November’s Message from our Interim Rector

In Christ’s love, and ministry,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector

God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

When the tenth month of the year comes along there are many things that we associate with the changes that take place. There is a new crispness in the air, often starting our furnaces for the first time in several months, pumpkins and Halloween is approaching. In the church of Western New York, our Diocesan Convention takes place, and we take part in the portion of our year-round stewardship program relating to pledges.

Last year we put our giving into perspective with whom we are giving to, or rather to whom we are giving back, by walking our pledge cards into the chancel and placing them on the altar. Your Stewardship Committee decided to continue that practice again this year. On the first three Sundays of October, during the Offertory when the money offering is brought forward, each of us will have the opportunity to bring our 2009 Pledge Cards forward and lay them on the altar as we offer back to God the portion we have seriously considered is possible during the next year.

I hope you are able to share yourself with us, by worshipping in church regularly during this month. We need your presence with us, and miss you when you are not here. On the first three Sundays, in October, members of our parish will be speaking to us from their hearts about the beloved congregation to which you belong; and why they worship, share in fellowship, and give back to God, through St. Paul’s. Many things are changing in our nation, and in the world. Yet one is ever constant and unchanging, and that is God, and God’s love for you.

During this month, when we are reminded of how much God loves each one of us, it is a very good exercise to seriously consider how much we love God. Is it with our whole heart, mind and soul, as the great commandment insists? If this is so, does your giving really reflect the deep love you have for the One who loved you first? If not, is this October the time to put your true feelings on the card that you will take to the altar and place before God? Will the pledge you make for 2009 truly represent the love you hold for God in your heart, in your mind, and in your soul? Is it the best you are able to give back to our God who loves you, and me, so much?

In Christ’s love, and ministry,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector

September’s Message from our Interim Rector

What a summer we have had! The disruption from an overflow flood, and the freshly painted and carpeted Parish Library and adjoining rooms that followed in its aftermath. We have welcomed visitors to St. Paul’s who have become new parishioners. We have experienced the loss of dear members of our parish family. We have come together as a parish to play and to work together. We have shared the experiences of picnics, ball games, marching in parades, and making hot dogs and hamburgers for the greater community. We have felt the excitement of committees coming together to prepare for the calling of a new Rector for St. Paul’s. We have experienced the generosity of many in many ways. Life goes on, and the life of your parish is good and healthy and indeed it is blessed by God.

As this fall draws near life continues. The abundance of gifts we have each received from our good and loving God are needed in so many ways to be used as God has intended. You have the ability to delight the Lord of life by reflecting the love and goodness of God back to the source of life. How will you use your gifts for the greater glory and honor of the One who has given everything to you?

There are many many opportunities to grow in love by sharing your gifts and talents. If you feel called to be a Eucharistic Minister, please let me know (632-8221). If you can help with the Saturday evening U2Charist planned for October, please be in touch with Tom Bardo (631-8666). If you would like to be involved with the Youth or with St. Paul’s Church School, please call Kate Macke (873-3910). If you have a heart to welcome and greet people as they come into the church on Sunday mornings, please give me a call. Soon, we will be organizing a parish clean-up day, movie nights, and other social gatherings in the life of the church. Hobart Brown (689-1740) is organizing a parish trip to a UB football game in October.

Many other programs, social and outreach opportunities will be noted in upcoming bulletins and announcements in church. Come, be part of the work and play that God is giving us to do. We need you to help us do God’s work. You have been given much. Have you been offering to do what you can for the greater honor and glory of God? If yes, you’re on the right track to glory. If not yet… the time is now, and the opportunities are abundant. Come and help us be the church St. Paul’s can become. You are needed. You are wanted, and you are welcome.

In Christ’s love, and ministry,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector

An August 2008 Message from our Interim Rector

Just one more month of summer, and then we will quickly be moving into the most active part of the year. Yet, a considerable number of you have been quite active in ministry throughout the sunny, hot and humid days this year, and it has been wonderful to see this happening. With Labor Day being only a month away, you might want to consider a few ideas as you think about the future of St. Paul’s. According to C. Kirk Hadaway, in FACTS on Growth:

“One of the pervasive images of congregations in America is that of aging communities of faith. To be sure, the average parishioner tends to be older than the average American. But not all congregations are composed primarily of older adults. Those that have a healthy mix of ages tend to be growing, but most important to growth is the ability of congregations to attract young adults and families with children.

