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HEADLINE OF THE DAY (2)
SAYING GOODBYE PROPERLY
Prepare to blub like a girlie.
THIS STORY is a real "Marley and Me" style tearjerker.
Thanks to Skittles for sending this in
(after she had stopped sobbing, of course).
THIS STORY is a real "Marley and Me" style tearjerker.
Thanks to Skittles for sending this in
(after she had stopped sobbing, of course).
THE PERKS OF BLOGGINGNO. 1: THE TROLL SLAP DOWN
From the comments under the post
HETEROSEXUAL MEN ARE KILLING THEIR PARTNERS:
The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword
and, be warned trolls, my pen is sharp than most.
HETEROSEXUAL MEN ARE KILLING THEIR PARTNERS:
The pen, as they say, is mightier than the sword
and, be warned trolls, my pen is sharp than most.
Celebrating Women's Ministries
The closing Eucharist for the GOE (General Ordination Exams) was a special event designed by one of our chaplains, the Rev'd Dr. Katharine C. Black. Katharine is Priest in Charge of The Church of St. John the Evangelist, Bowdoin Street, Boston, MA, a former seminary classmate and someone I am pleased and honored to call my dear friend - proof positive that we're both still crazy after all these years.
Since the year 2012 marks the 35th Anniversary of the "regularization" of the ordination of women, Katharine proposed that we designate a special day on the liturgical calendar in Celebration of Women's Ministries.
She further suggested that we have it on the anniversary of the consecration of the Right Rev'd Barbara Clementine Harris, the first woman to be ordained bishop in The Episcopal Church.
Katherine proposed several wonderful hymns and wrote a collect prayer. I am delighted that she has given me permission to publish her sermon and the collect.
I am doing so in hopes that Katherine's "modest proposal" of a date on our liturgical calendar to celebrate Women's Ministries begins to spark some conversation which in turn will generate a movement to make this a reality.
In the meantime, enjoy the sermon. It's really quite wonderful.
LET US PRAY:
Gracious, energizing God, you fill your faithful people with gifts of leadership, hospitality, and kindness; we thank you for women in all ages, who have heard your voice, received your gifts, and responded as themselves to your call (in particular for the ordination of the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris February 11, 1989:) fill us, too, with the fire and grace of their witness; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and inspires us, now and always. AMEN.In the name of God who created us from love, saves us through love, and loves us now and always. AMEN.
GOE Set I: Liturgy. Design a Votive Eucharist for a Common of Women’s Ministries, naming date, texts, color, music, and other details of the liturgy, making it useful for a Variety of Women and Their Ministries. Include the homilette you’d preach. Limited Resources: BCP, EOW, BOS, NOAB, authorized hymnals.
A year ago, I realized it would be both nearly Barbara’s (Harris') 23rd anniversary and my 12th and final year here, so I asked for this occasion to consider with all y’all the necessity of the 11th of February being a Day on the Calendar to celebrate Women’s Ministries, in particular.
I was a Deacon when Bishop Harris was elected and ordained. I’d asked my seminary professor what the election would be like, and he said, “Boring. Episcopal elections are boring; you’ll need two books to last the whole time.”
the Rev'd Dr. Katharine C. BlackThe voting went back and forth, until the 7th ballot. The rector for whom I worked was the lieutenant for the long-time diocesan faithful male priest, and the rector’d asked me to sit with AND vote with him. With as much ingenue sweetness as I could muster (even then,) I said I’d sit with EDS friends, with my historian friend, behind Sue Hiatt, architect of women’s ordination, and Carter Heyward the most frequent public face of those 11 women.
When Bp. Johnson said, “We have an election,” Sue and Carter looked at each other in wonder, sweetly, and then most people stood up, whooped and hollered. I turned to my friend, “Did you think this was boring? I thought it was pretty exciting.” “No, Katharine; this was not boring.”
Because Feb. 11th secured the knitted row after the ordained women’s row, it’s the date that makes most sense for celebrating Women’s Ministries. What color do you think should be used for this votive?
I think blue for Our Lady and all other women, but it’s Epiphany, so maybe green, so is this blue or green? Yes. (Note: It was teal)
What should the proper preface be? Of the Holy Spirit— “Who (by water and the Holy Spirit has) made us a new people in IX,” or Pentecost, (“lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth,”) or a Saint (1) “for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all your saints,” or Apostles—although that may be cheeky, (“after his resurrection) sent forth apostles (to preach,”) or Baptism, (“you have) received us as your sons and daughters, (made us citizens of your kingdom,”) or the seasonal, Epiphany, (“you have caused) a new light (to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son,”) today—that—but in your doing such a liturgy, on 11 Feb, naming “in particular Bishop Harris, and... ” you might choose a more apt preface.
The hard part for me, was, of course, the scripture.
The Canadian BCP has such a votive, but its choices didn’t much suit me, and I’m not a Bible Baptist, so I sent out a plea to my bible churchy friends: to Mary Sulerud, Mary Callaway, Tony Lewis, John Hooker, Kathryn Piccard, Francine Cardman(Church History at Weston-Jesuit,), Sandi Rufo Civitareale, and other wise women and men. Several thought I was casting about for what to say, but really only texts.
Some suggested Bible women I didn’t know, to my shame: Rizpah, Vashti, and Jochabod. I’ve thought for years, that if Jews and, then Christians, had prayed instead of “in the name of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” or even “Sarah, Rachel, Rebecca, and Hagar,” but “in the name of Deborah, Jael, Rahab, and Judith,” a different sort of notice would have been given which might have simplified life for women for these eons.
Laurel Ulrich in Good Wives observes that it was such women’s behavior of “feminine strength and assertiveness” that was “proximately problematic for everyone in a woman’s sphere, running against the grain.” Naming such women aloud would have made them part of all our grain, to become whole grain— and we know whole grain’s better for us than just white....
People offered a range of texts. From Hebrew Scripture, the wives of the patriarchs, or wives and spares, and Hannah and Miriam, but I chose Deborah because she sat listening, was a fair judge until rudely attacked, and then found someone to destroy the enemy; patient, effective judging, and a decisive successful winning result— a fine model. The Epistle took choosing, because for almost every woman named, there’s a scholar to say a serious, “But...”
Ephesians, though, asks everyone to grow to adulthood and real maturity. That would help faithful living and mission in any/all worlds.
The Gospel choices were hardest.
