AUGUST 10 - Random thoughts towards Sunday ---
Sunday's lessons reflect on the summary in the Collect:
Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will.
In the story of Elijah he is fed in the wilderness by an angel when he felt that he could no longer go on. He is fleeing for his life at this point - he thinks he is the only person left who worships God. He has had a big confrontation with the priests of Baal (for some reason Ahab and Jezebel are trying to kill him after he won and killed all their priests!). The angel urges him to eat and drink and continue his journey.
The letter to the Ephesians urges thieves to give up stealing and work honestly - not to gain wealth for themselves but so they can share with the needy. The purpose of life lived according to God's will is to share God's gifts with one another.
The idea of "God's Will" is often confused. People use it to try to comfort each other in tragedies - "it was God's will" "it is for a purpose God only knows" or when we escape danger and death - "a blessing" or more "God had a reason for saving me" -- this just does not work for me. For me - things just happen in a world of mortality. God's will, to me, is living in the way God would have us live, loving and caring for one another and the earth, knowing each other to be our brother and sister - not our enemy, even when we are seen as enemies to those "others." Hard to live into though. Jesus models this behavior and it gets him crucified. The letter writer of the Ephesians sees that it is even hard to do with those closest to us - our families, our communities, our churches. The letter gives some places to start, things we can do if we choose:
"Putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil. Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
To live this sort of life requires nourishment - the kind of food that fills mind, body and soul. Eating and drinking to strengthen ourselves for the journey.
Jesus in the Gospel of John offers himself as this sort of nourishment. He is the Bread of Life - the one who walks with us and can lift us up in times of fear and loss. We come to the Eucharist to drink the wine of encouragement and eat the bread of sustenance. It captures for us the essence of our faith. Wine lifts our spirits and bread fills our bodies.
Wine is made from bunches of individual grapes - brought together and allowed to age into that which we share in the cup. Bread is the product of individual seeds sown, grown and tended, harvested and ground into flour, baked and broken for us. It is like our church - individuals coming together to feed the world. It is not for ourselves (unless we want to be thieves and worshippers of the idols of wealth) but for the world. At various times we may think we are being ground up or hot with the baking - but the outcome is promised when we stay with it - new life.
May we live in God's will - realizing that it is the only true life - like fish in water. Or as we pray:
"Oh God in whom we live and move and have our being." We pray that we will have the faith to recognize that truth.
Thanks to all on Propertalk and Sermonshop discussion lists for their thoughts and ideas.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
LAST WEEK OF JULY:
Sunday the lesson was from the Gospel of Mark. What caught me attention besides the feeding of the 5000 from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, was the sentence: "Then he (Jesus) ordered them (the disciples) to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass."
I imagine this crowd that has followed Jesus out into a deserted place, milling about, stirring up the dust of the desert-y wilderness. Sort of like the part of Wyoming between Shoshone and Casper - rocky, scrubby land without much water. They are really lost, it is getting dark, and they are hungry. Fear is lurking in their hearts. As the sun begins to set, Jesus asks the disciples - so what kind of resources do we have here? They thought they were going to go on retreat with Jesus - he had said "come away and rest," be part of the "in crowd" - hanging out with the master. Now they are faced with an impossible task and only a bit of bread and fish. The crowd's fear becomes their fear - it is catching that way.
This is the moment when Jesus says - go sit on the green grass. Green grass - when had that appeared? If you have not lived in the dry parts of the world - you might not see the significance of green grass. Green grass means water, oasis, resting place, abundance. A sign of God's abundance in the midst of our dry lives. The feeding continues - it fills their physical hunger - and more. If feeds the hunger of the heart. Lying about on green grass, cool, refreshed, resting. We become like children, kick off our shoes and sandals, roll down the hills, scamper after butterflies.
Take the last days of July and find some green grass for your life.
Sunday the lesson was from the Gospel of Mark. What caught me attention besides the feeding of the 5000 from 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, was the sentence: "Then he (Jesus) ordered them (the disciples) to get all the people to sit down in groups on the green grass."
I imagine this crowd that has followed Jesus out into a deserted place, milling about, stirring up the dust of the desert-y wilderness. Sort of like the part of Wyoming between Shoshone and Casper - rocky, scrubby land without much water. They are really lost, it is getting dark, and they are hungry. Fear is lurking in their hearts. As the sun begins to set, Jesus asks the disciples - so what kind of resources do we have here? They thought they were going to go on retreat with Jesus - he had said "come away and rest," be part of the "in crowd" - hanging out with the master. Now they are faced with an impossible task and only a bit of bread and fish. The crowd's fear becomes their fear - it is catching that way.
