The Credible Depth

I am sitting here watching with Jay Leno on in the background, my oldest daughter and friend have just arrived for Christmas; and I am struck by the Incarnation. Strange ruminations? Maybe

So much of what we hear about God coming to us in Jesus of Nazareth is to save us from our sins. I think how much Holy Love there is for humankind that God would be one of us (to paraphrase the song). We must be awfully important to God for God to become like us. Of course, it is said we are made in God's Image. So at our best, more divinely filled, we can see God in each other. It is so ordinary and at the same time profound.

I think the "John 3:16" people had it right with out maybe knowing it. (Tend to think they are more of the school that we need to be saved from how awful we can be.). God did so love the world (and us) that God's Son came to dwell with us. The divine became human that we might become more Divine.

Merry Christmas,

Fr. Patrick

Seeing the Sacred Every Day

I was brought back to what really made me realize I am comfortable being an Episcopalian. Archbishop Michael Ramsay wrote a book, Sacred and Secular. In it he espoused the division between the two worlds is an invention of humankind. Everything in creation can be a vehicle for revealing the sacredness of the Divine. In that way the ordinary things of life can become sacramental - outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace - to quote the catechism. Our relationships, our work, our family life, our daily lives can convey the Divine purpose of God in small and big ways.

Our participation in the Eucharist can allow us to see the sacredness of each family meal.  Time spent having coffee with a friend can be a sacramental moment when properly viewed. Our political lives can make real the justice and mercy God.

The Mystery of God can be made real everyday. Christ can be alive in the breaking of bread on the parish altar and passing the rolls at dinner.

Fr. Patrick

12/2/10

History of Trinity, Chambersburg, PA

There is a great deal of silence about the Episcopalians during the early years of Chambersburg until November 7, 1858, when the Rev. William Heaton came from Emmanuel Chapel, Mont Alto, to organize a mission here. They chose the name “Trinity” and held services in the “Seceder’s Church” later known as “Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church” which was located across and a little north on Second Street from the present location until that building was lost in the burning of Chambersburg by the Confederates in July of 1864.  Arrangements were then made to hold services in the Masonic Temple, which had survived the destruction.

    On April 1, 1869, Trinity bought the present site of the church, which was known as lot 100, and was part of the original grant to Benjamin Chambers.  The purchase included a residence built by Samuel Seibert around 1850. That building is now attached to the south end of the Church and serves as a Chapel, Offices, meeting room, Sacristy and Rectory.

   The cornerstone of the church was laid on July 6, 1870, and the church was consecrated on Sept. 16, 1871.  In 1875, because of indebtedness, the property was lost at a sheriff’s sale.  The church was purchased by friends and given to the Diocese in exchange for payment of $1.00.  The house was lost to the parish until it was repurchased in 1926 and attached to the church.

   In 1910 the Boy Scouts began in Chambersburg at Trinity Episcopal Church. In response to their growth, the Parish built, in 1911, the building which sits behind the church for their use.  Within a few years the building was rented out to the Porter brothers as a Texaco garage.  Later it was leased by the Washington House Hotel, which stood at the corner of Lincoln Way East and South Second St., for use as its laundry.  In the 1950s the Parish finally renovated the building for its current use as a Parish Hall.

   Over the years many improvements were made to the inside and the outside of the Church.  We are proud of our small church and try to keep it a sparkling jewel dedicated to God.  Specially designed stained-glass windows showing events in the life of Christ were installed in the 1970's.  Stations of the Cross, beautifully carved in wood, were placed in the church in 2006