In the comments to the post on the lavish Christmas pageant at First Baptist in Ft. Lauderdale,
Paul said...
Ah, Mimi, you mean you've never had the "pleasure" of going with relatives to a church that looks like a school auditorium to witness a "living Christmas tree"?
Actually, although I have never seen a "living Christmas tree" pageant in an auditorium-type church setting, I have seen more than one Christmas pageant in an Assembly of God church, which looked like a school auditorium. It has a massive sound system installed on a platform in the rear of the church. Perhaps the style of the building we worship in really shouldn't matter that much, but I have a bias against auditorium-type churches. Mea culpa.
Two of my grandchildren attended the nursery school run by the church, simply because it was one of the best in town. The workers were kind and loving, and the church paid their employees well beyond minimum wage and gave them raises, so they were able to keep good people when they hired them. From ages two to five, the children were taught Bible stories, but not much indoctrination beyond that.
Of course, the obligatory sheet about the dangers of Halloween was sent to the parents, but beyond that I saw nothing objectionable that would affect the children adversely. My granddaughter learned to read at the age of three at the nursery school. The pastor of the church lived a few houses down from us at one time, and he seemed to be a sensible man within the constraints of serving as a pastor in an Assembly of God church.
My granddaughter was two years old for the very first Christmas pageant we attended there. I don't remember what she was supposed to be, but she was dressed in a fur-trimmed costume with hat. Maybe she was a lamb. After the two year olds were on the stage, my granddaughter promptly took off her hat and lay down on the floor on her side, propped on her elbow, to enjoy the proceedings. Someone finally got her up, and once she was standing she began plucking the fur off her costume and throwing it in the air where it floated, and the other children began to try to catch the floating fur. It was a sight to behold as the main characters in the pageant tried to carry on with acting their roles. My now ex-daughter-in-law was mortified and scowling, but the rest of us were doubled over with laughter.
My grandson, who is now seven went to that nursery school until he was five, and we attended several more Christmas pageants there, but never one that was as much fun as the first.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
"Commercialization of Christmas?"
Photo and story from ABC News:
First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale Spent More Than $1 Million on Its Pageant
"We're having to compete against many theatrical things around the country, whether it's MTV or the Rockettes or any show you might see on Broadway," said the Rev. Mike Jefferies of the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale. "We have made a conscious decision to pull out all the stops."
....
"I really believe it is such a great story. I'm sure we couldn't actually compete with what really happened 2,000 years ago," he said on "Good Morning America Weekend Edition" today.
The Rev. Mike's humility is astounding. What makes him think he can't compete with the story of the God Incarnate? What would Jesus say about the spectacle? The Rev. Mike thinks he has the answer.
Thanks to the Weird Rabbit for the link.
Faint Condemnation?
From an article at Digital 50 on the decision of the Diocese of San Joaquin to withdraw from the Episcopal Church:
Bishop Frank Lyons of Bolivia read a statement from Archbishop Gregory Venables [of the Southern Cone], "Welcome Home. And welcome back into full fellowship in the Anglican Communion."
And then there's this posted by Ann Fontaine at the Episcopal Cafe from an email from The Rev. Canon Dr. James M. Rosenthal, Anglican Communion Office:
"Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has not in any way endorsed the actions of the Primate of the Southern Cone, Bishop Gregory Venables, in his welcoming of dioceses, such as San Joaquin in the Episcopal Church, to become part of his province in South America," a spokesman for the Anglican Communion said.
Where's the stern rebuke from the Archbishop of Canterbury? You've heard of faint praise, I'm sure. Can we call this faint condemnation? Is it condemnation at all? Is it mere disassociation?
Further thoughts from Mark Harris at Preludium.
UPDATE: Go read Fr. Jake on Ruth Gledhill's "reporting" for the Times of London.
Bishop Frank Lyons of Bolivia read a statement from Archbishop Gregory Venables [of the Southern Cone], "Welcome Home. And welcome back into full fellowship in the Anglican Communion."
And then there's this posted by Ann Fontaine at the Episcopal Cafe from an email from The Rev. Canon Dr. James M. Rosenthal, Anglican Communion Office:
"Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has not in any way endorsed the actions of the Primate of the Southern Cone, Bishop Gregory Venables, in his welcoming of dioceses, such as San Joaquin in the Episcopal Church, to become part of his province in South America," a spokesman for the Anglican Communion said.
