Press Gallery, who are trying to keep their minds on their business while dealing with any number of complex personal issues, who may be inflicted by private anxieties, griefs and losses, who will never be noticed by those who take them for granted as they go about their businesses. He will be all over the place. He will be with people we don't much want to sit with, because that's a place he always occupies. He pipes for them, and they will dance, because in their unprotected-ness they are able to meet him at a level any of us can't. Where will Jesus be? In whose company? The company of those who feel lost; have lost; and who are just beginning to see that lost-ness is the beginning of wisdom. It's in that lostness they're beginning to let go of the law that is in their members, the compulsion to take hold of and script and control their future.

Into this darkness comes Jesus to release us in our prison and make us, as the Prophet says, 'Prisoners of hope'. 'He comes to be with us so that we may be where he is' as he tells us in the fourth Gospel. 'So that we may be where he is? And where he is (he says in this morning's gospel) is in the presence of the Father; seeing and knowing that unconditional depth of love out of which he comes, to which he looks in adoration and obedience, into which by his Holy Spirit he draws us. He alone knows the Father, sees the Father, and there is no salvation but to be where He is, seeing, knowing, as He sees and knows by the gift of his Spirit. He alone rests in that eternal, unifiable life. That is why he says, 'Come to me and I will give you rest; I will give you sight; I will bring you hope.'

'My yoke is easy; my burden is light' which is why we need to be where he is, nowhere else, where he is with the Father; where he is alongside those occupying their waterless pits, oh and where he is in the waterless pits into which we, gradually, bit-by-bit are being introduced the agonies, complexities, of our life as a Christian community.

'Who shall deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord', we are delivered from the body of death by our incorporation into the body of his life; the body that is the Catholic fellowship of Christ's Church. The body that is all of us in our various waterless pits, in our corporate waterless pit of bewilderment and confusion and division today. Nonetheless, his body, his body of life, which this morning as week-by-week we take once again into our hands in the sacrament, the body of life. The body of life which makes us prisoners of hope, which takes us where he is. 'Come to me, I will give you rest. The yoke is easy and my burden is light'.

Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

© Rowan Williams

Summer at St. Martin's, Second Installment

Like many, following the Friday night storm, June 27th, St. Martin's had no electricity come time for Sunday Service.  With moving the service to the Chapel, using all available candles, and the light within our hearts, we had a very special and intimate celebration of the Presence of our Lord.

Upon arrival, I was somewhat surprised to see both of our deacons on hand, Kim Roberts and Wes Agar. Before the service began they presented St. Martin's with a new Gospel Book appropriate for the Revised Common Lectionary.  They had offered to make this gift some months back, and I had forgotten about it.  We blessed the book and used it for the first time. There was more than sufficient light for the readings.  Thank you Deacons Kim and Wes.

Bilingual Prayer Books Received

Thanks to Canon Judi Yeates and the Diocese we have received a gift of four "Bilingual Prayer Books." The books have all the Rite Two Services - Morning Prayer, Holy Eucharist, Baptism, and the lesser sacraments, selected Psalms, and Prayers and Thanksgivings in English on one side and on the opposite page in Spanish. Page numbers match with the "Book of Common Prayer" which will enable ease of use by all whether one is English speaking or Spanish speaking. Thank you Canon Judi and the Diocese for this gift to St. Martin's.  

St. Martin's Youth See "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

We had a grand time with our youth Saturday morning, May 24th. We took Samatha and Audrey Hughes, and Marlyn and Jaime Mendoza to see the "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."  It's a good film and I would recommend it to you all. The film is based on one of C.S. Lewis' stories.

On the way back from the theatre, Marlyn mentioned that her grandfather had died, and that her Dad had just returned from Mexico. He had gone to be with the family there at the time of his Dad's death. I told her that we would remember her grandfather, Cruz Mendoza, and the Mendoza family at the Altar tomorrow.  And we did.

Into your hands, O merciful Lord, we commend your servant Cruz. Acknowledge, we beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. AMEN. 

Report on Meeting with Canon Judi Yeates, Canon to the Ordinary

The Thursday meeting, May  22nd,  with Mother Judi Yeates, Canon to the Ordinary, was grand. She listens well.  She is proactive regarding vision and operational matters.  We covered all the bases: where we are, where we've come from, what the financial realities are, what kind of dreams may be workable for St. Martin's.

The Diocese will underwrite the cost for the purchase of four Bilingual Prayer Books. These have recently become available with English on one side of the page and Spanish on the other. We will have four of these Bilingual Prayer Books to assist any Spanish speaking visitors.

We do have the Diocese' care and prayers for developing the Mission/Ministry of St. Martin's. Even though she is new in her position (about two weeks) she has already opened up some exploratory conversations about St. Martin's. Because she has more people to talk with about the details, she asked that I keep this confidential at this point. I hope that within 2-4 weeks she will be further along in her explorations and the conversation can be fully opened up. I told her that I would honor her request.

Pentecost Sunday: A special day at St. Martin’s

It was our delight to welcome Porter Riley into God’s family this Pentecost Sunday through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Several Saturdays ago, in meeting with Porter’s parents, Bobbie Sollars and Jim Steere, we paid special attention to the prayer that is offered on behalf of the person being baptised. If ever a question arises as what it is we desire for one another and ourselves, we can find no better expression than in this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit your have bestowed upon us,  your servants,  the forgiveness of sin, and have raised us to the new life of grace.  Sustain us, O Lord in your Holy Spirit. Give us an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.

Porter has already begun his adventure toward an inquiring mind, for on the day before his baptism, we had a run through. Porter was full of questions. Way to go Porter!  Continue to ask your questions, for by and through them, you will grow and flourish as God has desired for you to do!

Following is the text of the sermon Fr. Ron will deliver at the Cinco de Mayo Festival Service at St. Luke's Lutheran Church Sunday, May 5th. This was a joint service sponsored by Christo del Rey, St. Luke's, and St. Martin's.

“Squaring the Gospel” in South Omaha:

Echoes of “Parakaleo” and "Compadres"

I grew up as a child with a great love for riddles. I still have this love. One riddle that has stuck with me over all these years is one that comes out of ancient Greece. It’s known as the riddle for squaring the circle.  In Ancient Classical Greece, in the centuries prior to Socrates and Plato, a riddle arose as to how to square the circle. It was a mathematical and a mystical riddle. The mathematical part was how to make the areas of a square equal to the area of a circle, each at one with the other. The mystical part, which may well have given the energy as to why a solution was of such importance, was because the circle was a symbol for the eternal or heavenly realm, and the square was a symbol of the created world, expressed by the four corners of the earth, forming a square. It was indeed a riddle for mathematicians and theologians. It was a riddle linked with the reconciliation of these two distinct spheres within which human existence and history struggle to work itself out that all may be one. 

By the Spirit and Baptism, we are witnesses of the resolution of the squaring of the circle. Jesus, in last Sunday’s Gospel (John 14:15f.), spoke of the coming of the Spirit. In different places in the New Testament, the word for Spirit is sometimes a noun, Paraklyte and sometimes an action verb, parakaleo. As a noun it means simply “The sent one alongside.”  As a verb, it means, “called to be alongside,” or, its equivalent in Spanish, I would suggest, is “compadre.” 

