The Franciscan - December 2012

December, 2012 Exalt Educate Equip Evangelize Extend Issue #230

FROM THE DESK OF BISHOP FELIX ORJI:
St. Francis Anglican Church
470 Eagle Drive
El Paso, Texas 79912
915-584-5967

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday, Dec. 23
Worship 10:00 am
Monday, Dec. 24—Eve of the Nativity
Worship 5:00 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 25—Christmas Day
Worship 10:00 am

Worship 8:00 am
Lessons & Carols 10:00 am

Regular Sunday Services at 8 & 10 am

Bishop Felix Orji, OSB

Deacon Daphne: Daphne Orgeron
I hope all of you had a gazillion things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, and that the entire holiday was a
beautiful, family time for you, as it was for me. I had all 3 of my children together for the first time in about 15
years, and it was such a laughing good time. We must take these good memories with us into the future. We
must remember that in this fallen world blessings and sorrows mingle freely. If we focus constantly on the ad-
versity, it will defeat us. We must beware of walking through a day that is brimming with beauty and bright-
ness, seeing only the grayness of our own thoughts. Did you know that neglecting to give thanks throughout
each day will darken and dull our minds. We will begin to lose the ability to even see the blessings all around
us. Let's remember to thank God at all times. Let's walk through the seemingly darkest days with Joy in our
hearts, because we know that the Light of Jesus' Presence is still shining on us. Remember, "This is a day that
the Lord has made. Let us REJOICE and be glad in it." (Jesus Calling; page 345)

I must also use my article space this month to ask for new acolytes. If you attend very many of the December
services, you will notice that you see the same young faces serving as acolytes time after time. That's because
we just don't have enough people serving. So I must ask for some of the adults, from both services but mostly
from the 10:00 service. I need at least 6 from the 10:00 service, and 2 from the 8:00 service. Please don't worry
about knowing what to do. I would never 'turn you loose' on your own until you're comfortable that you've re-
ceived enough OJT to be comfortable. You can shadow under our very capable acolytes until you 'learn the
ropes.' Please do not let the 'but I can't....' feeling stop you. Recall the conversation when God called Jeremiah to
be his prophet:
"Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth." But the Lord said to me, "Do not
say, 'I am only a youth,' for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall
speak. Do not be afraid of them. For I am with you to deliver you," declares the Lord."
And the conversation God had with Moses when Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of bondage:

"But Moses said to Him, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your
servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' But the Lord said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who
makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your
mouth and teach you what you shall speak."
We really need some folks to step forward. Please know that God will give you whatever you need. Serving on
Jesus' altar is such a wonderful blessing, and you will NOT regret volunteering. George and I will be home
sometime around Christmas. Please contact me then, or through email now, and I will work you into the train-
ing schedule for January, so we can give our present acolytes a little more realistic schedule to serve.

Thank you; God Bless us, every one.
Deacon Daphne+

Lay Pastor David: David Basch
Continuation of British Prime Minister’s speech on the King James Bible from last month

In a similar way, the Bible provides a defining influence on the formation of the first welfare state.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says that whatever people have done “unto one of the least of these my brethren”…

… they have done unto him.

Just as in the past it was the influence of the church that enabled hospitals to be built, charities created, the hungry fed, the sick
nursed and the poor given shelter…

…so today faith based groups are at the heart of modern social action.

Organisations like the Church Urban Fund which has supported over 5,000 faith based projects in England’s poorest communities…
…including the Near Neighbours Programme which Eric Pickles helped to launch last month.

And St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London’s Bishopsgate…

…a building once destroyed by an IRA bomb…

…but now a centre where people divided by conflict, culture or religion can meet and listen to each other’s perspective.

In total, there are almost 30 thousand faith based charities in this country…

…not to mention the thousands of people who step forward as individuals, as families, as communities, as organisations and yes, as
churches….

…and do extraordinary things to help build a bigger, richer, stronger, more prosperous and more generous society.

And when it comes to the great humanitarian crises – like the famine in Horn of Africa – again you can count on faith-based organi-
sations…
…like Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD, Jewish Care, Islamic Relief, and Muslim Aid…
…to be at the forefront of the action to save lives.

So it’s right to recognise the huge contribution our faith communities make to our politics.

…and to recognise the role of the Bible in inspiring many of their works.

People often say that politicians shouldn’t “do God.”

If by that they mean we shouldn’t try to claim a direct line to God for one particular political party…

…they could not be more right.

