The Vicar’s Victuals: Some Thoughts about Bethany House

From the vicar...

Being snow-bound does three things:

1. It reminds one of unused and long-forgotten muscles;

2. It allows one the opportunity (one more time) to attempt to successfully keep a pipe lit; and,

3. It grants one the opportunity to contemplate things that need contemplating.

By far, my favorite is number three!  During my contemplations the other day (in Morning Prayer and elsewhere), I am saw again how the Lord is granting MAMA Church the opportunity of becoming a facilitator of new life in Jesus - for individuals, for groups of individuals, and for our community.

The number of inquiries is growing (as to who we are, what we are doing, and how to join us in those things).  I believe that those numbers will continue to grow because Jesus wants to reach his children (and MAMA Church is one of the ways he can do that) and because the news of Bethany House will spread (news of a place of hospitality and welcoming love).

My thought is this: If you’re not a part of a Christian community in Mount Sterling (or if you’ve been away and sense that something is missing in your life), I want you to know that the people of MAMA Church would love to welcome you.  Like you, we’re searching for meaning, trying to find a way to be significant in a really big world, and seeking the love and fellowship of a caring family.

Let’s get together!

Father Todd

The Vicar’s Victuals: “Writing” About Home

From the vicar...

I’d like to share what’s going on in my heart and mind regarding Bethany House and MAMA Church.  Unfortunately, the vision and thoughts are still being formed (even though they've been in the works for some time now).  Even so, I’d like to say a little something (and, hopefully, this will make some sense)...

As you may know, the Lord laid it on my heart a number of years ago (on the Feast of Saints Mary and Martha of Bethany) to write a little book about home.  Indeed, that little project has been more or less intertwined with MAMA Church for the past four years (even though I'm only now beginning to realize it!).

The gift of precious memories of home (whether the home of my parents, grandparents, special friends, et cetera) has led me to think about the ways in which I, as an individual, am working to create welcome and hospitality and specialness for those in my life.  The vision cast by the Lord in his visit to the home of Mary and Martha in Bethany (and his later interactions with the sisters) has led me to think about the ways in which MAMA Church (with Bethany House) can offer deeper hospitality and love to Jesus and all those he loves.

In some way, I feel like the Lord is ratcheting up his call in my life (as it pertains to “home”): I feel as though he’s asking me (all of us, really) to “write” a book about home, love, and hospitality.  Our book will be written by the way we follow Jesus, by the way we live out our “rule of life” as a Christian community, by the way we open the doors of Bethany House (and our hearts) to those who are hungry, lonely, and lost.

May the Lord help and guide us as we “write” a new story of his love in Mount Sterling!

Father Todd