The 11original Philadelphia women chose Mary Magdalene, but to me her story sounds like an irregular wife, less a woman of independence who met Jesus and continued as she was, in her best self; she’s almost more a companion—which isn’t a bad thing, but to me doesn’t add much to the Sara/Rachel/Rebecca models, oddly. Mary& Martha are fraught because of the “better” part in one text, and I can’t remember what Bp. Harris used.
This woman, the woman of Syrophonecia, comes in faith to Jesus, and he refuses to help her because she isn’t one of “his.” She refutes him, with her “Even the dogs deserve the crumbs under the table.” Whatever Jesus thought of himself after his baptism, healings, and other wondrous things he’d done, I doubt he expected a foreign woman to argue with him.
He heard her need, but more he heard that he had to expand his thinking and doing, beyond “his” sheep, and look around to help out in the whole world. Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world, learned, changed his mind, grew, expanded and updated his vision, because a strong woman taught him more about his own nature than he’d known about himself—so she’s my choice.
Were you to do such a commemorative service, these are the elements you’d juggle.
What lists would you include in your “And in particular...” I’d start with Phillipa from In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden, even though she’s fictional, Sr. Luke from The Nun’s Story, Willa Cather, Rose Macaulay, Dorothy L. Sayers, and P. D. James. They’ve taught me about vocation from the time I found their books.
Florence Li Tim-OiI know I’d make a day with Florence Li Tim-Oi, (even though she now has her own day,) with Sue Hiatt, Carter Heyward, and maybe Anne Robbins, the first woman to celebrate for GBEC.
I might have a music day including Kathleen Thomerson, Lesbia Scott, Cecil Frances Alexander, and Ruth Boshkoff. Maybe I’d have an NT day, with Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary&Martha, Anna, Phoebe, Dorcas, and all, or a church history group of—who’d you pick—Monnica, Macrina, Clare, Hildegard, Joan of Arc, Hilda of Whitby, Margaret of Scotland? Maybe Joan of Arc should be in a Women of Politics day, with Queen Elizabeths I and II, Victoria, Mary Dyer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, Jane Addams, and who was the first woman Senator, President of a major university or general/admiral?
Maybe I’d include the men who’ve been of support and help, Bp Ladehoff, and our bishops here, a flock of musicians and MC’s who haven’t batted an eye to play an octave higher for women’s chant, or to teach us patiently what we’d not been taught earlier because we’d never need such, to be thurifers, move in liturgical patterns as though when they taught us, it was as ordinary, as it now seems to some.
Holy Women, Holy Men does a fine job in coloring in many days on the calendar with people who’ve served in a variety of ways. The models for women have been expanded from the earlier common ones of young, beautiful, tortured, and suffering an early death, or celibate, plaster and emaciated.
Still there needs to be a Common of Women in Ministry date, and it should be on February 11th. Who’d be on your list? What lists would you develop? Women of Principle? Teachers? Unnamed women who just served?
Your best English teacher, and your kindergarten teacher who taught you to read, to love reading for life, your first woman math or science teacher, who taught women could do science as well or better—that gender didn’t matter for science. Or women artists? Mary Cassatt and who else?
Women poets— Emily Dickinson— “The supper of the heart is when the guest has gone,” a memorable thought on Eucharist, and Pattiann Rogers’ poem, “I have a need to adore,”—I fear leaving out individuals and categories.
Who’re yours? Who taught you to follow Christ as YOU are, not in someone else’s shoes or model? Who allowed you to follow Christ? Who helped you argue with, talk to Jesus to help him understand the world as it has become, so that he —with your work —your whole-hearted heart and mind’s work, play, and life—could further the coming of the reign of God?
Do develop your own observances for 11 Feb. remembering: “Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who make this earthly pilgrimage with us. So be swift to love, and make haste to do kindness.”
It’s to our best selves we’re called. We give thanks for those who’ve prepared and are preparing a path for us, and for our own modest path-making, until Jesus welcomes us, each and all, into Paradise forever: Good News.
Since the year 2012 marks the 35th Anniversary of the "regularization" of the ordination of women, Katharine proposed that we designate a special day on the liturgical calendar in Celebration of Women's Ministries.
She further suggested that we have it on the anniversary of the consecration of the Right Rev'd Barbara Clementine Harris, the first woman to be ordained bishop in The Episcopal Church.
Katherine proposed several wonderful hymns and wrote a collect prayer. I am delighted that she has given me permission to publish her sermon and the collect.
I am doing so in hopes that Katherine's "modest proposal" of a date on our liturgical calendar to celebrate Women's Ministries begins to spark some conversation which in turn will generate a movement to make this a reality.
In the meantime, enjoy the sermon. It's really quite wonderful.
LET US PRAY:
Gracious, energizing God, you fill your faithful people with gifts of leadership, hospitality, and kindness; we thank you for women in all ages, who have heard your voice, received your gifts, and responded as themselves to your call (in particular for the ordination of the Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris February 11, 1989:) fill us, too, with the fire and grace of their witness; through Jesus Christ our Saviour, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and inspires us, now and always. AMEN.In the name of God who created us from love, saves us through love, and loves us now and always. AMEN.
GOE Set I: Liturgy. Design a Votive Eucharist for a Common of Women’s Ministries, naming date, texts, color, music, and other details of the liturgy, making it useful for a Variety of Women and Their Ministries. Include the homilette you’d preach. Limited Resources: BCP, EOW, BOS, NOAB, authorized hymnals.
A year ago, I realized it would be both nearly Barbara’s (Harris') 23rd anniversary and my 12th and final year here, so I asked for this occasion to consider with all y’all the necessity of the 11th of February being a Day on the Calendar to celebrate Women’s Ministries, in particular.
I was a Deacon when Bishop Harris was elected and ordained. I’d asked my seminary professor what the election would be like, and he said, “Boring. Episcopal elections are boring; you’ll need two books to last the whole time.”
the Rev'd Dr. Katharine C. BlackThe voting went back and forth, until the 7th ballot. The rector for whom I worked was the lieutenant for the long-time diocesan faithful male priest, and the rector’d asked me to sit with AND vote with him. With as much ingenue sweetness as I could muster (even then,) I said I’d sit with EDS friends, with my historian friend, behind Sue Hiatt, architect of women’s ordination, and Carter Heyward the most frequent public face of those 11 women.