Today I invite us to see what’s happening here in South Omaha is an ongoing work of squaring the circle. With the Spirit and our Baptism, let us see what’s happening here because of “the squaring of the Gospel.”  We stand with one another by the Spirit as the called ones alongside, as compadres. We are witnesses of the coming into play of heaven on earth, and as we proceed by the God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness and love, we will be even greater witnesses of this unfolding process. Let us focus both heaven and earth, the circle and the square, all at one and the same time.  Let’s keep our eye on the big picture but with our feet on the ground.  In doing so we may see what all creation moves toward, where creation truly lives, moves and has its being. Creation in all its manifestations and life forms exists in the squaring of the Gospel, and in the many little steps that are being taken that it may be fullfilled.  Let us dream. Let us imagine. Let us create steps not yet taken that we may move evermore further along toward the flourishing of this Gospel squared where we are. Let us do this keeping focused on South Omaha.

This weekend, the movement of the Spirit is manifesting itself in the celebration of Cingo de Mayo. All of us come into this world with a heritage.  Whoever we are and from where ever we have come, our heritage is an important part of us. It is important that we remember it and celebrate it as is happening this week end.

                                     _______________________

Heritage is a way to be the people we are, with our heads high, echoing the Words of God himself as he looked out upon each days creative act in the beginning, saying, “It is good.”  Claiming our heritage is one way to hear again, “It is good.” Or in the words of the Psalmist, “You are the apple of my eye.”  “You are one in whom I take great delight.” 

Entering into our identity, celebrating our heritage in festivals like this, makes possible the bringing of people together that may not normally have a way to be together. This also is good.

Look at who is here today. St. Martin’s is here. We too have a place with you in the celebration of your heritage, and with St. Luke’s and Christo Rey.  We are here because Pastor Liz invited us to be here.  We are grateful to her, to St. Lukes and Pastor John, and to this festive occasion of Cingo de Mayo. 

What does all this mean?  Well, heritage and festivals grow community. It’s happening again.  This growth is expressive of the movement of the Spirit, parakaleo, compadre.  It is a sign of squaring the Gospel.

                                     _______________________

Gospel is happening in South Omaha. Little steps are taking place to make it happen.

I want now to speak about one of these steps that was featured on the front page of the Omaha World Herald last week. It grabbed my attention. It may also have grabbed yours. I am speaking of the development of the Kroc Community Center being built at 30th and Y Street. This too is a sign of Gospel happening in South Omaha.

Some of you may know this story much better than I.  The project began about three-four years ago when the Salvation Army here in Omaha, the Kroc Foundation, and Heritage Services of Omaha began exploring the possibility for a major community center for South Omaha.

The Salvation Army initiated a series of conversations throughout the non-profit community of South Omaha. One of the purposes for these conversations was to learn what’s currently being offered to help the people here. They wanted to ensure that as the center developed its services, it would not duplicate existing service, but address unmet needs. To ensure that this will indeed be the case, this community wide conversation will need to continue and to reflect this emerging partnership and community wide collaboration.

This is no small work.  Believe me, networking, partnering, collaborating, working together across all the old divides is a huge undertaking. We have such egos. We have real concerns that our interests be protected and safe. We like to have control and power. We like to be in charge of our own turf.  Working together challenges all that. Yet, I am convinced that it is the character of this big picture, the Gospel squared, and the little steps being taken, that gives us a glimpse of ourselves coming together as a community. I am not suggesting we have arrived. We certainly haven’t. But something is happening here. There is still a long, long way yet to go. We are being invited to step way outside our comfort zones, and become engaged within this ever expanding circle of friends that God’s Spirit and love moves us to consider.

Major Herb and Janet Fuqua with the Salvation Army, Liz Bisson with the Heritage Services, and all those persons and agencies here in South Omaha that have been part of this project are a sign of the squaring of the Gospel here in River City! This is my read on this. How do you see it? 

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If this truly is for us a witness of the working out of the Gospel in our midst, then we are in the presence of a sign of the movement of the Spirit, of our being called ones alongside, “compadres.”

Ways need to be found to grow even more the networks of our relationships, as partners, as collaborators, as “compadres.”  So I ask us this question: how might we become even more engaged one with another?  How might we build upon what’s already in place and underway?

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Let us pray. Lord, may what is happening here be for us a way for reaching out to be one people as you long ago so prayed. May we honor and respect one another as we are, where we are. May we listen and share and grow with one another. May there be an end of any designation of the other as an outsider. Let us all together be the called ones alongside. Let us all together be compadres, as the Spirit, poured out among us and in our hearts, invites and moves us to be. May we all be one, as You, Lord and the Father are one. In your name Lord, Father, Son, the Holy Spirit we pray. Amen.

Holy Week and its Power

I want Jesus to walk with me;
I want Jesus to walk with me:
All along my pilgrim journey,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me…

Passion Week or Holy Week, this week invites us to walk with Jesus. It is a walk that shows us the way of Jesus, the path of Jesus and the choices that define the reign of God in Christ.

This is one week in which the Church invites us to walk with Jesus: yes, let us turn our attention to Christ, instead of having Jesus turn his attention to us. One of the powerful things we will encounter is Jesus’ handling, encounter and understanding of power. Power for Jesus is always a power that serves the poor, that serves justice and serves the agenda of peace. Today, no one worships Pilate or Herod – their power has been turned inside out and has not lead to a movement that is alive and well today. Political power fades, but the power that comes from God will last forever,

When we walk with Jesus, we see how the forces of evil attempt to hijack the way of God. The good are condemned to death, the poor are condemned to death and those who speak of a God outside the traditional system are also condemned to death.

When we walk with Jesus, we see that good is greater than evil, hope stronger than despair and life stronger than death…

Holy Thursday will remind us of the importance of sharing bread….

Let us break bread together on our Knees
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun
O Lord, have mercy on me…

Good Friday will remind us that there is merit in giving our lives for our convictions, principles and love of God.

We walk with Jesus towards Easter…. Walk on dear friends. Walk with passion and holiness… Amen.

The Rev. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jone, Trinity Church Wall Street
http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/outreach/?blogs-view&blog=28

A note regarding Palm Sunday at St. Martin's:  We had a grand time beginning with the blessings of the palms and processing forward toward the steps of the Chancel on to the choral reading of the Passion Narrative with all having a part to read, a homily reflecting on the temple veil split in two as a thrust forward across the threshold of a "thin place" and our embrace by eternity and Life itself in the very midst of the horror of conflict and death. The banquet table for the breaking of the bread and a cup overflowing is an apt next step, and it was taken. Downstairs, we had fellowship and refreshments, an Irish story told by Fr. Ron, titled, "Michael O'Flatery O'Flynn, a wee small lad of Ireland, with a song in his heart as big as all Ireland, but knowing himself to be the wee small lad that he was, saw no way to let it out."  He found a way!  He's still singing to this day!  Story time was followed with the breaking of a green and white pinata. We all had a great time, and the walls of the undercroft echoed with the sound of laughter. 

The Temple veil torn in two brings forward a living memory in present time

    The living resurrected body of Christ speaks
        not only of our Lord's Reality,
    but ours as well, for therein is where we are membered.
 
    Here we find ourselves witnesses
        by virtue of our Baptism,
    rising out of the waters of chaos and death, conflicts and sorrows,
        into life, with a quickened sense of time.

