BISHOP KATHARINE VISITS THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF ALBANY

From John White at Openly Episcopal in Albany:

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church addressed a gathering of clergy and their spouses at the diocesan Spiritual Life Center on Friday, March 11. Bishop Love summarized the visit by observing “I’m sure some of you are thrilled that Bishop Katharine is here with us, and some of you are less than thrilled.” Dr. Christopher Brown, the preacher, turned to the Presiding Bishop and, looking over his glasses, reminded our visitor that “Many of us have sometimes disagreed with you. Even in print.”

The Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori rose above such a lukewarm welcome by inviting the congregation, our diocese, and the wider Church into a deeper conversation. The word comes from Latin, she reminded us, a combination of con and verso, meaning a turning or a reconsideration. In AD 1300 the word meant “to spend time with,” or to be a member of the same community with another person. “That is what we are about as leaders of the Church, to build community where others come to know the image of God in us. Conversation is what we are meant to be.” Our job as Christians is “to foster a holier conversation” and then to take that conversation out into the world.

Read the rest of John's account at his blog.

In my mind, I transfer the scene to my house. As I greet a guest who has been invited to a gathering in my home, I turn to the others present and say, “I’m sure some of you are thrilled that So-and-So is here with us, and some of you are less than thrilled.” Is there any way that I can view my greeting as gracious and welcoming? I think not. Simple courtesy is always in order when greeting an invited guest.

UPDATE: Perhaps my analogy of Bishop Katharine's visit to the Episcopal Diocese of Albany to a gathering in my home was not entirely apt, because Bishop Katharine's was an official visitation to the diocese, which is a mandate in her role as Presiding Bishop. Still, is courtesy ever out of order?

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY FOR FOR THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

From the New York Times:

Japan faced mounting humanitarian and nuclear emergencies Sunday as the death toll climbed astronomically, partial meltdowns occurred at two crippled plants and cooling problems struck four more reactors. Military units and civilian search-and-rescue teams continued their grim and grinding work in the aftermath of the massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the nation’s northern Pacific coast Friday.

In one town alone, the port of Minamisanriku, a senior police official said the number of dead would “certainly be more than 10,000.” That number is certain to climb as searchers began to reach coastal villages that had essentially vanished under the first muddy surge of the tsunami. The government ordered 100,000 troops into relief roles in the field — nearly half the country’s active military force and the largest mobilization in postwar Japan. An American naval strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan also arrived off Japan on Sunday to help with refueling, supply and rescue duties.

Help if you can: Episcopal Relief and Development.

Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus: Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish, comfort those who mourn, strengthen those who are weary, encourage those in despair, and lead us all to fullness of life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
-- On the Occasion of a Disaster, Holy Women, Holy Men, p. 733

PRE-ST PATRICK'S DAY HUMOR

O'Malley was leaving his favourite bar when he was run over by a bus. He gets to the gates of heaven and St. Peter tells him he cannot enter unless he passes a test. What choice did he have? O'Malley agrees to try as he never was the brightest bulb in the box.

St. Peter decides to go easy on him, 'What has 5 fingers and is made of black leather?' he asks. O'Malley scratches his head, thinks hard and finally gives up. 'It's a glove,' says St. Peter.

Let's try again. 'What has 10 fingers and is made of black leather?' asks St. Peter. O'Malley is clearly stumped. After a few minutes of pacing in a circle and scratching his head, O'Malley gives up. 'Why it's 2 gloves - don't you see 10 fingers, black leather,' says St. Peter amazed. Being in a generous mood, St. Peter decides to give O'Malley yet another chance but thinking of an even easier question.

'Who is the patron Saint of Ireland?' asks St. Peter, thinking he can't miss this.

'It wouldn't be 3-gloves, would it?' says O'Malley.

From The Holiday Spot.

PLEASE PRAY FOR JOEL AND CRISTY

JOEL

From margaret at leave it lay where Jesus flang it:

Yesterday, when I got home from work, Joel was cleaning the kitchen, frantically... his face looked white-hot... He hasn't been real well. Wednesday, I think it was, he fell on the sidewalk outside the house and was unable to get up. He has had extreme weakness, and has not felt well...

So, of course, I yelled at him to stop cleaning the damn kitchen.

He turned and said that he needed to clean --to get ready...

Ready for what? I ask as I leaned against the kitchen wall thinking --oh-oh... here it comes....

The doctor called back --when I told him everything, he didn't give me a choice --I am going in to the hospital for ten days for plasmapheresis. I have to get everything ready for you....

Plasmapheresis --kinda like dialysis, scrub the blood... for ten days....

Ohhhhhh.... my poor beloved....

Pray for Margaret, too, that God may give her strength, courage, and the peace that passes understanding to keep her mind and heart in Christ Jesus as she cares for Joel.

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

CRISTY

Cristy and Liz are in Istanbul, Turkey, as Cristy awaits transplantation of her own bone marrow/stem cells with the hope of stopping the progression of the three auto-immune diseases from which she suffers - scleroderma, vasculitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

From Liz at From Here to Istanbul:

After two very painful days of stem cell harvesting, Cristy now gets some down time before being admitted to the transplant unit next Monday for her three-week isolation period.

