April 23, 2026
Due to circumstances beyond our control…
Nobody likes to hear those words, but it happens all the time. I would love to orchestrate local and world events so that they suit my needs and act on behalf of justice as I see it, but the world has a way of reminding me that I am not God. My task isn’t to control the world, but instead to do what I can to redeem those things that I cannot control.
We have just received word that next week construction on Hilyard Street will mean that Resurrection’s parking lot will not be accessible. That will, unfortunately, include next Sunday May 3. Putting this beyond our control circumstance before the Vestry, they suggested that we redeem it. Given May’s unpredictable weather, an aging congregation, and the very limited nearby street parking, they suggest that on May 3 we cancel church at Resurrection and exhort everyone to attend another Episcopal church in Eugene/Springfield. It will give us a chance to build relationships with our neighbors, hear different sermons, experience different styles of worship, and come back with ideas of new things we might try (or should never even think about trying). The situation is beyond our control, but we can still use it for good.
Pick another local church, the addresses and service time are below. You can go to the one nearest you, the one you’ve always been curious about, the one your friend attends, or (especially) the one you hear the Holy Spirit calling you to attend. While you are there, pay attention to how things work. What is the parking like? If the service is at a different time, how does it fit into your schedule? How are you welcomed? Can you find things? How does nursery care work? What is different about the service? Or about the music? Did someone invite you to coffee hour? What was it like? Take notes and talk about it afterward with your family or spouse.
Finally, “Whatever [church] you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ “
On Sunday May 10 when (D.v.) “The seventy-two return with joy” We’ll have an opportunity to share our experiences and talk about what we found. “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
Circumstances beyond our control are also an opportunity to experience God’s grace.
Speaking of circumstances beyond our control, this Sunday, April 26, is the Eugene Marathon, which complicates getting to church for many of us. If you will be crossing the route, you might want to consider leaving early and taking an alternate way.
St. John the Divine
http://www.stjohnspringfield.com
2537 Game Farm Rd., Springfield
Service at 10:00 am
St. Mary’s
https://www.saint-marys.org/
1300 Pearl St., Eugene
Services
8:00 Rite I
9:30 Rite II, intergenerational service for families and youth
11:00 Rite II with choir
1:30 Rito II en Español
St. Matthew’s
https://stmatthewseugene.org/
4110 River Rd., Eugene
Service at 10:00 am
St. Thomas’
https://st-thomaseugene.net/
1465 Coburg Rd., Eugene
Service at 10:00 am