Congregations where older adults (over age 60) comprise 20% or less of active adult participants are most likely to grow. Congregations in which more than 40% of their regular participants are over 60 are very unlikely to grow. The mere presence of older adults is not problematic in and of itself. But a congregation where a large proportion of the members are older tends to have a cluster of characteristics that inhibit growth. Not only are no children being born to members, but such congregations tend to lack a clear sense of mission and purpose, vibrant worship or involvement in recruitment/evangelism, and they also are more likely to be located in rural areas and smaller towns.

Congregations located in newer suburbs are more likely to experience growth than congregations in any other type of location. Congregations are least likely to grow in rural areas and small towns. Newer suburbs are where the greatest population growth is occurring. New people move into new housing and often look for a worshipping community nearby.”

Since Clarence is one of the fastest growing suburbs in WNY, demographically, St. Paul’s is ideally situated. Since there is a good mixture of parishioners in varied age groups, welcoming new people into the life of your congregation can be accomplished. Once welcoming others becomes second nature to all of St. Paul’s, more and more people will find their way into the Kingdom of God through your red church doors. That is, if you are prepared to welcome them into an active community of faith. What are your summer thoughts and intentions in planning to make this a reality in the life of your parish?

In Christ’s love, and ministry,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector

It is anticipated that one short year from now you will be welcoming your new Rector of St. Paul’s. This is an exciting expectation that certainly can be accomplished. Yet, preparing for a new spiritual leader for your parish requires effort and energy from everyone who calls St. Paul’s your spiritual home.

Truly everyone, without exception, is needed to come together for the common good of your congregation at this time in the life of St. Paul’s. Isn’t this exciting? Isn’t this a wonderful time to be alive, and part of the Body of Christ which worships at 4275 Harris Hill Road? I am blessed to be part of your experience as you move forward to do the work of discovery, of spiritual preparation, and of the physical preparation of the properties of the church. It is truly an exciting time here, at St. Paul’s.

What part have you accepted in making this time of transition complete? Have you assessed your skills and talents that God has blessed you with, and then approached either of your wardens to offer your time and talent available for the good of Christ’s church at St. Paul’s. The names of your wardens are Donna Leney (741-2583), and David Crowther (517-6354).

We need you to serve on the many committees in the life of the parish. We need you to be a greeter at the doors of the church on Sunday morning and at Saturday evening. We need you to be an example of Christian Hospitality by hosting coffee hour. We need you to cook hot dogs and hamburgers at the two summer events coming up this month and in early August. We need you to prayerfully complete the question and answer form you will soon receive, and to return it to the Profile Committee in good time. We need you to be an ambassador of Christ to all the new people who worship with us at St. Paul’s, and not let anyone leave without you welcoming them in Christ’s name.

We need you to be with us on a regular basis, each week, as we worship our Lord and are reminded what it means to be a disciple, baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What part are you taking as we move forward into this new era in the life of St. Paul’s?

We need you…

In Christ’s love, and ministry,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector

An Early Summer Message from Father Leon Mozeliak

Awards, picnics, graduations, school year endings; these are the things of June. Yet there is much more, vacations to come, grass to cut, swimming, golfing, baseball, gardening, boating/sailing, etc. Summer is the time of year when most of us go outside to enjoy the life that we live. Usually the sun shines brighter in our part of the world, and we can enjoy its warmth… or even get to complain about it being too HOT!

It is sometimes a season in which we think that life is so good that we just don’t need to spend any of this wonderful season praising God in any formal way, or in fellowship with other Christians. It’s summer, after all, so why bother to get out of bed on Sunday, when there is so much to do. Or even to take time from other possible enjoyment on a late Saturday afternoon is simply too much bother. Who needs to see me inside… especially in church (of all places) during the summer? I may as well spend a few hours inside a movie theater or at a play, during this outdoor season, and of course I would never do that… would I?

So, during the recent past, church attendance has suffered in many Episcopal parishes once the academic year ends. This phenomenon is a bit quirky, however, especially for those of us who are not vacationing in Antarctica, where it can be hard to find a church. Although it is often thought otherwise, God does not take the summer off. Even on the most beautiful of days, God’s love surrounds each of us, always. Test this. Stop for a moment on the nicest day you experience this summer, and check if you are still breathing.

