First Baptist Church of West Hartford
| Dedicated to bringing Christian Faith and Life together through Worship, Outreach, Education and a Caring Community |
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| 90 North Main Street West Hartford CT 06107 |
The Serenity Prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr one of the most important
theologians of the twentieth century. And most do not know that his prayer was
longer than what is generally used and displayed. It is, I believe a deep and
powerful prayer and call to a way of life that is surrender and action for the
purposes of God and the sake of the world. I share the entire prayer with you and
wish you the serenity and peace of Christ it is meant to offer.
God, grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will.
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
forever in the next.
Amen.
Peace be with you,
Tom
theologians of the twentieth century. And most do not know that his prayer was
longer than what is generally used and displayed. It is, I believe a deep and
powerful prayer and call to a way of life that is surrender and action for the
purposes of God and the sake of the world. I share the entire prayer with you and
wish you the serenity and peace of Christ it is meant to offer.
God, grant me the serenity to
accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace.
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will.
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
forever in the next.
Amen.
Peace be with you,
Tom
AMY'S CORNER
A Brief Preface to the Essays
They come from my twenty-plus year involvement in issues related to religion and the
environment as well as my interest in studying the interaction between spirituality and
modern science. These essays emerge from five basic points of reference:
1) my concern for the state of the planet, the devastation of Earth’s life systems;
2) my conviction that the Christian faith and other spiritualities are indispensable in
understanding and shaping our human place and purpose on Earth, as well as guiding our
living in a mutually enhancing way;
3) my belief that modern science can and should be in partnership with religion and that
the discoveries of scientific cosmologists and quantum physicists are essential to our
understanding of the origins of the universe, how life really is and how it is evolving;
4) the recent understanding of and acknowledgement that there is a story the universe
has been telling for 14 billion years that is primary with all other stories, including the
human story, being derivative; and,
5) my conviction that God is the Ground of all existence and is the One actively engaged
with all life.
These are works in progress. I invite your input in this ongoing, and what I believe to be,
critical work of understanding who we are and what is our purpose in God’s amazing
creation.
These essays are not intended to represent my final thoughts on the universe story, the
interaction between science and religion, or the needed paradigm shift in the way we see
and live life. They are designed to be read, discussed and questioned. Some of the
essays may seem to veer from this primary focus. However, I believe they raise essential
questions in helping us think about how we should, ought, or may begin to start living with
one another and Earth in a mutually enhancing way.
I hope that as you read these, you will be moved to undertake your own study of the
issues I raise; better yet, I hope you will meet with others to discuss these and any other
thoughts you might consider essential to the health and well-being of our life together.
They come from my twenty-plus year involvement in issues related to religion and the
environment as well as my interest in studying the interaction between spirituality and
modern science. These essays emerge from five basic points of reference:
1) my concern for the state of the planet, the devastation of Earth’s life systems;
2) my conviction that the Christian faith and other spiritualities are indispensable in
understanding and shaping our human place and purpose on Earth, as well as guiding our
living in a mutually enhancing way;
3) my belief that modern science can and should be in partnership with religion and that
the discoveries of scientific cosmologists and quantum physicists are essential to our
understanding of the origins of the universe, how life really is and how it is evolving;
4) the recent understanding of and acknowledgement that there is a story the universe
has been telling for 14 billion years that is primary with all other stories, including the
human story, being derivative; and,
5) my conviction that God is the Ground of all existence and is the One actively engaged
with all life.
These are works in progress. I invite your input in this ongoing, and what I believe to be,
critical work of understanding who we are and what is our purpose in God’s amazing
creation.
These essays are not intended to represent my final thoughts on the universe story, the
interaction between science and religion, or the needed paradigm shift in the way we see
and live life. They are designed to be read, discussed and questioned. Some of the
essays may seem to veer from this primary focus. However, I believe they raise essential
questions in helping us think about how we should, ought, or may begin to start living with
one another and Earth in a mutually enhancing way.
I hope that as you read these, you will be moved to undertake your own study of the
issues I raise; better yet, I hope you will meet with others to discuss these and any other
thoughts you might consider essential to the health and well-being of our life together.
