Notes for the Week Fourth Sunday after Pentecost July 7 2019

Jul 11

Dear friends,

It all started with her. Mnemosyne. According to the Greek Myths, she captivated and inspired God Zeus and, as a result of their encounter, produced the Nine Muses. They were called “Muses” because, from birth, they seemed to be inspired by the arts, and in turn, inspired all others, including Gods like Apollo, who would play the lyre for their dancing. That’s what a Muse does, according to the dictionary. A Muse is “a person or personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.”

The Nine Muses had their specialties. To each one was accorded creative inspiration for artistic interpretation of poetry: lyrical, sacred, historical, comedic and tragic. Two Muses focused on inventing theory and practice in learning. Three worked to perfect musical sound, using the Lyre and invented musical vibrations in music. They looked to the planets and stars for their own inspiration and turned to inventing musical chords and developing languages, far too ancient for us to understand now.

Apollo introduced them to the amazing and beautiful Mount Elikonas, the site of the old Temple of Zeus. It just doesn’t get much more inspiring than that, unless you haven’t heard about the Holy Trinity. Regardless, knowing what they did, the Muses lived their lives encouraging creation, enhancing imagination and inspiring all called to love of the arts: music, dance, poetry, prose; everything that delights the senses and evokes emotional response, from pain to euphoria.

Just thinking about these daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne gets me thinking. Who or what is my muse? God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? Aren’t they already a Divine 24/7 presence far beyond mere Muse status? Surely, God must be in charge of Muses. Since God created all, then God must cause intersections of humans and their Muses, whenever God deems it necessary to do so. Does a Muse have to be a one and only thing, or maybe assigned to a particular task we are facing, or can we be inspired by whatever Muse happens along? Phoebe the Dog could be my Muse when I need to write or think or compose anything about compassion and trust. The first flower of Spring can be a Muse, filling one’s heart with hope and a sense of personal resurrection and possibility for the world. Or maybe the setting sun, that gets everyone up out of their seats to stand and watch in wonder, each sharing unsaid knowing that Space, Time, The Universe, are all God’s, and far bigger, grander and more important than we mere mortals. That our issues and problems, our cruelties and need for power or money or status, are just things we make up on earth, and are of no consequence to God, the planets, the stars, Creation and all that is in it. Those kinds of things make no sense to Phoebe the Dog either. Muses want so much more from us, something in us that needs to be expressed and is too often held back, something that far outweighs who is the biggest and the best, something that allows us to acknowledge the beauty and power of the humble, natural and pure. Like simply planting a minute seed just to watch it grow into something breathtaking.

So, maybe when Zeus and Mnemosyne got together, they hoped, even back then in ancient Greece, that they could unleash on the world something more important than our precious human game of survival of the fittest. Perhaps they thought that, by creating Muses, they could help us all understand how much more rich life can be, if we would simply allow ourselves to be inspired by all that is beautiful, all that is Creation, all that is God’s, all the time.

Maybe each day upon waking when we say, “Lord open my lips and my mouth shall proclaim your praise,” we could then search for our Muse to inspire us throughout our day, so that we could be just a little more creative in the way with which we spend it. Maybe, in our searching for our Muse, if we take just a moment to listen to the still, small voice that speaks from within, we will find it.

We journey together,

Mother Esme+

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart,

yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

This week we pray for….

Bill & Donna; Linda; Julie; Michael R.; Ruth; Sandy; Joyce; Nathan; Heidi C.; Michelle; Pat; Angelina; Beverly; Julia; Pene; Jenn; Stephanie; Terry; Beth; Curtis; Marlene; Bruce; Mel, Yvette; Deacon Diana, and Carroll.