If so, isn’t it appropriate to deliberately stop the frantic rush of life for an hour or two… once a week… to thank and praise the Lord of Life, who gives us that breath? Even when we are blessed with a healthy mind and body, it is certainly possible that once or twice a year you or I may not be able to make it to church. Yet, during those very few occasions of the year, we most likely do miss out on an abundance of grace. We have lost an opportunity of fellowship with other Christians. We have missed the banquet of our Lord, in which Christ’s body and blood are given, in sacramental form, to strengthen us throughout the week ahead.

Usually summer is a wonderful season for us to enjoy the beauty of God’s earth. It is also a wonderful opportunity for us to renew our relationship with our God, who makes it possible to enjoy. Come to church throughout this summer. Join us as St. Paul’s, if you are home. Find one of God’s summer homes to visit with God, and his other children, when you are away.

In Christ’s love, and ministry,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector   

At our April Worship and Music Committee Meeting the idea of celebrating the life and presence of St. Paul’s in our community with an Open House Sunday was adopted by all the members present. What is an OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, and what does this mean for those of us who are regular in attendance at St. Paul’s?

It is a day to welcome others into the house of God in which we worship, enjoy each other’s company, learn about our role in the Kingdom and how much God loves us. It is a day to share the joy, love and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with everyone and anyone we can think to invite to be with us on this intentional day of welcome to others. It is a day for us to simply be hosts to others who might be wondering just what goes on in that white building topped with a cross, just south of Main Street, on Harris Hill Road.

During our principle liturgy, at 10 AM, other instruments than organ and piano will be incorporated into our worship experience. Members of our Cub Pack and of our Boy Scout Troop will have honored seating. We ask that EVERYONE wear your NAME BADGE, and be especially mindful that you are an ambassador of Jesus Christ, and the people of St. Paul’s, to all who will be visiting us that day. (This is also true every day, we are highlighting this ministry to emphasize that many people will, hopefully, be with us on May 18, who are new to worshipping with us.)

Following the celebration of Holy Eucharist (10 AM) there will be a “Grand Coffee Hour” similar to what many of you provide each week, but we hope others will sign-up to help, and to bring food, for the Open House Coffee Hour!

If you are the chairperson, or a member of a committee, or guild, (e.g. acolytes, choir, St. Martha’s, ECW, ushers, men’s group, etc.) that may want to welcome new people into your membership, please set up a table with some information… and members available, to tell others about your ministry and invite those who may be interested to become one of your group. (Information Tables may be set up surrounding the periphery of the parish hall, and/or in the library.)

All in all, it is anticipated that our OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY on MAY 18 will be a day of JUBILANT CELEBRATION… a day of WELCOME… a day of JOY for all who enter the doors of St. Paul’s. Yet, it is true that to be successful, it is up to you to make others know and feel that everyone who comes is truly…

…Welcome in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

The Rev. Leon C. Mozeliak, Jr., Interim Rector   

We will be observing the Season of Advent during the first four weeks of December. Advent begins the church year. It is a time of anticipation, of watching and waiting for the coming of the kingdom of God in power. Although in some ways it shares with Lent in an atmosphere of preparation, restraint and penitence, it confidently directs us toward the joy of Christmas as that season draws near.

In his Catechetical Lectures, Cyril of Jerusalem teaches that “we do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. In general, what relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God before the ages, and a birth from a virgin at the fullness of time. There is a hidden coming, like that of rain on fleece, and a coming before all eyes, still in the future.”

Since we are now at the beginning of our church year, it seems to be an ideal time for us to remind ourselves of our roots in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the tradition to which we belong. If you go to the official website of the Episcopal Church (www.dfms.org) you can find the following:

“What makes us Anglican?
Hallmarks of the Episcopal Church

The Episcopal Church, having its roots in the Church of England, is also an Anglican Church. Like all Anglican churches, the Episcopal Church is distinguished by the following characteristics:

Protestant, Yet Catholic
Anglicanism stands squarely in the Reformed tradition, yet considers itself just as directly descended from the Early Church as the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches. Episcopalians celebrate the “Mass” in ways similar to the Roman Catholic tradition, yet do not recognize a single authority, such as the Pope of Rome.

Worship in one’s first language
Episcopalians believe that Christians should be able to worship God and read the Bible in their first language, which for most Episcopalians, is English, rather than Latin or Greek, the two earlier, “official” languages of Christianity. Yet the Book of Common Prayer has been translated into many languages, so that those Episcopalians who do not speak English can still worship God in their native tongue.

