White Collar Views

Unconsionable is... well, unconscionable

2012-01-27T10:18:00.005-05:00

Recently I somewhat patiently sat through a rather pompous tirade uttered by a fellow priest in which he spoke of "some" parishes that were acting in what he called a manner "unconscionable". One of the parishes of which he spoke was the parish I serve as Rector. In time past I would have responded and engaged like for like, amazing how apparently astute people forget the maxim about "people in glasshouses should not throw stones"; little by little, though, I am learning the wisdom of "reticence of tongue and pen" and of "never explain, never defend".

But I thought afterwards what arrogance to declare anyone's act without conscience especially if the accuser has taken no time at all to understand the background and talk with the accused, even just a little. I feel good that the word "unconscionable" rarely crosses my lips for it presumes such knowledge and understanding that is truly presumptious.

Check this link for a legal approach to "unconscionable" -
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/unconscionable.

I'm also none too attracted by people who either quote anonymous "others" who support their views or who hide ungentlemanly for cover in adversely critizing "others" rather than calling them by name!

I guess what I'm feeling is the use of unconsionable is probably generally not wise, should be used after much thought and is... well... unconscionable!

Holy Wafers Stocked in Supermarkets!?

2012-01-26T13:23:00.006-05:00

A member of the church recently sent me this link which describes the easy internet access to the purchase of communion wafers, though matter what the intent and purpose of the purchase. http://killingthebuddha.com/mag/dogma/buying-the-body-of-christ%20

The article itself might offend some Christian people as in bad taste or disrespectful thoughtfulness but Christians have long been accustomed to the disproportionate of abuse and ridicule that is hurled in their directions rather than in the direction of, say, other world faiths

Actually re-reading the article, which I found slightly amusing, made me realize how the human mind has the ready capacity to take what is holy, revered by thousands of others, and with a dash of cynicism, a spoonful of sophistication and a wafting of erudition make it seem ridiculous
What I know is this - in June I will have been an ordained minister for 35 years; every time I have taken Communion (no matter how badly, confused, lost I have been) I have felt better afterwards; not perfect but definitely better.

By the way (and it's way at the bottom of the post, so it will hardly be read) talking of the attitude to Christianity vis-a-vis other world faiths, given the appropriate welcome given to the Menorah every year in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia... will there soon be an appropriate welcome to a Christian creche scene in the Square for 2012? I will not be tabling other tasks waiting for this to happen.

The Turin Shroud

2012-01-25T10:27:00.003-05:00

Though my faith does not rest upon the authenticity of the Turin Shroud and though the practice of relics has never been part of my spiritual journey yet the story and debate about the Shroud has always fascinated me. It has been no problem for me to accept its authenticity and I rather like the image of resurrection power acting like some power almost unknown to man.

Quite recently another study as published arguing for the authenticity of the scrolls http://www.iol.co.za/scitech/science/discovery/turin-shroud-made-by-flash-of-light-1.1202271, it's worth reading.

So perhaps I am a crypto-conservative pre-Vatican Roman Catholic somewhere very deep down and well hidden in this evangelical body. I doubt this really; I remember when I was asked to kiss a relic of King Charles in a church not too far from here - my thought, and later comment, was, "I try not to kiss anything without some form of identification!

I think, at heart, I am thrilled by the possibility of seeing resurrection power so tangibly at work though I know it is as much at work in the hearts and lives of women and men throughout the ages and in my life today. And, I suppose, the possibility that here is the face of Jesus... well!

Nothing stays like... styrofoam!

2012-01-19T10:32:00.003-05:00

Well, yes, it might be very easy to pack a box with styrofoam packing material (actually it looks rather fun) but try to disassociate yourself from the wretched stuff - that's another story.

And so this morning I opened a package which contained the real package one-tenth of its size; the rest was filled with styrofoam material.

I tried my best to get rid of the clinging balls and pieces - they stuck to trousers, jacket, coat. At one point I just waved jacket and coat and that seemed to work except the displaced pieces then chose a new site closer to home - my hands.

I tried to pick them off but it was a useless process doomed to frustration and then the solution hit me - wash them off. Moving to the bathroom I had pictures of people attacked by insects who then dive into a river to wash them off; well, that wasn't for me (though there is a shower in the church offices!). It worked and easily.

There are definitely times when I labour over minutiae when really what is needed is to be washed again, overwhelmed by the cleansing and renewing love and grace of God. It works too, I promise!

Stability!

2012-01-19T10:27:00.003-05:00

In my prayer for today, I reflected on the verse "Dwell in the land and feed on its riches" (Psalm 37:3). As I read the verse in morning prayer it occurred to me that here was a calling to accept and embrace this day with all its tasks and conversations, hopes and fears. In theory this seemed altogether quite a pleasant thought and then...

Leaving Morning Prayer a new friend appeared at the church doors clearly expecting a breakfast meeting with me. For some reason there had been confusion and I was caught by surprise. Because I had other "plans" for the morning I felt a little taken aback and disappointed but we had breakfast nevertheless. It was a great conversation, moving and inspiring. So, there you go, "dwell in the land [accept where you are] and feed on its riches"; it was indeed richly nourishing to develop friendship with my new friend and... the bacon and eggs was good too!

Is consistency the hobgoblin of little minds?

2012-01-18T10:02:00.002-05:00

Ah, well to begin with I owe Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson an apology; for far too long I have misquoted him for he actually said, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" and I think the work "foolish" is pretty significant, yes?

Anyway; yesterday I read a NYTimes Obituary of Dan Evins, the founder of the Cracker Barrel franchise of restaurants. I read that in the 1990's Mr. Evins instituted a policy of not employing people "whose sexual preferences failed to demonstrate normal heterosexual values". The policy was reversed and Mr. Evins called it "a mistake".

I believe Mr. Evins strong anti-gay stance was largely due to his reading of Holy Scripture but then, towards the end of the obituary, I read that he had two divorces before meeting his third and final wife. Now, Holy Scripture is pretty clear about divorce; in fact very clear.

So, is it in vain that I look for "consistency"? This raises the important, basic, radical question of how we read and how we interpret Holy Scripture for I've yet to meet someone who has obeyed Scripture in consistent ways. Am I right?

So, the question is not whether I or a conservative Christian love Scripture more for I revere the book and love its author. No, the question is how we interpret and apply the Word.

Don't Shout, be part of the group!

2012-01-14T12:53:00.005-05:00

I have just returned from an Ordination Service in the Diocese of Philadelphia; I'll refrain from making some rather adverse comments on relatively little things that occurred during the service. yes I will! Though it makes me realize what practices, rituals take place at The Church of the Holy Trinity which make little sense and may even be counterproductive - and I need someone with fresh eyes to tell me. But this principle applies in so many aspects of life.

But anyway, as is my wont, I digress.

I was disappointed that some of my clergy colleagues seemed to forget they were not leading the worship but rather being a participant with other participants.

Years ago, almost fifty years ago, I learned from a choirmaster that if I could not hear the person next to me I was probably singing too loudly - unless it really was a s solo and I was not asked to sing many of those!

Of course the praying or the singing didn't quite match the energy and noise of Al Pacino but it was happening.

Perhaps the recent story of a Latin American cell 'phone call interrupting Mahler has a similar theme - we forget, we forget, we forget our participation in the group, membership in the community and so outlandish things just tend to happen. Though, actually, I've never really understood Mahler so for me it might have been almost a divine moment of relief.

Tenacity or Obstinacy

2012-01-13T14:39:00.007-05:00

These last few days have seen several (actually five) visits to two Home Depot stores in Philadelphia.

It all started... when Wendy and I agreed we had to do something about heating the room in which we spent most of our evening time. It's nigh on impossible to heat that room, the central air makes little impact and the electrical system will not carry an effective electric space heater. So... let's think creatively about a propane heater.

#1 heater failed and had to be returned though, I'll admit I 'probably' didn't follow directions too well;
#2 was clearly a dud and

3# is working now (please Lord let it continue).

The other visits involved refund of extended warranty but enough of that!

So, on my most recent visit I began to muse, "So, Alan, when does tenacity and perseverance become obstinacy and stubbornness?". I'm not sure what the criteria are to judge that question though a friend helpfully pointed out that when you begin to ask the question then it's probably time to stop and reflect.

Tenacity or perseverance is definitely a Christian virtue and many other spiritual paths also praise the virtue; in Hebrews we are told "consider Jesus who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame" - now there's tenacity. Perhaps many Christians wavering on the nominal/active boundary need to take this virture to heart far more seriously.

And yet there are times when people need be released from a commitment to tenacity - the person who has suffered abuse for too long needs be encouraged to consider that maybe now is the time to withdraw.

Basically, the Lord would have us be happy people and maybe that's a simple and radical criterion to use - yes?

Fear Not - helpful guidance or frustrating command?

2012-01-13T09:31:00.003-05:00

It's a sort of Pastoral Counselling 101 that if someone tells us that they are afraid and fearful, we do not respond with the somewhat dismissive one-liner "Do not be afraid". And yet often we hear these simply commands from Jesus as he recognizes fear in his disciples, he seems to get away with it but why?
Well, there are some people but especially Jesus whom we just find it so easy to trust; it is just plain good to be in their presence and we sense also that they have struggled with fear often and have passed through its deadening experience.

Today something confronts me that is altogether a new experience; I am rather fearful. What should I do? It's unhelpful to live in a blase world of denial and, maybe, to articulate the anxiety is a crucial step to living with and through it.

Today I read that someone once counted 365 "Fear Nots" in the Bible - can you believe it? Well, can you believe that someone actually tried to do that count but, more important, can you believe that the number matches days of the year (now don't get pedantic with me about leap years) - one "fear not" for each day of the year, thank you Lord.

And, concerning worry and anxiety, I read this and share it with you:

"Researchers have found that about 40% of the things we worry about never happen. 30% are in the past and cannot be helped. 12% involve the affairs of others that are not even our business. 10% relate to sickness, real or imagined. That means only 8% of the things we worry bout are even likely to happen! Scientists at Yale University have actually identified a 'worry gene'. But they say while you may have inherited it, you can overcome it. Think: when you worry, there's a 92% chance you are paying emotional interest on a "debt" that is not even yours! How foolish is that?".

What about me? says Harry the Dog!

2012-01-12T09:31:00.004-05:00

So, the time came in Morning Prayer today when there was time for us to bring our own prayers and thanksgivings to God. As usual, I began to prayerfully think through my list of people and bring them into God's presence. As I was praying for family, I suddenly/unexpectedly thought of Harry our dog (largely Jack Russell).

And I prayed for Harry. At first I smiled and then I thought why not? Harry makes himself known in many ways, some requiring a little clean up; he has become a part of our household and plans have to be made mindful of his presence. It made sense to pray for him.
We should be liberated enough to bring all that concerns us, all that affects us to the Lord in prayer. Remember, God has an infinite capacity for detail and, maybe?, to deny Him access to all of our lives is to limit His love and power toward us?

So, Harry is in the prayers from now!

The Shoe and the Microwave!

2012-01-11T09:28:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was quite common in the "every day story of clerical folk". It began with a call telling me that a small fire had erupted in the basement kitchen because... (wait for it!) a homeless man had put his shoe in the microwave, fortunately his foot was not in the shoe!

And the office day ended with an opportunity to talk with someone about their spiritual journey and their desire to begin reading the Bible with new eyes and new intention.

The Shoe? Well, for the homeless man there was some logic to his action; I'm pretty sure he didn't do it in order to start a fire. When I evade the call to do something healthy, be it better diet or regular exercise, there's always some sort of logic that appeases my conscience - though not for long.

The Shoe? Well, as I preached yesterday about boundaries I said, "You have shoes and you have microwaves" and the wise boundary is that they do not intersect too closely! Observing, keeping boundaries is an essential stage for personal health and good social interaction and yet... if we observe them wrongly, selfishly the process becomes an excuse for bigotry.

Not easy is it?

A visit to a recording studio - and disembodied heads!

2011-12-09T11:15:00.004-05:00

This morning I had the privilege (and fun) of visiting a recording studio in Centre City, Philadelphia. The purpose is to create a special DVD to celebrate the 10th Anniversay of 'One Book, One Philadelphia" (http://www.freelibrary.org/libserv/obop.htm).

Since 2005 I have chosen the OBOP text to be in conversation with our Scriptural texts for Lent; generally the task has been easy (come the Sundays), and generally each text has stretched my comfort level botha s regards content and style (graphic novels! poetry!).

There have been a few at the church (though only two have spoken to me directly and one of them left the church some years back) who have expressed dislike for the program; a rather sad rumour even was promulgated that there was some financial benefit for the church to engage in such a program. How sad that someone could think this, believe it, and then pass it on as "gospel". But such is the stuff of community life from which no Christian community is exempt (at least none that I have known... so far!).

