October · November 2007

The Rev. Richard A. Maxwell, Rector

55 New Park Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06106

860 233-0825 www.gracehartford.org

Welcome Back from Your Summer Travels!

Buddhist monks are shown debating at the Sera Monastery in Lhasa, Tibet, this summer.  Photo by Sharen Baker whose article about her experiences with a Christian mission group visiting Tibet starts on page 9 of this newsletter.  Members of Grace Church are a generally well-traveled group, but Sharen is the first parishioner known to have visited Tibet.  This summer other parishioners ventured to the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and other locations, both domestic and foreign.

Dear

Friends . . .
By Fr. RICHARD A. MAXWELL
Rector

As I’m sure you’re aware, I write these messages to you long in advance of when you read them.  I usually don’t mind this, although I do sometimes feel like a retailer—preparing to sell you swimming suits in February and Christmas lights in September.  Writing this particular letter, however, I’m especially aware of this time lag and a bit befuddled about what to tell you.

You see, I’m someone who follows church news – news about developments in our diocese, the national church, and the Anglican Communion – fairly closely.  A lot of things are happening soon that may affect almost all levels of our church life.  Lawsuits are moving ahead in Connecticut and other dioceses that may affect relationships between parishes and dioceses, and between dioceses and the national church.  Our House of Bishops is meeting in New Orleans at the end of September, and the Archbishop of Canterbury will be joining the meeting for part of the time.  At this meeting our bishops will respond to a communiqué from the primates of the other churches in the Anglican Communion.

Earlier this year Anglican primates meeting in Tanzania issued a demand that, among other things, the American church agree to a form of alternate “primatial oversight” for disaffected dioceses, agree not to consecrate any more gay bishops and also not to authorize a rite for the blessing of same-sex couples.  A deadline of September 30 was given for a response to these demands and others.  There are likely to be strong reactions to whatever our bishops say to the primates and a variety of actions are possible . . . including more lawsuits.  As you are reading this message you may also be hearing news of momentous developments in the church.  Or maybe not.

It’s hard to predict the future . . . especially when the Holy Spirit is involved.  And this is why I’m finding it so hard to decide what to write to you about.  The only thing that’s certain right now is uncertainty.  And yet . . . if you think about it . . . uncertainty is actually the truth of our existence.  Oh sure, we spend most of our time pretending that we’re in control of things . . . but really we’re not.  I can control my shopping list, for example, but I can’t control whether or not the grocery store actually has fresh endive when I want it.

Our lack of control becomes glaringly clear when we’re faced with the sudden loss of a job, or an accident, or an illness.  The last few years have taught me a few things about uncertainty, and remembering the truth that we actually have very little control over our lives has become an important spiritual practice for me.  Nevertheless, we so love our illusion of control that the reality of uncertainty provokes great anxiety and fear in us.  And so I’ve decided to give you a few quotes from Scripture to ponder whenever you’re worrying about the future.  After all, whatever is happening in the church, we ALL experience this particular brand of anxiety from time to time.  Here goes . . . .

“Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.  Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.  When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”  Jeremiah 29:11-14.
 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:3-5.
 

And, of course, this teaching from Jesus:  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? . . .“  Matthew 6: 25-27.

God has great plans for us and we can rely on God’s steadfast love to bring these plans to fruition through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  May you rest secure in this knowledge, and bask in God’s blessing now and forever more!

Faithfully,

Max+

By ELAINE PHILLIPS
Treasurer

“How are we doing?”

The weekly insert to your service bulletin, Grace Happens, always carries a little box, usually at the bottom of the first page, titled “Parish Support.”  It shows the budgeted weekly pledge contributions and the actual pledge contributions received for the previous Sunday.

Since our many contributors have different habits of giving—many give the same amount every week, others give their pledge in twelve or four installments, and others give their entire pledge at one time—the actual contributions vary widely, even wildly, from week to week. So the question has arisen:  How are we doing?

Well, measured against our budgeted pledge amount, we are doing pretty well—we are actually ahead about $1,000 for the year so far.  On the other hand, you may recall from the annual meeting that the amount we expect, based on the pledges we received (and the pledged amount this year is the highest ever in the history of the parish), would not cover our expected expenses.  That is, we have a deficit budget, even with our other income from our investments and so forth.