This is the moment when Jesus says - go sit on the green grass. Green grass - when had that appeared? If you have not lived in the dry parts of the world - you might not see the significance of green grass. Green grass means water, oasis, resting place, abundance. A sign of God's abundance in the midst of our dry lives. The feeding continues - it fills their physical hunger - and more. If feeds the hunger of the heart. Lying about on green grass, cool, refreshed, resting. We become like children, kick off our shoes and sandals, roll down the hills, scamper after butterflies.
Take the last days of July and find some green grass for your life.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
SATURDAY: the world is going crazy, summer is hotter than ever, family anxieties abound, arrggh. Fun news to balance - our granddaughter is almost 1 year old, our 7 y/o grandson is visiting us for a couple of weeks, and we have a new grandson born June 28. We were on the West Coast for a couple of weeks - returned to find the house buried in cat fur. Luckily we had confined them to a few rooms but the combination of no one vacuuming, no one using the cat comb, and the hot weather made for an "hair-raising" return. They were all happy and well fed however thanks to our critter care person who also kept our deck plants going. We have a crop of yummy tiny tomatoes that so far have not made it beyond our mouths to a salad. Speaking of eating - we bought into a vegetable plan this year - and have fresh veggies delivered each week from a local gardener. We ate beets (red and white), wilted greens (chard and beet), salad with fresh spinach and nasturtium blossoms last night for dinner. Just before we left for our trip we ate the last of our asparagus - we have a huge patch that has been growing since we moved into this house 29 years ago. Every year we remember with our taste buds the delights of the freshly picked.
The world of the church is looking up for me and our family - the Episcopal Presiding Bishop elect - Katharine (doesn't that sound great!) interview in Time Magazine sums it up:
TIME: What will be your focus as head of the U.S. church?
JEFFERTS SCHORI: Our focus needs to be on feeding people who go to bed hungry, on providing primary education to girls and boys, on healing people with AIDS, on addressing tuberculosis and malaria, on sustainable development. That ought to be the primary focus.
Our Family: YESSSSSS!!
She will be interviewed on CBS News Sunday evening - check it out.
The world of the church is looking up for me and our family - the Episcopal Presiding Bishop elect - Katharine (doesn't that sound great!) interview in Time Magazine sums it up:
TIME: What will be your focus as head of the U.S. church?
JEFFERTS SCHORI: Our focus needs to be on feeding people who go to bed hungry, on providing primary education to girls and boys, on healing people with AIDS, on addressing tuberculosis and malaria, on sustainable development. That ought to be the primary focus.
Our Family: YESSSSSS!!
She will be interviewed on CBS News Sunday evening - check it out.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Episcopalians Excited by Unity in Church
No doubt you have seen the headlines in the NYTimes and other places "Episcopalians Shaken by Division in Church"? But what I witnessed at General Convention this time was overwhelming unity on most all issues. The biggest unifying excitement came with our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as our main priorities.
Each day of Convention a different goal was showcased. One day the Chaplain had us snap our fingers every 3 seconds for a child dying of preventable cause. One day women gathered to read Goodnight Moon to pictures of children - one by one the women "died" from preventable lack of maternal health - leaving the children without a mother - often an orphan. The determination to focus our resources on these things as well as HIV/AIDS, clean water, education of women and girls, and extreme poverty, unified our time together. It is sad that a few people want to leave the church just when it is becoming alive again to its real call of service in a hurting world. That will not deter us but they will be missing out on an opportunity to join a movement of the Spirit. This is led in many cases by our younger members, teens, twenties, thirties - who see that our earth is one community where those who have must help those who don't.
Too bad the headlines don't report the things that will make a difference.
No doubt you have seen the headlines in the NYTimes and other places "Episcopalians Shaken by Division in Church"? But what I witnessed at General Convention this time was overwhelming unity on most all issues. The biggest unifying excitement came with our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as our main priorities.
Each day of Convention a different goal was showcased. One day the Chaplain had us snap our fingers every 3 seconds for a child dying of preventable cause. One day women gathered to read Goodnight Moon to pictures of children - one by one the women "died" from preventable lack of maternal health - leaving the children without a mother - often an orphan. The determination to focus our resources on these things as well as HIV/AIDS, clean water, education of women and girls, and extreme poverty, unified our time together. It is sad that a few people want to leave the church just when it is becoming alive again to its real call of service in a hurting world. That will not deter us but they will be missing out on an opportunity to join a movement of the Spirit. This is led in many cases by our younger members, teens, twenties, thirties - who see that our earth is one community where those who have must help those who don't.
