As most of you know by now, my fascination for weather has been with me since childhood, so much so that I decided to major in Meteorology in college. This fascination especially includes severe weather which we have had our fair share of recently. When I was much younger, the implications of these severe weather events really didn’t affect me as I was only responsible for myself and owned no tangible property. Now that I am becoming an old man and not only own property but am responsible for the safe keeping of our buildings on campus I have had to keep my priorities straight. Now as I see a massive thunderstorm cell developing or a tropical system forming, while marveling at their power and beauty, I only hope that they keep their distance and the ramifications are minimal.
Following up on my opening paragraph, what a crazy couple of weeks we have had at St. John the Evangelist. On Tuesday evening, June 25, the campus was struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm. What was initially thought to have only affected the telephone system has since spread far and wide. We were finally able to pinpoint the main strike to the Claussen Center. As is often the case with lightning, after striking the building, the electricity found its way into the electrical system and was able to travel underground into the Parish Life Center. If there is a bright spot in any of this it would be that the damage was contained to the CFC and the PLC and the church was left free from incident. Thus far, our phone system was completely destroyed and as of Monday of this past week, voice mail was still inoperable which is causing numerous headaches. Our fire panel in the Claussen Center was hit destroying one of the circuit boards. Also our security system was affected, to what extent we are still not sure. Several computers, printers and other office equipment in the PLC and CFC were destroyed. We found out this past weekend that the new AV system in the PLC Ballroom was also compromised. Although this has been a painstaking process, we are well covered by insurance and will be able to replace the damaged components, once we figure out what those damaged components include. I would like to thank everyone for their patience as we work our way through this process.
We are beginning a new ministry for job seekers. Carol Marlow, a parishioner, professional trainer and business consultant will facilitate the meetings entitled “Successful Job Search Strategies.” This FREE on-going training will take place every Monday evening from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the library beginning on August 19. Each week will be a combination of job search strategies and discussion leading to increased confidence and reduced stress. Call Carol at 239.948.0050 with any questions or to register and NO cost.
On behalf of the clergy and staff at St. John the Evangelist, I hope that everyone enjoyed a very safe and happy Independence Day holiday. Every year at this time, I always ponder our recognition of Independence Day and I always include the following in my column because I believe it is important.
The Fourth of July is a holiday that most Americans celebrate for various reasons. The festivity may involve family, friends and, of course, a fireworks display. Popular culture would have you believe that the gala is a birthday party for the country. Flags wave, bands march and bystanders cheer. The parades are pageants, visible spectacles for all to applaud and enjoy. After the confetti blows away, what is the meaning of the day? Commemoration of the Declaration of Independence should be the primary reason for the remembrance. Other than historically conscious traditionalists that understand the nature of the Republic, very few perceive the real purpose of the founding of America.
We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Above are the famous words written by Thomas Jefferson that laid the cornerstone of the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson with only minor participation by a committee that included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston, pursuant to a resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It was adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776.
Looking to John Adams’ famous letter of July 3, 1776, to his wife Abigail will put the celebration into perspective
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.” (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142)
The intention of the remembrance is to memorialize the Declaration of Independence. But the meaning of the word and certainly the idea of independence is routinely ignored and often purged from the gala. A party for the sake of enjoyment snubs the solemn legacy of the founders. Yet, those who rally their attention on patriotic fervor, make an even more profound error.
The basic distinction between establishing independence, which is a prime essential to live out liberty and nationalistic allegiance, risks a fundamental disconnect in the purpose of a consensual union. The American Revolution was fought against a monarchy that prohibited basic rights of all Englishmen. The original thirteen colonies sought to become independent states, no longer under the boot of George III and the British Crown. The goal for the rebellion was to gain self-government, for each colony and to establish a state sovereignty for each commonwealth. The union that evolved and formed after the Paris Peace Treaty of 1783, into the country known as the United States was a process separate from the crucial principle established in that accord.
We are truly blessed to live in this great country and without the sacrifice of our forefathers, we would not be celebrating the 4th of July.
In His work together,
Scott Schlossberg, MBA
General Manager