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You’re Invited!

A few weeks ago as Fr. Randy was preaching, he spoke of hot coals: We here at St. John’s, along with all the other Jackson churches, have been tasked with setting fire to our city, bringing our community to Jesus, welcoming the kingdom of God here and now in Jackson, bringing our community to Jesus. But we cannot do this on our own. Think back to the coals in the fire. A single coal is easily put out when the rain comes. But when the coals are pushed together, they can endure through. When the rain comes and passes, they burn yet again.  We’re the same way. On our own, we can be easily smothered by opposition, whether it’s from just the general culture, whether it’s specific people in our life. But when we’re surrounded by people who are likewise on fire for the gospel, for making the kingdom present, we can persevere through that opposition and we can offer the world what we have discovered in Jesus.”

Sitting at the first of our Fireside Chats (I have the pleasure of attending most of them since they’re a Parish Life event), I could see powerful evidence of the truth of Fr. Randy’s analogy.  I was sitting amongst so many HOT COALS!  The Lord placed on my heart the ways many of these “coals” had influenced my own walk with the Lord (and subsequently encouraged me to walk with others).  A parishioner of St. John since I was seven years old, I’ve been here almost weekly for over 50 years!  Sitting with some of the “seniors” of our parish, I remembered seeing many of them in their “younger years”, raising their children and serving in the parish.  There was Jim and Judy who for decades have volunteered in various capacities and still do!  There was Linda and Frank, too.  Seeing Cindy, I quickly recalled the way she’s helped to influence my prayer life, both on an individual level as well as growing my desire to pray for and with others. There was Susie who always offers a word of encouragement and understanding, checking in on how you’re doing; she and Tim are always ready with a helping hand. Others were members of our Homebound Communion Ministry or Children’s Liturgy or CGS or Mass Ministries, etc.  Particularly striking at our first chat was the fact that as couples introduced themselves, one of the two, almost across the board, was a convert to Catholicism, having been influenced by their spouse to “come and see!” (Talk about one coal igniting another!) I cannot mention everyone who attended, each glowing in his or her own way, a part of the “fire” here at St. John, but I would be remiss not to  include our wonderful fireside chat hosts:  Tom & Mary and Tim & Angie, who shared their welcoming gifts of hospitality, opening their homes as our meeting place.  Yes, so many coals are burning brightly here at St. John, and we want this “fire”, this shared love for Jesus and spreading His name, to grow!  

Our next round of fireside chats is for our “Mid-Lifers” and “Young Adults.” We invite you to come and “rekindle” old friendships, make new ones, get to know Fr. Randy, find out more about our parish….the fireside chat is an opportunity for all of this.  Whether you’re new to the parish or have been here “forever,” come for fellowship and community building!  Mid-lifers, call the office to RSVP for either October 8th or November 8th.  Young Adults (ages 20-39), RVSP for either October 28th or November 7th.  Hope you can join us!  (Watch your email for for more info!) Hope to see you there!

It seems fitting to end as we began,  with some words from Fr. Randy: Ultimately, of course, our goal is to be able to pray for our spiritual family just as fervently as we pray for our biological family because we have been made one in Jesus. He has commanded us to love one another as he has loved us. And that starts here with this parish. It starts with each other here. If we can’t love each other, we can’t love anyone else out there. And so we have to put it into practice now to be cultivating the spirit, cultivating those bonds, those relationships.”

Let’s become spark, ember, coal, flame…together! Come, Holy Spirit!

Shayne

p.s. – Just as a heads up…we may also offer a final chat date as a “catch all,” knowing that the dates offered may not work for everyone’s schedule.  So, let us know if you’re interested but just can’t make it to one of  these advertised dates.