Too bad the headlines don't report the things that will make a difference.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Everyone is blogging about General Convention - so I will too. If you go to our Diocesan list serve archive you can read my daily messages during the 11 days in Columbus. However, I thought I would expand on my final message on this site. Part of what I wrote:
"We made up today for all we did not do on other days. Whipping through resolutions at the speed of light - one reason for preparing and studying the resolutions before one gets to GC. The "big news" that went to the press is that after defeating one resolution after another on any moratorium on consecration of gay or lesbian bishops and/or same sex blessings - a full court press by the PB and PB elect and the need to say something to the Windsor Report (I suppose) resulted in a resolution that says we will exercise restraint in confirming a bishop whose manner of life presents a challenge to the World Wide Anglican Communion. We did not pass a moratorium and we did not address rites for same sex blessings. I did not vote for it as I felt it was one of those things that offered others as the sacrifice - I am willing to sacrifice but could not come home saying - I was called to the cross but I pick you to go instead. I did not see Jesus asking anyone else to his work for him. (oh hey Peter or Mary - why don't you go to Golgotha today). Others (a big majority) had other ideas - so in my mind it was a step away after many steps forward - it remains to be seen what will happen."
And now after reading Rowan's tepid response (although one could read it as a comment on reality) - I am sure I voted the right way. Many were crying as they voted, regardless of whether yes or no. I don't judge others votes - I just judge my own.
The long flight home to Wyoming gave me time to think about the long view. I started coming to GC when we were in New Orleans (1982 I think) - Integrity held "secret" Eucharists so the gay clergy would not be outed. Now it is the most popular service of GC and there are so many out gay and lesbian clergy that they cannot all serve at the altar. Then we would lose every vote on full inclusion -- can't remember how many times we circled up after a particularly painful losing battle and sang "We are a gentle angry people and we are singing, singing for our lives" --- Now a great majority of GC supports full inclusion. The vote on Tuesday - strongly turning down the Special Committee's resolution with its extreme caution on bishops and no development of blessing rites but with a sop of apology to any gays and lesbians who might be hurt!! Over and over we said NO. We overwhelmingly passed the resolution condemning the criminalization of homosexuality and calling for civil rights around the world.
But on Wednesday, in the end, we faltered. Our worship featured the PB elect'ssermon which included:
"That bloody cross brings new life into this world. Colossians calls Jesus the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead. That sweaty, bloody, tear-stained labor of the cross bears new life. Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation -- and you and I are His children. If we're going to keep on growing into Christ-images for the world around us, we're going to have to give up fear.
What do the godly messengers say when they turn up in the Bible? "Fear not." "Don't be afraid." "God is with you." "You are God's beloved, and God is well-pleased with you."
Fear not - but in the end we gave into fear. Fear that the Anglican Communion would not allow our new PB a seat at the table. Perhaps that is true but it was not our finest hour. And I think we knew it at the time. We made our choice and live in hope despite our fears.
"We made up today for all we did not do on other days. Whipping through resolutions at the speed of light - one reason for preparing and studying the resolutions before one gets to GC. The "big news" that went to the press is that after defeating one resolution after another on any moratorium on consecration of gay or lesbian bishops and/or same sex blessings - a full court press by the PB and PB elect and the need to say something to the Windsor Report (I suppose) resulted in a resolution that says we will exercise restraint in confirming a bishop whose manner of life presents a challenge to the World Wide Anglican Communion. We did not pass a moratorium and we did not address rites for same sex blessings. I did not vote for it as I felt it was one of those things that offered others as the sacrifice - I am willing to sacrifice but could not come home saying - I was called to the cross but I pick you to go instead. I did not see Jesus asking anyone else to his work for him. (oh hey Peter or Mary - why don't you go to Golgotha today). Others (a big majority) had other ideas - so in my mind it was a step away after many steps forward - it remains to be seen what will happen."
And now after reading Rowan's tepid response (although one could read it as a comment on reality) - I am sure I voted the right way. Many were crying as they voted, regardless of whether yes or no. I don't judge others votes - I just judge my own.
The long flight home to Wyoming gave me time to think about the long view. I started coming to GC when we were in New Orleans (1982 I think) - Integrity held "secret" Eucharists so the gay clergy would not be outed. Now it is the most popular service of GC and there are so many out gay and lesbian clergy that they cannot all serve at the altar. Then we would lose every vote on full inclusion -- can't remember how many times we circled up after a particularly painful losing battle and sang "We are a gentle angry people and we are singing, singing for our lives" --- Now a great majority of GC supports full inclusion. The vote on Tuesday - strongly turning down the Special Committee's resolution with its extreme caution on bishops and no development of blessing rites but with a sop of apology to any gays and lesbians who might be hurt!! Over and over we said NO. We overwhelmingly passed the resolution condemning the criminalization of homosexuality and calling for civil rights around the world.