We engage in the program to establish the truth that we know and care about what is happening in the wider community; our church is not one that only engages in real life when it suits or pleases us. It is a vital Christian pattern that we allow our sacred text to engage with and speak to the texts read, seen and shared in the community beyond church stone walls.

Anyway... I was prompted to write this post because visiting the studio made me appreciate (as always) the skill of professionals in whatever is their task. Reminds me that St. Paul urges us to be skillful work-people, rightly handling the word of truth.

And... the little interview took place as I spoke to a disembodied head in the camera before me... definitely got my attention? Made me think though that sometimes preachers feel as if they experience quite the opposite as they preach... decapitated bodies (at least for the duration of the sermon).

Rekindling the Episcopal Spirit!

2011-12-07T12:03:00.005-05:00

A CHT member recently sent me an article from the Washington Post about Mariann Budde, the new Bishop of Washington (http://www.ftaconcept.com/showthread.php?t=77014).

It is a stunning article with comments such as "church leaders, in Canada, say it could be one generation from extinction".

Bishop Budde speaks with a forthrightness about the call to worship and evangelism and speaks of her own experience of "Jesus coming into her heart; I wanted that kind of connection, it was life-changing for me".

We can only hope and pray that institutional church will not do to Bishop Budde what institutional religion did to Jesus - crucifixion. I remember it was wryly commented that long ago the Church of England burnt evangelicals at the stake to be rid of them; now they made them Bishops... same effect!

I so yearn to be part of a church that is wanting to discuss evangelism and the Gospel; a church and group wanting to be radically changed by the Gospel and then ready to speak with respect and authenticity to others.

2012 - let's see what it brings; let's see what openness and surrender there is to God the Holy Spirit. "Lord, bring revival and begin with me.".

2011 Idolatry - Plain and Simple

2011-12-02T09:54:00.004-05:00

The image to the right was sent to me by a member of the church.

It is very stark, rather compelling and perhaps offensive and yet... whatever it is that we place above our highest good, our best vocation is idolatry.

I've often heard in 12 Step Programs, that if we put anything before recovery we will lose that very thing and recovery and everything else. And so it is with all idolatry; ultimately the idol perishes and proves useless and, in the process, we lose all else. It is crucial therefore to regular practice review and reflection and begin again the process of removing idols; ah the call to be radical iconoclasts!

But before we get all very spiritual and metaphysical; maybe church members should review their planned giving to the church and its ministry and see whether it indicates perhaps, maybe, who knows, some idolatry?

Life - The Challenge of the Coffee Carafe

2011-10-21T10:49:00.003-04:00

A few days into a vacation and I begin to experience the delicious joy of taking note of the small things that make up life - even the challenge of pouring coffee from a carafe without the inevitable dribbling of coffee onto the side of the cup and the surface of the kitchen.

I realize that I have for long accepted the inevitability that the wretched thing will dribble (note the anthropomorphism of a glass container!). But without the urgency to move onto a schedule of tasks for the day, I set myself to view it afresh and believe that it is possible to pour coffee without dribbles. And... it worked. By the way this is no challenge unique to me (thank God!) - see http://housewares.about.com/od/coffeemakers/qt/pouringnodrib.htm and http://ask.metafilter.com/70272/Drippy-spout-feature-or-bug

Taking stock, not being confined by past experiences and renewed hope for change... and it worked!

Here's a lesson far more important that being satisfying a need for caffeine - yes?

Film - The Beaver

2011-10-21T10:41:00.002-04:00

I am reading now a book on Spiritual Practices and one chapter extols the spiritual power gained from watching movies; an experience where left and right brain are fully engaged both with images and with story. The writer makes the point that whether a film is good or bad, it is replete with opportunities to reflect upon the divine.

And so to Mel Gibson's film "The Beaver". At one level, at some points, the film is simply a "laugh out loud" experience; always good for the soul. And then I experienced movement to a deeper level - reflecting on the ways in which we are seduced into believing the lie that we are alone, that no-one really cares and that we dare not risk being open and vulnerable.

Seems to me that as soon as the depressed person in the film acknowledges the lie, all becomes possible and welcoming in a life that knows it is loved and accepted.

The Acid of Resentment

2011-10-04T10:49:00.005-04:00

Over the weekend I read a little about the anniversary of the awful attack and murder of Amish children in Pennsylvania. When the tragedy happened, many of us were amazed and challenged by the readiness of the Amish to forgive.

So, this past weekend I read a quotation from one of the Amish who had suffered personal loss, he said something like, "As acid corrodes its container, so resentment corrodes the heart". Powerful imagery, powerfully true.

It is for our health that an authentic spirituality will call for the letting-go of resentment; and, of course, it doesn't really achieve anything anyway!

Does he want to say 'hello'

2011-10-04T10:31:00.003-04:00

It still fasincates me as to the way people walking dogs, with great facility and ease, begin conversations with complete strangers! Young women [who, wisely, generally would be wary of an old priest striking up a conversation] are ready to talk and share information about their name, where they live, what they do and, often, their thoughts about church and religion. Perhaps evangelism on Rittenhouse Square demands a canine companion? Perhaps I can talk with the IRS and my CPA about claiming Harry the Dog as a business expense necessary for the exercise of my profession?

Recently I noticed how dog owners tend to be careful though about their dogs entering into a conversation! More than once, I have said to another dog-owner: "Does your dog want to say 'hello'?". Generally there is an affirmative answer and the dogs begin their conversation in the inimitable way, not in any way transferable to their human companions!

Perhaps there should be some way in which we approach one another with a similar respect; before launching into our agenda, we somehow find a way to ask, "Are you ready, wanting, to say 'hello' right now?".

Credo Conference - 9/24/11 0720hrs

2011-09-24T07:20:00.003-04:00

It's been interesting to notice how some of my fellow clergy, in Chapel, cannot resist (or choose to act) the temptation to look ahead in the pages of the liturgical document in front of us.

At any one moment we are called to engage in the sacred present moment of our worship - to read, to pray, to listen, to sing, to be silent - but there seems often a compulsive urge to see what's coming. This urge may be particularly peculiar to clergy who find it unusual not to be leading worship and also to be using a liturgy that is unfamiliar!

I cannot and should not be unaware of the day that is about to unfold but I so much want to be more present in, more attentive to, the "page" that is before me. And, of course, those whom I meet today would prefer, generally (!), for me to pay them attention and not conside the next "page/person" to whom I will soon be talking!

Credo. Conference - 09/21/11 17:25hrs

2011-09-21T17:22:00.003-04:00

Today has been exhausting and stretching as two areas of potential and present stress have been discussed - healthy relationships and money (especially with a view to living, if not at times merely surviving, in retirement).

Of course the challenge to live in retirement, though firmly based on the foundation of money and resources, has to deal with nourishing, sustaining relationships.

I realize, largely because of my background as priest in the Church of England, that my relationships have largely, very largely, been defined by my church role - all to the good except when one considers the situation of whence will come friendships post-stipendiary employment.

Of course all of us are trying to work out the balance of what we truly need and are able to give in relationshiops with what is expected of us in our professional roles. The English model of parish life defined (I think by William Temple) as "a gentleman in every parish", the ordained minister as parson/persona in the parish, provides little space or need or time for non-professional relationships and there is much of value to be said in transplanting this attitude to the US but it carries its own personal challenges.

I realize today that clergy are uniquely suited to reduce the gap between personal and professional persona; that many times I have heard it said that people appreciate my ministry because of personal honesty and authenticity; but then they will often complain, even whine, when the priest shows untreated flawed humanity. How classic was it to hear that a parishioner once said of me, "I've never met a priest before with ego" - I take that as healthy compliment; I know it was not intended as such!

As with all conferences (of whatever length) the mid-way point brings with it a palpable relaxed atmosphere even to the point of some silliness; did Jesus ever just get to play?

Tonight, I fear, carries the prospect of working on some sort of art project; I really do dread (dislike) these enforced experiments into bonhomie and artwork - I hope to have the grace to allow others to "shine" and be not too tanned by their shining!

Credo Conference - 9/20 1730hrs

2011-09-20T17:26:00.002-04:00

The story has been told in various forms - why is it that clergy may be compared to manure? because if you spread them thinly around a large area they can do a lot of good but... bring them together in one place and... they create quite a stink!

Now, I have never heard that told by laity - only by clergy, so we all get a little credit for self-deprecatory awareness!

For a few reasons, ask me sometime if you're really interested, I have never been an avid and appreciative attendee at clergy gatherings. Often, and surely you are not surprised by this, there is present a little clerical competitiveness, priestly preening, ordained outreaching; this was definitely the case at the first CREDO conference I attended in 2003 (and I was surely part of the whole sorry and sad situation.

But... not so at this conference! Maybe it's because we have reached a certain maturity, or perhaps fret not so much about the next job or maybe because we're simply pleased to be alive and here!

This morning began with a stirring presentation on healthy relationships. It was staggering to learn that many, many of those in caring professions (including but not limited to the clergy) had started life in dysfunctional homes where they had begun as the "carers" - so, why not continue the pattern and make it professional! Wow!

A second lecture on vocation and identity reminded us that this was all about what we do and whom we are and that healthy living consists of experiencing as much congruency as possible between vocation and identity - you bet it does!

Oh and the day began in Chapel when a faculty member spoke to the theme that we must find our true and God-given identity and, for example, not fret to become what other people expect us to be or, more proper, what we think other people expect us to be - oh, 'tis truly a gift to be simple!

Credo Conference - 9/20/11 0905hrs

2011-09-20T09:07:00.002-04:00

So, what is it with "hummers"? And I mean the people, not the vehicles though there is surely as subject for vigorous discussion!

Twice now I have heard the request for silence in the Chapel before and after worship and this has been respected; well, at least in terms of absence of talking.

And yet the "hummers" are out there!

Do they hum because:

1. they are unware of what they are doing? so much for self-awareness!
2. they feel a little insecure and want to show they know the music? actually, even the incognescenti can "hum" to Taize music!
3. or do they really feel their humming is an overall and gifted and appreciated contribution to the whole experience? it isn't!

Perhaps there shouldn't be any music and we trust each other to be respectful of other's request for silence and the possibility we may be invading that silence?

Credo Conference - 9/19/11 20:45hrs

2011-09-19T20:37:00.002-04:00

This conference is the 230th such conference organized by the Episcopal Church Pension Fund; it promises (as did my first CREDO in 2003) to urge, persuade, cajole, encourage me to reflect on four basic elements of my life as person and as priest - health, spirituality, vocation and finance. I want, surely as we all do, to have this present life enriched as much as possible - available to be blessed by God and to be available for blessing for others. Of course with retirement in some five years or so, I am wanting to begin a thoughtful and prayerful journey that will lead to a fulfilled and fulfilling time after full-time work - as we all do, surely.

Of course that this time is spent in the presence of some other thirty priests has its unique challenges and, I hope, opportunities.

It is a challenge for those most expected to initiate conversations, to project and to perform - it is difficult for such to let go and the psychic trappings of priesthood be laid aside to discover afresh the joy and privilege of being served, of being approached, of being "ministered unto".

Not always easy - it's already a little frustrating to note how some voices are particularly conspicuous in the reading of psalms; how some feel it necessary (or inevitable) to lead the pace rather than discover the pace. How grateful I am for the choir director who, 47 years ago, taught me, "Alan, if you cannot hear the person next to you singing in the choir, you're singing too loud". And the same applies to reading liturgy and prayers and psalms...

Though - at the airport, standing with the group ready to leave, a woman walked by me, slowed down and, for some reason, said "Do I know you?". Immediately years of standing at church doors after service kicked in and I moved effortlessly (and thoughtlessly) into "greeting mode" It was ok but it was a lesson upon which I almost immediately reflected.

So there it is... day one, seven to go!

Embrace the... red stop sign!

2011-09-19T13:36:00.001-04:00

I almost wrote "embrace the red light" but realized, thank you Lord, this might have an unfortunate double entendre!!!

I'm none too good when I'm leaving for a trip, especially one for a week. Today I sit in Fort Lauderdale Airport waiting to be transported to Delray Beach for the beginning of a week-long CREDO conference (try credo.org for information, if you're that interested!).

But this morning... early I had to get back to the church office to pick up my prayer book and "alcoholics anonymous". Driving back I began to feel that little anxiety about packing etc. and so found myself wishing all those traffic lights to read green and none to read red. Then it hit me... Alan, embrace the red stop light; the delay may cause you to find a parking spot outside the Rectory. And... it was there. Of course, I don't know when the space became free but I'm still impressed.

So, hope I remember next time - "embrace the red stop light".

Life - Why did I do that?

2011-08-17T17:26:00.002-04:00

Walking across Rittenhouse Square several times each day is a very pleasant experience and inevitably filled with new experiences for eye, ear, sometimes nose and even sometimes just plain sensing happiness or delight.