Where's the stern rebuke from the Archbishop of Canterbury? You've heard of faint praise, I'm sure. Can we call this faint condemnation? Is it condemnation at all? Is it mere disassociation?
Further thoughts from Mark Harris at Preludium.
UPDATE: Go read Fr. Jake on Ruth Gledhill's "reporting" for the Times of London.
Watch Out For The Scam, Guys
Many of you may know about the scam already, since it is part of a mass email warning campaign, but just in case you haven't, I offer it here:
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular **** ***** customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works:
Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another **** ***** store. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen September 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, & 24th 29th. Also October 1st, 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, three times last Saturday and very likely again this upcoming weekend. Just wanted to alert you to this Shopping scam.
Happy Holidays!
The mailing I received originated from the development officer of a Roman Catholic high school. I wonder if he used his work computer.
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular **** ***** customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works:
Two seriously good-looking 20-21 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look.
When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another **** ***** store. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen September 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, & 24th 29th. Also October 1st, 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 26th, 30th, three times last Saturday and very likely again this upcoming weekend. Just wanted to alert you to this Shopping scam.
Happy Holidays!
The mailing I received originated from the development officer of a Roman Catholic high school. I wonder if he used his work computer.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Lord Have Mercy!
From the Observer:
The rainy season is over and the Niger Delta is lush and humid. This southern edge of West Africa, where Nigeria's wealth pumps out of oil and gas fields to bypass millions of its poorest people, is a restless place. In the small delta state of Akwa Ibom, the tension and the poverty has delivered an opportunity for a new and terrible
phenomenon that is leading to the abuse and the murder of hundreds, perhaps
thousands, of children. And it is being done in the name of Christianity.
....
But an exploitative situation has now grown into something much more sinister as preachers are turning their attentions to children - naming them as witches. In a maddened state of terror, parents and whole villages turn on the child. They are burnt, poisoned, slashed, chained to trees, buried alive or simply beaten and chased off into the bush.
Sam Ikpe-Itauma is one of the few who does not believe the stories of the children being witches. He began taking in the abandoned, abused children and now has 131. The children are packed onto a concrete hut, three to a bed. The stories that the children tell are horrifying. I can tell you that I could hardly read to the end of the article.
In some areas every fourth building is a church, so competition among the "pastors" is fierce. The names on the churches are New Testament Assembly, Church of God Mission, Mount Zion Gospel, Glory of God, Brotherhood of the Cross, Redeemed, Apostalistic. The "pastors" get most of their income from "deliverances". Even if the parents abandon or even kill the child who is thought to be a witch, the "pastors" must do a "deliverance" on them because a spell has been cast. The exercise sometimes costs three or four months salary for the family. The first "deliverance" is not guaranteed to work, and a second may be required.
Ikpe-Itauma says that children disappear, but no one turns in reports.
There is a video at the site, but I could not finish watching.
By the end of the story, Sam Ikpe-Itauma has 133 children living in the hut, with the addition of five year old twin boys, whom their mother and their whole village have declared to be witches.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The rainy season is over and the Niger Delta is lush and humid. This southern edge of West Africa, where Nigeria's wealth pumps out of oil and gas fields to bypass millions of its poorest people, is a restless place. In the small delta state of Akwa Ibom, the tension and the poverty has delivered an opportunity for a new and terrible
phenomenon that is leading to the abuse and the murder of hundreds, perhaps
thousands, of children. And it is being done in the name of Christianity.
....
But an exploitative situation has now grown into something much more sinister as preachers are turning their attentions to children - naming them as witches. In a maddened state of terror, parents and whole villages turn on the child. They are burnt, poisoned, slashed, chained to trees, buried alive or simply beaten and chased off into the bush.
Sam Ikpe-Itauma is one of the few who does not believe the stories of the children being witches. He began taking in the abandoned, abused children and now has 131. The children are packed onto a concrete hut, three to a bed. The stories that the children tell are horrifying. I can tell you that I could hardly read to the end of the article.
