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June 2019: Standing Like a Tree

5/19/2019

Image by Karla Dornacher; purchase card at https://www.etsy.com/shop/karladornacher

Happy are those....
whose delight is in the law of the Lord...
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
(Psalm 1:2-3)

The beautiful image of a fruit bearing tree planted by a river, which we find in the Psalms, has provided a central focus for our Diocese under the guidance of our new Bishop since our last diocesan convention in November 2018. Our Bishop has invited all of us to imagine ourselves--the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Rio Grand--as a tree with Deep Roots and a Broad Reach.

What does it mean for you to have deep roots and a broad reach? What does it mean for your children? Your family? St. Mark's? Our diocese? Our denomination?

What helps YOU feel rooted?
What feeds & refreshes you, allowing you to grow, flourish and bear fruit in different seasons?
What is the relationship between rooting down and reaching out in your life and family?

This Summer we will be creating a community mosaic, depicting a tree, in the courtyard at St. Mark's. We hope that everyone in the St. Mark's community will get involved in this exciting project. As we work on this project together this summer, and as we enjoy the finished mosaic for years to come, I invite you to continue reflecting on the image of a tree, and the concept of "Deep Roots, Broad Reach." You can learn more about St. Mark's "Tree of Life" Community Courtyard Mosaic Project here.

Learn the Song

This month's Song of the Month is a variation of a song by singer/songwriter Betsy Rose.

Standing like a tree
with my roots sent down
my branches wide and open
down comes the rain
down comes the sun
down comes the Word*
to a heart that is longing to be
standing like a tree....

*In other versions of the song this word appears as "fruit", "love", and "moon". For purposes of Children's Chapel, we've chosen to sing "Word" as in Jesus, the Word, that comes down from heaven to give life to the world.

Once you are comfortable with the words and the melody, try singing the song as a round in two or more parts!

St. Mark's children will share this song as the Offertory Anthem during Worship on Sunday, June 23rd.

Learn the Movements

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Song of the Month

In early 2019 I began serving as assisting priest at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Albuquerque. St. Mark's is home to a diverse and rapidly growing faith community as well as a Montessori Preschool that serves ~50 preschool children and their families.

One of my first areas of focus at St. Mark's will be to explore creative ways to support the spiritual growth of St. Mark's families, not only at church and school, but also at home throughout the week.

We'll begin our exploration with a "Song of the Month." Each month we'll offer a simple song as an "anchor" for spiritual reflection and growth throughout the month. Parents and other adults in the St. Mark's community are encouraged to learn the song and access further materials for reflection online. Children will practice the song each week in Children's Chapel. Children will be invited to share the song with the entire St. Mark's community during worship (as the offertory anthem) on the 4th Sunday of each month.

If you are the parent/caregiver of a very young child (age 0-2), your child will still benefit enormously from daily exposure to the "Song of the Month". Even though they aren't yet singing, you can be sure they are already listening to you and learning! Experiment with incorporating the song into any part of your daily routine--waking, sleeping, bathing, dressing, diaper change, etc. From an early age, you can help your child establish a pattern of life in which prayer, spiritual practice, and song are a natural part!

If you are the parent/caregiver of an older child (age 3+) try incorporating the song and one short, thematically linked reflection question, action, or prayer into your daily routine--maybe at mealtime, at bedtime, or even during your daily commute.

If you are a teenager or adult with no young children at home, find a way to work the song into your daily routine--perhaps while your showering, driving, or cooking. Discuss the theme or reflection question with a friend or partner--or set aside some time to journal, draw, paint, blog or reflect in some other creative way on your own.

Sunday School Teachers and Small Group Leaders: Consider incorporating the "Song of the Month" or one of the relevant reflection questions into your own sessions, classes, or meetings each month if appropriate.

Everybody: Have fun! Sing out! Experiment! And above all--share your experiences and insights with one another and with me!

June 2019: Standing Like a Tree

Learn the Song

Learn the Movements

Song of the Month

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