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Well, today is Pentecost.
It’s known as the birthday of the church Our colors are RED – representing FIRE – the FIRE of the Holy Spirit. Today commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. Pentecost is celebrated each year – 50 days after Easter. Jesus said in the reading we just heard, “I will ask the Father to give you another Advocate, to be with you forever”. So, Jesus is our first Advocate, but as he ascends into heaven, he gives us another Advocate, who will remain with us forever. He says this Advocate cannot be received by the world, because the world does not know him. But, that he abides in each of us, his believers. Jesus is sort of saying that we have something special, something to guide us along our earthly Christian journey, something the world doesn’t seem to understand. And doesn’t that seem so true? How have you made out trying to explain your faith to those who challenge faith? Has it been well received, have you been able to help them understand that you have something special, a relationship with God, that brings you peace and everlasting life? I ask this, not to challenge or judge those who appear not to be active in a faith filled journey, but to help make us aware that here, in this place, St. David’s, we can have that conversation with each other and we understand the language. This is the one place, where we are surrounded by people of like minds and who speak the same language. People who have the same faith, same God, same Son and same Holy Spirit. This St. David’s, is a place where we share our life journey with each other. The highs and the lows. Our good days and our bad days. Our losses and our triumphs. This, St. David’s is truly the one place we can come and be who we are, not worried about judgment, status or wealth. A place, where we are all the same, all the same in God’s eyes. This is the place where we are forgiven, where we are loved and where we serve others. I know Jesus said he is sending the Advocate to be with us forever, and it makes me think. Could we be used as Jesus’ Advocate? Could we in some small way, be used as an Advocate for others? Could others – perhaps those Saints of St. David’s before us be an Advocate to us?” I am NOT suggesting we replace or are the Advocate Jesus is talking about, but I am asking the question, “Can we be used as an Advocate for others”. Just ponder that as I keep moving my lips. What is an advocate? Merriam Webster says
Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? That’s an interesting start; The Lord, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, has given us a gift that has been with ST. David’s for the past 100 years. I don’t believe any of us here today were around in 1925, yet God’s Holy Spirit was! Here’s a few things that too place in 1925. Mount Rushmore was dedicated Benito Mussolini became dictator in Italy The first Chicago Cubs baseball game is broadcast on the radio Adolph Hitler publishes Mein Kampf And closer to home; The Reverend Arthur Brown, the vicar of The Good Shepherd in West Springfield realized there were 75 Episcopalians living in Agawam. So, the logical thought was that Agawam needed an Episcopal Church. The church was built in 1925 – through the hard, dedicated, prayerful work of faithful people, who’s vision for the future and who’s indwelling of the Holy Spirit, got us here today. In 1927 the Church was destroyed by a hurricane and through the faithful Saints of ST. David’s it was re built. Then, as many of you may well recall, through prayer and listening for God, in 1990’s, the faithful Saints of St. David’s built another church to support a growing congregation. This building we are in today. The Reverend Arthur Brown The Reverend Robert Reed The Reverend George Palmer The Reverend Frank Wheelock Vicar Kenneth Robinson The Reverend Jack Malpas Cannon Rush Smith The Reverend Robert Lane The Reverend James Crosson The Reverend John Tyler The Reverend Bruce Benshoff The Reverend Len Cowan The Reverend John Parke The Reverend Scott Seabury The Reverend Dan Barker The Reverend Darius Mojalalli The Reverend Harvey Hill. I mention these leaders’ names, in remembrance and thanksgiving for Saints of ST. David’s who have come before us, to continue as followers of Jesus Christ These are the leaders, who had the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, the Advocate, to guide this place of worship. Then, we have the many Saints whose names are not mentioned to be thankful for. The “average” parishioner, the many people who built, cleaned, financially supported this place, our worship home. Those who were baptized, married, and buried from ST. David’s. These people, each in their own way built a strong faithful foundation for us to not only to worship in and to follow, but they also gave us the responsibility to “carry on the good works that God has given us to do”. Maybe these Saints of the past are God’s instruments for us. In a way an Advocate for us. They had the vision, the fortitude and the faith to