In some areas every fourth building is a church, so competition among the "pastors" is fierce. The names on the churches are New Testament Assembly, Church of God Mission, Mount Zion Gospel, Glory of God, Brotherhood of the Cross, Redeemed, Apostalistic. The "pastors" get most of their income from "deliverances". Even if the parents abandon or even kill the child who is thought to be a witch, the "pastors" must do a "deliverance" on them because a spell has been cast. The exercise sometimes costs three or four months salary for the family. The first "deliverance" is not guaranteed to work, and a second may be required.
Ikpe-Itauma says that children disappear, but no one turns in reports.
There is a video at the site, but I could not finish watching.
By the end of the story, Sam Ikpe-Itauma has 133 children living in the hut, with the addition of five year old twin boys, whom their mother and their whole village have declared to be witches.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Helping The Faithful In San Joaquin
From Fr. Jake in the comments to his own post on the abandonment by the leadership in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin:
We've discussed this before; the idea of planting new congregations.
It would take some seed money to advertise, and a group of volunteers willing to put their full efforts into it.
Eucharists could be offered in living rooms, or even offices of those willing to host them.
Give me a bus, and 25 volunteers, and I'll do 50 Eucharists a week. Can't find a home to host them? Then give me a tent and a place to pitch it.
Now that would generate some press, eh?
It can be done, and we would be foolish not to give it a shot.
Jake | Homepage | 12.09.07 - 12:40 am | #
Bravo, Jake! That's the sort of spirit that I like to see, with concrete suggestions for ways to help. I think this is a great idea, and it would bear powerful witness that we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ, ready to reach out to those in need.
UPDATE: Here's a link to the website of Remain Episcopal in San Joaquin.
We've discussed this before; the idea of planting new congregations.
It would take some seed money to advertise, and a group of volunteers willing to put their full efforts into it.
Eucharists could be offered in living rooms, or even offices of those willing to host them.
Give me a bus, and 25 volunteers, and I'll do 50 Eucharists a week. Can't find a home to host them? Then give me a tent and a place to pitch it.
Now that would generate some press, eh?
It can be done, and we would be foolish not to give it a shot.
Jake | Homepage | 12.09.07 - 12:40 am | #
Bravo, Jake! That's the sort of spirit that I like to see, with concrete suggestions for ways to help. I think this is a great idea, and it would bear powerful witness that we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ, ready to reach out to those in need.
UPDATE: Here's a link to the website of Remain Episcopal in San Joaquin.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
City Of God
Illustration shamelessly stolen from Paul.
The Christmas appeal for the Anglican Church of Christ the King in the City of God in Rio de Janeiro continues. The City of God is amongst the poorest and most violent slums in Rio. Our friend Luiz Coelho, a candidate for the Anglican priesthood, worked for nearly a year with the children of the City of God. As of yesterday the amount of $3954.11 has been collected in 9 days.
To find out how to donate and to read more about the project go here.
We are taught that God loves each of us infinitely, but I cannot help but believe (probably heretically) that the destitute and the poor amongst us are more precious in the sight of God than those of us who possess more of the world's goods. God is surely present with those who live in the City of God slum.
Felicidades Pablito!
Paul (aka Pablito) at Byzigenous Buddhapalian tells us:
Seventeen years ago today in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, the Rt Rev William E Swing ordained me to the sacred order of priests. I give thanks for that grace and tremble at that responsibility. One thing I recall from that day was being utterly at peace amid the momentousness of it.
It's a little late to congratulate him, but not too late, and it's most certainly not too late to have a look at his lovely post and pictures.
Seventeen years ago today in Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, the Rt Rev William E Swing ordained me to the sacred order of priests. I give thanks for that grace and tremble at that responsibility. One thing I recall from that day was being utterly at peace amid the momentousness of it.
It's a little late to congratulate him, but not too late, and it's most certainly not too late to have a look at his lovely post and pictures.
Pray For The Faithful In San Joaquin
From Fr. Jake, who is watching the San Joaquin diocesan convention via video stream:
As of 2:42 pm EST on December 8, 2007, the bishop and clergy of the diocese of San Joaquin are no longer members of the Episcopal Church.
Pray for wisdom in the response of Presiding Bishop Katharine and the leadership in TEC. Pray that they move quickly to care for the faithful remnant of the flock in San Joaquin.
Pray for those who depart to the Southern Cone.