    The time is “kairos,” not “chronos.”
        Yes, the temple veil was,
            and remains, split in two.

    A 'thin place' has happened in this remembered present time,
        breaking in upon us with living memories,
            linking all time past and all time to come.

    We are no longer trapped
        within stagnant views of language, conversation, and time.
    We live alongside the creator and creation's presence, one with another,
        within a redeemed and living now.       

Fr. Ron Whitmer, 3/15/08

Sunday, March 2, 2008

So, what's apt to be the theme, given what was addressed on March 2nd, for March 9th? Here's a preview:

Can life erupt from the tombs within which we so often find ourselves?

Next Sunday we will reflect on that question with the story of Lazarus in the tomb, and Jesus' call, "'Lazarus, come out!' The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, 'Unbind him, and let him go.'" 

A REFLECTION FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

       Not too many years ago I was helping to establish a way to market wayfinding equipment to persons who were blind, using infrared signage technology.  I met many a blind person during those years who wore these very dark glasses like you see above on this cartoon fish. It was not unusual for me to have an experience that many who are blind have a capacity to see far more clearly than many sighted persons. Something more is afoot in this issue of seeing than the removal of one's glasses and a cure of whatever disease may ail one's eyes. Which ever it is, it has little to do with the glasses one wears or doesn't wear or any physical malady one may have or not have.

       Yes, I am fully aware that the fish is an ancient symbol for Christians. And, yes, I do mean to suggest that ALL OF US have a problem seeing with or without glasses, blackened or otherwise.  There is no identity we can claim that will free us from this problem. It's a problem for us all be we Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, agnostic, atheist, secular humanist, or whatever.  Blindness is a condition of being human.  It's a condition that beomes especially acute for us if we claim that we are the sighted ones, and the other with whom we find ourselves in disagreement is not.

       With the healing of the blind man - blind from birth as the text says - we have an incident, not only magnificent in terms of a well told story, but one in which there is this reversal of who sees, and who does not.  At issue in this text is a turning of the tables. The religious leadership who claim to see are shown to be blind, and the one who was blind from birth now truly sees. 

       Who among us can truly make the claim that we have fully removed the blinders from our eyes?  What I have found is that this removal of our blinders takes a life time, and then some. It seems that it begins to happen as we open our lives to the love, mercy, grace, and healing presence of the Other, not ourselves. It seems that it begins to happen as we open ourselves to the One who truly is Lord of all, by whatever name we have come to know the Reality of that One who can truly remove our darkened glasses. Awakening to its happening is to come to see how widespread and all pervasive this Reality of Grace is throughout all creation and human activity.  

       For most of us this awakening is a very gradual process, and takes a lifetime, and then, not even then is the journey of our awakening fully complete. At best we desire and seek to be open to the movement of God's all pervasive, reforming, and healing grace. This is not to discount that many do have watershed experiences which remain living and present memories for their life time. It is also true that such experiences may totally redirect their orientation and way of living. A case in point is John Newton, captain of a slave ship, and later author of  "Amazing Grace."  What took place on that slave ship in the midst of a raging storm certainly was a watershed experience for him. Later, he penned these words:

       Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
       That saved a wretch like me!
       I once was lost but now am found,
       Was blind but now I see.

       The challenge before us all is to see that none of us can make a claim to God's grace as if we have the exclusive on who God is or who's in and who's out. This was a problem for Jesus' contemporaries, and it is a problem today for some of us.  Grace abounds throughout all sectors of our community and the entire created - historic order. This text as a story of reversal demonstrates this all pervasive grace and its healing restorative power. In light of this what makes sense to me, is this opportunity to respond to this insight of the grand reversal gracefully and with gratitude. We are now part of the reversal, and as a consequence certain virtues now become living options for us pragmatically in our everyday living --- humility, hospitality, and compassion --- as we seek to work out the common good that this story of reversal and grace implies. 

                                                        Fr. Ron Whitmer, Interim Rector

TEMPTATION: A LENTEN MEDITATION

      “Temptation does not usually come when we are ready for it. It does not come when we are strongest, when we are at our best. It comes when we are weak. It came to Jesus when he was hungry, very hungry. . . . When he had grown weak, when he was not physically strong, when it became hard to see straight and clearly in the dazzling sun of that sun-drenched land, it was then that temptation came.”  *     

      I suspect that whether in the past or the present , temptation presents its greatest risk to us not when we are strong, but when we are weak and most vulnerable.

      Read more at http://www.episcopalcafe.com/thesoul/   There you will find three meditations on Temptation by Diogenes Allen for the days, Feb. 10,11, and 12th.

*    From Temptation by Diogenes Allen. A Seabury Classic from Church Publishing. Copyright © 2004. Used by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY.

Sunday, Feb 10, 2008

The First Sunday of Lent was Bead Making Sunday

      Robin Heller, our Deanery Youth Coordinator and Director of the Godly Play program at St. Augustine's, was with us. She spoke to us about prayer as a living, vital, on-going conversation with God.  To aid us and nurture that kind of a relationship she asked, "What's important in any relationship?"  One of our youth replied, "Communication."  How true that is.

      As an aid to communication over millenniums of time, people from many different faith traditions have used beads or in our Christian tradition, they have used a string of beads called "the Rosary." Thus began our intergenerational activity, the making our own "Anglican Rosaries." 

      Around the table, all ages were bent upon the task, beginning with their entry piece, for some, the Cross, for one of our youth, a turtle. The entry piece was then followed by the invitation stone, and on toward the circle of beads, four cruciform stones, and with the days of the week, fours sets to make a month, each set separating the four cruciform beads.  Now, if you've counted this out, the total number of stones or beads to make a Rosary is 33 (not counting the tiny spacer beads). Symbolically, this represents the earthly life of Jesus. The Rosary is a rich, visual and tactile symbolic text. As starters, the four cruciform beads form a cross, and with the seven days of the week separating them, they form a circle. For more on this as well as the use of the Rosary and its approach to contemplative prayer, see http://www.saintgabriels.org/rosary.html

      One can use the Rosary using traditional prayers, or it can be used most informally.  As one holds the invitation bead, one could recite the Lord's Prayer, or less formally, one could simply say, "Hi Lord, I'm here. I'm back. It's been a while."

      By the end of the session all of us had completed making our own Anglican Rosary.  Lent is indeed underway. 

      Thank you Robin for an excellent program.  We look forward to your return in the Easter Season, and a program on "Easter Rolls."  

      Emma was our photographer for the event.  Robin remembered that she has an interest in journalism so she let her use her camera for creating a photo-journal of the morning.  Here are six of the pictures that Emma took.

Robin Heller helps us make our rosaries and pray both formally and informally.

Stephanie works toward the completing the circle of her Rosary.

Steven is about to complete his circle of beads.

Making Rosaries takes patience, good eyes and a steady hand.

Audrey used the symbol of the "turtle" for her entry stone. Might this mean she will be patient and persistent in prayer?  What might it mean for us, were we to have chosen a "turtle?"

Present here in this group shot, going around the table counter clockwise, beginning with Samatha, standing, then to her left and continuing, are Audrey, Stephanie, Marti, Fr. Ron, Bill, Cathy (hidden behind Stephanie), Steven, Alicia (hidden behind Robin Heller) and Robin, only partially hidden.  Jolene, Debbie, and Frank had already left when this picture was taken.

