Christ Episcopal Church
	Riverton, New Jersey
	SNOW DAYS February 2006 O ye ice and show, bless ye the Lord; Praise him and magnify him forever. Song of the three young men, 46 This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 On Sunday February 12^th, we had a bit of a surprise after what had been the warmest January on record: 13 inches of snow! It was our family’s first real snow (remember I’m from North Jersey) since we moved to Riverton, and for our ‘puppy’ greyhound Sampson, it was his first snow ever, having been born and raised (if not raced) in Jacksonville, FL. The church and its grounds were absolutely splendid, clothed in garments fluffy, clean and white; and daughter Katie made it outdoors to take what I hope were some beautiful photographs. Of course, there was this little issue of Sunday worship. The storm hit its height early in the morning, and not surprisingly, I received phone calls about canceling services. Frankly, the thought never crossed my mind. One of the great blessings (as well as one of the reasons) of living next door to the church is that I can be available any time, day or night, as well as being present for my liturgical responsibilities. Also, at least from my research so far, Sunday services have been celebrated in unbroken succession for the last 145 years (from 1855-1860 things were a little spotty given that we had no church building or resident clergyman). I have no desire to be the first Rector to break that worthy record. Besides which, I firmly believe it is the duty of the Christian to worship God on the Lord’s Day. I know I miss worship desperately if I can’t get to church on a Sunday (only five times in 32 years), and I guess there are likely to be others like me as well. So, come hell or high water, I’ll be here. Besides which, I think snow days are kind of fun in church. Certainly that is the way I found February 12^th. To fill in for those who can’t make it, folks did jobs they ordinarily don’t do. The numbers were small enough so that the worshipers gathered in the choir stalls, making the experience more intimate. The dress code was relaxed, ranging from ski lodge chic to lumberjack. The services were shorter as well. We still managed music at 10 (this was the first Sunday our loyal organist, Ed Newton missed when scheduled to play, in 40 years, because where he lives had far more snow than we), as I sat down at the console and stumbled through the hymns (don’t ever shovel snow before playing keyboard!). So it was still an experience worth coming to for these reasons alone. Having said all this, however, I do not think that Sunday worship is worth risking life and limb. If the roads a treacherous, if it requires performing strenuous activity that is deleterious to your health, or if driving in bad weather makes you a nervous wreck, please do not risk it. God is not glorified under those circumstances, and as a pastor, I want no one to be injured in the course of traveling to church. However, if you do stay home, consider joining us in spirit by sitting down and offering your own private devotions together with us during the 8 or 10 AM service times. That action unites us in prayer through our God, who transcends time and space. So don’t expect to hear on the radio or see on the crawl at the bottom of your TV screens that Christ Church in Riverton has cancelled Sunday services. When there is snow, know that you can join with us either here at the corner of 4^th and Main, or in the safety of your own home. Either way we can rejoice in nature’s beauty, granted us by the Lord “who has done all things well”. See you in church?! The Revd Richard C. Wrede, Rector PS: Many thanks to Jeff Mack, who used his snow blower to clear the way from the streets to the church door on the 12^th. Great job, Jeff!