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The Rev. Dr. J. Segar Gravatt
Associate Rector

I’m writing this on January 2nd of this very new year and am aware that by the time you read this we will be into our 2nd month of this new year.  However I am not there yet so my words will at least reflect this contradiction of time….

On New Year’s Eve a friend sent me the following words from T. S. Eliot’s “Little Gidding”. They are:

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

I have read through “Little Gidding” several times over the years and on occasions re-read meaningful sections but have to admit that I have no memory of the above.  So I am grateful that my friend sent it to me.

Now in saying all that I find myself thinking about the quote almost continuously because it reminds me that God’s mercies are new every morning; that when I go to bed every night I am making an end and that when I wake up the next morning I am claiming a new beginning.  So each day is a small new year for each of us.

I remember as a child when we laid our heads in our Mother’s lap as we said our prayers (and she searched thought our hair for whatever foreign objects which had accumulated from a day of outside play) that part of our ritual was to make amends for our daily ‘misdoings’ and then to go to bed knowing that when we woke up the next morning a clean slate lay ahead.  It was a gift of grace for one such as I who inadvertently always needed a clean slate.
 
As we move into the Epiphany season I find that all of this relates as one way to look at Epiphany is through the lens of restoration. Through this season we are called to begin again. It is a time to sort and sift what is past and to give thanks for what we have been given as Christians.

So I wish each of you a daily clean slate, knowing that God’s mercies are new every day.

Sunday School Class for Parents

Segar is facilitating a Sunday School class for parents of adolescents.  It will be an ‘anything goes/nothing is off limits’ kind of discussion relating to issues and concerns surrounding our adolescent children.  Give Segar a call (481-0577) at the church to let her know of your interest. . Dates for 2011-2012  (3rd Sunday of the month)

February 19th
March 18th
Wednesday Evenings With Segar

We will take time to discover God’s journeying in our lives through a variety readings and discussion. 

Our first meeting for the winter will be on Wednesday, January 11th in the library at All Saints’ at 6:30PM.

If you are interested please call 481-0577 to sign up or see Segar or email her:  jgravatt4@cox.net

Mark your calendars for the following dates and books.

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
               February 1st: To bottom of page 50
               February 8th: finish the book

Take This Bread by Sara Miles
               February 15th: to chapter 8
               February 29th: to chapter 17, March 7th: finish the book

Crazy For God by Frank Schaeffer
               March 14th: to page 81, March 21st: pages 81-148
               March 28th: pages 149-250, April 11th: pages 253-312
               April 18th: finish the book

Surprised By Joy by C S Lewis
               April 25th:  to page 83
               May 2nd: to page 165, May 9th: finish the book

There is room for anyone on any Wednesday-even if you haven’t read the book-the discussion is always lively and open to whatever comes to mind…..