Essay Two - Contexts
Essay Three - Oneness
Essay Four - The Universe Loves
Diversity
Essay Five - Cataclysm
Essay Six - Creation EX Nihilio
Essay Three - Oneness
Essay Four - The Universe Loves
Diversity
Essay Five - Cataclysm
Essay Six - Creation EX Nihilio
Essay Seven - What Happens
When We Die
Essay Eight - A Question of Rights
Essay Nine - Judgement Day
Essay Ten - Hope
Essay Eleven - What is Most
Needed
Essay Twelve - The Meaning of
the Messengers
When We Die
Essay Eight - A Question of Rights
Essay Nine - Judgement Day
Essay Ten - Hope
Essay Eleven - What is Most
Needed
Essay Twelve - The Meaning of
the Messengers
CARR'S COMMENTS
Reflections for Prayer - Book III Great Gift Giving Idea!!! Purchase a Copy of Book III ($5.00 ea.) Contact the church office or Rev. Carr at 860-521-9460. |
SABBATICAL ESSAYS
Until I entered seminary, I can’t remember thinking much about Lent. Whether it was
too “Catholic” for the Baptist church of my childhood or simply not observed in our
anticipation of the great Easter celebration, Lent was a rather new thing for me as I began
to prepare for ordination and pastoral ministry. In seminary, I learned that there were a
variety of ways Christians approach Lent. For many, it is a time of deep introspection,
reflecting on one’s sins and shortcomings, some people engaging in fasting and self-
denial in a number of ways. Others see Lent as a time of celebration, quietly perhaps, but
a period that is moving towards resurrection and the new life that emerges out of
destruction, death and decay.
Over the years as I have come to recognize the significance of the Lenten season and
in doing so, I approach Lent as a time for more personal reflection and introspection on
where I am standing in light of Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God with an eye on
the truth of Life that God is always moving towards renewal and new life – for me, for the
congregation, for people, for all creation. As we move through this season, I invite you to
carve out special time each day to reflect on your life and faith, and to consider what new
thing God may be doing in your life and in the life of the world.
+
In another place in this Focus, you will find an invitation from the Congregational Care
committee to come to a healing service on March 11th. This service, offered twice – at
noon and 7:30 pm – is for healing of all kinds: emotional, spiritual, physical and
psychological. I believe God is a God of healing, reconciliation and wholeness, and so it is
right that the church reclaim its ancient role of being an agent of Divine healing. There is,
of course, a difference between being “cured” and being healed. There are many people
who are never cured of physical illness they’ve suffered for many years though they pray
earnestly and daily to be cured, but who are the most healthy people I have ever known.
And I know some who are the most physically fit you can imagine but are broken in many
ways and in deep of healing.
In these 30 – 40 minute services, Amy and I will be using many different symbols and
rituals to open ourselves to the healing power of the Spirit of God: Communion, the laying
on of hands, prayer, anointing oil, lighting of candles, scripture, song. You are invited to
join us to pray: for yourself, for others or for whatever may be broken for which you seek
wholeness.
May the love of Christ which heals so many wounds, move in your life, the life of our
congregation and through the world God so loves.
Peace,
Tom
too “Catholic” for the Baptist church of my childhood or simply not observed in our
anticipation of the great Easter celebration, Lent was a rather new thing for me as I began
to prepare for ordination and pastoral ministry. In seminary, I learned that there were a
variety of ways Christians approach Lent. For many, it is a time of deep introspection,
reflecting on one’s sins and shortcomings, some people engaging in fasting and self-
denial in a number of ways. Others see Lent as a time of celebration, quietly perhaps, but
a period that is moving towards resurrection and the new life that emerges out of
destruction, death and decay.
Over the years as I have come to recognize the significance of the Lenten season and
in doing so, I approach Lent as a time for more personal reflection and introspection on
where I am standing in light of Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God with an eye on
the truth of Life that God is always moving towards renewal and new life – for me, for the
congregation, for people, for all creation. As we move through this season, I invite you to
carve out special time each day to reflect on your life and faith, and to consider what new
thing God may be doing in your life and in the life of the world.