But we shouldn’t let our caution about that stand in the way of recognising both what our faith communities bring to our country…

…and also just how incredibly important faith is to so many people in Britain.

The Economist may have published the obituary of God in their Millennium issue.

But in the past century, the proportion of people in the world who adhere to the four biggest religions has actually increased from
around two-thirds to nearly three quarters…and is forecast to continue rising.
(Continued)

For example, it is now thought there are at least 65 million protestants in China and 12 million Catholics – more Christians than
there are members of the communist party.

Official numbers indicate China has about 20 million Muslims – almost as many as in Saudi Arabia – and nearly twice as many
as in the whole of the EU.

And by 2050, some people think China could well be both the world’s biggest Christian nation and its biggest Muslim one too.

Here in Britain we only have to look at the reaction to the Pope’s visit last year…
…this year’s Royal Wedding…
…or of course the festival of Christmas next week, to see that Christianity is alive and well in our country.

The key point is this.

Societies do not necessarily become more secular with modernity but rather more plural, with a wider range of beliefs and com-
mitments.

And that brings me to my third point.

The Bible has helped to shape the values which define our country.

Indeed, as Margaret Thatcher once said, “we are a nation whose ideals are founded on the Bible.”

Responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility, self-sacrifice, love…

…pride in working for the common good and honouring the social obligations we have to one another, to our families and our
communities…

…these are the values we treasure.

Yes, they are Christian values.

And we should not be afraid to acknowledge that.

But they are also values that speak to us all – to people of every faith and none.

And I believe we should all stand up and defend them.

Those who oppose this usually make the case for secular neutrality.

They argue that by saying we are a Christian country and standing up for Christian values we are somehow doing down other
faiths.

And that the only way not to offend people is not to pass judgement on their behaviour.

I think these arguments are profoundly wrong.

And being clear on this is absolutely fundamental to who we are as a people…

…what we stand for…

…and the kind of society we want to build.
First, those who say being a Christian country is doing down other faiths…

…simply don’t understand that it is easier for people to believe and practise other faiths when Britain has confidence in its Chris-
tian identity.
(Continued)

Many people tell me it is much easier to be Jewish or Muslim here in Britain than it is in a secular country like France.

Why?

Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too.

And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all.

Second, those who advocate secular neutrality in order to avoid passing judgement on the behaviour of others…

…fail to grasp the consequences of that neutrality…
…or the role that faith can play in helping people to have a moral code.
Let’s be clear.
Faith is neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for morality.
There are Christians who don’t live by a moral code.
And there are atheists and agnostics who do.
But for people who do have a faith, their faith can be a helpful prod in the right direction.
And whether inspired by faith or not – that direction, that moral code, matters.
Whether you look at the riots last summer…

…the financial crash and the expenses scandal…

…or the on-going terrorist threat from Islamist extremists around the world…

…one thing is clear: moral neutrality or passive tolerance just isn’t going to cut it anymore.

Shying away from speaking the truth about behaviour, about morality…

…has actually helped to cause some of the social problems that lie at the heart of the lawlessness we saw with the riots.

The absence of any real accountability, or moral code…

…allowed some bankers and politicians to behave with scant regard for the rest of society.

And when it comes to fighting violent extremism, the almost fearful passive tolerance of religious extremism that has allowed segre-
gated communities to behave in ways that run completely counter to our values…

… has not contained that extremism but allowed it to grow and prosper…

…in the process blackening the good name of the great religions that these extremists abuse for their own purposes.

Put simply, for too long we have been unwilling to distinguish right from wrong.
“Live and let live” has too often become “do what you please”.
Bad choices have too often been defended as just different lifestyles.

To be confident in saying something is wrong…

…is not a sign of weakness, it’s a strength.

But we can’t fight something with nothing.
As I’ve said if we don’t stand for something, we can’t stand against anything.

One of the biggest lessons of the riots last Summer is that we’ve got stand up for our values if we are to confront the slow-motion
moral collapse that has taken place in parts of our country these past few generations.

(Continued)

The same is true of religious extremism.

As President Obama wrote in the Audacity of Hope:

“…in reaction to religious overreach we equate tolerance with secularism, and forfeit the moral language that would help infuse our
politics with larger meaning.”

Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and a much more active, muscular liberalism.

A passively tolerant society says to its citizens, as long as you obey the law we will just leave you alone.

It stands neutral between different values.