Lord, have mercy.
UPDATE: I love that the courageous priests who remained faithful numbered twelve. May God bless them and keep them. May God bless and keep the faithful remnant amongst the laity. May God's peace that passes understanding keep their minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.
As of 2:42 pm EST on December 8, 2007, the bishop and clergy of the diocese of San Joaquin are no longer members of the Episcopal Church.
Pray for wisdom in the response of Presiding Bishop Katharine and the leadership in TEC. Pray that they move quickly to care for the faithful remnant of the flock in San Joaquin.
Pray for those who depart to the Southern Cone.
Lord, have mercy.
UPDATE: I love that the courageous priests who remained faithful numbered twelve. May God bless them and keep them. May God bless and keep the faithful remnant amongst the laity. May God's peace that passes understanding keep their minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.
Advent - A Time Of Darkness
Father Jake reflects on his recent quiet day for clergy in this post. In it, he speaks of the search for intimacy with God, and says:
When we talk about this longing for intimacy, it is essential that we include the shadow side of this longing. Intimacy includes ambivalence, fear, resistance and avoidance. If we become vulnerable enough to allow another to love us, and for us to return that love, we may get hurt. We may be rejected. We're not sure we can deal with that, especially if the one spurning us is the living God.
....
The point being that even for clergy, it is sometimes a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. And, if we are not careful, it is so easy to slip into the habit of avoiding God. We're much too busy running a non-profit organization, right?
In the comments, I said this:
IMHO, it is always a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. On the other hand, we must not lose hold of the truth that the living God loves us infinitely, without reservation, no matter what.
From the daily office today is this passage from Amos:
The Day of the Lord a Dark Day
Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:18-24
Christianity is not for the faint-hearted. The way laid out by the prophets and in the Gospel is not a smooth and easy road. Jesus' way goes against nearly everything that our culture pushes us toward. We walk against the wind the greater part of the time. Indeed, it's the way of the cross. The babe who's appearance we await was born to take the way of the cross. If we have any concept of this idea, then Advent is, indeed, a dark time.
But, thanks be to God, the babe incarnate broke through and came into the world to be one of us, to save us, to light the way to the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom which is right now, but not yet, the Kingdom in which "justice roll[s] down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream".
I don't know about you, but I need salvation every single day of my life, simply for my survival.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25
When we talk about this longing for intimacy, it is essential that we include the shadow side of this longing. Intimacy includes ambivalence, fear, resistance and avoidance. If we become vulnerable enough to allow another to love us, and for us to return that love, we may get hurt. We may be rejected. We're not sure we can deal with that, especially if the one spurning us is the living God.
....
The point being that even for clergy, it is sometimes a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. And, if we are not careful, it is so easy to slip into the habit of avoiding God. We're much too busy running a non-profit organization, right?
In the comments, I said this:
IMHO, it is always a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. On the other hand, we must not lose hold of the truth that the living God loves us infinitely, without reservation, no matter what.
From the daily office today is this passage from Amos:
The Day of the Lord a Dark Day
Alas for you who desire the day of the Lord!
Why do you want the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, not light;
as if someone fled from a lion,
and was met by a bear;
or went into the house and rested a hand against the wall,
and was bitten by a snake.
Is not the day of the Lord darkness, not light,
and gloom with no brightness in it?
I hate, I despise your festivals,
and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt-offerings and grain-offerings,
I will not accept them;
and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals
I will not look upon.
Take away from me the noise of your songs;
I will not listen to the melody of your harps.
But let justice roll down like waters,
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
Amos 5:18-24
Christianity is not for the faint-hearted. The way laid out by the prophets and in the Gospel is not a smooth and easy road. Jesus' way goes against nearly everything that our culture pushes us toward. We walk against the wind the greater part of the time. Indeed, it's the way of the cross. The babe who's appearance we await was born to take the way of the cross. If we have any concept of this idea, then Advent is, indeed, a dark time.
But, thanks be to God, the babe incarnate broke through and came into the world to be one of us, to save us, to light the way to the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom which is right now, but not yet, the Kingdom in which "justice roll[s] down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream".
I don't know about you, but I need salvation every single day of my life, simply for my survival.
Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and for ever. Amen.
Jude 24-25
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