I did not have the benefit of the use of a typewriter or computer for college. All schoolwork and exams were handwritten. Grad school was a different picture because I did have access to a computer. Although I have had limited exposure to a typewriter in my life, I realize that one of the many differences that I could readily pinpoint between a typewriter and a computer is the way in which one can correct errors. For those of us who have had to use the typewriter for school, work, or any other business, correcting an error was often the most frustrating because one could often see traces of a correction. The computer, on the other hand, is such that one can press the delete button, go back a space and redo, and thus correct errors without any trace. When I was a little boy, I knew that my father was feuding with his brother. I do not recall how I learned about this feud, but I knew that he did not visit my father’s house, nor did my father go to his. In fact, four or so years before my father’s passing, his residence was on the same street as my uncle’s office and I am sure that there were days when they saw each other but did not say hello, or when they simply ignored one another. I have no idea what caused this bitter feud, but it lingered for an awfully long time. Prior to my father’s passing and while he was on his death bed, he sent for my uncle on several occasions. I have no idea why he sent for him, but I am very sure he wanted to make amends with him. Remember what Paul said in Romans: “If it is possible, in so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone.” Unfortunately, my father was not able to reconcile with his brother before he passed away on the morning of September 17, 1985. I can never tell how my uncle felt long after my father’s passing, but I knew him to be a reflective person and so I am sure he thought about it and, more especially, about the missed opportunity of having to reconcile with his brother. Sometimes we burden ourselves with carrying anger, disappointment, pain, hurt to a point where we lose sight of the big picture. We hold on to things that do not, in the end, make any dent of difference in our lives. Why are you still carrying with you what you can delete without any trace? Why are you holding on to stuff which you can flush out of your life without any consequence or injure to you? There is a story of a geisha girl who was going to an important program, and she was decked up in her best attire. On the road to her venue, there was a big puddle, and she was afraid that her dress would get soiled. Suddenly, she saw two monks coming that way, but since Buddhist vows do not permit them to even look towards women, she did not expect any help from those ascetics. To her great surprise, the elder of the two celibate men came over to her. Without speaking a single word, he picked her up and carried her across that water. His younger colleague was shocked beyond words, but since they had taken a vow of silence for ten days, he said nothing. In due course, when their 'silence period' ended, the younger disciple went to his senior, and vented his anguish and dismay at the incident which had seemed to have bother him night and day. In his reply to the younger monk, who had been burning with rage within him, the older monk said, "Yes, I did touch her, but I dropped her as soon as possible. You seem to be still carrying her." Embedded within this story is a great deal of wisdom. The older monk taught two lessons to his younger friend: One: 'if a rule prevents you from doing good, its violation is not a sin’ and Two: 'it is good to deliberately forget whatever is not worthy remembering.’ The question then is, what prevents you from doing good? What is worthy of your remembering? What is worthy of being flushed away, deleted without any trace? Whenever I remember the story of my dad and my uncle - especially on a day like this - I am reminded of a lost opportunity of friendship, camaraderie, and pure fellowship between brothers. I can only imagine all the possibilities that could have enriched their lives. In all honesty, to grow - to make fellowship happen - we need to be able to press the delete key. Press the delete key, for it frees you to be the good that you can be. Press the delete key, for not only does it make life less burdensome, but it frees us to start all over again, knowing that any new beginning is a rebirth of who we are meant to be. Manny.

CHRIST CHURCH'S ONLINE LECTIONARY BIBLE STUDY Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. We hope that you'll all join us each Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. as we discuss the readings for the coming Sunday's worship. This will be a Zoom discussion, and you can email us at info@christchurchcolumbia.org for the link, or check your "Christ Church Online Gatherings" email each Monday. The readings for this Wednesday's session are Jonah 3:10-4:11, Psalm 145:1-8, Philippians 1:21-30, and Matthew 20:1-16. Everyone is encouraged to be a part of this online gathering - you truly don't have to know much about the Bible; just simply log in, and let's all study together.

Today is the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Genesis 50:15-21 Psalm 103:(1-7), 8-13 Romans 14:1-12 Matthew 18:21-35 Readings for today: Father Manny's sermon can be read here.

