The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Monday, December 31, 2007
Guess Who Dropped In?
Remember my post titled Priestly Behavior? The story of the priest who hissed at a one year old toddler to be quiet for greeting him before the service had even begun? I never dreamed that the post would generate the response that it did. And now, Elrena Evans, the author of the article that I referenced from Episcopal Life has left a belated comment:
Elrena said...
What a wonderful discussion! I'm only saddened that I didn't stumble across this blog sooner.
And Grandmere, may I have permission to sincerely thank your blog readers for sharing their opinions on my piece? This was such an enlightening and illuminating thread to read...although, I will confess, my husband and I did have a good laugh at someone thinking we were "those parents" who can't discipline their children and don't enforce bedtime. I apologize for laughing, but...the shoe just didn't fit. :)
Anyway, I loved what you all brought to this discussion -- so many people caring so passionately about how best to be the Body of Christ on this earth. I am truly moved. I think discussions like these are exactly what we need more of, as we work out how best to live in --and show others -- the light of God's love.
My article in Episcopal Life was actually a reprint of a column that I write monthly for Literary Mama on the subject of faith and parenting. If I may be so bold as to share the link, it's Literery Mama . I would love to see you all over there; the most recent column is always open for comments!
The Peace of the Lord,
~Elrena
December 31, 2007 2:39 PM
Thank you for visiting Elrena. Here's the link to the original article, if anyone would like to continue the discussion. Do click on the link to her blog, because there is a surprise there.
Elrena said...
What a wonderful discussion! I'm only saddened that I didn't stumble across this blog sooner.
And Grandmere, may I have permission to sincerely thank your blog readers for sharing their opinions on my piece? This was such an enlightening and illuminating thread to read...although, I will confess, my husband and I did have a good laugh at someone thinking we were "those parents" who can't discipline their children and don't enforce bedtime. I apologize for laughing, but...the shoe just didn't fit. :)
Anyway, I loved what you all brought to this discussion -- so many people caring so passionately about how best to be the Body of Christ on this earth. I am truly moved. I think discussions like these are exactly what we need more of, as we work out how best to live in --and show others -- the light of God's love.
My article in Episcopal Life was actually a reprint of a column that I write monthly for Literary Mama on the subject of faith and parenting. If I may be so bold as to share the link, it's Literery Mama . I would love to see you all over there; the most recent column is always open for comments!
The Peace of the Lord,
~Elrena
December 31, 2007 2:39 PM
Thank you for visiting Elrena. Here's the link to the original article, if anyone would like to continue the discussion. Do click on the link to her blog, because there is a surprise there.
Blog Review For 2007
Thanks to Jan at Yearning for God for the idea of doing a review of my blog year. I started writing on January 22, 2007, and I am approaching my one year blogversary.
I laughed when I returned to my first entry, because I set up my faux blog simply to be able to comment on other blogs. Well, there was this blank screen, and the rest is history, as they say. Here is the first sentence from the first day of each month of 2007:
January - "My friends, I don't really have a blog."
February - "Some months ago at MadPriest's place, there was a long comment thread on New Orleans-style red beans and rice."
March - "Copied verbatim from Scout Prime at First Draft: People's Rebuke for Bush's Photo Op in NOLA today"
April - "Later, perhaps tomorrow, I'll write my impression of my trip to New Orleans with Scout Prime and Athenae from the blog First Draft and the other folks in our group."
May - "This large painting by Manet was part of the exhibit from the Met at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts."
June - "Padre Mickey in Panama is the man to see for the commemoration of the early Christian saints."
July - "You absolutely must go read this hilarious post by Richard at Caught By The Light."
August - "WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 — Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today he felt terrible about the military’s flawed handling of the death of Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former football star who was killed in Afghanistan."
September - "Clergymen struggling to comfort the afflicted in New Orleans are finding they, too, need someone to listen to their troubles."
October - "Remigius was the Bishop and Apostle of the Franks."
November - "The mound of rotted drywall and moldy planks piled recently outside the wrecked house in Algiers looked more or less identical to the countless heaps that have littered the New Orleans landscape since Hurricane Katrina."
December - "According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35."
I began my review laughing, but by the end, I was not laughing. I won't write too much here about the experience of blogging, because I want something left to say on the actual anniversary. I thank all of you who have visited here and who have left comments. I have enjoyed my exchanges with you more than I can say. The engagement with others, as much as my writing, is what gives me pleasure in the blog.
I laughed when I returned to my first entry, because I set up my faux blog simply to be able to comment on other blogs. Well, there was this blank screen, and the rest is history, as they say. Here is the first sentence from the first day of each month of 2007:
January - "My friends, I don't really have a blog."
February - "Some months ago at MadPriest's place, there was a long comment thread on New Orleans-style red beans and rice."
March - "Copied verbatim from Scout Prime at First Draft: People's Rebuke for Bush's Photo Op in NOLA today"
April - "Later, perhaps tomorrow, I'll write my impression of my trip to New Orleans with Scout Prime and Athenae from the blog First Draft and the other folks in our group."
May - "This large painting by Manet was part of the exhibit from the Met at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts."
June - "Padre Mickey in Panama is the man to see for the commemoration of the early Christian saints."
July - "You absolutely must go read this hilarious post by Richard at Caught By The Light."
August - "WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 — Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today he felt terrible about the military’s flawed handling of the death of Cpl. Pat Tillman, the former football star who was killed in Afghanistan."
September - "Clergymen struggling to comfort the afflicted in New Orleans are finding they, too, need someone to listen to their troubles."
October - "Remigius was the Bishop and Apostle of the Franks."
November - "The mound of rotted drywall and moldy planks piled recently outside the wrecked house in Algiers looked more or less identical to the countless heaps that have littered the New Orleans landscape since Hurricane Katrina."
December - "According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35."
I began my review laughing, but by the end, I was not laughing. I won't write too much here about the experience of blogging, because I want something left to say on the actual anniversary. I thank all of you who have visited here and who have left comments. I have enjoyed my exchanges with you more than I can say. The engagement with others, as much as my writing, is what gives me pleasure in the blog.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Is The Advent Letter Good Enough?
The Anglican Scotist, in reviewing the Archbishop of Canterbury's Advent Letter, quotes these words of Archbishop Williams:
Williams: Thus it is not surprising if some have concluded that the official organs of The Episcopal Church, in confirming the election of Gene Robinson and in giving what many regard as implicit sanction to same-sex blessings of a public nature have put in question the degree to which it can be recognised as belonging to the same family by deciding to act against the strong, reiterated and consistent advice of the Instruments of Communion.
In response Scotist says:
Scotist: Robinson is not addressed as bishop, but as an individual with a scandalous sexuality. He is being treated here as the exception, subjected to the unique authority of the Archbishop as a means to securing the Communion's unity: a sacred man or, in another conceptual framework, a scapegoat.... He has done this sort of thing to Robinson before and shows no sign of letting up--a merely personal tick?
While I agree with Scotist that it appears that the archbishop is treating Gene Robinson as a "special case" and making him a scapegoat, I part company with him, when he concludes:
Scotist: Still, this letter is good enough to work with. We would probably do well not addressing Williams' personal idiosyncracies head-on; they are not that important, and we need less wrangling. We already know, for instance, he does not view--even in this letter-- TEC or any province as a real church, he treats Robinson as a scapegoat, and he questions the legitimacy of our episcopate. While it would be tempting to take these views on, we would probably do better ignoring these oddities.
I wonder why it is that Scotist - and many others - don't ask Gene Robinson's view of not being addressed as a bishop and, even more important, whether he is willing to play the role of the scapegoat, while the rest of us refrain from objecting to the views expressed by Archbishop Williams in the letter. Again, we are talking about the person most affected by the words in the letter, without bringing him into the conversation. It's easy for me or the Scotist to say, "Well, yes, this letter is good enough to work with," when we have a much smaller stake in the game than Bishop Robinson.
The consecration of Bishop Robinson is not the cause of the divisions in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. His consecration may have widened the divisions, but the divisions were there already. I have been attending my Episcopal Church for 11 years, and long before Gene Robinson became a bishop, I knew folks who said that they would not take communion from a woman priest, and who mocked them by calling them "priestesses", intimating that they were not legitimate priests.
Even more recently, when we were in the process of searching for a rector, I asked if any of the women priests who had visited would be given consideration as serious candidates, I was told that calling a woman priest would only be setting her up for failure, therefore the women would not be considered.
Archbishop Williams knows quite well that the troubles did not start with the consecration of Gene Robinson as a bishop, and he is wrong to suggest that. As of this day, there are no women bishops in the Church of England. Bishops in the US are permitted to restrict ordinations of women to the priesthood in their dioceses. The Communion is not yet of one mind about the ordination of women, yet it has held together, if ever so tenuously, in spite of differing views.
And I'm not even taking on the question of whether we can be "recognised as belonging to the same family".
Thanks to Jim Naughton at the Episcopal Café for the link to the Anglican Scotist.
Williams: Thus it is not surprising if some have concluded that the official organs of The Episcopal Church, in confirming the election of Gene Robinson and in giving what many regard as implicit sanction to same-sex blessings of a public nature have put in question the degree to which it can be recognised as belonging to the same family by deciding to act against the strong, reiterated and consistent advice of the Instruments of Communion.
In response Scotist says:
Scotist: Robinson is not addressed as bishop, but as an individual with a scandalous sexuality. He is being treated here as the exception, subjected to the unique authority of the Archbishop as a means to securing the Communion's unity: a sacred man or, in another conceptual framework, a scapegoat.... He has done this sort of thing to Robinson before and shows no sign of letting up--a merely personal tick?
While I agree with Scotist that it appears that the archbishop is treating Gene Robinson as a "special case" and making him a scapegoat, I part company with him, when he concludes:
Scotist: Still, this letter is good enough to work with. We would probably do well not addressing Williams' personal idiosyncracies head-on; they are not that important, and we need less wrangling. We already know, for instance, he does not view--even in this letter-- TEC or any province as a real church, he treats Robinson as a scapegoat, and he questions the legitimacy of our episcopate. While it would be tempting to take these views on, we would probably do better ignoring these oddities.
I wonder why it is that Scotist - and many others - don't ask Gene Robinson's view of not being addressed as a bishop and, even more important, whether he is willing to play the role of the scapegoat, while the rest of us refrain from objecting to the views expressed by Archbishop Williams in the letter. Again, we are talking about the person most affected by the words in the letter, without bringing him into the conversation. It's easy for me or the Scotist to say, "Well, yes, this letter is good enough to work with," when we have a much smaller stake in the game than Bishop Robinson.