When Bp. Johnson said, “We have an election,” Sue and Carter looked at each other in wonder, sweetly, and then most people stood up, whooped and hollered. I turned to my friend, “Did you think this was boring? I thought it was pretty exciting.” “No, Katharine; this was not boring.”
Because Feb. 11th secured the knitted row after the ordained women’s row, it’s the date that makes most sense for celebrating Women’s Ministries. What color do you think should be used for this votive?
I think blue for Our Lady and all other women, but it’s Epiphany, so maybe green, so is this blue or green? Yes. (Note: It was teal)
What should the proper preface be? Of the Holy Spirit— “Who (by water and the Holy Spirit has) made us a new people in IX,” or Pentecost, (“lighting upon the disciples, to teach them and to lead them into all truth,”) or a Saint (1) “for the wonderful grace and virtue declared in all your saints,” or Apostles—although that may be cheeky, (“after his resurrection) sent forth apostles (to preach,”) or Baptism, (“you have) received us as your sons and daughters, (made us citizens of your kingdom,”) or the seasonal, Epiphany, (“you have caused) a new light (to shine in our hearts, to give the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son,”) today—that—but in your doing such a liturgy, on 11 Feb, naming “in particular Bishop Harris, and... ” you might choose a more apt preface.
The hard part for me, was, of course, the scripture.
The Canadian BCP has such a votive, but its choices didn’t much suit me, and I’m not a Bible Baptist, so I sent out a plea to my bible churchy friends: to Mary Sulerud, Mary Callaway, Tony Lewis, John Hooker, Kathryn Piccard, Francine Cardman(Church History at Weston-Jesuit,), Sandi Rufo Civitareale, and other wise women and men. Several thought I was casting about for what to say, but really only texts.
Some suggested Bible women I didn’t know, to my shame: Rizpah, Vashti, and Jochabod. I’ve thought for years, that if Jews and, then Christians, had prayed instead of “in the name of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” or even “Sarah, Rachel, Rebecca, and Hagar,” but “in the name of Deborah, Jael, Rahab, and Judith,” a different sort of notice would have been given which might have simplified life for women for these eons.
Laurel Ulrich in Good Wives observes that it was such women’s behavior of “feminine strength and assertiveness” that was “proximately problematic for everyone in a woman’s sphere, running against the grain.” Naming such women aloud would have made them part of all our grain, to become whole grain— and we know whole grain’s better for us than just white....
People offered a range of texts. From Hebrew Scripture, the wives of the patriarchs, or wives and spares, and Hannah and Miriam, but I chose Deborah because she sat listening, was a fair judge until rudely attacked, and then found someone to destroy the enemy; patient, effective judging, and a decisive successful winning result— a fine model. The Epistle took choosing, because for almost every woman named, there’s a scholar to say a serious, “But...”
Ephesians, though, asks everyone to grow to adulthood and real maturity. That would help faithful living and mission in any/all worlds.
The Gospel choices were hardest.
The 11original Philadelphia women chose Mary Magdalene, but to me her story sounds like an irregular wife, less a woman of independence who met Jesus and continued as she was, in her best self; she’s almost more a companion—which isn’t a bad thing, but to me doesn’t add much to the Sara/Rachel/Rebecca models, oddly. Mary& Martha are fraught because of the “better” part in one text, and I can’t remember what Bp. Harris used.
This woman, the woman of Syrophonecia, comes in faith to Jesus, and he refuses to help her because she isn’t one of “his.” She refutes him, with her “Even the dogs deserve the crumbs under the table.” Whatever Jesus thought of himself after his baptism, healings, and other wondrous things he’d done, I doubt he expected a foreign woman to argue with him.
He heard her need, but more he heard that he had to expand his thinking and doing, beyond “his” sheep, and look around to help out in the whole world. Jesus, Son of God, Savior of the world, learned, changed his mind, grew, expanded and updated his vision, because a strong woman taught him more about his own nature than he’d known about himself—so she’s my choice.
Were you to do such a commemorative service, these are the elements you’d juggle.
What lists would you include in your “And in particular...” I’d start with Phillipa from In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden, even though she’s fictional, Sr. Luke from The Nun’s Story, Willa Cather, Rose Macaulay, Dorothy L. Sayers, and P. D. James. They’ve taught me about vocation from the time I found their books.
Florence Li Tim-OiI know I’d make a day with Florence Li Tim-Oi, (even though she now has her own day,) with Sue Hiatt, Carter Heyward, and maybe Anne Robbins, the first woman to celebrate for GBEC.
I might have a music day including Kathleen Thomerson, Lesbia Scott, Cecil Frances Alexander, and Ruth Boshkoff. Maybe I’d have an NT day, with Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary&Martha, Anna, Phoebe, Dorcas, and all, or a church history group of—who’d you pick—Monnica, Macrina, Clare, Hildegard, Joan of Arc, Hilda of Whitby, Margaret of Scotland? Maybe Joan of Arc should be in a Women of Politics day, with Queen Elizabeths I and II, Victoria, Mary Dyer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Perkins, Jane Addams, and who was the first woman Senator, President of a major university or general/admiral?
Maybe I’d include the men who’ve been of support and help, Bp Ladehoff, and our bishops here, a flock of musicians and MC’s who haven’t batted an eye to play an octave higher for women’s chant, or to teach us patiently what we’d not been taught earlier because we’d never need such, to be thurifers, move in liturgical patterns as though when they taught us, it was as ordinary, as it now seems to some.
Holy Women, Holy Men does a fine job in coloring in many days on the calendar with people who’ve served in a variety of ways. The models for women have been expanded from the earlier common ones of young, beautiful, tortured, and suffering an early death, or celibate, plaster and emaciated.
Still there needs to be a Common of Women in Ministry date, and it should be on February 11th. Who’d be on your list? What lists would you develop? Women of Principle? Teachers? Unnamed women who just served?
Your best English teacher, and your kindergarten teacher who taught you to read, to love reading for life, your first woman math or science teacher, who taught women could do science as well or better—that gender didn’t matter for science. Or women artists? Mary Cassatt and who else?
Women poets— Emily Dickinson— “The supper of the heart is when the guest has gone,” a memorable thought on Eucharist, and Pattiann Rogers’ poem, “I have a need to adore,”—I fear leaving out individuals and categories.
