This is a year when both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union address occur in the same week.
And as it has been pointed out, "It is an ironic juxtaposition of events: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication, while the other involves a groundhog."
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Johnieb Has A Blog!
Our virtual and real life friend (we met in New York) and long time commenter, Johnieb, has BEGUN TO BLOG! He's a little crazy, but aren't we all? He has a lovely story about participating in a civil-rights march organized by Martin Luther King. Please check in over at Here Still Running and read it. In person, Johnieb is absolutely charming and brilliant. He's originally from the South, you know.
Graces from "Barefoot And Laughing"
Kirstin at Barefoot And Laughing has a lovely post on her work in New Orleans doing interviews for the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
I’m doing research for EDOLA staff who’s writing a book, one aspect of which is graces in the storm. There have been so many graces in my own life, here. I’ve been given so many unexpected gifts: all at some cost, but which have grown me in ways I won’t understand for a long time.
God bless Kirstin. She even counts among the graces the fact that we gave her whiplash.
Mimi’s been amazing; she checks in with me pretty much daily, to see how I am. I’m just thankful that neither of them were hurt. 2 ½ months of neurological weirdness, I can handle. They’re both older; I’ll heal much faster than they would.
I'll tell you who's been amazing. Kirstin has been amazingly kind and generous. She's a living saint.
Please do read the rest of her very fine post. And pray for quick healing of her injury.
I’m doing research for EDOLA staff who’s writing a book, one aspect of which is graces in the storm. There have been so many graces in my own life, here. I’ve been given so many unexpected gifts: all at some cost, but which have grown me in ways I won’t understand for a long time.
God bless Kirstin. She even counts among the graces the fact that we gave her whiplash.
Mimi’s been amazing; she checks in with me pretty much daily, to see how I am. I’m just thankful that neither of them were hurt. 2 ½ months of neurological weirdness, I can handle. They’re both older; I’ll heal much faster than they would.
I'll tell you who's been amazing. Kirstin has been amazingly kind and generous. She's a living saint.
Please do read the rest of her very fine post. And pray for quick healing of her injury.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Planning For Lambeth 2008
From the Guardian.
The 2008 Lambeth Conference officially opened today. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams announced that approximately 70% of the bishops of the Anglican Communion have accepted their invitations to the Lambeth Conference and that others have said that they plan to attend. According to the Guardian, much of the conversation at the meeting centered on homosexuality.
With all the dreadful problems facing us in our world today, it is amazing to me that homosexuality was the main topic of the conversation - truly amazing. War, famine, disease, global warming, all yield place to homosexuality.
Bishop Gene Robinson of the Diocese of New Hampshire, who is openly gay and partnered, has not, so far, been invited to Lambeth.
When asked if he had decided whether Robinson would attend, Williams replied: "Gene Robinson has not been invited to the Lambeth Conference and it is proving extremely difficult to see under what heading he might be invited to be around, and that is where we are.
My suggestion is that he be invited around as the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. I'd ask Archbishop Williams the reason for his exclusion!
Episcopal spouses will be well cared for under the direction of Jane Williams, wife of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Margaret Sentamu, wife of the Archbishop of York. They are promised more than "jam and Jerusalem, more tea vicar, or mitre-making and flower arranging".
Oh, well, that's all right, then.
In Memoriam - Martin Luther King
An excerpt from Martin Luther King's acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964:
I accept this award today with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind. I refuse to accept despair as the final response to the ambiguities of history. I refuse to accept the idea that the "isness" of man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal "oughtness" that forever confronts him.
I refuse to accept the idea that man is mere flotsom and jetsom in the river of life unable to influence the unfolding events which surround him. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality.
I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.
I believe that even amid today's motor bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men.
I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land.
"And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid."
I still believe that we shall overcome.
And so must we believe. He has given us example.
Note: Time edited to keep the post at the top of the page.
Exercise Suggestion For "Older Adults"
From my brother-in-law:
An excellent exercise for "older adults" like me:
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5 lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day, you'll find that you can hold that position for just a bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to l0 lb. potato sacks. Then try 50 lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a l00 lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.
(I'm at this level) After you feel confident at this level, put a potato in each of the sacks.
An excellent exercise for "older adults" like me:
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a 5 lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax. Each day, you'll find that you can hold that position for just a bit longer.
After a couple of weeks, move up to l0 lb. potato sacks. Then try 50 lb potato sacks and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a l00 lb potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.
(I'm at this level) After you feel confident at this level, put a potato in each of the sacks.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
They Prayed Together In The Diocese Of Albany
From the Times Union:
ALBANY -- They prayed together. They recited the Nicene Creed together. They sipped from the same chalice.
On Saturday, the top lay official in the liberal-leaning U.S. Episcopal Church joined conservative Albany Bishop William Love in the first public forum of its kind since Love's consecration.
Bonnie Anderson, president of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies, challenged the more than 200 people gathered at St. Andrew's in Albany to come up with a model for the national church of how believers of different views can communicate.
....
"We talk about the struggles of the church, and we seem to think that it all has to do with sex," Love said during his sermon. "That's only a symptom of something much deeper. That issue much deeper is God's word. How is it to be understood? How is it to be interpreted? How is it to be lived out?"
Some speakers told the bishop they felt shut out of diocesan events and publications. Some criticized links to conservative religious Internet sites on the diocesan Web page. One said he wasn't comfortable being referred to as a "sodomite" or "heretic" on a Web site recommended by the diocese.
Love said he could check the policy regarding links. He also suggested that if the speaker found the material offensive, "Don't read it."
That drew loud disapproval from the audience and, later in the session, an apology from Love.
....
In interviews at St. Andrew's Saturday, though, people on both sides of the ideological divide gave the bishop credit for showing up. A lot of credit.
"This is true Anglicanism, where you come together even with a divergence of views," said David Kennison, senior warden at St. George's Church in Schenectady and a former Albany Via Media board member.
The Rev. Peter Schofield, a conservative from Christ Church in Schenectady, said he feels Albany Via Media has been "very disruptive in the diocese." But he, too, praised Saturday's service.
"If we did worship together a lot more often than we do, I think we'd have a lot less problems," he said. "We're all one in Jesus."
What website recommended by the diocese would refer to a person as a "sodomite" or a "heretic"?
Here's the link to the Diocese of Albany's website. Could it be one of the blog sites? Here's a quote from one of the blogs recommended by the diocese:
Stand Firm is obviously the site referenced in the article below. I cannot imagine Bishop Love bowing to the demands of the crowd regarding links to this site. Given that Episcopal Cafe, a site run out of the Diocese of Washington DC links to vile places like Mad Priest, it is difficult to maintain the argument that Stand Firm represents anything more "offensive" than a viewpoint with which the small group of dissenters in Albany disagree.
Thanks be to God that the folks in the Diocese of Albany, including Bishop Love, prayed together and shared the Eucharist at the table of the Lord.
ALBANY -- They prayed together. They recited the Nicene Creed together. They sipped from the same chalice.
On Saturday, the top lay official in the liberal-leaning U.S. Episcopal Church joined conservative Albany Bishop William Love in the first public forum of its kind since Love's consecration.
Bonnie Anderson, president of the Episcopal Church's House of Deputies, challenged the more than 200 people gathered at St. Andrew's in Albany to come up with a model for the national church of how believers of different views can communicate.
....
"We talk about the struggles of the church, and we seem to think that it all has to do with sex," Love said during his sermon. "That's only a symptom of something much deeper. That issue much deeper is God's word. How is it to be understood? How is it to be interpreted? How is it to be lived out?"
Some speakers told the bishop they felt shut out of diocesan events and publications. Some criticized links to conservative religious Internet sites on the diocesan Web page. One said he wasn't comfortable being referred to as a "sodomite" or "heretic" on a Web site recommended by the diocese.
Love said he could check the policy regarding links. He also suggested that if the speaker found the material offensive, "Don't read it."
That drew loud disapproval from the audience and, later in the session, an apology from Love.
....
In interviews at St. Andrew's Saturday, though, people on both sides of the ideological divide gave the bishop credit for showing up. A lot of credit.
"This is true Anglicanism, where you come together even with a divergence of views," said David Kennison, senior warden at St. George's Church in Schenectady and a former Albany Via Media board member.
The Rev. Peter Schofield, a conservative from Christ Church in Schenectady, said he feels Albany Via Media has been "very disruptive in the diocese." But he, too, praised Saturday's service.
"If we did worship together a lot more often than we do, I think we'd have a lot less problems," he said. "We're all one in Jesus."
What website recommended by the diocese would refer to a person as a "sodomite" or a "heretic"?
Here's the link to the Diocese of Albany's website. Could it be one of the blog sites? Here's a quote from one of the blogs recommended by the diocese:
Stand Firm is obviously the site referenced in the article below. I cannot imagine Bishop Love bowing to the demands of the crowd regarding links to this site. Given that Episcopal Cafe, a site run out of the Diocese of Washington DC links to vile places like Mad Priest, it is difficult to maintain the argument that Stand Firm represents anything more "offensive" than a viewpoint with which the small group of dissenters in Albany disagree.
Thanks be to God that the folks in the Diocese of Albany, including Bishop Love, prayed together and shared the Eucharist at the table of the Lord.
Obama Sermon In Atlanta
Excerpt from Barack Obama's sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, the church where Martin Luther King, Jr. ministered:
Unity is the great need of the hour – the great need of this hour. Not because it sounds pleasant or because it makes us feel good, but because it’s the only way we can overcome the essential deficit that exists in this country.
I’m not talking about a budget deficit. I’m not talking about a trade deficit. I’m not talking about a deficit of good ideas or new plans.
I’m talking about a moral deficit. I’m talking about an empathy deficit. I’m taking about an inability to recognize ourselves in one another; to understand that we are our brother’s keeper; we are our sister’s keeper; that, in the words of Dr. King, we are all tied together in a single garment of destiny.
....
For most of this country’s history, we in the African American community have been at the receiving end of man’s inhumanity to man. And all of us understand intimately the insidious role that race still sometimes plays – on the job, in the schools, in our health care system and in our criminal justice system.
And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King’s vision of a beloved community.
We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them. The scourge of anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community. For too long, some of us have seen immigrants as competitors for jobs instead of companions in the fight for opportunity.
....
Brothers and sisters, we cannot walk alone.
In the struggle for peace and justice, we cannot walk alone.
In the struggle for opportunity and equality, we cannot walk alone
In the struggle to heal this nation and repair this world, we cannot walk alone.
So I ask you to walk with me, and march with me, and join your voice with mine, and together we will sing the song that tears down the walls that divide us, and lift up an America that is truly indivisible, with liberty, and justice, for all. May God bless the memory of the great pastor of this church, and may God bless the United States of America.
Whomever you're rooting for as the candidate for president, can we agree that this is a damned good speech?
From Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish, where you can read the whole sermon.
Thanks to IT in the comments at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong for calling the sermon to my attention.
Unity is the great need of the hour – the great need of this hour. Not because it sounds pleasant or because it makes us feel good, but because it’s the only way we can overcome the essential deficit that exists in this country.
I’m not talking about a budget deficit. I’m not talking about a trade deficit. I’m not talking about a deficit of good ideas or new plans.
I’m talking about a moral deficit. I’m talking about an empathy deficit. I’m taking about an inability to recognize ourselves in one another; to understand that we are our brother’s keeper; we are our sister’s keeper; that, in the words of Dr. King, we are all tied together in a single garment of destiny.
....
For most of this country’s history, we in the African American community have been at the receiving end of man’s inhumanity to man. And all of us understand intimately the insidious role that race still sometimes plays – on the job, in the schools, in our health care system and in our criminal justice system.
And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we’re honest with ourselves, we’ll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King’s vision of a beloved community.