The consecration of Bishop Robinson is not the cause of the divisions in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. His consecration may have widened the divisions, but the divisions were there already. I have been attending my Episcopal Church for 11 years, and long before Gene Robinson became a bishop, I knew folks who said that they would not take communion from a woman priest, and who mocked them by calling them "priestesses", intimating that they were not legitimate priests.
Even more recently, when we were in the process of searching for a rector, I asked if any of the women priests who had visited would be given consideration as serious candidates, I was told that calling a woman priest would only be setting her up for failure, therefore the women would not be considered.
Archbishop Williams knows quite well that the troubles did not start with the consecration of Gene Robinson as a bishop, and he is wrong to suggest that. As of this day, there are no women bishops in the Church of England. Bishops in the US are permitted to restrict ordinations of women to the priesthood in their dioceses. The Communion is not yet of one mind about the ordination of women, yet it has held together, if ever so tenuously, in spite of differing views.
And I'm not even taking on the question of whether we can be "recognised as belonging to the same family".
Thanks to Jim Naughton at the Episcopal Café for the link to the Anglican Scotist.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Church of England Bishops To Get Sacked?
From the Telegraph UK:
More than a fifth of the Church of England's bishops could face the axe under new proposals being drawn up by its leaders.
The information comes from "secret documents" from the Church Commissioners, who handle the financial affairs of the Church of England, and is likely to make certain bishops angry. The bishops don't earn large salaries, but since some of them live in palaces and castles, their upkeep may be expensive. No "final decisions" have been made, but up to a fourth of the bishops' positions could be affected, according to the Telegraph.
The House of Bishops' Standing Committee, whose chairman is Archbishop John Sentamu, of York, is considering the recommendations. Some critics see the Church of England as too top heavy.
They (the critics) want more money to be pumped into missionary initiatives to attract people back to church such as Fresh Expressions, the Archbishop of Canterbury's scheme to promote alternative worship.
I'll leave it to the Brits to parse Fresh Expressions for us, but I picked up on a couple of quotes from the website:
A key element in vision building and advocacy is the clear articulation of the message that the church is not abandoning its traditional practices and the parish and circuit system in order to invest in fresh expressions of church life: we are seeking to move towards a mixed economy, valuing both. We also need to be very clear that developing fresh expressions of church life does not take away the need for continuous change and development towards mission in the life of every congregation. Because we are seeking to resource a process of change, Fresh Expressions needs to work across the whole church at every level, not simply among those initiating new ventures.
Here's the description of the "Mission shaped" course:
An inspiring and encouraging course, ideal for leadership teams, PCCs , whole congregations and larger gatherings.
New world, new church? Our world and our lives have changed radically in the last twenty years, but has the church adapted to this change? Do we need a changed church for a changing world? Are new forms of church really possible? If so, how can they be developed?
mission shaped intro looks at fresh expressions of church through a mix of
teaching, reflection and story. This course will be available for download from January 2008. It is is an enjoyable hands-on experience combining:
* presentations
* group activity
* film and music clips
* worship and prayer.
I was going to wait for MadPriest's post on this news, but he seems to be out to lunch today.
More than a fifth of the Church of England's bishops could face the axe under new proposals being drawn up by its leaders.
The information comes from "secret documents" from the Church Commissioners, who handle the financial affairs of the Church of England, and is likely to make certain bishops angry. The bishops don't earn large salaries, but since some of them live in palaces and castles, their upkeep may be expensive. No "final decisions" have been made, but up to a fourth of the bishops' positions could be affected, according to the Telegraph.
The House of Bishops' Standing Committee, whose chairman is Archbishop John Sentamu, of York, is considering the recommendations. Some critics see the Church of England as too top heavy.
They (the critics) want more money to be pumped into missionary initiatives to attract people back to church such as Fresh Expressions, the Archbishop of Canterbury's scheme to promote alternative worship.
I'll leave it to the Brits to parse Fresh Expressions for us, but I picked up on a couple of quotes from the website:
A key element in vision building and advocacy is the clear articulation of the message that the church is not abandoning its traditional practices and the parish and circuit system in order to invest in fresh expressions of church life: we are seeking to move towards a mixed economy, valuing both. We also need to be very clear that developing fresh expressions of church life does not take away the need for continuous change and development towards mission in the life of every congregation. Because we are seeking to resource a process of change, Fresh Expressions needs to work across the whole church at every level, not simply among those initiating new ventures.
Here's the description of the "Mission shaped" course:
An inspiring and encouraging course, ideal for leadership teams, PCCs , whole congregations and larger gatherings.
New world, new church? Our world and our lives have changed radically in the last twenty years, but has the church adapted to this change? Do we need a changed church for a changing world? Are new forms of church really possible? If so, how can they be developed?
mission shaped intro looks at fresh expressions of church through a mix of
teaching, reflection and story. This course will be available for download from January 2008. It is is an enjoyable hands-on experience combining:
* presentations
* group activity
* film and music clips
* worship and prayer.
I was going to wait for MadPriest's post on this news, but he seems to be out to lunch today.
Brother Causticus Is Back And Travelling
His robes don't hang in neat folds as in the picture. They are flying. Just go read. No, I can't give you a snippet. Read the whole thing.
Guardian Angels
The picture above (or one very like it) of the angel watching over the two children as they cross the rickety bridge, was in nearly every classroom in my Roman Catholic grade school. As I child, when I took note of the picture, it gave me great comfort. My entire school experience was comforting, as it gave me a safe place to escape the turmoil of my own home. I learned the essentials of faith and morals from my teachers there, rather than from my home. My mother was busy coping with my alcoholic father and making a living when he did not work. She had little energy left for emotional engagement with me and my two sisters, after providing us with the essentials of life and enduring the stress of living with a husband addicted to drink.
I have heard stories about Roman Catholic nuns, of harshness and rigidity, of punishment with rulers hitting the hand, but, in truth, that was not my experience. They were, in the main, good and kindly women, with the welfare of the children in their care uppermost in their minds.
Back to the angel picture. We were taught that each of us had a guardian angel assigned to the task of watching over us. That I had my own personal angel guarding me was a lovely idea, especially for someone in a home environment such as mine. I remember thinking of names for my angel and praying for the angel's protection when I was frightened. I can't say when I began to doubt the story, but I confess that I have never entirely let go of the idea. It could be, couldn't it? I wonder if the nuns believed the story themselves, as they taught it. Here is the prayer we learned and prayed together:
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God's love commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side
to light and guard,
to rule and guide.
I gave reproductions of the picture to my children once they had children. If the picture comforted me - who knows? - it might comfort my little grandchildren. I told the little ones the story when they were young, for them to take it or leave it, but I believe that none of them took it to heart as I did.
Throughout my life, it's been the stories of God's people in both Testaments, the stories of Jesus and his early followers, and the stories of the saints throughout the ages that have always held great power for me.
UPDATE: Paul, the Baptist, (ex) to the rescue with a Bible verse to authenticate my lingering belief in guardian angels!
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." (KJV)
Friday, December 28, 2007
Win-Win Episcopal Buckeye Challenge
At the Superdome on January 7, 2008, the Ohio State Buckeyes will play the Louisiana State University Tigers in the BCS football championship. Bishop Breidenthal of the Diocese of Southern Ohio has issued a challenge to the fans of the Buckkeyes and has pledged the participation of the diocese in the challenge.
From Bishop Charles Jenkins at the Diocese of Louisiana website:
As we Enjoy this Christmas Season and move towards Epiphany, I give thanks for you all and our shared ministry in our beloved south Louisiana.
Our special thanks go to Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal of the Diocese of Southern Ohio for the Win-Win Episcopal Buckeye Challenge. He has pledged to support our Bundles of Hope recovery efforts in Louisiana for each touchdown and field goal scored by the Buckeyes. "There's no mention of Love thy Buckeyes in the Bible - but God does call upon us to Love our Neighbors. This challenge lets us do both," says Bishop Breidenthal.
I wholeheartedly accept Bishop Breidenthal's generous challenge, although I am concerned that the Buckeye fans won't have to buy very many Bundles of Hope. I am calling all Tiger fans to join in the spirit of competition and pledge Bundles of Hope for Tiger scores. Thanks for your help, and GEAUX TIGERS!
So what do we pray for here in Louisiana? That the Tiger fans accept the challenge? That both teams make lots of touchdowns, but that the Tigers make more? That sounds about right. GEAUX TIGERS!
From Bishop Charles Jenkins at the Diocese of Louisiana website:
As we Enjoy this Christmas Season and move towards Epiphany, I give thanks for you all and our shared ministry in our beloved south Louisiana.
Our special thanks go to Bishop Thomas E. Breidenthal of the Diocese of Southern Ohio for the Win-Win Episcopal Buckeye Challenge. He has pledged to support our Bundles of Hope recovery efforts in Louisiana for each touchdown and field goal scored by the Buckeyes. "There's no mention of Love thy Buckeyes in the Bible - but God does call upon us to Love our Neighbors. This challenge lets us do both," says Bishop Breidenthal.
I wholeheartedly accept Bishop Breidenthal's generous challenge, although I am concerned that the Buckeye fans won't have to buy very many Bundles of Hope. I am calling all Tiger fans to join in the spirit of competition and pledge Bundles of Hope for Tiger scores. Thanks for your help, and GEAUX TIGERS!
So what do we pray for here in Louisiana? That the Tiger fans accept the challenge? That both teams make lots of touchdowns, but that the Tigers make more? That sounds about right. GEAUX TIGERS!
Feast Of The Holy Innocents
Matthew 18:1-7, 10-14
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!
‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
Daily Office Readings:
AM Psalm 2, 26; Isaiah 49:13-23; Matthew 18:1-14
PM Psalm 19, 126; Isaiah 54:1-13; Mark 10:13-16
PRAYER
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Let us, indeed, remember in prayer the innocents who are being killed, abused, and exploited in our own times, for they are many.
As MadPriest says at the post on his site, which is well worth a visit to read the post in its entirety and see the pictures:
It is highly unlikely that the massacre of children reported in The Gospel Of Matthew ever took place (at least not to the extent claimed). However, this does not, in any way, alter the fact that today's festival is only surpassed in importance by the festivals of Jesus Christ himself. I fear that this will remain true until the Kingdom of God is completely realised on earth.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!
‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.
Daily Office Readings:
AM Psalm 2, 26; Isaiah 49:13-23; Matthew 18:1-14
PM Psalm 19, 126; Isaiah 54:1-13; Mark 10:13-16
PRAYER
We remember today, O God, the slaughter of the holy innocents of Bethlehem by King Herod. Receive, we pray, into the arms of your mercy all innocent victims; and by your great might frustrate the designs of evil tyrants and establish your rule of justice, love, and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Let us, indeed, remember in prayer the innocents who are being killed, abused, and exploited in our own times, for they are many.