Thank you Robin for a great program, and thank you Emma for being our photographer.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

 What a Sunday! Five Young People in Church, and An Annual Meeting 

This Sunday began like most Sundays. Yet in short order it became apparent that this day was going to be completely out of the ordinary. Here's how it began.

Before most of our members had arrived, five young people had!  Yes, five.  Two to them had never been here before though they do not live far from the church. They had been invited to come by two of our youth. Those of you who read this may not be impressed by that number, but for those of us aware of our situation, this was out of the ordinary. Our membership count is 13. That's everybody.  On this day even after all had arrived, 38% of our congregation were young people.  There is even more to this story. While us adults were engaged in the business of the Annual Meeting following the service, the young people went next door. When our meeting was over, the five youth returned to join us for a soup lunch.  One of the young people, one who had not been here before, approach me with a collection of posters that they'd made and asked me if it would be ok to distribute them in the neighborhood. They were posters which said, "Come to St. Martin's, Come and worship with us, Service 9 AM Sundays." 

There is more to tell.

The Annual Meeting was designed to reflect on "Expectations, Goals and Objectives," for the past six months, and for the year 2008. The review and planning would be done by looking at five basic categories of our common life: Housekeeping Matters, Worship, Pastoral Care, Formation, and Outreach (sometimes called Evangelism). I said to the group that ideally when a transition for renewal begins, as it did August 1, 2007, at that time we would have worked on our expectations, goals and objectives. Steve Mincer, our Senior Warden said, "Father, we would not have been able to do that last August. We were in too much pain and grief.  But today we can!" After he said this, around the table were heard words of agreement from the others. They recognized the truth of what Steve had said. They knew the journey that they have made over these last six months.

It is clear to us here at St. Martin's, that to know ourselves today, is to know we are not where we have been. This congregation has done a marvelous work over these last six months. What is more, we have not been alone in the work. Others from the surrounding churches and the Diocese have been with us. Yet, it remains to be said, that this small core of faithful members who have remained for this transitional work of renewal for mission and ministry in South Omaha are cause for great joy and thanksgiving. The next chapter is opening us before us.

I will share one item from the planning detail regarding Pastoral Care, for it speaks in part where we are in our formation and readiness for mission and ministry.  We did this part of our planning in an interactive format. I presented the group with five propositions, and asked them to respond as to whether each proposition was true or false.  Here's how it went:

"The pastoral care component of the church is a responsibility of both clergy and lay."  All replied, "TRUE." 

"Pastoral care is best when it expresses love for one another as we are, without requiring that certain conditions be met first."  All replied, "TRUE." 

"Pastoral care means that together, the church members are available and helpful in times of crisis."  All replied, "TRUE." 

"Pastoral care includes regular visitatioin of members who are home bound, including, but not limited to, the taking of the sacraments to them."  All replied, "TRUE." 

"Ideally, pastoral care addresses both personal, social, and systems / policy issues."  All replied, "TRUE." 

As this year unfolds, our updates will detail more on our Expectations, Goals and Objectives for 2008.  In the meantime, it is a priviledge to serve here at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church.

Fr. Ron Whitmer, Interim Rector

 

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Dean Ernesto Medina, “Reflections on Mission & Ministry”
St. Martin’s & South Omaha
Jan. 22nd, 6 pm 

Dean Ernesto Medina, Urban Missioner on staff with Trinity Cathedral, was with us this last Tuesday evening for the second of three sessions. We began with a meal of Shepherd’s Pie prepared by Stephanie, and a fruit salad with Crème Anglais prepared by Marti. Elegant dining was provided for us all. This coming Tuesday, we will assemble at 6 pm and then as a group dine at a local Mexican restaurant across the street from South Omaha High School on 24th Street. This is a favorite spot for Dean Ernesto.

"Where do God stories happen?" Ernesto asked us to consider.  "They happen in awakening and growing in openness, compassion, and hospitality to the presence of God in our neighbors and ourselves." Such was what we experienced in the God stories we shared this last Tuesday, the hymns we sang, the prayers offered, and the fabric woven by our ‘weaver,’ Cathy Hughes.

In a word, we found ourselves being awakened and mentored here with each other in the midst of the God stories of our lives.

It was a grand evening. Thank you all. 

The sermon on Sunday, January 20th will reflect on the journey in faith we shared this last Tuesday, and note how deeply embedded the exercise was within not only the tradition of an Eskimo village and their members, 100 miles north of the Artic Circle who have mentored Ernesto, but also how deeply embedded this exercise is within the Desert Fathers who influenced St. Martin of Tours.

Come, join us for another adventure in this journey of faith this Tuesday, January 22nd. All are welcome.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Sunday, December 16th, at 5 PM, St. Martin's hosted Trinity Cathedral Choir for a Festival of Lessons and Carols. It was a grand evening. Around sixty people were present to hear an opening voluntary sung by the choir, followed by the unfolding story and all joing in singing carols after each reading. Members from the congregation of St. Martin's did the readings, including two of our younger members, Audrey and Samatha Hughes who did a reading together from Isaiah. The final reading was a modern adaptation of the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth. It left little doubt as to the courage of these two women, as well as their openness to God's way with them. Elizabeth, like Sarah of old, conceiving way beyond child bearing years. And Mary, a virgin, great with child. Both, trusted in the ways of God in their respective situations. Both continue through the centuries gifting us all with a model of discipleship as relevant now as then.

Monday, December 10, 2007

This entry will cover a number of items.

1. The Death of Tina Maruca, November 25, 2007
2. St. Nick Visited St. Martin's, Second Sunday of Advent, 9 AM
3. St. Martin's will host a Service of Lessons and Carols featuring the Trinity Episcopal Choir Dec. 19th, 5 PM
4. Bishop Burnett will be the preacher at St. Martin's the 4th Sunday of Advent, 9 AM
5. The receipt of a letter from Holy Trinity, Lincoln, cause for gratitude and an occasion for reflection

1. The Death of Tina Maruca, November 25, 2007:  Early Sunday morning, November 25th, Tina Maruca, wife of Frank Maruca died. Her death came as a great shock to all of us. She was a long term member of St. Martin's, deeply loved by us all. She will be greatly missed.  The burial office and Eucharist was Thursday, the 29th. Words are inadequate for expressing our loss. I will here recite, and ask you to recite with me, these words "May her soul and the soul of all the departed, rest in peace. Amen."  I would also ask that we keep Frank and their grown children in our prayers, Sheryl, Debora, Perry, and Marie.  "Care for them Lord, as they grieve their loss, grant them the assurance of your love and presence now and forever. Amen."

2. St. Nick Visited St. Martin's the Second Sunday of Advent: A fullly attired St. Nick, complete with Cope, Mitre, and Bishop's staff, sprounting holly with red berries appeared and to the surprise of several.  We were greeted with warmth and affection, as only St. Nick (ala Deacon Wes Agar) could do. The stories of St.Nick and his outreach to the poor came alive for us all.  Gold covered chocolate coins and and oranges were shared with all.  Thank you St. Nick for this special appearance. The Feast Day of Bishop Nicholas of Myra, is Dec. 6th.