Who’re yours? Who taught you to follow Christ as YOU are, not in someone else’s shoes or model? Who allowed you to follow Christ? Who helped you argue with, talk to Jesus to help him understand the world as it has become, so that he —with your work —your whole-hearted heart and mind’s work, play, and life—could further the coming of the reign of God?
Do develop your own observances for 11 Feb. remembering: “Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who make this earthly pilgrimage with us. So be swift to love, and make haste to do kindness.”
It’s to our best selves we’re called. We give thanks for those who’ve prepared and are preparing a path for us, and for our own modest path-making, until Jesus welcomes us, each and all, into Paradise forever: Good News.
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
One million
When I was a kid, there was a MacDonald's not too far from where I lived. It was considered a HUGE treat to go there because....well, I don't know....probably because we heard the commercials on the radio and saw them on television and, oh my gosh, we actually got to go and eat at a place that must be famous because....well, I don't know....probably because we were there at the very place we heard commercials about on the radio and TV.
I remember when the sign under the distinctive golden arches read "One Million Served". My siblings and I were inexplicably excited and overcome with squeals of delight in the back seat of the De Soto car my father drove as we passed by the restaurant. We - WE - had been among those millions served a greasy hamburger with melted cheese on a sesame bun along with french fries drenched in ketchup that I still think are the best anywhere.
Somehow, that made us feel...oh, I don't know..."special" in a way. I guess because it meant that we had achieved a modicum of affluence to actually eat in a place where others had also been able to afford to eat.
We lived a very modest life and going out to eat - even at MacDonald's - was a treat almost akin to getting a good report card and being treated to a hot fudge Sundae at the local ice cream parlor.
I haven't noticed a MacDonald's sign in a long while - the golden arches are now part of the landscape of Americana, so who notices, anymore - but I believe that last time I saw one, it read, "Billions and Billions Served".
I say all this because, just last night, I noticed that my site meter reported that, as of July 29, when I installed the thing, I have had over 1 Million "hits" to my blog.
Over. One. Million.
In a little less than six years.
I'm astounded.
And, profoundly humbled and grateful that so many of you actually read what I have to say about everything from all things Anglican/Episcopalian, to religion in general and politics in particular, to gushing about my children and grandchildren, to reflecting on my life on the water, to sharing recipes to ranting about something or other in the news.
Beyond the obvious narcissism of blogging - I mean, it IS narcissistic to think that what I have to say about what I think might be of even passing interest to others - I blog what I write because it has become a spiritual discipline of sorts.
The habit of writing is for me what daily exercise is for others. It's part of what I do to sort out and make sense of what's happening in the world around me.
It's a form of prayer that keeps me centered and focused. I write about it, and then I can let it go. Or, channel my passion or my anger into some form of action - even if it's just keeping folks informed about an issue and urging them to take action.
When I started this blog a little less than six years ago, I naively thought I was doing so as a way to keep my congregation informed about General Convention. Three years earlier, I had written daily emails to my Wardens who then shared them with others. My Parish Administrator at the time suggested that I set up a blog so that everyone could read it more quickly and we wouldn't have to Xerox everything.
He neglected to tell me that, unless you make sure the settings are such that only those who are invited to your blog are the only ones who read it, the whole world can tune in.
Imagine my surprise - and, no small amount of horror - when I began getting comments from people I had never met. And, not only in this country, but around the world.
Apparently, many people were very interested in what The Episcopal Church was doing at that General Convention. That's when I learned about "Google". Type in a few words, press 'search' and voila!
I'm embarrassed to admit my ignorance and naivete but that's the Gospel truth of it.
Now, Google has - as so many things do these day - transformed from a noun to a verb. I, like so many others, google several times a day. What would I do without it?
When I returned home from General Convention, I learned about a site meter and, curious as to how many people actually read this blog (since not everyone leaves a comment, thanks be to God), I check into it from time to time.
I've not always done well with blogging. Mistakes have been made. I've written things I later regretted writing. I've actually pulled down a few posts after writing them. And, I don't post half the things I write - like my poetry - because they are too personal to send out into the blogosphere.
More than the number of people who read this blog, I'm astounded by the spiritual hunger that is out there in the world. I think some people read my posts because they are struggling with many of the same issues I struggle with and they are hungry, not so much for answers, but for a little companionship in the struggle.
Sometimes, I think blogs are the MacDonald's of literary form. They are fast food for those on the go. You can drive through a pick up a Mac Nugget of theology or a Big Mac of politics with special sauce of Anglicanism.
Little Miss TiaraIt's not anywhere as substantive as, say a Filet Mignon of Hemmingway or a Shakespearean Lobster bound between two fine, rich, leather covers, but it is, I think, it's own form of artistic expression.
So, here's to you, whoever you are, who come and sit by my fire and listen to my stories and rants and other ruminations of my heart and soul about life in general and my passions in particular.
Thank you for your companionship and your comments. Thank you for your loyalty and your love.
I've made some wonderful friendships over the past six years, some of which have been "consummated" over a meal and others which await an actual incarnational, embodied visit.
Despite the occasional hate-filled, nasty comment (which I've learned to 'moderate' so only I have to read them and you don't) I've learned that mostly, a stranger is just a friend I haven't yet met.
For all the successes and failures, for all the friends I've made, for the profound privilege of being a vehicle of the Holy Spirit, and for the love of God I've known incarnate in Christ Jesus, I give thanks and praise.
I have been truly blessed "billions and billions" of times
I remember when the sign under the distinctive golden arches read "One Million Served". My siblings and I were inexplicably excited and overcome with squeals of delight in the back seat of the De Soto car my father drove as we passed by the restaurant. We - WE - had been among those millions served a greasy hamburger with melted cheese on a sesame bun along with french fries drenched in ketchup that I still think are the best anywhere.
Somehow, that made us feel...oh, I don't know..."special" in a way. I guess because it meant that we had achieved a modicum of affluence to actually eat in a place where others had also been able to afford to eat.
We lived a very modest life and going out to eat - even at MacDonald's - was a treat almost akin to getting a good report card and being treated to a hot fudge Sundae at the local ice cream parlor.
I haven't noticed a MacDonald's sign in a long while - the golden arches are now part of the landscape of Americana, so who notices, anymore - but I believe that last time I saw one, it read, "Billions and Billions Served".
I say all this because, just last night, I noticed that my site meter reported that, as of July 29, when I installed the thing, I have had over 1 Million "hits" to my blog.
Over. One. Million.
In a little less than six years.