As MadPriest says at the post on his site, which is well worth a visit to read the post in its entirety and see the pictures:
It is highly unlikely that the massacre of children reported in The Gospel Of Matthew ever took place (at least not to the extent claimed). However, this does not, in any way, alter the fact that today's festival is only surpassed in importance by the festivals of Jesus Christ himself. I fear that this will remain true until the Kingdom of God is completely realised on earth.
"New Orleans A 'War Zone'?"
From the Southtown Star comes this column by Allison Hantschel, aka Athenae at First Draft.
A group of high school students from Rockland, Maine, wanted to go to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans to help with recovery and rebuilding, but the members of the school board turned them down. Jennifer Daniels, a member of the board, said it would be like sending them to a "war zone".
Allison says:
It would be hard to find a more bald example of insulation and privilege than Jennifer Daniels and her fellow members of the school board in Rockland, Maine.
I'm with Allison. What planet do these folks on the school board inhabit? Many groups of high school and college students have gone to help with rebuilding and recovery. Many families with younger children than high school age have worked on projects in New Orleans.
My daughter lives there, and I visit at least once a month, to see her and her family and because I love to go there, and I'm still intact. It's true; you have to be street smart and know where not to go, but I doubt that these high school students would be let loose to roam New Orleans on their own.
Pockets of the city are high crime areas, but calling the city a "war zone" is gross exaggeration. We are a fearful people. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can be safe in our gated communities and, if we do the right thing, our children will always be safe, but life remains a risky business. I was a protective mother-hen type, but I don't think I would have hesitated to let one of my kids go. The students will miss a valuable experience that could affect their lives for the good.
As Allison says, we routinely send youths of 18 and 19 into real war zones.
A group of high school students from Rockland, Maine, wanted to go to the Gulf Coast and New Orleans to help with recovery and rebuilding, but the members of the school board turned them down. Jennifer Daniels, a member of the board, said it would be like sending them to a "war zone".
Allison says:
It would be hard to find a more bald example of insulation and privilege than Jennifer Daniels and her fellow members of the school board in Rockland, Maine.
I'm with Allison. What planet do these folks on the school board inhabit? Many groups of high school and college students have gone to help with rebuilding and recovery. Many families with younger children than high school age have worked on projects in New Orleans.
My daughter lives there, and I visit at least once a month, to see her and her family and because I love to go there, and I'm still intact. It's true; you have to be street smart and know where not to go, but I doubt that these high school students would be let loose to roam New Orleans on their own.
Pockets of the city are high crime areas, but calling the city a "war zone" is gross exaggeration. We are a fearful people. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can be safe in our gated communities and, if we do the right thing, our children will always be safe, but life remains a risky business. I was a protective mother-hen type, but I don't think I would have hesitated to let one of my kids go. The students will miss a valuable experience that could affect their lives for the good.
As Allison says, we routinely send youths of 18 and 19 into real war zones.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A Lullabye From Irma
The Divine Irma Thomas - "What Are You Trying To Do?"
Here's just the song to relax you right before going to bed. Click the arrow and listen and go all mellow. Soooo soothing - music to meditate by.
Video from YouTube.
Picture from BabyTimeOnline.
Housebuilding - New Orleans
Splotchy from I, Splotchy made his second trip to New Orleans to work with Habitat for Humanity on building houses in Musicians Village.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced many musicians to flee New Orleans. Jazz, blues, and other genres that are the city's musical score, cannot return until the musicians return, and many have lost their homes. Habitat for Humanity International and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, working with Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis, honorary chairs of Operation Home Delivery, seek to change this. Plans were announced Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 for a "Musicians' Village."
The Musicians' Village, conceived by Connick and Marsalis, will consist of 72 single-family, Habitat-constructed homes for displaced New Orleans musicians and other qualifying Habitat partner families. Its centerpiece will be the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, dedicated to the education and development of homeowners and others who will live nearby. On January 9, 2006 NOAHH acquired eight acres of land in the Upper 9th Ward where the core area of the Musicians' Village will be located. Construction began in March 2006 and as of December 2007 70 single family homes are either complete or under construction! In addition to the homes in the Musicians' Village core site, NOAHH owns and is building on an additional 70 lots in the surrounding Upper 9th Ward neighborhood.
It's lovely that Splotchy worked in Musicians Village! Harry Connick, Jr. is donating part of the proceeds from his latest CD, "Oh, My Nola", to benefit the village. I am hugely grateful to anyone who helps in any way with the recovery in New Orleans. Much has been accomplished, but there is still so much left to do.
Here's what I said in the comments at Splotchy's blog:
Grandmère Mimi said...
Splotchy, thank you, thank you, thank you! I am a native New Orleanian, but I have not lived there for a long time. I live only an hour away, so I visit often. I am so very grateful to anyone who goes to work to help rebuild New Orleans.
I worked with a group from First Draft blog and college students from Elon University gutting a house last April. The picture of the FD group is the second down on the left sidebar at the blog. That was before we started to work and were still clean. It was hard work, but what a great group of folks I worked with. I'd say building is better than gutting. It's shit work, but someone had to do it. How exciting that you got to work in Musicians Village.
I'm going to link to this post and "borrow" a picture, as Fran did, if you don't mind. Again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for helping in the place that is still the home of my heart.
December 26, 2007 9:27 PM
I'm a-beggin' and I'm a-sellin' like I never did before, but the causes are all good, I promise.
Picture "borrowed" from Splotchy.
Thanks to Fran for the link to Splotchy's post.
UPDATE: You must, you absolutely must go read Splotchy on the "Food, Drink, Music" part of his trip to New Orleans.
Bishop Jenkins Explains
Episcopal Life has a good story on Bishop Jenkins' advocacy for the tenants of public housing in New Orleans.
"I have come to think that the theological virtue of love is the basis for the baptismal covenant question which asks: 'will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?'," Jenkins wrote in his December 20 web log entry about how agape love has informed his involvement. "We are called to love others as God loves others and ourselves. We are called to seek for others God's perfect end. The Christian is not only to love neighbor as self, but as best we can, to love our neighbor as God loves them.
"This means that there are no disposable lives, no subspecies of human upon whom we may look down but that all posses a certain, God-given, dignity in life. This frames the moral issue that I feel compelled to address as a Christian. There is a direct connection between our current homeless population in New Orleans and the thirty thousand families and individuals living in FEMA travel trailers all of whom shall soon be evicted even from those formaldehyde soaked boxes. I am concerned about our homeless situation now and concerned about what I think may be a looming human tragedy in the near future.
....
"As a Christian," wrote Jenkins to the Council, "I am compelled to speak of the morality of these decisions. The issue is not simply one of housing or even subsidized housing. Rather, the issue before us is about people, not buildings, and it is primarily a moral issue."
Unfortunately, the New Orleans City Council voted to move ahead with demolition of public housing units, despite the present scarcity of affordable houses and apartments for those who have the least. The plea from Bishop Jenkins and others was for, at the very least, a delay in the removal of existing housing until the new housing units were completed - which could take as long as five years. I don't know where the folks presently living in the housing units will go when they are evicted from their apartments.
It seems I'm always begging, but if you have spare money after Christmas has ravaged your budget, You may want to consider a donation to Bundles of Hope at the site of the Diocese of Louisiana.
This Christmas, give a lasting and meaningful gift to your family, friends, co-workers, and clients. Give the gift of hope to many still in need in New Orleans. Honor family and friends, and help the diocese with its rebuilding efforts at the same time.
Simply purchase one or more online (or mail in a check), and print out your honor card to mail to your friends and family. It's that simple! Of course, if you need help and don't have access to a printer, call us (225-706-6634) and we will be glad to help. Thank you for supporting the rebuilding and recovery of a great American city.
Remember. It's still Christmas.
"I have come to think that the theological virtue of love is the basis for the baptismal covenant question which asks: 'will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?'," Jenkins wrote in his December 20 web log entry about how agape love has informed his involvement. "We are called to love others as God loves others and ourselves. We are called to seek for others God's perfect end. The Christian is not only to love neighbor as self, but as best we can, to love our neighbor as God loves them.
"This means that there are no disposable lives, no subspecies of human upon whom we may look down but that all posses a certain, God-given, dignity in life. This frames the moral issue that I feel compelled to address as a Christian. There is a direct connection between our current homeless population in New Orleans and the thirty thousand families and individuals living in FEMA travel trailers all of whom shall soon be evicted even from those formaldehyde soaked boxes. I am concerned about our homeless situation now and concerned about what I think may be a looming human tragedy in the near future.
....
"As a Christian," wrote Jenkins to the Council, "I am compelled to speak of the morality of these decisions. The issue is not simply one of housing or even subsidized housing. Rather, the issue before us is about people, not buildings, and it is primarily a moral issue."
Unfortunately, the New Orleans City Council voted to move ahead with demolition of public housing units, despite the present scarcity of affordable houses and apartments for those who have the least. The plea from Bishop Jenkins and others was for, at the very least, a delay in the removal of existing housing until the new housing units were completed - which could take as long as five years. I don't know where the folks presently living in the housing units will go when they are evicted from their apartments.
It seems I'm always begging, but if you have spare money after Christmas has ravaged your budget, You may want to consider a donation to Bundles of Hope at the site of the Diocese of Louisiana.
This Christmas, give a lasting and meaningful gift to your family, friends, co-workers, and clients. Give the gift of hope to many still in need in New Orleans. Honor family and friends, and help the diocese with its rebuilding efforts at the same time.
Simply purchase one or more online (or mail in a check), and print out your honor card to mail to your friends and family. It's that simple! Of course, if you need help and don't have access to a printer, call us (225-706-6634) and we will be glad to help. Thank you for supporting the rebuilding and recovery of a great American city.
Remember. It's still Christmas.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Another Corner Turned
According to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count 3900 US troops have been killed in Iraq, and the number of wounded stands at 38,876. 132 have died of self-inflicted wounds.
I keep count of the rounding of the hundreds of those who have died. Violence in Iraq has diminished of late. I pray the trend downward continues.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
O Lord, I pray that you give comfort and consolation to the families and friends of the dead and to the wounded and their families and friends. Give them healing in body, mind, and spirit. Grant them strength and courage to continue their lives, and give them your peace that passes understanding to keep their minds and hearts. Amen.
I keep count of the rounding of the hundreds of those who have died. Violence in Iraq has diminished of late. I pray the trend downward continues.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen
O Lord, I pray that you give comfort and consolation to the families and friends of the dead and to the wounded and their families and friends. Give them healing in body, mind, and spirit. Grant them strength and courage to continue their lives, and give them your peace that passes understanding to keep their minds and hearts. Amen.
