|
|
The
equivalent of a leisurely stroll
on the sands of an ocean shore;
hearing the lapping of water,
the sounds of sea gulls and
experiencing the soothing calm
of it all.
I don’t know
about you, but it seems lately
that life and our nation has
been filled with chaos and uncertainty.
The appeal of a brief
retreat to quiet reflection
has been growing…at least in
my mind. Sunday night, I experienced
just that. Thanks to Interim
Rector Susan Crawford, “Reflections
of Peace” a Jazz Vespers by
Brass Roots Trio Douglas Lundeen
(French Horn) of New York, Travis
Heath (Trumpet) of Florida,
and Rosetta Senkus Bacon (Piano)
of New Jersey performed Sunday
evening September 25th at St.
Luke’s Episcopal Church. Spectacular
renditions of “On Eagle’s Wings”,
“In the Garden”, “Redeemed,
How I Love to Proclaim it”,
“Amazing Grace”, “Holy Manna”
and many other songs were played
by this extraordinary trio.
Interspersed between these
delightful sounds were readings
of various scriptures, prayers
and poems all of which masterfully
tied together the entire program.
I thought it very unique
that the selected lectors were
not only parishioners of St.
Luke’s but also various members
of the Jackson community.
As
I sat there enjoying the evening,
I couldn’t help but reflect
on the renaissance of downtown
Jackson. How moving to
witness the recovery process
of a congregation who lost their
entire sanctuary to the tornado
of May 2003.
The auxiliary
room (temporarily used for services
while awaiting completion of
their rebuilt sanctuary) was
filled with people
|
|
of all ages,
backgrounds, married and single
and even small children were
present. One
particular reading, read by
Becky Fly, stood out to me last
night, a Prayer written by Ralph
Waldo Emerson.
Write
it on your heart
that every
day is the best day in the year.
He
is rich who owns the day, and
no one owns the day
who allows
it to be invaded with fret and
anxiety.
Finish every day
and be done with it.
You
have done what you could.
Some
blunders and absurdities, no
doubt crept in.
Forget them
as soon as you can, tomorrow
is a new day;
begin it well
and serenely with too high a
spirit
to be cumbered with
your old nonsense.
This new
day is too dear,
with its
hopes and invitations,
to
waste a moment on the yesterdays.
How
appropriate in the shadows of
the natural disasters which
have recently struck our nation.
Special thanks to interim Rector
Susan Crawford and the parishioners
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
for a wonderful evening of peaceful
reflection and harmonious unity.
A true testament to the
spirit of downtown and to humanity
as a whole.
Dickson
is the owner of The Dickson
Gallery of Fine Art at 118 E
Lafayette Street. She may be
contacted by email at rachel@dicksongallery.com
or by phone at 423-9708.
|
|
