Athenae and Scout are already in New Orleans. We leave after lunch today to meet them. (See my post Tripping Out) Go to First Draft to see Athenae's picture of Our Lady Of The Driveway and other pictures from the city.
UPDATE: Statues of Mary stand in the front gardens of houses all over New Orleans and south Louisiana.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Madcap Lifestyle
KJ, in the comments to my Tripping Out post said:
Slow down, young lady! Talk about your madcap lifestyles!
KJ, my dear, I'm forced to request that you not pre-categorize my day, because your pre-categorizations COME TRUE!
Today I took my granddaughter to a counselling session around lunch time. The city workers are resurfacing a main street in my town, therefore, I am directed to detour through traffic, traffic, traffic in order to get across town to the school. My granddaughter misses the school lunch, so we pick up her lunch at a fast-food outlet, which she then eats in the car and in the counsellor's office. Today, instead of food from the uncrowded Golden Arches, she wanted to go to Wendy's, which is located near the university and the hospital, on the other side of town. Bad mistake. The car line was out in the street, so I decided to go inside to order and turned in. Whoops! I'm in the EXIT drive! "Too bad, too bad, people, get out of my way!"
I parked and we went in. Long lines inside too. We took our place in the maze and waited our turn. By the time we reached the counter to order, we were late to the counsellor's office. Whoops, again! I don't have her number. I called my son, in all the din, and asked him to call and say we'll be a little late. We finally got our food and headed to the office, where I let my granddaughter out to go in.
I found a place to park, but, alas, I had to parallel park, which skill I have never learned in all my 72 years. I didn't have to do it in my one and only driving test 50 years ago, and I have never learned. I have learned avoidance of parallel parking, but today it was not possible. There was a line of cars waiting behind me, so I pulled in front end first instead of doing the proper backing in maneuver. It was back and forth, back and forth, 8 or 10 times or more, trying to get close enough to the curb. Finally, I just quit, got out, and locked the car. It was sticking out into the street too much, so I said a prayer that no one would clip me while I was in the office. No one did. Thanks be to God.
All I have left to do today is pick up my grandchildren from school, stay with them until their father comes home from work, and head to church for Evensong, soup and sandwiches, and Alpha.
Madcap? Yes. Thanks, KJ.
Slow down, young lady! Talk about your madcap lifestyles!
KJ, my dear, I'm forced to request that you not pre-categorize my day, because your pre-categorizations COME TRUE!
Today I took my granddaughter to a counselling session around lunch time. The city workers are resurfacing a main street in my town, therefore, I am directed to detour through traffic, traffic, traffic in order to get across town to the school. My granddaughter misses the school lunch, so we pick up her lunch at a fast-food outlet, which she then eats in the car and in the counsellor's office. Today, instead of food from the uncrowded Golden Arches, she wanted to go to Wendy's, which is located near the university and the hospital, on the other side of town. Bad mistake. The car line was out in the street, so I decided to go inside to order and turned in. Whoops! I'm in the EXIT drive! "Too bad, too bad, people, get out of my way!"
I parked and we went in. Long lines inside too. We took our place in the maze and waited our turn. By the time we reached the counter to order, we were late to the counsellor's office. Whoops, again! I don't have her number. I called my son, in all the din, and asked him to call and say we'll be a little late. We finally got our food and headed to the office, where I let my granddaughter out to go in.
I found a place to park, but, alas, I had to parallel park, which skill I have never learned in all my 72 years. I didn't have to do it in my one and only driving test 50 years ago, and I have never learned. I have learned avoidance of parallel parking, but today it was not possible. There was a line of cars waiting behind me, so I pulled in front end first instead of doing the proper backing in maneuver. It was back and forth, back and forth, 8 or 10 times or more, trying to get close enough to the curb. Finally, I just quit, got out, and locked the car. It was sticking out into the street too much, so I said a prayer that no one would clip me while I was in the office. No one did. Thanks be to God.
All I have left to do today is pick up my grandchildren from school, stay with them until their father comes home from work, and head to church for Evensong, soup and sandwiches, and Alpha.
Madcap? Yes. Thanks, KJ.
A Franciscan Blessing
May God bless you with discomfort ... at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger ... at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears ... to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough Holy foolishness ... to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done! Amen!