+
In another place in this Focus, you will find an invitation from the Congregational Care
committee to come to a healing service on March 11th. This service, offered twice – at
noon and 7:30 pm – is for healing of all kinds: emotional, spiritual, physical and
psychological. I believe God is a God of healing, reconciliation and wholeness, and so it is
right that the church reclaim its ancient role of being an agent of Divine healing. There is,
of course, a difference between being “cured” and being healed. There are many people
who are never cured of physical illness they’ve suffered for many years though they pray
earnestly and daily to be cured, but who are the most healthy people I have ever known.
And I know some who are the most physically fit you can imagine but are broken in many
ways and in deep of healing.
In these 30 – 40 minute services, Amy and I will be using many different symbols and
rituals to open ourselves to the healing power of the Spirit of God: Communion, the laying
on of hands, prayer, anointing oil, lighting of candles, scripture, song. You are invited to
join us to pray: for yourself, for others or for whatever may be broken for which you seek
wholeness.
May the love of Christ which heals so many wounds, move in your life, the life of our
congregation and through the world God so loves.
Peace,
Tom
Amy’s Corner—Looking Towards Easter
I am sitting at home watching the snow pile up in the snowstorm that is or isn’t, depending
on your location. I’ve been out to shovel three times just to make headway on part of the
work. With each shovel some is cleared and with each gust of wind my work becomes
moot, covered again by snow. But then again, the work hasn’t entirely disappeared as
there are now piles of snow lining the walkway. The shoveling makes me think of the
Lenten journey, a time of waiting or working towards an end.
During Lent, I will be studying the journey of Jonah, following the story of his call through
all its turns and false starts. I’ll see Jonah spend time facing a vicious storm, inside the
belly of the fish, and complaining while still following God’s call.
Jonah was a reluctant prophet, who ran from God only to learn that God is even more
persistent than he was. And today God is more persistent than we are. God will never
leave us, even when the snow drifts re-cover our pathways.
The end of the storm is coming, just like I know Easter will come again, yet I’m not there
yet. I cannot jump ahead. Jesus did not jump to resurrection day without the trial,
crucifixion, death, and burial. Joy is coming, wholeness can be known, but tough times
still exist. The joy of playing in the fresh snow might be known tomorrow, but not without
the blizzard-like conditions of today. Jesus journeyed a path we cannot imitate, and
Jonah’s path is one we would not want to imitate, but we can be held by God through our
storms and celebrations. My hope for Lent is that we each make time to know that we do
indeed abide in Christ and Christ in us.
Rainbow Blessings,
Amy
I am sitting at home watching the snow pile up in the snowstorm that is or isn’t, depending
on your location. I’ve been out to shovel three times just to make headway on part of the
work. With each shovel some is cleared and with each gust of wind my work becomes
moot, covered again by snow. But then again, the work hasn’t entirely disappeared as
there are now piles of snow lining the walkway. The shoveling makes me think of the
Lenten journey, a time of waiting or working towards an end.
During Lent, I will be studying the journey of Jonah, following the story of his call through
all its turns and false starts. I’ll see Jonah spend time facing a vicious storm, inside the
belly of the fish, and complaining while still following God’s call.
Jonah was a reluctant prophet, who ran from God only to learn that God is even more
persistent than he was. And today God is more persistent than we are. God will never
leave us, even when the snow drifts re-cover our pathways.
The end of the storm is coming, just like I know Easter will come again, yet I’m not there
yet. I cannot jump ahead. Jesus did not jump to resurrection day without the trial,
crucifixion, death, and burial. Joy is coming, wholeness can be known, but tough times
still exist. The joy of playing in the fresh snow might be known tomorrow, but not without
the blizzard-like conditions of today. Jesus journeyed a path we cannot imitate, and
Jonah’s path is one we would not want to imitate, but we can be held by God through our
storms and celebrations. My hope for Lent is that we each make time to know that we do
indeed abide in Christ and Christ in us.
Rainbow Blessings,
Amy