Christmas Joy

“Good news is that I truly outdid myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after two days.

I had people come screaming up to my house. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents, as they almost had a wreck when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize that it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of the many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn’t take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.”

Thanks to Ann.

"Can Christianity Be Rescued From Christians?"

I know. You're busy. It's six and a half minutes long, but if you have not already seen the video, it's worth a view.

Thanks to John for sending me the link to Frank Schaeffer's website.

Whales

I remember when the whales had
wings, she said. Whatever happened? I
said. It got to be too noisy with all the
airplanes & other stuff, so they flew
into the ocean & never came back. Some
days, she added, I think about going too.


From StoryPeople

Lindy’s Wuxi Photo Journal

Below are the first set of pictures from the collection that Lindy sent me from her new home in China. They're wonderful, and I love her captions. I'll post a set from time to time when I'm not too lazy. I lost the captions to the pictures for a while, but then I found them again. I'm not good at arranging pictures artfully, so here they are all in a row.

About ten feet from my door the workmen were burning bamboo to heat this vat of tar. They are always very considerate of me, stopping work and lining the sidewalk until I pass. We say nee-how to one another and then laugh about it. They are very interested in what I wear, especially my watch. Not a bad way to start the day, though I can see that it will get old after just a bit.

This is the little path I take if I want to walk out to the main gate. Of course, I can have a car meet me at my apartment but it’s a nice walk. The grounds are well landscaped and I see lots of people on my way. You can see the gate house there in the distance, just to the right of the light pole.

The sky in Wuxi is not really that blue. I’ve helped it along. Usually the sky is white or light brown, reflecting the smog. Occasionally a little blue peeps through. At least that’s what I’ve been told. I am waiting.

This is the little store, located right here in the compound. It has only a few items but one of them is Diet Coke! The primary enterprise of the store is delivering water to the community. You may know that the water in China is contaminated by heavy metals and I imagine a few other things too. It’s OK for bathing and even tooth brushing. But, we all drink only bottled water or wine. Some people drink beer.

This is the little dog who lives at the store. In the previous photo he’s just outside the door. His guardians keep him clean, and I think he is well cared for, if often ignored. There are many dogs and cats in China. I would love to gather them up and take them to the vet and the groomer. Those are my middle-class western values. Not always appropriate here in China.

This is one of the security guards at Venice Gardens. It is his duty to protect us. He’s one of the nicer ones. Always smiles when calling me a car.

On A Boat

Sez Wade: "I thought this was good advice."

Sez I: "Yes."

Pearl Harbor - In Memoriam

"Battleship Row"

From the Naval Historical Center:

The 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was one of the great defining moments in history. A single carefully-planned and well-executed stroke removed the United States Navy's battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant.

World War I, or The Great War, was to be the war that ended all wars, but - Alas! - it was not to be. The twentieth century was full of bloody wars. Early in 21st century, we are once again at war on two fronts. When will we ever learn?

World War I

World War II

The Cold War (A good many near misses)

Korean War

Vietnam War

Desert Storm

War in Afghanistan

War in Iraq





Prayer For Those in the Armed Forces of Our Country

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 823)

Prayer for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

(Book of Common Prayer, p.815)

Photo by the U. S. Navy.

Please Pray For Ellie

Ann asks for prayers for her great niece Ellie, who is ill. She is only 15 years old and is very scared. Her diagnosis is, for now, uncertain.

To Clear The Air - A Sign From China

I recommend that you follow the directions to the letter - or else!

Thanks to Wade.

Even More On Bishop-Elect Morris Thompson

From the Times-Picayune:

Several delegates said Thompson made a strong impression with his pastoral skills, a special need in the storm-battered diocese of 55 congregations and about 18,000 members.

"He's a very gentle, deeply spiritual man. A kind man," said the Rev. Henry Hudson, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, who nominated Thompson. "His first instinct is always the pastoral word. He's a listener, and that's going to be very helpful."
....

At the Episcopal church's General Convention last summer, Thompson was with the majority of delegates who voted to declare partnered gay men and lesbians eligible for any ordained ministry. He also voted to direct church resources to preparing rites for same-sex unions.
....

"I believe the church is moving in a direction that is more inclusive when it comes to the issue of sexuality, and I think the church needs to support people who are gay," Thompson said in an interview Saturday.
....

What people in New Orleans should know about him, he said, "is that I'm passionate about ministry, about people having a relationship with Christ. And we all have a place at the table, no matter who we are."

That a candidate was elected who voted in favor of opening all ordained ministries to all the baptized and in favor preparing rites for same-sex unions is a milestone here in Louisiana. Those of you from other areas of the country may not fully realize the election as the break-through that it is.

It pains me to see that Morris Thompson is being trashed on the conservative websites, not only as a "revisionist", but as a "heretic", and that few on the progressive side even take note of the election of a fine man who will be an excellent addition to the House of Bishops.

