Practice By the Rev. Stephen Gheen

It is time for a history lesson. No one knows for sure how accurate everything is that I’m about to say. I can only rely the information based on my resource. And that is a book compiled by Lorry Wendland in concert with others, including Bill Flies who attends this church. The book states clearly that the information is pieced together and can’t be fully substantiated is many cases. So here we go. The financier of this beautiful church is a man named Nathaniel Collin McLean. McLean was the son of U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Mclean and a stepbrother to the Garrad’s. The Garrad family was a very prominent family from who built much of this village in the mid 1800’s. Nathaniel Mclean moved to this area after the civil war. He had been a general in the war. Ground breaking for this church began in 1867. During the late stage’s construction, straight line winds destroyed much of the church. The construction that was taking place by Henry Hunecke continued and came to fruition in 1868. It was consecrated by the first Bishop of the diocese of , Henry Whipple. I could write a book on Bishop Whipple. He was a very accomplished man, but I will stick to the story at hand. Nathaniel McLean moved to a permanent residence in 1874 and lived here until 1885. It’s clear however, that he was here earlier, because he was responsible for the construction of this church. Clergy came and went during that time period, but due to McLean’s steadfast religious intentions, he attended regularly and when a priest was not available, he would conduct a prayer service. This tradition continues today. Generally, the 4th Sunday of every month is a prayer service lead by one of our lay people. Today being the 4th Sunday, the prayer service was held last week so I could preside today. I’m not sure how this tradition of the laity presiding started, but I would like to think that it had something to do with Nathaniel McLean’s dedication to having a service every Sunday. Larz Mclean, son of Nathaniel and Mary McLean is the first person to have been buried in this cemetery. He and a friend, Willie Ackerman died at the ages of 12 and 10 in a boating accident during a storm while returning from Maiden Rock. Speaking of the cemetery. The Westervelt family is buried here. The family has their own section of the cemetery. It’s located between the church parking lot and the house to the south of us. Everette Westervelt was one of the first white person to settle in this community. His house is still standing and has a plaque commemorating it as the oldest house in Frontenac. However, the village was called Westervelt at that time and later was changed to Frontenac after the Garrard’s moved into this village. That is a brief history of this church and area. I would remise in my duty to let this opportunity go by without paying homage to the original people to this area. The indigenous people of this continent. The Dakota were inhabiting this piece of land long before the Europeans came here. It’s sad to think that a land can be so willfully taken from a group of people without giving it much of a thought other than – we want the land, therefor we will take it. Sorry to say – it’s as dark a history as ever there was in all of humankind. Like it or not, this is Indian land, even though we reside on it. Now on to the actual sermon! You’ve all heard the term – a doctor has a practice? Or maybe – we practice our religion? What does that mean to you? Last week I went to the ECMN annual convention. It was inspirational and it help me in my renewal of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Today’s gospel had so much in it. We remember mostly the final sentence – “You cannot serve God and wealth”, but there was so much more before that. That last sentence just jumps out at us. Let’s concentrate more on another sentence though – “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” We can be all in or all out. It’s a choice that we make. Either we have faith in God or we don’t. It’s as simple as that. After Jesus left the earth and the disciples began carrying on His teachings, they referred to their mission as “The Way”. As in the way of love. So, let’s explore The Way.

Coming out of the convention, I was given 7 words to live by, to practice and to pass on to all of you. First – “Turn” Pause, listen and choose to follow Jesus Like the disciples, we are called by Jesus to follow the Way of Love. With God’s help, we can turn from the powers of sin, hatred, fear, injustice and oppression toward the way of truth, love, hope, justice, and freedom. In turning, we reorient our lives to Jesus Christ, falling in love again and again. Second – “Learn”

Reflect on Scripture each day, especially on Jesus’ life and teaching. By reading and reflecting on Scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus, we draw near to God and God’s word dwells in us. When we open our minds and hearts to Scripture, we learn to see God’s story and God’s activity in everyday life. Third – “Pray” Dwell intentionally with God each day. Jesus teaches us to come before God with humble hearts, boldly offering our thanksgiving and concerns t God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. Whether in thought, word or deed, individually or corporately. When we pray we invite and dwell in God’s loving presence. Fourth – “Worship” Gather in community weekly to thank, praise, and dwell with God. When we worship, we gather with others before God. We hear the Good News of Jesus Christ, give thanks, confess, and offer the brokenness of the world to God. As we break bread, our eyes are opened to the presence of Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are made one body, the body of Christ sent forth to live the Way of Love. Fifth - “Bless” Share faith and unselfishly give and serve. Jesus called his disciples to give, forgive, teach, and heal in his name. We are empowered by the Spirit to bless everyone we meet, practicing generosity and compassion, and proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ with hopeful words and selfless actions. We can share our stories of blessing and invite others to the Way of Love.

6th – “Go” Cross boundaries, listen deeply and live like Jesus. As Jesus went to the highways and byways, he sends us beyond our circles and comfort, to witness to the love, justice, and truth of God with our lips and with our lives. We go to listen with humility and to join God in healing a hurting world. We go to become Beloved Community, a people reconciled in love with God and one another. It is no coincidence that the final practice in “Rest”. God rested on the seventh day. Receive the gift of God’s grace, peace, and restoration. From the beginning of creation, God has established the sacred pattern of going and returning, labor and rest. Especially today, God invites us to dedicate time for restoration and wholeness – within our bodies, minds, and souls, and within our communities and institutions. By resting we place our trust in God, the primary actor who brings all things to their fullness. These are practices to help you become whole. I hope you use them and continue to place God in the center of your lives. Amen