But I believe a genuinely liberal country does much more; it believes in certain values and actively promotes them.

We need to stand up for these values.

To have the confidence to say to people – this is what defines us as a society…

…and that to belong here is to believe in these things.
I believe the church – and indeed all our religious leaders and their communities in Britain – have a vital role to play in helping to
achieve this.

I have never really understood the argument some people make about the church not getting involved in politics.

To me, Christianity, faith, religion, the Church and the Bible are all inherently involved in politics because so many political ques-
tions are moral questions.

So I don’t think we should be shy or frightened of this.

I certainly don’t object to the Archbishop of Canterbury expressing his views on politics.
Religion has a moral basis and if he doesn’t agree with something he’s right to say so.

But just as it is legitimate for religious leaders to make political comments, he shouldn’t be surprised when I respond.

Also it’s legitimate for political leaders to say something about religious institutions as they see them affecting our society, not least
in the vital areas of equality and tolerance.

I believe the Church of England has a unique opportunity to help shape the future of our communities.

But to do so it must keep on the agenda that speaks to the whole country.

The future of our country is at a pivotal moment.

The values we draw from the Bible go to the heart of what it means to belong in this country…

…and you, as the Church of England, can help ensure that it stays that way.

Bob Tipton: Scholar in Residence
IMPOSSIBLE! But . . .
Bob Tipton

It was probably late Spring—the sheep were in the field at night, so the stables were empty. And it took more than one night for
everything to happen: the angels singing, the shepherds coming, the naming Jesus seven days later, the visit to the temple when He
was forty days old, the Magi, and Herod’s ordering the death of children younger than two years of age. This celebration of the Na-
tivity is really impossible. But it is quite acceptable to celebrate the whole story in just one day—even though the day is in the win-
ter and it took more than one day. Merry Christmas to all!

Frankly, the whole story is impossible. (Relax! I’m not the Grinch that will steal Christmas.) I am not thinking of the impossi-
bility of putting all that happened into just one day. I’m thinking of what we are really celebrating—God becoming man.

God is infinite.

Now infinity is not just counting and counting and counting until one more cannot be added to the count. (That is impossible
regardless of how much you count, or how many zeros you put at the end of the number: infinity is always infinitely greater than
that.) Infinity has nothing to do with endless space. We live in a finite, expanding universe. The Big Bang was the beginning of all
the matter of the universe and the beginning of its expansion. And it continues to expand, though we cannot find reason to believe
that it adds new matter. It has not become infinite; it will never become infinite; it will still have its limits. Even reducing the entire
universe to the size of a shoebox and carrying it around is simply reducing one finite thing to another of a different size. Infinity is
beyond all comprehension. Nothing can be added to infinity; nothing can be taken away from infinity. No one can make infinity
something we can count, or comprehend, or imagine.

What happened when Jesus was born is simply the infinite became finite. And this is impossible! But . . .

There are two obvious ways to get out of the impossibility.

The first is to believe that God is NOT infinite. This makes Jehovah nothing more than Zeus, Jupiter, Woden, Baal, Moloch,
and the host of other gods that populate the religions of the earth. Like other gods, this god would have to be part of the universe and
subject to its limitations. If Jehovah is not infinite, then we have made Him simply one of the mythological (nonexistent) gods that
populate the pagan religions of the world. We can take the story of Leda and the Swan, for example, seriously and transfer our wor-
ship to the semi-gods Castor, Pollux, etc. Then we can reduce Jesus to one of them. But this destroys our belief that Jehovah is the
only, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, eternal, creator of all things. We have reduced Him to one like ourselves—just as the
pagans of all time have done. And all those peoples finally lost faith in their gods and had to seek something or someone else to
worship. In our time people have chosen Hitler, Stalin, and Mao among others. Of course, this is not the God we find in the pages
of the Bible; it is not the God to whom we can pray; it is not a God in whom we can trust. In short, we might as well become atheists.

Or we can believe that Jesus is not God. He claimed to be God, that He and the Father are one. And if he is not God incarnate,
He is only a human being claiming to be God. We have made Jesus what C. S. Lewis pointed out is impossible: A man who was
merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on the level
with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man
was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill
Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. (C. S. Lewis. Mere Christianity. Book II, chapter 4.)

Either way, we have simply gotten rid of God. Since neither of these options makes sense about God or about Jesus, how can
we understand the impossible fact the infinite was reduced to the finite? That infinite God became finite man?