I'm astounded.
And, profoundly humbled and grateful that so many of you actually read what I have to say about everything from all things Anglican/Episcopalian, to religion in general and politics in particular, to gushing about my children and grandchildren, to reflecting on my life on the water, to sharing recipes to ranting about something or other in the news.
Beyond the obvious narcissism of blogging - I mean, it IS narcissistic to think that what I have to say about what I think might be of even passing interest to others - I blog what I write because it has become a spiritual discipline of sorts.
The habit of writing is for me what daily exercise is for others. It's part of what I do to sort out and make sense of what's happening in the world around me.
It's a form of prayer that keeps me centered and focused. I write about it, and then I can let it go. Or, channel my passion or my anger into some form of action - even if it's just keeping folks informed about an issue and urging them to take action.
When I started this blog a little less than six years ago, I naively thought I was doing so as a way to keep my congregation informed about General Convention. Three years earlier, I had written daily emails to my Wardens who then shared them with others. My Parish Administrator at the time suggested that I set up a blog so that everyone could read it more quickly and we wouldn't have to Xerox everything.
He neglected to tell me that, unless you make sure the settings are such that only those who are invited to your blog are the only ones who read it, the whole world can tune in.
Imagine my surprise - and, no small amount of horror - when I began getting comments from people I had never met. And, not only in this country, but around the world.
Apparently, many people were very interested in what The Episcopal Church was doing at that General Convention. That's when I learned about "Google". Type in a few words, press 'search' and voila!
I'm embarrassed to admit my ignorance and naivete but that's the Gospel truth of it.
Now, Google has - as so many things do these day - transformed from a noun to a verb. I, like so many others, google several times a day. What would I do without it?
When I returned home from General Convention, I learned about a site meter and, curious as to how many people actually read this blog (since not everyone leaves a comment, thanks be to God), I check into it from time to time.
I've not always done well with blogging. Mistakes have been made. I've written things I later regretted writing. I've actually pulled down a few posts after writing them. And, I don't post half the things I write - like my poetry - because they are too personal to send out into the blogosphere.
More than the number of people who read this blog, I'm astounded by the spiritual hunger that is out there in the world. I think some people read my posts because they are struggling with many of the same issues I struggle with and they are hungry, not so much for answers, but for a little companionship in the struggle.
Sometimes, I think blogs are the MacDonald's of literary form. They are fast food for those on the go. You can drive through a pick up a Mac Nugget of theology or a Big Mac of politics with special sauce of Anglicanism.
Little Miss TiaraIt's not anywhere as substantive as, say a Filet Mignon of Hemmingway or a Shakespearean Lobster bound between two fine, rich, leather covers, but it is, I think, it's own form of artistic expression.
So, here's to you, whoever you are, who come and sit by my fire and listen to my stories and rants and other ruminations of my heart and soul about life in general and my passions in particular.
Thank you for your companionship and your comments. Thank you for your loyalty and your love.
I've made some wonderful friendships over the past six years, some of which have been "consummated" over a meal and others which await an actual incarnational, embodied visit.
Despite the occasional hate-filled, nasty comment (which I've learned to 'moderate' so only I have to read them and you don't) I've learned that mostly, a stranger is just a friend I haven't yet met.
For all the successes and failures, for all the friends I've made, for the profound privilege of being a vehicle of the Holy Spirit, and for the love of God I've known incarnate in Christ Jesus, I give thanks and praise.
I have been truly blessed "billions and billions" of times
From Washington State to General Convention
By
Louise Brooks
Director of Communications
Integrity USA
The Washington state marriage equality bill introduced by Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire and passed recently by a wide margin in the Washington senate, sailed through the Washington house as expected yesterday. This makes Washington state the 7th in the nation to allow same-sex couples to wed. This action came one day after a federal appeals court declared California's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional, calling it was a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples.
Gov.Gregoire issued a statement after the Washington state vote, saying it was "a major step toward completing a long and important journey to end discrimination based on sexual orientation."
"Thanks be to God!, " said Rev. Harry Knox, Interim Executive Director of Intergity USA. "While some are trying to limit freedom, Gov. Gregoire and the Washington State legislature are expanding freedom and equality. They recognize that same sex couples simply want the liberty to commit to care for each other in sickness and in health. They have made the American dream a reality for thousands of families in Washington."
Gov. Gregorie is expected to sign this bill into law next week. And the Diocese of Olympia is poised and ready to deal with this victory. Here's what they posted on their website about Marriage Equality on February 1, 2012.
Our Policy on Marriage Equality
Per the recommendation of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention, the Diocese of Olympia does not formally authorize any rite of blessing for same-sex unions; however, Bishop Rickel leaves it to the discretion of individual clergy as to whether they will bless same-sex unions.
When marriage equality legislation in Washington State passes and is signed into law, the Episcopal Church in Western Washington will accommodate that law within its structure, much as other Episcopal dioceses have in states where similar legislation has passed.
On the same date, Bishop Greg Rickel’s posted his own personal opinion on his blog at http://www.bishoprickel.com/.
Marriage Equality: A Conservative Proposal
It is expected that our Washington state legislators will very soon, perhaps even tomorrow begin floor deliberations on HB2516 & SB6239 with the Senate to begin. Passage of these bills or a version of them would make same sex marriage law in our state. Our Episcopal Church, after a long discussion about this over the years is poised to do roughly the same this summer at our General Convention.
While I am careful about wading into our legislator’s business, I would say this is the church’s business too. I have been asked by many about my feelings on it, and I have decided to share them. The ideas are not new, I have shared them openly in the walk-abouts before becoming your bishop and in many venues before and since.
Christianity has held, when considering relationships of all sorts, but especially in relation to two people in marriage, fidelity to be our value. Fidelity is the value in most all our sacraments and also in our life as Christians.
It seems to me we have held our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters in a “catch-22″. We say they cannot live up to our value because they cannot be married, or even blessed in their union. While many of them have begged for this, it is still not possible. What they ask of us, the church and the government, is to put boundaries around their relationship, to hold them in the same regard and with the same respect, which would also mean that we expect the same from them. They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for equal treatment. They are asking to be accountable, as a couple, in community. To me, this is a conservative proposal. I am for it, and I hope we will finally make way for this to happen, not only in our society, but also in our church.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Gregory H. Rickel
Episcopalians have much to rejoice about. The polls show that the majority of Americans support the right for all persons to marry. The tide is turning. It's only a matter of time. It is just a few months til our own General Convention where, as Bishop Rickel said, we will be "asking for equal treatment" and we will work so it "will finally happen, not only in our society, but in our church."
