SUMMER'S ON THE WAY

Summer's almost here ...

We can now see the deer moving around in our back yard!

This may be a repeat, but I like it, so here we go again.

Don't blame me. Blame Doug.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OLGA AND THOSE WHO LOVE HER

Olga is the sister-in-law of our friend Fran, sister to Fran's husband, Mark, aunt to Mark's daughter, Erica. Olga is gravely ill. Fran writes:

I write this post from Wilson UHS Hospital in Johnson City, NY. My sister-in-law, Olga Szpylczyn (Mark's sister) is asleep in the bed a few feet away from me. At her side I can see various containers that collect bodily fluids. At least one of them, connected to a tube that goes into her chest, is not pretty. The changing texture and color of that bag makes me want to scream. If I could scream, I would simply repeat the words, "Stupid effing cancer, I hate you and your ugly magic."
----------------

One of my tasks is to find a home for Skittles, Olga's Jack Russell Terrier. Skittles is 8 and very cute, but she is also a Jack Russell Terrier. Read: She is highly energetic. In the good days, she had Olga out and walking, getting regular exercise. When Olga had her first bout with the stupid cancer in 2009, she wanted Skittles to go. I persuaded her otherwise and she was later grateful. That dog helped fuel a recovery.

Now I know that persuasion has no point. If you live within 3 hours of Albany or Binghamton and you even remotely think that you know someone who would consider this dog, it would be a mercy that is much required.
----------------

It is an awesome and terrible thing to be asked to hold someone's hand, literally and figuratively. It is actually the greatest privilege in life if you ask me, albeit a painful, painful privilege.

Olga and I have had a challenging relationship. We are both very strong willed and opinionated. I'd like to think that over time we wore each other down in the best ways, with our sharp edges getting softer and rounder, like sea glass after a good pounding in the surf.

So to have her ask me to undertake this role is a true gift. I pray that I carry out her wishes accordingly and that I am here to hold her hand and either talk or remain silent, as needed.

Read the rest of Fran's post at There Will Be Bread.

For Olga:

May God the Father bless her, God the Son heal her, God the Holy Spirit give her strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard her body, save her soul, and bring her safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

For Mark, Fran, Erica, and all who love Olga and care for her:

Sanctify, O Lord, those who love Olga and all whom you have called to the care for her. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries, Olga may be comforted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LOOK WHAT I FOUND

From the archives of the New York Times. Click on the text for the larger view.

In the comments to my earlier post on the picture below of Roman Catholic Cardinal Raymond Burke presiding at the ordination of deacons, we discussed the gloves that the cardinal wears. I thought perhaps there was a special ecclesiastical name for the gloves, but they are simply ecclesiastical gloves, though a fascinating accessory, surely.

I'd like to know the date of the archived response to the query in the New York Times.



Of course, the questions about the cardinal's gloves are hardly of earth-shaking importance, but I was intrigued by them and wanted to know more about the ecclesiastical accessories.

STORY OF THE DAY - POWER SUIT

I have a really great power
suit she said, but I never
wear it because no one
talks to me on those days.

Alas! I don't own a power suit.

From StoryPeople.

PLEASE PRAY FOR DAVE

From Dave (aka Arkansas Hillbilly):

June,

I haven't talked about this much because I don't like being a burden, but I have been out of work since last June. I recently applied for a job as a transplant coordinator for a major retailer, and have made it to the final round of the hiring process. I really want this particular job, as it's right up my alley skills wise, so if you and your friends in the blogverse could pray that I either get this job or that a suitable one for me comes along I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Arkansas Hillbilly

Dave, posting prayer requests is no burden at all. The ministry found me, as I had no intention of having a prayer blog when I started out, but I now look upon posting prayer requests as an important ministry.

Heavenly Father, we remember before you those who suffer want and anxiety from lack of work, especially our brother Dave. Guide the people of this land so to use our public and private wealth that all may find suitable and fulfilling employment, and receive just payment for their labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Remember our family and friends listed below, who also search for employment.

Alison

David@Montreal

JCF

JimB

Jonathan

Kathy

Penny

DISSONANCE OF THE DAY

This [Lambeth] Commission recommends, therefore, and urges the primates to consider, the adoption by the churches of the Communion of a common Anglican Covenant which would make explicit and forceful the loyalty and bonds of affection which govern the relationships between the churches of the Communion. (Windsor Report, 118)

Dr Caroline Hall's essays, to which I linked in an earlier post, reminded me of the nonsensical words in the Windsor Report (the report, which somehow became a set of rules that must be obeyed), making explicit and forceful the bonds of affection. Who wrote the words? Who proofread the words and permitted them to stand? I'd guess more than a few people approved the words, and the report was sent out to the member churches of the Anglican Communion. Did no one note the silliness? A picture forms in my mind of a large number of people being forced into a group hug.

The reality is that the bonds of affection are either present, or they are not. Bonds of affection cannot be coerced by threats of consequences. The covenant cannot and will not force the members of the various churches of the communion to love one another.

PLEASE PRAY FOR KIRSTIN

From Kirstin at Barefoot and Laughing:

I had an MRI last night. Oncologist called me this morning.

They're small, and not causing edema or shifting of brain contents. But, I have them. They may be responsible for the transitory numbness I've had.

The next step is a radiation oncologist, probably next week. I asked my oncologist how effective that would be. He said it would shrink them, or make them stop growing, or make them go away. There's no telling whether they'd come back.

I'll be more reflective later. Had to get this out there.

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant Kirstin the help of your power, that her sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

UPDATE: Two later posts from Kirstin are here and here.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - CAROLINE HALL ON THE ANGLICAN COVENANT

The Reverend Dr. Caroline Hall is priest-in-charge of St. Benedict's Church in Los Osos, California. She is a former member of the Integrity Board of Directors where her portfolio included international affairs. She is a frequent contributor to Walking With Integrity.

The Anglican Covenant - Part 1; Where did it come from?

The Anglican Covenant - Part 2; What's in it?

The Anglican Covenant - Part 3; Who wants it?

The Anglican Covenant - Part 4; Who's against it?

Part 1, especially, caught my attention because I, and I suspect others, was under the impression that the covenant had its earliest roots in the Windsor Report which came out in 2004.

Dr Hall says:

In fact, the concept of an Anglican Covenant was first suggested in the Dallas Statement in 1997. This was the statement from a conference attended by 45 conservative bishops and 4 conservative archbishops from 16 nations to develop an anti-gay strategy for the 1998 Lambeth Conference.

Hmmm. I wasn't paying attention back then.

Do read all of the essays.

H/T to Lionel Deimel at the No Anglican Covenant Blog.

STORY OF THE DAY

You have to not care either way about it,
she told me, & when you wake up in the
middle of the night with anxiety attacks,
it's best to lie & say it's because you
thought you heard something
downstairs

From StoryPeople.

INSTRUMENTS OF COMMUNION - A CLARIFICATION

Fred, at Off-Topic Allowed, offers a superb clarification of the Instruments of Communion. He even includes pictures.