3. Service of Lessons and Carols with Trinity Cathedral Choir: Early in November Dean Ernesto Medina raised the possibility of this. Needless to say, we were thrilled that they would be willing to come and provide the music for this service. The date was set for the Third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19th, 5 PM. Anyone driving by St. Martin's since Saturday, Dec. 8th would see that we are flying a banner in front of the church announcing the event. The banner is a gift to the Church from Frank Maruca. As he said the next day at church, "We're letting the people know that things are going on here at St. Martin's and that's important."

4. Bishop Burnett to visit St. Martin's, Fourth Sunday of Advent: In light of the "revitalization" of the congregation of St. Martin's, the death of Tina, and then the following week the traumatic deaths of persons at Westroads Mall, I had written an email to Bishop Burnett, Canon Tim Anderson, and Deacons Kim Roberts and Wes Agar an update on our situation and a request for prayers and the importance of presence as they and others might be able to come and be with us. Bishop Burnett replied,  "Ron, our hearts go out to you, to the people of St. Martin's, and especially to the Maruca family. Let me know if I can help in any way with your intentions articulated (in the email I had sent to him). Also, I have no current visitation scheduled on 4 Advent. Would you like me to come....I would be happy to preach, or celebrate, or both....Advent Blessings."  His kind offer has been accepted. We are looking forward to his coming.

5.  Letter of Support from Holy Trinity, Lincoln: We received in the mail last week a letter from Holy Trinity, Lincoln and signed by their Senior Warden and chair for their Outreach, Robert Schlismann. Included in the letter was a $500 check to help in our renewal.  This letter from Holy Trinity provides another opportunity for sharing thoughts re what we are learning that is helpful in such a time.

The Letter from Holy Trinity read

Dear Fr. Ron,

We have heard of the work of your parish toward becoming a fully integrated part of the diocese once again, as well as the continuing revitalization of the ministry of St. Martin of Tours. We at Holy Trinity have experienced similar challenges over the pat few years, and are attempting to follow a parallel path of rejuvenation. 

    Please accept the enclosed check as a small gesture of support in that road we travel together; and know that our prayers are with you toward that end.

    Very truly yours,
    Robert Schlismann

Needless to say, I am touched by this. Our vestry meets next Sunday and this will be shared with them at that time.

While matters of scale and the base from which we are engaged in our respective "revitalizations" are different, I am curious as to what learnings may be arising in our respective situations.  When we write to Holy Trinity our thank you, we will ask about that, and share several preliminary thoughts from our St. Martin's experience, e.g.

1) We are not alone in this task. We have the support of the Diocese and its staff (including a grant from the Alleluia Fund and this year's Sower's Fund), Trinity Cathedral and Dean Ernest Medina, and several surrounding parishes, and now, surprise, a parish in Lincoln.

2) We are blessed by a strong commitment by the core group that has remained at St. Martin's. Sunday by Sunday since August 5th when the new beginning commenced. We are averaging 95% of our membership present every Sunday.

3) We are proceeding as inter-generationally as possible, incorporating all into the recovery, mindful that part of the process will be some grief work.

4) We are discovering how important relationships are with our neighbors and are engaged in becoming acquainted and in some cases, reacquainting ourselves with them. Sometimes, the "we are under new management" is a most appropriate line to say to them. Another sign of opening ourselves up to our neighborhood was the removal of the chain from our parking lot.

5)    We have become very intentional regarding marketing.

• We have put in place a web site which includes access to new marketing articles each month as well as an events calendar and news column to tract our unfolding story,
• We have a display ad in the local shopper's religious page,
• We had a new sign installed in front of our church, and as special programs happen, we use banners in front of the church to advertise coming events, e.g. Lessons and Carols, 12/19/07, 5 PM. As one of our members said last Sunday, "We are letting people know that things are happening here."

                                        +   +   + 

Work Day Report

Saturday, November 3, 2007

It was a grand day and much was accomplished. All the major items on the list were completed. We are especially thankful for the support from the members of the surrounding Episcopal Churches in our Omaha Deanery. Food was provided compliments of St. Martha's, Papillion. Deacon Wes Agar set up his grill and barbecued burgers and hot dogs for all, and several passersby. Stephanie Heller-Russell and Beth Mincer provided sweet treats. Thank you all.

What was done? 

Outside:  Front hedge removed, a dead limb above south sidewalk removed, yard cleaned up, raked and mowed.

Inside:  Outside entry to the undercroft was cleaned up, nursery cleaned out and restored for intergeneration Christian Education programming, a coat rack in the nursery was brought up stairs for the winter months ahead, lights in the sanctuary were checked for ways they might be improved, and a general inside clean up.

Who came? 

The total number who came to help were 17, representing six churches and the Diocesan Office. The names of those who helped are Canon Tim Anderson, Diocesan Office; Dean Ernesto Medina and Deacon Kim Roberts, Trinity Cathedral; Carole Laubach, Church of the Resurrection; Lara Shine, All Saints and Intern with Resurrection House; Fr. Jay Gabb, Jim and Judy Tomanek, and Bob Whitmer, St. Augustine's, Elkhorn; Fr. Chris Roberts and Deacon Wes Agan, St. Martha's, Papillion; and Fr. Ron and Marti Whitmer, Beth, Steve, and Emma Mincer, and Stephanie Heller Russell, St. Martin's, South Omaha.

Jim and Judy Tomenek grew up in South Omaha. Jim was an acolyte at St. Martin's.  For them especially, it was a day not only for cleaning up St. Martin's, but hosting an abundance of memories. 

It was a very good day indeed, and again thanks to all.

                       +   +   + 

News update for

October 30, 2007

• Work Day, Saturday, November 3rd
• Diocesan Council Report
• St. Martin's Program taking shape
• Native American Indian Mission South Omaha

Work Day, Sat., Nov. 3rd, 9 am – 2 pm

Who’s coming? 

We have received word that members from the following churches will be coming to help us, St. Augustine’s, Elkhorn, St. Martha’s, Papillion, and Trinity Cathedral, Omaha. There may be others, but as to today this is what I know. 

What’s to be done?

Three major projects are on the list in addition to general housekeeping. The three are 1) removal of the Privet Hedge, 2) Clean up of the Nursery Room, and 3) Clean up of the outside basement entry room.

What about lunch?

Deacon Wes Agar will be our grill man providing hamburgers and hot dogs, not only for those who come to help, but for any passer by who may walk by, they also will be offered a free hamburger and hotdog. The food is being provided by St. Martha’s.

Diocesan Council Report   

St. Martin’s delegation to the Council, the first in over 15 years, were warmly received. Our delegate was Steve Mincer, Senior Warden. Our alternate was Stephanie Russell-Heller. Also present were Fr. Ron Whitmer, Interim Rector, and his wife Marti.

Several actions taken by the Council and the Directors of the Alleluia Fund of great interest to St. Martin’s. I will leave the full report of the Council for the Nebraska Episcopalian.

Bishop Burnett had said several weeks ago that this year's Sower’s Fund would be designated for St. Martin’s. Saturday afternoon 15-18 parishes shared their stories as to how they had grown their $2.00 and in some very fun and creative ways. The total offering grew to $2,207.00. These monies are offered to St. Martin’s to assist in program development. We were in the words of Steve and Stephanie, “touched and overwhelmed.”