Amen.
A REFUSAL TO CONDUCT SAME SEX WEDDINGS IN CHURCH MUST LEAD TO DISESTABLISHMENT
Back in the days when the Church of England did not ordain men who had remarried whilst a former spouse was still alive it still accepted that couples legally married outside of the church were really married. They had to as they are an established church and as such could hardly claim that the secular legal system was not effective in such matters. Mrs MP and myself were married in a registry office and when I was being encouraged to seek ordination there were concerns about my divorce from my first wife but nothing was ever said about the fact that my second wedding did not take place in a church. We were not told that we had to go through it all again in church after General Synod voted to allow divorced people to marry in church.
So the question is this, will the Church of England recognise that a same sex couple who marry in an English registry office are really married? If yes, then why not marry such couples in church? If no, will the Church of England be claiming that they are no longer, in practice, an established church?
So the question is this, will the Church of England recognise that a same sex couple who marry in an English registry office are really married? If yes, then why not marry such couples in church? If no, will the Church of England be claiming that they are no longer, in practice, an established church?
HETEROSEXUAL MEN AREKILLING THEIR PARTNERS
One of the ploys of homophobes, from the trolls that hang around here to organisations such as Anglican Mainstream, is to try and persuade people that same sex relationships are physically unhealthy. But it strikes me that the most dangerous sexual practice by far is straightforward, heterosexual, missionary position sex when the man is not wearing a condom. This is for the very simple reason that such activity often leads to the woman becoming pregnant and worldwide pregnancy is the number one killer of young women. When you add to this the carnage of miscarried babies the death toll becomes astronomically high.
So if the moralists of hatred are really that concerned about everyone's health they should proclaim the utter immorality and downright perverseness of heterosexual sex and promote the alternatives. Maybe these alternatives do have their own risks but they are a damn sight safer than trying for a baby.
So if the moralists of hatred are really that concerned about everyone's health they should proclaim the utter immorality and downright perverseness of heterosexual sex and promote the alternatives. Maybe these alternatives do have their own risks but they are a damn sight safer than trying for a baby.
A HUGE BIG THANK YOU
I received a commission cheque from Amazon USA today covering the last three months. At $178.00 it is by far the biggest I have received so far. I, quite rightly, am not told who buys what so, if you contributed by buying stuff via my widget recently, please accept my grateful thanks expressed in this post. Your support is a really big help to me financially.
It costs you nothing extra to buy from Amazon through my widget (see "Amazon Purchases" in left hand side bar). No money is deducted from the supplier's cut.
It costs you nothing extra to buy from Amazon through my widget (see "Amazon Purchases" in left hand side bar). No money is deducted from the supplier's cut.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Firstly, the Church of England is now inconsistent in its defence of the sacrament of holy matrimony as the exclusive union that can be celebrated between two people in church. Some time ago, we decided to leave it to the discretion of individual parish priests as to whether they would agree to marry those who had previously been divorced. I think that was right and just - it was cruel and unredemptive to have a blanket ban on the re-marriage before God of those who had a failed marriage behind them.
So that initiative recognised that there was room for the blessing of a bodily union outside a single marriage between a man and a woman, even while one of the original partners of that marriage is still alive. With that original model of marriage now compromised and re-marriage left to the discretion of the vicar, it becomes impossible to defend the notion that the only union that can be celebrated in church is one, lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. All that is left is disapproval of homosexuals and homosexual acts.
Which brings me to my second point. I don't believe that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice and I believe that it is truly perverse, not to mention deeply damaging and offensive, to attempt to "cure" people of their natural sexuality as if it is a mental illness. But that is a separate issue. The real point is that there is little or nothing in the gospels about the condemnation of sexuality (if anything, rather the reverse) and a great deal about love. The Christian Church - the Body of Christ - should be about the celebration of God's love wherever it is found.
(George Pitcher, THE MAIL)
Good old George! The fact that this has been published by The Mail (the UK's equivalent of Fox News) is extremely heartening and it will, hopefully, influence the attitude of some who would not normally be sympathetic to change.
So that initiative recognised that there was room for the blessing of a bodily union outside a single marriage between a man and a woman, even while one of the original partners of that marriage is still alive. With that original model of marriage now compromised and re-marriage left to the discretion of the vicar, it becomes impossible to defend the notion that the only union that can be celebrated in church is one, lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. All that is left is disapproval of homosexuals and homosexual acts.
Which brings me to my second point. I don't believe that homosexuality is a lifestyle choice and I believe that it is truly perverse, not to mention deeply damaging and offensive, to attempt to "cure" people of their natural sexuality as if it is a mental illness. But that is a separate issue. The real point is that there is little or nothing in the gospels about the condemnation of sexuality (if anything, rather the reverse) and a great deal about love. The Christian Church - the Body of Christ - should be about the celebration of God's love wherever it is found.
(George Pitcher, THE MAIL)
Good old George! The fact that this has been published by The Mail (the UK's equivalent of Fox News) is extremely heartening and it will, hopefully, influence the attitude of some who would not normally be sympathetic to change.
FROM PATRICK S. CHENG
Dear Jonathan,
I'm excited to let you know that my new book, "From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ," will be released next month by Seabury Books, the trade imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated.
This book seeks to reclaim the doctrines of sin and grace for LGBT people and others who have been wounded by such doctrines. In the first part of the book, I challenge the traditional crime-based model of sin and grace in favor of a christological, or Christ-based, model. In the second part of the book, I propose seven new deadly sins and seven new amazing graces based upon seven models of the Queer Christ.
The book addresses cutting-edge theological, ethical, and pastoral issues, and it is suitable for classroom as well as congregational use.