$6229.51
Above is the amount which has been collected for the Anglican Church of Christ the King, located in the City of God, 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.
From Fr. Eduardo Costa:
These are some of our City of God children singing at Most Holy Trinity (which is the other parish I serve). We had a joint Christmas celebration. Please note that the song they sang is already part of the donation that some of you sent to us. With the first offerings, we bought several songbooks and mass settings for children.
The video of the children singing is here.
Please consider making a donation to this excellent cause. The appeal will continue until January 6, 2008. A PayPal button is at the same site, or if you prefer to make a donation by check, mailing addresses are below:
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.
From Fr. Eduardo Costa:
These are some of our City of God children singing at Most Holy Trinity (which is the other parish I serve). We had a joint Christmas celebration. Please note that the song they sang is already part of the donation that some of you sent to us. With the first offerings, we bought several songbooks and mass settings for children.
The video of the children singing is here.
Please consider making a donation to this excellent cause. The appeal will continue until January 6, 2008. A PayPal button is at the same site, or if you prefer to make a donation by check, mailing addresses are below:
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.
"Highway Of Holiness"
From CNN via Oyster, via Atrios:
DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- If you turn to the Bible -- Isaiah Chapter 35, Verse 8 -- you will see a passage that in part says, "A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness."
Now, is it possible that this "highway" mentioned in Chapter 35 is actually Interstate 35 that runs through six U.S. states, from southern Texas to northern Minnesota? Some Christians have faith that is indeed the case.
....
Churchgoers in all six states recently finished 35 days of praying alongside Interstate 35, but the prayers are still continuing.
Cindy Jacobs, the Texas minister who received the revelation after reading Isaiah 35:8, says she's not absolutely sure that Highway 35 is the actual highway mentioned in Isaiah.
Now, it's only fair to say most people, the religious and the non-religious alike, don't buy any of this, but none more than the owners of some of the adult businesses along I-35.
No kidding.
Is there no end to stupidity? I suppose not. Remember the folks who drank Jim Jones' Kool-aid in Guyana? This is a minor absurdity.
12-19-07
DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- If you turn to the Bible -- Isaiah Chapter 35, Verse 8 -- you will see a passage that in part says, "A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness."
Now, is it possible that this "highway" mentioned in Chapter 35 is actually Interstate 35 that runs through six U.S. states, from southern Texas to northern Minnesota? Some Christians have faith that is indeed the case.
....
Churchgoers in all six states recently finished 35 days of praying alongside Interstate 35, but the prayers are still continuing.
Cindy Jacobs, the Texas minister who received the revelation after reading Isaiah 35:8, says she's not absolutely sure that Highway 35 is the actual highway mentioned in Isaiah.
Now, it's only fair to say most people, the religious and the non-religious alike, don't buy any of this, but none more than the owners of some of the adult businesses along I-35.
No kidding.
Is there no end to stupidity? I suppose not. Remember the folks who drank Jim Jones' Kool-aid in Guyana? This is a minor absurdity.
12-19-07
Iraqi Christians Gather
From the Los Angeles Times:
BAGHDAD -- Outside Mar Eliya church, not much had changed since last Christmas: Concrete blocks still surround the building and guards check the IDs of those entering.
But inside, hundreds of Iraqi worshipers -- Christians and Muslims -- were crammed into the overflowing Chaldean Catholic church Tuesday, celebrating the holiday and the fact that they felt safe enough to venture out of their homes to attend Christmas Mass.
"Last year was the year of misery, desperation and sadness," said Samar Jorge Gorges, 33. "But this year is better. So many people attend the Mass and you can see that their praying was joyful."
The plight of the Iraqi Christians lies heavy on my heart. The tiny minority of the ancient community of Iraqi Chaldean Christians has grown smaller in the course of the Iraq War, due to killings, kidnappings, and exile. That the violence has diminished enough that this group of Christians were able to celebrate Christmas at their church this year is joyful news, indeed.
Among those attending were several Shiite Muslim sheiks, including Raad Tamimi, who said they had come "in solidarity with our Christian brothers . . . to plant the seed of love again in the new Iraq." Tamimi, a tribal leader, was excited to shake the cardinal's hand and asked that a photo be taken with his cellphone.
That Muslims joined them in their worship is cause for great rejoicing. The love of God is alive in hearts in Iraq. May the hope of peace on earth and good will toward men become ever more a reality, especially in the poor, ruined country of Iraq.
Thanks to MadPriest for the link to the article.
BAGHDAD -- Outside Mar Eliya church, not much had changed since last Christmas: Concrete blocks still surround the building and guards check the IDs of those entering.
But inside, hundreds of Iraqi worshipers -- Christians and Muslims -- were crammed into the overflowing Chaldean Catholic church Tuesday, celebrating the holiday and the fact that they felt safe enough to venture out of their homes to attend Christmas Mass.
"Last year was the year of misery, desperation and sadness," said Samar Jorge Gorges, 33. "But this year is better. So many people attend the Mass and you can see that their praying was joyful."
The plight of the Iraqi Christians lies heavy on my heart. The tiny minority of the ancient community of Iraqi Chaldean Christians has grown smaller in the course of the Iraq War, due to killings, kidnappings, and exile. That the violence has diminished enough that this group of Christians were able to celebrate Christmas at their church this year is joyful news, indeed.
Among those attending were several Shiite Muslim sheiks, including Raad Tamimi, who said they had come "in solidarity with our Christian brothers . . . to plant the seed of love again in the new Iraq." Tamimi, a tribal leader, was excited to shake the cardinal's hand and asked that a photo be taken with his cellphone.
That Muslims joined them in their worship is cause for great rejoicing. The love of God is alive in hearts in Iraq. May the hope of peace on earth and good will toward men become ever more a reality, especially in the poor, ruined country of Iraq.
Thanks to MadPriest for the link to the article.
Sunday At St. Nicholas In San Joaquin
Fr. Jake has received an email from the Rev. Michael A. Backlund, who was present during the visitation to St. Nicholas Mission in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin by Bishop John-David Schofield, who has declared himself to be no longer under the authority of the Episcopal Church and Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefforts-Schori, but has placed himself under the authority of Archbishop Gregory Venables of the Province of the Southern Cone:
The personal observations of
the Rev’d Michael A. Backlund, PhD
on the occasion of a visitation of
Bishop John-David Schofield of La Iglesia Anglicana Del Cono Sur De America
to St. Nicholas Church (Mission) of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
on December 23, 2007,
the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Kirstin at Barefoot and Laughing was present, also, and she gives her account here.
The personal observations of
the Rev’d Michael A. Backlund, PhD
on the occasion of a visitation of
Bishop John-David Schofield of La Iglesia Anglicana Del Cono Sur De America
to St. Nicholas Church (Mission) of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
on December 23, 2007,
the fourth Sunday of Advent.
Kirstin at Barefoot and Laughing was present, also, and she gives her account here.
Feast Day Of St. Stephen The Martyr
Saint Stephen - Giotto di Bondone - 1320-25 - Tempera on wood
Museo Horne, Florence
The church brings us quickly back down to earth from the glorious celebration of the birth of the God-Incarnate and turns us to the story of the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, and the reality of the cost of discipleship to those who chose to follow the way of Jesus. Paul-Saul, not yet converted, as yet persecuting Christians, stands by to witness Stephen's stoning.
I've wondered at the close association of these two feasts, one following the other. Why must we have reality thrust upon so quickly? Why are we abruptly torn away from our rejoicing that God chose to empty himself to become human, one of us, like us in every way? I pray I find wisdom in pondering the question. What I've stated above seems the closest I can come to an explanation. It's back to work in the establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth, ever keeping in mind that looking backwards in time, we find that both the law and the prophets called the faithful from ancient times to act mercifully, kindly, and justly toward each other and especially toward the least amongst us, with the result that the laws were, in many instances, ignored and the prophets were often killed for their troubles.
To free the Apostles for prayer and preaching, Stephen was one of seven chosen to manage the financial affairs of the church in Jerusalem and to distribute equally to the poor, the widows, and the orphans amongst the Christian Hellenists and the Christian Hebrews. Thus Stephen's association with Boxing Day, the day of giving gifts to the workers, the servants, and the poor.
Acts 6:8-7:2,51-60
The Arrest of Stephen
Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, ‘We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.’ They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, ‘This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; 14for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.’ And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
Stephen’s Speech to the Council
Then the high priest asked him, ‘Are these things so?’ And Stephen replied:
‘Brothers and fathers, listen to me. The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,
‘You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are for ever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.’
The Stoning of Stephen
When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen.* But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’ But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he died.
Eucharistic Readings:
Psalm 31 or 31:1-5;
Jeremiah 26:1-9,12-15; Acts 6:8--7:2a,51c-60; Matthew 23:34-39
Preface of the Incarnation
Daily Office Readings:
AM: Psalm 28, 30; 2 Chronicles 24:17-22; Acts 6:1-7
PM: Psalm 118; Wisdom 4:7-15; Acts 7:59-8:8
PRAYER
We give you thanks, O Lord of glory, for the example of the first martyr Stephen, who looked up to heaven and prayed for his persecutors to your Son Jesus Christ, who stands at your right hand: where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
See also the post from Ormonde, who is a deacon in the Episcopal Church. He has written books on the diaconate and writes regularly at his blog about the lives of deacons in the church.
Image from the Web Gallery of Art.
Happy Boxing Day!
Dedicated to our British and Commonwealth friends.
From Calendar Update:
Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th....
Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. It originated as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday it's name, "Boxing Day".
Also related to the origin of Boxing Day is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season. The contents of these boxes were distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.
Today, Boxing Day is a holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other Commonwealth nations. It is a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports such as soccer, horse racing and hunting are popular on this holiday. Retailers offer huge savings on many items on this day, making it the biggest shopping day of the year in Canada.
Throughout the Christmas season, many organizations keep the original tradition of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, energy, and money to fill the Food Bank and provide gifts for the poor.
As lagniappe, here's a sweet story from guess who? His name starts with a "D". I told you I'd be back with the "L" word, didn't I?
It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco.
The pastor of the church was looking over the cradle when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures of the nativity set. Immediately he turned and went outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. So he walked up to the boy and said, "Well, where did you get Him, my fine friend?"
The little boy replied, "I got him from the church."
"And why did you take him?"
The boy said, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give him a ride around the block in it."
A word on the feast of St. Stephen will come later.
From Calendar Update:
Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26th....