But on Wednesday, in the end, we faltered. Our worship featured the PB elect'ssermon which included:
"That bloody cross brings new life into this world. Colossians calls Jesus the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead. That sweaty, bloody, tear-stained labor of the cross bears new life. Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation -- and you and I are His children. If we're going to keep on growing into Christ-images for the world around us, we're going to have to give up fear.
What do the godly messengers say when they turn up in the Bible? "Fear not." "Don't be afraid." "God is with you." "You are God's beloved, and God is well-pleased with you."
Fear not - but in the end we gave into fear. Fear that the Anglican Communion would not allow our new PB a seat at the table. Perhaps that is true but it was not our finest hour. And I think we knew it at the time. We made our choice and live in hope despite our fears.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
PENTECOST -- Click here for the Bible readings.
Today we celebrate how a small group of frightened people received the ability to overcome their fears and go out into the world proclaiming the message of Christ in a way that could be understood by all sorts of people. They did not know and we don't know exactly how it happened so we speak of it in metaphors of tongues of fire sweeping through the community, of many languages being heard, of a seeming drunkeness of the
Spirit. Ezekiel prophecied that the "dry bones" would take on new life - and this is what happened on that Pentecost Day with the followers of Christ.
This week a valiant warrior among the disciples of Jesus died. Canon Joyce Hogg was the Director of Networks and Special Projects for Episcopal Relief and Development. The way I got to know her was as my "boss" for my work as a Diocesan Coordinator for ER-D. She asked for and received quarterly reports of our work for ER-D, made sure we were prompt with our thank you notes to our generous donors, and tenderly ministered to us even in the midst of her own struggle with cancer. Just two weeks ago she led our annual convention of coordinators. I last saw her in the Jacksonville airport as she and her beloved husband, Bill, awaited their flight home. I knew things were not good with her health but she wanted to talke about the future of the Episcopal Church, the upcoming General Convention and election of the Presiding Bishop. Her last words were "see you in Columbus." Yes, I will see you, dear friend, in Columbus - not quite in the way I had hoped but in the thousand touches of your hands in helping Episcopal Relief and Development flourish and grow, in the wonderful energetic staff whom you loved fiercely, and in our hearts as we go on without your physical presence.
This, to me, is the message of Pentecost - that our hearts are afire with the passion to change the world into what God would have and that we light a spark in others that they might catch the same fire and carry on beyond our imaging. Thanks Joyce for your passion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that we pray will continue in us as we follow the command to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.
Click below to add your gift for Emergency Relief and Long term development for Health and Food Security
Today we celebrate how a small group of frightened people received the ability to overcome their fears and go out into the world proclaiming the message of Christ in a way that could be understood by all sorts of people. They did not know and we don't know exactly how it happened so we speak of it in metaphors of tongues of fire sweeping through the community, of many languages being heard, of a seeming drunkeness of the
Spirit. Ezekiel prophecied that the "dry bones" would take on new life - and this is what happened on that Pentecost Day with the followers of Christ.
This week a valiant warrior among the disciples of Jesus died. Canon Joyce Hogg was the Director of Networks and Special Projects for Episcopal Relief and Development. The way I got to know her was as my "boss" for my work as a Diocesan Coordinator for ER-D. She asked for and received quarterly reports of our work for ER-D, made sure we were prompt with our thank you notes to our generous donors, and tenderly ministered to us even in the midst of her own struggle with cancer. Just two weeks ago she led our annual convention of coordinators. I last saw her in the Jacksonville airport as she and her beloved husband, Bill, awaited their flight home. I knew things were not good with her health but she wanted to talke about the future of the Episcopal Church, the upcoming General Convention and election of the Presiding Bishop. Her last words were "see you in Columbus." Yes, I will see you, dear friend, in Columbus - not quite in the way I had hoped but in the thousand touches of your hands in helping Episcopal Relief and Development flourish and grow, in the wonderful energetic staff whom you loved fiercely, and in our hearts as we go on without your physical presence.
This, to me, is the message of Pentecost - that our hearts are afire with the passion to change the world into what God would have and that we light a spark in others that they might catch the same fire and carry on beyond our imaging. Thanks Joyce for your passion, in the power of the Holy Spirit, that we pray will continue in us as we follow the command to love God and our neighbor as ourselves.
