Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Grail
The
Want to see the Grail in Color? Interested in extended content, such as devotionals?
If you’re receiving the Grail in printed form and would like to see it in color with more content, you can visit
http://stjosephofarimathea.org/congregational-resources/grail to download a PDF version.
Continued from p. 1
Recently I read a review of the film “Get Low” For the past several weeks many members of
staring Robert Duvall in which the reviewer said that our community have been reading the book Free of
this was not a “Christian movie.” He did, to his credit, Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped
admit that the film is Christ haunted. Not to fall into of Grace by theologian Miroslav Volf. I believe that
the trap I condemn above, I won’t say that this film is this film makes a powerful companion to our reflec-
a Christian one, but I will say after viewing it that I tions on repentance and forgiveness. The film is well
believe it’s a film that Christians ought to see. acted, as one would expect from a cast that includes
Duvall, Sissy Spacek and Bill Murray, and it does a
good job at pulling the viewer in and pulling them
along in events. “Get Low” is the story of a hermit in
the woods of West Tennessee. The people from town
tell stories about him and the children throw stones at
his house. His only friend is an old mule. As the film
progresses we come to suspect that there is something
deeper in this old man, as he starts to encourage folks
to tell him the stories they’ve heard and tries to orga-
nize his “funeral party,” a gathering he wants to attend
while alive. Eventually we learn the dark secret that
caused him to build a prison and put himself in it for
forty years, and in an inspired scene, the tormented
Felix Bush (Duvall) reveals what has kept him con-
fined—literally and figuratively—for so many years.
Get Low may not meet some folks’ standard of
what characterizes a Christian film, but it certainly
does deal with the real human issues of guilt, repen-
tance and forgiveness in an amazing way. The clergy
even get a few good words in. I highly recommend it.
2
The Law of Unintended Consequences
Two weeks ago the Hendersonville pastor’s associ- details are provided in the story below). This situa-
ation drafted a letter condemning the planned burning tion highlights one of the reasons we as Christians—
of Qurans by Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Out- especially American Christians—need to be particu-
reach center in Gainesville, Florida. Of course, any- larly aware of what is happening around the globe:
one following the news heard about this publicity stunt our actions can have immediate consequences for our
as it spread quickly through the various news outlets. brothers and sisters overseas.
There was the expected outcry as people sought to
According to another news source, the mob that
convince Pastor Jones to reconsider his actions, since,
attacked the school as retaliation for insults to the
as Paul reminds us what is lawful is not always benefi-
Quran (which, of course, were never actually carried
cial (1 Cor. 10:23). Eventually he relented and said he
out) managed to burn several copies of the Quran that
would not hold the Quran burning. People in America
were housed in the school. Some might see this as
breathed a sigh of relief that such an offensive action
poetic justice, but in reality it’s just that law of unin-
was averted and then promptly changed the channel on
tended consequences, and highlights the sort of thing
the TV, moving on with their lives. I know that was
that happens when we resort to hateful polemic and
my reaction.
violence.
And yet, I should have been thinking about the
second half of that verse from Corinthians. It reads, in
its entirety:
‘All things are lawful’, but not all things are Call to protect Christians after “most beautiful
beneficial. ‘All things are lawful’, but not school” lost to Quran anger violence
all things build up. Do not seek your own
ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2010/9/15/
advantage, but that of others (1 Corinthians ACNS4731
10:23-24 NRSV).
I should have thought of these two verses for a few The Bishop of Amritsar has called on the
reasons. The first is simply to reflect on the question President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil to
of how such an activity could possibly be salubrious, protect Christians in northern India after a mob
how it could possibly build up the body of Christ, burned down the oldest school in Kashmir and
the community at large or the Muslims that might also attacked other Christian institutions.
be counted among Pastor Jones’ near neighbors. In
The Church of North India’s Rt Revd Pradeep
perusing this action, was Pastor Jones seeking his own
Kumar Samantaroy, wrote that it was “with a
advantage or that of others? Whatever the sincerity
heavy heart” that he informed the President of the
in his actions, Pastor Jones set the stage for a very
complete destruction of the Tungmarg Tyndale
sad example of the law of unintended consequences.
Biscoe branch school that provided “quality
When I opened my email on September 15th to read
education to five hundred fifty children from one
the update from Anglican Communion News Service,
hundred fifty villages around Tangmarg.”
I was greeted with the following headline: Call to
protect Christians after “most beautiful school” lost to The school, managed by the Diocese of
Quran anger violence. Amritsar, had 27 staff and 16 support staff and
had been founded in 1996 by Tyndale Biscoe
The headline is a little rough, but the story fleshes
and Mallinson School Educational Society to
out the details. A school was destroyed by a mob in
cater for the economically deprived sectors of
Kashmir, the Muslim-dominated northern territory of
the community.