We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them. The scourge of anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community. For too long, some of us have seen immigrants as competitors for jobs instead of companions in the fight for opportunity.
....
Brothers and sisters, we cannot walk alone.
In the struggle for peace and justice, we cannot walk alone.
In the struggle for opportunity and equality, we cannot walk alone
In the struggle to heal this nation and repair this world, we cannot walk alone.
So I ask you to walk with me, and march with me, and join your voice with mine, and together we will sing the song that tears down the walls that divide us, and lift up an America that is truly indivisible, with liberty, and justice, for all. May God bless the memory of the great pastor of this church, and may God bless the United States of America.
Whomever you're rooting for as the candidate for president, can we agree that this is a damned good speech?
From Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish, where you can read the whole sermon.
Thanks to IT in the comments at Of Course, I Could Be Wrong for calling the sermon to my attention.
Thought For The Day, Two - Not Mine
It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Thought For The Day
Sometimes it is an act of courage to get out of bed in the morning. Sometimes it is an act of courage to put one foot in front of another.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Feast Day Of Wulfstan, Bishop Of Worcester
From James Kiefer at the Lectionary:
When William the Norman conquered England in 1066, he replaced most of the native Anglo-Saxon bishops with clergy from his own Normandy. The most conspicuous exception was Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester (pronounced "Wooster"), who had been a supporter of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold, but who submitted to William after Harold's death, and became one of the King's most trusted advisors. He is best remembered for his opposition to the slave trade in western England.
Readings:
Psalm 146:4-9 or 84:7-12
Exodus 3:1-12
John 15:5-8,14-16
PRAYER
Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son led captivity captive and gave gifts to your people: Multiply among us faithful pastors, who, like thy holy bishop Wulfstan, will give courage to those who are oppressed and held in bondage; and bring us all, we pray, into the true freedom of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
From Psalm 146:
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
When William the Norman conquered England in 1066, he replaced most of the native Anglo-Saxon bishops with clergy from his own Normandy. The most conspicuous exception was Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester (pronounced "Wooster"), who had been a supporter of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold, but who submitted to William after Harold's death, and became one of the King's most trusted advisors. He is best remembered for his opposition to the slave trade in western England.
Readings:
Psalm 146:4-9 or 84:7-12
Exodus 3:1-12
John 15:5-8,14-16
PRAYER
Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son led captivity captive and gave gifts to your people: Multiply among us faithful pastors, who, like thy holy bishop Wulfstan, will give courage to those who are oppressed and held in bondage; and bring us all, we pray, into the true freedom of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
From Psalm 146:
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith for ever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the strangers;
he upholds the orphan and the widow,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
What's This?
 | My Fortune Cookie told me: Saturday very favorable for romance. Try a single person for a change. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune |
Should I? Should I dump Grandpère and seek out a single person instead? I want to know.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Because....
Because it's been a sh*tty two weeks due to happenings in the family, capped off by the car wreck, and because my daughter thinks that her parents should not be allowed out and about on their own in the city of New Orleans, she sent me the following email of unknown source:
To Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It 'In.'
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write 'For Smuggling Diamonds'.
7. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy.'
8. Don t use any punctuation.
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10 . Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat...use a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go.'
12. Sing Along At The Opera.
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme.
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream 'I Won!, I Won!'
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling, 'Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!'
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'
20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity......Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile.
It's Called Therapy
I'm doing better than emails. I'm posting it.
To Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over The Intercom. Don't Disguise Your Voice.
3. Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, Ask If They Want Fries with that.
4. Put Your Garbage Can On Your Desk And Label It 'In.'
5. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
6. In The Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write 'For Smuggling Diamonds'.
7. Finish All Your sentences with 'In Accordance With The Prophecy.'
8. Don t use any punctuation.
9. As Often As Possible, Skip Rather Than Walk.
10 . Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat...use a serious face.
11. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go.'
12. Sing Along At The Opera.
13. Go To A Poetry Recital And Ask Why The Poems Don't Rhyme.
14. Put Mosquito Netting Around Your Work Area And Play tropical Sounds All Day.
15. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're Not In The Mood.
16. Have Your Coworkers Address You By Your Wrestling Name, Rock Bottom.
17. When The Money Comes Out of The ATM, Scream 'I Won!, I Won!'
18. When Leaving The Zoo, Start Running Towards The Parking lot, Yelling, 'Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!'
19. Tell Your Children Over Dinner. 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'
20. And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity......Send This E-mail To Someone To Make Them Smile.
It's Called Therapy
I'm doing better than emails. I'm posting it.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Pray For Kirstin
I was going to wait until tomorrow to tell you about our drama at the end of our visit with Kirstin, who is the loveliest of ladies, so charming and smart and sweet. Grandpère and I had a most enjoyable lunch with her, and afterwards went to drive around the Garden District through the side streets off St. Charles Avenue, where there are many beautiful old houses. We came to a stop sign, and Grandpère stopped, but, unfortunately, he started up in the path of a taxi, which hit us in the rear wheel and spun us around. From the strength of the impact, I believe he must have been going fast, but he had the right of way, and GP did not.
I heard from Kirstin tonight, and she has a headache and back pain. She will seek medical attention tomorrow. In the meantime, please pray for her. GP and I are fine. We were able to drive the car home, but it is finished. I will be getting another car sooner than expected.
I regret so that our gathering ended as it did. Please pray for Kirstin.
I heard from Kirstin tonight, and she has a headache and back pain. She will seek medical attention tomorrow. In the meantime, please pray for her. GP and I are fine. We were able to drive the car home, but it is finished. I will be getting another car sooner than expected.
I regret so that our gathering ended as it did. Please pray for Kirstin.
"Walkin' To New Orleans"
Today I will be in New Orleans to meet Kirstin, pictured above, who is working on a project there. Her blog is Barefoot and Laughing. I am soooo looking forward to getting together with Kirstin.
It's time I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm walkin' to New Orleans
I'm going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin' to you
When I get back to New Orleans
I'm not really walkin', as Fats did, but I'm headin' there.
Feast Day Of Antony Of Egypt
A brief biography by James Kiefer is posted at the Lectionary. I'm heading out, but I wanted to post this quote:
His biography was written by Athanasius, who said of him: "Who ever met him grieving and failed to go away rejoicing?"
What a lovely way to be remembered!
Readings:
Psalm 91:9-16 or 1
1 Peter 5:6-10
Mark 10:17-21
PRAYER
O God, who by your Holy Spirit enabled your servant Antony to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil: Give us grace, with pure hearts and minds, to follow you, the only God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
I've taken the picture from Padre Mickey's Dance Party. As usual for the early saints, Padre Mickey has written a fine biography of Antony at his site.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Nearly 200,000 Homeless Veterans
An email from Paul Rieckhoff of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:
Dear June,
Last night, Bill O'Reilly raised an important topic on his television show: the plight of homeless veterans.
Unfortunately, he got the facts wrong.
O'Reilly: "They (homeless veterans) may be out there, but there's not many of them out there. Okay?...If you know where there is a veteran, sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately, and we will make sure that man does not do it."
Despite O'Reilly's doubts, the facts are irrefutable. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, almost 200,000 veterans sleep on our nation's streets each night. And Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are joining those ranks at an alarming rate.
Click here to sign an open letter to Bill O'Reilly, telling him that he needs to set the record straight as soon as possible. This issue is far too important to be swept under the rug. You can also learn more about the issue of homeless veterans, and find out what you can do to help.
As an IAVA Supporter, you're more familiar with this issue than most people. Sadly, many Americans still don't realize that veterans make up about one-third of the adult homeless population.
No matter how you feel about Bill O'Reilly, there's no denying the fact that he has a huge audience - an estimated 2.3 million people tune in each weekday night. So take a minute to urge Bill O'Reilly to correct his mistake. He has a great opportunity to help homeless veterans by bringing more attention to the issue, and you can urge him to be part of the solution.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Paul
It's easy.
UPDATE: See Mike in Texas for a link to a hilarious video which shows the performance of an oratorio, Mackris v. O’Reilly, a work by Igor Keller, with the libretto consisting of a verbatim transcript of of the phone call between O'Reilly and Andrea Makris, who brought a sexual harassment complaint against Bill O'Reilly in 2004. The libretto includes the falafel reference. Here's the link to further information on the oratorio.
Dear June,
Last night, Bill O'Reilly raised an important topic on his television show: the plight of homeless veterans.
Unfortunately, he got the facts wrong.
O'Reilly: "They (homeless veterans) may be out there, but there's not many of them out there. Okay?...If you know where there is a veteran, sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately, and we will make sure that man does not do it."
Despite O'Reilly's doubts, the facts are irrefutable. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, almost 200,000 veterans sleep on our nation's streets each night. And Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are joining those ranks at an alarming rate.
Click here to sign an open letter to Bill O'Reilly, telling him that he needs to set the record straight as soon as possible. This issue is far too important to be swept under the rug. You can also learn more about the issue of homeless veterans, and find out what you can do to help.
As an IAVA Supporter, you're more familiar with this issue than most people. Sadly, many Americans still don't realize that veterans make up about one-third of the adult homeless population.
No matter how you feel about Bill O'Reilly, there's no denying the fact that he has a huge audience - an estimated 2.3 million people tune in each weekday night. So take a minute to urge Bill O'Reilly to correct his mistake. He has a great opportunity to help homeless veterans by bringing more attention to the issue, and you can urge him to be part of the solution.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Paul
It's easy.
UPDATE: See Mike in Texas for a link to a hilarious video which shows the performance of an oratorio, Mackris v. O’Reilly, a work by Igor Keller, with the libretto consisting of a verbatim transcript of of the phone call between O'Reilly and Andrea Makris, who brought a sexual harassment complaint against Bill O'Reilly in 2004. The libretto includes the falafel reference. Here's the link to further information on the oratorio.
About Bishop Robert Duncan
From Episcopal News Service:
The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee has certified that Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of the church.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori informed Duncan on January 15 of the certification and sent him a copy.
Her letter told Duncan that she sought the canonically required permission from the House's three senior bishops with jurisdiction to inhibit him, based on the certification, from the performance of any episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts.
"On 11 January 2008 they informed me that such consents would not be given at this time by all three bishops," Jefferts Schori wrote.
Unlike Bp. Schofield of San Joaquin, he will be free to exercise his ministry in both spiritual and temporal affairs, because the three senior bishops did not vote to inhibit him. He will have a period of 60 days to recant, or to prove the charges against him false, or to renounce his orders.
What a sorry, sorry time for this church of ours. Bishop Duncan has been castigating the Episcopal church and threatening to leave for quite a long time. This action by Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori was entirely to be expected. No one should be surprised.
I offer prayers for all the members of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, those who want to remain and those who want to leave the Episcopal Church, hoping beyond hope that this situation may have a peaceful resolution.
The Episcopal Church's Title IV Review Committee has certified that Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop Robert Duncan has abandoned the communion of the church.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori informed Duncan on January 15 of the certification and sent him a copy.
Her letter told Duncan that she sought the canonically required permission from the House's three senior bishops with jurisdiction to inhibit him, based on the certification, from the performance of any episcopal, ministerial or canonical acts.
"On 11 January 2008 they informed me that such consents would not be given at this time by all three bishops," Jefferts Schori wrote.
Unlike Bp. Schofield of San Joaquin, he will be free to exercise his ministry in both spiritual and temporal affairs, because the three senior bishops did not vote to inhibit him. He will have a period of 60 days to recant, or to prove the charges against him false, or to renounce his orders.
What a sorry, sorry time for this church of ours. Bishop Duncan has been castigating the Episcopal church and threatening to leave for quite a long time. This action by Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori was entirely to be expected. No one should be surprised.
I offer prayers for all the members of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, those who want to remain and those who want to leave the Episcopal Church, hoping beyond hope that this situation may have a peaceful resolution.
