Artist-In-Residence

I watch snow begin its fall,
lay down this day of chill
on crisp golden locust leaves,
it clutters my path. I know
the price I will pay if
I don’t follow the rules.

I surely must move those
leaves to their proper rest
before flakes, surely not allow
them to stay where footsteps
will grind together snow and
leaves to become a musty cake
making an impossible run.

There are rules I must follow
to keep my path clear, ready
for its pilgrim to walk safe
and true.

Yet, I ask if rules are a good
matter to seek my attention,
give over my time. Rules beget
more rules until rules are all
that cover what was once a
simple way, now made less clear.

Instead I listen, start inside
with a whisper, learn who I am
from the Source. And I see a path,
simple and true, still covered with
leaves and snow. Only then
can my hand stretch to yours.
Together we will divine our way.

Author’s note:

If you would like more on this poem, please visit my page Journey/lex.

This week I thank Ryan Taylor of Access Denver for his reflection, in Street Psalms’ Word From Below, on the reading from The Revised Common Lectionary. And a sincere thanks to Fr. Scott Jenkins from a Church of the Holy Family for his prayers and the Beatitudes that will be read in the Celtic Celebration of All Saints this coming Saturday. All are welcome to join us in our celebration.

It is with great gratitude and humility that I am so very happy to announce that I have been named the first Artist-In-Residence by our Parish Leadership Team at A Church of the Holy Family, ECC in Aurora, Colorado. We are a church in the Ecumenical Catholic Communion who truly welcomes all.

I will be be developing ways for our community to share our stories through the arts. I myself am a writer and actor, but we have artisans of all types, ages, and passions within our family. We will be discovering, acknowledging, and sharing them with one another and the world.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

Lexanne

A recent post from our pastor, Fr. Scott Jenkins:

The passion in your heart will guide you…

That is the answer to several questions I am usually asked over the course of a twelve month period. Somewhere around February or March, juniors and even seniors in high school will begin to verbalize a stirring of the waters in their hearts. “How do I know what I am supposed to do with the rest of my life?” “How do I know what I want to do when I grow up?” These questions carry a lot of energy, they are very important, and the answers seem to be the most elusive thing in the whole world!

Over the years, I have come to believe that God is the best communicator of all time. I believe that when we say, “God has created us in God’s image,” or “God loves us”, we are saying a whole bunch of things that are great to hear and trust. It means God wants us to reflect the awesome, life-changing love we have received and pass it on fully to others.

I have come to believe it means we all have been created with unique gifts to make the world a better place. And…I believe that God has given each of us a holy desire, a flaming passion that matches our giftedness and we are to unite the two in discovering what to do with the life we have been given. Our gifts + our passion = the path to our vocation, what our major will be in college or where do I volunteer now that I am retired? God wants us to know about our life path. There is no game of hide and seek going on here.

The same is true in Community life. People ask, “What are we going to focus on next year?” “Where shall I put my energy?” I love to hear these questions! It leads to a path of listening and eventually to discovery! Tell me…what are you passionate about? When you know this, you will be involved in something that ignites your life. If you have not discovered your passion, I look forward to walking with you so we may prayerfully discover it together.

What will Holy Family do next year? I believe we will bring about a real life engagement of our vision statement which boldly proclaims that we will…”foster a progressive environment that empowers spiritual growth and community service!” I am excited to see how this will show itself through all of us.

In Christ, Father Scott

A Church of the Holy Family, ECC
16738 E. Iliff Ave
Aurora, CO 80013-1135