India. Certain radicals in that community took Pas-
tor Jones’ threat as the occasion to attack and burn a The whole three-storey wooden structure with 26
school supported by the Church of North India (the classrooms, computer labs and a library containing,
Continued on p. 4
3
Continued from p. 3
among other books, copies of the Quran was The school’s headmaster Rahinder Kaul
completely destroyed on Monday after being set on expressed his sorrow at the destruction of the
fire by a large mob that marched on the school after school: “As word spread, my phone hasn’t
hearing reports of a man desecrating the Quran in stopped ringing, with students, parents, staff
America. None of the staff were injured; they all
members, friends and well-wishers all expressing
managed to escape the blaze.
their shock and disbelief—many, many students
“I am pained to state that though the local broke down completely while talking to me—
authorities were informed about a possible theirs is by far the biggest loss.
attack… no protection was provided,” said
Bishop Samantaroy in his message to the He added, “Today the school, the pride of the
President. “As a result of it the whole building children who studied here and the staff who have
was burnt to ashes incurring a huge loss of put everything into the school, is a heap of ashes. I
property and causing irreparable damage to the cannot express my own shock and sense of loss.”
sentiments of the Christian Community.
Other Christian institutions also came under
“You are aware that the Christians in the State
attack including the Roman Catholic Good
of Jammu and Kashmir are a tiny minority
who always live and serve under stressful and Shepherd High School at Pulwama that was also
sometimes threatening situations. The present set on fire and the Church of North India hospital
situation has made the Christians in Jammu and at Anantnag was stormed by protestors, two of
Kashmir feel very insecure.” whom were shot and killed by security forces.
Hard of Listening
In the early 1990s my Grandma Adams, who had But blame can be associated with the failure to
been a widow for several years, began to hang out hear. Think of Stephen in Acts 7:51, railing at an audi-
with a widower named Bob. Grandma and Bob got ence of religious officials: “You stiff-necked people,
along famously. They complemented one another: uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever op-
Grandma was hard of hearing and Bob was almost posing the Holy Spirit . . .” And when Jesus frames a
blind. My brother tells a story about joining them one parable with the comment, “Let those with ears to hear
night at a restaurant. Grandma, Bob and my brother listen,” he is intimating that there is some element of
were just tucking into steaks and baked potatoes when moral or spiritual choice behind success or failure in
an amiable fellow approached the table. His demeanor hearing and understanding the parables.
was that of a longtime friend, and he talked to Bob and Is hearing or the failure to hear a matter of respon-
Grandma for several minutes. Grandma and Bob nod- sibility and culpability, or is it not? Maybe another
ded and smiled as if they knew what was going on. family story will help sort this out. Eight years ago, I
After the gentleman left the table, Bob asked, suffered an ear infection that led to a puncturing of the
“Who was that man?” Grandma replied, “I don’t eardrum. A doctor wanted to test how much damage
know—what did he say?” had been done, so I was ushered into a sound-proof
Grandma has been gone for years now, but this booth and administered a number of tests. When we
story remains a family favorite. We laugh freely about were finished, I asked the technician about the results.
it because we are not laughing at Grandma (she loved She replied that, for a 45-year-old man, my hearing
the tale herself). We don’t assign to Grandma any mor- was slightly above average.
al responsibility for her hearing loss and its sometimes “Well, isn’t that interesting,” I said. “Now I have
amusing (and sometimes frustrating) consequences. medico-scientific proof that my wife and daughter are
Her physical capacity to hear had simply worn out. wrong. They think I’m getting hard of hearing.” The
Continued on p. 5
4
Continued from p. 4
5
Unconditional Love
A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his
parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to
bring home with me."
"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
"There's something you should know the son continued, he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on
a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us."
"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."
"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible
burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think
you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however,
they received a call from the San Francisco police. Their son had died after falling from a building, they were
told. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the
city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him, but to their horror they also discovered
something they didn't know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have
around, but we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay
away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't
treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family,
regardless of how messed up we are.
Tonight, before you tuck yourself in for the night, say a little prayer that God will give you the strength you
need to accept people as they are, and to help us all be more understanding of those who are different from us!!
-- Author Unknown
Help Wanted
Nursery Worker
Do you know someone who loves to work with children? We are hiring a nursery worker for Sunday mornings,
preferably someone who is not already a member of St. Joseph’s. This is a paid position. A background check
will be done, and the employee will have to attend the 3-hour class “Safeguarding God’s People.” Contact
Fr. Jody for more details.
Vestry Clerk
The vestry needs a new clerk to take minutes during each month’s meeting. Please see Fr. Jody if you are
interested in serving in this role.