The World Watches
From the Washington Post:
John Mbugua, 56, a taxi driver in Mombasa, Kenya, woke himself at 3 a.m. the day of the Iowa caucuses and flipped on CNN. He said he watched for hours, not understanding precisely what or where Iowa was but thrilled about the victory of Barack Obama, the first U.S. presidential contender with Kenyan roots.
John isn't the only observer from outside the US who is interested in the presidential election process here.
"It's a great spectacle, and people are avidly devouring it," said Jeremy O'Grady, editor in chief of the Week, a British magazine.
....
"Love it or loathe it, this is still a world dominated by one great power," he said. "Even if we can't influence the election, we want to see how it turns out."
I can't say that I find fault with their interest. With Bush, the loose canon, in office for the last seven years, with great military might behind him, I'd be watching, no matter where I lived.
But much of the enthusiasm comes from anticipation of President Bush's departure, according to several analysts. U.S. prestige and popularity in much of the world have sunk to historic lows since Bush took office, over such issues as the Iraq war and climate change.
Yes! Here, too! With many of my fellow citizens, I can't wait for him to be gone. He's at 29% approval ratings according to the CBS/New York Times poll. I freely admit that I picked the lowest number that I could find. Yay 29%!
From England, to Brussels, to Iceland, to South Africa, to China, and, I'm sure, many other countries, they are watching. People want to know.
Last, but most certainly, not least, come these words in the comments from my virtual friend, Themethatisme, from the North of England:
Blogger themethatisme said...
I must admit I am increasingly fascinated by this process on t'other side of the pond. I've never been to the USA, have never fancied going, I've only ever met one American that I would happily meet again, (and he's dead now so that's not imminent. But I'm following this election in a way I have never done before. It can only be OCICBW influence in my life....
He may sound a bit anti-American (Can you blame him?) and misanthropic, but he's not, actually. He's truly quite nice. He was kind enough to say that if he met me, he was sure that he would like me.
In his most recent post, he says this about the British press:
The press are the most unclean thing around this country, traducing thought and reason, into pitch battles for the purposes of making money.
Isn't that an apt description of the US press, also? I could not have said it half so well. Those good words should soften your American hearts towards him.
UPDATE: TheMe has answered my charges of anti-Americanism and misanthropy in a post at his blog site.
I remind everyone of the words on the right sidebar of my blog, "Wounded Bird, on occasion, indulges in irony." In truth, I love TheMe. His wife should worry. He's not at all misanthropic or anit-American.
John Mbugua, 56, a taxi driver in Mombasa, Kenya, woke himself at 3 a.m. the day of the Iowa caucuses and flipped on CNN. He said he watched for hours, not understanding precisely what or where Iowa was but thrilled about the victory of Barack Obama, the first U.S. presidential contender with Kenyan roots.
John isn't the only observer from outside the US who is interested in the presidential election process here.
"It's a great spectacle, and people are avidly devouring it," said Jeremy O'Grady, editor in chief of the Week, a British magazine.
....
"Love it or loathe it, this is still a world dominated by one great power," he said. "Even if we can't influence the election, we want to see how it turns out."
I can't say that I find fault with their interest. With Bush, the loose canon, in office for the last seven years, with great military might behind him, I'd be watching, no matter where I lived.
But much of the enthusiasm comes from anticipation of President Bush's departure, according to several analysts. U.S. prestige and popularity in much of the world have sunk to historic lows since Bush took office, over such issues as the Iraq war and climate change.
Yes! Here, too! With many of my fellow citizens, I can't wait for him to be gone. He's at 29% approval ratings according to the CBS/New York Times poll. I freely admit that I picked the lowest number that I could find. Yay 29%!
From England, to Brussels, to Iceland, to South Africa, to China, and, I'm sure, many other countries, they are watching. People want to know.
Last, but most certainly, not least, come these words in the comments from my virtual friend, Themethatisme, from the North of England:
Blogger themethatisme said...
I must admit I am increasingly fascinated by this process on t'other side of the pond. I've never been to the USA, have never fancied going, I've only ever met one American that I would happily meet again, (and he's dead now so that's not imminent. But I'm following this election in a way I have never done before. It can only be OCICBW influence in my life....
He may sound a bit anti-American (Can you blame him?) and misanthropic, but he's not, actually. He's truly quite nice. He was kind enough to say that if he met me, he was sure that he would like me.
In his most recent post, he says this about the British press:
The press are the most unclean thing around this country, traducing thought and reason, into pitch battles for the purposes of making money.
Isn't that an apt description of the US press, also? I could not have said it half so well. Those good words should soften your American hearts towards him.
UPDATE: TheMe has answered my charges of anti-Americanism and misanthropy in a post at his blog site.
I remind everyone of the words on the right sidebar of my blog, "Wounded Bird, on occasion, indulges in irony." In truth, I love TheMe. His wife should worry. He's not at all misanthropic or anit-American.
Chris Dodd Retiring?
Dear June -
No, I'm not retiring from the Senate - I'm working hard as ever, to restore the Constitution, stop that terrible FISA bill and put a Democrat in the White House.
But after our incredible journey campaigning for the Presidency, there is something that does need retiring: our debt.
My internet team tells me the campaign inbox was flooded with messages of thanks and inquiries about how you can continue to help now that the presidential campaign is over.
Dodd is right. We must put a Democrat in the White House. He took a brave stand in the Senate on the FISA bill, which must be stopped. The fight is not over. Rock on in the Senate, Chris.
No, I'm not retiring from the Senate - I'm working hard as ever, to restore the Constitution, stop that terrible FISA bill and put a Democrat in the White House.
But after our incredible journey campaigning for the Presidency, there is something that does need retiring: our debt.
My internet team tells me the campaign inbox was flooded with messages of thanks and inquiries about how you can continue to help now that the presidential campaign is over.
Dodd is right. We must put a Democrat in the White House. He took a brave stand in the Senate on the FISA bill, which must be stopped. The fight is not over. Rock on in the Senate, Chris.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Huckabee Wants Change In Constitution
From MSNBC:
"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
My bolding.
Plus, he will fence the entire border, extending nearly 2000 miles, between the US and Mexico within 18 months of taking office.
"[Some of my opponents] do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards," Huckabee said, referring to the need for a constitutional human life amendment and an amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
My bolding.
Plus, he will fence the entire border, extending nearly 2000 miles, between the US and Mexico within 18 months of taking office.
Bush Warns Iran
From the Washington Post:
Bush sought to address the Iranian people directly, saying: "You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will and to make itself accountable to you."
Change a few names and the president could have been addressing us here in the US, his own people. He does not listen to our wishes. He is at 34% approval rating. He does not respect us. He spies on us, and he is not allowing us to build better lives for our families. He denies opportunity to many, while helping to make the rich richer. His own policies and actions are the biggest threats to our peace and security. His maladministration operates in secrecy and does not make itself accountable to us. How can he speak about these things? What hypocrisy! It makes my blood boil when he lectures the leaders of other countries about freedom, when he has taken away the freedoms of his own citizens and made such a gigantic mess of things here at home.
Recently, I heard of one person who is self-employed, who had to drop his health insurance, because he could no longer afford it. Just today, I heard of another couple whose employer pays half their premium, but they will have to pay $200 more a month for the same insurance coverage, because premiums have risen. They soon won't be able to afford to pay even with help from their employer. Is that taking care of your own people, Mr. Bush? Give me a break from your lectures to other leaders! You have no moral standing to lecture anyone.
Bush's comments on Iran were part of a speech devoted to advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. It was the latest in a steady volley of attacks on the country in the past week that began even before he left for Jerusalem last Tuesday.
Let's hope that the Iranian leadership won't take you as an example of how a leader advances freedom and democracy, Mr. Bush. We'll be well rid of your leadership when your term ends in a year. I'm only sorry that we have to wait that long, allowing you to do further damage, before you fade into the sunset.
Bush is trying to persuade Arab countries to join U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, though many appear ambivalent about the administration's campaign following a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded Iran stopped a nuclear weapons program in 2003
According to Newsweek:
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate.
....
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast.
Bush's conclusions differ from those of his own intelligence agencies. On what evidence does he base his own differing conclusions? I'm sure that the views that he voiced are very much in line with what Olmert wants to hear, but where does Bush get his information to arrive at the different conslusions? Why did a "senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip" see fit to leak this bit of information? Does this official think that it's odd that Bush forms conclusions that differ from his own intelligence agencies? I know I do.
Bush sought to address the Iranian people directly, saying: "You have a right to live under a government that listens to your wishes, respects your talents and allows you to build better lives for your families. Unfortunately, your government denies you these opportunities and threatens the peace and stability of your neighbors. So we call on the regime in Tehran to heed your will and to make itself accountable to you."
Change a few names and the president could have been addressing us here in the US, his own people. He does not listen to our wishes. He is at 34% approval rating. He does not respect us. He spies on us, and he is not allowing us to build better lives for our families. He denies opportunity to many, while helping to make the rich richer. His own policies and actions are the biggest threats to our peace and security. His maladministration operates in secrecy and does not make itself accountable to us. How can he speak about these things? What hypocrisy! It makes my blood boil when he lectures the leaders of other countries about freedom, when he has taken away the freedoms of his own citizens and made such a gigantic mess of things here at home.
Recently, I heard of one person who is self-employed, who had to drop his health insurance, because he could no longer afford it. Just today, I heard of another couple whose employer pays half their premium, but they will have to pay $200 more a month for the same insurance coverage, because premiums have risen. They soon won't be able to afford to pay even with help from their employer. Is that taking care of your own people, Mr. Bush? Give me a break from your lectures to other leaders! You have no moral standing to lecture anyone.
Bush's comments on Iran were part of a speech devoted to advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in the Middle East. It was the latest in a steady volley of attacks on the country in the past week that began even before he left for Jerusalem last Tuesday.
Let's hope that the Iranian leadership won't take you as an example of how a leader advances freedom and democracy, Mr. Bush. We'll be well rid of your leadership when your term ends in a year. I'm only sorry that we have to wait that long, allowing you to do further damage, before you fade into the sunset.
Bush is trying to persuade Arab countries to join U.S. efforts to pressure Iran, though many appear ambivalent about the administration's campaign following a new U.S. intelligence report that concluded Iran stopped a nuclear weapons program in 2003
According to Newsweek:
In public, President Bush has been careful to reassure Israel and other allies that he still sees Iran as a threat, while not disavowing his administration's recent National Intelligence Estimate.
....
But in private conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last week, the president all but disowned the document, said a senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip to the Mideast.
Bush's conclusions differ from those of his own intelligence agencies. On what evidence does he base his own differing conclusions? I'm sure that the views that he voiced are very much in line with what Olmert wants to hear, but where does Bush get his information to arrive at the different conslusions? Why did a "senior administration official who accompanied Bush on his six-nation trip" see fit to leak this bit of information? Does this official think that it's odd that Bush forms conclusions that differ from his own intelligence agencies? I know I do.
Monday, January 14, 2008
What Kind Of Brain Have I?
You Are 45% Left Brained, 55% Right Brained |
 The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports. |
I do not prefer sports. There are probably few folks around who are less interested in sports.
I found the link for this at Paul's place.
Huckabee Chooses Jesus
From Andy Borowitz of the Borowitz Report via Doug.
In a bold move that could dramatically alter the playing field of the 2008 GOP presidential race, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee today named Jesus Christ as his vice presidential running mate.
Huckabee has made an increasing number of comments about his relationship with Jesus in recent debates and news media interviews, but few Republican insiders expected him to announce that he was anointing Christ as his vice presidential pick.
Go read the rest.
In a bold move that could dramatically alter the playing field of the 2008 GOP presidential race, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee today named Jesus Christ as his vice presidential running mate.