build God’s Church and we here are recipients of that. Maybe we are instruments of God in an Advocate kind of way to those who will follow us at St. David’s. Part of our responsibility in this season at ST. David’s is to follow the examples of generations before us and guided by the Holy Spirit to leave this place better for the people who follow us in God’s mission. I think it is also important to remember that St. David’s is not just a building. It is a faith filled community Here is an example of what I’m trying to say, something written about 1000 years ago. Travelling to Apulia to become a knight, Francis in a dream asked “Lord, what would you have me do?” God said, “Return home and you will be told what to do.” Now kneeling before the Cross the image of Christ spoke to him. “Francis,” it said, “go rebuild My house; as you can see, it is all being destroyed.” Francis was more than a little stunned, trembling, and stuttering like a man out of his senses. He prepared himself to obey and pulled himself together to carry out the command. He felt a mysterious change in himself, but could not describe it” Francis’ faith was forming, yet not fully mature in understanding. He answered God’s call initially by rebuilding the run-down structure of San Damiano church and others nearby. He obeyed the call as he best understood it. Then over time he came to realize that what his Lord Jesus Christ desired most was that Francis should build up the faith of God’s people. He should show the life of Christ, the embrace of the Holy Spirit and the love of God to everyone and every part of Creation. The Church during the time of St Francis was then, as today, so very in need of new life. So, as we do love this building, it is a vessel not the end all. We, like St. Francis need to remember that this building represents serving others, worship and prayer.
We are led in worship each week by Fr. Harvey. A skilled, faith filled man, who draws us all closer to God through his honesty and humility. A man who I can see as an instrument of God to bring us closer to God. His sermons are second to none. His dignity in the Eucharist opens us all to God’s presence. His listening ear, his thoughtful words and his unwavering faith is a Blessing to each of us and we are so blessed to be a part of St. David’s at this time in history. God has given us the Advocate and that Advocate has guided Fr. Harvey and all our leaders in ways to honor the past and to have a vision for the future. The many ways the people of St. David’s serve others is critical in this time of such need. Prison Ministry, Church without Walls, Refugee Ministry, Creation Care Ministry, Programs that reach out to the greater community in our suppers, Veteran lunches, Easter Egg hunts, Breakfast with Santa, Filling the back pack program, our streaming program that allows folks who cannot be here physically to be with us on line, our Eucharistic visitor teams, bringing communion to those who can’t be with us at communion, our hospitality team , who deliver food and support to those in need and many more. These are some of the ways that here, in this time, ST. David’s, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate that Jesus promised is active. Without the help of God’s Holy Spirit the wonderful people who lead and support these ministries would be unable. Then there are the people who pray in support of St. David’s ministries. Those who for whatever reasons, can’t physically help. Without those prayers, our missions would be lost. These are all ways in which God’s Holy Spirit guides the people of St. David’s. So, what’s next for the church in general, what’s next for ST. David’s? We see church attendance in general trending down. We see less young people, we see financial challenges ahead, we see less people entering ordination as a full time ministry. So many major challenges Then there are the worldly challenges, climate change, inflation, stock market upheaval, racism, equality, homelessness, high interest rates, peace throughout the world, in our country, our state and in our communities. Sometimes it can look bleak, sometimes we wish “for the good ole days”. (Whatever they were). Could you hold your hands up in front of you, look at them. Now look down at your feet, look at them Christ has no body but yours No hands, no feet but yours Yours are the eyes of which he looks, compassion on the world Yours are the feet he walks to do good Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet but yours. It is you, it is me, we are the church, we are St. David’s at this time, just like those who came before us and gifted us with the love that built and fills these walls. We are Jesus’ hands and feet in this world, at this time, in this place. As challenging as these times may seem, and I’m sure our Saints of the past felt the same way, we have the answer. So, I’m not worried.
Moving forward
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Rev. Dr. Harvey Hill Third Order Franciscan Archives
June 2025
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