The directors of the Alleluia Fund met Friday, Oct. 26th, and accepted our grant application for a 12 month marketing program, "Returning to the Public Square." The grant request will cover costs for newspaper advertising and our web site.

Council provides an opportunity to come together once a year as a diocese, be present with one another, hear the stories of our life together, renew old friendships and make some new ones, listen to a featured speaker (this year The Rev. Tom Erhlich of St. Bartholomew’s, New York City), receive the Bishop’s review of where we are and where we’re going as a diocese, and address the necessary business for the on-going life of the diocese. It is an important time in the life of the diocese.

St. Martin’s Program Beginning to Unfold 

August marked the beginning of our returning to active membership as a church in the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska. The core members that remained, counting both children and adults were 12, not counting myself as Interim Rector.

Many from the surrounding churches have come to be with us at our Sunday Worhsip at 9 AM.  This has been a special blessing for us as we work forward our transition toward renewal for ministry and mission in South Omaha.

Here follows a recital of what our beginning program consists,

1) Sunday worship, 9 am, and with the assistance twice a month of Deacon Wes Agar of St. Martha’s, Papillion,

2) Second Table following the Sunday Service for sharing stories and fellowship,

3) Reorganizing the Vestry and establishing ourselves as a team for developing our growth,

4) Beginning an acolyte training program for two of our youth,

5) Hosting an open AA Recovery Group every Thursday evening, 7 PM,

6) Opening our doors to the larger community that we may be a mission/ministry directed church for the people of South Omaha, symbolically expressed by the removal of the chain from the parking lot entry, introducing ourselves to our neighbors, participating in the South Omaha Health Ministry group, becoming acquainted with the local clergy of the other churches and participating in their activities including this years Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service the day before Thanksgiving at Wheeler Presbyterian Church,

7) Receiving word from Trinity Cathedral that they will be our program resource, and specifically in the person of Dean Ernesto Medina (soon to be announced is the first of a three part series, three sessions each, tentatively identified as “Creating a foundation for growth,” presenter: Dean Ernesto Medina,

8) Writing a grant to the Alleluia Fund to underwrite our marketing program (accepted 10/26/07 and for the amount of $2,080 to cover one year’s cost for newspaper advertising and our web site),

9) The addition of Deacon Kim Roberts of the Cathedral on one of the Sunday’s that Deacon Wes Agar is not with us,

10) A work day to prepare our home for growth, and in a way that demonstrates we are an open welcoming church, and

11) Hosting a festival Sunday, November 11th, 9 AM, to celebrate our patron saint, St. Martin of Tours, and open ourselves up to hearing again his story and its relevance for us today in our present situation.

As the months ahead unfold further program development that is being anticipated are 1) a visitation from St. Augustine’s Godly Play at St. Martin’s, 2) a joint Vacation Church School with St. Augustine’s and St. Martin’s this coming June ’08, summer camping for our youth in ’08, 3) an expansion of ministry to the recovering community with a kick-off at St. Martha’s, January 9th, 4) continued use of facility for meeting space for the community service programs, and 5) providing help for the Dean Fricke Food Bank.

Native American Indian Mission South Omaha

The Rev. Gretchen Naugen, former team ministry member of the Native American Indian Mission that had been part of the South Omaha scene, brought to the Council Meeting for St. Martin’s keeping, the parish records of the Mission which was closed in 2003. She was of the mind that we would be the most appropriate place for these records to be kept. I will do a follow up on the names in these records to see if there are still some of them in our area and introduce ourselves to those in our area. I also invite anyone who may read this who has some knowledge of our Native American Indians in the Omaha area to contact me to help in renewing our relationship. You can contact me via email at rdwhitmer7@msn.com, or by phone, 733-8815.

News update for September 30, 2007

1)  Reflection on the Meeting of the House of Bishops, Sept. 25 - 28, 2007, New Orleans, LA

2)  Work Day, Sat., Nov. 3, 2007, 9 A.M. into the afternoon, details below

1)  A Reflection Regarding the Bishops' Statement

      The House of Bishops has concluded their meeting in New Orleans, and responded to the “questions and concerns raised by our Anglican partners.”

      In the words of Bishop Epting, former Bishop of Iowa and now head of the Ecumenical Office for the Episcopal Church, it is reflective of our tradition to be “comprehensive.” As a people of faith, rooted in “Scripture, Tradition and Reason,” we are again being invited to live with ambiguity and contradiction “for the sake of truth.”  

      My own take on this is that to live humbly and hospitably as the called ones alongside means precisely something like what has been formulated over the centuries as Anglican comprehensiveness. We are willing to be at table “with all sorts and conditions” and count that as part of the joy of the Gospel. To live otherwise is to place ourselves at risk for idolatry, self-righteousness, and the claim that we have attained the unattainable “pure church.”

      The Episcopal News Service has posted the Bishop’s text at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_90457_ENG_HTM.htm.

                                    Fr. Ron Whitmer
                                    September 27, 2007

2)  Work Day

Saturday, November 3, 2007, 9 AM to Mid-Afternoon

We are inviting any and all, and particularly the youth groups of the area Episcopal Churches, to come and help us with our work day. We have outdoor and indoor work to be addressed. St. Martha’s is providing hamburgers and hot dogs. Deacon Wes Agar will be the “Grill Man.” We’ll offer free food to anyone who comes by.

We have yard work, including digging up a row of trivet hedges that have long gone past their prime. Yes, this is a corner lot!

We have indoor work: basic house keeping, upstairs and down, brass polishing, and retrieving a room for a future “Godly Play Area.”

Having spent 18 years in Louisiana, I have a phrase for what is to happen for those who come. “Laissez les bons temps roule.” (Let the good times roll.)

Come join us. Help us in our return to becoming again a center for mission and ministry in South Omaha.

The following equipment would be helpful to bring if you can: spades, shovels, rakes, brooms, dustpans, buckets, mops, rags, and a boom box, (Dean Ernesto, this is an appeal to you! Bring us Music!)

Do RSVP so we have an idea as to how many to plan for.

Sincerely,
St. Martin members and Fr. Ron Whitmer, Interim
rwhtimer7@msn.com

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News update for September 16, 2007

Strategy Development

Giving Thought to the Transitional work for the Renewal of St. Martin of Tours, South Omaha, NE

This update will be in two parts. First will be the notes from the planning meeting held this last Tuesday, September 11, 2007. Following will be a further reflection written the day after.

Cathedral to help St. Martin’s in its transition, 9/11/07

A meeting to give thought to the transition and the Cathedral’s role in this took place this Tuesday, Sept. 11th, at the Cathedral. Present at the meeting were Bishop Burnett, Canon Tim Anderson, Dean Tom Hurley, Dean Ernesto Medina, and Fr. Ron Whitmer. Here follow the items discussed and the action steps that will be taken.

1) The Cathedral will assist in program development as the membership base grows. Examples cited were providing Bible Study and mentoring intergenerational Christian Education programming. Both Dean Hurley and Dean Medina characterized the relationship they hope to develop with St. Martin’s as that of a blood God brother and sister. (The word that Dean Medina had used initially was “compadres.” The thought behind these terms is akin to the New Testament word, “parakaleo,” meaning ‘called one alongside’ empowered by the Holy Spirit or “Paraclete.”)  As a sign of this relationship a key to the doors of St. Martin’s will be presented to Dean Ernesto at his celebration of “The Renewal of Ministry” as an urban minister among us Wednesday evening, Sept. 12th. At this service, Fr. Ron will present him with a St. Martin’s key as a sign of the members of the Cathedral and St. Martin’s being blood brothers and sisters, one with another.