Huckabee has made an increasing number of comments about his relationship with Jesus in recent debates and news media interviews, but few Republican insiders expected him to announce that he was anointing Christ as his vice presidential pick.
Go read the rest.
Thank God For The School
Since I wrote this post about my attendance at the school mass at the Roman Catholic Church to which my grandchildren's school is attached, I have wanted to write about the school itself. As many of you know my son has been through a traumatic divorce, which affected him and his children greatly. They are still struggling, but they are holding their own. Thanks be to God.
The children's school staff have, in a remarkable way, demonstrated their caring support of the children through the crisis in their lives. I can hardly say enough of my admiration for the response of the school staff members. They have been loving, understanding, and accommodating throughout the whole of this trying period.
My son's loving care for his children and his decision to remain in the house, which they still think of as their home, along with the splendid response from their school, has helped greatly in whatever recovery they have been able to make. My grandson attends a support group at the school with other children of separated and divorced parents.
I thank God from the depths of my heart for their school and its teachers and the other staff members, who have lived out the Gospel of Jesus in their ministry to the children.
The children's school staff have, in a remarkable way, demonstrated their caring support of the children through the crisis in their lives. I can hardly say enough of my admiration for the response of the school staff members. They have been loving, understanding, and accommodating throughout the whole of this trying period.
My son's loving care for his children and his decision to remain in the house, which they still think of as their home, along with the splendid response from their school, has helped greatly in whatever recovery they have been able to make. My grandson attends a support group at the school with other children of separated and divorced parents.
I thank God from the depths of my heart for their school and its teachers and the other staff members, who have lived out the Gospel of Jesus in their ministry to the children.
From Dangerblond In The Season
And why not? I wonder if people elsewhere know that every child in New Orleans makes a miniature Mardi Gras float in kindergarten, and the class lines up all their floats for a little classroom parade. Some of us never really got past that stage.
Picture and quote from Dangerblond. Go see the rest of her tiny Jello parade floats. They are adorable.
It's not just New Orleans. Children all over south Louisiana make miniature Mardi Gras floats.
Picture and quote from Dangerblond. Go see the rest of her tiny Jello parade floats. They are adorable.
It's not just New Orleans. Children all over south Louisiana make miniature Mardi Gras floats.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Bishop John-David Schofield Inhibited
For a while now, I've been wanting to write about the drama coming out of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, California, but I put it off, because it seemed a daunting task, due to the long and convoluted nature of the story. Belatedly, here's my attempt.
Bishop Schofield, of the Diocese of San Joaquin, California, had been complaining for some time that the Episcopal Church had gone off the track, had lost its way, and that he was going to leave. In December 2007, according to the Episcopal Majority:
The people meeting in the diocesan convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin voted this month to leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate, instead, with the Province of the Southern Cone (which encompasses some far-flung parishes in southern and eastern South America). In the lead-up to this convention, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori warned then-Episcopal Bishop John-David Schofield that an affirmative vote would constitute an actionable breach from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.
In the next step, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, on December 17, 2007, requested that the Title IV Review Committee of the House of Bishops meet to consider whether Bishop Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church. The committee met and certified that Bp. Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church, following which Bishop Katharine, on January 11, 2008, inhibited Bp. Schofield from exercising his ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He will have two months to recant, and then the House of Bishops will meet to decide if Bp. Schofield has abandoned TEC. If they agree that he has, then he could be deposed and the see of the diocese declared vacant. The diocese will then reorganize under a new Standing Committee, and an interim bishop will be appointed to serve until such time as a search and the selection of a new bishop are complete.
The bishop and others who want to depart from the Episcopal Church believe that they can take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church, but the constitutions and canons of TEC (The Episcopal Church) do not permit a diocese or parish to remove themselves from the church. Anyone can leave TEC at any time, bishops, priests, the laity, but a diocese or parish may not leave. Those who leave may not take the property with them. The property does not belong to the members of the diocese or to the parishioners, but is held in trust for present and future members of the Episcopal Church.
What about Episcopalians in San Joaquin who wish to remain in TEC? They have organized as a group called Remain Episcopal and are receiving on-the-scene advice from representatives from the offices of the national church. They are also accepting donations at their website. During the difficult interim period, those who wish to remain part of TEC are under rather severe financial strain.
My prayers are with the faithful Episcopalians in San Joaquin and with those who have departed. I pray for an amicable settlement of the property issues, but I fear this will not be the case. That the Episcopal Church is not a congregational church, seems plain to me, but there will likely be litigation.
I'm relieved that some of those who have been threatening to leave have finally made the break, and that the faithful remaining in the Episcopal Church may, before long, start afresh with new leadership. Here in the South (and perhaps in other places) we have a saying, "Either sh*t, or get off the pot." That has been my thought for some time, now.
I regret the departure of those who want out of TEC, for the body is poorer in their absence. We need each other, and I believe that we could have continued to live and work together, but apparently they did not want to try, and the continuing threats to leave had become tiresome.
God knows there may be mistakes in this long post, and if there are, they are mine and are not the fault of my sources. I am no expert in any of the subjects under discussion here. I tried my best to be as accurate as possible. Writing the post has been a good exercise for me, because I have learned much in the process.
If you want more information than you find here, I'm listing several websites where you can get more information:
Fr. Jake Stops the World (on his right sidebar, information on the Diocese of San Joaquin is grouped together.
Episcopal Life
The Episcopal Majority
Bishop Schofield, of the Diocese of San Joaquin, California, had been complaining for some time that the Episcopal Church had gone off the track, had lost its way, and that he was going to leave. In December 2007, according to the Episcopal Majority:
The people meeting in the diocesan convention of the Diocese of San Joaquin voted this month to leave the Episcopal Church and affiliate, instead, with the Province of the Southern Cone (which encompasses some far-flung parishes in southern and eastern South America). In the lead-up to this convention, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori warned then-Episcopal Bishop John-David Schofield that an affirmative vote would constitute an actionable breach from the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin.
In the next step, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, on December 17, 2007, requested that the Title IV Review Committee of the House of Bishops meet to consider whether Bishop Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church. The committee met and certified that Bp. Schofield had abandoned the Episcopal Church, following which Bishop Katharine, on January 11, 2008, inhibited Bp. Schofield from exercising his ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He will have two months to recant, and then the House of Bishops will meet to decide if Bp. Schofield has abandoned TEC. If they agree that he has, then he could be deposed and the see of the diocese declared vacant. The diocese will then reorganize under a new Standing Committee, and an interim bishop will be appointed to serve until such time as a search and the selection of a new bishop are complete.
The bishop and others who want to depart from the Episcopal Church believe that they can take the diocese out of the Episcopal Church, but the constitutions and canons of TEC (The Episcopal Church) do not permit a diocese or parish to remove themselves from the church. Anyone can leave TEC at any time, bishops, priests, the laity, but a diocese or parish may not leave. Those who leave may not take the property with them. The property does not belong to the members of the diocese or to the parishioners, but is held in trust for present and future members of the Episcopal Church.
What about Episcopalians in San Joaquin who wish to remain in TEC? They have organized as a group called Remain Episcopal and are receiving on-the-scene advice from representatives from the offices of the national church. They are also accepting donations at their website. During the difficult interim period, those who wish to remain part of TEC are under rather severe financial strain.
My prayers are with the faithful Episcopalians in San Joaquin and with those who have departed. I pray for an amicable settlement of the property issues, but I fear this will not be the case. That the Episcopal Church is not a congregational church, seems plain to me, but there will likely be litigation.
I'm relieved that some of those who have been threatening to leave have finally made the break, and that the faithful remaining in the Episcopal Church may, before long, start afresh with new leadership. Here in the South (and perhaps in other places) we have a saying, "Either sh*t, or get off the pot." That has been my thought for some time, now.
I regret the departure of those who want out of TEC, for the body is poorer in their absence. We need each other, and I believe that we could have continued to live and work together, but apparently they did not want to try, and the continuing threats to leave had become tiresome.
God knows there may be mistakes in this long post, and if there are, they are mine and are not the fault of my sources. I am no expert in any of the subjects under discussion here. I tried my best to be as accurate as possible. Writing the post has been a good exercise for me, because I have learned much in the process.
If you want more information than you find here, I'm listing several websites where you can get more information:
Fr. Jake Stops the World (on his right sidebar, information on the Diocese of San Joaquin is grouped together.
Episcopal Life
The Episcopal Majority
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The Gospel According To Bush
Last Friday, I went to the school mass with my grandchildren. My granddaughter was a shepherd in an Epiphany pageant. She's movin' on up. Girls get to be shepherds now. Not that you could distinguish the sexes, with all the robes and drapery.
I believe I've spoken about the new Irish priest who is pastor of the church to which the school is connected. He loves Bush and praised him in the first sermon that I heard him preach. He is quite good with the children. He is enthusiastic and engages them by asking them questions. He asked for the names of the three wise men and called on the children who raised their hands. He said, "That's very good. But you don't need to remember that, because their names are not in the Bible."
He preached on Bush again, referring to his visit to the Middle East. He mentioned that on the very day, Friday, Bush was visiting the place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity. He said, (I'm not kidding) "Let's give him a round of applause." Clap, clap, clap, clap. He said, "He's going to the Middle East to make peace. Isn't that wonderful?" I would wish that to be true, but I'm not hopeful. I could not applaud. I prayed that he would be touched and transformed by the visit, and that was my best. I don't think I could ever applaud Bush.
In the comments to another post, Paul quoted Bush's words on Friday:
"'For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn't a more holy site than where our saviour was born,' Bush said as he came out of the church."
And then Paul said:
How the man (I use the term generously) dares to speak as though he practiced the Christian faith I do not know. It seems the irony of his visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes was quite lost on him as he thinks his presence in the Middle East is as a peacemaker. And I am the Queen or Rumania!
Bush seems, just now, seven years into his presidency, to be giving thought to his legacy. What will he leave behind? What has he accomplished? If he could bring about peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, that would be great, but better men have tried and not succeeded.
I don't know if it's just this priest, or if the Roman Catholic Church has become less strict about following the liturgy in the Missal, but he says the "Hail Mary" somewhere in the middle of mass, and after communion, he leads in saying three times:
"O sacrament most holy,
O sacrament divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment thine."
I know the words, because we used to sing them in my RCC schools.
I will very likely be going to mass there many more times, so I'd better get used to the preaching on Bush.
What would he say if he knew that I was an Episcopalian and that I went to communion?
I believe I've spoken about the new Irish priest who is pastor of the church to which the school is connected. He loves Bush and praised him in the first sermon that I heard him preach. He is quite good with the children. He is enthusiastic and engages them by asking them questions. He asked for the names of the three wise men and called on the children who raised their hands. He said, "That's very good. But you don't need to remember that, because their names are not in the Bible."
He preached on Bush again, referring to his visit to the Middle East. He mentioned that on the very day, Friday, Bush was visiting the place where Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity. He said, (I'm not kidding) "Let's give him a round of applause." Clap, clap, clap, clap. He said, "He's going to the Middle East to make peace. Isn't that wonderful?" I would wish that to be true, but I'm not hopeful. I could not applaud. I prayed that he would be touched and transformed by the visit, and that was my best. I don't think I could ever applaud Bush.
In the comments to another post, Paul quoted Bush's words on Friday:
"'For those of us who practise the Christian faith, there isn't a more holy site than where our saviour was born,' Bush said as he came out of the church."
And then Paul said:
How the man (I use the term generously) dares to speak as though he practiced the Christian faith I do not know. It seems the irony of his visit to the Mount of the Beatitudes was quite lost on him as he thinks his presence in the Middle East is as a peacemaker. And I am the Queen or Rumania!
Bush seems, just now, seven years into his presidency, to be giving thought to his legacy. What will he leave behind? What has he accomplished? If he could bring about peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, that would be great, but better men have tried and not succeeded.