“O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.” BCP 458

We pray for our Catechumens as they prepare for confirmation and to affirm their faith:

Leslie Hirsch, Jenny Langley, Sienna Liljenwall, LindaCarol McKinlay, and Diane Nash

A Prayer for the Bishop Search in the Diocese of Oregon

Eternal God, our times are in your hands. We trust in your providence and care for each of us and for the Diocese of Oregon. Guide us by your Holy Spirit that in all our praying, planning, discerning and decisions for the election of our new bishop that your plans unfold with grace and power through the work you have given us to do. Unify the diocese in love and strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. It is in his Name we pray. AMEN

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer

We pray for the Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea - The Most Revd Allan Migi - Archbishop of Papua New Guinea

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer

Eugene: St. Thomas: Ann Gaillard, rector; Eugene: U. of O. Campus Ministry. Doug Hale, chaplain; Florence: St. Andrew: Angelito Cubillas, vicar; and Forest Grove: St. Bede: Marlene Mutchler, vicar; David Pero, deacon; Marcia Hobart, anchoress

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What’s the next best thing to Spring Cleaning?

Summer Cleanout!!

At last, the basement is to be addressed! We will be bringing in a dumpster on July 18th and will have it for two weekends and we will be clearing out the basement of anything that is of no further use to St. Aidan’s.

So…

If you have been storing anything that belongs to you there

that you want to keep,

please rescue it and take it home by July 12th.

If you have been storing anything that is yours, in any rooms on campus, that you want to keep,

please rescue it and take it home by July 12th.

Sticky Note Code and Process!!

Green Sticky Note or Dots: Needs to go to dumpster

Red Sticky Notes or Dots: Need to keep

Yellow Sticky Notes or Dots: Needs to go in the driveway for free giveaway

No sticky note/no dot: not applicable,

(because you took the item home for sentimental reasons and it now resides in your own basement!)

Yay!

Questions? Call Jenny Langley 503-752-7925

Or talk to LindaCarol McKinlay or Mother Esme

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COMMUNITY DINNER WILL NOT BE OFFERED ON JULY 4TH

DINNER WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY, JULY 11TH.

YOU ARE INVITED TO BRING A FRIEND TO DINNER,

OR JUST COME YOURSELF!

THERE WILL BE A PLATE FOR YOU!

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Announcing our new ministry at St. Aidan’s….

Saint Aidan's Green Awareness Project

is proud to present

SACRED F👡👟TPRINTS

An environmental awareness project

supported by Gresham Green Program

St. Aidan's is continuing to rise up and meet the goals towards sustainability. We have recently been audited by Gresham Green Business and by PGE electrical audit. We have a list set before us and we have no doubt we will accomplish the goal, one step at a time. Not only will we learn how to be more environmentally savvy as a community we will bring our sustainable savviness to our own homes.

UPDATES

Look out for new recycle bins and signs that

keep us updated with Gresham recycling Policies.

If you have questions or interested to learn more, contact

Beth Voss at urbanfarm2012@gmail.com

This week’s Sacred Footprints Tips:

Use less paper and make less copies!

Hooray!!

We’re on the right track with our Pew Copies and weekly service inserts.

Good for you for your flexibility and desire to walk with Sacred Footprints!!

Featured Articles

https://www.earthsfriends.com/why-recycling-important/

http://www.dwswa.org/recycle-reuse-articles/

Did you know…..?

SACRED F👡👟TPRINTS

also includes

St. Aidan’s Animal Ministry?

Here’s what Sophia

(our little resident bunny)

would like you to know.)

Those plastic rings that come off milk or juice cartons can trap little beaks when birds investigate them. Those those mesh bags that hold onions or avocadoes, lemons or grapes can trap wings and beaks and little webbed feet and claws. Don’t risk trapping our little feathered friends, who will die if they cannot free themselves from these deadly rings. What you can do:

Suggest to your grocer to stop selling mesh bags.

If you must buy a mesh bag, cut it up into little pieces before throwing it into the garbage.

Cut plastic rings, so that they can pop off a bird’s beak, before disposing rings in the garbage, and recycling milk/juice cartons in recycling.

Thank you, Sophia!

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Need a Muse?

If you are seeking inspiration for naming your next child or grandchild, animal companion your goldfish, your bird or your boat, your next epic novel or your next symphony, you might consider musing upon one of these Nine…

1. Clio: The Muse Clio discovered history and guitar. History was named Clio in the ancient years, because it refers to “kleos” the Greek word for the heroic acts. Clio was always represented with a clarion in the right arm and a book in the left hand.