2) The Diocese will continue its support providing one half the interim priest’s stipend for two days of service.  Bishop Burnett and Canon Anderson will remain as they have from the beginning as the primary guides and mentors in the transition. The Bishop will invite members from the other churches to be intentional about coming to St. Martin’s to worship on Sundays, experience the joy that is present, and lend their support in this way. In addition, Bishop Burnett will shortly announce his designating St. Martin of Tours as the recipient for this year Sower’s Fund. These monies will be applied to program development at St. Martin’s. Bishop Burnett looks forward to welcoming St. Martin’s delegation to the Annual Council meeting in Kearny this October.

3) Mission and outreach to the Hispanic community will await a time when the Diocese can place in South Omaha, a bilingual Hispanic Priest.  

4) The interim priest’s role will continue to be as it has, Celebrant on Sundays, pastor with the members, and an alongside presence in the community to the extent doable within the frame of a two day commitment and not being bilingual.

5) It was suggested that hosting a Saturday work day and inviting the Omaha churches to provide help in this effort, particularly the youth, would be another way in which to engage participation in the transition.

6) Fr. Ron suggested that there be formed a core support group, a development from this week’s planning meeting, to provide a regular and an ongoing “action / reflection” component for the transition. This could be most helpful.

Further thoughts on our strategy meeting
by Fr. Ron Whitmer, Interim Rector, 9/12/07

After putting the notes together I’ve had some additional thoughts, and particularly regarding the action / reflection component.  It is here that we can share the outcome stories of our various actions. The tradition for this is rooted in how Jesus worked with his disciples when he sent them out on mission. Upon their return, they went off together to debrief and continue their growth in discipleship (Luke 10). One way to do this would be with emails, and then possibly meeting monthly or every six weeks or so, as long as we keep to a schedule for it to happen.

Also it is most important that lay persons become involved in the action / reflection. One way in which I can contribute to this is to begin collecting some of the stories from persons from the Episcopal community who are engaged in South Omaha about their experiences.  This is an indirect approach I grant, but it is a strategy to form a conscious community of persons and networks building upon already existing personal relations of those who are already invested in South Omaha. Who knows, as consciousness unfolds, stories are shared, what surprises we may learn. At the clericus meeting this afternoon I will invite clergy to share with me names of their lay people who are doing some kind of action in South Omaha, e.g., mentoring, after school tutoring, health ministry, Habitat, board membership with agencies who serve South Omaha (United Way, OTOC, Urban League, etc), etc.

At the heart of what I sense we have an opportunity to bring into greater clarity is the abundance of grace and people’s stories in response to that.  That is a building block of great importance, a beach head if you will, one among many, for the renewal not only of St. Martin’s but our community as a whole.

I challenge us to discern as many beach heads for our renewal that reality and imagination may bring forward, and in doing so, select one or two upon which to hunker down, and there go to work. I suspect we will find that there are a great many of our laity who have been at work for years, and what we’re doing is playing “catch up.”  Tom, I couldn’t resist the echo from Kim’s Deaconate Ordination sermon!  But, it’s more than catch-up, it’s a way in which to expand our sensitivity for community and public liturgy, of which St. Martin’s is now poised to be responsive to.

Consider the above as reflection on strategy development, yes, and in keeping with one’s passion. I am grateful for Ernesto’s observation. However, that passion will go nowhere unless it becomes grounded in a collaborative work.
Consider this a dry run on the use of emails and our web site for reflection on this transition work. For this purpose,

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News Update for September 2, 2007

Can we still hear the bells ringing announcing the beginning of the celebration?  I suspect that many of us who were there can still hear Frank Maruca ringing the Bells of St. Martin’s.  What a grand sound it was for renewing St. Martin’s mission and ministry to South Omaha.

But it was not only the ringing of the bells that touched us that night. As Frank pulled on the rope, there was also streaming in upon us the golden yellow light of the setting sun, bathing us all in its grand light from the west stain glass window. The Lord by the sound of bells rining and light from the seting sun was preparing us well to celebrate and begin anew.

How we did celebrate! The total assembly numbered 60 or so. There were over 30 diocesan clergy and deacons present, many of whom vested and sat in the choir stalls in the chancel, filling all its available space. There were also many other clergy who sat in the congregation.  There were also present our neighbors to the north who own the funeral home next door. Ted Granger (our son’s business partner) was there. They made possible our web site. Phyliss McGinley, a Lutheran staff persons from the Metropolitan Lutheran Social Service Agency whom I had met a week or so ago at the South Omaha Health Services Committee, was there. Members from St. Augustine’s, Elkhorn, were out in full force.  In addition, there were many lay people from the surrounding Episcopal Churches, Holy Spirit, Bellevue; St. Martha's, Papillion; St. Mary's, Nebraska City; St. Andrew's, Omaha; Trinity Cathedral, Omaha; Church of the Resurrection, Omaha; St. Augustine's Elkhorn; as well as members from Fremont and Lincoln. Beth Mincer’s brother was with us. Samatha and Audrey Hughes served as Acolytes, Deacon Wes Agar, Canon Tim Anderson, and Fr. Ron Whitmer assisted the Bishop at the Eucharist.

One telling remark was made by the Bishop when he said, this is the first time he’d been inside St. Martin of Tours, and he has been the Bishop here for I believe, going on four years!  His comments to us applauded the courage, love, and faith of those who have remained. He also affirmed our love and concern for those who have left.  He assured us of the Diocese support for the transition and the work of renewal and our becoming a presence for mission and ministry in South Omaha. Following the Sermon came the exchange of gifts. The Bishop gave us water and chrism for Baptisms and an Altar Service Book. St. Martin’s presented him with a lighted candle. A Bible and the keys of the church were presented to Fr. Ron. Fr. Ron presented to Stephanie and St. Martin’s a map of the City, a sign of the place where we will grow in the exercising of our mission/ministry in the years ahead.  The service of renewal concluded with the exchange of Peace, and then moved to the Liturgy of the Altar and Holy Communion.  Following the Liturgy, we adjourned to the undercroft for a lovely reception prepared for all by Beth and Emma Mincer, Stephanie Russell-Heller, Tina and Frank Maruca, and Cathy, Samatha and Audrey Hughes.

Thanks to all who came, and a special thanks to the Diocese and those who have remained, to make possible the opening of this new chapter in the on-going story of St. Martin’s mission/ministry to South Omaha.

Notes from last Sunday’s Vestry Meeting, held August 26, 2007

The comments here noted are only highlights. The minutes will be available later. The meeting began with prayer and all those present shared their hopes as to where would like to see St. Martin’s in six months. 

Canon Tim Anderson shared a two step approach to jump start St. Martin of Tours’ renewal. 

Step One: That St Martin’s become partnered with the Cathedral.  Included in this step is some limited availability of Dean Ernesto Medina, the former Dean of the Cathedral of Los Angeles, now with us here in Omaha as an "Urban Missioner."