Today is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Ezekiel 33:7-11 Psalm 119:33-40 Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20

DREAMBUILDERS' REGISTRATION FOR THE SECOND DESK BUILD IS NOW OPEN! The DreamBuilders’ first effort at building portable and foldable desks for students was so successful, and the demands for our desks is so great, we will be hosting another event this month! Like last time, we’ll be working on two successive Saturdays, September 26th and October 3rd. Our work site, at St. Mark’s in Highland, will include social distancing, masks, and other measures to minimize potential exposure to the Coronavirus. We are especially looking for family teams to work the multi-person work stations. Registration will be required for all volunteers, and can be found at these links: Registration for September 26, 2020 - https://dreambuildersmd.org/dreambuilder-portable-desk-manufacture-volunteer-9-26-2020/ Registration for October 3, 2020 - https://dreambuildersmd.org/dreambuilder-portable-desk-manufacture-volunteer-10-3-2020/

Their friendship was birthed at a Christ Church auction over a decade ago when they were bidding against each other over two paintings. Their friendship gave birth many years later to Marigold (the name they affectionately call the kidney one donated to the other.)-who has proven to be life-saving. The depth of their friendship is not lost on anyone. In many ways we can characterize Marigold as a nurturing faithful relationship between Rebecca and Jean. Marigold is like the glue which hold their common lives together-it offers them the blessing of looking each other eye to eye and enjoy being together because they feel at home in their friendship. Indeed, it will be fair to say that until the moment of discovery-where both Rebecca and Jean found out that they were a match for Jean to donate her kidney to Rebecca, their friendship had depth and meaning. They have offered supporting presence to each other throughout the joys and challenges of life, and Rebecca is a godmother to Jean’s youngest son. When it became known that Rebecca would need a kidney transplant, Jean graciously offered to be her donor, and a few weeks ago, the transplant was successfully completed. Over the past several weeks since I first learned about Marigold, I have wondered about the first meeting, the day that Marigold was born - when strangers became friends. Over the years, Marigold thrived and has given meaning to what it means to be friends, to count on the other, to be more than a friend and, in fact, to give practical meaning to an idea we read in John’s gospel: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The image Jesus employs isn’t one where a priest offers the sacrifice; rather, the ultimate form of love is the sacrifice of one’s own life for one’s friends. In this particular case, love takes the form of friendship. It is a love that is fulfilled only in a deliberate sacrifice for the life of a friend. Over the past several weeks since I first learned about Marigold, I have reflected on the value of friendship - my friendship with others, and your friendship with others. I have had to ask myself multiple times if I can ever see myself offering the gift of life to a friend. May I also ask you, "Do you see yourself offering the gift of life itself to a friend? Who is your friend? Who, and what, is a friend?" Joan Walsh Anglund, in her book “A Friend Is Someone Who Likes You,” wrote: A friend is someone who likes you. It can be a boy or a girl, or a cat, or a dog, or even a white mouse. A tree can be your friend, too. It doesn’t talk to you, but you know it likes you. These words do speak eloquently and forcefully about friendship. Friendships are part of our human nature. Friendships surround all of us. We do not have to create it, nor do we acquire it; friendship only awaits to be discovered by those who embrace the promise to walk together, side by side, into the future, and to be there for the other person. Friendship commands a kind of faithfulness that is related to a person and what he or she is, and not to what he or she does or has. Friendship is a free relationship. It arises out of freedom, and it preserves freedom. Friendship is conceived in freedom and, because of that freedom, friends open up free spaces for one another for personal development, rebuke, and even for the very gift of life itself. What Marigold re-emphasized for me is that it is enough to know that you have a friend and a friend is there, and that what friends do for us are not services that have to be paid back. For how can Rebecca ever pay back, even if she had to? The truth is that what friends do for us is not a matter of an exchange of services, it is often more than that and I believe that is how both Rebecca and Jean feel. Remember, it is said that true friendship proves itself in misfortune - as sympathy and co-suffering. It also proves itself in happiness as a shared rejoicing, without envy. Over the years, you and I may have made many countless friends. We've lost some along the way, but have also kept some. The reasons why we lose or keep friends are varied, but to hold on to our own Marigolds demands a kind of loyalty that affirms for us that to live is to give meaning to life - in all its forms. The story of Marigold is a story about the blessings of friendship. The story about Marigold is a story about God’s faithfulness, and the presence of God’s hand guiding our lives to places of refreshment, fulfillment, and restorative healing. The story of Marigold touches on the deliberate offering of the self, for which our Lord Jesus Christ is our principal example. If friendship is the soul of a friendly world, then my prayer is that we may also find that Marigold who would more than affirm our individual lives with their lives, but with self-emptying love, teach us to create that 'soulful' world where we all strive to proffer meaning to each life as being rich and beautiful. Manny