2. Euterpe: Muse Euterpe discovered several musical instruments, courses and dialectic. She was always depicted holding a flute, while many instruments were always around her.

3. Thalia: Muse Thalia was the protector of comedy; she discovered comedy, geometry, architectural science and agriculture. She was also protector of Symposiums. She was always depicted holding a theatrical – comedy mask.

4. Melpomene: Opposite from Thalia, Muse Melpomene was the protector of Tragedy; she invented tragedy, rhetoric speech and Melos. She was depicted holding a tragedy mask and usually bearing a bat.

5. Terpsichore: Terpsichore was the protector of dance; she invented dances, the harp and education. She was called Terpsichore because she was enjoying and having fun with dancing ( “Terpo” in Greek refers to be amused). She was depicted wearing laurels on her head, holding a harp and dancing.

6. Erato: Muse Erato was the protector of Love and Love Poetry – as well as wedding. Her name comes from the Greek word “Eros” that refers to the feeling of falling in love. She was depicted holding a lyre and love arrows and bows.

7. Polymnia: Muse Polymnia was the protector of the divine hymns and mimic art; she invented geometry and grammar. She was depicted looking up to the Sky, holding a lyre.

8. Ourania: Muse Ourania was the protector of the celestial objects and stars; she invented astronomy. She was always depicted bearing stars, a celestial sphere and a bow compass.

9. Calliope: Muse Calliope was the superior Muse. She was accompanying kings and princes in order to impose justice and serenity. She was the protector of heroic poems and rhetoric art. According to the myth, Homer asks from Calliope to inspire him while writing Iliad and Odyssey, and, thus, Calliope is depicted holding laurels in one hand and the two Homeric poems in the other hand.

The Nine Muses have been inspiring artists since the antiquity and there countless paintings, drawings, designs, poems and statues dedicated to them. All artists of the Renaissance acknowledged their importance in artistic creation, dedicating their works to the Muses.

Today, the most famous depiction of the Muses in sculpture is in Greece, in Corfu; the Empress Sissi of Austria had their statues made for her, in order to ornament the garden of her retreat house in Corfu, the famous Achilleion.

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WEEKLY AT ST. AIDAN’S

A complete version of the calendar for St. Aidan’s campus activities

is posted below and around the campus, and on the website

Sunday

9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist – Rite II [Sanctuary]

Wednesday

6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer [Sanctuary]

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Benedictine Group/Cuthbert Community [Murdock Hall-Kitchen]

All are welcome (bring your own supper/snack)

Thursday

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist - Rite I [Sanctuary] (no services July 4th)

10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Bible Study for Grown-ups [Kitchen](No Bible Study July 4th)

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Community Suppers (Doors open at 5 p.m.) [Murdock Hall]

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COMING EVENTS at ST. AIDAN’S

July 9th, TUESDAY Church Office is Closed

July 12th, FRI: Last day to pick up items you’ve been storing in the Murdock Hall basement. “Spring “cleaning & sorting begins Saturday, the 13th.

July 14th, SUN: Second Sunday: SERRV Shop is open after church

August 7th, WED: First Wednesday: “Healthy Cooking” (SOS Free) with Rachel & Beth

4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. [Murdock Hall - Kitchen]

August 31st, SAT: St. Aidan’s CELTIC FESTIVAL (time NOW to plan baskets to raffle)

10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. [All Campus]

September 1st, SUN: St. Aidan’s “Mass on the Grass” [Outdoors]

10:00 a.m. followed by Pot-Luck Coffee Hour

THIS WEEK on ST. AIDAN’S CAMPUS

July 4th, Thursday FOURTH OF JULY – Office Closed

Holy Eucharist Rite I [Sanctuary] – will resume next week

“Bible Study for Grown-Ups” [Likowski Hall – Guild Room] – will resume next week

FREE Community Dinner will resume next week