There are times when we are moved by the thoughts of so-called ordinary people-not theologians, celebrities, politicians or scholars but ordinary people whose profound thoughts and observations hit us in the gut and make us wonder, where did he or she get that from? These are the thoughts that open our eyes to see how someone has been dealing with a particular issue, and more importantly how we can also deal with issues that would require us being obedient. I tell a story of a lady I met at Dorsey Center this past Monday. The Dorsey Center is a multi-purpose center which provides a range of services to those in need. Christ Church is actively involved in serving hot meals to the less fortunate in our community on the second Mondays of each month. I try to join our dedicated and wonderful parish volunteers whenever I can. My role is really simple: stay out of the way of the ladies, taste the fried chicken to make sure it's great and then serve the fried chicken to our patrons when they ask me to. It is one of those places where obeying directions matters a lot!! While I was serving the fried chicken on Monday, a lady with a child came by. She looked at the sumptuous fried chicken that I was serving and then said, "no, I cant have fried chicken." "why not?" I asked. "For medical reasons I don't want to have it. I prayed to God that I stay away from fried chicken today." "Good for you." I responded. And then she said to me "I can have it, but obedience is the key." Woow!! Obedience is the key!! That hit me in the gut. At that point all I could do was to thank her, not only for her desire to be obedient but the recognition that that is the key. Although, I did not ask which medical condition she may be dealing with, I was simply thankful that of her inclination to be obedient "Obedience is the key" she said. Thinking about obedience reminded me of the story of King Saul and the Prophet Samuel. The king was tasked to destroy the Amalekites "Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys." However, Saul will later tell the prophet that he kept the best sheep and cattle, and all that was good with the intention to sacrifice them to God. The prophet's words in response to Saul's action were sharp and pointed "Obedience is better than sacrifice...." Living a life of sacrifice is often about living as we wish and insisting on our rights no matter what. The life of obedience, however, is one where our awareness of God's grace opens the door for us to develop an abiding intimacy with God predicated on the fact that all our life is dependent on Him. And that His all sufficient grace provides more than we need or can ever imagine. Only if we will obey. Obedience is Key, she said. Obedience motivates us to embrace our own limitations, not with spite but with joy. Obedience provides more than enough reason for us to live gracefully-we listen, not only to others but ultimately to God. And when we listen, we decline all that may not be good for us, even a free piece of fried chicken. Manny

As many of you know, we have over the past several weeks been working on developing and in fact building an enduring partnership with Lake Elkhorn Middle School- a Title I school which sits right in the middle of Columbia, Howard County, and about a mile from Christ Episcopal Church. A school which is situated right in the middle of abundance and wealth but where students struggle mightily with poverty, and homelessness, and which is lacking mentors who can help transform the lives of these young minds. One of the clichés' I heard from friends and acquaintances who lived in Maryland as I prepared to move to Columbia was that 'Howard County is one of the richest counties in the United States.' 'Howard County has so much to offer.' Howard County this, Howard County that. Those are all good things-nothing bad about Howard County. I have loved Howard County and I am all too blessed and lucky to be here. The tragedy, however, is because of our view of the county, we lose sight of the other side of Howard County which many do not know but does exist. Hidden In Plain Sight within the 'Howard County this' and 'Howard County that' is endemic poverty-stories of poverty which will make you cry. According to the Howard County Community Action Council, the number of students who receive Free and Reduced-price Meals (FARMs) grew from five thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine (5879) in 2008 to twelve thousand one hundred and seventy-seven in 2017. In Lake Elkhorn Middle School nearly half of the students receive the FARM benefit. That is an astonishing statistic, one that is incomprehensible and should not be tolerable, especially in Howard County. I learned that during the hot summer months, the Howard County Public Schools target the most disadvantaged parts of the county for its summer feeding program. This is to provide assistance to children so they wouldn't have to miss their meals. The Owen Brown/ Cradlerock neighborhood is part of this program. And as most of you know, our Church sits right in this neighborhood. And so Hidden In Plain Sight are an unimaginable number of children who live around our Church but who go to bed hungry. As parents, we know how it feels like when our children begin to complain of hunger. We want to do all that we can to provide them with food to eat. But what if you have nothing to provide? And more than that, what if you find yourself in a situation where you have to provide food and school supplies but have nothing to provide either or worse still you have to choose between dinner and school supplies? As unbelievable as this scenario may sound, Hidden In Plain Sight are many families we do not know, children and youth we do not know, but who share the same dignity with us, desire to live a life of relative comfort but cannot because of their circumstances. As a community of faith, we are blessed with incredible amount of resources. And not only that. we celebrate our blessings and desire to share those blessings with others-especially the students and families of Lake Elkhorn Middle School. As a community of faith we desire to make known all that is Hidden In Plain Sight. Our first major push will be to take one burden off the plate of struggling families. Many of you have generously donated school supplies and funds toward the purchase of additional supplies to stuff the 100 backpacks that we are donating to Lake Elkhorn Middle School. For that, I am grateful for your kindness and generosity. Please join us on August 19, 2018, the Principal of Lake Elkhorn Middle School will join us at both the 8:00 and the 10:30 service. Between the two services, we will all gather in the Great Hall, New Brick and fill each of the backpacks with the necessary supplies. All that is hidden shall be revealed, says Luke. And in my mind, your generosity and faithfulness to the call of a disciple is revealing that which is Hidden In Plain Sight. Thanks a lot. Manny.

Readings for today are found here.

Readings for today are found here.

Readings for today are found here.