June 2018
From the Rector’s Desk As I sit at my desk in Thee House, it has just started to rain. We haven’t had many thunderstorms this year yet, so the flash of lightning and the roll of thunder after is somehow unfamiliar again. The cool rain on the hot railroad tracks across the street is causing steam to rise and roll down the tracks and over the rip rap and then over the grass. It’s ethereal. I mention to an old friend online that if I were to take a picture, that it just wouldn’t do it justice. He sent me this picture of a woman enjoying the moment, while all around her people try to capture the moment. She’s the only one really seeing the spectacle. They’re all worried about some other time, not the moment. I told him that some things were meant to be experienced, not preserved. Earlier today, another old friend and I were lamenting that our children were getting older. There are all these “lasts” happening right now; last day of school, last day in middle school, last time he’ll coach his son. I told him how I’d realized the other week that we’d only have my son with us for another five years or so before he went off to college. I’d planned on taking him on another backpacking trip next year. Upon that realization, I had to move the trip up to this fall. My friend quoted the Red Hot Chili Peppers to me, “This life is more than just a read through.” Something about now is telling me to Carpe Diem. We have to seize every moment of our lives because it really is fleeting! Psalm 144 says, “O LORD, what are human beings that you regard them, or mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a passing shadow.” In Psalm 102 it says, “My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass.” In Isaiah it says, “A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field.” Suddenly, when Jesus says this in Luke, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the
Our Staff & Vestry Rev, Anthony MacWhinnie, II, Rector Vestry: Beth Woods - Senior Warden, Jim Warner - Junior Warden Dora Giles—Treasurer Susan Early & Margaree Mills-Fitchett Sally Putters - Parish Nurse
kingdom of God.” it all makes sense… Here, Jesus is telling us to seize the moment, seize the day, Carpe Diem! Hold on and don’t look back! So, today, I tell you to tell your loved ones that you love them. Do that cool thing you’ve been meaning to do. Start that exercise program. Stop putting off that doctor’s appointment. Take that class you’ve been thinking of taking. Learn to cook your momma’s biscuits. Take that risk. Be the you of your fantasies. Do it today. Carpe diem. And don’t look back. Anthony+
Fellowship Event All 6-12th graders are invited to the home of Mia and Warren Jerrems (1407 Soundview Trail, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561) for this collaborative event with Pensacola area Episcopal youth groups. We will share a meal at 5pm followed by paddle boarding, worship, games and living into community through fellowship! This is a great time to bring a friend! We will gather on June 13, July 11 and July 18.