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Wild Geese (from Dream Work by Mary Oliver)

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

This past week, we had a beautiful barbeque after the Sunday service. Fran noticed that it was the best attendance that she could remember. Dave and the breakfast group cooked corn, burgers, and hot dogs. Each member brought a salad or a dessert. The tables were filled with a combination of homemade dishes and delights from local stores. Fr. James organized the youth and Deacon Claire organized the prayer ties with Dr. Ric Statler and

Qi Gong with Leslie Martin. Sunday was an amazing example of the deep love that this community has for one another and Jesus Christ.

We are made whole when we realize that everything comes through the mercy and grace of God. Jesus Christ came that you may have life and live it more abundantly. Abundant life is a life lived in thankfulness. But that does not mean that our lives are perfect. At times, we need to share our despair with others and listen to their despair in return. We are created in the image of God to follow God’s path of mercy, forgiveness, and love. Let your love flow in your life in everything you do. Give thanks for everything you have.

Join us this fall in volunteering for the Harvest Fair on Saturday October 22nd from 10:00-4:00. St. John’s has been doing ministry in Huntington for 277 years and we know that what Christ is doing here is vitally important. Our ECW will support Long Island Cares, Helping Hands Mission, the Community Food Council, Family Service League, and many other vital local charities. Please participate in any way you can to this important event. The harvest is great and the laborers are few. Let your light shine even if you are surrounded by darkness.

We need to continue to transform our growing congregation through an experience with the living God to an authentic faith which sends us into the world to be the light of Christ and to be the leaven that transforms the world around us. Our focus this fall is on our children, youth and young adults and on creation care. We will continue our work on racial reconciliation and justice. We need to continually grow our outreach to the poor, the sick, the lonely, the disenfranchised, and the powerless. We are the arms and feet of Jesus Christ to a hurting world.

I believe that finding your place in the family of things is important. If you choose the path of Jesus Christ, then you will be blessed with a thankful heart and abundant life. Robert Frost said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled and that has made all the difference. “ 

In Christ’s love, Fr. Duncan