But the accommodating traverse is sometimes marred as I feel it incumbent upon me to ask other Square denizens, "Did you know... bicycles are not to be ridden... or balls thrown... or dogs off leashes?". How comes I frequently ask the question but never expect a thoughtful and sane reply. At the best I see in the eyes of my 'questioned ones' the perception of a curmudgeonly old Englishman with nothing better to do. In fact, I promise, invariably the questions have been prompted by concern for safety of person and of pet; yes, really!

I now realize that subsequent to asking such a question, I should ask myself, "Did you know... that no-one was going to take any notice? Did you really believe that the question would create any positive response?'. And, to be honest, I probably and really expected nothing and so, at least, was not surprised!

To use a colloquial expression, "Alan, why'd you do that?". Does it comes from a place of frustration with life so I want to share the benison of that experience with others? Am I becoming one of those self-appointed drivers who always maintain the speed limit - oh no! Am I jealous or covetous of a freedom not afford to me or Harry the dog because of shyness or lack of boldness?

Really I don't know but I thank the Lord both for the gift of reflection and the hope of change (and, meanwhile, divine protection!).

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Life - Pure and kind laughter

2011-08-10T09:36:00.002-04:00

It's often thought that most humour has some element of meanness or unkindness about it - the laughter comes when we observe a situation in which someone is hurt a little, or is made to look like a fool. Of course even self-deprecating humour is mean and may cause us to squirm as we are spectators to someone demeaning themselves simply to be "part of the crowd".

But here comes a sequence from YouTube which is, I think, free from meanness - a view of a man who loves his dogs and his dogs who love soda water!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f309fSTWYo4

With the new addition to our family (Harry the JRTerrier), I have enjoyed some very funny moments (real laugh-out-loud moments) as I watch him playing with other dogs in the "big dog park" a few blocks from where we live.

Yes, in this world, there are moments I think of pure and kind laughter - thank God!

Life - A Great, Great, Great Man

2011-07-29T10:02:00.004-04:00

I was very sad to read of John Stott's death in today's NYT but deeply excited to note that such an established organ of USA's media should give some prominence to an Anglican ordained minister.

Below is the link to the obituary; a great teacher, evangelist and disciple has been welcomed into the reward of His Lord - just a few quotations from the obituary...

“I declare myself an impenitent believer in the power of preaching,” he told an evangelical group in New York in 2006, by then a frail and stooped figure walking with a cane. “The pew cannot rise higher than the pulpit.”

“We must be global Christians,” he once wrote, “with a global mission, because our God is a global God.”

“The evangelical world has lost one of its greatest spokesmen,” Mr. Graham said in a statement on Wednesday, “and I have lost one of my close personal friends and advisers. I look forward to seeing him again when I go to heaven.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/world/europe/28stott.html?pagewanted=all

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/30/opinion/30brooks.html

Life - Dogs Can't Read

2011-07-28T09:46:00.003-04:00

Obviously some rather sad mind had requested that the notice on left be painted onto the floor of the little pool in Rittenhouse Square; or perhaps it was done because of fear of insurance liability - but what an excuse that has become for not doing or offering or being anything that is flamboyant!

In the past six years I have enjoyed seeing children (and those young at heart) and dogs splashing in the pool of the dignified Rittenhouse Square but no longer. And, for a while, tidy minds had tried to stop musicians from performing in th Square - thank God that ban has been lifted by reasonable minds; if it's unreasonably noisy or untimely then stop it otherwise...

There are faith communities, including Christian faith communities, that seem only able to make negative and prohibitive pronouncements choosing to ignore the image of God (the theology) that is presented by these statements - "for freedom Christ has set us free, stand fast therefore in that freedom" (Paul, yes Paul, to the Galatians chapter 5, verse 1).

When I saw this dog (on the right), I almost felt like applauding!

America's Joyous Future... ??? !!!

2011-07-27T15:02:00.005-04:00

I will admit (though need it be a confession?) that when I first saw this church notice board I smiled and was grateful for the kind friend who sent it to me.

But further thought prompted me to realize (and I really don't want to be a party-pooper and be too heavy handed with analysis) that those five meetings contain within them the very seeds of "a joyous future".

Yet again we are back to the theme that in denial and self-sufficiency is ultimate disaster; in surrender, acceptance of need and request for help is indeed a "joyous future"... at least, that's how the Christian views it, yes?

AA - Accepting Ambiguities

2011-07-26T10:02:00.003-04:00

One of the joys of our regular Morning Prayer is that we welcome unexpected visitors who come with fresh experiences of God and perspectives on the divine.

By the way, Morning Prayer is every morning at 8:30am Monday-Friday - please try and make it sometime!

Anyway, this morning I met S. I was really excited to learn that S. had been baptized earlier this year and then was ready to identify with that mystery of the Episcopal Church/The Anglican Communion.

I asked, of course, what had precipitated or propelled S. into such a decision; she responded, "I want to accept the ambiguities of life". WOW! KAPOW! Blinding lights! Cosmic disclosures! I reckon this to be a most significant and unique aspect of the Anglican Communion; not better nor worse than other denominations but just perfect for many on their spiritual journeys. Our Christ-centred faith has at its centre the God/Man of Jesus; our Biblical faith has at its centre a book written by human hand but constantly conveying the dibine; our sacramental faith has at its centre earthy elements of bread and wine conveying to the receiver the benefits of feeding upon the Body and Blood of Christ... and so I could continue!

Canon John Westerhoff once said, "If you do not love paradox, do not become an Anglican"!

When I am not accepting the ambiguities of life, I know that I become rather a frightful person with whom to live and work; denying the conflict within, I turn to others and expect a thorough-going consistency between belief and practice!

Like S. I am nurtured to be in a community that allows articulation of observing, experiencing and living with ambiguities. And I want a community that tells me that one day these ambiguities will be resolved and that, praise God, they often show themselves in daily living - even today!

Thank you, S.

God-Talk - "Ain't Got No Satisfaction"

2011-05-05T10:30:00.004-04:00

So Philip says to Jesus, "Show us the Father, and we shall be satisfied!". Maybe! But then I/we know people who never seem satisfied, who can never really been pleased. I think of the persistant pursuit after President Obama in the recent "birther" issue. Did the President really think that presenting the full certificate would bring an end to "this silliness"? The thing is, the interrogaters wanted something more than simply confirmation of the President's date and place of birth and parentage so they still "ain't got no satisfaction".

Philip's request of Jesus prompts me to realize that probably those who never really seem satisfied have never really enjoyed, experienced the love and acceptance of their heavenly Father!

Here's a link to a midweek homily on this very theme and trext - http://www.htrit.343mp3.com/mp3/Sermons/2011/050311_Sermon.mp3

Life - Who sets the agenda?

2011-05-03T16:25:00.003-04:00

So with the threat of death hanging over his head, Daniel is bold enough to ask, "Why is the decree of the king so urgent?". And then... "Daniel went in and requested that the king give him time and he would tell the king the interpretation" - Daniel 2:16.

It may be that friends, employers, colleagues (even spouses) have often the right to raise with us matters of importance, to expect answers but, generally, they have no right to demand immediate answers to important questions. The ability to regularly step back and say something like, "Thank you! Give me a little time and I will get back to you" is crucial, essential, ennobling and healthy!

Daniel did it, and he lived.

I have become aware recently of a situation in which a professional person had nine months to present a question and expect an answer; almost at the eleventh hour, he chooses to present the question and expects an immediate answer. Well... go figure!

And, sorry, how do you feel when you are just about to get the attention of someone and their 'phone rings; who is setting the agenda, the schedule?

Don't be bullied by those who impose their timetables on your lives.

Life - Never too late...

2011-05-03T16:17:00.002-04:00

One of the great phrases which I have learned in 12 Step Meetings is: "It's never too late to begin your day again".

Way back in my spiritual journey, attending church for the first time when I was 12 (you really can't count the one-off visit to church for the folk religion baptism!) and after "going forward" at a Billy Graham crusade, I started to read the Bible regularly. I used then a wonderful daily resource provided by Scripture Union. The blessing and bane of the resource was that it was dated. Often I would miss some days, many days, and then faced with the tangible sign of my weakness (the last read study) I would feel tempted to despair. Eventually I would resume the studies... I learnt then that "it was never too late to begin reading the Bible again".

This principle applies to so many things in our lives... church attendance, generous giving, seeking reconciliation and... writing posts in a blog!

Thanks be to God I now enjoy a liberated sense of "it's never too late" and so today (after a month of some sickness, overbusyness, evil distraction and Holy Week and Easter) I resume my posts. And, of course, I realize that the world has more than managed to survive without my errant and wandering musings but I've missed it!

Life - "And what is a pastor?"

2011-04-01T11:07:00.003-04:00

There are many outside church communities who wonder about the role of pastors; how they come to their vocation... and how/why they stay. And, I am sure, the question is often asked by those within church communities hence the witticism "oh, they are one day incomprehensible and six days invisible".

At a recent church meeting, I was surprised that someone was surprised that being an ordained minister was not my vocation by choice. I'd let slip (well, I often do given half a chance) that I had long wanted to be a barrister in the London law courts but that God showed me clearly (and the church clearly) that He had another road for me to follow, a rather different cross for me to bear. Actually, when you think about it, knowing that God has called me and you to a particular role is of monumental help when we feel assailed, despondent and tempted to despair.

Eugene Petersen (the translator of the Bible text into my oft-read Message translation) has written a book about pastors and their lives, here's a review... http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/march/petersonpastorsjourney.html.

It is a privilege to serve as a parish priest within the Anglican Communion and, for me especially, to exercise that calling at such a church as The Church of The Holy Trinity, Philadelphia (http://www.htrit.org/).

I can only hope that others have a similar sense of calling to help them in the dark days as well as those filled with light.

Jesus said, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, the kind of fruit that abides forever" - John 15:16!

Life - "Life is like... learning to fold a fitted sheet"

2011-03-29T15:02:00.003-04:00

I simply did not believe it! Last week I began one of the short midweek homilies by speaking of the challenge of learning to fold fitted sheets. The intimate congregation (church-speak for 10 or so people) became quite aroused and some said it could not be done, others they could not do it. So for those wanting to know here is a youtube help http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z5k9nWcuFc&feature=related.

What I thought was merely an introduction to a weightier (far weightier) theme obviously resonated with my sermon auditors. I explained that Wendy (once described in Newport, RI as 'the kinder face of Martha Stewart') had tried to teach me but we decided our marriager was too important to risk after the third or more disaster on my part.

But the question comes, "How can this be?". To ask the question is so important and to keep on asking until an answer comes is vital.

Mary faced with Gabriel's words about an unplanned pregnancy (well, unplanned on Mary and Joseph's part!) begins to fear and flounder. She asks, "How can this be?" and the answer... the power of the Holy Spirit.

Nicodemus faced with Jesus' challenge and exhortation to 'be born again' dithers in the confusion sometimes gained by age and education. He asks, 'How cant his be?" and the answer... the power of the Holy Spirit.

So when faced with a conundrum of relationship or task, please ask God the question, 'How can this be?' and be ready for the exciting and engaging answer... by the power of the Holy Spirit!

God-Talk - The Ecstasy and The Agony (well...!!!)

2011-03-29T14:49:00.004-04:00

About a week ago a warm and cozy blanket of sun's rays covered Philadelphia and, I've seen this now for several years, suddenly Rittenhouse Square was packed with sun-worshippers. I muse often that these folk are skulking behind bushes and lying low in the grass so that when the right temperature is reached... they appear! It was great to see the Square taking on its Spring and Summer mode though I still am surprised (and a little pleased) to note how many seem to view the grass as sand on some rather relaxed Florida beach...

So, there's the Ecstasy but the Agony... well, look at the picture. It is hardly credible that a group of people could just leave, abandon the wretched detritus of their "happy meal". Please, there were no children there for what a glorious example that would be for young minds! This stark propinquity of pleasure and pain, of enjoyment and ignorance is one, I confess, that I have suffered though less and less - thanks be to God! And I choose to focus on the glory or gory, the blessed or banal!

And you want to know whether I cleared the mess away. No I did not... I was late for an appointment but when I returned with willingness to do the deeed... it had gone. Now there's a story of grace and hope.

Life - Conversations not Interviews??!!