So, how are we doing?  We are grateful for all of those who have pledged and contributed.  We will have to withdraw some more money from our investments this year, as we have for the past several years, but the amount will be less than we expected.

And we hope to increase our income in the years to come, both by increased pledges and by increased membership.  Please continue in your support, and in your prayers for our parish.

Saint Luke the Physician

By Elizabeth MacKiernan Miel

On Sunday October 21^st we will celebrate the feast of Saint Luke (transferred from Oct. 18).  Luke is that amazing multi-talented Saint who wrote both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, which comprise about 40% of the canon of the New Testament.  According to tradition, the same Luke was the “beloved physician” referred to in Colossians 4:14, who traveled with St. Paul on his most adventurous missionary journeys.  A later tradition also credits St. Luke with being the first iconographer, having painted a likeness of the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus.  As part of our annual celebration of Saint Luke the Physician, Fr. Maxwell will offer the laying on of hands and anointing for the sick during the 10:30 Solemn High Mass.

 Luke’s Gospel

The Gospel of Luke recounts the Annunciation, the Visitation and the Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem and is especially rich in poems (canticles) stories and parables that illustrate the healing power of prayer and the unexpected presence of God among His people.  Luke has given the church words to pray with (the Magnificat, the Song of Simeon, the Canticle of Zechariah, the Hail Mary) and has also given us lessons on how to pray and to recognize the healing presence of God.

Here are some of the other accounts that are unique to the Lukan Gospel:

·        The Good Samaritan … the mistrusted alien and stranger may turn out to be our closet neighbor, the one who binds our wounds.

·        The Prodigal Son … there is an ever present possibility of reconciliation and restoration.

·        The Importunate Friend at Midnight … persistent prayer is effective.

·        The Healing of the Ear of the Slave of the High priest … Jesus’ last act before being dragged off under arrest is to stop and heal his enemy.

·        The Road to Emmaus … the resurrected Lord appears as a stranger to the discouraged disciples but is known in the breaking of the bread.

Healing Prayer at Grace

At Grace we try to put some of the lessons of Luke the Physician into practice by praying for the sick and supporting healthcare workers in their vocations and we continue the ancient practice of the laying on of hands and anointing with oil.  If you have a special need for prayer for yourself or for someone you care for, there are many ways that you can receive help from the church.

Healing Masses

Every month on the second Tuesday at 5:30 PM we have a healing mass at Grace.  We gather around the main altar for a special liturgy focusing on healing.  Fr. Maxwell offers anointing and the laying on of hands to anyone who wishes it.  This has proved very beneficial to those who regularly attend.

Prayers and anointing after the Sunday Masses

Fr. Maxwell offers the laying on of hands and anointing after the 8:00 Mass on the first Sunday of the month and lay ministers do the same almost every Sunday after the 10:30 mass.

Intercessory Pray-ers

Many lay people at Grace are committed to praying for individuals and for the whole parish community.  A small group of us has begun meeting alternate Wednesdays to read Evening Prayer together and to pray for each other and for all who have requested our intercession.  Some of us have ministries outside the church working with the physically or mentally ill; with the dying and the bereaved so this is also an opportunity to refresh ourselves and share the burdens of our concerns by praying together.  Carol Larco-Murzyn has begun spending about 15 minutes after the 10:30 Sunday mass praying with special intention for Grace Church, its growth and mission.  She would be happy for people to join her.  

Of course, at every mass we remember the names on our Prayers of the People list.  Kathy Jaeger keeps that list for us.

Votive Candles at the Statue of the Virgin Mary

Many people like to light a candle and ask for the intercession of Our Lady.  There is now a prayer request book by the candle stand where you can write in your requests.  Some of our prayer group intercessors will include your prayer request in their devotions.  When you pray, please add to your prayers some of the requests that others have made.

Paul Kline Restores St. Michael

This summer Paul Kline restored the painting of St. Michael the Archangel that hangs in the church above the main entrance.  The process involved (Photo #1) Paul carefully cleaning the entire surface of the panel using cotton balls, Q-tips, and water.  Where water alone was not sufficient, he used a very mild soapy mixture.  He rubbed gently in a circular movement, checking the swab regularly to make certain dirt, not paint, was being removed.  Before painting areas of the panel where the color was missing (Photo #2), he lightly sprayed a matte fixative so that the original paint would not continue to flake off.  In areas where the paint was missing or there was some other damage to the paint surface, (Photo #3) Paul carefully painted (or filled in with paint) matching the color as closely as possible so that it would be impossible to see where the color had been applied.  Finally, Paul carefully and evenly applied a protective layer of varnish to protect the restored panel before returning it to its accustomed place in our church.

