at

MAY, 2020

A Few Words from Fr. Ted –

“I WANT TO WALK AS A CHILD OF THE LIGHT --I WANT TO FOLLOW JESUS”

I have recently been reminded of the importance of walking. Probably at the top of any recommended exercise regimen, especially for older adults, will be walking. It takes no special equipment or skills; it is low- impact, easy on the joints and can be done almost anywhere. Until the recent shutdown of public venues, I walked on the indoor track at the local YMCA two or three times a week. Our dog, Gracie, expects (no, demands) to be walked every day – winter or summer – unless it is raining. It used to be that we were often the only ones on the nearby walking trail. Now, with Covid 19 and shelter-in-place preventing people from going almost anywhere, we encounter more walkers (with or without dogs) and Dianne and I have seen people we have never seen before walking in the neighborhood. It seems that walking is making a comeback.

I have also been reminded that for most of history, walking was the primary means of transportation. I just finished reading a historical novel set during Julius Caesar’s first military campaign as a commander of Roman legions. It made clear that during the Roman conquest and rule over the known world, the soldiers who made this possible got to their destination by day, week and month-long marches. Naval transport was only possible to coastal areas; there were no helicopters or Humvees to drop troops at the site of a skirmish. The only way to get there was to walk.

This ancient reality was also clear in last Sunday’s Gospel lesson, the well-known story of the road to Emmaus. Two of Jesus’ followers, dejected by the events of Good Friday, are returning to their home some seven miles from Jerusalem. How were they getting there? They were walking. It was during this walk that they met unknowingly with the risen Jesus and engaged in a lively conversation. The other thing about walking is that it provides time for long, deep conversation. There is no traffic calling for constant attention, and the speed even at a vigorous pace allows for time to take in the surroundings. So, during this walk it was possible for Jesus to do a thorough explanation of all that the Hebrew Scriptures from Moses through the prophets teach about the Messiah, how he was to suffer at the hands of the Jewish and Gentile authorities, be killed and rise victorious over death.

1

The CourierChrist the King Episcopal Church

1224 North Jefferson StreetHuntington, Indiana 46750

The life of faith is sometimes referred to as “walking with Jesus” or as the line from the hymn I chose for the title of this reflection says, to follow Jesus. These metaphors highlight two important aspects of knowing and loving Jesus – companionship, as in a long walk together, and being led. Since the beginning of time, what God has most wanted was to be in loving relationship with creation. When the Sin and self-centeredness that we are all afflicted with fractured this relationship, the Creator God came in the person of Jesus Christ to restore it. If we are to be disciples of Jesus we need to be his companions, engaging in deep sharing as were those two on the road outside of Jerusalem. If we open ourselves to that experience, we will “walk as a child of the light.”

The other aspect of this walk is to allow Jesus to lead us. On any walk someone has to decide, do we continue straight ahead or do we turn either to the right or the left. In our walk with Jesus, he is the one who should determine our path. We should strive to pattern our thoughts and actions, our wants and our treatment of others after his example and teachings. We are in the season when we should most remember not just Jesus’ glory but his humility, not just his triumph but his love, not just his power but his obedience. If we are to be led by Jesus, to follow him, then we need to let him show us how to live in that way.

As many seem to be rediscovering the value of walking in this unusual time, may we reclaim the joy of walking with and following Jesus.

Fr. Ted +

WHEN CAN WE GO BACK TO CHURCH?

We are all wondering when things will return to some sense of normalcy. We all would love to be back at Christ the King on Sundays. Of course, some of this is up to when the Governor and state officials begin to ease the restrictions on public gatherings and what will be permissible under less stringent guidelines. It is also a judgment of what seems safe to be made by Bishop Sparks and our local church leadership. Throughout this time, Bishop Sparks has been extremely careful to make his decisions in consultation with the clergy and lay leaders of the diocese, and he has indicated that this how a decision to resume in-person worship will be made. Recently, data was shared that seemed to indicate it would be late in May before it would be prudent to relax current social distancing requirements. We, of course, will have to make our own decision about what is best in our own situation. The answer to when at this point has to be that we don’t know. In the meantime, may we continue to hold each other in our hearts while we are separated physically.

CONTINUING THANKS

On behalf of the Vestry and myself, I wish to thank each of you who have maintained your financial support of Christ the King during our time of separation.

2

We have been able to continue to pay staff, and because we do not anticipate a significant falloff in giving, chose not to apply for funding through the Payroll Protection Program of the federal stimulus act as many churches have needed to do. We know there are other businesses and non-profit agencies which need that assistance far more than Christ the King. Please continue to send your checks to the church so they can be properly recorded and deposited. Again, thanks to all of you. Fr. Ted +

MAY BIRTHDAYS

4 Wendy Yaste8 Rose Holtry 9 Dorothy Bodi 13 Edwin Woodruff Tait 18 Paul Dolby21 Ron Frischman21 Kade Boxell22 Susan Rice26 Jennifer Hibbard

28 Phyllis SchultzMAY ANNIVERSARIES8 Ray & Kelly Beasey16 Fred & Nancy Heasley29 Mark & Diann Parker

BOOK CLUB

We met on April 8 via ZOOM and will do so again on Monday, May 11 at 4:00 p.m. Our next book is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger. “Brilliant novel, very keenly observed, believable, complex characters! Told through the words of a teenager. Reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird,” wrote one of the thousands of Amazon reviewers.If you want to join us for the discussion, contact Marguerite Wire if you haven’t used Zoom before. She’ll get you set up and send you an invitation on May 11.

LITTLE BLESSINGS NEWS

3

As I mentioned last month, the children are really enjoying using the parking lot as a playground. They have also helped with yard cleanup, and Director Shallie Brown has gone above and beyond by planting flowers in our planters, buying new baskets for the lamp posts and spreading mulch in the areas that did not get river rock in the fall project. This is especially appreciated this year, as both Diann Parker and Rose Holtrey (who usually take care of these things) are not in a position to do it. We owe a vote of thanks to Shallie for taking such good care of things in our absence! --Sue Jepsen

From our family to you and yours:

We hope you are all staying safe, healthy, and strong during this

crazy situation we find ourselves in.  We miss you all and cannot

wait to see all of you again soon! In the meantime, just know you

are all in our thoughts and prayers and we are holding all of

you, our CTK Family, in our heart!

With love,The Boxells

4

Christ the King Episcopal Church1224 North Jefferson StreetHuntington IN 46750 MAY, 2020

PHONE NUMBERS

PHONE NUMBERS

Church: 260-356- 3570 Sr. Warden: 260-356-2998 Little Blessings Childcare: 260-359-1161

5

SERVICES at CHRIST the KING

There will be no services until further notice.We will adhere to Diocesan guidelines

regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

WEB PAGE:www.episcopalchurch-

huntington.org

EMAILS :Treasurer: markpa@klinescpa.comNewsletter: sljepsen@yahoo.com

OFFICE HOURS:None until further notice.

PERSONNEL

Priest in Charge: Fr. Theodore Neidlinger

Bishop/Rector: The Rt. Rev. Douglas Sparks

Sr. Warden: Sue Jepsen

Jr. Warden: John Jepsen

Treasurer: Mark Parker

VESTRY Alex Klausing

Meg Moss

Nancy Heasley

Jeff Roberts

Gary Beatty

Liz Snively

6