Here are some endorsements and advance praise for the book:
"Cheng takes us through a systematic re-working of the classical doctrines of sin and grace, and lands us in a place where, surprisingly, these ideas can once again sing with life for Christian LGBTQ persons. It's a serious and splendid book." -Serene Jones, President and Roosevelt Professor of Systematic Theology, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
"This gifted theologian and teacher offers an accessible and compelling case for why LGBT persons (and others) need to take back the words 'sin' and 'grace.' Be forewarned: reading Cheng is likely to stretch your theological and moral imagination, but all for the good." -Marvin M. Ellison, Willard S. Bass Professor of Christian Ethics, Bangor Theological Seminary
"Patrick Cheng has given the Christian church and the theological academy a precious gift. Cheng's work ranks among the best scholarship of a new generation of theologians. I have experienced more amazing grace - and grown more mature theologically - because of this book." -Tat-siong Benny Liew, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, and Professor of New Testament, Pacific School of Religion
"Cheng provides our hurting community with a healing theology; an accessible christology which celebrates an open and affirming Christianity desperately needed by most of our churches. This book is good news for all who are queer, as well as for those who are not!" -Miguel A. De La Torre, Professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies, Iliff School of Theology; President, Society for Christian Ethics
"'Christ is the treasure hidden in the scriptures,' wrote Irenaeus, the second century theologian. Christ is the treasure, and Cheng's work is a treasure map of LGBT advances in theology that helps us find, once again, that God loves all of us and wants us to be free." -Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Professor of Theology and Past President, Chicago Theological Seminary; Blogger, WashingtonPost.com
"Patrick Cheng has produced a much needed pastoral book for LGBTIQ and, in fact, all Christians. This is a remarkable theological and pastoral exploration that can help individual Christians and their congregations to re-align their spiritual development." -Robert E. Shore-Goss, Senior Pastor and Theologian, MCC in the Valley; Author, Jesus Acted Up and Queering Christ
"The act of reading Patrick Cheng's Christ-centered theology of sin and grace offers both healing pastoral care and political empowerment. Christians who have been wounded, alienated, or simply befuddled by the ongoing use of Christianity to further heterosexist hate and disenfranchisement have been waiting for this book." -Traci C. West, Professor of Ethics and African American Studies, Drew University Theological School
This book is available for pre-order at Amazon. I would be ever so grateful if you would purchase through my AMAZON PURCHASES widget in the left hand side-bar. It won't cost you anything extra, it won't reduce Patrick's royalties, but it will give me some commission.
From KittKatt:
I'm really looking forward to this book! In case anyone wants more of a preview, here is a link to a series at the Jesus in Love Blog that became the basis of the book:
Rethinking Sin and Grace for LGBT People Today
I'm excited to let you know that my new book, "From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ," will be released next month by Seabury Books, the trade imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated.
This book seeks to reclaim the doctrines of sin and grace for LGBT people and others who have been wounded by such doctrines. In the first part of the book, I challenge the traditional crime-based model of sin and grace in favor of a christological, or Christ-based, model. In the second part of the book, I propose seven new deadly sins and seven new amazing graces based upon seven models of the Queer Christ.
The book addresses cutting-edge theological, ethical, and pastoral issues, and it is suitable for classroom as well as congregational use.
Here are some endorsements and advance praise for the book:
"Cheng takes us through a systematic re-working of the classical doctrines of sin and grace, and lands us in a place where, surprisingly, these ideas can once again sing with life for Christian LGBTQ persons. It's a serious and splendid book." -Serene Jones, President and Roosevelt Professor of Systematic Theology, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
"This gifted theologian and teacher offers an accessible and compelling case for why LGBT persons (and others) need to take back the words 'sin' and 'grace.' Be forewarned: reading Cheng is likely to stretch your theological and moral imagination, but all for the good." -Marvin M. Ellison, Willard S. Bass Professor of Christian Ethics, Bangor Theological Seminary
"Patrick Cheng has given the Christian church and the theological academy a precious gift. Cheng's work ranks among the best scholarship of a new generation of theologians. I have experienced more amazing grace - and grown more mature theologically - because of this book." -Tat-siong Benny Liew, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, and Professor of New Testament, Pacific School of Religion
"Cheng provides our hurting community with a healing theology; an accessible christology which celebrates an open and affirming Christianity desperately needed by most of our churches. This book is good news for all who are queer, as well as for those who are not!" -Miguel A. De La Torre, Professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies, Iliff School of Theology; President, Society for Christian Ethics
"'Christ is the treasure hidden in the scriptures,' wrote Irenaeus, the second century theologian. Christ is the treasure, and Cheng's work is a treasure map of LGBT advances in theology that helps us find, once again, that God loves all of us and wants us to be free." -Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, Professor of Theology and Past President, Chicago Theological Seminary; Blogger, WashingtonPost.com
"Patrick Cheng has produced a much needed pastoral book for LGBTIQ and, in fact, all Christians. This is a remarkable theological and pastoral exploration that can help individual Christians and their congregations to re-align their spiritual development." -Robert E. Shore-Goss, Senior Pastor and Theologian, MCC in the Valley; Author, Jesus Acted Up and Queering Christ
"The act of reading Patrick Cheng's Christ-centered theology of sin and grace offers both healing pastoral care and political empowerment. Christians who have been wounded, alienated, or simply befuddled by the ongoing use of Christianity to further heterosexist hate and disenfranchisement have been waiting for this book." -Traci C. West, Professor of Ethics and African American Studies, Drew University Theological School
This book is available for pre-order at Amazon. I would be ever so grateful if you would purchase through my AMAZON PURCHASES widget in the left hand side-bar. It won't cost you anything extra, it won't reduce Patrick's royalties, but it will give me some commission.
From KittKatt:
I'm really looking forward to this book! In case anyone wants more of a preview, here is a link to a series at the Jesus in Love Blog that became the basis of the book:
Rethinking Sin and Grace for LGBT People Today
Unplugged
I'm here in a wee cabin by the lake at Kanuga Conference Center in the Western part of North Carolina where I am privileged to be a GOE (General Ordination Exam) reader.
The schedule is brutal but the conversation and companionship are wonderful and the work is intellectually stimulating and spiritually satisfying.
There are no televisions to be had. My smart phone, I've discovered, isn't so smart without a cell tower to link the AT&T signals to my phone. I can't call, text, IM, check my Facebook or email or other blogs or send the pictures I've taken.
The Wifi in the main lodge works fine but the connection here in my cottage is iffy at best. I've lost the signal on my laptop twice just typing this.
I am, for the most part, unplugged.
And, ya know what? It really ain't half bad. I mean, I'm not even annoyed. It's okay. Really.
There was life before technology.
There is life without technology.
I'm not even really sure I can claim that life is better with technology.
Oh, we're saving tons of forests (and money) by having everything available online and, when I'm near the main lodge, I can access it easily. And that is good.