I don't know if it's just this priest, or if the Roman Catholic Church has become less strict about following the liturgy in the Missal, but he says the "Hail Mary" somewhere in the middle of mass, and after communion, he leads in saying three times:
"O sacrament most holy,
O sacrament divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving
Be every moment thine."
I know the words, because we used to sing them in my RCC schools.
I will very likely be going to mass there many more times, so I'd better get used to the preaching on Bush.
What would he say if he knew that I was an Episcopalian and that I went to communion?
White Supremacists To March On MLK Day
According to the Associated Press via the Times-Picayune, a white supremacist group, the Nationalist Movement "want to protest a march held in September supporting the so-called Jena Six, a group of black teenagers charged in the beating of a white schoolmate". The earlier marches were in protest of what was viewed as overly harsh charges and sentences against the the black youths. The fight came about because of the hanging of two nooses in a tree in the schoolyard by white students, who were given only suspensions from school.
The mayor of Jena, Murphy McMillan, wanted the group to post a bond of $10,000 before the march, but a federal judge said that the bond requirement abridged the group's First Amendment rights. The white supremacist group will march on Martin Luther King Day. Like the Reverend Fred Phelps, the white supremacists appear to want to be as provocative as possible, while staying within the law.
The Nationalist Movement, a self-described "pro-majority" group from Learned, Miss., will hold what they call "Jena Justice Day to Empower the Majority" on Jan. 21, the day set aside to celebrate the birthday of the slain American civil rights leader.
I wonder if the group has chapters in Texas and California and, if so, how they self-describe in those states.
The mayor of Jena, Murphy McMillan, wanted the group to post a bond of $10,000 before the march, but a federal judge said that the bond requirement abridged the group's First Amendment rights. The white supremacist group will march on Martin Luther King Day. Like the Reverend Fred Phelps, the white supremacists appear to want to be as provocative as possible, while staying within the law.
The Nationalist Movement, a self-described "pro-majority" group from Learned, Miss., will hold what they call "Jena Justice Day to Empower the Majority" on Jan. 21, the day set aside to celebrate the birthday of the slain American civil rights leader.
I wonder if the group has chapters in Texas and California and, if so, how they self-describe in those states.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Dispatch From Kirstin In New Orleans
Kirstin has quite a moving post at Barefoot and Laughing on a day in her (temporary) life in New Orleans. The quote below is from her visit to St. Anna's Church for the Wednesday evening celebration of the Eucharist.
We went back up for healing, immediately after Communion. The last time I was here, I was a sobbing mess, in shock from lack of sleep and the ruin of the city, floored because people could suffer so much and still be beautiful. Yesterday, this experience was joyful. We were an arc of people stretching all the way across the altar, holding hands; it didn’t matter that many of us didn’t know each other. The musicians played "Were You There," which I thought was contrived for the occasion, but I lost myself in the music nonetheless. Bill went around and laid hands on each of us, prayed for us, anointed us. It wasn't the prayer I knew from school, but similar, and he varied it; he thanked God for my life and ministry. He wore a ring that held the chrism, which I didn't see until he was almost right next to me; I couldn't figure out what he was doing with his thumb on top of people's heads.
Please pay a her visit to read the whole thing. I am so absolutely grateful for all the folks who volunteer their help in New Orleans and who take the time to tell their stories.
We went back up for healing, immediately after Communion. The last time I was here, I was a sobbing mess, in shock from lack of sleep and the ruin of the city, floored because people could suffer so much and still be beautiful. Yesterday, this experience was joyful. We were an arc of people stretching all the way across the altar, holding hands; it didn’t matter that many of us didn’t know each other. The musicians played "Were You There," which I thought was contrived for the occasion, but I lost myself in the music nonetheless. Bill went around and laid hands on each of us, prayed for us, anointed us. It wasn't the prayer I knew from school, but similar, and he varied it; he thanked God for my life and ministry. He wore a ring that held the chrism, which I didn't see until he was almost right next to me; I couldn't figure out what he was doing with his thumb on top of people's heads.
Please pay a her visit to read the whole thing. I am so absolutely grateful for all the folks who volunteer their help in New Orleans and who take the time to tell their stories.
Tagged Again!
David tagged me.
- Link to the person that tagged you. (done)
- Post the rules on your blog. (done)
- Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (done)
- Tag six people and at the end of your post, link to their blogs. (done)
- Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. I want to have my pillow-top mattress and hot baths in heaven.
2. I bought a new energy-efficient washer last night, because my 23 year old washer died. It was delivered this morning, and it is now washing my towels.
3. Today, I am going to lunch with a friend at one of our five Chinese restaurants here in my town.
4. I am in grandmother overdrive now, having been to school and church activities involving my granddaughter twice this week.
5. I move slowly in the morning hours. (perhaps, not unimportant, but I gotta write something)
6. A habit. Let's see. Spending too much time on my computer. (perhaps, not unimportant, but as per above, I gotta write something)
I tag Rowan, (not sure about tagging dogs, but I'll do it) Paul, Fran, Dennis, Kirstin, and Jan.
My tagged friends, do this only if you really, really want to do it. Whatever.
- Link to the person that tagged you. (done)
- Post the rules on your blog. (done)
- Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (done)
- Tag six people and at the end of your post, link to their blogs. (done)
- Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
1. I want to have my pillow-top mattress and hot baths in heaven.
2. I bought a new energy-efficient washer last night, because my 23 year old washer died. It was delivered this morning, and it is now washing my towels.
3. Today, I am going to lunch with a friend at one of our five Chinese restaurants here in my town.
4. I am in grandmother overdrive now, having been to school and church activities involving my granddaughter twice this week.
5. I move slowly in the morning hours. (perhaps, not unimportant, but I gotta write something)
6. A habit. Let's see. Spending too much time on my computer. (perhaps, not unimportant, but as per above, I gotta write something)
I tag Rowan, (not sure about tagging dogs, but I'll do it) Paul, Fran, Dennis, Kirstin, and Jan.
My tagged friends, do this only if you really, really want to do it. Whatever.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Pearls From The President
During a press conference in Ramallah, our president drops these pearls of wisdom:
I said, nudge the process forward -- like, pressure; be a pain if I need to be a pain -- which in some people's mind isn't all that hard. And they said, well, like -- yesterday, somebody said, well, are you disappointed? I arrived and it nudged the process forward.
Just being there....
And to me, that's how you solve the issue in the long-term. And the definition of long-term, I don't know what it means. I'm not a timetable person -- actually, I am on a timetable -- got 12 months.
And can't we all raise a glass to that, all the while wishing the months were fewer than 12?
Thanks to Holden at First Draft for doing the hard work of separating the chaff from the really rotten chaff.
I said, nudge the process forward -- like, pressure; be a pain if I need to be a pain -- which in some people's mind isn't all that hard. And they said, well, like -- yesterday, somebody said, well, are you disappointed? I arrived and it nudged the process forward.
Just being there....
And to me, that's how you solve the issue in the long-term. And the definition of long-term, I don't know what it means. I'm not a timetable person -- actually, I am on a timetable -- got 12 months.
And can't we all raise a glass to that, all the while wishing the months were fewer than 12?
Thanks to Holden at First Draft for doing the hard work of separating the chaff from the really rotten chaff.
Feast Day Of William Laud
If you think the difficulties that we experience in the Anglican Church today are bad, go to the Lectionary and read James Kiefer's account of the "Surplice Wars". Of course, the wars were about much more than surplices. William Laud was the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Charles I, a violent period in English history. In the end, he was executed in the Tower, as Kiefer says, "...not because there was any evidence of his guilt, but because the House of Commons was determined that he should die."
Laud's prayer before the ax came down was, "The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy on me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them."
Amen.
Unfortunately, what followed his death was an "effusion of Christian blood among them".
Readings:
Psalm 73:24-29 or 16:5-11
Hebrews 12:5-7,11-14
Matthew 10:32-39
PRAYER:
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Thanks to Ann for the reminder that the church has endured far greater turmoil than we experience today and for the push to post about William Laud.
Laud's prayer before the ax came down was, "The Lord receive my soul, and have mercy on me, and bless this kingdom with peace and charity, that there may not be this effusion of Christian blood amongst them."
Amen.
Unfortunately, what followed his death was an "effusion of Christian blood among them".
Readings:
Psalm 73:24-29 or 16:5-11
Hebrews 12:5-7,11-14
Matthew 10:32-39
PRAYER:
Keep us, O Lord, constant in faith and zealous in witness, that, like your servant William Laud, we may live in your fear, die in your favor, and rest in your peace; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Thanks to Ann for the reminder that the church has endured far greater turmoil than we experience today and for the push to post about William Laud.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Adventures In Mimi-land
The good news is that my granddaughter was a finalist in the Geography Bee at her school. She had a fine cheering section, which included her dad, Grandpère and me, and a young friend of ours. The not so good news is that she was eliminated and did not win. Anyhow, it was good that she went to the finals.
The young friend that I mentioned who was with us came over earlier saying that his marriage of a couple of years was in trouble, and that his wife had taken off to her parents' house with his brand new Labrador puppy that he paid lots of dollars for. He said he thought he had caused many of the problems in the marriage and wanted to go to confession - not to me - but then he pretty much did. He believes she'll come back. I hope so.
He's interested in the Episcopal Church and asked if our priest would hear his confession. I said yes, and I hope that was the correct answer. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and attended Catholic schools. His wife is/was a Methodist, and he thought they might want to attend the Episcopal Church. I told him that quite few Catholic/Methodist and Catholic/Baptist couples end up in the Episcopal Church.
Evangelist that I am, I carry around calling/business cards for my church, so I was able to give him one and suggest that he give the priest a call. He was a church-goer until he went to medical school, but he had then fallen away. I suggested it might be a good idea if they began to attend church somewhere, if his wife returns. He took us to see their new house, which is lovely. I hope that these two young people can work things out. Pray for them.
This is destined to be an all-around personal post. My son and his ex-wife meet on Friday to try to agree on a property settlement. Pray that they may come to an agreement and that the settlement will be right and just. Thank you.
Thanks to Eileen for the idea for the title of the post.
UPDATE: I stayed with my grandchildren tonight, because their dad worked late, and I helped my grandson with his homework. He has ADHD, and by nighttime his medication wears off, making it a challenge just to get him into the chair with the books in front of him. Then, he is easily distracted from his work, but he is so funny in his distractions that I find myself laughing at him and further encouraging him in distractions.
He was to write his spelling words twice, but he found a page in his notebook where he had already written the same words three times, so he proceeded to erase the third word in each set. I said, "No. Your teacher wants you to write them again to help you learn the words. She's going to see that you erased them." He said, "No, I've done it before. She doesn't see it." I said "That's cheating." He was not going to write them again without a fight, so I let it go. Let his dad deal with it - or not.
The young friend that I mentioned who was with us came over earlier saying that his marriage of a couple of years was in trouble, and that his wife had taken off to her parents' house with his brand new Labrador puppy that he paid lots of dollars for. He said he thought he had caused many of the problems in the marriage and wanted to go to confession - not to me - but then he pretty much did. He believes she'll come back. I hope so.
He's interested in the Episcopal Church and asked if our priest would hear his confession. I said yes, and I hope that was the correct answer. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and attended Catholic schools. His wife is/was a Methodist, and he thought they might want to attend the Episcopal Church. I told him that quite few Catholic/Methodist and Catholic/Baptist couples end up in the Episcopal Church.
Evangelist that I am, I carry around calling/business cards for my church, so I was able to give him one and suggest that he give the priest a call. He was a church-goer until he went to medical school, but he had then fallen away. I suggested it might be a good idea if they began to attend church somewhere, if his wife returns. He took us to see their new house, which is lovely. I hope that these two young people can work things out. Pray for them.
This is destined to be an all-around personal post. My son and his ex-wife meet on Friday to try to agree on a property settlement. Pray that they may come to an agreement and that the settlement will be right and just. Thank you.
