| +Hartley - September, 2010 |
As We continue this summer journey, there are many stories to tell, meeting others on their life’s
journey. On a recent trip to Florida, We met a family of eight (8) siblings who lost the youngest to cancer,
it was a painful time, We shared in their grief. We met a woman in her forties suffering from cancer and
diabetes, and now has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Further within the confines of this
sunny state, We met a mother who did her best for her three sons while they were growing up. She is a
single mother, and now all of her sons are incarcerated; one on Florida’s death row taken from her by
the hands of gangs and violence.
In this life We have been blest, but had it not been for the careful attendance of myr parents, who never
speared the well deserved rod, there by the grace of God We could be sitting where those three (3)
mentioned above now sit. It is in the beginning that life is nurtured and gives meaning to the lives of
the children as they grow into adulthood. With so much going in the world today, our children are lost,
some taken from us by the cruel walls of prison, some even by the well intentioned but deadly hands of
war.
Yet, as We travel this great divide, We can only think of America as blest land, full of beauty, grace and
people who still love the Church. To be an American is to be blest. We have traveled to 65 countries,
and 49 States of the Union in our life time, when We hear of hard economic times, We counter. its really
not. Hard economic times is in Malawi, Sudan, Estonia, El Salvador to name a few where they are
supermarkets but their shelves are empty. In Haiti, where a good job brings wages of ONE ($1) a day,
where in the Congo a man leaves his family to go off to find work for three (3) months in the gold mines,
risking his life and returns home with $300. 00 in his hand, that is hard economic times.
The growing problems in America is no so much about economics, but a lack of guidance, where people,
while yet believing in God turn away from the Church. If you look back in the history of America you will
see men fighting for women, pay, land, race and power; but still there continues to be much strife. The
church must counter, we must fight to set men free.
As the ACW reaches out to those We meet, We try to encourage that life is not about being better men
than others, each one of us has an equal chance. What matters in life is justice an equality for all and
given choices of freedom given by God and the Constitution of the great divide of this land.
As We continue on this summer journey, let us look at America for what it is, a land. A land of promise
where no man has to bow to another, a land where you will be judged by the evidence of your deeds,
where together, we can build something, a place to call home. We must put all the negative fighting
aside and fight for each other.
As always ,
Watch how you go
+ Hartley
Episcopal Visit for September:
5th - The Church of the Resurrection, New York
12th - Jacksonville, Florida (Sudanese Community)
19th - Good Shepherd, Bellville, Illinois
26th Minot, North Dakota, Organization Sudanese Community
journey. On a recent trip to Florida, We met a family of eight (8) siblings who lost the youngest to cancer,
it was a painful time, We shared in their grief. We met a woman in her forties suffering from cancer and
diabetes, and now has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. Further within the confines of this
sunny state, We met a mother who did her best for her three sons while they were growing up. She is a
single mother, and now all of her sons are incarcerated; one on Florida’s death row taken from her by
the hands of gangs and violence.
In this life We have been blest, but had it not been for the careful attendance of myr parents, who never
speared the well deserved rod, there by the grace of God We could be sitting where those three (3)
mentioned above now sit. It is in the beginning that life is nurtured and gives meaning to the lives of
the children as they grow into adulthood. With so much going in the world today, our children are lost,
some taken from us by the cruel walls of prison, some even by the well intentioned but deadly hands of
war.
Yet, as We travel this great divide, We can only think of America as blest land, full of beauty, grace and
people who still love the Church. To be an American is to be blest. We have traveled to 65 countries,
and 49 States of the Union in our life time, when We hear of hard economic times, We counter. its really
not. Hard economic times is in Malawi, Sudan, Estonia, El Salvador to name a few where they are
supermarkets but their shelves are empty. In Haiti, where a good job brings wages of ONE ($1) a day,
where in the Congo a man leaves his family to go off to find work for three (3) months in the gold mines,
risking his life and returns home with $300. 00 in his hand, that is hard economic times.
The growing problems in America is no so much about economics, but a lack of guidance, where people,
while yet believing in God turn away from the Church. If you look back in the history of America you will
see men fighting for women, pay, land, race and power; but still there continues to be much strife. The
church must counter, we must fight to set men free.
As the ACW reaches out to those We meet, We try to encourage that life is not about being better men
than others, each one of us has an equal chance. What matters in life is justice an equality for all and
given choices of freedom given by God and the Constitution of the great divide of this land.
As We continue on this summer journey, let us look at America for what it is, a land. A land of promise
where no man has to bow to another, a land where you will be judged by the evidence of your deeds,
where together, we can build something, a place to call home. We must put all the negative fighting
aside and fight for each other.
As always ,
Watch how you go
+ Hartley
Episcopal Visit for September:
5th - The Church of the Resurrection, New York
12th - Jacksonville, Florida (Sudanese Community)
19th - Good Shepherd, Bellville, Illinois
26th Minot, North Dakota, Organization Sudanese Community
America, A Land of Hope |
| Silent Sermon |