2011-03-29T14:36:00.005-04:00

Some three years ago, I was embroiled in the search for a new Assistant to the Rector at The Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia. I met some twenty seminarians and, thank the Lord, eventually met Diana Carroll who graciously accepted the invitation to come in this "part of the Lord's vineyard" (a quaint phrase used by a retired priest with whom I once served). Now three years on the search begins again and I realize, quite deeply, that I much prefer "conversations" to "interviews". The former word seems far more inclusive and respectful and denotes clearly that both/all participants are engaged in seeking God's will. I truly hope that all of my conversations with seminarians have been thus inclusive, respectful and on an "equal footing". In 2002/3 I remember the search in which I was engaged... to find a new place of ministry which led, thank God, to Philadelphia. Of the several churches I visited, only a very few behaved with mutual respect and kindess and most (but not all!) seemed altogether indifferent to keeping me (and I assume others) in the loop. Ah well! I will continue to strive for "conversation mode" rather than "interview mode"; as I have done now for several years in my "pre-marital conversations". Becoming a Christian does not give us carte blanche to ignore common rules for courtesy, politeness and respect; though it sometimes seems to me that wearing a clerical collar empowers some to act in a way that they would never want to be treated! Ah well!

Life - 'The Dancing Marys"

2011-03-29T10:00:00.007-04:00

This past weekend CHT had the glorious privilege of welcoming 'The Dancing Marys' - a stunning work of art (well, really works of art) created by Philadelphia artist Janet Cooke.

Some time back Janet started to collect postcards which showed representations of the Annunication (Gabriel announcing that Mary would be soon pregnant); soon the idea came to Janet to reproduce these classical and contemporary paintings. The result - 96 separate panels brought together in one astounding work - 'The Dancing Marys'.

It was a blessing to watch each panel being installed on Friday, to watch people come view the piece and talk with Janet. And, during second service on Sunday, I felt rather sad that 'The Dancing Marys' would soon be dismantled.

Without challenging the historicity of the Annunication, there is truly some mythic in the story... in weakness confronted by strength, in timidity confronted by hope. Oh surely it is our prayer as it was the prayer of Mary, "Lord, be it to me according to your word"!!!

Fr. Roberto Caracctololo da Lecce (15/16th century) writes of five "possible spiritual and mental conditions as Mary responds to Gabriel's announcement" - Disquiet, Reflection, Inquiry, Submission, Merit.

Now... think on these things too!

God-Talk - The awful edifice complex

2011-03-15T10:57:00.002-04:00

So, the Philadelphia Inquirer prints an article entitled "Philadelphia's Historic Churches; Do They Have a Prayer for Survival?". http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-11/news/28680464_1_historic-churches-religious-buildings-religious-structures

I would like to think that those who take for granted the pleasure and substance of having historic buildings to walk by and enjoy, that for such people the Inquirer Article would be an eye-opener and, suddenly, the funds for building maintenance would be flooded with generous and concerned donations. As one of my sons taught me to express, "Yeah Right!".

Most churches today spend too much of their resources (time, personnel, nervous energy and money) in property concerns whereas so much of these resources could be directed to their proper and authentic mission.

I believe it is as if young David were handed, with all good intention, Saul's armour to fight Goliath - but the armour, once appropriate, was overwhelming, cumbersome and restricting for David - he had to shed it. Most churches are Davids encumbered by Saul's armour of past generations 'fighting' an ever-growing Goliath of disinterest, apathy and humanist materialism. Yes, I happen to think this is all relevant even to the august church building on the northwest corner of Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia; our very own "The Church of the Holy Trinity". I'm coming to think that perhaps a predecessor mine, The Reverend Cuthbert Pratt OBE, was speaking sense when he tried to visit this issue. Of course the then Historic Preservation Society stepped in and stopped the destruction of the old building but, not surprisingly, they quickly (and since) disappeared when there is need to build our Building Endowment Fund.

So... O Incarnate Lord, show your presence and glory in the very stuff of bricks and mortar. Amen

Life - Ageism?

2011-03-09T13:19:00.004-05:00

Truly I found it amusing and I've loved recounting the story (without names of course). It happened that recently a church program had to be cancelled (or better postponed, date to be decided). Sadly for her, my younger colleague was feeling very unwell. I decided it was best to cancel and so I wrote an email to the participants advising that, because of "sickness", the class was cancelled.

Everyone who replied with kind and solicitous thought and concern, everyone assumed that it was me (the oldie) who was sick. Now I am quite sure that God was able to use their prayers and concerns and direct it to the one in need. But I couldn't help reflect upon the assumption.

I truly found it amusing but that's because, maybe, I work in an institution where we try to offer respect to all combined with a belief that God speaks through everyone in some way "for the common good". Probably, if I had suffered at all from ageist abuse at home or work or generally, it would not be so funny.

Assumptions take hold of even the best of us... they are such insidious things!

Life - Oh Van Fishback where art thou?

2011-03-09T13:05:00.002-05:00

If I had hair to lose, it would be gathering in piles around me; if I were not on heart medication, my heart would be racing; if I did not have 'spare tonnage' round my waist, I would be wasting away... why?

Oh because of arcane, labyrinthine, stone-walling, frustrating, inconclusive telephone conversations with Bank of America, Webster Bank and (so as to not leave Great Britain unmentioned) Barclays Bank. All very different problems but each of these organizations obviously have sought guidance from the same management and customer relations experts.

And so when sanity seemed at risk and deep darkness was about to descend, I received some succour by remembering our visit engagement with an American bank - First National Bank in Brookings, South Dakota and its President Van Fishback!

Just when we seemed caught in the maze of "no credit history [we'd just arrived from UK], no credit card", when rules and procedures were indifferent to particular situations... Mr. Van Fishback stepped in and with executive authority and wise judgement faciliated access to crfedit cards. Of course, now we've come to regret that access a little but it was so comforting, so sensible, so appropriate!

I'm rather proud that our church (during office hours) provides callers with a real human voice, no need for someone in urgent pastoral need to wade through the sludge of voice mail directions.

I realize that larger corporations are arguing their size presents economies of scale and all that stuff but it is clearly at the expense of customer service; it is some Kafka-esque scenario when obeisance is paid to the institution than to the individual and, of course, Jesus had a lot of rather scathing words to say about that!

And Blue Cross, Blue Shield... oh, I'd better drink some "calm-you-down-tea".

Prayer does make a difference, at least to my health though the miracle of actually having a real person deal authoritatively and efficiently with a question is... well, still in the realm of miracle!

God-Talk - Honey-Do... Beloved-Do List!

2011-03-09T11:39:00.004-05:00

In today's Gospel for Lent, Jesus presents us with three areas in which we are expected to pay attention to our relationships without distractions! Check the Gospel reading for today - http://www.io.com/~kellywp/YearABC/Lent/AshWed.html

When you pray - go into a private room, no distraction! Relations with God.

When you fast - don't your face be dismal, keep it private, no distraction! Realations with ourselves.

When you give - keep your ego in check, no distraction! Relations with others.

And note this is a divine honey-do list... it's truly and authentically a matter of "when" not "if".

Here's the little sermon for this theme - http://www.htrit.org/worship/mp3s/030911_Sermon.mp

Life - Peter Gomes!

2011-03-09T10:50:00.004-05:00

Last week the Reverend Doctor Professor Peter Gomes died. I had the great fun and privilege of meeting and dining with Peter on a couple of his visits to Newport, Rhode Island. His flamboyant style sartorially was accompanied by a bold re-statement of theological and scriptural truth.

I believe the NYT's obituary is perfect - it could not possibly say it all, but it says enough to make us thankful for Peter's ministry and profoundly sad at his death.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/us/02gomes.html?src=twrhp

God-Talk for Ash Wednesday - Die to... what?!

2011-03-09T10:22:00.002-05:00

This article written by Professor Marcus Borg was issued today by Credo (http://episcopalcredo.org/)

The Way of Death and Life

Lent is about mortality and transformation. We begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday with the sign of the cross smeared on our foreheads with ashes as the words are spoken over us, "Dust thou art, and to dust thou wilt return." We begin this season of Lent not only reminded of our death, but also marked for death.

The Lenten journey, with its climax in Holy Week and Good Friday and Easter, is about participating in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Put somewhat abstractly, this means dying to an old identity - the identity conferred by culture, by tradition, by parents, perhaps - and being born into a new identity - an identity centered in the Spirit of God. It means dying to an old way of being, and being born into a new way of being, a way of being centered once again in God.

Put slightly more concretely, this path of death and resurrection, of radical centering in God, may mean for some of us that we need to die to specific things in our lives - perhaps to a behavior or a pattern of behavior that has become destructive or dysfunctional; perhaps to a relationship that has ended or gone bad; perhaps to an unresolved grief that needs to be let go of; perhaps to a career or job that has either been taken from us or that no longer nourishes us; or perhaps even we need to die to a deadness in our lives.

You can even die to deadness, and this dying is also oftentimes a daily rhythm in our lives - that daily occurrence that happens to some of us as we remind ourselves of the reality of God in our relationship to God; that reminder that can take us out of ourselves, lift us out of our confinement, take away our feeling of beingburdened and weighed down. That's the first focal point of a life that takes Jesus seriously: that radical centering in the Spirit of God that is at the very center of the Christian life.
- Marcus Borg

God-Talk - The swashbuckling C.S.Lewis

2011-03-04T09:37:00.003-05:00

So, this past Wednesday we eventually completed a four-part study series on Professor Lewis's "Mere Christianity". I was altogether unprepared for the vigorous and fascinating conversations that took place in response to reading the book. As with any book study there were some who had not, how shall we say, completed the reading but it make no difference - seemed to me all were engaged and ready to contribute.

Part IV of the book is a tremendous apologia for the rather pathetic objections that are often made to the Christian faith; if you haven't, this recent study gives me confidence to say, "Buy a book, read it, annotate it and, perhaps, get back to me".

Just a few bon mots from Book IV

"... while in other sciences the instruments you use are things external to yourself (things like microscopes and telescopes), the instrument through which you see God is your whole self. And if a man's self is not kept clean and bright, his glimpse of God will be blurred - like the moon seen through a dirty telescope. That is why horrible nations have horrible religions: they have been looking at God through a dirty lens" (chapter 2)

"You may say I've never had the sense of being helped by other human beings. That is rather like a woman in the first war who said that if there were a bread shortage it would not bother her house because they always ate toast. If there is no bread there will be no toast. If there were no help from Christ, there would be no help from other human beings" (chapter 7)

"When [Jesus] said, 'Be perfect' he meant it. He meant that we must go in for the full treatment. It is hard; but the sort of compromise we are all hankering after is harder - in fact, it is impossible. It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched, or go bad" (chapter 8).

And, I realize, Professor Lewis and I share the same use of " - " and " : " which is none too common in the States! I'm in good companny, yes; but company dated some 60 years ago!

Life - To what beat do I march?

2011-03-01T16:20:00.002-05:00

I am still fascinated and wonderfully engaged by the ipod which my kind and generous wife Wendy bought me for Christmas - to be listening to opera, Handel, Monteverdi and Brass Bands "wher'er I walk" is just grrrrreattt!!!

Today I downloaded some John Philip Sousa marches and I had to check myself from walking 'quick-step' along Spruce Street from Rectory to Church.

The stong beat, the stirring melody all connected with me in so many ways that I walked upright and forward and 'strong in faith'.

At heart, spiritual and psychic heart, I know that when I give time to listening to the beat of God's heart, I am affected in every way. But to listen, I must pay attention; but to listen, I must avoid distracting noises and off-beart comments (you what I mean!).

So, here's a march for you... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcGdZJh39Sw&feature=related

Life - Ouch!

2011-02-22T17:07:00.006-05:00

Leaving the Rectory earlier today, I was immediately faced with traffic that stretched as far north and south as these old eyes could see. The interminable delay was accompanied, naturally, with thick exhaust smoke and the inevitable sounding of car horns; this, by the way, must seem an ancient and weird religious practice to anyone visiting earth for the first time - the thought that by loud and constant noises, cars will move and disappear.

I had a little time to spare and so I walked along 16th until I came to this.....

This took place in after lunch sometime today; I am assuming, and hoping, that no-one was physically hurt though the trauma of having that big thing collide into your door would surely be enormous!

Clearly some days bring events that we could not begin to imagine; just as well, yes?

This Sunday past I led a discussion on the middle portion of Romans 8 which has some special focus on Predestination. I think part of the challenge that this 'P' word presents is due to lazy thinking about its scope. For instance, does it apply to every incident that occurs in our lives (such as the above?) or, as Paul surely indicates, does it affect the whole process of our being conformed, shaped to the likeness of Christ. I think, I believe, I am persuaded that it's the latter; though, that of course, will affect our response to events such as above.

Someone, years ago, a friend rather flippantly said that he did not want to be on a 'plane with someone who was 'predistined' to be in an air crash! Yes!

God-Talk - Feeding on the Word?

2011-02-22T10:41:00.003-05:00

The church is currently in process of a renewed and energetic Home Meeting program, giving people opportunity to get to know better other church members and also the Bible.

We're never too old, we're never too sophisticated, we're never too independent that we will not profoundly benefit from reflecting on the Word of God with the People of God.

Yes, we're never, never, never too young...

Film - Devil

2011-02-22T10:19:00.003-05:00

And the 4th of 4!