Thanks to Eileen for the idea for the title of the post.
UPDATE: I stayed with my grandchildren tonight, because their dad worked late, and I helped my grandson with his homework. He has ADHD, and by nighttime his medication wears off, making it a challenge just to get him into the chair with the books in front of him. Then, he is easily distracted from his work, but he is so funny in his distractions that I find myself laughing at him and further encouraging him in distractions.
He was to write his spelling words twice, but he found a page in his notebook where he had already written the same words three times, so he proceeded to erase the third word in each set. I said, "No. Your teacher wants you to write them again to help you learn the words. She's going to see that you erased them." He said, "No, I've done it before. She doesn't see it." I said "That's cheating." He was not going to write them again without a fight, so I let it go. Let his dad deal with it - or not.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Feast Day Of Harriet Bedell - Deaconess
Harriet Bedell spent her working life in the Episcopl Church ministering to Native Americans in Oklahoma, Alaska, and Florida. Ormonde at Through the Dust has a splendid biographical post on Harriet, who was truly an amazing woman. The Lectionary website has a biography from The Florida Memory Project.
I love these final words from "The Florida Memory Project" biography:
Bedell emphasized health and education rather than religious conversion in her work with the Seminoles; their spiritual and physical comfort was more important to her than religious conversion, and her work and friendship with the Seminoles of Florida reflected those values.
It appears that Harriet was adept at the practice of liberation theology. By her emphasis on meeting the needs of the people she ministered to first, before preaching to them, she reflected the light of Christ Jesus.
Of her work with the Cheyennes in Oklahoma, Ormonde says:
She threw herself into her work and gradually gained the love and trust of her people. She was adopted into the tribe and given the name of Vicsehia, which means Bird Woman, because she sang, hummed, and whistled constantly while she worked.
Lovely. I'm pleased to note that I am a bird woman, too, but not nearly as accomplished as Harriet in doing the work of God.
Readings:
Psalm 96:1-7
Romans 16:1-2
Matthew 5:1-12
PRAYER
Holy God, you chose your faithful servant Harriet Bedell to exercise the ministry of deaconess and to be a missionary among indigenous peoples: Fill us with compassion and respect for all people, and empower us for the work of ministry throughout the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I love these final words from "The Florida Memory Project" biography:
Bedell emphasized health and education rather than religious conversion in her work with the Seminoles; their spiritual and physical comfort was more important to her than religious conversion, and her work and friendship with the Seminoles of Florida reflected those values.
It appears that Harriet was adept at the practice of liberation theology. By her emphasis on meeting the needs of the people she ministered to first, before preaching to them, she reflected the light of Christ Jesus.
Of her work with the Cheyennes in Oklahoma, Ormonde says:
She threw herself into her work and gradually gained the love and trust of her people. She was adopted into the tribe and given the name of Vicsehia, which means Bird Woman, because she sang, hummed, and whistled constantly while she worked.
Lovely. I'm pleased to note that I am a bird woman, too, but not nearly as accomplished as Harriet in doing the work of God.
Readings:
Psalm 96:1-7
Romans 16:1-2
Matthew 5:1-12
PRAYER
Holy God, you chose your faithful servant Harriet Bedell to exercise the ministry of deaconess and to be a missionary among indigenous peoples: Fill us with compassion and respect for all people, and empower us for the work of ministry throughout the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Epiphany - King Cakes - Party Time
From Mardi Gras Unmasked.
Pictured above is a king cake or gateau du roi, a tradition associated with the feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated in south Louisiana, French Canada, and France. At king cake gatherings, whoever gets the tiny baby hidden somewhere in the cake must provide the next king cake. The bakers no longer put the baby in the cake, because they fear litigation from folks who choke on it, swallow it, or break a tooth on it. The buyer assumes the liability of putting the baby in the cake. This is what our litigious society has come to.
I was going to write about the Carnival season in New Orleans, but then I found these lovely words from Rmj at Adventus:
Today begins the season of Epiphany: celebrated by some; ignored by others. The "original Christmas," some say. Maybe; maybe not. It is a season separate from Christmas, but related to it; and in France and Cajun Louisiana, it is celebrated itself with King's Cakes and Gateau du Roi and parties and celebrations, right up to Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, when the shriven season takes over and Lent begins. It's the English who called it Shrove Tuesday, and taught that name even to my all but non-liturgical Presbyterian church of childhood, the day to "shreve" the cupboard of fats and oils in preparation for the fastings of Lent. The French Roman Catholics had the better idea: to celebrate the 5 or 6 Sundays of Epiphany, and carry it out right up to the last possible minute, the first stroke of midnight on Ash Wednesday morning. Jesus, tradition says, was born at midnight on Christmas Day. We don't know, so why not sanctify the whole day? So, also, Ash Wednesday begins at midnight, but until then: celebration!
And him a Texan! Besting me at my own game! It's humiliating. But I figured why strain to write something original when I can steal this. No Shrove Tuesday for us. It's Mardi Gras, the party of all parties. And then, but only then, we get serious about Lent.
I love the church seasons, and I like having the season of Epiphany as a prolonged celebration of the Incarnation - of Emmanuel, God with us. Although, as children, we were taught that the greatest feast day was Easter, (a hard sell to the kids) I thought then, and I think now that the Incarnation is the great event. God become one of us! As someone once told me, "Without the Incarnation, there would be no Resurrection!"
Monday, January 7, 2008
Time For Impeachment?
From George McGovern comes an op-ed in the Washington Post. McGovern thinks that Bush is far worse that Nixon, and that it's time for impeachment. I agree, but realistically, I know that it won't happen. McGovern lays out his arguments showing that the grounds for impeachment are far more numerous in the case of Bush-Cheney than for Richard Nixon. The op-ed gives a mini-history of the the Bush-Cheney maladministration's misuse of the powers of the offices of the presidency and vice-presidency.
Amongst all of McGovern's good words, these reached out and grabbed me and made me very sad:
Of course, there seems to be little bipartisan support for impeachment. The political scene is marked by narrow and sometimes superficial partisanship, especially among Republicans, and a lack of courage and statesmanship on the part of too many Democratic politicians. So the chances of a bipartisan impeachment and conviction are not promising.
The Congress won't do its job.
I'm proud to say that, a long time ago, when McGovern ran for president against Nixon and carried only one state, Massachusetts, I voted for him.
Amongst all of McGovern's good words, these reached out and grabbed me and made me very sad:
Of course, there seems to be little bipartisan support for impeachment. The political scene is marked by narrow and sometimes superficial partisanship, especially among Republicans, and a lack of courage and statesmanship on the part of too many Democratic politicians. So the chances of a bipartisan impeachment and conviction are not promising.
The Congress won't do its job.
I'm proud to say that, a long time ago, when McGovern ran for president against Nixon and carried only one state, Massachusetts, I voted for him.
Christian Churches Targeted In Iraq
From Juan Cole at Informed Comment via MAKT006 Business:
In the northern city of Mosul, guerrillas targeted Christian churches with a series of bombings. Some church-goers were injured and there was damage to buildings. The number of Christians in Iraq has probably been halved, from 800,000, by the war.
The churches targeted by bombs on the feast of the Epiphany were the Chaldean Church of St Paul, which suffered no casualties, the Assyrian church of the Virgin Mary, in which four were killed, a monastery, and the Chaldean church of Maskanta, with no casualties.
It's a terrible thing when anyone is killed or wounded in war, but Bush and Blair, two self-proclaimed Christians, launched a war against a country which had not harmed us and failed to protect the small and ancient Christian communities in Iraq, with the result that they are now halved in number compared to before the war, due to killings, kidnappings, and flight.
Pray for peace in Iraq. Pray for the Christians in Iraq.
In the northern city of Mosul, guerrillas targeted Christian churches with a series of bombings. Some church-goers were injured and there was damage to buildings. The number of Christians in Iraq has probably been halved, from 800,000, by the war.
The churches targeted by bombs on the feast of the Epiphany were the Chaldean Church of St Paul, which suffered no casualties, the Assyrian church of the Virgin Mary, in which four were killed, a monastery, and the Chaldean church of Maskanta, with no casualties.
It's a terrible thing when anyone is killed or wounded in war, but Bush and Blair, two self-proclaimed Christians, launched a war against a country which had not harmed us and failed to protect the small and ancient Christian communities in Iraq, with the result that they are now halved in number compared to before the war, due to killings, kidnappings, and flight.
Pray for peace in Iraq. Pray for the Christians in Iraq.
From Kirstin In New Orleans
Kirstin from Barefoot and Laughing is in New Orleans working on a project. This is not her first visit to the city, so she was somewhat prepared for what she'd see on her second visit. I say somewhat prepared, but, no matter how many times you see the devastation, you cannot truly be prepared. Her account of her travels around the city by street car, and by bicycle is at the link above. It's well worth a read. The following words of hers on the Lower Ninth Ward struck me to the heart:
...but the whole time I was in the Lower 9th, I felt like I was staring at the grave of a community. I could almost see the silence. Driving—or biking—around and gawking felt profoundly disrespectful and wrong.
If you come here, I implore you—take the stories home, and tell them. Use the time that you have spent here. Don’t just look, and go on with your lives.
The Lower Ninth is, in a sense, the grave of a community. Thank you, Kirstin, for bearing witness. Thank you for telling the story.
Please go read Kirstin's post.
...but the whole time I was in the Lower 9th, I felt like I was staring at the grave of a community. I could almost see the silence. Driving—or biking—around and gawking felt profoundly disrespectful and wrong.
If you come here, I implore you—take the stories home, and tell them. Use the time that you have spent here. Don’t just look, and go on with your lives.
The Lower Ninth is, in a sense, the grave of a community. Thank you, Kirstin, for bearing witness. Thank you for telling the story.
Please go read Kirstin's post.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Interview With Bishop Katharine - BBC4
A few days ago, I linked to Lisa's post at My Manner of Life on the interview by BBC4 with Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US, but I want to post the partial transcript of the interview, because, as I said in the comments to another blog, "Mark Bishop Katharine's words. This may be a defining moment....perhaps her words were carefully chosen. It was time. It was way past time."
3. Anonymous Layperson wrote:
[Jefferts-Schori:] The bishop of New Hampshire was duly and canonically elected, and consents received to his election, and duly consecrated. He is a bishop in this church in good standing.
[Interviewer:] It must be a pretty lonely place though to know that no one else quite like you is now going to be elected to be a bishop.
[JS]: Well perhaps not in the immediate future. But he is certainly not alone in being a gay bishop. He is certainly not alone in being a gay partnered bishop. He is alone in being the only gay partnered bishop who’s open about that status.
[I]: In your own church?
[JS]: Within our own church and within the Anglican Communion as a whole.
[I]: And so how do you respond to the fact that in a sense the Episcopal Church, your church, is paying the price for an honesty which other churches, perhaps even the Church of England, aren’t quite prepared to have?
[JS]: Well that’s certainly a significant part of the current conversation. The Episcopal Church lives in a society that values transparency, increasingly values transparency, in all kinds of operations, not just within the church. To have other parts of the Communion express distress at having to have conversations about sexuality, is certainly understandable in terms of different contexts, yet that is where this church has felt led to be and felt led to have conversation, to bring these issues out into the public sphere where we can do public theologizing about them.
[I]: But you seem to be saying there’s a problem if other churches in the Anglican Communion aren’t prepared to be honest about the fact that they too have gay bishops?
[JS]: Well it’s certainly a difficulty in our context. I think there’s a growing understanding in this church of how it can be problematic in other contexts, but there’s certainly a double standard.
[I]: The other issue is in relation to same sex blessings, the notion that the church would have an official service in order bless same sex couples. Again, the Episcopal Church has made this concession, said that there won’t be any authorized rites of blessing for same sex couples, but your opponents say that that’s all very well, but the reality on the ground is that those services are already happening and they continue to happen.
