Singles Magazine -

The Scroll A Periodic newsletter for SAM's Lambs http://www.samslambs.org	From our Publisher: On Spirituality and Singularity
SAM's Lambs Singles Ministry Internet References: Singles in the Church: Is There Seating For One In The Church?	*"America is Soulless" Pope Paul, Vatican City* *"NOT in MY Community" Betty Van Volkenburg, Webster NY* When I first read that Pope Paul said "American society is in danger of turning against spirituality in favor of materialistic desires, giving way to a ‘soulless vision of life’ " my first thought was of what Jesus said, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to take the speck out of your brother’s eye" (Matthew 7:5) Criticism is easy, and contagious. As God was working on me to do this article, I was so ready to jump into the same hypocritical behaviour that I saw in others. But then, this weekend I attended two glorious, soul blooming events at my home church, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Webster NY and I just felt sorry for the Pope for not being able to see the souls of every day people in action, from his splendiferous ivory tower in Vatican City. To give due respect to the Pope, he did go on to say "To fight this, the pontiff argued, the U.S. church must study contemporary culture to find a way to appeal to youths". Well, our Good Shepherd church is already there, and that is right in line with what our town is doing that earned the recognition from Sports Illustrated as Sports City, USA. On Saturday June 5^th I was present at the ordination of two young people as deacons in the Episcopal church, on their way to becoming full fledged priests. One was Jay Burkardt who grew up in Good Shepherd in Webster, and the second was Mary Ann Brody from St. Thomas in Rochester NY. There were representatives from all across the Diocese of Rochester NY, as Bishop Jack McKelvey officiated. The traditional services, Bishop McKelvey’s moving and uplifting address and homily, with a trace of good natured humor that lifts the spirit and the corners of our mouths, were further enhanced by the joint choirs of Good Shepherd and St. Thomas. A bountiful reception that followed in our Parish Hall was crowded with many happy souls from both churches, as we celebrated Jay and Mary Ann’s ordinations. The next evening, Sunday June 6^th, was our annual Teen concert, and it was a bittersweet night for all of us as 4 of our youths were moving on to college in September. Dr. Karyn Pfluger, our dedicated Music Director has nurtured 16 youths in our teen choir, in addition to three other choirs at Good Shepherd – an adult Choir, a Junior Choir, and a Chime Choir. Our teens bring tears to our eyes with some of the moving songs and anthems, but they are also fluent in instruments like French Horn, Trombone, Harp, Piano, and Flute. In fact we have six flutists, and one of our parents, Jeff Arnold, led them in a special rendition of ‘Nightwatch’, which he wrote just for our six flutists. My grandson Robert Pape, (who will always be Bobby to me), is among the graduates this year, and his absence will be felt by many at church, and in our Webster community. I’m very proud of the way his mother Candy has raised him, and the way he reaches out and cares about people around him. As I considered his future and the other teens at our church, I am so thankful for the Christian community, and our village, that has created the encouraging, loving environment to help Bobby and others like him acquire the kind of positive attitude and moral behaviour that is a solid basis for a happy, successful future. As the Pope mentioned, there is materialism and secularism in this country, but it is a result of living with the free will that God gave us from the beginning. If our families are raised with strong Christian and moral values, and with loving encouragement, our children will recognize dangerous paths, but not be negatively affected by them. As to Pope Paul’s comment that "the U.S. church must study contemporary culture to find a way to appeal to youths", I am working on a similar thought that churches everywhere need to study contemporary culture to find out why single people are not in church, and find a way to appeal to them. As co-founder of SAM’s Lambs, a Single Adult Ministry at Good Shepherd, I am helping to form a loving, supportive environment for singles of all ages, religions and marital status. I am actively involved in my church and faith – because I needed all the support I could get in raising three children, and a grandson, alone, and to have fellowship in a loving, non-judgmental way. It also doesn’t hurt that our congregation mirrors our Rector, Reverend Lance Robbins’ warmth and great sense of humour. I have compassion for single people who feel incomplete if they are not in an intimate relationship. But maybe they feel that way because they have forgotten about their primary relationships – the first with God, and the second with themselves. For those singles, I suggest that if you want more love in your life – give more love, at home, with friends, and at church.