May God bless you with anger ... at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears ... to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough Holy foolishness ... to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done! Amen!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Tripping Out
On Friday, my husband and I will be heading to New Orleans for a blogger meet-up with two bloggers from the mighty First Draft and others. My computer is large and sitting on a desk, so it will not be going with me. I will very likely be silent until Sunday night or Monday morning. (Do I detect sighs of relief?)
Athenae and Scout Prime from First Draft will be in our group and will blog our visit. Although she is from Wisconsin, Scout has taken up the cause of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast as though she were a native. We owe her a huge debt. Check in at FD if you want to monitor my antics in New Orleans. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
It won't be all play, as we'll spend Saturday gutting a house under the guidance of ACORN. I am ordered to wear jeans and work boots for the work day. I don't have work boots. I have garden boots and dress boots and athletic shoes. I will throw the garden boots in the car and see what happens.
ACORN will provide respirators. I don't know how much knocking down of walls I will be able to do, but I'm told that I can go get the lunch and carry water, if I fail at everything else. I can do that.
Friday night we'll go to a crawfish boil and then to hear some music. Saturday is the work day. Saturday night is a bloggers dinner, no doubt including the great New Orleans bloggers, whose names you can find in the blogroll at First Draft. Sunday we'll take the bus tour to view the devastation which still remains, of which there is much to see.
I'll give you my version of the weekend when I return.
Athenae and Scout Prime from First Draft will be in our group and will blog our visit. Although she is from Wisconsin, Scout has taken up the cause of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast as though she were a native. We owe her a huge debt. Check in at FD if you want to monitor my antics in New Orleans. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
It won't be all play, as we'll spend Saturday gutting a house under the guidance of ACORN. I am ordered to wear jeans and work boots for the work day. I don't have work boots. I have garden boots and dress boots and athletic shoes. I will throw the garden boots in the car and see what happens.
ACORN will provide respirators. I don't know how much knocking down of walls I will be able to do, but I'm told that I can go get the lunch and carry water, if I fail at everything else. I can do that.
Friday night we'll go to a crawfish boil and then to hear some music. Saturday is the work day. Saturday night is a bloggers dinner, no doubt including the great New Orleans bloggers, whose names you can find in the blogroll at First Draft. Sunday we'll take the bus tour to view the devastation which still remains, of which there is much to see.
I'll give you my version of the weekend when I return.
THE GUIDING LIGHT OF ETERNITY
Impression Sunrise by Claude Monet
O God, who broughtst me from the rest of last night
Unto the joyous light of this day,
Be Thou bringing me from the new light of this day
Unto the guiding light of eternity.
Oh! from the new light of this day
Unto the guiding light of eternity.
From the Carmina Gadelica.
The Carmina Gadelica is a collection of prayers, hymns, charms, incantations, blessings, runes, and other literary-folkloric poems and songs collected and translated by amateur folklorist Alexander Carmichael (1832–1912) in the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland between 1855 and 1910.
From Wiki.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Controversy In Colorado Diocese
From CBS News online:
Colorado's largest Episcopal church was left in chaos after leaders voted to leave the denomination and the bishop responded by dismissing the parish's leadership.
The controversy at Colorado Springs' Grace Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Parish is the latest to roil the Episcopal Church following the national denomination's acceptance of homosexuality.
....
But Bishop Robert O'Neill rejected the move, dismissing the local leaders and saying the Colorado Springs parish would remain part of the Episcopal Church.
"The fact is people may leave the Episcopal Church but parishes cannot," O'Neill said in a statement.
The church's longtime rector, the Rev. Donald Armstrong III, who was suspended for allegedly mishandling funds, said O'Neill no longer has jurisdiction over the parish.
....
The leaders of Grace and St. Stephen's voted to join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria led by Archbishop Peter J. Akinola.
It's difficult for me to believe that members (or should I say former members?) of the Episcopal Church want to align themselves with Archbishop Akinola, knowing all that we know about his machinations in Nigeria and here in this country. I suppose that homosexuality and same-gender sex are the greatest sins and perhaps the only sins. I'm left close to speechless for commentary on this news. I know these are not the first parishes to join the "missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria led by Archbishop Peter J. Akinola," but, what would it take for the folks in the US to say, "Enough!" We can't do this."
UPDATE: Here's a new letter from Bishop O'Neill to the parishioners of Grace and St. Stephen's concerning the specific allegations against the Rev. Donald Armstrong III.