However, I'm not sure that being plugged into the world for the greater part of my waking hours is as important as I once thought it was. I'm not entirely sure it is good for either my soul or my psyche.
Oh, I'd like the convenience of making a few phone calls, but mostly, I can live without the constant chatter of conversations through social media that I've grown so accustomed to being the "background noise" of my life.
On Monday night, we heard an absolutely stellar presentation from the Rev'd Dr. Patrick Malloy who is a GOE chaplain and a professor of liturgics at the General Seminary in Manhattan.
He talked about the Triduum - the three Holy Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, The Great Vigil of Easter - which prepare us for Easter Day.
Beyond being three separate liturgies which are parts of a unified whole, they are celebrations of our history as well as the reality of the present. In other words, because of those historical events, we can celebrate the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.I always knew that, of course, but hearing it in a fresh, new way has sparked something in me that deeply resonates with my present circumstance of being 'unplugged'.
I think I spend so much time being connected to the present that I sometimes miss the miracle of the moment that is right in front of me.
It's ironic and paradoxical and it's true.
I think I'm realizing that being plugged in has become a false god of sorts - a jealous, demanding god who requires more attention than it probably deserves.
No, I'm not going to dump my smart phone and lap top in the lake. Neither am I going to stop using technology to assist me in my work.
I think what I'm trying to say is that, after I leave here, I'm going to try to be smarter about using technology, so that I don't allow it to use me.
I'm not going to be so much "unplugged" as I will try to be connected to things in a new and different way.
It's a pretty liberating thought, actually.
I'm going to take a walk now, before dinner, and listen to the Canada geese and ducks out by the pond. I'm going to plug into the sounds of Mother Nature and try to turn down the noise in my head just from reading the batch of almost 100 emails that were waiting for me to read when I finally plugged back into technology.
Who knows what new thing I'll see or hear or think while I'm unplugged from one information source and plugged into another?
The schedule is brutal but the conversation and companionship are wonderful and the work is intellectually stimulating and spiritually satisfying.
There are no televisions to be had. My smart phone, I've discovered, isn't so smart without a cell tower to link the AT&T signals to my phone. I can't call, text, IM, check my Facebook or email or other blogs or send the pictures I've taken.
The Wifi in the main lodge works fine but the connection here in my cottage is iffy at best. I've lost the signal on my laptop twice just typing this.
I am, for the most part, unplugged.
And, ya know what? It really ain't half bad. I mean, I'm not even annoyed. It's okay. Really.
There was life before technology.
There is life without technology.
I'm not even really sure I can claim that life is better with technology.
Oh, we're saving tons of forests (and money) by having everything available online and, when I'm near the main lodge, I can access it easily. And that is good.
However, I'm not sure that being plugged into the world for the greater part of my waking hours is as important as I once thought it was. I'm not entirely sure it is good for either my soul or my psyche.
Oh, I'd like the convenience of making a few phone calls, but mostly, I can live without the constant chatter of conversations through social media that I've grown so accustomed to being the "background noise" of my life.
On Monday night, we heard an absolutely stellar presentation from the Rev'd Dr. Patrick Malloy who is a GOE chaplain and a professor of liturgics at the General Seminary in Manhattan.
He talked about the Triduum - the three Holy Days of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, The Great Vigil of Easter - which prepare us for Easter Day.
Beyond being three separate liturgies which are parts of a unified whole, they are celebrations of our history as well as the reality of the present. In other words, because of those historical events, we can celebrate the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.I always knew that, of course, but hearing it in a fresh, new way has sparked something in me that deeply resonates with my present circumstance of being 'unplugged'.
I think I spend so much time being connected to the present that I sometimes miss the miracle of the moment that is right in front of me.
It's ironic and paradoxical and it's true.
I think I'm realizing that being plugged in has become a false god of sorts - a jealous, demanding god who requires more attention than it probably deserves.
No, I'm not going to dump my smart phone and lap top in the lake. Neither am I going to stop using technology to assist me in my work.
I think what I'm trying to say is that, after I leave here, I'm going to try to be smarter about using technology, so that I don't allow it to use me.
I'm not going to be so much "unplugged" as I will try to be connected to things in a new and different way.
It's a pretty liberating thought, actually.
I'm going to take a walk now, before dinner, and listen to the Canada geese and ducks out by the pond. I'm going to plug into the sounds of Mother Nature and try to turn down the noise in my head just from reading the batch of almost 100 emails that were waiting for me to read when I finally plugged back into technology.
Who knows what new thing I'll see or hear or think while I'm unplugged from one information source and plugged into another?
FEBRUARY IN A NORTHERN LAND
It's minus five degrees centigrade outside. Tonight we are told it will get down to minus ten. We complain but in our homes we are warm and snug.
How soon we forget. Twenty years ago I lived in a house which had no heating other than one open fire. We used to switch the gas hobs on the cooker on when we got home in winter because it was so cold. And twenty years before that, when I was a child, not only did ice form on the outside of the windows it formed on the inside as well. My mother would come into my bedroom to wake me up in the morning and tell me that Jack Frost had been. I used to find that extremely exciting. I know for sure that I wouldn't nowadays.
Today I pray for the homeless; those living on the streets of our towns and cities; those who can only find shelter in unheated premises. I pray for the many who cannot afford to heat their homes as much as is necessary when it gets this cold, especially the elderly. I pray for those who will die because of this.
I pray for the rich who allow and exacerbate the suffering of the poor while experiencing no discomfort themselves. I pray that, at times, hell is as cold as it is hot (metaphorically speaking, of course).
How soon we forget. Twenty years ago I lived in a house which had no heating other than one open fire. We used to switch the gas hobs on the cooker on when we got home in winter because it was so cold. And twenty years before that, when I was a child, not only did ice form on the outside of the windows it formed on the inside as well. My mother would come into my bedroom to wake me up in the morning and tell me that Jack Frost had been. I used to find that extremely exciting. I know for sure that I wouldn't nowadays.
Today I pray for the homeless; those living on the streets of our towns and cities; those who can only find shelter in unheated premises. I pray for the many who cannot afford to heat their homes as much as is necessary when it gets this cold, especially the elderly. I pray for those who will die because of this.
I pray for the rich who allow and exacerbate the suffering of the poor while experiencing no discomfort themselves. I pray that, at times, hell is as cold as it is hot (metaphorically speaking, of course).