Boxing Day, also known as the Feast of St. Stephen (after the first Christian martyr), originated in England in the middle of the nineteenth century under Queen Victoria. It originated as a holiday for members of the merchant class to give boxes containing food and fruit, clothing, and/or money to trades people and servants. The gifts were an expression of gratitude similar to the bonuses many employers offer their employees today. These gifts, usually given in boxes, gave the holiday it's name, "Boxing Day".
Also related to the origin of Boxing Day is the tradition of opening the alms boxes placed in churches over the Christmas season. The contents of these boxes were distributed amongst the poor, by the clergy, the day after Christmas.
Today, Boxing Day is a holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, and many other Commonwealth nations. It is a time for family and friends to gather with lots of food and fun. Outdoor sports such as soccer, horse racing and hunting are popular on this holiday. Retailers offer huge savings on many items on this day, making it the biggest shopping day of the year in Canada.
Throughout the Christmas season, many organizations keep the original tradition of Boxing Day alive by donating their time, energy, and money to fill the Food Bank and provide gifts for the poor.
As lagniappe, here's a sweet story from guess who? His name starts with a "D". I told you I'd be back with the "L" word, didn't I?
It was the day after Christmas at a church in San Francisco.
The pastor of the church was looking over the cradle when he noticed that the baby Jesus was missing from among the figures of the nativity set. Immediately he turned and went outside and saw a little boy with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. So he walked up to the boy and said, "Well, where did you get Him, my fine friend?"
The little boy replied, "I got him from the church."
"And why did you take him?"
The boy said, "Well, about a week before Christmas I prayed to the little Lord Jesus and I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas I would give him a ride around the block in it."
A word on the feast of St. Stephen will come later.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
A Message from SusanKay
Blogger susankay said...
G'mere -- Please -- my beloved dog is very sick. We see the vet tomorrow. Pray for healing which I realise is not the same as cure. For me (selfishly) as well for Molly the wonder dog. St Laika pray for us.
December 25, 2007 8:09 PM
G'mere -- Please -- my beloved dog is very sick. We see the vet tomorrow. Pray for healing which I realise is not the same as cure. For me (selfishly) as well for Molly the wonder dog. St Laika pray for us.
December 25, 2007 8:09 PM
Monday, December 24, 2007
Unto Us A Child Is Born
The Nativity - Lorenzo Lotto, 1523
Samuel H. Kress Collection, National Gallery of Art
Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it
with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel",
which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Image from Web Gallery of Art
Christmas Issue - Pharisaios Journal
The Christmas issue of the Pharisaios Journal from the Diocese of Wenchoster is a joy to peruse. Unfortunately, because of time limitations, I can't do it the justice that I would like to. You must go there yourself and discover the riches. You'll find messages from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Queen Elizabeth, and, of course, from Bishop Roderick Codpecium, which I feel compelled to share in its entirety:
Hello! End complimints of the season to you awl! You know, this is the tame of many blissings, as will es the iteward trippings of Christmarss. The Pelace is full of decorat-i-ons this yar, more then in yars parst. The tree is quate splendid with presents arind its bottom, end I know that may hice-keeper will be preparing a spec-i-al goose for me on the natal day itself.
What narly spoiled may wick was an unexpected conversat-i-on with someone who said thet he was from the Southern Corn, or some such nonsense. To begin with he addressed me es “Beeshop” which did not go dine very well, end then went on to invate me to join his club. “Come and join us, Meester Beeshop – all the best Californian dioceeses are!” Of course I did not fully understend his thick foreign accent, but thought him a bit of a rum cove. It was when he started talking abite “chili” end “tequila” thet I put dine the phone. Chili end tequila et Christmarss? Thet is not the Englican way. I’ll stick with a nace plump goose, end recommend thet you awl do the same!
May the Bithlehim chaild glidden your hearts end laves!
Click on all the processions, and you'll discover more messages from those we've come to know and love, including the Dean and the head verger, Mr Grindle, and - surprise of surprises - a message from Presiding Bishop Katharine of the Episcopal Church. And Hymns! Un embarras des richesse in hymnody!
I do believe I'll post more from the journal, once the blessed holy day has passed, and I have more time. Go. You won't be sorry.
King's College - Nine Lessons And Carols
From a correspondent:
NPR will be doing a live broadcast of the
King's College Cambridge Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 10:00
a.m. Eastern time on Monday (Christmas Eve). You might be interested in
passing this on.
I cannot find the link to the live broadcast at the NPR site. Check the schedule of your local NPR stations for the broadcast time in your area.
BBC4 will also broadcast live on radio, which you can access from their internet site.
Sirius on Channel 141 and XM on Channel 131 will broadcast live on satellite radio.
Picture from King's College, Cambridge.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
O Christmas Tree!
Pictured is my Charlie Brown (sort of) Christmas tree. It's too overdecorated to be a truly sad looking tree. It's small, and best of all, I can leave the trimmings on the tree, carry it up to the attic, put a large bag over it to keep the dust off, and - Voila! - next year it will be ready to go on the table again. I love it. My grandchildren laugh at it, but it's what I do now.
Below is the first verse of my favorite carol - NOT:
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They're green when summer days are bright;
They're green when winter snow is white.
O, Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!
Eh. Let's try the literal translation:
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How loyal are your leaves/needles!
You're green not only
in the summertime,
No, also in winter when it snows.
O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree
How loyal are your leaves/needles!
No, I don't think so. Finally in German:
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
I'll leave it to others to say if it's a gem of a carol in German. How did this one make it into the canon?
Literal English translation and German version from About.Com.
How I Believe
A favorite passage from one of my favorite books is the quote below from Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited.
Charles Ryder and Sebastian Flyte, two young Englishmen, meet at Oxford in the period between the two world wars. Charles is an unbeliever, and Sebastian is from an aristocratic Roman Catholic family. Once they have been friends for a while, Charles brings up Sebastian's faith and Catholicism. What follows is the dialogue between the two:
(Sebastian) “Oh dear, it’s very difficult being a Catholic!”
(Charles) “Does it make much difference to you?”
(Sebastian:) “Of course. All the time.”
(Charles) “Well, I can’t say I’ve noticed it. Are you struggling against temptation? You don’t seem much more virtuous than me.”
(Sebastian) “I’m very, very much wickeder,” said Sebastian indignantly.
(Charles) “… I suppose they try to make you believe an awful lot of nonsense?”
(Sebastian) “Is it nonsense? I wish it were. It sometimes sounds terribly sensible to me.”
(Charles) “But my dear Sebastian, you can’t seriously believe it all.”
(Sebastian) “Can’t I?”
(Charles) “I mean about Christmas and the star and the three kings and the ox and the ass.”
(Sebastian) “Oh yes. I believe that. It’s a lovely idea.”
(Charles) “But you can’t believe things because they’re a lovely idea.”
(Sebastian) “But I do. That’s how I believe.”
I love the passage, because Sebastian describes how I believe, too. It's very much the stories, the myths (not myths in the sense of something that's not true - myths in the sense of universal truths) that draw me into Christianity.
A note about the nativity set in the picture: The figures were made from ordinary ceramic molds, which I've seen examples of here and there, but my mother made them and painted them some years ago, so I'm sentimentally attached. I have three large camels, too, but they crowd the table, so I left them out this year. I just now noticed that the baby Jesus is hidden in the picture. Shame on me.
I bought a digital camera, but I haven't taken it out of the box yet, because I know it will be a struggle to learn how to use it and upload the pictures to the computer. I'm actually afraid of it. I look at the box and glance quickly away. If I knew how to use it, I could arrange the figures differently and bring Jesus into the picture, Jesus in the picture seeming rather important at this time of the year.
Padre Mickey's Christmas Pageant
Give yourself a pre-Christmas, treat and visit Padre Mickey's blog to see his Christmas pageant. This is, no doubt, his masterpiece. You won't be sorry.
O Virgo Virginum
O Virgo Virginum (An Anglican Bonus)
O Virgin of virgins,
how shall this be?
For neither before was any like thee,
nor shall there be after.
Daughters of Jerusalem,
why marvel ye at me?
That which ye behold is a divine mystery.
O Virgo virginum,
quomodo fiet istud?
Quia nec primam similem visa es
nec habere sequentem.
Filiae Ierusalem,
quid me admiramini?
Divinum est mysterium hoc quod cernitis.
Luke 1:26-35
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
Alas! I have not found music for "O Virgo", since this antiphon only appears in the Sarum (Anglican) Rite. The rest of the videos come from a Roman Catholic source.
Also, see the meditation posted by Vicki Black at Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Café.
Image from ChantBlog.
Text from Apostolcity.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
O Emmanuel
December 22
O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!
Latin
O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman* is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.
See Vicki Black's s post on Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Café.
Video from YouTube. Antiphon sung by the Dominican student brothers at Oxford.
Text from Fish Eaters.
Ooooh, How Sweet!
Pictured above is the nativity set that belongs to Ann at What the Tide Brings In. Isn't it lovely? For other close-up pictures of the set, click the link to her blog.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Haiku Anyone?
Image from Wiki. "These characters are the ones used on chōchin (hanging paper lanterns), such as the ones you might see outside a yakitori stand in Japan."
If you choose to participate, write a haiku using the simple 5-7-5 rule for syllables in a three-line haiku. It's not necessary that the lines rhyme. There are all sorts of other complicated rules for writing proper Japanese Haiku, but that's not what we're doing here. The haiku should make some sort of sense, and extra points if you continue from the subject of the previous haiku. However, that's not a rule. If you'd like to move on to another subject, go ahead. The haiku can be happy, sad, funny, or whatever mood you choose.
I'll start:
Sad sound that I hear,
The wounded bird crying out.
Who will heed her call?
UPDATE: Feel free to nominate your favorites.
"Wishing You A White Christmas"
From Dangerblond, the femme formidable New Orleans blogger, who possesses major supersnark skills. If you're looking for politically correct, then move along, because it's not here.
You know, I’m kind of glad New Orleans is getting rid of all our black people. I really prefer Hispanics when it comes to menials. Have you noticed how they behave? They try as hard as they can to melt into the background and be invisible. This is preferable to the attitude of our former uppity negroes, who simply insist on being noticed and recognized as people. Let them assert their personhood somewhere else!
I appreciate the way the little brown people keep their eyes on the ground when they talk to me. It’s as though they instinctively recognize my blond superiority. Each time I interact with them, I am reminded of the movie “Mrs. Brown,” about Queen Victoria. In that movie, when the queen suddenly appears in the hallway, any servants who happen to be passing through there stop in their tracks and turn immediately to the wall. They stand there silently looking at the wall until the queen is well past them. This keeps the queen from having suffer the indignity of having a low class chamber maid look at her, or, god forbid, smile at her. This movie is a model of how the servant class should behave in the presence of their betters, and more people ought to do themselves the favor of watching it.