A Quiet Day

“Worshipping with Icons”

 On Saturday, October 27, Grace Parishioners will join members of St. John’s Church for a day of learning and contemplation at St. John’s in West Hartford.  Marek Czarnecki, an icon writer living in Meriden, will be the leader and will speak about the place of art in Christian worship, especially in the western catholic tradition.  Mr. Czarnecki “writes” (i.e., paints) icons in a traditional Byzantine style and is also a prolific collector of religious art.

The event is being co-sponsored by St. John’s and Grace Church.  It will begin at 9:00 a.m. at St. John’s Church, 679 Farmington Avenue, at the corner of South Highland Street.  In addition to Mr. Czarnecki’s presentation, there will be time for contemplation and prayer.  The day will conclude with lunch in the parish hall.

As Fr. Max states, “This promises to be a fascinating day and a wonderful opportunity to meet and worship with our fellow Episcopalians at St. John’s.”  Participants are asked to register in advance.  Please contact Fr. Max or Tori Burns in the parish office to do so.  A contribution of $10.00 is asked from each participant, but scholarships are available and may be requested when registering with Fr. Max.

Ten Days in Tibet

By Sharen Baker

Sharon Baker is shown standing at the top of the Jokang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet, in July, 2007.  The famous Potala Palace can be seen in the background.  Pilgrims are gathering in the square below to celebrate Buddha’s birthday, and the smoke on the right of the photo comes from offerings being burnt by the faithful in “sangkang” bee-hive-like stoves.

When my primary care physician, Dr. Minh Han, invited me to go on a medical mission to Tibet, I was very excited!  I had wanted to travel there for many years, but, after reading about the “Peaceful Liberation” of Tibetans by the Chinese, I realized that I did not want to go there as a tourist.  But here was an opportunity to work with the Tibetan people, and I gladly accepted the invitation.

The primary purpose of this mission was to study Tibetans afflicted with Kashin-Back Disease, a form of osteo-arthritis.  Ten percent of Tibetans are said to be affected.

Innovative Mission Opportunities, a non-denominational Christian group, organized the trip.  Our leader, Don Heath, is one of two mission employees.  There were eighteen Americans along with our Chinese interpreter whom we met in Beijing.

The group included one medical doctor, a physician’s assistant, four nurses, a geneticist, his graduate student (studying Kashin-Back), two massage therapists, and one very tall basketball player.  The rest of us went along to be of service in any way possible.

While Don made all of the travel arrangements, the rest of us were oriented by way of several teleconferences.  Dr. Han, in addition to raising the funds for his office staff to travel to Tibet, collected samples from pharmaceutical companies which the Connecticut travelers broke down to be bottled by a pharmacist.  We brought thirteen large duffle bags, most of them filled with medication, but also beanie babies, toothbrushes and toothpaste to give to the children.

The anticipation was nerve-wracking!  A few of our team members waited a long time to receive their passports, and our Visas were approved by the Chinese government during the week before our departure.

When we left, the medical part of the mission still had not received approval.  The group intended to travel to six different villages, to diagnose Kashin-Back patients and take DNA samples back home, to offer them medication for their pain, and to offer medical care to all villagers as needed.

I had read that everyone who travels to Tibet suffers some form of Acute Mountain Sickness, but it still was a surprise when it happened!  At 12,000 feet above sea level, it takes a day or two to adjust.  In my case, I had a 24-hour headache, and shortness of breath climbing stairs and walking.

Lhasa is a large, sprawling city.  Imagine lots of traffic (cars, rickshaws, buses, taxis), few traffic lights (often ignored by drivers), and drivers who learned how to drive AFTER receiving their licenses!  Crossing the streets was quite dangerous!  I found that walking in Hartford was good preparation for dealing with Lhasa traffic.

On the day before our anticipated trip to the first village, the Chinese official who could give us permission had still not returned to Tibet.  This continued until there were only two days remaining before we left Lhasa.  Luckily, our team leader had alternatives to offer, including visits to the School for the Blind, an orphanage, a hospital, the University of Tibet, and the Sera Monastery (to watch the monks debate).

