NOT "DANGEROUS" AFTER ALL

From the New York Times:

MADISON, Wis. — In a capital city overrun for much of the past week by union supporters, state employees and students — all objecting to the Republican governor’s plan to cut collective bargaining rights and benefits for public workers — a new element was introduced on Saturday: opposition to the opposition.

All around the Capitol square, tens of thousands of union supporters chanted, as they have for days: “Kill the bill! Kill the bill!” In one corner, a far smaller contingent of demonstrators, many of whom described themselves as Tea Party members, chanted: “Pass the bill! Pass the bill!”
....

Initially, lawmakers and others here seemed worried about how the events might play out, and scores of officers were on hand, along with barricades, temporary fences and even police snipers.

One legislator had deemed the scene “dangerous,” but police officials said there were no serious problems as the day went on. The obvious tensions seemed to be playing out with only an occasional exchange of angry words, hand gestures and spittle.

Union members are ready to make concessions, but they are not willing to give up their right to bargain on other issues. There you have it. The "dangerous" rabble demonstrated peacefully to the surprise and dismay of the anti-union people.

The pro-union crowd in Madison received support from fellow demonstrators in a far-away country.


H/T to Counterlight for the photo just above.

UPDATE: Oppose the Governor.

Support the Democratic Senators.

From Michael Moore.com:

Watch the video and read the statement from Kamal Abbas of Egypt's Centre for Trade Unions and Workers Services.

LINDA ARRIVED SAFELY HOME IN ZAMBIA - PLEASE PRAY FOR CRISTA

Thanks be to God and all those who helped Linda in her travels. This morning, I learned that she arrived safely home in Zambia. Linda is weak and tired and spends a good deal of her time resting. Please continue your prayers for Linda.


Please pray also for Crista Kessler. Crista and Liz Zivanov are off to Turkey for Crista to receive treatment for multiple health problems, scleroderma, vasculitis , and ankylosing spondylitis. Crista's story is here.

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our help in time of need: Visit and relieve your sick servants Linda and Crista for whom our prayers are offered. Look upon them with the eyes of your mercy; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the enemy; and give them patience in their sicknesses. In your good time, restore them to health, and enable them to lead the rest of their lives to your glory; and grant that they may dwell with you in life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MARK ASKS A QUESTION

Mark Harris at Preludium asks:

Is Julian Linnell an ACNA member on an Anglican Communion group?

The AC group is the Evangelism and Church Growth Initiative (ECGI).

Read Mark's entire post and the comments.

Paul Powers says in the comments:

He's on a list of clergy in Pittsburgh who have been released from licensed ministry in the Episcopal Church.

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/wp-content/uploads/file/2010DioConv/2010PreconventionPacket09162010v2.pdf

(go to page D-14).

I said in the comments to Mark's post:

On the one hand, I have the sense that someone or more than one in the ACO may be trying to sneak something by us in TEC that will be the first step in having parallel churches recognized as part of the AC here in the US.

On the other hand, I wonder if the folks in the ACO even know to which church the Rev Dr Linnell belongs.

Some might say, I'm a tad suspicious, and I would not quarrel with them.

UPDATE: Mark has more information at Preludium.

Following up on my earlier post in which I asked "Is Julian Linnell an ACNA member of an Anglican Communion group?" the answer appears to be "yes." Thanks to several readers who found additional information on this.

Read the rest.

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.