It’s also a very nice feature that the new Hispanic lower class does not speak much English. I speak a little Spanish, but I pretend not to, because one doesn’t like to waste one’s time conversing with the help. I don’t like to be bothered with tales of woe, of which poor people seem to have an endless supply. How tiresome. “Sorry, Emelda. No comprende!”
The new Latin servant class is not only properly humble, but they bow and scrape with appreciation for every crumb you throw their way. It truly makes my heart feel grand. I’ve seen them living in gutted out buildings with no electricity, driving cars that shouldn’t even be allowed on the road, and wearing absolute rags. Naturally, they don’t ask for much. All it takes to make them happy is some rice and beans, and what could be healthier than rice and beans?
With their frugal living habits and distaste for luxuries, you can get a Mexican for half what it costs to hire an African-American. Most of them are working in this country illegally anyway, so who are they going to complain to? Ha! It’s so nice for the rest of us when lower class people have no options.
Awesome!
You know, I’m kind of glad New Orleans is getting rid of all our black people. I really prefer Hispanics when it comes to menials. Have you noticed how they behave? They try as hard as they can to melt into the background and be invisible. This is preferable to the attitude of our former uppity negroes, who simply insist on being noticed and recognized as people. Let them assert their personhood somewhere else!
I appreciate the way the little brown people keep their eyes on the ground when they talk to me. It’s as though they instinctively recognize my blond superiority. Each time I interact with them, I am reminded of the movie “Mrs. Brown,” about Queen Victoria. In that movie, when the queen suddenly appears in the hallway, any servants who happen to be passing through there stop in their tracks and turn immediately to the wall. They stand there silently looking at the wall until the queen is well past them. This keeps the queen from having suffer the indignity of having a low class chamber maid look at her, or, god forbid, smile at her. This movie is a model of how the servant class should behave in the presence of their betters, and more people ought to do themselves the favor of watching it.
It’s also a very nice feature that the new Hispanic lower class does not speak much English. I speak a little Spanish, but I pretend not to, because one doesn’t like to waste one’s time conversing with the help. I don’t like to be bothered with tales of woe, of which poor people seem to have an endless supply. How tiresome. “Sorry, Emelda. No comprende!”
The new Latin servant class is not only properly humble, but they bow and scrape with appreciation for every crumb you throw their way. It truly makes my heart feel grand. I’ve seen them living in gutted out buildings with no electricity, driving cars that shouldn’t even be allowed on the road, and wearing absolute rags. Naturally, they don’t ask for much. All it takes to make them happy is some rice and beans, and what could be healthier than rice and beans?
With their frugal living habits and distaste for luxuries, you can get a Mexican for half what it costs to hire an African-American. Most of them are working in this country illegally anyway, so who are they going to complain to? Ha! It’s so nice for the rest of us when lower class people have no options.
Awesome!
Feast Day of Thomas The Apostle
"The Incredulity of Saint Thomas" by Caravaggio, from Wiki.
Peter and Thomas are two of my favorite saints, because they were human and obviously imperfect, and yet we celebrate their lives even now. Their humanity and imperfection further my hope that one day I will join them in the heavenly kingdom with the rest of the saints.
The following poem came to me as I pondered the lives of the two saints.
God's Woman
Peter, Thomas, are you my kin?
I call you, "Brother". Are we alike?
You imperfect ones, a doubter, a denier,
Am I your sister?
"I tell you I do not know him!"
Three times your Lord denied.
Oh, Peter, when you heard the cock crow,
Your salty tears were bitter.
You, Thomas, to touch, to see was all.
"Me believe? When I see the nail marks,
When I put my finger in his side."
"My Lord and my God!"
You, my brothers, deeply, fully human,
You flaw-filled men of God,
You give me strength; you give me courage.
Perhaps I'll be God's woman, after all.
June Butler 4/18/07
Jesus and Thomas
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
John 20:24-29
READINGS:
AM: Psalm 23, 121; Job 42:1-6; 1 Peter 1:3-9
PM: Psalm 27; Isaiah 43: 8-13; John 14:1-7
PRAYER
Almighty and everliving God, who strengthened your apostle Thomas with sure and certain faith in your Son's resurrection: Grant us so perfectly and without doubt to believe in Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, that our faith may never be found wanting in your sight; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Do click on the picture and get the larger view. It's so beautiful.
UPDATE: Padre Mickey has a fine post on Thomas. I like this that El Padre said, "God gave us large brains capable of reason and thought, and God expects us to use these brains even in spiritual matters. Questioning and study are all part of loving God with all our minds." Amen.
O Rex Gentium
December 21
O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof!
O Corner-stone, that makest of two one,
come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!
Latin
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.
Isaiah 9:7
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 2:4
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into ploughshares,
and their spears into pruning-hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
See Vicki Black's s post on Speaking to the Soul at the Episcopal Café.
Video from YouTube. Antiphon sung by the Dominican student brothers at Oxford.
Text from Fish Eaters.
"An Interesting Bit Of Irony"
From the Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana:
On the day before the City Council of New Orleans voted unanimously to move ahead with the demolition of four public housing sites in New Orleans, Church leaders were summoned by FEMA and HUD to a housing summit. We were asked by the officials present to assist with the looming housing crisis in New Orleans. Those of us who attempt to minister in the area of housing were asked to move quickly to be part of the solution to the crisis that is coming. We were told that the critical point would be in April of 2008.
FEMA plans to move thirty thousand families out of travel trailers before the next Hurricane season. There are apparently six thousand families still in “trailer parks.” Many trailers are still in front of ruined houses.
When asked of the demolition of projects that could have provided temporary housing for citizens, the reply came, “bad timing, isn’t it?” You can’t make this stuff up, you know? I should also point out that the Mayor of New Orleans apparently knew nothing of this summit.
Let us be clear that our Diocese is committed to the ministry of housing. We are not just about building houses but homes. We seek the transformation of lives and the improvement of neighborhoods.
Our JERICHO ROAD EPISCOPAL HOUSING INITIATIVE continues to build new houses in the Central City neighborhood. We are partnered with many in this ministry. JERICHO ROAD is also involved in “gap financing” and homeowner education to help transform renters into owners. JERICHO ROAD depends upon the generosity of others for its funding. This ministry of the Diocese, Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans, and Episcopal Relief and Development is recognized as a leader in rebuilding our city. A new opportunity for consideration by the JERICHO ROAD Board is to move into refurbishing rental property in Central City. This move could provide affordable rental property: a move that speaks directly to the urgent request of FEMA and HUD.
In a separate and distinct ministry, the Diocese continues to clean and rebuild houses ruined by the floodwaters. This ministry is funded in large measure by Episcopal Relief and Development but must increasingly depend upon the generosity of individuals. Katie Mears and her team of trained college interns head up this ministry. Volunteers from around the country continue to give of their time and talents to make this happen. Since so many have not received Road Home funds, the Diocese has been providing the materials for many of these rebuilds. The results are amazing and the generosity of those with whom we have worked is heartwarming. When the Road Home funds have finally come to those with whom we have worked, we have seen an outpouring of generosity that is amazing.
Even though the ideas I put forward in the public housing debate did not prevail, I want all to know that our Diocese stands committed to safe and dignified housing in our city. A loss in one area is often an opportunity in another. God is good.
Bishop Jenkins
I'm quite proud of the leadership that Bishop Jenkins and his staff have shown in care and concern for those who suffered loss after Katrina and the federal flood. The Diocese of Louisiana is doing great work in the recovery effort in Louisiana.
It's probably not a good time of the year to suggest further donations for, by now, many folks are maxed out in their spending, nevertheless, here's the link to donate to the Jericho Road project. More information on the program can be found here.
On the day before the City Council of New Orleans voted unanimously to move ahead with the demolition of four public housing sites in New Orleans, Church leaders were summoned by FEMA and HUD to a housing summit. We were asked by the officials present to assist with the looming housing crisis in New Orleans. Those of us who attempt to minister in the area of housing were asked to move quickly to be part of the solution to the crisis that is coming. We were told that the critical point would be in April of 2008.
FEMA plans to move thirty thousand families out of travel trailers before the next Hurricane season. There are apparently six thousand families still in “trailer parks.” Many trailers are still in front of ruined houses.
When asked of the demolition of projects that could have provided temporary housing for citizens, the reply came, “bad timing, isn’t it?” You can’t make this stuff up, you know? I should also point out that the Mayor of New Orleans apparently knew nothing of this summit.
Let us be clear that our Diocese is committed to the ministry of housing. We are not just about building houses but homes. We seek the transformation of lives and the improvement of neighborhoods.
Our JERICHO ROAD EPISCOPAL HOUSING INITIATIVE continues to build new houses in the Central City neighborhood. We are partnered with many in this ministry. JERICHO ROAD is also involved in “gap financing” and homeowner education to help transform renters into owners. JERICHO ROAD depends upon the generosity of others for its funding. This ministry of the Diocese, Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans, and Episcopal Relief and Development is recognized as a leader in rebuilding our city. A new opportunity for consideration by the JERICHO ROAD Board is to move into refurbishing rental property in Central City. This move could provide affordable rental property: a move that speaks directly to the urgent request of FEMA and HUD.
In a separate and distinct ministry, the Diocese continues to clean and rebuild houses ruined by the floodwaters. This ministry is funded in large measure by Episcopal Relief and Development but must increasingly depend upon the generosity of individuals. Katie Mears and her team of trained college interns head up this ministry. Volunteers from around the country continue to give of their time and talents to make this happen. Since so many have not received Road Home funds, the Diocese has been providing the materials for many of these rebuilds. The results are amazing and the generosity of those with whom we have worked is heartwarming. When the Road Home funds have finally come to those with whom we have worked, we have seen an outpouring of generosity that is amazing.
Even though the ideas I put forward in the public housing debate did not prevail, I want all to know that our Diocese stands committed to safe and dignified housing in our city. A loss in one area is often an opportunity in another. God is good.
Bishop Jenkins
I'm quite proud of the leadership that Bishop Jenkins and his staff have shown in care and concern for those who suffered loss after Katrina and the federal flood. The Diocese of Louisiana is doing great work in the recovery effort in Louisiana.
It's probably not a good time of the year to suggest further donations for, by now, many folks are maxed out in their spending, nevertheless, here's the link to donate to the Jericho Road project. More information on the program can be found here.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Politically Correct Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas and Santa was a wreck ...
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.
And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you KNOW that looked stupid!
The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.
Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.
His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on the Ellen show, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was "Ms."
And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific.
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.
No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with THAT word these days.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even YOU!
So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...
"May you and your loved ones enjoy Peace On Earth."
Thanks to the lurking, but ever helpful, Doug.
How to live in a world that's politically correct?