According to the doctor, on Monday [March 14] a port will be inserted in her jugular vein and on Tuesday the actual transplanting will begin. She’ll be receiving a chemo treatment – Endoxan – and an anti-rejection drug -- Antithymocyte Globulin – in the first few days to increase the potential for her body to accept the newly transplanted cells. Because the cells are her own, there is a much better chance that her body will accept them than if they had come from a donor. Then there will be a period of about 10-14 days for engraftment, to make sure the stem cells are integrating into her body the way they’re supposed to.

You may read Cristy's story at One of Our Own.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant Cristy in her suffering, and bless the means made use of for her cure. Fill her heart with confidence that, though at times she may be afraid, she yet may put her trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

MEET SAFFIE

From Erika:

Yes, that's our Saffie. She's 16 weeks old now, 1/4 Jack Russel, 1/4 Patterdale and 1/2 Border Terrier.

Saffie is the newest member of Erika's family. Isn't she the most adorabalest puppy you've ever seen?

BLESSINGS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ANN!

As the search continues for a full-time priest to replace the retired Paul Barthelemy at St. Catherine Episcopal in Manzanita, the church had to look no further than its own backyard to find an interim vicar.

Ann Fontaine, who lives in Cannon Beach and attends St. Catherine regularly, was named to fill the post effective Feb. 13. Fontaine is no stranger to the north Oregon coast it turns out.

From the North Coast Citizen. What you see is what you get, because to read further, you need a subscription. But anyone who regularly visits the Episcopal Café, where Ann a contributer, or this blog already knows Ann. She's pictured above with her husband.

UPDATE ON AILEEN

From Mike:

Aileen is "standing" up on the tilt table. Well, okay, she's strapped in but still, her blood pressure didn't drop and that's awesome. We just got this awesome rehab plan written up, and it's so cool that they integrate family into the plan for her. The boys are coming up to visit, GEEZ I cannot wait to see them and for Aileen to see her boys too!!!!

Thanks be to God and to all who help care for Aileen.

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servant Aileen, and give your power of healing to those who minister to her needs, that she may be strengthened in her weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

"THE WIDOW WAITS FOR JUSTICE"

The Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent.” For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” ’ And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?’ (Luke 18:1-8)

An exhibit titled The Word & Example at the Episcopal Café's Episcopal Church Visual Arts website includes Tobias Haller's painting above, along with other wonderful art works which are well worth viewing.

About "The Widow Waits For Justice":

The model is African-American actor Ruth Attaway. I photographed her, as Mary Magdalen, in Owen Dodson's "The Confession Stone" for which I was lighting designer.

Lighting designer? Tobias wears another hat? Mercy me! His collection of hats must be huge.

Image used with Tobias Haller's permission.

FROM A FRIEND FROM LONG AGO...

...who no longer knows me very well.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably been totally weeded out by now. (My emphasis)

Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States ... Then remember what Jeremiah said: 'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what your Church does for all other religions. Be proud that you're a Catholic."

Please pass this on to every Catholic on your e-mail list.

The church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds all right, but the following statements in bold print are nothing more than propaganda. Just 2 days ago, I posted on the story from Philadelphia of 21 wayward priests who had not been weeded out until now. Who is responsible for their remaining in ministry if not the "Church", the one, true Roman Catholic Church? Tell me. Who?

PRAY FOR THE PEOPLE IN JAPAN

From the New York Times"

An earthquake of 8.9. magnitude struck off the coast of Japan on Friday, the strongest ever recorded in the country. The quake churned up a devastating tsunami that swept over cities and farmland in the northern part of the country and threatened coastal areas throughout the Pacific and as far away the west coast of the United States and South America.Fragmentary early reports of the toll indicate that hundreds of people have been killed. Japanese police officials told the Associated Press that 200 to 300 bodies were found in Sendai, a port city in the northeastern part of the country and the closest main city to the epicenter.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks prayer in response to natural disaster.

Adon ha-olamim, Sovereign of the universe,

We join our prayers to the prayers of others throughout the world, for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami which this week has brought destruction and disaster to many lives.

Almighty God, we pray You, send healing to the injured, comfort to the bereaved, and news to those who sit and wait. May You be with those who even now are engaged in the work of rescue. May You send Your strength to those who are striving to heal the injured, give shelter to the homeless, and bring food and water to those in need. May You bless the work of their hands, and may they merit to save lives.

Almighty God, we recognise how small we are, and how powerless in the face of nature when its full power is unleashed. Therefore, open our hearts in prayer and our hands in generosity, so that our words may bring comfort and our gifts bring aid. Be with us now and with all humanity as we strive to mend what has been injured and rebuild what has been destroyed.

Ken Yehi Ratzon, ve-nomar Amen.
May it be Your will, and let us say Amen.

From Beliefnet.