Click below to add your gift for Emergency Relief and Long term development for Health and Food Security
Sunday, May 28, 2006
SUNDAY afternoon nap ahead --
home from Jackson Hole and 2 church services. This is Memorial Day weekend when JH has its Old West Parade or as some call it Old Wet Parade. The weather on Saturday In Jackson was rainy and cold. When I left Lander it was sunny and hot - good thing I remembered to put a jacket in the car. Driving from Jackson out to Wilson (a suburb LOL) I saw the white suburbans of VP Dick Cheney's Secret Service (well not so secret when they sit at all the intersections with flashing police lights) - so I assume he is spending the weekend at his home in the Valley. This morning it was foggy and cold as I made my way to church. No VP or spouse at church - always makes for an interesting morning when he does come - the Secret Service rings the outside of the building and sits mixed in with the congregation trying to look like parishioners. But they have that scanning look on their faces and hearing aid like devices and are extremely fit. Luckily they call ahead to let us know.
Today I expected fewer people due to the holiday, and the weather, plus it is the annual "Spring Fling" - a fundraiser for the hospital at Jackson Lake Lodge that is a big social event. People often rent rooms so they don't have to drive home after partying late. But we had a good crowd and it was fun to see old friends and new members. I was the interim assistant there for 2+ years. The web site for St. John's Episcopal Church has the sermons from Sunday every week - usually takes a few days for the latest one to appear.
After a stop to see a 90+year old friend who is now in the Living Center, I grabbed a turkey, avocado, and muenster cheese sandwich from Bagel Jax for the road. No moose or buffalo on my drive through the park - just fog and mixed rain and snow. By the time I got to Togwotee Pass - there was quite a bit of snow on the roadsides but none on the road. Tourists were out throwing snowballs at each other - enjoying the taste of winter. As I came down the mountain towards Dubois - a mountain bluebird perched on the barbwire fence post. Lifted my spirits as otherwise that part of the trip is hard with all the trees being cut down on either side and the new road cuts for the re-construction of the highway. The road needs repair and some resetting of dangerous turns but it is still heartwrenching to see. The rest of the trip across the Wind River Reservation I listened to AIROS Native Radio Network and the traditional songs and drumming woven into new creations of blues, world beat, and country tunes.
Sermon today was on the Ascension. I think it is a difficult Holy Day around which to wrap our modern minds. In the earliest days it was believed that one "ascended" through caves, then the portrayal of Jesus going up through the clouds became popular, but now we have seen the earth from outer space and we don't know quite what to do with merging the idea of an ascension and what we have seen. Perhaps that is why one does not see big celebrations of The Ascension as often. Regardless of how Jesus left us for the next stage of our life in Christ - we are called to be God's hands and heart here and now.
home from Jackson Hole and 2 church services. This is Memorial Day weekend when JH has its Old West Parade or as some call it Old Wet Parade. The weather on Saturday In Jackson was rainy and cold. When I left Lander it was sunny and hot - good thing I remembered to put a jacket in the car. Driving from Jackson out to Wilson (a suburb LOL) I saw the white suburbans of VP Dick Cheney's Secret Service (well not so secret when they sit at all the intersections with flashing police lights) - so I assume he is spending the weekend at his home in the Valley. This morning it was foggy and cold as I made my way to church. No VP or spouse at church - always makes for an interesting morning when he does come - the Secret Service rings the outside of the building and sits mixed in with the congregation trying to look like parishioners. But they have that scanning look on their faces and hearing aid like devices and are extremely fit. Luckily they call ahead to let us know.
Today I expected fewer people due to the holiday, and the weather, plus it is the annual "Spring Fling" - a fundraiser for the hospital at Jackson Lake Lodge that is a big social event. People often rent rooms so they don't have to drive home after partying late. But we had a good crowd and it was fun to see old friends and new members. I was the interim assistant there for 2+ years. The web site for St. John's Episcopal Church has the sermons from Sunday every week - usually takes a few days for the latest one to appear.
After a stop to see a 90+year old friend who is now in the Living Center, I grabbed a turkey, avocado, and muenster cheese sandwich from Bagel Jax for the road. No moose or buffalo on my drive through the park - just fog and mixed rain and snow. By the time I got to Togwotee Pass - there was quite a bit of snow on the roadsides but none on the road. Tourists were out throwing snowballs at each other - enjoying the taste of winter. As I came down the mountain towards Dubois - a mountain bluebird perched on the barbwire fence post. Lifted my spirits as otherwise that part of the trip is hard with all the trees being cut down on either side and the new road cuts for the re-construction of the highway. The road needs repair and some resetting of dangerous turns but it is still heartwrenching to see. The rest of the trip across the Wind River Reservation I listened to AIROS Native Radio Network and the traditional songs and drumming woven into new creations of blues, world beat, and country tunes.