The Scroll
A Periodic newsletter
for SAM's Lambs
http://www.samslambs.org

From our Publisher:
On Spirituality and Singularity

Internet References:
Singles in the Church:
Is There Seating For One In The Church?

"America is Soulless" Pope Paul, Vatican City

"NOT in MY Community" Betty Van Volkenburg, Webster NY

When I first read that Pope Paul said "American society is in danger of turning against spirituality in favor of materialistic desires, giving way to a ‘soulless vision of life’ " my first thought was of what Jesus said, "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to take the speck out of your brother’s eye" (Matthew 7:5)

Criticism is easy, and contagious. As God was working on me to do this article, I was so ready to jump into the same hypocritical behaviour that I saw in others. But then, this weekend I attended two glorious, soul blooming events at my home church, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Webster NY and I just felt sorry for the Pope for not being able to see the souls of every day people in action, from his splendiferous ivory tower in Vatican City.

To give due respect to the Pope, he did go on to say "To fight this, the pontiff argued, the U.S. church must study contemporary culture to find a way to appeal to youths".

Well, our Good Shepherd church is already there, and that is right in line with what our town is doing that earned the recognition from Sports Illustrated as Sports City, USA.

On Saturday June 5^th I was present at the ordination of two young people as deacons in the Episcopal church, on their way to becoming full fledged priests. One was Jay Burkardt who grew up in Good Shepherd in Webster, and the second was Mary Ann Brody from St. Thomas in Rochester NY.

There were representatives from all across the Diocese of Rochester NY, as Bishop Jack McKelvey officiated. The traditional services, Bishop McKelvey’s moving and uplifting address and homily, with a trace of good natured humor that lifts the spirit and the corners of our mouths, were further enhanced by the joint choirs of Good Shepherd and St. Thomas. A bountiful reception that followed in our Parish Hall was crowded with many happy souls from both churches, as we celebrated Jay and Mary Ann’s ordinations.

The next evening, Sunday June 6^th, was our annual Teen concert, and it was a bittersweet night for all of us as 4 of our youths were moving on to college in September. Dr. Karyn Pfluger, our dedicated Music Director has nurtured 16 youths in our teen choir, in addition to three other choirs at Good Shepherd – an adult Choir, a Junior Choir, and a Chime Choir.

Our teens bring tears to our eyes with some of the moving songs and anthems, but they are also fluent in instruments like French Horn, Trombone, Harp, Piano, and Flute. In fact we have six flutists, and one of our parents, Jeff Arnold, led them in a special rendition of ‘Nightwatch’, which he wrote just for our six flutists.

My grandson Robert Pape, (who will always be Bobby to me), is among the graduates this year, and his absence will be felt by many at church, and in our Webster community. I’m very proud of the way his mother Candy has raised him, and the way he reaches out and cares about people around him. As I considered his future and the other teens at our church, I am so thankful for the Christian community, and our village, that has created the encouraging, loving environment to help Bobby and others like him acquire the kind of positive attitude and moral behaviour that is a solid basis for a happy, successful future.

As the Pope mentioned, there is materialism and secularism in this country, but it is a result of living with the free will that God gave us from the beginning. If our families are raised with strong Christian and moral values, and with loving encouragement, our children will recognize dangerous paths, but not be negatively affected by them.

As to Pope Paul’s comment that "the U.S. church must study contemporary culture to find a way to appeal to youths", I am working on a similar thought that churches everywhere need to study contemporary culture to find out why single people are not in church, and find a way to appeal to them. As co-founder of SAM’s Lambs, a Single Adult Ministry at Good Shepherd, I am helping to form a loving, supportive environment for singles of all ages, religions and marital status. I am actively involved in my church and faith – because I needed all the support I could get in raising three children, and a grandson, alone, and to have fellowship in a loving, non-judgmental way. It also doesn’t hurt that our congregation mirrors our Rector, Reverend Lance Robbins’ warmth and great sense of humour.

I have compassion for single people who feel incomplete if they are not in an intimate relationship. But maybe they feel that way because they have forgotten about their primary relationships – the first with God, and the second with themselves. For those singles, I suggest that if you want more love in your life – give more love, at home, with friends, and at church.