And I know I said that I was moving on, but I changed my mind.

Where Are You?

Note to my progressive friends with blogs: The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana elected a bishop yesterday, but you seem to have missed the story. Now I know that not all my blog friends cover news stories, but those of you who do, where are you?

I rejoiced in the election of two women in the Diocese of Los Angeles who made several holes in the glass ceiling, and I posted the news here on my blog.

Was our election in Louisiana not controversial enough? Did you miss telling the story because we are way down south nearly in the Gulf of Mexico? Are we too French and not Anglican enough? Why? A bishop-elect is a bishop-elect, no matter that he's a straight white male. Are we not part of the Episcopal Church?

I'm disappointed and a little miffed that my progressive friends do not see our election as important enough to note. Would you like to know which blogs covered the story? The conservative bloggers are quite vocal about the new "revisionist" bishop-elect in Louisiana. I have the sense that we're perhaps not seen as a true part of the Episcopal Church. I have that left-out feeling.

And if you take note after my petty little rant, it will be like getting birthday and anniversary greetings only after you remind loved ones that they missed the event.

My thanks to John Chilton at The Lead for his article on the election and to my fellow Louisianian, Ormonde Plater for his posts. If others out there in progressive blogland covered our election, and I've left you out, I apologize in advance.

To all of you who stopped by in the comments to congratulate us and wish us well here in our remote little diocese in the Louisiana swamp and bayou lands, I say a big THANK YOU.

There. I had to get that off my chest. And now I shall move on to other matters.

Well THAT Didn't Take Long

Posted On : December 6, 2009 9:54 AM
ACNS:

The election of Mary Glasspool by the Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishop elect raises very serious questions not just for the Episcopal Church and its place in the Anglican Communion, but for the Communion as a whole.

The process of selection however is only part complete. The election has to be confirmed, or could be rejected, by diocesan bishops and diocesan standing committees. That decision will have very important implications.

The bishops of the Communion have collectively acknowledged that a period of gracious restraint in respect of actions which are contrary to the mind of the Communion is necessary if our bonds of mutual affection are to hold.

The archbishop CAN move swiftly, when he chooses.

And what about Uganda? It appears that the archbishop is still in gracious restraint mode regarding a condemnation of the pending draconian anti-gay bill that is under consideration.

H/T to Counterlight.

Second Sunday In Advent

Readings:

AM Psalm 148, 149, 150; PM Psalm 114, 115
Amos 6:1-14; 2 Thess. 1:5-12; Luke 1:57-68


Collect

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

(BCP, p. 211)


The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus Deus

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old,
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham,
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

(Luke 1: 68-79)

Photo from Nike Chillemi.

Addendum: Doorman-Priest has a lovely sermon for 2 Advent posted at his site. I haven't had a chance to read the sermon yet, because I must get ready for church, but I will, when I return home. I know that the sermon is lovely because Doorman-Priest cannot tell a lie.

More On Bishop-Elect Morris Thompson

The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana elected The Very Rev. Morris Thompson, as the 11th Bishop of Louisiana today at Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans. Thompson was one of six final candidates voted on by clergy and lay representatives from every congregation in the diocese. Thompson succeeds the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins who has served since 1997 and announced his retirement effective January 2010.

Thompson said, "I am honored and humbled to serve you as the 11th Bishop of Louisiana. Your rich tradition, your attention to the survival of your diocese, and the possibilities are what attracted me when I first read your profile. Under God's grace and with our shared ministry, I look forward to being among you as your pastor."

Rev. Thompson currently lives in Lexington, Kentucky with his wife, Rebecca. He serves as the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral. He and Rebecca have two children, Virginia and Trey.

Under the canons of the Episcopal Church (III.11.4) both a majority of bishops exercising jurisdiction and diocesan Standing Committees must consent to the election within 120 days of receiving notice. If sufficient consents are received, Thompson will be consecrated on May 8, 2010, at Christ Church Cathedral, with the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding.

Rev. Thompson is originally from Cleveland, Mississippi. He received his M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and attended University of the South and Lexington Theological Seminary.

Diocese Of Los Angeles Elects Two Women Bishops

From The Lead:

In a seven ballot election The Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool has been elected a suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles pending the required consents. The second woman elected bishop bishop in the diocese in as many days, she is also a partnered lesbian.

The Diocese of Los Angeles elected the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce suffragan bishop of the diocese in the first of two elections taking place in that diocese this weekend. Bruce is the first woman elected a bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles pending the required consents.

Two women, one in a partnered lesbian relationship. Excellent news! The Diocese of Los Angeles moves forward.

The Very Rev'd Morris Thompson Elected 11th Bishop Of The Episcopal Diocese Of Louisiana

His biography is here. (pdf file)

Final vote:

Clergy - 62

Laity - 73

Thanks be to God!

Fr. Thompson was my first choice. I am thrilled!