Christmas Letter 2011

Dear Ones,

Greetings to you all in the Christ whose coming we await with great anticipation and hope!

The words of John Lennon often ring in my ears this time of year:  “And so it is Christmas, and what have you done?”  I find myself reflecting on the year behind me, on those things that I have done, or left undone, during the past year, and I look ahead in anticipation of new possibilities and directions in life.

Recently I preached a homily, with a small group of folks at St. Luke’s during an evening service.  I invited those gathered to ponder the opportunity for new life to form within each of us this Advent season.  At Christmas we stand in awe of a God who breaks into our world in a new and profound way in the form of a baby Jesus, born of Mary.  No matter what our chronological age may be, we can ponder the same divine transformation within ourselves.  This Christmas season we can become like a child; we can more fully realize our identity as children of God, created in the image of God.

So, in addition to reflecting on what we have done, we can also ponder what we have become, and what is yet to come!

I look forward to Christmas and to the adventures in Christ that lie ahead for all of us as we engage together in common mission and ministry.

Merry Christmas, brothers and sisters in Christ!  The blessing of Immanuel, God with us, be upon you now and always.

In Peace,

 

Colin+

The Rev. Colin Maltbie
Priest-in-Charge at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Kasson
Curate at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rochester

 

Prayers for the New Year

As we approach the beginning of a New Year…

Dear Ones,

I pray that you all find many experiences of God’s love in your lives.

I pray that you all find encouragement in your relationships with God, with family and friends, and with those whom you have not yet met.

I pray that you find joy in all times, eventually even in the most difficult of times.

Thus says the Lord of Hosts:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

I look forward to a New Year full of new possibilities and opportunities to further engage in God’s mission, to help build God’s Kingdom of love and compassion in the world. I am glad to share in that mission with you all.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

Many blessings to you all,
Colin+

Tags: 2012, New Year

An Advent message written for the Dodge County Independent

Did you know that we are in the midst of the season of Advent: the four-week period leading up to Christmas? The season of Advent is an opportunity to slow down in the midst of the busy holiday rush; an opportunity to reflect on how our lives in faith shape our relationships with God one another and informs the choices that we make.

The prophet Isaiah proclaims,

“A voice cries out:
‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3)

The place to find God is not in the overwhelming piles of advertisements; the voice of God is not telling us about amazing deals and low-interest financing incentives. God is not calling us to become ever more anxious about our inability to afford buying things for people this year. No, the voice of God calls to us from the wilderness, from a place stripped away of all ephemeral distractions. The still, calm voice of God beckons us toward peace and love. God invites us to consider compassion over consumption, and to trust that we always have enough when we focus on the important things in life–our relationship with God and with one another.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I watched a television special on a Norman Rockwell painting entitled Freedom from Want. It is a simple painting of a family sitting around a Thanksgiving dinner table, with members of Rockwell’s family painted into the scene. I was especially moved by the title: Freedom from Want, a reminder that the most important things in life are our loving relationships. There is almost nothing better than breaking bread with family and friends, and this season my family and I give thanks for our new community of friends.

The holiday season can be difficult for many who have lost loved ones and for those who find themselves alone. Pray for them, that they might feel the loving presence of God, their comfort and companion. Ask someone who might be lonely or unhappy at this time of year over for coffee or a meal, so that they can share in your bounty and partake in the joy of the season with you. Together we have so much.

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Many Blessings to you all,
Colin+

Tags: Advent

In Thanksgiving

Dear Ones,

I give thanks for good health… this past week has been rough for the Maltbie family… we were all sick in turn… finally feeling better on Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day. I hope this day finds you and yours well also.

Yesterday, with my in-laws, I watched a bit of a television special on Norman Rockwell… they spoke about a painting of his called “Freedom from Want”. It is a simple painting of a family sitting around a Thanksgiving dinner table, with members of Rockwell’s family painted into the scene. I was especially moved by the title: “Freedom from Want”, a reminder that the most important things in life are our loving relationships. There is almost nothing better than breaking bread with family and friends, and this season my family and I give thanks for our new friends and parish family–those of you with whom we have broken bread at our Wednesday dinners, special events, Sundays after church, and in your homes and ours.

The holiday season can be difficult for many who have lost loved ones, and for those who find themselves alone. Pray for those are alone… that they might feel the loving presence of God, their comfort and companion.

“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thesalonians 5:16-18)

Many Blessings to you all,
Colin+

Tags: Advent, Thanksgiving

Giving up ourselves to God’s service

Veterans’ Day is upon us… a time to honor and remember the men and women who put their lives on the line in military service for our country…

Folks are divided over support for military action, but we must be united around our support for the very men and women who serve… our service people are mothers and fathers, siblings, friends, and neighbors…  many of us have family and friends who have served, and some who have died in service…

In Christ we are called to spread the Gospel of love and peace… In Christ we are called to speak out against injustice… In Christ we are called to love our enemies… and in Christ, we embrace, in love, our brothers and sisters who serve in the military…

Pray for all members of our human family, who serve in the military…

 

 

 

Always take the high road in Christ

No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:20-21; see also Proverbs 25:21-22)

Close, personal relationships can be difficult, especially during times of transition and change…  I know that when I am feeling out of balance – over-tired, stressed out, out of my element in a new environment and vocation – I am less likely to take the high road…  but even so I know it is important to practice walking with Christ in all times, easy and tough…  I look at the Christian life as a posture that is learned through practice…  although it does feel good to get that last word in during an argument, or sarcastic comment, those comments are hardly ever helpful… but I am learning…  I have be diligent in my practice in taking the high road…  this means either my contributing or restraining myself in order to move forward in a positive direction.  When I was a conflict resolution facilitator for Ramsey County, MN, two of our mottos were “Do no further harm,” and, “We only have control over our own behavior.”  We are called to be peace, love, compassion, and forgiveness in the world…  we do our best, and pray to God to help us when we find ourselves at the limits of our ability.

When in doubt, pray… trust in God… trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to change our hearts, to change the hearts of others…  when in doubt love and forgive…  strive to see Christ in others… especially in our enemies.

Curate Reflections – The First Two Weeks

Greetings in Christ!

As I write this I am entering into the third week of my curacy, and I have hit the ground running! I have presided and preached with both faith communities, including a Saturday evening service and a Wednesday healing service at St. Luke’s.  I have been a regular attendee of the Wednesday bible study/book group at St. Luke’s, and the Wednesday evening (free and open to all) community dinner at St. Peter’s.  In the spirit of ecumenism I have begun to develop relationships with local pastors in the Kasson/Mantorville area, and with folks in the wider community there.  I am also part of a rotation to provide services for Prairie Meadows Senior Home, Kasson, and to write articles for the Dodge County Independent (I will be in this week’s paper!).  Additionally within the past couple weeks I have attended various meetings, including my weekly meeting with Father Doug, a St. Luke’s Finance committee meeting, and a St. Peter’s Music Committee meeting.  Coming up this week Father Doug and I will be providing a service for Charter House, and I will be doing a similar service later that day at Prairie Meadows.  I am also paying special attention to our evolving Shared Ministry vision and relationship in everything that I do.

So far so good!  I am enjoying getting to know folks from both faith communities and worshipping with you all, and I am keeping plenty busy.  I am aware that this is a time of transition for all of us, complete with new joys and challenges.  But, these past couple of weeks have greatly affirmed my sense of call to serve in this place, and I know God has good things in store for us.  It is an honor and a blessing to serve with you all.

In faith and thanksgiving,

Colin+

Blessings to you all!