His workers no longer would answer to "Elves",
"Vertically Challenged" they were calling themselves.
And labor conditions at the north pole
Were alleged by the union to stifle the soul.
Four reindeer had vanished, without much propriety,
Released to the wilds by the Humane Society.
And equal employment had made it quite clear
That Santa had better not use just reindeer.
So Dancer and Donner, Comet and Cupid,
Were replaced with 4 pigs, and you KNOW that looked stupid!
The runners had been removed from his sleigh;
The ruts were termed dangerous by the E.P.A.
And people had started to call for the cops
When they heard sled noises on their roof-tops.
Second-hand smoke from his pipe had his workers quite frightened.
His fur trimmed red suit was called "Unenlightened."
And to show you the strangeness of life's ebbs and flows,
Rudolf was suing over unauthorized use of his nose
And had gone on the Ellen show, in front of the nation,
Demanding millions in over-due compensation.
So, half of the reindeer were gone; and his wife,
Who suddenly said she'd enough of this life,
Joined a self-help group, packed, and left in a whiz,
Demanding from now on her title was "Ms."
And as for the gifts, why, he'd ne'er had a notion
That making a choice could cause so much commotion.
Nothing of leather, nothing of fur,
Which meant nothing for him. And nothing for her.
Nothing that might be construed to pollute.
Nothing to aim. Nothing to shoot.
Nothing that clamored or made lots of noise.
Nothing for just girls. Or just for the boys.
Nothing that claimed to be gender specific.
Nothing that's warlike or non-pacific.
No candy or sweets...they were bad for the tooth.
Nothing that seemed to embellish a truth.
And fairy tales, while not yet forbidden,
Were like Ken and Barbie, better off hidden.
For they raised the hackles of those psychological
Who claimed the only good gift was one ecological.
No baseball, no football...someone could get hurt;
Besides, playing sports exposed kids to dirt.
Dolls were said to be sexist, and should be passe;
And Nintendo would rot your entire brain away.
So Santa just stood there, disheveled, perplexed;
He just could not figure out what to do next.
He tried to be merry, tried to be gay,
But you've got to be careful with THAT word these days.
His sack was quite empty, limp to the ground;
Nothing fully acceptable was to be found.
Something special was needed, a gift that he might
Give to all without angering the left or the right.
A gift that would satisfy, with no indecision,
Each group of people, every religion;
Every ethnicity, every hue,
Everyone, everywhere...even YOU!
So here is that gift, it's price beyond worth...
"May you and your loved ones enjoy Peace On Earth."
Thanks to the lurking, but ever helpful, Doug.
Breaking News From Sen. Landrieu!
Sen. Mary Landrieu said:
“The City Council’s decision smartly recognizes that demolition and renewal must be considered hand-in-hand in order to move forward. It reaffirmed a wise commitment to the principles of affordable housing, community partnership, HANO reform and mixed-income development laid out in the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act. In so doing, the Council rose above the divisive and misleading destroy-and-forget arguments of Senator Vitter, the Times-Picayune and other opponents who refuse to look beyond the wrecking ball to see the foundation of a more smartly-designed community of tomorrow.
“I am proud of the council members for considering this issue with their heads and their hearts and for ultimately reaching the right conclusion for New Orleans and her people. I am also proud of the Catholic and Episcopal churches, local community leaders and all others for understanding that this effort was never about demolition, but about what happens next; and for having the courage to stand up for one greater New Orleans.”
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary. Here's what Bishop Charles Jenkins asked for:
In an open letter to the New Orleans City Council on December 6, the Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, urged council members to “reclaim and renew existing Federal Housing Projects as temporary and dignified homes,” for those still in FEMA trailers and returning residents until the proposed, mixed-income housing is developed.
Where's the hold on demolition? What happens next, Mary? Where will the folks living in the buildings go, Mary?
To think I gave her campaign contributions the first time she ran!
“The City Council’s decision smartly recognizes that demolition and renewal must be considered hand-in-hand in order to move forward. It reaffirmed a wise commitment to the principles of affordable housing, community partnership, HANO reform and mixed-income development laid out in the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act. In so doing, the Council rose above the divisive and misleading destroy-and-forget arguments of Senator Vitter, the Times-Picayune and other opponents who refuse to look beyond the wrecking ball to see the foundation of a more smartly-designed community of tomorrow.
“I am proud of the council members for considering this issue with their heads and their hearts and for ultimately reaching the right conclusion for New Orleans and her people. I am also proud of the Catholic and Episcopal churches, local community leaders and all others for understanding that this effort was never about demolition, but about what happens next; and for having the courage to stand up for one greater New Orleans.”
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary. Here's what Bishop Charles Jenkins asked for:
In an open letter to the New Orleans City Council on December 6, the Rt. Rev. Charles Jenkins, Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, urged council members to “reclaim and renew existing Federal Housing Projects as temporary and dignified homes,” for those still in FEMA trailers and returning residents until the proposed, mixed-income housing is developed.
Where's the hold on demolition? What happens next, Mary? Where will the folks living in the buildings go, Mary?
To think I gave her campaign contributions the first time she ran!
From Dangerblond in New Orleans
I have been monitoring the situation in New Orleans, in which the powers plan to tear down public housing units in the city, at the same time that affordable housing is at a premium and often non-existent. Sharon Jasper, an elderly black woman, is not crazy about the housing that the powers have arranged for her. She would like to be back in her apartment in the St. Bernard public housing complex, which the powers want to demolish instead of repairing.
Dangerblond, a New Orleans blogger, wrote this in the comments to her post, titled "elderly black woman caught with big-screen t.v.; lacks proper level of humility and appreciation", on her blog, named, of all things, Dangerblond:
I don’t think people realize that our economy would collapse if employers were required to pay all their workers enough to afford a family-sized home, either a rental or mortgage. We subsidize corporations by providing cheap labor and housing for the workers. It is vital that large numbers of people remain uneducated, for if they were educated they would need better jobs, and there aren’t enough of those to go around. Many people work at jobs that don’t pay enough to afford housing, that’s the way it’s set up to work.
I met Dangerblond at the Rising Tide Conference in New Orleans. She is a force to be reckoned with, I can tell you. Her statement above is profound and true. I believe that our economy is set up to work just as she says.
Dangerblond, a New Orleans blogger, wrote this in the comments to her post, titled "elderly black woman caught with big-screen t.v.; lacks proper level of humility and appreciation", on her blog, named, of all things, Dangerblond:
I don’t think people realize that our economy would collapse if employers were required to pay all their workers enough to afford a family-sized home, either a rental or mortgage. We subsidize corporations by providing cheap labor and housing for the workers. It is vital that large numbers of people remain uneducated, for if they were educated they would need better jobs, and there aren’t enough of those to go around. Many people work at jobs that don’t pay enough to afford housing, that’s the way it’s set up to work.
I met Dangerblond at the Rising Tide Conference in New Orleans. She is a force to be reckoned with, I can tell you. Her statement above is profound and true. I believe that our economy is set up to work just as she says.
"What The World Eats"
From Time magazine:
By country - a breakdown of food expenditures in a one week period:
Bhutan: A family of thirteen spends 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03
Chad: A family of six spends 685 CFA Francs or $1.23
China: A family of four spends 1,233.76 Yuan or $155.06
Ecuador: A family of nine spends $31.55
Egypt: A family of twelve spends 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53
Germany: A family of four spends 375.39 Euros or $500.07
Great Britain: A family of four spends 155.54 British Pounds or $253.15
Italy: A family of five spends 214.36 Euros or $260.11
Japan: A family of four spends 37,699 Yen or $317.25
Kuwait: A family of eight spends 63.63 dinar or $221.45
Mexico: A family of five spends 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09
Mongolia: A family of four spends 41,985.85 togrogs or $40.02
Poland: A family of five spends 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27
United States: A family of four spends $341.98
United States: A family of four spends $159.18 (a thrifty American family)
For pictures of the families and of the food purchased by the families, click on the above link. Something is very much out of balance here.
Thanks to Ann.
I don't know what bloggers around the world would do without Ann. She's a force.
By country - a breakdown of food expenditures in a one week period:
Bhutan: A family of thirteen spends 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03
Chad: A family of six spends 685 CFA Francs or $1.23
China: A family of four spends 1,233.76 Yuan or $155.06
Ecuador: A family of nine spends $31.55
Egypt: A family of twelve spends 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53
Germany: A family of four spends 375.39 Euros or $500.07
Great Britain: A family of four spends 155.54 British Pounds or $253.15
Italy: A family of five spends 214.36 Euros or $260.11
Japan: A family of four spends 37,699 Yen or $317.25
Kuwait: A family of eight spends 63.63 dinar or $221.45
Mexico: A family of five spends 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09
Mongolia: A family of four spends 41,985.85 togrogs or $40.02
Poland: A family of five spends 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27
United States: A family of four spends $341.98
United States: A family of four spends $159.18 (a thrifty American family)
For pictures of the families and of the food purchased by the families, click on the above link. Something is very much out of balance here.
Thanks to Ann.
I don't know what bloggers around the world would do without Ann. She's a force.
Who Got Beat Up The Worst?
From GG at SF - sorry, I won't link:
Here in Mississippi, the Episcopal Church lives in a post-Katrina era as much as it does a post-Robinson era. The storm came ashore and utterly devastated the Gulf Coast. It delivered a body-blow to the southern "foot" of the state (check your maps and you'll see what I mean). Three hundred people were killed. Six Episcopal churches were completely destroyed. The devastation dwarfed what happened in New Orleans.
Not wanting to get into a battle about who got beat up the worst by Katrina and the federal flood, but just to note that more than 1700 people died in New Orleans - most certainly not to belittle the losses in Mississippi, for they suffered greatly.
Of course, he lives in Mississippi, and I am a native of New Orleans. We could both be prejudiced.
GG thinks the post-Katrina Mississippi Gulf Coast is a metaphor for what the Episcopal Church is destined to become. We shall see.
Here in Mississippi, the Episcopal Church lives in a post-Katrina era as much as it does a post-Robinson era. The storm came ashore and utterly devastated the Gulf Coast. It delivered a body-blow to the southern "foot" of the state (check your maps and you'll see what I mean). Three hundred people were killed. Six Episcopal churches were completely destroyed. The devastation dwarfed what happened in New Orleans.
Not wanting to get into a battle about who got beat up the worst by Katrina and the federal flood, but just to note that more than 1700 people died in New Orleans - most certainly not to belittle the losses in Mississippi, for they suffered greatly.
Of course, he lives in Mississippi, and I am a native of New Orleans. We could both be prejudiced.