[JS]: Well those services are, yes, are happening in various places including in the Church of England, where my understanding is that there are far more of them happening than there are in the Episcopal Church, at least in the United States.
[I]: But in terms of your own church are you happy to see individual parishes having actual services of blessing for gay couples?
[JS]: That’s a matter for pastoral practice in the congregation and it’s a matter of decision for individual bishops.
[I]: But you’re not saying that those services shouldn’t be happening at all in any Episcopalian parish?
[JS]: That’s not a matter for me to say yea or nay, it’s a matter of pastoral practice in individual congregations, in the same way that I don’t enter into decisions about whether or not it’s appropriate to bless a fleet of battleships going off to war.
[I]: There are those who would just say its not good enough to, on the one hand say that the official position is these must not happen, and then on the other to be so open about the fact that they do happen at the local level.
[JS]: Our church, in the Episcopal Church, functions rather differently than some other parts of the Communion. The complaints that we should withdraw because we’ve done something that’s inappropriate often come from portions of the Communion where decisions are made fairly unilaterally, often by bishops, and I think a part of the controversy that’s often not recognized has to do with this different way of coming to theological conclusions and not looking alone to bishops to make policy and set decisions.
[I]: Is it possible for the Episcopal Church to continue to welcome and celebrate the role of lesbian and gay people and stay in the Anglican Communion in the same capacity?
[JS]: We’re in a challenging place. I certainly hope that we’re able to move through this. My hope is that the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion as a whole might remember our roots, our traditional valuing of diversity and our traditional sense that worshiping together despite differing views is what holds us together.
[I]: Of course for the Anglican Communion one of those rare gatherings of all bishops together is coming up in 2008, the Lambeth Conference. Some African churches are saying that if the Episcopal Church is allowed to attend, given what its done in relation to Gene Robinson, given what it perhaps doesn’t quite enforce in relation to gay blessings, that there really shouldn’t be a place at the table, as it were, for the Episcopal Church. How do you respond to those complaints?
[JS]: Well that feels to me much like declining an invitation to a dinner party because somebody I don’t like might be there. My understanding of the planned program for the Lambeth Conference is one that has the possibility of letting people build relationships. I think that’s a remarkable gift. I think it would be very sad to go there and simply spend all our time consumed by legislation and I don’t think that’s what’s planned.
[I]: And you’ll be there so it’s up to those who are opposed to you to decide whether or not they too will attend.
[JS]: I would hope that all invited people, all bishops of the Anglican Communion, might be there in conference and in community with each other.
[I]: And how much of a setback is it that Gene Robinson, who as you said, is an official bishop of the Episcopal Church, doesn’t have that invitation?
[JS]: Well, it’s a long time til July.
[I]: Do you think he might still be invited?
[JS]: I would very much hope so.
[I]:Have you had any indication that that may be the case?
[JS]: We’re still hoping that that might be the case.
January 1, 5:31 pm
The partial transcript was posted in the comments at TitusOne Nine.
MadPriest has the audio of the interview from BBC4 Radio.
3. Anonymous Layperson wrote:
[Jefferts-Schori:] The bishop of New Hampshire was duly and canonically elected, and consents received to his election, and duly consecrated. He is a bishop in this church in good standing.
[Interviewer:] It must be a pretty lonely place though to know that no one else quite like you is now going to be elected to be a bishop.
[JS]: Well perhaps not in the immediate future. But he is certainly not alone in being a gay bishop. He is certainly not alone in being a gay partnered bishop. He is alone in being the only gay partnered bishop who’s open about that status.
[I]: In your own church?
[JS]: Within our own church and within the Anglican Communion as a whole.
[I]: And so how do you respond to the fact that in a sense the Episcopal Church, your church, is paying the price for an honesty which other churches, perhaps even the Church of England, aren’t quite prepared to have?
[JS]: Well that’s certainly a significant part of the current conversation. The Episcopal Church lives in a society that values transparency, increasingly values transparency, in all kinds of operations, not just within the church. To have other parts of the Communion express distress at having to have conversations about sexuality, is certainly understandable in terms of different contexts, yet that is where this church has felt led to be and felt led to have conversation, to bring these issues out into the public sphere where we can do public theologizing about them.
[I]: But you seem to be saying there’s a problem if other churches in the Anglican Communion aren’t prepared to be honest about the fact that they too have gay bishops?
[JS]: Well it’s certainly a difficulty in our context. I think there’s a growing understanding in this church of how it can be problematic in other contexts, but there’s certainly a double standard.
[I]: The other issue is in relation to same sex blessings, the notion that the church would have an official service in order bless same sex couples. Again, the Episcopal Church has made this concession, said that there won’t be any authorized rites of blessing for same sex couples, but your opponents say that that’s all very well, but the reality on the ground is that those services are already happening and they continue to happen.
[JS]: Well those services are, yes, are happening in various places including in the Church of England, where my understanding is that there are far more of them happening than there are in the Episcopal Church, at least in the United States.
[I]: But in terms of your own church are you happy to see individual parishes having actual services of blessing for gay couples?
[JS]: That’s a matter for pastoral practice in the congregation and it’s a matter of decision for individual bishops.
[I]: But you’re not saying that those services shouldn’t be happening at all in any Episcopalian parish?
[JS]: That’s not a matter for me to say yea or nay, it’s a matter of pastoral practice in individual congregations, in the same way that I don’t enter into decisions about whether or not it’s appropriate to bless a fleet of battleships going off to war.
[I]: There are those who would just say its not good enough to, on the one hand say that the official position is these must not happen, and then on the other to be so open about the fact that they do happen at the local level.
[JS]: Our church, in the Episcopal Church, functions rather differently than some other parts of the Communion. The complaints that we should withdraw because we’ve done something that’s inappropriate often come from portions of the Communion where decisions are made fairly unilaterally, often by bishops, and I think a part of the controversy that’s often not recognized has to do with this different way of coming to theological conclusions and not looking alone to bishops to make policy and set decisions.
[I]: Is it possible for the Episcopal Church to continue to welcome and celebrate the role of lesbian and gay people and stay in the Anglican Communion in the same capacity?
[JS]: We’re in a challenging place. I certainly hope that we’re able to move through this. My hope is that the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion as a whole might remember our roots, our traditional valuing of diversity and our traditional sense that worshiping together despite differing views is what holds us together.
[I]: Of course for the Anglican Communion one of those rare gatherings of all bishops together is coming up in 2008, the Lambeth Conference. Some African churches are saying that if the Episcopal Church is allowed to attend, given what its done in relation to Gene Robinson, given what it perhaps doesn’t quite enforce in relation to gay blessings, that there really shouldn’t be a place at the table, as it were, for the Episcopal Church. How do you respond to those complaints?
[JS]: Well that feels to me much like declining an invitation to a dinner party because somebody I don’t like might be there. My understanding of the planned program for the Lambeth Conference is one that has the possibility of letting people build relationships. I think that’s a remarkable gift. I think it would be very sad to go there and simply spend all our time consumed by legislation and I don’t think that’s what’s planned.
[I]: And you’ll be there so it’s up to those who are opposed to you to decide whether or not they too will attend.
[JS]: I would hope that all invited people, all bishops of the Anglican Communion, might be there in conference and in community with each other.
[I]: And how much of a setback is it that Gene Robinson, who as you said, is an official bishop of the Episcopal Church, doesn’t have that invitation?
[JS]: Well, it’s a long time til July.
[I]: Do you think he might still be invited?
[JS]: I would very much hope so.
[I]:Have you had any indication that that may be the case?
[JS]: We’re still hoping that that might be the case.
January 1, 5:31 pm
The partial transcript was posted in the comments at TitusOne Nine.
MadPriest has the audio of the interview from BBC4 Radio.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
From Wenchoster - It's Still Christmas
Images from the Pharisaios Journal (except for the wee tree, which is mine).
From the Canon Precenter:
O Sapentia! O Adonai! O Radix Jesse! O Gamba! How you supple fingers ripple in this glorious musical season! From the processional joys of Advent Sunday through the offices and masses, and, oooh! I could just flick my Early English scores and bathe myself in yellow cream custard! Sorry, what was I saying? Ah! Advent music in Wenchoster Cathedral exposes the very best of our choir, and of course Jeremy (butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth) Gamba at his glorious organ. The trebles excel as ever after rigorous discipline, the tenors and basses never cease to thrill me, and the counter-tenors? Well, don’t start me on the counter-tenors especially that Luke. Only vicar-choral I’ve met who does breath fresheners in the Lesser Litany and dabs eau-de-cologne on his music folder. All a bit obvious as we used to say in school. If I pursed my lips like that they’d make me an American bishop! And I can mince with the rest of them! Sorry, what was I saying? Oh yes. I think the Dean was very pleased with my arrangements of the French carols and cantatas this year. He visibly glowed when I proffered Vierce and Dupre, although at my mention of Alain he just stared out of the window. Well! And Jeremy couldn’t believe it when I told him!
May music delight you this Christmas, and may your ears be soothed by the airs of the season!
Canon Augustus Dewdrop MA
Here's one last Christmas carol from Wenchoster:
Midi link. Reduce to the taskbar to sing along!
A GREAT ALMIGHTY BLUNDER
A great almighty blunder
Seen by a candle’s flame.
The choir torn asunder,
The crucifer’s to blame.
Let’s start the mass again.
And get it right for certain,
Then we can all say ‘Amen.’
When he approached the rood screen,
Rather then walking straight.
He took a sudden right turn,
Which made the choir irate.
Let’s start the mass again.
The tenors sat in protest
The basses roared with ire.
The trebles simply whimpered,
One set his cotta on fire.
Let’s start the mass again.
(German Carol Melody)
Good-bye little tree. Until next year.
Again, there's much more at the diocesan website. Do pay a visit.
"Get Out Of The Car!"
(This is supposedly a true account recorded in the Police Log of Sarasota, Florida.)
An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle.
She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her lungs, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"
The four men didn't wait for a second threat. They got out and ran like mad.
The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition.
She tried and tried, and then she realized why. It was for the same reason that she had wondered why there was a football, a Frisbee and two 12-packs of beer in the front seat.
A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces further down.
She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake.
The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing.
He pointed to the end of the counter, where four pale man were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun.
No charges were filed.
Moral of the story? If you're going to have a senior moment...make it memorable.
Thanks to Ann at What the Tide Brings In for the story. While you're at Ann's place, read her posts and watch the videos, especially Set Your Watch to A.D.
An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle.
She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her lungs, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"
The four men didn't wait for a second threat. They got out and ran like mad.
The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition.
She tried and tried, and then she realized why. It was for the same reason that she had wondered why there was a football, a Frisbee and two 12-packs of beer in the front seat.
A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces further down.
She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake.
The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing.
He pointed to the end of the counter, where four pale man were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun.
No charges were filed.
Moral of the story? If you're going to have a senior moment...make it memorable.
Thanks to Ann at What the Tide Brings In for the story. While you're at Ann's place, read her posts and watch the videos, especially Set Your Watch to A.D.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Visitors Arriving
Friends from Connecticut will arrive this evening, which means that blogging will be light to non-existent for a few days. I will be checking in, so do continue to visit and leave comments, if you'd like.
City of God In Rio
January 6, 2008, is the last day of the appeal for donations to Christ the King Church in the City of God, located in one of the poorest and most violent slums in Rio de Janiero. Our virtual 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 $6613.70 has been collected. Thanks be to God.
As I said in another post on the City of God:
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.
Note the names of the slum and the church, the City of God, where Christ the King reigns amongst the poorest of the poor. Full details of the campaign for donations and the program at Christ the King are here.