So the intended range of the four films chosen for our lazy, sofa-sitting day off yesterday encompassed a thriller, a romance, a comedy and a horror/supernatural hence Devil.

What attracted me was the title, the venue (Philadelphia, albeit largely an elevator in Philadelphia) and the writer (M. Night Shyamalan).

The film begins with a Biblical reference (almost correct except it read Peter 5:8 rather than I Peter 5:8) - Beware your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

There is horror in the film but, for the Christian or spiritual mind, a warning that evil takes on many forms and feeds on lies and resentments... "beware".

And I believe there is a strong reason for the elevator musak being "don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me" - your suggestions?

IMDb gives it a 65% approval rating!

Films - Dinner for Schmucks

2011-02-22T10:11:00.003-05:00

The 3rd of 4!

Oh my, oh my, oh my. Of the four films we chose, this was going to be the LOL choice; how could it be anything else with darling and wise Jim Carrell. But seems that the film itself could have been invited to the 'Dinner for Schmucks' alongwith some othe sad, but funny, souls.

I think out of loyalty to Mr. Carrell we sometimes laughed a little more often or loudly than was merited; there are some funny incidents but these really are comedic needles in a haystack of tedium.

The film, if you want to be serious for a moment, does make one reflect on humour and how much of it seems to be at the expense of another person with their frailty highlighted. Perhaps self-depracating humour is acceptable but even then it sometimes suggests a very wounded and hurt soul.

I think rottentomatoes gets it right and I was not surprised to read a 43% tomatometer reading.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dinner_for_schmucks/ It doesn't honor its source material -- or its immensely likable leads -- as well as it should, but Dinner for Schmucks offers fitfully nourishing comedy.

Film - Coco and Igor

2011-02-22T10:01:00.002-05:00

The second of four for Monday February 21st!

Of course the title refers to Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky! A stunning, beautiful, challenging film; the only problem for us is that it uses English sub-titles - this is not our preference at the best of times and definitely not when trying to needlepoint at the same time, you can imagine the head-nodding that has to take place!

The film is an elegant reminder that things change... attitudes to sexuality, style and music just a few of those changing elements.

If the 'Rite of Spring' deals with the persistance burgeoning of new life and the responses it causes... it was just perfect for the musical theme throughout the film.

It was said of Ms. Chanel at one party, "She makes even grief look chic"!!! And, does the film really illustrate why it's Chanel No. 5?

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/coco_chanel_and_igor_stravinsky/ It's well-acted and beautifully filmed, but Jan Kounen's dramatization of the affair between his famous subjects is curiously short on passion.

"Short on passion" - really?! Well, just proves many things are relative!

Film - Inception

2011-02-22T09:50:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a 'day-off' for Wendy and me - plans to visit a new exhibit at UPENN started to fizzle as the day became grey, a local restaurant at lunchtime looked appealing and then we 'found' ourselves in TLA (the mecca of videostores).

So, we hied home with four (yes four) dvds; we thought that we would have a little time in the next day or two but, instead, we viewed all four and rather a fascinating range!

First was Inception. Now it's interesting to me that Leonardo DiCaprio whom I had once dismissed as somewhat... lacking depth now consistently involved in mind-expanding movies.

The film was to me a persistent puzzle and I'm coming to realize that I really don't want 90 minutes of mental mazes and logical labyrinths when I'm movie watching - some, but not all the time!

The film reminded me profoundly of the power and depth of the mind - of our unconscious and subconscious states; of the power and mystery of dreams and of the power of forgiveness. All good stuff! And I relished the cinematography but, all in all, glad it was the first of the four we watched!

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/inception/ Smart, innovative, and thrilling, Inception is that rare summer blockbuster that succeeds viscerally as well as intellectually.

God-Talk - Unreasonable Doubt

2011-02-10T14:55:00.004-05:00

A recent article in Christianity Today deals with the subject of unreasonable doubt.

What about this? "Consider the candid remarks of contemporary philosopher Thomas Nagel: 'I want atheism to be true …. It isn't just that I don't believe in God, and, naturally, hope that I'm right about my belief. It's that I hope there is no God! I don't want there to be a God; I don't want the universe to be like that'".

Any Christian, with half a brain, knows what it is to have doubts; sometimes reasonable and sometimes unreasonable and by 'unreasonable' I think of those doubts which are somehow our psychic default settings caused by trauma or experiences of abandonment.

And what about this? "

The 20th-century ethics philosopher Mortimer Adler (who was baptized quietly at age 81) confessed to rejecting religious commitment for most of his life because it 'would require a radical change in my way of life, a basic alteration in the direction of my day-to-day choices as well as in the ultimate objectives to be sought or hoped for …. The simple truth of the matter is that I did not wish to live up to being a genuinely religious person'".

Without being flip, I sometimes still feel that those who profess no faith are somehow more to be admired for their 'faith' than those of us who profess to be 'religious/spiritual' despite the tensions, conflicts, challenges and the call "to a radical change in our way of life".

Here's the article... http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/january/35.48.html

Life - Mapping Laughter in the Supreme Court

2011-02-09T17:25:00.003-05:00

In January a report was published that analyzed laughter in the Supreme Court and which Justice secured the most laughs - no, thankfully the report was not sponsored by a government agency but for arcane and esoteric legal law review.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2011/01/16/GR2011011604725.html

Laughter and humour probably defines us as humans and enables us to gain a sense of our place in the world and a reasonable sense of self-perspective. Many years ago I delivered a series of four lectures on 'The Theology of Humour' - it was quite good and established a clear link between divinity and humanity, a link strengthened by laughter.

Jesus quite definitely used humour to attract and engage attention as well as to make strong truths somehow more palatable and digestible. There really is no reason why truth should always be hard to swallow. E.B. White wrote, "Humour is like poetry - it plays close to the hot fire which is truth. And sometimes the reader feels the heat".

A preacher once commented to me, "I get their mouths open with a laugh and then... I ram the truth down quickly!". After the 'mirthquake, comes the still small voice".

There are some who smile a little and laugh rarely - pity such souls. From a lack of sense of humour and fun, good Lord deliver me. Amen!

Life - Jack LaLanne, rest in peace (and fitness)

2011-02-09T10:20:00.005-05:00

Jack LaLanne died recently at the age of 96. I remember his indomitable television commercials which, reaching UK, persuaded us then to go out and buy a juicer; that actually when the way of most such purchases though the 'reason' for its ejection was the bothersome and almost impossible challenge of cleaning the wretched thing. But anyway...

I was fascinated to read a couple of his obituaries and was challenged again by his example to review my diet and my exercise regime (well, lack of it!). As you may be reading this early or late in the day, I will not proceed to provide further details of my lifestyle... either it will not set you up for a great day or it might lead to nightmares.

Mr. LaLanne definitely "walked the talk" and did it with enthusiasm and persuasion; now there's a lesson for evangelism-shy Episcopalians and friends!

He once wrote "I can't die - it would ruin my image". Some Christians fall into the sad trap of thinking "I can't fail - it would ruin my image" whereas what really spoils our image is lack of grace, surrender and forgiveness!

Commenting on Mr. LaLanne's advertising, one obituary writer wrote, "He had the ability to insinuate himself (like Oprah and Carson) into the domestic space of people's lives". I may have a little question about "insinuate" but I like and am challenged by the dynamic - here again, the goal of Church and Christian to "insinuate" the Gospel into the domestic space of people's lives - yes?

John Steinbeck and wisdom?

2011-02-09T10:03:00.003-05:00

So far I haven't been able to enjoy, understand Steinbeck novels - perhaps it will all become clear when we become American citizens? But, meanwhile, I recently came across these two quotations in newspaper articles.

"I have tried to keep diaries before but they didn't work out because of the necessity to be honest". I have often heard in 12 Step meetings that it's important to "get honest with the booze". A commitment to honest self-appraisal is not only healthy but removes much of the sting of adverse criticism made by those who simply do not like us. Self-appraisal is also the archway through which we pass to freedom and real enjoyment of the goodness, grace and love of God.

"A sad soul can kill you quicker, far quicker, than a germ". Upon first reading I understood this to refer to my soul and then I paused... far more often in life it is too close proximity with unrepentant sad souls that have deadened me. "Sad souls" who have come dependent on their sadness for identity and energy - how... sad!

Life - President Obama and... quotations

2011-02-08T15:15:00.002-05:00

In 2011, Wendy and I plan to complete our application for citizenship of this great country. The forms have sat around my desk, been lost in the wastes of files, for a long time... almost ten years. And in those years the forms have been re-formatted and the re-format has been re-formated to "a thousand generations". But this year all that is necessary will be submitted and then we will wait...

Meanwhile, and here's the point, we have the privilges of being tax-payers but not voters so when I write a blog of some quotations from recent Presidential speeches it is not to argue a partisan angle but to rejoice that from the Oval Office of this great nation comes literary and provocative comments.

"To borrow an analogy, cutting the deficit by cutting investment in areas like education, areas like innovation - that's like trying to reduce the weight of an overloaded aircraft by removing its enhine - it's not a good idea". And in Christian-speak, you focus only on maintaining buildings you will lose the very soul of the church!

"We can't win the future with a government of the past". In church-speak, we are to breathe change in the constancy of God's presence and love.

Speaking of Christina Taylor Green (the nine year old killed in Tucson) - "in her we see all of our children. So curious, so trusting, so energetic, so full of magic". In Prayer Book-speak, give us Lord the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.

"Change is going to come for this generation - if we work for it, if we fight for it, if we believe in it. The biggest mistake we can make is to let disappointment or frustration lead to apathy and indifference". God-speak - in this 'age of anxiety', we are called to be boldly hopeful and confident in the Lord!

God-Talk - The 'Spinach' Factor

2011-02-08T14:22:00.004-05:00

You find yourself engaged in some profound, moving, intimate conversation; you may even be aware that the person talking to you has trusted you with his/her words. And then, full attention is dissipated as you focus on the spinach between their teeth - should I tell them? will they remove accidentally? will it... and so it continues. This is the 'spinach' factor - that which distracts us from the major and worthy focus ahead.

At the beginning of Mark chapter 7, we are told that the scribes and pharisees (important people) have travelled from Jerusalem (important place) to meet Jesus. They gather round him and then... "they notice that the disciples are eating with unclean hands". From there the 'spinach' factor sets in and they lose all focus.

I'd suggest it's good and fun to be 'distractable', almost part of the human condition but when that aspect of our lives distracts us from profound and eternal matters - then we need seek a cure! Perhaps church worship, Bible studies, retreats are all sorts of rehabs where we can be set free from distraction addiction.

Perhaps another way to deal with this dis-ease is to ask, "So, Lord, what are you telling me through this distraction? Where are you in it all?".

And, if you're still reading this despite many distractions, well done!

Life - With bated/baited breath?

2011-02-01T10:53:00.004-05:00

So, how do you spell the phrase above... or do you even use it? or once used but no more as it seems rather passe and dated?

I am persuaded (to use one of St. Paul's great phrases) that the original spelling was definitely "bated" but, over the time and distance from original usage, the spelling is also accepted as "baited".

What is it with language? A word or phrase is definitively used in one way and then, over time, its meaning and spelling changes.

Perhaps this is all too good? Perhaps this shows the amazing ability of the human pysche to adapt and be transformed and to let that affect people and attitudes, programs and expectations.
There have to be some constants; this past Sunday I preached on the non-debateable place of the Cross in our theology and life (http://www.htrit.org/worship/sermons.html). But we also wanted the words and doctrines of our faith never to be rooted pointlessly in a time that has no meaning for us today. Of course, this is the challenge for church not only for its members but also for its members-yet-to-be.

(From - World Wide Words http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bai1.htm)
The correct spelling is actually bated breath but it’s so common these days to see it written as baited breath that there’s every chance that it will soon become the usual form, to the disgust of conservative speakers and the confusion of dictionary writers. Examples in newspapers and magazines are legion; this one appeared in the Daily Mirror on 12 April 2003: “She hasn’t responded yet but Michael is waiting with baited breath”.
It’s easy to mock, but there’s a real problem here. Bated and baited sound the same and we no longer use bated (let alone the verb to bate), outside this one set phrase, which has become an idiom. Confusion is almost inevitable. Bated here is a contraction of abated through loss of the unstressed first vowel (a process called aphesis); it means “reduced, lessened, lowered in force”. So bated breath refers to a state in which you almost stop breathing as a result of some strong emotion, such as terror or awe.
Shakespeare is the first writer known to use it, in The Merchant of Venice, in which Shylock says to Antonio: “Shall I bend low and, in a bondman’s key, / With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness, / Say this ...”. Nearly three centuries later, Mark Twain employed it in Tom Sawyer: “Every eye fixed itself upon him; with parted lips and bated breath the audience hung upon his words, taking no note of time, rapt in the ghastly fascinations of the tale”.
For those who know the older spelling or who stop to consider the matter, baited breath evokes an incongruous image; Geoffrey Taylor humorously (and consciously) captured it in verse in his poem Cruel Clever Cat:
Sally, having swallowed cheese,Directs down holes the scented breeze,Enticing thus with baited breathNice mice to an untimely death.
[I’m indebted to Rainer Thonnes for telling me about this little ditty, which appears in an anthology called Catscript, edited by Marie Angel. However, it was first published in 1933 in a limited edition of Geoffrey Taylor’s poems entitled A Dash of Garlic.]