Hat tip to Dr. Primrose in the comments at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong.
Colorado's largest Episcopal church was left in chaos after leaders voted to leave the denomination and the bishop responded by dismissing the parish's leadership.
The controversy at Colorado Springs' Grace Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Parish is the latest to roil the Episcopal Church following the national denomination's acceptance of homosexuality.
....
But Bishop Robert O'Neill rejected the move, dismissing the local leaders and saying the Colorado Springs parish would remain part of the Episcopal Church.
"The fact is people may leave the Episcopal Church but parishes cannot," O'Neill said in a statement.
The church's longtime rector, the Rev. Donald Armstrong III, who was suspended for allegedly mishandling funds, said O'Neill no longer has jurisdiction over the parish.
....
The leaders of Grace and St. Stephen's voted to join the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria led by Archbishop Peter J. Akinola.
It's difficult for me to believe that members (or should I say former members?) of the Episcopal Church want to align themselves with Archbishop Akinola, knowing all that we know about his machinations in Nigeria and here in this country. I suppose that homosexuality and same-gender sex are the greatest sins and perhaps the only sins. I'm left close to speechless for commentary on this news. I know these are not the first parishes to join the "missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria led by Archbishop Peter J. Akinola," but, what would it take for the folks in the US to say, "Enough!" We can't do this."
UPDATE: Here's a new letter from Bishop O'Neill to the parishioners of Grace and St. Stephen's concerning the specific allegations against the Rev. Donald Armstrong III.
Hat tip to Dr. Primrose in the comments at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong.
From The Episcopal Diocese Of Louisiana
A Statement from Bishop Jenkins
Having returned to Louisiana from the meeting of the House of Bishops, and in light of the statements issued by the majority of the House, I would like to share with you the following brief statement in anticipation of a more expansive reflection to the people Louisiana at a later date:
As Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana I reaffirm my commitment to constituent membership in the Anglican Communion, and to working positively and cooperatively in communion with other members of the Episcopal Church and sister Churches within the global Anglican community.
Bishop Jenkins has previously made a similar statement. I await his "more expansive reflection". He speaks of his "commitment to constituent membership in the Anglican Communion" and "to working positively and cooperatively in communion with other members of the Episcopal Church and sister Churches within the global Anglican community."
Is there a difference in emphasis or meaning in "commitment" and "working positively and cooperatively"? I don't know. Parsing the bishop's words in this manner won't enlighten me further, but, nevertheless, I try.
I have not yet received an answer to my letter to Bishop Jenkins, dated March 5, 2007, in which I asked several questions of him.
Having returned to Louisiana from the meeting of the House of Bishops, and in light of the statements issued by the majority of the House, I would like to share with you the following brief statement in anticipation of a more expansive reflection to the people Louisiana at a later date:
As Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana I reaffirm my commitment to constituent membership in the Anglican Communion, and to working positively and cooperatively in communion with other members of the Episcopal Church and sister Churches within the global Anglican community.
Bishop Jenkins has previously made a similar statement. I await his "more expansive reflection". He speaks of his "commitment to constituent membership in the Anglican Communion" and "to working positively and cooperatively in communion with other members of the Episcopal Church and sister Churches within the global Anglican community."
Is there a difference in emphasis or meaning in "commitment" and "working positively and cooperatively"? I don't know. Parsing the bishop's words in this manner won't enlighten me further, but, nevertheless, I try.
I have not yet received an answer to my letter to Bishop Jenkins, dated March 5, 2007, in which I asked several questions of him.
Waiting For Rowan
In the event that readers here have missed Fr. Jakes parody, please check it out. I can't wait for the performance.
Monday, March 26, 2007
The Feast Of The Annunciation
The Annunciation by Simone Martini
Although many churches celebrated the feast yesterday, today is the feast day of the Annunciation, according to the Lectionary.
Either in a book or in a museum, I once saw a painting of the Annumciation in which Mary looked to be recoiling from the angel. She was kneeling with her hands in the air and leaning backwards, as though saying, "Oh, no!" This would seem to me to be the natural initial reaction of a young virgin girl to Gabriel's news. I have never been able to find a reproduction of that painting. I believe it was Flemish or Italian. Mary is on the right of the painting and the angel is hovering in the air to the left. Mary has on a blue dress.
The nearest I could come is the image above by Simone Martini.