Let’s Have Fun and Make a Difference! Participate in the Bridges to Housing Stability Chili & Challenge Remember the Chili Cook-Off we held to support Bridges to Housing Stability at Christ Church in February? Chuck Rees was the winner from among many close contenders, including those pictured here. We raised $1,000, including a contribution by the Christ Church Youth Group! Our Cook-Off was a prelude to the annual Bridges community-wide Chili Cook-Off that was cancelled due to COVID. Now, Bridges has created the Chili & Challenge, a virtual 3-part event that encompasses the same fun and philanthropy but allows us to participate from home. First, Bridges partnered with Tino’s Italian Bistro and Wine Bar and The Periodic Table for delicious, to-go chili meals. To help us win the challenge and make a difference for people struggling with homelessness and housing instability, you can purchase tickets for beef or vegetarian to-go chili meals and alcoholic beverages and/or donate to our virtual “tip jar” (our personalized donation webpage) by Friday, September 11th, by clicking on this link: http://www.bitly.com/cec4bridges. A portion of the ticket sales also goes to our “tip jar” in support of Bridges. The organization that raises the most “tips” will win the annual Golden Ladle. All meals (beef or veggie) must be picked up Sunday, September 13th between 12-4 pm at The Periodic Table, 8808 Centre Park Drive (on the other side of the street from Giant). Second, on September 13th at 1 p.m., you can join the Virtual Chili & Challenge Watch Party online via https://youtu.be/Bhlg96oscqI that includes a 30-minute, pre-recorded program with speakers, dignitaries, and an announcement of the Gold and Silver Ladle winners. The money we raised in February will count toward the new Silver Ladle award for most donations made earlier in the year. Third, you can use the same link above to participate in Bridges’ virtual silent auction of about 40 fantastic baskets that will be open for bidding from Sunday, September 6, at 8 a.m. until Wednesday, September 16, at 8 p.m. So PLEASE, click on the link now for more details and to participate in raising critical funds for Bridges! NOTE: If you prefer to make a donation by check rather than online, please make it out directly to Bridges (and NOT to Christ Church) and be sure to note “Christ Church” in the memo line. It must be received at the Church office by Wednesday, September 9th. That means you will need to make an appointment with the office to bring it into Christ Church on that day, or mail it right away (keeping in mind the Labor Day holiday), or bring it to worship services if weather permits on August 30th or September 6th. To make sure donations are credited to our “tip jar,” we will hand carry any of these checks to the non-profit to meet its Friday, September 11th deadline.

Today is the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Readings for today: Isaiah 51:1-6 Psalm 138 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Today's Sermon: Father Manny's Sermon is available to read in its entirety by clicking here.

Today is the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost. Collect of the Day: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Readings for today: Isaiah 56:1,6-8 Psalm 67 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 Matthew 15: (10-20), 21-28