GG thinks the post-Katrina Mississippi Gulf Coast is a metaphor for what the Episcopal Church is destined to become. We shall see.
O Oriens
December 20
O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light,
Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!
Latin
O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ:
veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Isaiah 9:2
The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
Antiphon sung by the Dominican student brothers at Oxford.
Text from Fish Eaters.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Don't Blame Me, Blame Doug - Yet Again
The minister of a city church enjoyed a drink now and then, but his passion was for peach brandy. One of his congregants would make him a bottle each Christmas. One year, when the minister went to visit his friend, hoping for his usual Christmas present, he was not disappointed, but his friend told him that he had to thank him for the peach brandy from the pulpit the next Sunday.
In his haste to get the bottle, the minister hurriedly agreed and left. So the next Sunday the minister suddenly remembered that he had to make a public announcement that he was being supplied alcohol from a member of the church. That morning, his friend sat in the church with a grin on his face, waiting to see the minister's embarrassment.
The minister climbed into the pulpit and said, "Before we begin, I have an announcement. I would very much like to thank my friend, Joe, for his kind gift of peaches ... and for the spirit in which they were given!"
In his haste to get the bottle, the minister hurriedly agreed and left. So the next Sunday the minister suddenly remembered that he had to make a public announcement that he was being supplied alcohol from a member of the church. That morning, his friend sat in the church with a grin on his face, waiting to see the minister's embarrassment.
The minister climbed into the pulpit and said, "Before we begin, I have an announcement. I would very much like to thank my friend, Joe, for his kind gift of peaches ... and for the spirit in which they were given!"
From Bishop Jenkins - Action Alert On Housing
From the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana:
Action Alert: Demolition of Public Housing
Bishop Jenkins invites all concerned lay and clergy to New Orleans City Hall at 9 a.m. Thursday, December 20th to attend a meeting on the public housing crisis.
On Friday, December 14, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana issued a special E-DoLA covering the public housing crisis in New Orleans.
Since the release of that information, a judge has ordered a stop to all demolition until the city council holds a hearing on Thursday. In addition, the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate [call] for a 60-day moratorium on demolition, to enable our lawmakers to be fully satisfied regarding a number of disputed facts, and to address the fact that lawmakers have yet to be shown a "full and viable" plan that addresses immediate need for units by Katrina survivors, one-for-one replacement, and the long-term goal of new mixed income developments.
The debate and vote on Thursday represents a moral crossroads for our community. The lives and well-being of tens of thousands of people are at stake, and the weight of this decision and its implications for those in tenuous housing situations or homeless looms large. This is why we urge all residents with post-Katrina humanitarian and spiritual concerns to register their request of our elected officials to be thorough and not hasty, and to approve the request by our two most powerful Congressional leaders for the 60-day moratorium.
Click Here to read the New York Times Article "High Noon in New Orleans: The Bulldozers Are Ready."
To send a message to the New Orleans City Council, click here.
In the planning stage is a letter to President Bush asking his intervention to prevent demolition of the public housing. The diocese will ask people from all over the country to send the message to the president. When a link is available, I will post it.
Action Alert: Demolition of Public Housing
Bishop Jenkins invites all concerned lay and clergy to New Orleans City Hall at 9 a.m. Thursday, December 20th to attend a meeting on the public housing crisis.
On Friday, December 14, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana issued a special E-DoLA covering the public housing crisis in New Orleans.
Since the release of that information, a judge has ordered a stop to all demolition until the city council holds a hearing on Thursday. In addition, the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate [call] for a 60-day moratorium on demolition, to enable our lawmakers to be fully satisfied regarding a number of disputed facts, and to address the fact that lawmakers have yet to be shown a "full and viable" plan that addresses immediate need for units by Katrina survivors, one-for-one replacement, and the long-term goal of new mixed income developments.
The debate and vote on Thursday represents a moral crossroads for our community. The lives and well-being of tens of thousands of people are at stake, and the weight of this decision and its implications for those in tenuous housing situations or homeless looms large. This is why we urge all residents with post-Katrina humanitarian and spiritual concerns to register their request of our elected officials to be thorough and not hasty, and to approve the request by our two most powerful Congressional leaders for the 60-day moratorium.
Click Here to read the New York Times Article "High Noon in New Orleans: The Bulldozers Are Ready."
To send a message to the New Orleans City Council, click here.
In the planning stage is a letter to President Bush asking his intervention to prevent demolition of the public housing. The diocese will ask people from all over the country to send the message to the president. When a link is available, I will post it.
O Clavis David
December 19
O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel,
that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth,
come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.
Latin
O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel;
qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit:
veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
Isaiah 22:22
I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David;
he shall open, and no one shall shut;
he shall shut, and no one shall open.
Antiphon sung by the Dominican student brothers at Oxford.
Text from Fish Eaters.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Soon And Very Soon
Soon and Very Soon
(text and music by Andrae Crouch, adapted by Wm. F. Smith)
Since I've now learned to upload videos, I had to do this one again, because soon and very soon, we are going to see the king.
Advent is my favorite season of the church year. I love the daily readings which call us to account for falling short in doing justice and loving kindness, and walking humbly before our God, but at the same, the readings give us hope in the great love and mercy of God.
This year, especially, I have experienced a true sense of expectancy, a sense of waiting. I put up my decorations, which are fewer than in years past, including my Charlie Brown type Christmas tree, which has so many ornaments on it that it doesn't look at all pitiful. I do this mainly for my grandchildren.
Our church has no decorations at all, except for the large Advent wreath, which hangs down from a ceiling medallion on a chain which can be raised and lowered. We have flowers on the altar, but not Christmas flowers.
Last Sunday we sang one verse of several Christmas carols during the children's Christmas pageant, but other than that, we have sung no Christmas carols.
Other churches choose to decorate earlier and to sing carols earlier, and I don't mean to disparage the practice, but I do like that we wait until Christmas Eve. On that holy night, upon entering the church, we're greeted with a burst of color, red and green from poinsettias, holly, and other greenery against the soft cream of the walls, and red candles in brass candle holders with glass chimneys in the tall windows. It's a lovely, exciting, and sudden transformation of our church on the eve of the celebration of the birth of Our Lord.
I'm waiting.
I'm expectant.
Come, Lord Jesus.
Video from YouTube.
Your President On The Mortgage Crisis
Here's my attitude on housing: one, the government should never bail out lenders; two, some people bought a house that they shouldn't have been in the market; three, there are speculators who thought they could get -- buy nice, one of these reset mortgages and flip it, make some money -- I'm sure none of them are in the chamber, but nevertheless -- that's what happened.
....
I remember going down to the savings and loan and sitting down with the savings and loan officer and negotiating with the savings and loan officer. Well, this day and age you're going to use -- mortgages have been bundled, so the savings and loan doesn't own the mortgage anymore, or the bank doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore, the local lending institute doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore: it's owned by some international group, perhaps, or it's been bundled into an asset. And so there's hardly anybody to negotiate with. And so some lenders [sic] aren't sure where to turn
We're not bailing people out -- we're helping them refinance their money, we're helping them, you know -- we're helping them stay in a part of the American Dream is what we're doing, and it's worthwhile to do that.
That clears things up considerably, although to me the American dream has turned into the American nightmare. OCICBW.
Thanks to Holden at First Draft for doing the hard work.
....
I remember going down to the savings and loan and sitting down with the savings and loan officer and negotiating with the savings and loan officer. Well, this day and age you're going to use -- mortgages have been bundled, so the savings and loan doesn't own the mortgage anymore, or the bank doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore, the local lending institute doesn't loan [sic] the mortgage anymore: it's owned by some international group, perhaps, or it's been bundled into an asset. And so there's hardly anybody to negotiate with. And so some lenders [sic] aren't sure where to turn
We're not bailing people out -- we're helping them refinance their money, we're helping them, you know -- we're helping them stay in a part of the American Dream is what we're doing, and it's worthwhile to do that.
That clears things up considerably, although to me the American dream has turned into the American nightmare. OCICBW.
Thanks to Holden at First Draft for doing the hard work.
AMDG
The letters above are an acronym. What do they stand for? I know that all of my readers are honest folks, and I'm putting you on your honor not to use Google. I'll give you one hint. The acronym is from the pre-computer age.
A Profile In Courage - Chris Dodd
I want this man for my president. Chris Dodd's threat of a filibuster caused weenie Harry Reid - who was supposed to be the Democrats "Give 'em hell, Harry", (but, alas! is not) - to back down from pushing through a new eavesdropping bill that would give the Telecom industry immunity for helping the powers to spy on you and me. You and I can't get retroactive immunity if we break the law, so why should the Telecoms? Quest refused to go along with the request to spy on its customers in 2001. The other Telecoms could have, too.
From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON — In a setback for the White House, Senate Democrats on Monday put off until at least next month any decision on whether to give legal protection to the phone carriers that helped with the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program.
The Bush administration had pushed for immediate passage of legislation to grant immunity to the phone companies as part of a broader expansion of the N.S.A.’s wiretapping authorities. But that will not happen now.
We cannot relax. This is only a reprieve until January. Harry Reid looked shell-shocked in the video of the announcement of the postponement. Good. Maybe hearing from the people of the country will help him grow a backbone. The citizens are so far ahead of some of the Democrats in the Senate that it's pathetic.
From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON — In a setback for the White House, Senate Democrats on Monday put off until at least next month any decision on whether to give legal protection to the phone carriers that helped with the National Security Agency’s eavesdropping program.
The Bush administration had pushed for immediate passage of legislation to grant immunity to the phone companies as part of a broader expansion of the N.S.A.’s wiretapping authorities. But that will not happen now.
We cannot relax. This is only a reprieve until January. Harry Reid looked shell-shocked in the video of the announcement of the postponement. Good. Maybe hearing from the people of the country will help him grow a backbone. The citizens are so far ahead of some of the Democrats in the Senate that it's pathetic.
Unlikely Pick?
From the Associated Press via the Kentucky Herald-Leader:
PIKEVILLE --President Bush's pick for a top Department of Energy post is a former executive from Massey Energy, a company with a lengthy history of mine safety and environmental violations.
Bush last week nominated Stanley C. Suboleski to be the point person in developing policies related to coal and other fossil fuels.
My local paper ran this story with the headline that Suboleski was an "unlikely...pick". Where has this headline writer been for the last seven years?
PIKEVILLE --President Bush's pick for a top Department of Energy post is a former executive from Massey Energy, a company with a lengthy history of mine safety and environmental violations.
Bush last week nominated Stanley C. Suboleski to be the point person in developing policies related to coal and other fossil fuels.
My local paper ran this story with the headline that Suboleski was an "unlikely...pick". Where has this headline writer been for the last seven years?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)