Life/God-Talk - The Snowman Saga

2011-02-01T10:34:00.005-05:00

Some days ago this snowman was almost the quintessential snowman; it was some metaphysical archetype of all snow(people). Its arms were perfect, facial features warm and real, and was adorned with stylish clothing but then... but then...

Apparently on three occasions the snowman was damaged, usually by decapitation, sometimes with the addition of 'mature' additions. The man behind the snowman was rebuilding for fourth time! And, who knows, since our conversation he may well have rebuilt again - or has he surrended to despair?

I was disappointed, but not surprised, to observe the damage but was really, really disturbed to learn that on one occasion the damage was done by a father with his three children! On my, what a glorious parental example - "let's go damage something that has taken hours to build and which has caused many people to stop and smile". Probably that father is sowing the wind, and will reap the whirlwind.

But... there was the snowman and there was the indomitable and indefagitable spirit of the builder. Rather like potter and clay says Isaiah perhaps; rather like God and... ?

Television - Doc Martin (UK 'Dramedy')

2011-01-20T13:14:00.005-05:00

By the wonders of netflix and an internet connection, Wendy and I recently came across a British TV series called 'Doc Martin' which is described as a 'dramedy' (probably not yet made its way to the OED!).

This is a great TV series... funny, with drama, believable people and all set in deliciously beautiful Cornwall; I've become quite good at a Cornish accent to Wendy's irritation!

Doc Martin is, well I won't tell too much, except to say that his tremendous skill as a doctor and diagnostician is in no way matched by his people skills nor affinity with small talk. The inability to accept him 'as is' almost causes his beloved Louisa to depart but... well, stay with the series.

Films - The King's Speech

2011-01-19T18:29:00.004-05:00

It has been a long time since Wendy and I have been to a movie theater; different reasons include the cheap and varied viewing of films and suchlike on television via Netflix, a sense that no particular film has called us out of our viewing rut and an avoidance of situations where irritation is made easy by nattering, chomping, bag rustling fellow viewers.

But, ah, the King's Speech with its rave reviews and commendations by friends whom we trust - ah, this we had to see.

It was no disappointment and exceeded expectations.

Part of the film's allure was the way in which it was steeped in England and things and attitudes English. Part of its allure, well for Wendy really and the majority of the female race, was Colin Firth.

For the early part of the film the conversations between Bertie and Lionel (King and Commoner) are packed with witty, sharp and very funny repartee; after a while this disappears but by then the viewer is hooked until that 'speech' after war is declared.

Surely it is always fascinating to observe the inner, private life of someone heretofore unknown... whether it be king or uncertified but experienced-trained speech therapist. For us to know the lives of those we whom we work and worship would be too much to bear; we would constantly be in a state of emotional paralysis but, for a while, we want a curtain to be drawn and for opportunity to observe.

The tragic and poignant history of the king (nigh unbelievable) underlines that we are and that we carry our past into our present. And though the past we cannot change, our response can be changed and altered and often there is the path to health.

Though some parishioners may look vainly for perfect clergy (and the search for a perfect church is just as pointless), the sensitive and wise parishioner is wanting a priest/pastor who is flawed and who accepts those flaws and seeks to improve... day by day, not being overwhelmed by the inevitable slip or slide.

The stammer of King George VI is somehow made regal by the courage, honesty and persistance of Bertie Windsor. And, frankly, we all want a Frank to stand by us... to challenge, to encourage, to listen and to celebrate.

In 12 Step Programs, often the importance is mentioned of the acronym HOW... honesty, openness and willingness. Both Bertie and Lionel (and those closest to them) exhibit these qualities... pity that in the film, and elsewhere, these qualities are rarely exhibitied who should know better and who whine the loudest.

God-Talk - No Trespassing!

2011-01-14T10:27:00.006-05:00

So this morning, just before Morning Prayer began, a young couple came into the church - the man carrying a very heavy and sophisticated-looking camera. As we talked, they told me they were from Manila and were visiting various places in US and, of course, Philadelphia had to be one of those stops.

The couple were interested in CHT and the Episcopal Church and the young woman asked for clarification,m "You have a priest who is a woman?". I responded affirmatively and rather proudly for the Episcopal Church.

They politely asked permission to take some pictures and I consented. After Morning Prayer I noticed the man taking a photograph of his friend. I asked whether they would like me to take a photograph of both of them - diffidently they agreed and only with much encouragement did they stand on a chancel step in front of the altar. The woman asked, "Can we really go there? In front of the altar?". In the moment, and with later reflection, I mused as to the ways in which churches and christians have doled out a wrong fear of God and the sacred - often for reasons of control, often caused by ignorance.

It is good that we nurture a sense of the sacred but our theological tradition affirms soundly and consistently that this 'sacredness' is most often found in the mundane, the overlooked and the broken.

I can hope that the welcome I offered to the young couple from Manila will establish in them a deeper sense of God's continual and warm welcome wherever they happen to be... even in the sanctuary!

Gold-Talk - Snow and P.A.D.

2011-01-13T09:52:00.001-05:00

And so another snow storm hit Philadelphia Tuesday night. These events remind us that we are often powerless, that acceptance is good and that isolation is unhealthy and unwise.

Driving along Spruce Street I noticed this young man (probably around 12!) carrying his snow shovel, looking to do some work and earn some money. There's an example!

Though often we find ourselves in situations not of choosing nonetheless our Lord is present and is always able to create order and beauty and purpose. Yes, He is able!

Oh... P.A.D.... powerless, accepting and dependent!

Life - Unncessary Precautions?

2011-01-07T11:08:00.003-05:00

So, what do you think the lady above is doing with the plastic column and all this in church. Perhaps the carafe of wine will help you?

It seems, according to a WSJ article, that a church in Clark, NJ has been so concerned about the possibility of infection that it purchased one (some?) containers which allow each communicant to dispense a wafer. Of course... how clean is the plastic dispenser? who places the wafers in the dispenser? is the dispenser often cleaned and how is each wafer picked up... in the dish?

Sometimes logic can lead us to a place of some absurdity... do you think?

Here's the article... http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704415104576065982762908782-lMyQjAxMTAxMDAwNzEwNDcyWj.html

Life - Ipod Mania #2

2011-01-07T11:01:00.004-05:00

Just one more little thought about my new fascination with ipod and listening opportunities anywhere and everywhere.

I was thinking yesterday as I was relishing some grand operatic aria that if only the people passing by could hear this... but then they probably would not want to listen and would find this intrusive. So it was left to me to enjoy the rich sound and not let auditory joy be spoilt by an inevitable restricted audience.

The blessings and dangers of "bubble living"!

And the Gospel... well, thank God, I hear and reflect on its glorious music often. I wish I could share it more often with more people but, meanwhile, I want my enjoyment and health not to be constrained by a temporary (?!) minority audience!

Life - Ipods and Sweet Isolation?

2011-01-05T15:46:00.004-05:00

Little by little it seems that my irrational aversion to things modern, mechanical, electronic and (?) faddish is beginning to ebb and wane.

In 2010 I truly surprised myself by a total conversion to the Nook - Barnes and Noble's ebook.

And no,w in 2011, another electronic conversion... this time to an ipod. Wendy has been using one for several years now for audio tapes and, for some unknown reason (truly), I hoped that Christmas Day would bring me an ipod... and it did. With my son Ben's help, I downloaded some music onto the magic thing and almost immediately was able to listen to British Brass Band music - playing martial, classical as well as hymnodic music. And, only yesterday, romantic operatic arias were added to the little machine.

So this morning I walk to work in my own little world (no fake expressions of surprise, please) listening to arias. And then I wonder... is this good? Is it good to try to cut out the world around me, the noise and voices of others and risk even physical damage what with errant and illegal cyclists on sidewalks/pavements. I'm not decided yet. But I also felt a peculiar solidarity with others who had their ears blocked with white cords retreating into coats and scarves and pockets! I did resist to high-five these fellow ipod-ers - thank God! And, of course, there are those who cannot restrain their amused surprise... "look, there's a priest with an ipod... guess it's all religious stuff".

Ah well! I love the music but I also love the world in which God has placed me with opportunities for new friends and new conversations and... who knows?

So... here's a reasonable convert, sounds so Episcopalian doesn't it?

God-talk - There Is Still More Room

2011-01-04T15:21:00.005-05:00

Tell me, is a man/woman thing about packing a car or, come to think of it, packing a dishwasher. There are not many practical areas in which I choose some superiority over my wife and this is due to laziness as well as incompetence... but, come the car to be packed or the dishwasher filled then I'm the man.

There's something really glorious about shouting the news, "There's still more room".

Imagine then the joy of the servant who told his master (Luke 14:23) that there was still more room even when "the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame" had been brought in from the streets.

Perhaps the early days of January are attractive for us because we look at days and months ahead and we feel "thank God, there's more room" for our tasks, ambitions, plans and hopes. But the joy and gift of the spiritual life is that "there's more room" in each and every day and in all the hopes and challenges even the challenges of seemingly irreconciliable differences.

And, praise God, for you and me in the heart of God "there is always more room".

We want pcs and macs, we want ipods et al to have more room, more room, more room... as always God has got there first!

God-Talk - A Stetson Miracle!

2010-11-09T15:29:00.004-05:00

The hat shown here is really an elegant black rather than brown but, nonetheless, who would believe this well shaped hat was driven over (not under) a taxi yesterday. Yes, the hat went under the wheel - all due to the "perfect storm of gusts of wind" that the cognoscenti know prevail at the northwest corner of Rittenhouse Square. At least, I am pleased to affirm, my head was not in the hat!

How staggering that John B. Stetson Company produce a hat which can endure such crushing treatment and more than recover with a few marks to signal the triumph!

Isaiah writes of a similar dynamic in chapter 42:3 "A bruised reed he shall not break" and Paul experienced a similar dynamic often in his life "beaten within an inch of our lives, but refusing to die; immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all" - 2 Corinthians 6:9.

We may often be crushed but we need not be destroyed! Thanks be to God!

Life - Nine Baptisms plus One! Yes 10!

2010-11-09T12:54:00.004-05:00

This past Sunday was a resounding day with much celebration! A Joyful Noise service (our monthly at 9:45am) was marked with noise and attentiveness and just simple fun in the presence of the Lord! My wife Wendy sat next to a visitor at the 11am service. Wendy asked how the 9:45am service had been... "Wonderful. Even saw the Rector dance". Well, I'm not sure that really happened but the Rector did "move" a little. A friend (!) of mine, told about this, said, "Alan dancing; now that is something that no-one should have to see".

So, thankfully, no video of 9:45am but here below the link to the video of nine being baptized at 11am. Sadly, we had not the resources to video the baptism of Dominic at the early service.

Ten baptisms from eight families (I got to baptize twins for the first time!) - six of whom are strong and participating church memebrs, the other two on the way to finding an involvement which is appropriate and reasonable.

21 baptisms in 2009, 24 in 2010 - this is remarkable for any Episcopal parish but especially so for one in downtown siutation such as ours in Philadelphia. True cause for joy and hope and celebration!

And how wonderful to receive such new life on the same Sunday we were spiritually attentive to the saints gone before us!

What a day! What a glorious Lord! What a stellar Gospel and message!

http://gallery.me.com/edweston#100118

If this link doesn't work for you, let me know. Ed Weston (CHT's visual recorder extraordinaire) will be able to help.

Life - So, What Do You Know?

2010-11-04T09:00:00.003-04:00

Recently our friendly and provocative Pew Forum friends produced some studies showing how (abysmally?) ignorant many are of religious truths and (!!!) they showed that agnostics and atheists tend to be better informed than those engaged in institutional religion of whatever form.

Why not try some of these questions yourself?

http://features.pewforum.org/quiz/us-religious-knowledge/index.php

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/opinion/10kristof.html

Of course the next question to be answered is how do we encourage ourselves, how do churches/temples/mosques encourage their members, to be intentional about education. Oh my, after 33 years in ordained ministry, this is still a puzzle, a real puzzle!

Spirit - Hallelujah Chorus - it's a'macey'ing

2010-11-03T11:00:00.002-04:00

The event on this link took place recently in Philadelphia City Centre.