“Just believe it. It is a matter of faith.” This answer has bothered me ever since it was given to me as a child. I know that Jesus
claimed to be the infinite God—and I have to believe that He is. But I have wrestled with this answer intellectually for years. A few
years ago I was reading a musty old book that made a simple claim: man has a dual nature. He is physical—his body is the product
of the physical fact of birth. Just as the horse, cow, dog, cat, etc. are the physical product of its parents, so the human baby’s body is
the physical product of its parents. But man is also spirit. And here is the crucial point of much debate today: when does the embryo
become a person, a human being? Some say it is at conception. Others say it is later. And the debate rages on. I can’t settle that
debate for myself, much less for others. But the fact there is a debate emphasizes that the human being is both a physical body and a
spiritual being.

The physical body is the product of the physical, and inherits all the physical attributes from its parents. The spirit is the unique
gift of God to the person. Solomon’s admonition seems to hint that this is true: Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and
the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the
earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12.6-7). “Dust” clearly refers to the physical body. There
is no doubt that this physical body in time literally becomes dust. Archeologists confirm the fact. Solomon declared that the spirit
returns to God. The “spirit” is treated as a separate entity in other passages (see Hebrews 4.12 for example).

Thus, I can understand how the impossible happened at Jesus’ birth. That body born of Mary and later died on the cross was
certainly human. Thus the First Person of the Trinity was the procreator of the physical Jesus who was born of Mary and also the
giver of the spirit of Jesus. In short, His physical body was a finite human body. But His spirit was the Second Person of the Trin-
ity—infinite God. The infinite Spirit of God accepted the physical limitations of the finite human body. The infinite Spirit became
one with the finite physical body. The IMPOSSIBLE became real!

But it does explain many things, doesn’t it? So this is the real meaning of the Nativity. It’s not the time of year, or the angels,
shepherds, Magi, etc. It is God doing the impossible because He “so loved the world” and opened to us the way of salvation and
eternal life.

So let us celebrate Christmas with joy and thanksgiving, for in the Nativity, God did the impossible. And in so doing opened for
us the way into heaven itself.

HALLELUJAH! PRAISE JEHOVAH!

FROM THE EDITOR:
Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark, and evening-- the last evening of the year. In
this cold and darkness there went along the street a poor little girl, bareheaded, and with naked feet. When she
left home she had slippers on, it is true; but what was the good of that? They were large slippers, very which
her mother had hitherto worn; so large were they; and the poor little thing lost them as she scuffled away
across the street, because of two carriages that rolled by dreadfully fast.

One slipper was nowhere to be found; the other had been laid hold of by an urchin, and off he ran with it; he
thought it would do capitally for a cradle when he some day or other should have children himself. So the little
maiden walked on with her tiny naked feet, that were quite red and blue from cold. She carried a quantity of
matches in an old apron, and she held a bundle of them in her hand. Nobody had bought anything of her the
whole livelong day; no one had given her a single farthing.

She crept along trembling with cold and hunger--a very picture of sorrow, the poor little thing!

The flakes of snow covered her long fair hair, which fell in beautiful curls around her neck; but of that, of
course, she never once now thought. From all the windows the candles were gleaming, and it smelt so deli-
ciously of roast goose, for you know it was New Year's Eve; yes, of that she thought.

In a corner formed by two houses, of which one advanced more than the other, she seated herself down and
cowered together. Her little feet she had drawn close up to her, but she grew colder and colder, and to go home
she did not venture, for she had not sold any matches and could not bring a farthing of money: from her father
she would certainly get blows, and at home it was cold too, for above her she had only the roof, through which
the wind whistled, even though the largest cracks were stopped up with straw and rags.

Her little hands were almost numbed with cold. Oh! a match might afford her a world of comfort, if she only
dared take a single one out of the bundle, draw it against the wall, and warm her fingers by it. She drew one
out. "Rischt!" how it blazed, how it burnt! It was a warm, bright flame, like a candle, as she held her hands
over it: it was a wonderful light. It seemed really to the little maiden as though she were sitting before a large
iron stove, with burnished brass feet and a brass ornament at top. The fire burned with such blessed influence;
it warmed so delightfully. The little girl had already stretched out her feet to warm them too; but--the small
flame went out, the stove vanished: she had only the remains of the burnt-out match in her hand.