From the Carmina Gadelica version of the "Hail Mary!":
HAIL TO THEE, MARY
Hail to thee, Mary, Mother !
Thou art full of loving grace,
The Lord God is always with thee,
Blessed art thou Mary among women,
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus,
Blessed art thou, Queen of grace;
Thou holy Mary, thou Mother of Jesus,
Plead for me a miserable sinner,
Now and at the hour of death,
Now and at the hour of death !
Thanks be to God that the young girl named Mary gave her, "Yes!", and thanks be to God for the glorious Magnificat:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Clinchers 1, 2, 3
Nina, at Dancing Through Doorways has this post on the debate taking place at Fr. Jake's between Dan (ToujoursDan) and Matt Kennedy. As I said to Nina, it's a good debate, and I learned from it.
In the comment box at Nina's blog, I ennumerated three clinchers (Can one have 3 clinchers? Perhaps not, but that's what I wrote.) which helped to turn my views about gay and lesbian sexuality completely around:
Clincher no. 1 (edited for clarity) for me in turning my views about gay and lesbian sexuality around was the near presence of gays and lesbians in partnered relationships whose lives bore much good fruit.
Clincher no. 2 was what Jesus said in the Gospels about gay and lesbian sex, which is exactly nothing.
Clincher no. 3 was that God declared his creation good. Would God create humans with sexual desires for members of their own sex and expect them never to fulfill those desires? I think not.
I'm sure that folks more knowledgeable than I could find holes in my arguments, but they worked for me, and all to the good. Thanks be to God.
Sometimes I wonder how I dare to do serious posts on such subjects, as I have no special learning in theology nor in exigesis of the Scriptures. When I speak of being a humble Episcopalian in the pew, some may see this as false humility, but I assure you that it is genuine.
I think of clichés that I could apply to my writing, such as, "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread:" or cautionary words, such as, "A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring...." both from from Alexander Pope's poem, An Essay on Criticism, which, by the way, is quite long but filled with memorable quotes.
How dare I lay my thoughts out for anyone to view? Is there a place in religious discussions for those with simple knowledge of the great spiritual truths and only a layperson's knowledge of the Bible? Is there a place for me to say, "This is how I see it. This is how I've thought it through."
I find myself often apologizing for my daring. There is much that I do not know, and I am always open to correction and to learning new things.
It's very likely that these questions are merely rhetorical, for I shall probably continue my musings for now. Take heart! Maybe not forever, for I may run out of things to say.
On the other hand, if someone I respected said, "Enough!" I should probably take that advice very seriously.
In the comment box at Nina's blog, I ennumerated three clinchers (Can one have 3 clinchers? Perhaps not, but that's what I wrote.) which helped to turn my views about gay and lesbian sexuality completely around:
Clincher no. 1 (edited for clarity) for me in turning my views about gay and lesbian sexuality around was the near presence of gays and lesbians in partnered relationships whose lives bore much good fruit.
Clincher no. 2 was what Jesus said in the Gospels about gay and lesbian sex, which is exactly nothing.
Clincher no. 3 was that God declared his creation good. Would God create humans with sexual desires for members of their own sex and expect them never to fulfill those desires? I think not.
I'm sure that folks more knowledgeable than I could find holes in my arguments, but they worked for me, and all to the good. Thanks be to God.
Sometimes I wonder how I dare to do serious posts on such subjects, as I have no special learning in theology nor in exigesis of the Scriptures. When I speak of being a humble Episcopalian in the pew, some may see this as false humility, but I assure you that it is genuine.
I think of clichés that I could apply to my writing, such as, "For fools rush in where angels fear to tread:" or cautionary words, such as, "A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring...." both from from Alexander Pope's poem, An Essay on Criticism, which, by the way, is quite long but filled with memorable quotes.
How dare I lay my thoughts out for anyone to view? Is there a place in religious discussions for those with simple knowledge of the great spiritual truths and only a layperson's knowledge of the Bible? Is there a place for me to say, "This is how I see it. This is how I've thought it through."
I find myself often apologizing for my daring. There is much that I do not know, and I am always open to correction and to learning new things.
It's very likely that these questions are merely rhetorical, for I shall probably continue my musings for now. Take heart! Maybe not forever, for I may run out of things to say.
On the other hand, if someone I respected said, "Enough!" I should probably take that advice very seriously.
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