Enjoy it! Allow yourself to be moved to "wonder, love and praise" and just consider afresh the power of praise upoin others! Praise and awe is so necessary to the spiritual life but sadly so often lacking!

Truly we want to be with praising not whining people - remember that's what others think as well!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU

Life - Prayer At All Times...

2010-10-27T09:08:00.003-04:00

Every day I receive an email from a 12 Step Website. For some reason I was struck by part of the quotation today... "And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines".

This was said by Satchell Paige, renowned baseball player (I discovered!!!). And as I left the house it was raining.

Perhaps the message sounds a little aggressive but then who likes to be challenged.

Seems to me that taking every opportunity to give thanks and pray when "sun shines" prepares me to pray and give thanks when "it rains". And, who knows, perhaps the regular practise of prayer will even inspire thanksgiving in the gloom? I think so!

Life - Labour Day Farewells!

2010-09-09T11:36:00.002-04:00

Goodbye seersucker and linen suits and even goodbye to the possibility of wearing "white bucks" which this summer of 2010 I never had the courage to wear... though it a near thing from time to time.

I like this American tradition... helps me feel part of a larger community that cares about traditions flying regardlessly in the face of a prosaic and boring utilitarianism!

And thinking of saying goodbye, for some reason this little song by Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (recorded in 1966) came to mind... hope you enjoy; hope it makes the pain of saying goodbye (meaning ? god-be-with-you ?) a little lighter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5ya_Gq8d4Q

Life - Alan, Mind Your Own Business

2010-09-09T11:16:00.003-04:00

So the Psalm I read today (Psalm 37) begins with "Do not fret yourself over evildoers" (verse 1). In fact it wasn't the correct Psalm for this morning but its message was perfect. Alan, mind your own business or, as I often hear in 12 Step Meetings, "keep your side of the street clean".

Yesterday I hied to Barnes and Noble to visit Starbucks... I wanted a "red-eye" (or so I thought). Just for once I decided to sit in the cafe area with coffee and bagel and, of course, watched others with interest. I was staggered that B&N have this policy by which anyone can gather an armful of books, bring them to the cafe area and, even with making a purchase, sit and read them. And then I noticed that some were dropping books on the floor, treading on them, bending them over and with saliva wet fingers perusing the book... so much for a restful, non-engaged few minutes!!! How could this be allowed to continue with issues of economy and hygiene in mind?

And then walking back to church... dogs on long leashes and balls being thrown in the Square - can these people not read the signs at the entrances.

Now thankfully I managed to restrain from engagement. I was not so blessed when recently after a long wait for a men's restroom (guarded by a young man), a young woman came out!

Ah well... Alan, "fret not... it leads only to anxiety".

Why this chronic addiction to m.o.b. (minding other's business)? Ouch... do I really think I'm perfect despite all the evidence! Or are there challenges in personal and professional life I'd rather lay aside in order to pursue one crusade after another... who cares.

Lord, give me grace and hope that I might change; and give me patience and kindness to pray for others.

God-Talk You said what? Relational Evangelism?

2010-09-03T14:49:00.002-04:00

A recent Alban Institute article (by Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook) mused on the subject "Evangelism and the Under-Thirty Crowd".

Here are some quotations from the article...

"A recent article in USA Today concluded that young adults born in the 1980s and 1990s, approximately 72 million people, want to make an impact and are socially-conscious yet do not relate to traditional institutional structures. A decreasing number of these young adults view churches as places to make a difference or develop their leadership skills" (OUCH!).

"A more positive approach to evangelism for many lies in 'pointing out the ways that God is already active, transforming lives, and connecting us to each other'" (AND THIS SURELY IS THE AUTHENTIC ANGLICAN WAY - ISN'T IT?)

Relational Evangelism (a new buzz word and the adjective seems to make the 'E' word more palatable!!!) stresses that we are not to lob Bible verses and church invitations across a divide; that we are to enjoy the friendships we have and, when appropriate, affirm our friends and share what matters to us in our spiritual journeys. "Relational Evangelism is about us having a deep enough relationship that others want to join with us" (Arrington Chambliss).

Marriages, Services of Commitment, Baptisms, Outreach Ministries, Death of loved ones - all may be episodes in a person's life when they are wanting to talk about "eternal verities" but have no language and look to us to provide a lingua franca, a common tongue.

Consider this table (we may not like the word Conversion) but note the arena in which spiritual response is the highest (friend or relative!)

Conversion Responses
A friend or relative 78%
Pastor 06%
Sunday school 05%
Church service or program 03%
Walk-in off the street 03%
Special need 02%
Personal visitation 02%

And you want to review this link sometime... http://www.diomass.org/webfm_send/1248

God-Talk - Teach us to pray...

2010-09-02T08:10:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I received this fun and rather inspiring you-tube link - it features a father and son (both members of The Church of The Holy Trinity).

I am encouraged by Sam's concern to care for the spiritual welfare of his son, Matthew.

I am moved to see father and son coming together to pray before the Lord.

And I love the ready repetition (at times) and the inspiring initiative of the young pray-er, Matthew. Remember the Psalmist says, "Out of the mouths of babes, thou has perfected praise".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JgzI2x1K0Q

Life - Fanatics

2010-08-04T12:13:00.003-04:00

Watching West Wing (Season 7!) yesterday, I heard Toby Zeigler quote Sir Winston Churchill - "A fanatic is someone who will not change his mind and cannot change the subject".

Um!?

Of course as I heard this and reflected upon it, some individuals came to mind! Thank God it wasn't too long before I prayed, "Oh Lord save me from this... especially when it is clothed in quasi-religious terms and convenient compassion".

Life - Words from Bill (and others) Part Five

2010-08-04T12:04:00.002-04:00

This post, and the four that follow it, are quotations gleaned either from Bill Wilson (the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) or from various literature that is read daily by many in recovery.
I think I noted these particular words because they were challenging - they challenge me to think, to change my behaviours and they challenge me because they set before me a wonderful promise.
I believe none are contrary to Christian belief and most are recognizably inspired by Christian tradition.

I was born of the Spirit, but I was taught religion - A Day At A Time, July 15th.

Accepting life on life's terms will be mastered through the humility I experience when I turn my will and my life over to the care of God as I understand Him - Daily Reflections, July 16th

I thought I had to be self-sufficient, self-reliant and self-motivated in a world of unreliable people [oh dear!] - ibid, July 17th

The willingness to grow is the essence of all spiritual development - Letter from Bill Wilson, 1955

Life - Words from Bill (and others) Part Four

2010-08-04T12:00:00.003-04:00

All true communication must be based on mutual need - As Bill Sees It, AA Today pg 10.

The basic ingredient of all humilty - a desire to seek and do God's will - 12 & 12, pg. 12

The way to grow old happily is to expect better things right up to the end of your life. AND EVEN BEYOND THAT!

Only an open mind can be healed - A Day At A Time, July 14th

The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines... we claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection - AA, pg. 60

We lacked the perspective to see that character-building and spiritual values had to come first, and that material satisfactions were not the purpose of living - 12 & 12, pg. 71

Life - Words from Bill (and others) Part Three

2010-08-04T11:55:00.002-04:00

Peace is possible for me only when I let go of expectations - Daily Reflections, July 7th

Humility is the result of knowing God is the doer not me - ibid, July 9th

You should meet life with a YES, an affirmative attitude - 24 Hours A Day, July 9th

Expect miracles of change in people's lives. All miracles are in the realm of personalities - ibid, July 10th

By being humble I realize I am not the centre of the universe - Daily Reflections, July 12th

Life - Words from Bill (and others) Part Two!

2010-08-04T11:49:00.002-04:00

Self-righteous anger can be very enjoyable. In a perverse way we can actually take satisfaction from the fact that many people annoy us; it brings a comfortable feeling of superiority - 12 & 12, pp. 66-67

Be grateful, humble and calm and loving to all people. Leave each soul the better for having met you or heard you - 24 Hours A Day, July 1st

A childlike spirit: "simple trust, joy in life, ready laughter, lack of criticism, desire to share" - ibid. July 2nd

Much of life is spiritually unexplored country - ibid, July 3rd

Humility amounts to a clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to become what we could be - 12 & 12, pg. 56

Conversion is often only the discovery of God as a friend in need.
Religion is often only the experiencing of the help and support of God's power n our lives.
Holiness is often only the invitation of God to be our friend
- 24 Hours A Day, July 4th.

The chief activator of our defects has been self-centred fear - 12 & 12 pg. 76

Whenever I feel uncomfortable, irritated or depressed I look for fear - Daily Reflections July 6th

Life - Some Words from Bill (and others)

2010-08-04T11:39:00.002-04:00

During my recent vacation, I was disciplined in reading daily not only the Bible but also four books which focus especially on healthy recovery.

Here are some of the quotations which I copied and then, and now, mean much to me...

He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom - Bill Wilson, Alcoholics Anonymous pg. 62

The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered into our hearts and lives in a way which is indeed miraculous. He has commenced to accomplish those things for us which we could never do by ourselves - Bill Wilson, AA pg. 25

Coincidences are actually small miracles of God, who prefers [at times] to remain anonymous - A Day At A Time, June 28th

When an un-understandable happens, may I perceive it as another of God's frequent miracles - ADAAT, June 28th

Each day two steps - lay your will before God and... be confident in His power.

Let's remember that alcoholics are not the only ones bedeviled by sick emotions - 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, pg. 78

Life is all a preparation for something better to come - 24 Hours A Day, June 29th

Deep down in every man, woman and child is the fundamental idea of a God. It may be obscured by calamity, pomp or worship of other things - AA, pg. 55

God-Talk - Change!

2010-07-21T09:34:00.003-04:00

So Bill Wilson writes in Alcoholics Annoymous "The point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim spiritual progress not spiritual perfection" (pg. 60) and in a Letter of 1955 "The willingness to grow is the essence of all spiritual development".
It matters not how old we are, where we live, in what relationships we find ourselves... if I, if you, have lost a willingness to grow, to change, then we risk spiritual and emotional stagnation.

I heard once of the person who said, "I don't like things the way they are, and I don't like change"... ah well!

It is glorious to be immersed in the unchangeable love and acceptance of God but that gives me courage to change so today, Alan, be ready...

Life - Apologies

2010-07-21T09:22:00.004-04:00

So this is my dilemma... is it ever right to ask someone for an apology?

I think of a situation in which twice now I have been insulted in public... accused of lying, of mismanagement, of sulking (and more but to write more simply is indulgent!). Probably if an apology were to be made it should be made in front of those who originally heard the comments but that "ain't going to happen".

So... back to question, is it ever right to ask someone for an apology.

I guess it can be phrased in different ways, can be worded as to not be offensive nor confrontational but...

Why would I ask? Well, partly because of hurt pride and if that's all it were about then I could take it to the Lord in prayer. I know I have done enough to hurt my pride myself! But I think it's partly also because I cannot see any path of reconciliation opening up until an apology is made.

Well... I won't be holding my breath but I am still puzzled!

Book - The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz

2010-06-18T10:09:00.004-04:00

It's not that I haven't been reading over the past months, I have! It's just that I have found it very difficult to open up the blog and start writing and then, of course, the longer a task is left the more difficult it is to resume it. But it's never too late to begin again for with God all things are made new!

And so... the most recent novel I read is The Commoner. For me a fascinating journey into the life of the Japanese monarchy described as both "mysterious and hermetic".

But the story (based on fact, yes?) is also an authentic description of the devastating effects of powerlessness and isolation.

Towards the end of the book, the author writes of "the usual Court style meant to form an impenetrable lacquer against the dust and cracks of time". That lacquer is applied in many forms and in many situations!

God-Talk - A Tardis Like Experience.

2010-06-18T10:05:00.004-04:00

For nearly thirteen years I served as Rector of St. Columba’s, The Berkeley Memorial Chapel in Middletown, Rhode Island. The setting was just idyllic and every time I entered the Chapel I was moved afresh by the sense of almost palpable sanctity.

For six years now and, I hope, for many more I serve as Rector of The Church of The Holy Trinity (CHT). The physical setting is all so different! Instead of a quiet and serene churchyard, there is glorious Rittenhouse Square with its display of life in many forms! There were never bikini-clad women in St. Columba’s churchyard – not so with the “garden” outside CHT! And whereas the beautiful Sakonnet River gently moved not far from the door of the Chapel, we have Walnut Street with its cacophony of vehicles, boom boxes and car horns expressing anger and frustration.

But, wonder of wonders, it never ceases to surprise me that when I move through the glass doors of our church entrance the busy noise and frenetic activity is set aside and made quiet.

This past Saturday we celebrated two weddings at CHT. Before the second I was talking with one of the floral designers. He told me how much he always enjoyed coming into CHT, how much he appreciated the calm and serenity. I commented it was almost like some sort of ‘Tardis’ in the television series ‘Doctor Who’. To my surprise, my new friend knew of the series and we readily agreed as to who was the best ‘Doctor Who’ – Patrick Troughton but then that truly is another story.