I feel like talking about mangoes this week. Not because they are my favorite; they are not. But I do love mangoes, and whenever I find myself at Smoothie King - which is more often that I would care to admit - I either ask for Mango-Ginger or Veggie-Mango. But this piece is not necessarily about Mangoes, it is about doing more than the minimum. The point is, each one of us can do the basic, we can all accomplish the basic responsibility, but can we, or do we, have the zest to do more than the minimum? There is a story I read a few days ago about two colleagues, Austin and Carey, who grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same grade school, middle school, and high school. They have known each other since they were kids and been friends all their lives. One important fact - they graduated from college with the same major and, as fate will have it, they were then employed by the same company with the same entry level position. At the end of their first year, one of them, Austin, was promoted but Carey was not. When Carey learned that he was not promoted but Austin was, he became so incensed because he genuinely believed that an injustice had been perpetrated on him. He then walked straight into the CEO’s office to complain about the situation. Upon meeting the CEO, he expressed his disappointment and requested an explanation. Across from the lobby of the high-rise office building where they worked were street hawkers of vegetables and fruits, including mangoes. The CEO asked Carey to go down and check if any of the hawkers had mangoes. Carey hurried downstairs and came back with the news that there were mangoes. "How much are they?" asked the CEO. "I didn’t ask," responded Carey. "Would you mind asking?" asked the CEO. Carey hurried downstairs again and returned with the news that the mangoes are being sold for 40 cents. The CEO then asked Carey to go to Austin’s office and return with him to his office. When Austin, the promoted employee, walked into the office, the CEO gave him the exact same assignment that he gave Carey, the incensed employee. Austin went downstairs and returned with the following information: "There are three hawkers who’re presently selling mangoes across from our building. The mangoes look delicious, and the prices range from 35 cents to 45 cents each. Having examined them, it is my suggestion that if you desire to purchase mangoes today, you purchase those that are being sold for 45 cents." The moment he concluded his report of the assignment, the CEO turned to Carey and simply said, "That why Austin got promoted." Both Austin and Carey were given the exact same assignment, but their approach to executing the assignment was vastly different. Whereas Carey was simply about meeting the basics, Austin was not. That task, and each task in life, is more than the basics. Each and everyone of us can do the basics, but life and faith have never been about just the basics. Life and faith require us to do more than the barest minimum, and the ability to do more than what is required of us, in fact, sets us apart from others. Remember the story of Abraham’s offering of Isaac. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan. Remember the parable of the Talents. Remember the story about the friends who took the crippled friend on the mat and took him to Jesus. Remember the story about one of the ten lepers who returned to give thanks for his healing. Remember your own unique story, when you chanced upon the idea that the bare minimum would not cut it, and for that reason you resolved to do more than the bare minimum. Inherent in all these stories is the idea that as good as the bare minimum may be, it is not enough and has never been enough. It is, therefore, incumbent upon us to challenge ourselves to do more than the minimum if we desire to soar. It is always the 'more' that sets us apart from those who desire to do the bare minimum. Each one of us can do the minimum. Each can go downstairs to the street hawkers and ask as many times if they have mangoes, how much they cost, and which one is of better quality. In much the same way, each of us can ask more than it is required of him or her, and offer more than is required of him or her. There is another interesting story that I plan to share with you in the near future, but for now, I would like to draw your attention to our partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School. As a morale booster to the teachers and staff of the school, Christ Church is preparing to donate custom polo shirts to them. The cost was underwritten by a couple, and for that we are grateful. Since school will be virtual, we are looking to provide the students with headphones and earbuds, and to relaunch our Weekend Food Pantry when school reopens. We can make this happen - turn a life around, and provide hope for these children and their families, if we decide to do more than the bare minimum. Faith does not tolerate complacency. Faith, like life, requires more than your share of the bare minimum. Battling COVID-19, where one thousand Americans are presently dying each day, has taught me that it is not even enough to do just the bare minimum. To turn this 'ship' around, to turn our lives and those of others around, we have to do more than the bare minimum. Ask if any of the hawkers have mangoes. Your approach will determine your sense of purpose. Manny.

We encourage everyone to join us tonight, August 10th, for the monthly meeting of Christ Church Outreach. This takes place on Zoom at 7:30 p.m., and you'll learn about the latest projects that we've been involved with this summer as well as our upcoming plans. There are many people who are in need of assistance during this difficult time, so perhaps you'll find a way that you can lend a hand in order to help others. We emailed the Zoom link earlier today, but if you did not receive it and would like to join us, or if you can’t make it to our meeting this time around but have suggestions about ways to help the community or want to get involved, please email outreach@christchurchcolumbia.org. Your help is greatly welcomed and appreciated. Thank you.