The Scroll A Periodic newsletter for SAM's Lambs http://www.samslambs.org	*The Rev: A View from Upstairs*
*Why God Will Never Get Tenure at Any University* Only published one book. It was in Hebrew. It had no references. He did not publish it in referenced journals. Some doubt He even wrote it Himself. He is not known for his cooperative work. Sure. He created the world, but what has He done lately? He did not get permission from any review board to work on human subjects. When one of His experiments went awry, He tried to cover it up by drowning all the subjects. When sample subjects do not behave as predicted, He deletes the whole sample. He rarely comes to class. He just tells His students to read the Book. It is rumored that He sometimes lets His Son teach the class. Although He only has 10 requirements, His students often fail His tests. He expelled His first two students for learning. His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top. (From faculty members at Kansas State University and instructors at Allen County Community College) Internet References: Singles in the Church: Is There Seating For One In The Church?	*The Rev: On Management* by Reverend Lance Robbins Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Recently while perusing some old publications, I came across an ad for a church. In part, it read as follows: "In an era of corporate restructuring, try an organization where top management hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. These days it’s refreshing to see a place where top management hasn’t changed in a while. We think you’ll like it. Join us Sunday as we worship in faith and fellowship…" (1994 Ad Project Catalog) What an interesting thought! With all the news concerning large corporations, many of us are very concerned about the future –ours as well as that of our loved ones. These days many feel that what we once looked to for security, at least in economic terms, may no longer be there. As a result, many if not all of us have a vague feeling of fear, of insecurity, of being unsettled. While we may not be able to change a lot in the corporate world, we can do a lot to help ourselves and each other during these times. How about an organization that has not or never will make a change in management? Look to your local community of faith. Look to this community for acceptance, a welcome, among others who share your own concerns and life situations. Perhaps you know of a group that offers insight, support, and an exchange of ideas. If not, why not help to create one? Speak to the head of your local community. Most, if not all, places would welcome such a vehicle of understanding and hope. Look to a local community that celebrates grace, new life, and God’s love for all of us. Look to a community that will celebrate the fact that in a corporate world – where a person can become just a number – you are not a nameless face among a sea of faces. You are important, you are loved, you are accepted. While preparing these thoughts I remembered a quote by a famous theologian, Paul Tillich. I want to share just one part of a sermon he gave on his sixtieth birthday. He wrote: "Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when we feel that our separation is deeper than usual, because we feel we have violated another life, a life which we have loved, or from which we are estranged…it strikes us when, year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: ‘You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!’ " (Paul Tillich, Sermon, 1848, 161-162) No matter what the future will bring, God is there, God does love, God does heal, God does help with fears and with uncertainty. Not a rose garden – simply a God who will always be there, a God who accepts you. Faithfully, (The Rev) Lance Robbins, Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster NY Tel: 585-872-2281 Good Shepherd church has begun a new Singles Ministry which is open to all single people in the Webster NY area, of any denomination and any single marital status. You can view their progress on their site. Bishop Jack McKelvey of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester NY recently visited Good Shepherd where he delivered an address on "Marks of an Effective Congregation" It looks like Good Shepherd’s congregation and clergy would definitely fall in the Effective Congregation category.

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

The Rev: A View from Upstairs

Why God Will Never Get Tenure at Any University

Only published one book.
It was in Hebrew.
It had no references.
He did not publish it in referenced journals.
Some doubt He even wrote it Himself.
He is not known for his cooperative work.
Sure. He created the world, but what has He done lately?
He did not get permission from any review board to work on human subjects.
When one of His experiments went awry, He tried to cover it up by drowning all the subjects.
When sample subjects do not behave as predicted, He deletes the whole sample.
He rarely comes to class. He just tells His students to read the Book.
It is rumored that He sometimes lets His Son teach the class.
Although He only has 10 requirements, His students often fail His tests.
He expelled His first two students for learning.
His office hours were infrequent and usually held on a mountain top.

(From faculty members at Kansas State University and instructors at Allen County Community College)

Internet References:

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

The Rev: On Management

by Reverend Lance Robbins
Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

Recently while perusing some old publications, I came across an ad for a church. In part, it read as follows:

"In an era of corporate restructuring, try an organization where top management hasn’t changed in 2,000 years. These days it’s refreshing to see a place where top management hasn’t changed in a while. We think you’ll like it. Join us Sunday as we worship in faith and fellowship…" (1994 Ad Project Catalog)

What an interesting thought! With all the news concerning large corporations, many of us are very concerned about the future –ours as well as that of our loved ones. These days many feel that what we once looked to for security, at least in economic terms, may no longer be there. As a result, many if not all of us have a vague feeling of fear, of insecurity, of being unsettled. While we may not be able to change a lot in the corporate world, we can do a lot to help ourselves and each other during these times. How about an organization that has not or never will make a change in management? Look to your local community of faith. Look to this community for acceptance, a welcome, among others who share your own concerns and life situations. Perhaps you know of a group that offers insight, support, and an exchange of ideas. If not, why not help to create one? Speak to the head of your local community. Most, if not all, places would welcome such a vehicle of understanding and hope.

Look to a local community that celebrates grace, new life, and God’s love for all of us. Look to a community that will celebrate the fact that in a corporate world – where a person can become just a number – you are not a nameless face among a sea of faces. You are important, you are loved, you are accepted.

While preparing these thoughts I remembered a quote by a famous theologian, Paul Tillich. I want to share just one part of a sermon he gave on his sixtieth birthday. He wrote: "Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when we feel that our separation is deeper than usual, because we feel we have violated another life, a life which we have loved, or from which we are estranged…it strikes us when, year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: ‘You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything; do not perform anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!’ " (Paul Tillich, Sermon, 1848, 161-162)

No matter what the future will bring, God is there, God does love, God does heal, God does help with fears and with uncertainty. Not a rose garden – simply a God who will always be there, a God who accepts you.

Faithfully,

(The Rev) Lance Robbins,
Rector, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd,
Webster NY Tel: 585-872-2281

Good Shepherd church has begun a new Singles Ministry which is open to all single people in the Webster NY area, of any denomination and any single marital status. You can view their progress on their site.

Bishop Jack McKelvey of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester NY recently visited Good Shepherd where he delivered an address on "Marks of an Effective Congregation" It looks like Good Shepherd’s congregation and clergy would definitely fall in the Effective Congregation category.