The Book of Common Prayer
Unique to Anglicanism, though, is the Book of Common Prayer, the collection of worship services that all worshipers in an Anglican church follow. It’s called “common prayer” because we all pray it together, around the world. The first Book of Common Prayer was compiled in English by Thomas Cranmer in the 16th Century, and since then has undergone many revisions for different times and places. But its original purpose has remained the same: To provide in one place the core of the instructions and rites for Anglican Christians to worship together.

The present prayer book in the Episcopal Church was published in 1979. Many other worship resources and prayers exist to enrich our worship, but the Book of Common Prayer is the authority that governs our worship. The prayer book explains Christianity, describes the main beliefs of the Church, outlines the requirements for the sacraments, and in general serves as the main guidelines of the Episcopal life.

Scripture, Tradition, and Reason
The Anglican approach to reading and interpreting the Bible was first articulated by Richard Hooker, also in the 16th Century. While Christians universally acknowledge the Bible (or the Holy Scriptures) as the Word of God and completely sufficient to our reconciliation to God, what the Bible says must always speak to us in our own time and place.

The Church, as a worshiping body of faithful people, has for two thousand years amassed experience of God and of loving Jesus, and what they have said to us through the centuries about the Bible is critical to our understanding it in our own context. The traditions of the Church in interpreting Scripture connect all generations of believers together and give us a starting point for our own understanding.

Episcopalians believe that every Christian must build an understanding and relationship with God’s Word in the Bible, and to do that, God has given us intelligence and our own experience, which we refer to as “Reason.” Based on the text of the Bible itself, and what Christians have taught us about it through the ages, we then must sort out our own understanding of it as it relates to our own lives.”

We are people of faith immersed in a rich tradition with Jesus Christ as the head of the church which he founded. We are the community of the New Covenant, the People of God, we share in the royal priesthood of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. As such, our mission is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. You and I pursue our mission as we pray, as we worship, as we proclaim the Gospel, and promote justice, peace, and love. Each one of us is called to carry out this mission. It is our . . . it is your ministry.

As we live into the seasons of Advent and Christmas that this month brings us, remember that you are ministers of the Church which was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember also that your ministry is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever you may be; and, according to the gifts given you, to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world; and to take your place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church. As you do this, may God fill you with an abundance of divine grace during these blessed days ahead.

This is a COMMON QUESTION . . . Should Interims be Candidates for the Permanent Position? So I will answer it in the words of the Rev. Robert Voyle.

“An almost universal phenomena that occurs in interim ministry is that at some stage the parish and the priest will begin to entertain ideas that the interim should become the permanent priest. A second almost universal phenomena that follows the first, if these feelings are not firmly resisted, is that the pastoral relationship will become conflicted and ultimately destructive to the life of the parish and the clergy person. A similar phenomena of parishes seeking to call the associate rector as the permanent rector can be equally disastrous. Many in the Church can recall stories of pain and unnecessary suffering because interims or associates were allowed to become the rector. Out of such experiences many in church leadership have decreed that the interim or associate should never be considered as a candidate. Yet, while I write this I am reminded of a colleague, who was sponsored for ordination from a parish, returned there as a curate, (supposedly an equally bad thing) and then when the rector departed, was called as the rector. He has now been there some twenty years, and from all accounts has done a grand job and the parish continues to prosper.

When asking for feedback from members on whether the interim should be considered as a candidate the vast majority of the responses were adamantly opposed, with statements that it was "like committing adultery" and led to much misery. On the other hand several raised the issue of "priest-in-charge under special circumstances" where parishes in essence are given a priest by the bishop as an interim with the understanding that it could be made permanent after three years if both parties agreed. Such parishes don't undertake a typical search and many go on to call the interim as rector. From all accounts that I received most of these situations have worked out quite successfully. As someone who holds rigidly to a flexible plan and definitely not given to solving human dilemmas by legalism, I am intrigued to discover when it may be a Godly thing for the interim to be a candidate and when it may be a very ungodly thing.