Sermon today was on the Ascension. I think it is a difficult Holy Day around which to wrap our modern minds. In the earliest days it was believed that one "ascended" through caves, then the portrayal of Jesus going up through the clouds became popular, but now we have seen the earth from outer space and we don't know quite what to do with merging the idea of an ascension and what we have seen. Perhaps that is why one does not see big celebrations of The Ascension as often. Regardless of how Jesus left us for the next stage of our life in Christ - we are called to be God's hands and heart here and now.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Driving to Rock Springs on a Sunday morning:
Sun is still behind the hill as I leave Lander
Rising above the rim it catches the red
of a sweater worn by a woman going out to feed her horse
Dry Lake is sparkling with water and bright white of pelicans
Bald eagle surrounded by ravens feast on the night's road kill
They fly up disturbed by my passing car.
The new road by the mine leaps up to the horizon
that leads to the South Pass and the Continental Divide
Not so high here - my great grandmother and her family
traveled the Oregon trail on their way to better days
I wonder where my car crosses her path
Now down towards Farson where one used to be able to get huge ice cream cones
but no longer - the ancient stone building empty.
Turning towards Eden I pass the church where I will soon hold
communion for a Biblical quorum of 2 or 3 gathered
But for now I race past on my way to Rock Springs
where we sing out bravely acapella as the 3 organists
are traveling on a different journey this morning
The wide open spaces beckon me to return
home again
In the shadows of the Wind River Range.
Sun is still behind the hill as I leave Lander
Rising above the rim it catches the red
of a sweater worn by a woman going out to feed her horse
Dry Lake is sparkling with water and bright white of pelicans
Bald eagle surrounded by ravens feast on the night's road kill
They fly up disturbed by my passing car.
The new road by the mine leaps up to the horizon
that leads to the South Pass and the Continental Divide
Not so high here - my great grandmother and her family
traveled the Oregon trail on their way to better days
I wonder where my car crosses her path
Now down towards Farson where one used to be able to get huge ice cream cones
but no longer - the ancient stone building empty.
Turning towards Eden I pass the church where I will soon hold
communion for a Biblical quorum of 2 or 3 gathered
But for now I race past on my way to Rock Springs
where we sing out bravely acapella as the 3 organists
are traveling on a different journey this morning
The wide open spaces beckon me to return
home again
In the shadows of the Wind River Range.
An example of "mothering" as noted in the previous post.
This was circulated on the list at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to a group known as Gays at Grace
Comments:
I have recently moved to Bowling Green, KY after spending most all my life in Alabama. I came to the Episcopal church in 2003 and learned of Marc Andrus. When I first visited an Episcopal church I had just been released from prison in Alabama. I had been incarcerated for 7 years. I wanted to change my life and knew that it was important to do so. I didn't know where to begin or what to do. I literally stumbled into a small parish in Sheffield Alabama, Grace Church.
I was overwhelmed by love and compassion. I wasn't open to it at first and didn't really know what to do with it all. The people at Grace were (and are) incredible to me. They accepted me and didn't worry about my past. I was confirmed in April 2004. It was then I had met Bishop Andrus. A lady in our parish had dinner for the four confirmands, their sponsors and Bishop Andrus in her home. At first meeting I knew that this man was a man of God. He emanated spirituality and humility. He began to talk to me and he asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I was a waiter. I have received mixed responses from this answer. He looked at me stopped and said, "I always wanted to bartend." The conversation grew from there. After people began to take their plates and sit, it was apparent that the bishop didn't have a seat to sit in (it was an informal dinner and people were sitting in different rooms within the home). Everyone began to get up to offer their seats to the Bishop. He refused and said "I prefer the floor, actually" and the Bishop Suffragan of Alabama sat on the floor, gladly and ate his dinner!!! I was completely blown away.
I next saw Bishop Andrus at my Cursillo six months later. As he gave me communion he said, "How are you Perry?" I had not seen this man in six months yet he remembered my name!!! Six months later I decided to visit his office in Birmingham. By this time I had become active in the church choir, the cursillo movement and in Kairos, an ecumenical prison ministry. I began to tell Bishop Andrus about my past...all of it. We talked at great length. When I told him I was gay his only concern was why I was waiting to find a partner...
There are moments of grace like these all over our diocese. I cannot explain to you how blessed you are to have this man as your bishop. I have an idea you already know. The story goes that when Bishop Parsley called him to inform him he had been elected Bishop Suffragan of Alabama Marc was cleaning a toilet in his parish. We are saddened by our loss, but we are also excited about his new ministry. I am thankful that I had an opportunity to know this man. He has made an impact on my life and my walk. He is a personal bishop and he will always be my
bishop...