Step Two: Through the Diocese and the Cathedral, extend an invitation for one or two families from the Omaha churches to be with us for six to twelve months to enable us to have a base of 30 or so members by which a basic program will be able to be put in place, including not only the Eucharist on Sunday, by a church school program, youth links with the existing churches programs, Bible Study, and a myriad of outreach actions via the ministry of the laity. The Vestry was most accepting of what Canon Tim outlined. 

The next step will be the presentation of this strategy to the Clericus at its September 12th meeting.

The Vestry also expressed their desire that as our mission/ministry with the Hispanic community unfolds, that we be an integrated parish, worshipping together, not separately.

Our new Vestry members are Steve Mincer, Sr. Warden; Cathy and Bill Hughes, Jr. Wardens; Stephanie Russell-Heller, Clerk; and Beth Mincer, Treasurer. Rounding out the seven member Vestry are Tina and Frank Maruca.

         Fr. Ron Whitmer, Sept. 1, 2007

News Update for August 26, 2007

Celebration of a New Ministry

We are excited to be "going public" as we begin a new chapter in the story of St. Martin's.  It officially begins with the coming of Bishop Burnett to St. Martin of Tours this coming Wednesday, August 29th, 7 pm.  This will be a service to both renew the ministry and mission of St. Martin's and formally welcome Fr. Ron Whitmer as their interim priest / pastor.  Bishop Burnett will be the preacher and celebrant at the Service. 

Fr. Ron and his wife Marti, moved to Omaha almost 2 years ago. Prior to living here, he had served in the Diocese of Louisiana for 18 years, and before that, he served in the Diocese of Iowa for 22 years, 17 of those with the Episcopal Parish of Ames. When asked, what brought him back to the Midwest, he replied, "Rhubarb called me home."  A reception will follow the Service in the undercroft of the Church. Without any sign of a southern accent, Fr. Ron says "You all come this coming Wednesday evening, and we'll pass a good time, hear!!!"

Fr. Ron and his wife Marti, moved to Omaha October of 2005 from Louisiana. He served there in the Diocese of Louisiana for eighteen years. Prior to that he served in the Diocese of Iowa for twenty-two years, seventeen of which were with the Episcopal Parish of Ames. Marti is a retired highschool English teacher, they have three children, and seven grandchildren.

Theme for Sunday picks up on a Dean Hurley's Comment

Dean Tom Hurley, Dean of the Cathedral, last Sunday at the Second Table said, "Today at St. Martin's we had a greater percentage of young people than any church in the entire United States."  Yes, that's exactly what he said. The total number present were eleven, four were under the age of thirteen.  We can do the math. Thirty-six percent of our congregation were young people!

Let us receive this marvelous bit of news about ourselves as a "grace-note."  Let us keep our ears and eyes open for many more, and in what ever form these "grace-notes" come to us.  As these notes are sounded, let us share them with one another, for they will be for us stepping stones toward the shaping of our future as a renewed faith community here in South Omaha. 

As Jesus in today's Gospel touches a woman, healing her of her affliction (AND ON THE SABBATH!), so we are being touched in ways which are healing for us, within and without.  For such is the way healing happens, both from inside out, and from outside in.  This is a medically true statement as to how our physical bodies heal.  It is personally and socially true as well. When a story of healing is told that touches us the story came from outside, but it works its healing as we received it and the grace, mercy, and love that it brings to us where we are. Sunday I will develop this further with the story of the Wounded Fisher King and Percival's Qwest for the Holy Grail.

One further word needs to be noted about Emma and Alison, two of the young people with us Sunday. The day before, they served as the church's sextons and cleaned the church, including rearrranging the tables for our Second Table Time. They did it in a most attractive manner.  They gave us another grace-note.  Thank you Emma and Alison.  I could go on, but let's do that together. We have stories to share!  In such a manner God is building us up, step by step, a day at a time. from within and without.

Vestry Meeting Following Sunday Service

Canon Tim Anderson will be with us for this meeting. Canon Anderson is a member of Bishop Burnett's staff.  We invite all who may want to attend this meeting to please do so. It is an open meeting.  A Vestry report will be posted early next week.

Propers for Aug. 26th are Jeremiah 1:4-10; Psalm 71:1-6; Hebrews 13:10-17; and Luke 13:10-17

Propers for Sept. 2nd are Jeremiah 2:4-13; Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Hebrews 13:1-8; Luke 14:1, 7-14

     Fr. Ron Whitmer, Thurs., Aug. 23, 2007

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News Update for August 19, 2007

St. Martin of Tours Embraced by Support

The very first Sunday, August 5th,  following Fr. Raybourn's retirement July 31, it was clear that the Diocese and surrounding Episcopal Churches were with us as we began a transition into the writing of a new chapter in St. Martin's story.  Present with us that first Sunday were Deacon Wes Agar of St. Martha's, Papillion, Marti Burnett as our organist, as well as lay members from the Cathedral, St. Andrew's, and St. Augustine's, Elkhorn. We are truly blessed. A new work is underway to renew our Episcopal presence and ministry in South Omaha.

Sunday Noon Spanish Eucharist

Let me begin with news regarding the Sunday Noon Spanish Eucharist. Bishop Burnett has given us permission to have a lay person who is bi-lingual translate into Spanish the service as I celebrate in English.  This is a temporary solution until we have a priest at St. Martin's who is fluent in Spanish. As soon as a translator is found, the Sunday noon Spanish Eucharist will begin. Keep watch on the sign in front of St. Martin's when this will begin.

A New Sign

There is a new sign in front of St. Martin's.  It went up last Wednesday, August 8th, thanks to Ed Granger, owner of the Granger Sign Company. Thank you Ed.

A New Web Site

The Diocese of Nebraska is working with the Granger Group to make it possible that all the churches of the Diocese have their own web site. Each church will be able to keep the content of their sites current. If you know how to type, your web site will be up to date!  What a gift! Again, our thanks to the Diocese of Nebraska and the Granger Group.

Theme for Sunday, August 19th Eucharist

"Interpreting the times" will be the theme we will explore. In our Gospel for Sunday, Jesus asks, "Why do you not know how to interpret the present time?" I will suggest to you that the answer to that question lies within what framework we are working out of. We all do work out of some kind of framework. Sometimes, it may seem like it's a multitude of conflicting frameworks!

The critical question to ask, "Is the framework one of fear and defensiveness, or is the framework one of openness and self-offering love?" It is within this latter framework, the framework of openness and self-offering love, that the notion of "outsiders" and the turning of another into a victim becomes not only unnecessary, but wrong. 

When we live fearfully and defensively we have one way by which we interpret the times. When we live openly, transparently, filled with God's love and forgiveness, we see the world radically differently. It is a way of seeing brought to us by our Lord's death and resurrection. Is not this what it means "to keep our hearts and minds on things that are above?"  For in so doing we have discoveries to share, and stories to tell.

Sunday's Propers are Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2,8-18; Hebrews 11:29-12:2; and Luke 49-56

Fr. Ron Whitmer, Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Millennium Development Goals

The MDGs represent a global partnership that has grown from the commitments and targets established at the world summits of the 1990s. Responding to the world's main development challenges and to the calls of civil society, the MDGs promote poverty reduction, education, maternal health, gender equality, and aim at combating child mortality, AIDS and other diseases.