6
Submissions: Birthdays & Anniversaries
Next deadline: Friday, Oct. 22
Oct. 2 Nancy Manis
Did something in The Grail pique your interest? Oct. 3 Sarah Watts
Feel free to send your comments, prayers, Oct. 5 Wade Douglass
reflections, essays, articles, jokes or other Oct. 6 Don Holt
material you would like to share to grail@ Oct. 7 Deborah Jordan
stjosephofarimathea.org with “the Grail” in the Oct. 11 Debra Maggart
subject line. Anne Theis
Oct. 12 Jane Black
If you would like to change delivery preferences Oct. 13 Fred Frank
(change your address, recieve the Grail Andrew Mason
electronically in addition to or in place of a Oct. 14 Zoe Manis
physical copy) visit our web site at: http://www. Oct. 15 Jack Mason
stjosephofarimathea.org/congregational-resources/ Oct. 16 Andrew Gibson
newsletter-survey/ Oct. 17 Donna Holt
Oct. 18 Dorothy Jones
Oct. 24 Denine Torr
Oct. 26 Dawn Harman
Adult Dinner Group Oct. 28 David Heeks
Oct. 29 David Rose
The Adult Dinner Night Out will be held on Sunday,
Oct. 30 Laura Melcher
October 10, at 6:00 p.m., at Steamboat Bills, 248
Sanders Ferry Road, Hendersonville. All adult mem-
bers are invited to attend. This social event is a great
mixer with many different members from our church Oct. 7 Paul & Stephanie Love
attending each month. For reservations, please con- Oct. 23 Bill & Sandra Disney
tact Donna Holt by Friday, October 8, at 452-7242 or Oct. 24 Al & Ruth Torri
email at holt19@bellsouth.net.
7
Address Service Requested
The Grail Non-Profit Organization
St. Joseph of Arimathea Episcopal Church
103 Country Club Drive U.S. POSTAGE
Hendersonville, TN 37075 PAID
Church Phone: (615) 824-2910 Hendersonville, TN
http://stjosephofarimathea.org Permit No. 12
Service Schedule
Sunday
8:00 am Holy Communion, traditional language
(Rite I), no music
10:30 am Holy Communion, contemporary language
(Rite II), with music
9:15 am Christian formation for all ages
Church Calendar, C o m m u n i t y u s e, K a l e n d a r, US Holidays Oct 2010 (Central Time)
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
8 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Stanley Hauerwas
Joseph of Arimathea, 103 Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: book signing @ Christ
9 : 1 5 a m - Christian Formation @ 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall Church Cathedral,
St. Joseph of Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
H
1 0e:n3d0ear m
s o-nHoly
v i l l e Eucharist
T N 3 7 0 7 5 @ St. Nashville TN
St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
Joseph of Arimathea,
103 Country Club Dr.
Hendersonville, TN
37075
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
8 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Joseph of Arimathea, 103 Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
9 a m - First Sunday Breakfast @ 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
St. Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
H
9 :e1n5daemr s-oChristian 37075
n v i l l e T N Formation @ 6 : 3 0 p m - Daughters of the King
St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
St. Joseph of Arimathea @ St. Joseph of
1 0 : 3 0 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St.
Arimathea: St. Francis
Joseph of Arimathea,
Hall
103 Country Club Dr.
Hendersonville, TN
37075
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
8 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St. Columbus Day 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. Grail Deadline
Joseph of Arimathea, 103 Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
9 : 1 5 a m - Christian Formation @ 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
St. Joseph of Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
H
1 0e:n3d0ear m
s o-nHoly
v i l l e Eucharist
T N 3 7 0 7 5 @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
Joseph of Arimathea, Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
103 Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
Hendersonville, TN
37075
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
PB & J Dedication 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
8 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
Joseph of Arimathea, 103 Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
9 : 1 5 a m - Christian Formation @ 6 : 3 0 p m - Vestry Meeting @ St.
Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
St. Joseph of Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea:
H0e:n3d0ear m
1 s o-nHoly
v i l l e Eucharist
T N 3 7 0 7 5 @ St.
St. Francis Hall
Joseph of Arimathea,
103 Country Club Dr.
Hendersonville, TN
37075
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
8 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Joseph of Arimathea, 103 Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
9 : 1 5 a m - Christian Formation @ 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
St. Joseph of Arimathea Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
H0e:n3d0ear m
1 s o-nHoly
v i l l e Eucharist
T N 3 7 0 7 5 @ St.
St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
Joseph of Arimathea,
103 Country Club Dr.
Hendersonville, TN
37075
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
Halloween 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. Election Day 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 7 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
8 a m - Holy Eucharist @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St. 1 1 : 3 0 a m - Community Use @ St.
St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
Joseph of Arimathea, 103 Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea:
9 : 1 5 a m - Christian Formation @ 6 : 3 0 p m - Daughters of the King
Country Club Dr. St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall St. Francis Hall
St. Joseph of Arimathea @ St. Joseph of
H0e:n3d0ear m
1 s o-nHoly
v i l l e Eucharist
T N 3 7 0 7 5 @ St.
Arimathea: St. Francis
Joseph of Arimathea,
Hall
103 Country Club Dr.
Hendersonville, TN
37075