God's Peace,
This was circulated on the list at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco to a group known as Gays at Grace
Comments:
I have recently moved to Bowling Green, KY after spending most all my life in Alabama. I came to the Episcopal church in 2003 and learned of Marc Andrus. When I first visited an Episcopal church I had just been released from prison in Alabama. I had been incarcerated for 7 years. I wanted to change my life and knew that it was important to do so. I didn't know where to begin or what to do. I literally stumbled into a small parish in Sheffield Alabama, Grace Church.
I was overwhelmed by love and compassion. I wasn't open to it at first and didn't really know what to do with it all. The people at Grace were (and are) incredible to me. They accepted me and didn't worry about my past. I was confirmed in April 2004. It was then I had met Bishop Andrus. A lady in our parish had dinner for the four confirmands, their sponsors and Bishop Andrus in her home. At first meeting I knew that this man was a man of God. He emanated spirituality and humility. He began to talk to me and he asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I was a waiter. I have received mixed responses from this answer. He looked at me stopped and said, "I always wanted to bartend." The conversation grew from there. After people began to take their plates and sit, it was apparent that the bishop didn't have a seat to sit in (it was an informal dinner and people were sitting in different rooms within the home). Everyone began to get up to offer their seats to the Bishop. He refused and said "I prefer the floor, actually" and the Bishop Suffragan of Alabama sat on the floor, gladly and ate his dinner!!! I was completely blown away.
I next saw Bishop Andrus at my Cursillo six months later. As he gave me communion he said, "How are you Perry?" I had not seen this man in six months yet he remembered my name!!! Six months later I decided to visit his office in Birmingham. By this time I had become active in the church choir, the cursillo movement and in Kairos, an ecumenical prison ministry. I began to tell Bishop Andrus about my past...all of it. We talked at great length. When I told him I was gay his only concern was why I was waiting to find a partner...
There are moments of grace like these all over our diocese. I cannot explain to you how blessed you are to have this man as your bishop. I have an idea you already know. The story goes that when Bishop Parsley called him to inform him he had been elected Bishop Suffragan of Alabama Marc was cleaning a toilet in his parish. We are saddened by our loss, but we are also excited about his new ministry. I am thankful that I had an opportunity to know this man. He has made an impact on my life and my walk. He is a personal bishop and he will always be my
bishop...
God's Peace,
Saturday, May 13, 2006
MOTHER'S DAY:
This Sunday is that holiest of holy days of the Hallmark calendar. All children with living mothers are running around wondering what to do or will wake up tomorrow realizing that they have not even bought a card. Guilt will pile on guilt. Oh my. Those of us whose mothers have died will wonder about the "secret life of parents" - did we really know them? Their tapes are still running in our minds, they sit on our should occasionally and remind us of things like Thank You notes. And those of us who have or had problematic relationships or no relationship will wonder if we are the only ones who have these mixed feelings or even terrible feelings.
Sunday in the church we read about the Ethiopian Eunuch. Click here to read story. as well as the wonderful words from the First Letter of John that God is Love.
Philip hears the Ethiopian reading from Isaiah. A couple of things stand out for the hearer of Philip's day. The Ethiopian can read, not something most were able to do. Reading out loud was the way people read - reading silently to oneself was rare in those days. He was a high official of a foreign queen (The Candace - not her name but a title). He was a eunuch - we don't know if he was made that way to serve the queen, or if it was an accident of birth - but he was "damaged goods" in the eyes of the religious people of the day. He would not have been able to become a full member of the Temple (only perfect men were allowed).
The section of Isaiah that is quoted in the story is from Isaiah 53. He is puzzling over the meaning of it. Philip runs along side and asks him if he knows what he is reading. The Eunuch says he needs some help. I like to think that Philip led him further into Isaiah to Chapter 56:1-8 where the eunuch would read about freedom and welcome in the realm of God. Going on from there he would share how Jesus invited all to the table and asked those who would come to serve and love one another as full brothers and sisters. The Ethiopian has such joy in this good news or as Christians call it Good News, that he immediately wants to become a part of this Way of Life and asks what he should do. Philip says "be baptized" and the Eunuch says "let's do it."
As he is immersed in the waters of baptism he is washed clean of all those hateful messages about himself and dies to the old life constructed by others. He emerges freed from his old life that was constrained by religious burdens and society's judgments. He had been powerful and rich in the world - now he had something even more important - the wealth of soul and mind and connection to the Holy. He was always connected but the connection was blocked by what he had been taught.
To me this is a story of true motherhood - Philip brings the Ethiopian to birth in new life. Our mothers are those who gave us life in this world, each had her own life experience that we know nothing about (the secret life of parents I call it) that influenced her to be however she was as a mother to us. We give thanks for the gifts that our mothers were able to give us, we let go of the parts that were difficult. Hopefully each of us has also had other mothers, men and women, who brought us to life in other ways, our teachers, our spiritual leaders, our role models, our heroes, a neighbor, anyone who gave of themselves that we might become who we are today and who showed us the unconditional love of God. Who would be surprised to receive a Mother's Day card from you? Or a phone call or note of thanks?