She rubbed another against the wall: it burned brightly, and where the light fell on the wall, there the wall be-
came transparent like a veil, so that she could see into the room. On the table was spread a snow-white table-
cloth; upon it was a splendid porcelain service, and the roast goose was steaming famously with its stuffing of
apple and dried plums. And what was still more capital to behold was, the goose hopped down from the dish,
reeled about on the floor with knife and fork in its breast, till it came up to the poor little girl; when--the match
went out and nothing but the thick, cold, damp wall was left behind. She lighted another match. Now there she
was sitting under the most magnificent Christmas tree: it was still larger, and more decorated than the one
which she had seen through the glass door in the rich merchant's house.

Thousands of lights were burning on the green branches, and gaily-colored pictures, such as she had seen in
the shop-windows, looked down upon her. The little maiden stretched out her hands towards them when--the
match went out. The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, she saw them now as stars in heaven;
one fell down and formed a long trail of fire.

"Someone is just dead!" said the little girl; for her old grandmother, the only person who had loved her, and
who was now no more, had told her, that when a star falls, a soul ascends to God.

She drew another match against the wall: it was again light, and in the lustre there stood the old grandmother,
so bright and radiant, so mild, and with such an expression of love.

"Grandmother!" cried the little one. "Oh, take me with you! You go away when the match burns out; you van-
ish like the warm stove, like the delicious roast goose, and like the magnificent Christmas tree!" And she
rubbed the whole bundle of matches quickly against the wall, for she wanted to be quite sure of keeping her
grandmother near her. And the matches gave such a brilliant light that it was brighter than at noon-day: never
formerly had the grandmother been so beautiful and so tall. She took the little maiden, on her arm, and both
flew in brightness and in joy so high, so very high, and then above was neither cold, nor hunger, nor anxiety--
they were with God.

But in the corner, at the cold hour of dawn, sat the poor girl, with rosy cheeks and with a smiling mouth, lean-
ing against the wall--frozen to death on the last evening of the old year. Stiff and stark sat the child there with
her matches, of which one bundle had been burnt. "She wanted to warm herself," people said. No one had the
slightest suspicion of what beautiful things she had seen; no one even dreamed of the splendor in which, with
her grandmother she had entered on the joys of a new year.

“The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)

ARBOL de VIDA: The Arbol de Vida children can go Christmas shopping with your help.
A new child may never have been Christmas shopping in his life. Handmade ornaments with a
child’s name on them will be on sale Dec. 2nd and 9th (or contact Jim or Neva Uphoff). The cost is $35 each
or 3 for $100. Please also add your child’s name(s) to your daily prayers for the upcoming year. Contact
Neva or Jim at 581-1292 for more information.

GREENING THE CHURCH: Please come at 9:00 am on Saturday, Dec. 15th. We need people—lots
of men with ladders and hammers—because we need to hang lots of things and put up trees. If we have lots
of help we will be through in 2 hours max!

A CHRISTMAS POSADA: Saturday, December 15, at 3:00 pm. Sunday school children will
invite our neighbors to join us for a tamale dinner. Contact Amy Nichols at
Aj7229@sbcglobal.net or 833-7229 or 309-4563 for more information

ADULT CHRISTIAN EUCATION: Meet s downstairs in the conference room every Sun-
day between 9:15 and 9:45 am.

YOUTH BIBLE STUDY AND FELLOWSHIP: All junior and senior high youth are invited to
participate. Wednesday’s at 6:30 for dinner at the Church.

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH: Parish Prayer Meeting at 6:30 pm. All other
Wednesdays: Evening prayer with homily at 6:00 pm.

LAVERDE CASA GROUP: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 6:00pm Pot
luck supper and bible study. We will be studying the book of James. Call Mike for more in-
formation: 490-5402.

FLOWER CHART - A new flower chart sign up is posted on the bulletin board across from the gift shop.
Sign up for flowers on the altar in memory of, in thanksgiving for, in celebration of, etc. The cost of a flower
arrangement is $30 each. Call Sheila Huchton at 833-2382 for more information.