So, next time you are near CHT come inside and rest awhile, breathe in the serenity and allow the Lord to strengthen you to return to the world, His world into which He invites you and in which He will always accompany you!

God-Talk - Experiencing The Labyrinth

2010-06-16T12:17:00.007-04:00

Way back in Lent 2010, as apart of a stellar series on spiritual practices, Diana Carroll and Steven Jurgens-Ling created a labyrinth in the church basement - somewhat grandly, and therefore misleadingly, called The Centennial Room.

I will readily confess that I was in no way prepared for the profound spiritual impact I experienced as I walked the labyrinth and, forgive the lyricism, what is often a rather dour and foreboding room became filled with spiritual experience and expectation in community.

I felt almost compelled at times to stop and breathe; every "turning point" not only caused me to slow down but also to reflect on some of the "turning points" in my life and ministry.

It was fascinating to walk the labyrinth with others... to recognize and respect the varying pace of others and their style - some, like me, did all they could to keep within the lines while others were a little more relaxed.

Of course I wish that the labyrinth could somehow be incorporated into the church "upstairs" or the church "outside" but we do what we must and so very soon a new and improved labyrinth will be placed semi-permanently (if that makes sense) in the Centennial Room. It may not be like the one in, say, Indianapolis Cathedral but it's here and ready for walking!

God-Talk - Precious Tears

2010-06-16T11:16:00.005-04:00

Over the past few days I have been honoured to be in the presence of those who wept... trying their best to do so inobstrusively in church or in my study.

Rarely the tears have been of joy... generally they express deep pain and frustration and often a sense of relief!

In the Psalms we read that all our tears are precious to the Lord, so much they are stored in a bottle. I have come to believe that no tears are wasted in the economy of God... in his expert hands our tears become agents of healing.

Thanks be to God!

http://www.tearcatcher.com/tearbothis.html

PS And, would you believe it, just as I complete this blog an internet advertisement appears talking to me of "Smokey Robinson and his 'Tracks of Tears'"!

Life - To Seersucker or Not To Seersucker

2010-06-04T15:15:00.006-04:00

Yes, I know that in the "big scheme of things" and mindful of global, national, civic and personal sufferings the sartorial musings of an Episcopal British priest is no big deal but... it mattered to me.

Last Sunday (the day before [very important to note before] Memorial Day) my son Jonathan was married in NYC and I really, really, really wanted to wear my seersucker suit for the rehearsal party but that would be before Memorial Day.

I checked with one good friend and his advisor (I know it was his wife and that was a good choice) commented, "Well, no-one worries about that now!".

Perhaps she's right but perhaps they should? The whole business of what to wear/what not to wear between Memorial Day and Labour Day was not (no big surprise) a burning question during our stay in South Dakota but move to Newport, Rhode Island and things change... and they change a lot.

I googled for wisdom and was told that seersucker must only be worn between Memorial Day and Labour Day and worn only by those who are handsome, dashing or eccentric. My dear friend commented that, at least, I managed to check one of those criteria.

So what did I do? I waited until after Memorial Day. Actually I think these little things help many of us cope with "varied changes and chances of this fleeting world".

Life - Turning a Deaf Ear

2010-06-04T09:27:00.004-04:00

The past few days I have been suffering (probably too strong a word but...) from a blocked left ear. I've tried the over-the-counter remedies to no avail. Yesterday managed to secure a doctor's appointment but had the strongest feeling that the young doctor ws not altogether engaged by something as mundane as a blocked ear. He syringed the ear, prodded rather hard (to which I gave my standard comment, "I don't do pain") and then sent me on my way saying... well, I'm not sure what he said because the ear was still blocked!

Back later today but this time with different doctor!

Anyway... this business of "turning a deaf ear" is interesting. It's very possible, right now, for me to turn my head slightly to the right and have no clear idea what is being said to me and, of course, asking people to repeat what they have said tends to irritate and annoy them as if they're being accused of sloppy speech (well, that's no too rare as it happens). I suppose denial is one way of "turning a deaf ear"... and look where that can lead!

What I've realized with this deaf ear (temporary, I hope) is that I need compensate for it... I need accept I can't hear with that ear, be kind to myself and ask others to be kind and considerate. Of course, very few of us find it easy to kind and gentle to ourselves and we tend to find it even harder to ask others to be kind and gentle towards us.

All this rumination due to some wax... interesting!

God-Talk - Nothing to fear but... the denial of fear itself!

2010-05-11T10:44:00.004-04:00

FDR's 1933 Inaugural Address contained these words: "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance". They were powerful then and have been quoted a myriad of times since.

But this morning... in my early morning "pootling" (when I seem very busy but really get nothing done) a different phrase came to my mind which seemed to be of more immediate and contemporary relevance... "Alan, you have nothing to fear but... the denial of fear itself".

I now accept that for some years I have been denying the fearful effect of a particular situation. I wonder why? Was it because I thought somehow I was above all this stuff, that I could not be scared, that my faith in God was more than sufficient? Perhaps it was just another attempt to resist acceptance of my own powerlessness and my need to surrender to my loving and powerful higher power, whom I choose to address and know as Father as revealed by Jesus Christ.

So, friend... remember, sometimes what we should most fear is the denial of fear itself... otherwise repression of reality leads to sickness of spirit always and, generally, sickness of body.

Life - "Just another plate of pancakes...?!"

2010-05-11T10:40:00.003-04:00

"Oh it's just another plate of pancakes" - the phrase caught my attention though its homespun, folksy tone is not one I often articulate!My friend was talking of the way in which, when a young child, he savoured his very first pancakes... he remembered (strange what we remember!) practically everything about that first taste and smell and sight. But as the years go by, "oh it's just another plate of pancakes"!Today is a beautifully crisp day... blue sky, green grass, opportunities for service and for reflection. I am praying it will not become "just another day" but a sacred and holy day full of divine promise and vitality.Oh Lord, preserve me from aged cynicism and low expectations.

What is it that stops wonder, amazement? What is that see cynicism as somehow mature?

Life/God-Talk - MTPs

2010-04-27T10:03:00.001-04:00

Pre-marital conversations are generally always fun, inspiring and often educative. Last week was no exception… in the middle of a conversation about things personal and marital, the bride-to-be spoke (en passant) of “multiple touch points”. This phrase caught my attention… I asked her to explain its meaning. Nicki told me that it was important to touch, reach out to potential clients in as many ways as possible.

Now, of course, God has been doing these forever… consider the opening words of Hebrews “In many and various ways God has spoken to us through the prophets but now…”.

It is part of the challenge of parish ministry to use as many multiple touch points as possible to communicate what is happening in the parish – for this is not only exciting and inspiring news but also replete with opportunities for service, growth and friendship.

It was a little sad, but not surprising, to hear some dedicated parishioners express surprise when they heard (on Sunday) of Saturday’s Rummage Sale… ah well, there’s work to be done on ‘multiple touch points’.

Today God will be using multiple touch points to communicate to us His presence, His love and His purpose.

Be ready… with all senses alert.

Life - Are You OK?

2010-04-22T09:11:00.002-04:00

A kind and good friend asked me yesterday, in so many words, "are you ok?". He hadn't seen an update on the blog recently and was concerned.

Well, I know there's one person out there (in the massive universe of the internet) who looks at this blog from time to time!

But the question was a good "wake-up" call...I'd allowed the busyness of Holy Week and Easter, a post-Easter vacation, to affect a pattern. I'm happy to note that I'm not suffering from guilt at the lack of attention given to the blog (that's healthy for me) but I'm also happy to be given a friendly nudge back into a pattern which I enjoyed.

Now there probably was a time when if someone asked, "Are you ok?" I'd become defensive (perhaps not always in a healthy fashion) but, another encouraging sign, I am more ready now to hear God's love, concern, encouragement being expressed in the voice of another.

So (I won't name you!) thank you for the concern - keep it going!

God-Talk - Retreat? I think not...

2010-03-19T10:16:00.003-04:00

By a wonderful confluence of events, the parish Lent quiet day found its home at Cranaleith Spiritual Center (www.cranaleith.org) on Saturday March 6th. (By the way, if you are looking for a place of quiet, check out the website either for private or group time. The house is perfectly situated outside Centre City... not too far as to make the journey onerous, but far enough to give the sense of "getting away").

I felt a little (a lot?) that some part of my spiritual/psychic being had, for a while, been dislocated... the day away caused some re-location. As you know... that can be quite painful for a short while and afterwards a little tiring but, all in all, it's best for the dislocation to be remedied. How about you?

Anyway, a few notes from that day...

"Return to the land of your soul".

"Where is my heart being touched?".

"Tend to the wounds I bear".

"We should pray... leaning on the heart of God... as the beloved disciple leaned his head on Jesus' chest at the Last Supper".

"If I were to write now a psalm for my life... what would it sound like?".

"In the story of the blind beggar Bartimaeus, reflect on the verse which reads 'Jesus stood still' [Mark 10:49]... and imagine the position and purpose of Jesus, standing still...".

"Remember, what we need is available to us".

God-Talk - To plan... or not to plan

2010-03-17T12:10:00.006-04:00

It has been said that if you wish to make God laugh, make plans. And then, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus urges us "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes" (Matthew 6:34 - Message Translation).

And yet during over 30 years in parish ministry I have felt more than a little guilty and ashamed that none of the parishes in which I have served (or now serve!) have had anything approaching a "strategic plan".

About eighteen months ago the parish here began to work for a Strategic Plan but a mixture of events brought the process to a halt... recently we have resumed the path!

So now I am thinking about core ideology, timelines, outcomes/outputs, BHAGs ("big, hairy, audacious goals") and a "history of the future" (!!!).

It's encouraging for me to reflect that parishes where I have served as senior priest have flourished and prospered even without a plan... for this reminds me that ultimately the work we have is the Lord's work, and the people for whom we care are the Lord's people... but this is not a reasonable excuse to do nothing and so, thirty years on in parish ministry and soon to celebrate my 58th birthday, I am ready to learn and embark on a new journey with the Lord and in company with His people!!!

This is exciting and so it ought to be... and not just for church communities but also individuals!

Life - Ten Powerful Words

2010-03-03T10:34:00.003-05:00

So today, this morning, I hear someone speak of "ten powerful words" which are (forget, for the moment, George Carlin's inimitable list!)... "the worst thing that happened to me never really happened"... seems to me to be one of those comments that is easy to dismiss as some generic folk-lore but still carries within it the lure of containing something really, really crucial.,

For those of us prone to projection, it's all too easy to project the worst and, even though it may not happen, we have lived through it many times in anticipation. "We live our lives best in hindsight... only problem is that we can only live forwards!".

This morning as I reversed out of the church's narrow parking area, I thought I had looked properly first but then... as I drove out (what, say, 5mph or so) I saw to my left a young mother pushing a stroller. My! I felt really sick in my stomach... if I had parked a little over to the left last night, the prospect is awful!!! "The worst thing that happened to me never really happened!".

You get it! So, with the grace of God... live today, in the moment. Savour it all, relish it completely! Don't let tomorrow steal from you, from me, today!

FIlm - Couples' Retreat

2010-03-02T13:44:00.004-05:00

Oh dear... one of my favourite film review sites (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/couples_retreat/) gives this film a rather miserable 22% and comments "Despite a talented cast and some reliably pleasant interplay between Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn, Couples Retreat leaves viewers stranded in an arid, mirthless comedy".

Sorry... but I rather boldly and fully disagree... at times the film was really LOL funny and I came to see it as a rather helpful (and non-threatening) way for any in committed relationships to review the status of their relationship... yes, I really did. Might even add this to my suggested and small list of DVDs to be viewed by those preparing for marriage.

Vince Vaughan has the knack/gift of being able to present rather profound matters with a light (and yes funny hahaha) touch.

Film - Avatar

2010-03-02T13:37:00.003-05:00

Perhaps (probably) this must be seen on large screen with 3-D glasses but there's a lot to be said for comfort and ready access to bathroom facilities when needed for such a long film (161 minutes!).

I really enjoyed this film... perhaps immediately for its special effects but also, upon a little reflection, for its story line...

When the hero is received into "The People"... the picture of hand upon shoulder, leading eventually to hand on head is so reminiscent of an ordination scene. And the description of the Soul Tree as being the place where we can connect with those who have died is impressive. And surely the reference to the dead as moving to the deity who then (she) returns the soul to new life is an evocative way to express our movement from death in this mortal body to life in our immortal body.

Rottentomatoes.com comments "It might be more impressive on a technical level than as a piece of storytelling, but Avatar reaffirms James Cameron's singular gift for imaginative, absorbing filmmaking" and it receives a whopping 82%.

At whatever "level" you choose to watch this film... enjoy!