This Sunday is that holiest of holy days of the Hallmark calendar. All children with living mothers are running around wondering what to do or will wake up tomorrow realizing that they have not even bought a card. Guilt will pile on guilt. Oh my. Those of us whose mothers have died will wonder about the "secret life of parents" - did we really know them? Their tapes are still running in our minds, they sit on our should occasionally and remind us of things like Thank You notes. And those of us who have or had problematic relationships or no relationship will wonder if we are the only ones who have these mixed feelings or even terrible feelings.
Sunday in the church we read about the Ethiopian Eunuch. Click here to read story. as well as the wonderful words from the First Letter of John that God is Love.
Philip hears the Ethiopian reading from Isaiah. A couple of things stand out for the hearer of Philip's day. The Ethiopian can read, not something most were able to do. Reading out loud was the way people read - reading silently to oneself was rare in those days. He was a high official of a foreign queen (The Candace - not her name but a title). He was a eunuch - we don't know if he was made that way to serve the queen, or if it was an accident of birth - but he was "damaged goods" in the eyes of the religious people of the day. He would not have been able to become a full member of the Temple (only perfect men were allowed).
The section of Isaiah that is quoted in the story is from Isaiah 53. He is puzzling over the meaning of it. Philip runs along side and asks him if he knows what he is reading. The Eunuch says he needs some help. I like to think that Philip led him further into Isaiah to Chapter 56:1-8 where the eunuch would read about freedom and welcome in the realm of God. Going on from there he would share how Jesus invited all to the table and asked those who would come to serve and love one another as full brothers and sisters. The Ethiopian has such joy in this good news or as Christians call it Good News, that he immediately wants to become a part of this Way of Life and asks what he should do. Philip says "be baptized" and the Eunuch says "let's do it."
As he is immersed in the waters of baptism he is washed clean of all those hateful messages about himself and dies to the old life constructed by others. He emerges freed from his old life that was constrained by religious burdens and society's judgments. He had been powerful and rich in the world - now he had something even more important - the wealth of soul and mind and connection to the Holy. He was always connected but the connection was blocked by what he had been taught.
To me this is a story of true motherhood - Philip brings the Ethiopian to birth in new life. Our mothers are those who gave us life in this world, each had her own life experience that we know nothing about (the secret life of parents I call it) that influenced her to be however she was as a mother to us. We give thanks for the gifts that our mothers were able to give us, we let go of the parts that were difficult. Hopefully each of us has also had other mothers, men and women, who brought us to life in other ways, our teachers, our spiritual leaders, our role models, our heroes, a neighbor, anyone who gave of themselves that we might become who we are today and who showed us the unconditional love of God. Who would be surprised to receive a Mother's Day card from you? Or a phone call or note of thanks?
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
May 10 - random bits:
Monday I preached at a funeral for an 89 year old woman whom I had known, as well as her son and daughter, when I was doing supply priest work in Riverton, WY. She had moved to Fairbanks Alaska to live with her daughter the last several years of her life. The thing that came out about her from the stories of the family is how much she enjoyed each day of being in this life. Whether it was teaching school on the Wind River Indian Reservation, volunteering at the Nursing Home, raising her family or hanging out with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whatever the day brought, even in her last years of confinement and illness, she was glad to wake up and still be here. What a gift to those around her. It reminded me of prayer in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer that is a resource for those who are sick. But I think it is a good prayer for all of us - young and old, sick or well, whatever our day brings.
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord.
I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
The Spirit of Jesus for me is being present in the moment - acting when we are called upon to act but remembering that we always have gifts to offer no matter the state of our mind, body, and spirit.
Monday I preached at a funeral for an 89 year old woman whom I had known, as well as her son and daughter, when I was doing supply priest work in Riverton, WY. She had moved to Fairbanks Alaska to live with her daughter the last several years of her life. The thing that came out about her from the stories of the family is how much she enjoyed each day of being in this life. Whether it was teaching school on the Wind River Indian Reservation, volunteering at the Nursing Home, raising her family or hanging out with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Whatever the day brought, even in her last years of confinement and illness, she was glad to wake up and still be here. What a gift to those around her. It reminded me of prayer in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer that is a resource for those who are sick. But I think it is a good prayer for all of us - young and old, sick or well, whatever our day brings.
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord.
I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
The Spirit of Jesus for me is being present in the moment - acting when we are called upon to act but remembering that we always have gifts to offer no matter the state of our mind, body, and spirit.
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