SUNDAY LUNCHES: The Hospitality Ministry is looking for volunteers to help with lunch after the
10:00 service on the first, second and fourth Sundays of the month. Sign up in the foyer to help provide
lunch, dessert, drinks (tea, lemonade), and clean up after. Thanks in advance! -Linda Gunter

COMMUNITY CORNER - Ways to Help
Polly Harris Senior Citizens Center –
Provide cookies and punch the third Friday of each month for their Social from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Angela Guevara Child Development Center –
Rock babies and/or read to preschoolers
Kelly Memorial Food Bank –
Donate staples for the hungry- beans, rice, cereal, etc.
L B Johnson Elementary School –
Volunteer to mentor children once a month for 45 minutes beginning in the fall
Rescue Mission –
Provide bake goods the first Sunday of the month
Contact Sudy Todd for more information or to volunteer 490-5349 or sudyt@hotmail.com

PRAY ACROSS THE MILES: If your children are away at school or getting into the work-
force, they need prayer support. Join us to hold our children and each other before the Lord in
an informal prayer group which meets every other Tuesdy (please note day change) from 6:00
to 6:30 pm at Mark and Martha Heath’s home: 5709 Bonneville. Anyone is welcome. For
more information, call Nancy Hill, 479-5513.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER: Jim and Martha Williams will be leading the Intercessory Prayer minis-
try at St. Francis. Intercessory prayer will be offered in the library at 9:30am every Sunday morning. You are
welcome to join. It’s a time to pray for God’s power and blessing on our Sunday service. I asked them to
lead this ministry and highly recommend it to you. -Canon Felix

PASTORAL CARE - Please pray for Ed Azar, Ann May, Mary Frances Keisling, Kay Lassiter, Susan
Smith, Heather Stevens, Ainsley Hines, Bill Bihn, Jim Berg, Mary Lou, Karli Baldwin, Jenny, Sharon Carr
Leamon, Sharma Brown, Mary Jane Brown and Diana Wildemann.

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: Now Studying Exodus. Meets Wed. at 7:00 am (after 6:30 wor-
ship). Breakfast included! All men are invited.

JUST FOR FUN ETC….

'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa's a wreck...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?

His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.

And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.

So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you know that looked stupid!?

And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.

Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.

And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.

Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.
His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."

And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows:
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on Geraldo, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.

So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was Ms.

And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.

Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.

Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacificWho suddenly said she'd enough of
this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, .
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.

Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.

For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.

No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.

Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.

So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.

He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with that word today.

His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.

Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.

A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even you.

So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...

"May you and your loved ones enjoy peace on earth."

This document is copyright (c) Harvey Ehrlich 1992.

EVERY WEEK AT ST. FRANCIS… CLERGY AND STAFF
BISHOP FELIX C. ORJI, Rector
THE REV. DAPHNE ORGERON, Deacon
Sunday THE REV. Dr. MYLES CALVIN, Asst. Priest
8:00 am Worship Service THE REV. CINDY ANDERSON, Asst. Priest
10:00 am Worship Service DAVID BASCH, Lay Pastor
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School THE REV. H. EUGENE MYRICK, Rector Emeritus
MIKE LAVERDE, Lay Pastor (Pastoral Care)
PAUL COLEMAN, Lay Pastor (Bible Study and
Discipleship)
STEVE ANDERSON, Lay Pastor (Evangelism and
Missions)
Child care is provided RANDALL CROSSLAND, Chair of Buildings and
Grounds
Dr. BOB TIPTON, Scholar in Residence
LEA MAGRUDER, Director of Music, Church
Secretary
JOANN CASPER, Parish Administrator
Wednesday SONIA LOPEZ, Sunday School Director
6:30 am Morning Prayer & Bible Study LEA MAGRUDER, Secretary
weekly at the church.
VESTRY
7:00 pm Bible Study; Parish Prayer Meeting— Bill Burton, Sr. Warden
1st Wed. of the month Bill Stevens, Jr. Warden
6:00—8:00pm Youth Bible Study Mark Musgrave, Treasurer
Justin Benedict, Sonny Brown, Bill Burton, Jason
Chapman, Elvia Crossland, Sonia Lopez, David
Thursday Moody, Bernard Moye, Ron Munden, Kirk
7:00 pm Choir Practice Rosenlund, Pam Slusher, Melinda Skillern, Bill
Stevens, Kevin Coleman (Youth rep.)

****
FRANCISCAN : Editor; Jim Uphoff Staff; Neva
Uphoff, Loy Doty

Inside this issue:
From The Bishop Page 1

Deacon Daphne Page 2

Lay Pastor David Page 3

Bob Tipton Page 7

From the Editor Page 9

St Francis Happenings Page 11

Just For Fun Page 13

The Franciscan - December 2012

More Related Content

What's hot

Viewers also liked

Similar to The Franciscan - December 2012

The Franciscan - December 2012