We finally were given permission to visit one village only.  We were led to the village by Chinese officials.  We worked outside near a stream.  I worked with a Tibetan interpreter to interview villagers.  Family trees would be used for Pedigree Analysis in order to find people with Kashin-Back in their families.  People were treated by Dr. Han for a variety of complaints, many of which included back and leg pain.  When I saw villagers coming in from the fields, carrying barley on their backs, I could see why they would complain of such pain.  This, along with exposure to the sun at high elevations, made the villagers look much older than their chronological ages.  It was a small village, and there were not very many cases of Kashin-Back there.

We had visited the Language Corner, a club that meets twice weekly for practice of English and Chinese, and were told of another village where there were many cases of Kashin-Back.  On our last full day in Lhasa, we visited this village (without permission) and found many cases of the disease there.  That evening we dined with Chinese officials.

I have felt extremely grateful for the medical care that I can receive in our country.  Although there are “village docs,” they have very limited training, but are a necessary hoop for the Tibetans to pass through before they can see a real doctor.

Visiting The School for the Blind, started by a young German woman, was inspiring.  Some graduates have gone on to study at the college level, and others have been trained as massage therapists.  There is a waiting list for one of the forty places at this boarding school.  I was even more impressed after learning that the school’s blind founder had been told that there were no blind children in Tibet, and, after finding them, being told that these children would be incapable of learning anything!  The students can speak English, Chinese, and Tibetan and read in Braille in all three languages.

At the Dickey Orphanage, we met the founder who started the facility in her home.  There are now eighty-seven children in a rented space, and plans are being made to build a larger home so that one hundred fifty children can be accommodated.

While most of the Tibetans I met were relatively poor, they were warm, friendly, caring, and hospitable.  I am most grateful to have had the opportunity to take this trip.

Mirror of the Baroque to Start Parkville Classicals 10^th Season

Members of Mirror of the Baroque in a casual moment are, left to right, Akiko Enoki Sato (harpsichord), Na’ama Lion (baroque flute), Sudie Marcuse (soprano) and Philip Helzer (baroque cello).

Parkville Classicals musical concert series resumes with Mirror of the Baroque at Grace Church on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.  The program will include humorous songs about love by Henry Purcell, a cantata about the virtues of coffee by Nicolas Bernier, chamber works for solo flute and harpsichord, and music from the lighter side of George Frederic Handel.

The concert takes place in Grace Church.  A reception in Nason Hall to meet the artists follows the concert.  There is no admission charge but seating is limited and is available on a first come, first serve basis.

This is the start of the Parkville Classicals’ 10^th season of free concerts.  Ellen Morse, who heads the committee, has announced that the other concerts in this year’s 10^th anniversary series are the Avery Ensemble (Feb. 2, 2008), Doug Worthen and special guests “With Flute and Harp” (April 26, 2008), and Musical Friends (June 21, 2008).

By ROB DUNCAN
Junior Warden

The building improvements at Grace continued through the rest of the summer with the completion of the roof project.  The church received a much needed power washing in preparation for painting all of the wood surfaces.  The painting included the fascia around the roof line of the church and parish hall as well as the louvers in the bell tower and, as a bonus, all of the red doors.  Lastly, we painted and sealed the wood on the porch facing Grace Street.  All of this work not only makes the place look brighter with more curb appeal but also will help to prevent further damage to the building.  Kevin Stringer, painting contractor and his staff completed the work for Grace at a very reasonable price.

Next up is the removal of some overgrown bushes in the front of the church.  This will allow us to plant some newer plantings to give the grounds a fresher look while still having a low maintenance landscape.  Speaking of landscaping, as if we weren’t busy enough… our landscape company went out of business effective August 8^th.  Fortunately we were able to enlist the services of City Services to continue with the lawn mowing and other landscaping work such as fall clean ups and lawn fertilization.

We are still interested in forming a group that will continuously work on and create gardens around the church property.  For more information contact me at the next coffee hour.

Message From The Editor

Thanks to Tori Burns, Cornelia Hamilton, Betsy Chicares, Rob Duncan, Jocelyn Hannahs, Kathy Jaeger, Fr. Max, Elizabeth MacKiernan Miel, Elaine Phillips, and Kyle Swann for their help and suggestions with this issue of “Grace Notes.”

ED KLEMONSKI,

Editor