Christian Food for Thought from Anne Magierski

"Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." James 1:22

Familiar words, but how many of us have deluded ourselves by hearing only and not doing? Let me tell you about one young lady, Kirsten Brydum, age 25, who took these words to heart and devoted her life to helping others. She was a prolific activist in San Francisco who inspired and empowered countless people through her work with The Really Really Free Market, the All Access Cafe, and as co-founder of Collective Autonomy.

The Really Really Free Market (http://www.reallyreallyfree.org/) was set up as an exchange of free goods and services designed, in Kirsten's words, "to move us from competition to cooperation, from selling to giving, and from expecting the government to care for us to doing it ourselves." The Collective Autonomy Network "refers to a strategy: collectivizing our energy and resources in order to approach autonomy from forces of oppression. It is self-sufficiency achieved through cooperation."

She was visiting New Orleans as part of a cross-country tour promoting this very purpose, but on September 27, 2008, Kirsten was murdered, shot multiple times in the head. She was a tireless and selfless community activist. Close friends remarked that "to know her was to be awed and inspired by her wisdom and generosity." "Kirsten dedicated herself to fighting the very social ills of poverty, racism, and systemic violence which helped cause her death," said her friend, Tyson Ayers. "She was not naive, she was streetwise and aware. Don't fault her for refusing to be paralyzed by fear, which only reinforces the gross idea that violence against women is an immutable risk in society, and therefore the woman's responsibility to avoid it instead of society's responsibility to counteract it."

In an open letter posted on the family's memorial site (http://kirstenbrydum.virtualmemorials.com/), Kirsten's partner John Viola called upon her death to help him find a line between "righteous anger" and hatred. "There should be no room left in this world for hatred," he wrote. "That is what took you from us and it will not bring you back. Now more than ever I know that we need to put more love into the world and that you cannot fight hatred with hatred."

Her death leaves an entire community in mourning and her loss will be deeply felt for a long time to come. A memorial Mass was held at St. Bernadine Catholic Church, Woodland Hills, CA on October 4.

This poem was posted on her memorial website by Rabbi Jack Reimer, and all should read it:

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way
That man must find his own path to peace,
Within himself and with his neighbor.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation;
For You have already given us the resources
With which to feed the entire world,
If we would only use them wisely.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes
With which to see the good in all men,
If we would only use them rightly.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end despair;
For You have already given us the power
To clear away slums and to give hope,
If we would only use our power justly.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds with which
To search out cures and healing,
If we would only use them constructively.

Therefore, we pray to You instead, O God,
For strength, determination, and willpower,
To do instead of just to pray,
To become instead of merely to wish.

A Time for Prayerful Mediatation

As we prepare for Tuesday's presidential election, it becomes very important to approach the voting booth with prayers for God to guide our choice. Join with Father Hartt and other members of our Holy Spirit family as we open our chapel downstairs at 7 pm Monday for prayer and meditation.

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage, we humbly beseech Thee we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance; and from every evil way. Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in

Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

All Saints and All Souls Remembered

We all know of Hallowe'een, celebrated on October 31. The name comes from the phrase, "All Hallow's Eve." It is the day before we celebrate the lives of All Saints, November 1. In the Episcopal Church, we celebrate the passage of our loved ones and all others into the presence of the Lord on November 2, All Souls Day. Here in Holy Spirit, Father Walter Hartt led us in a commemoration service that combined both of our services into one at 9 am. We read the names of our loved ones and prayed for them by name, led by Tom Paul, Jean Rhoads, Barbara Elstone, Eileen Minett, Mary Lou Malone, and Jim Robbins. It was very moving and, although it lengthened the ceremony, it helped to focus our attention on the "cloud of witnesses" who have gone before us. What a wonderful tradition to begin!

Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in Your eternal and everlasting glory, and with all Your saints, to receive the crown of life which You promise to all who share in the victory of Your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Time is Growing Short to Help the Meadowview Nursing Home Christmas Party

Once again this year, our fabulous ladies of the Episcopal Church Women are asking for your help to provide the residents of Meadowview, the Nursing Home of Atlantic County, with a happy Christmas. Each Sunday from now until December 14, 2008, we will have a donation bottle out on our Coffee Hour table in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to collect at least $400 so we may be certain that each patient gets 2 small Christmas gifts, as well as to provide the party food. We are also collecting handmade shawls to warm the hearts of those who are easily chilled. Please give until it feels good! Thank you.

Good Food and Fun Coming Soon

Our First Friday Potluck Supper will have something new added for November 2008: we'll follow our delicious meal with Crazy Bingo! It's a lot of fun. Bring a dish to share (plan on enough for six people so all can taste your culinary expertise) and three $1 gifts (just get them at the dollar store- nothing expensive, just fun treats). Dinner begins at 6 pm on November 7th downstairs in the Undercroft. After the food, the fun begins. Be there or be sorry!

I Think I Hear Some Sleigh Bells in the Distance.......

Can you believe how quickly the year is passing? It's almost here... mark your calendar now and plan to join us on Saturday, November 22nd, 2008 for our annual Christmas Bazaar. We'll be here from 9 am until 2 pm. You will be able to have lunch and begin your Christmas shopping, because we'll have so much to choose from on our many tables. Select home-made baked goods, handmade afghans and other gifts, jams, crafts, jewelry, prayer aids and a Kids' Korner. New this year: The Advent Shoppe, with Advent calendars, Christmas stories, and gifts emblazoned with the Episcopal shield. Talk about one of a kind items! We will also have a raffle table (12 prizes to win!), and it's your last opportunity to buy a chance on our patriotic quilted wallhanging. Come support your church and have a great day.