In reviewing situations that have become conflicted I think most of the misery resulted from two critical issues being overlooked. The first is the issue of fear and its impact on a congregation's decision making. In the realm of solving crimes, popular wisdom suggests that one should "follow the money." When consulting with parishes in conflict my advice is to "follow the fear." People in fear do crazy things and generally make very poor decisions. I am continually amazed at the place fear has in our lives, from Adam's response to hiding from God because "we were afraid" to Jesus' numerous admonitions "do not be afraid" throughout the Gospels. Living in fear may be our heritage as sinners but it is not our inheritance as Children of God. Yet I wonder how many daily decisions in the life of the church are made because someone is afraid. The interim phenomena of mutual infatuation is understandable in the light of the inherent fear of the wilderness experience of transitional times. Out of the instability of the moment people either reach back to their past or fearfully cling to whatever person is present in the moment. Great pressure may be exerted on clergy, bishops, and congregations to solve this anxiety by simply appointing the interim as the rector. For the interim, the infatuation can be very ego-intoxicating and also lead to clouded judgment and poor decision making. The interim minister needs to be very intentional about assisting the congregation with coming to terms with these basic insecurities of the interim period rather than assisting their repression by becoming the permanent priest. Such fears will not remain repressed but will become manifest in the poor decisions that are made in its midst. When fear is the basic motivation then the wise interim will resist like a saint the demands of their own ego or the corporate fear of a parish or the church at large.

The second critical issue is that of intentionality and failing to honor commitments once they have been made. When I first began interim ministry, I was an associate who was principally filling in for the rector while we waited for the new one to arrive. I was not intentional about the interim time other than maintaining the pastoral life of the parish. We did not consider issues of grief or transition and in hindsight the parish was done a great disservice as it was not prepared for a change of leadership and several years later went through some very difficult times. Now I am very intentional. As intentional interims we are committing ourselves to assist a congregation with the transition between leadership. To seek to change the nature of the relationship mid-course and become a candidate is to betray the commitment to assist the congregation in their transition. It is a violation of the boundaries that are established at the beginning of the relationship. These boundaries are essential, especially in conflicted situations, if the interim is to remain objective and not embroiled in the conflict. It becomes impossible to maintain credibility as a healing presence when energy becomes diverted from facilitating a healthy transition to establishing oneself as the best possible candidate.

Changing the plan midstream and becoming a candidate circumvents the self-study and search process. The risk of divisively polarizing a congregation becomes enormous if another candidate is called over the interim who is already known to the parish as being available for the position. Some interims have succumbed to the seductiveness of interim infatuation because they entered into an interim position while really wanting a permanent position. Interim infatuation also blinds both clergy and congregations to long-term realities. The skills that may make a clergy person effective as an interim may be a liability in a permanent position. For example, effective interims are able to respond quickly to crisis situations but may be less inclined to persist with long-term planning. The parish, while appreciative of these skills during an interim, may erroneously assume that the interim would make a good long-term rector.

Intentionality is also one of the reasons why the priest-in-charge under special circumstances, in contrast to interims becoming candidates, appears to be effective. At the beginning of the pastoral relationship the plan is clearly spelled out to the congregation and the clergy person. This plan is not altered because people have become frightened or infatuated. Rather, there is a commitment from both priest and parish to work without recrimination. While this process is going on both the priest and the parish are not distracted by competing with other candidates in a search process, but can focus their attention on their mutual ministry. Intentionally and commitment to this plan also has the effect of reducing a considerable amount of fear by providing stability in the midst of turmoil.

Clergy need to be clear with themselves and the parish when they enter into a pastoral relationship. If we have agreed to serve as an intentional interim we need to honor that commitment and not succumb to the fears, infatuations, or our own changing desires. Intentional interims need to begin preparing a congregation for their

departure the day they arrive, especially be reminding the congregation that they will not be a candidate for the position of rector. When the interim succumbs to fear or interim infatuation all the intentionality and commitment to the interim process goes out the window and the congregation is robbed of its opportunity for grieving, self reflection, new understanding, and a healthy healing transition between leadership. It is analogous to going to care for a grieving friend only to end up in bed with them. Such relationships are not very Godly and are rarely helpful or successful.”

As your Vestry is well aware, when I was called to St. Paul’s, it was intentionally for an interim period, which we anticipated to be two to three years. Because there is a great deal of work to be done in the life of the parish, this remains the time-frame from which we will continue to work. There are definite stages in interim ministry and we are in the process of living through them during our time together. Because I will not be a candidate to become your next rector, with God’s help, we have the liberty to do what is needed during this time.

Be at peace, we anticipate being with you, at St. Paul’s, as long as we are needed. God has blessed us with the gift of each other until the time comes when a new rector is called to be the spiritual leader of your parish. In the meantime, God has given us joyful work to do together.