Go here to make a donation by Paypal, or:
In the U.K. cheques (made payable to "St. Francis Church") should be sent to:
CITY OF GOD APPEAL,
St. Francis House
18 Cotswold Gardens
High Heaton
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE7 7AE
Please write "City Of God Appeal" on the reverse of the cheque.
In the United States, cheques (made payable to "The Episcopal Church of St. Paul") should be sent to:
CITY OF GOD APPEAL
c/o The Reverend Elizabeth Kaeton
The Episcopal Church of St. Paul
200 Main Street
Chatham, NJ 07928
Please write "City Of God Appeal" on the front of the check.
Thanks to Paul at Byzigenous Buddhapalian for the picture.
She Tells Them
Lisa at My Manner of Life has a transcript of an interview with Bishop Katharine Jefforts-Schori by the BBC. I left the comment below at Lisa's site:
Blogger Grandmère Mimi said...
Lisa, I thought she did very well. She's pointing out truths that it seemed the leadership was reluctant to speak aloud, such a[s] the fact that Gene Robinson is not the only partnered gay bishop, just the only honest one.
I liked the, "You do it, too," about the same-sex blessings and her comment about double standards. Good for her. What on earth does she have to repent of?
The online article by the BBC labels Bishop Katharine "unrepentant on gay clergy".
Blogger Grandmère Mimi said...
Lisa, I thought she did very well. She's pointing out truths that it seemed the leadership was reluctant to speak aloud, such a[s] the fact that Gene Robinson is not the only partnered gay bishop, just the only honest one.
I liked the, "You do it, too," about the same-sex blessings and her comment about double standards. Good for her. What on earth does she have to repent of?
The online article by the BBC labels Bishop Katharine "unrepentant on gay clergy".
The Blog Blessing
My two dear virtual blog friends, Fran at FranIAm and Doxy at Wormwood's Doxy have chosen me for the "Blog Blessing". I'm full of gratitude at this honor from these two wonderful writers, both of whom inspire envy in me when I read what they write. I bless them back and thank them for giving me pleasure.
Fran is so absolutely prolific that I can hardly keep up reading her blog. She's passionate in her views, and, like me, she writes about all sorts of subjects, perhaps whatever pops into her mind that seems interesting, notable, or funny. She has pictures, sound, videos, and she is quite adept at the technology available for bloggers.
Doxy doesn't write enough to suit me, but when she writes, she knocks my socks off. She has been unrelenting in support of our LGBT brothers and sisters and in getting out information on AIDS and HIV. Her journal entries and occasional rants (really mini-rants) are wonderful to read.
As most of you may know, I don't do memes, simply because they require way too much thinking, and I'm lazy. I was to pass the blessing on to three other bloggers, and when Fran's blessing came, I tried - I truly did try, but I could not single out three bloggers who have been a blessing to me, because there are many more than three. (The gathering in New York, where I met many of them face to face was pure pleasure.) I was totally blocked in choosing, and that's the truth. The same with Doxy's blessing. No way could I pick three. However, I return the blessings to both Fran and Doxy and thank them and so many other bloggers who have enriched my life.
What I will do is single out two bloggers who have influenced me the most. First and foremost is Rmj at Adventus. He is just past his second anniversary as a blogger, and I've read him from the birth of his blog. He taught me so much about the Christian faith, living the Christian life, and the sham that is much of what we call "values" in this country of ours. I've said this before, but, for a while there, he quoted Kierkegaard so often, that I finally had to read him for myself. He suggested another of his works to read first, but I chose to read Fear and Trembling, and I have never been quite the same since. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Christianity is not for the fainthearted. I can say, with all honesty, that he taught me how to blog. Our styles are quite different, and I don't blame my shortcomings on Rmj, but if you see good here, he gets some of the credit.
The second is MadPriest at Of Course I Could Be Wrong. Pray for me, all of you. I am under the influence of a madman. What am I thinking? Irony is nearly always lurking beneath the surface inside me, ready to burst forth. My rule of thumb is, in the words of Jane Austen, the mistress of irony, "I hope that I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can." Those words were spoken by one of her characters, but they are Jane's thoughts. In addition, I try very hard not use my irony against those weaker than I am.
MadPriest's blog gives me many laughs, which I am in great need of in these troubled times. In his comments, I practiced letting loose with irony and humor, and when I started with my own blog, I had a little experience in that sort of writing. The irony is, perhaps, practiced better here, than in real life, for in real life folks sometimes find my irony intimidating, even when it's not used against them. In other words, I am ironic to a fault. However, no one is forced to read a blog. The use of irony here at Wounded Bird has been a great release for me. I'm thankful for the outlet.
The two men who have influenced me in blogging are quite different, and you may wonder that two such different men and two such different blogs can influence the same person. I don't know the answer. Today, it appears that I will pass 55,000 in number of visitors. That is absolutely amazing to me. It's not much in comparison to the bloggers with large readerships, but I am grateful for each and every reader, and especially those who leave comments. The engagement with those who comment is as pleasurable as the writing for me.
So. Fran, Doxy, do you forgive me for not going along?
As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, every one!"
UPDATE: I thought of something that the two bloggers have in common. They both make me think about things that cause me discomfort but are, nevertheless, things that I must think about.
Fran is so absolutely prolific that I can hardly keep up reading her blog. She's passionate in her views, and, like me, she writes about all sorts of subjects, perhaps whatever pops into her mind that seems interesting, notable, or funny. She has pictures, sound, videos, and she is quite adept at the technology available for bloggers.
Doxy doesn't write enough to suit me, but when she writes, she knocks my socks off. She has been unrelenting in support of our LGBT brothers and sisters and in getting out information on AIDS and HIV. Her journal entries and occasional rants (really mini-rants) are wonderful to read.
As most of you may know, I don't do memes, simply because they require way too much thinking, and I'm lazy. I was to pass the blessing on to three other bloggers, and when Fran's blessing came, I tried - I truly did try, but I could not single out three bloggers who have been a blessing to me, because there are many more than three. (The gathering in New York, where I met many of them face to face was pure pleasure.) I was totally blocked in choosing, and that's the truth. The same with Doxy's blessing. No way could I pick three. However, I return the blessings to both Fran and Doxy and thank them and so many other bloggers who have enriched my life.
What I will do is single out two bloggers who have influenced me the most. First and foremost is Rmj at Adventus. He is just past his second anniversary as a blogger, and I've read him from the birth of his blog. He taught me so much about the Christian faith, living the Christian life, and the sham that is much of what we call "values" in this country of ours. I've said this before, but, for a while there, he quoted Kierkegaard so often, that I finally had to read him for myself. He suggested another of his works to read first, but I chose to read Fear and Trembling, and I have never been quite the same since. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Christianity is not for the fainthearted. I can say, with all honesty, that he taught me how to blog. Our styles are quite different, and I don't blame my shortcomings on Rmj, but if you see good here, he gets some of the credit.
The second is MadPriest at Of Course I Could Be Wrong. Pray for me, all of you. I am under the influence of a madman. What am I thinking? Irony is nearly always lurking beneath the surface inside me, ready to burst forth. My rule of thumb is, in the words of Jane Austen, the mistress of irony, "I hope that I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can." Those words were spoken by one of her characters, but they are Jane's thoughts. In addition, I try very hard not use my irony against those weaker than I am.
MadPriest's blog gives me many laughs, which I am in great need of in these troubled times. In his comments, I practiced letting loose with irony and humor, and when I started with my own blog, I had a little experience in that sort of writing. The irony is, perhaps, practiced better here, than in real life, for in real life folks sometimes find my irony intimidating, even when it's not used against them. In other words, I am ironic to a fault. However, no one is forced to read a blog. The use of irony here at Wounded Bird has been a great release for me. I'm thankful for the outlet.
The two men who have influenced me in blogging are quite different, and you may wonder that two such different men and two such different blogs can influence the same person. I don't know the answer. Today, it appears that I will pass 55,000 in number of visitors. That is absolutely amazing to me. It's not much in comparison to the bloggers with large readerships, but I am grateful for each and every reader, and especially those who leave comments. The engagement with those who comment is as pleasurable as the writing for me.
So. Fran, Doxy, do you forgive me for not going along?
As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, every one!"
UPDATE: I thought of something that the two bloggers have in common. They both make me think about things that cause me discomfort but are, nevertheless, things that I must think about.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Church As A Place Of Refuge?
In a quick return to business as usual, we descend from the "Happy New Year" high. From MSNBC:
NAIROBI, Kenya - A mob torched a church sheltering hundreds of Kenyans fleeing election violence on Tuesday, killing as many as 50 people as the convulsion of bloodshed continued after the disputed vote that gave the president a second term. The opposition leader accused the government of "genocide."
....
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said that so far 145 people have been killed, 33,500 Kenyans have been forced to leave their homes and 208 properties have been destroyed.
Please pray for the people of Kenya, a country which has, until now, been one of the more stable in Africa.
Whatever happened to the idea of the church as a place of refuge? I know. There are many recent and ancient examples of of the violation of the concept of the church as a place of refuge. It appears that today, as in other times, the church is not a place of refuge against non-violent oppression, either. Too often the oppressors are the powers within the church.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
NAIROBI, Kenya - A mob torched a church sheltering hundreds of Kenyans fleeing election violence on Tuesday, killing as many as 50 people as the convulsion of bloodshed continued after the disputed vote that gave the president a second term. The opposition leader accused the government of "genocide."
....
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said that so far 145 people have been killed, 33,500 Kenyans have been forced to leave their homes and 208 properties have been destroyed.
Please pray for the people of Kenya, a country which has, until now, been one of the more stable in Africa.
Whatever happened to the idea of the church as a place of refuge? I know. There are many recent and ancient examples of of the violation of the concept of the church as a place of refuge. It appears that today, as in other times, the church is not a place of refuge against non-violent oppression, either. Too often the oppressors are the powers within the church.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
A Message From Molly
From the comments:
susankay said...
G'mere -- what a lovely present. Another gift has been a year of your blog. And Molly the WonderDog (who is finally doing well) sends love, woofs and thanks.
Thanks be to God! Molly, your being well is a wonderful gift to Susan and to all your doggy and human friends. Happy New Year!
susankay said...
G'mere -- what a lovely present. Another gift has been a year of your blog. And Molly the WonderDog (who is finally doing well) sends love, woofs and thanks.
Thanks be to God! Molly, your being well is a wonderful gift to Susan and to all your doggy and human friends. Happy New Year!
AMAZING GRACE - IRVIN MAYFIELD, JR
My New Year's gift for those of you who are not glued to the TV watching football is this video which shows Irwin Mayfield, Jr. of New Orleans, playing "Amazing Grace" on the Elysian Trumpet, which was hand-built by David Monette.
This stunning instrument has been created to honor the memory of all who perished due to Hurricane Katrina. Its design celebrates the rich musical and cultural heritage of New Orleans and the sounds of our Jazz legends. Jazz has been the heart of this city since the days of marching bands and Louis Armstrong. Today this indigenous music is more important than ever. The cultural strength of Jazz moves us from disaster to a new beginning celebrating our history and giving us the inspiration and blessing of the many that have gone before us. Monette, along with nationally known artist and goldsmith Tami Dean have been collaborating for nearly 25 years
The video was made at Christ Church Cathedral at the Eucharist at which Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefforts-Schori presided and preached during the meeting in New Orleans of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church. The service was beautiful, but this performance by Irvin Mayfield, Jr. was outstanding and quite moving. Here's what I wrote the day after:
The trumpet produced the sweetest sound I have heard come out of a horn - ever. And I have heard many trumpets. Mayfield played the most magnificent "Amazing Grace" that I have been priveliged to hear. Two such superlatives, one after the other, may be hard to believe, but they are true. I was crying during his performance. What heart! What an instrument!
Trust me that you do not get the full effect of the sound in the video. You had to be there.
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