Terminé [See Below]

"Why Did A Piece Of The Church Fall Off?"

So I was asked by one of the students at Rumsey Hall School yesterday.  I suppose it could have looked that way to the untrained eye, but what was actually happening was yet another in the ongoing repairs to our venerable building. 

Last Saturday, when I was repositioning the flags on the front of the church, I noticed that the wood was terrifically rotten and that the decorative column was barely connected to the facade of the church building.  In layman's terms, that's not good.  Initially, I was worried that the entire column had interior rot as these things are generally the result of water seepage caused by poor flashing and caulking.

When I later learned that this specific area of the column had once been the home to a beehive, I felt a little more relieved.  Bee secretion is notoriously acidic, especially with wood.  Upon opening the column, we were happy to see it dry and sound, except for the affected area.

So, the column has been re-affixed to the building, the rotten wood removed and replaced, the equally rotten molding [which was the result of ill-placed flashing] is being artfully matched to that on the other column, and, as a bonus, the treacherous porch step on the rectory has been raised and straightened.

Not bad for five days, eh?

Potentially Good News From The Episcopal Church In Haiti

Haiti cathedral's murals could be resurrected, experts say

A Feast Day Worth Noting

In one form or another, it has been with us for a very long time. Nearly five centuries ago, it was a declaration of independence from Rome. It was also a key demonstration as to how important the English language was to become to the world.

During the American Revolution, it kept a church without indigenous bishops together long enough to forge an identity and provide a manner of consecrating our own bishops. One hundred years later, when other Protestant denominations were tearing themselves asunder during the Civil War, it kept us together in worshipful wholeness.

It has withstood the clumsy hands of committees that seek to "improve" it, those who believe that the best way to educate parishioners is to reduce its liminal linguistic beauty, and the mercenary attentions of those who would mar it so that they might become footnotes in ecclesial history. It is even too strong and pure of intention to be replaced by photocopied nonsense and mind-numbing church "bulletins".

It remains what it was intended to be: a tool for those who quest for some intangible shrine where the Holy Spirit may be discerned, the redemptive act made known, and Almighty love received.

This is its week, a feast set aside for The Book of Common Prayer.

Almighty and everliving God, whose servant Thomas Cranmer, with others, restored the language of the people in the prayers of your Church: Make us always thankful for this heritage; and help us so to pray in the Spirit and with the understanding, that we may worthily magnify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

When I Lived In Great Britain...

... my peer group would sometmes make fun of my American "accent".  I wish I could have shown them this:

The Feast Of Augustine Of Canterbury

From time to time, I get sent information from other parishes interested in interviewing me to be their rector.  One such packet of info arrived the other day and, while paging through its largely prosaic presentation, I came across an interesting quotation: "We recognize the Archbishop of Canterbury to be our chief pastor."

This was interesting since the Archbishop of Canterbury, while the leader of the Church of England, has not had any role, spiritual or practical, over the US church since around July 4, 1776.  Confusion about the authority of the see of Canterbury may be traced to its earliest days, however.

I have to confess that I find Augie of Canterbury an uninteresting subject.  I know, I know.  He was the first Archbishop of Canterbury; a representative of the Roman, rather than Celtic Christian, tradition and was charged by Pope Gregory the Great to abide in peace with the other Christians in Britain who were already part of an established church.  [Remember that Christianity came to the British Isles at the same time it was being preached in Rome, and was well established among the Celts a couple of centuries before the Roman emperor converted to Christianity.]

Instead, he insisted on imposing Roman rites on the Celts, a move which was not only contrary to Gregory's advice, but established the first fissure in the eventual breach between the Church of Rome and what would become, centuries later, the Church of England and, eventually still, The Episcopal Church of the United States.  [Although, to be historically accurate, the Episcopal Church owes its identity not to the Church of England as much as it does the Scottish Episcopal Church, bishops of which consecrated the first bishop of the American church.  It's from the Scots that we get our name, too.]

More can be read of him at this site.

[Above is a photo of the first parish I ever served as vicar/rector: St. Augustine of Canterbury in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.  I'm not sure what goes on there these days, as they don't have a website!]

The Feast Of Bede

Actually, the Venerable Bede, who was an 8th century bishop and historian of particular note.  Unfortunately, his life was not one of physical daring-do, extraordinary hardship, deprivation, or lurid martyrdom, so he tends not to get as much attention in certain quarters as he should.

However, he did produce a document that is still in publication, by Penguin Press no less, a calendar system that is still in use, and a translation of the Gospel of John into English [well, Old English, anyway]. These and other accomplishments contributed to the traditions of historic accuracy and scriptural accessibility that have been a part of the Anglicanism ever since.

He is the person who developed the designation anno domini, that is A.D. or "the Year of our Lord", when dating events, and was one of the important natural philosophers of his day.  [A "natural philosopher" is what a botanist, biologist, etc., was known as in Bede's day.]

Much more may be read about him at various sites. His collect is as follows:

Heavenly Father, you called your servant Bede, while still a child, to devote his life to your service in the disciplines of religion and scholarship: Grant that as he labored in the Spirit to bring the riches of your truth to his generation, so we, in our various vocations, may strive to make you known in all the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Bede's translation of the Gospel of John may be found in the library of Worcester Cathedral in England and can be viewed by anyone who pays the two pound entrance fee.  [Also, he is featured in the spoof history book, 1066 and All That, as the Venomous Bede.]

And I Would Have Guessed He Was A Watercolorist

Obama Sketches Energy Plan in Oil

"...a code-compliance officer had ordered a local church group with seven adult members to cease worship."

New code allows religious gatherings in homes

A gathering of seven people in a private home is some sort of health and safety violation?  This must be a very dainty community.  What makes me think that, if there were no such thing as the Internet, the town council in question would have never acted on this?

The Day Of Pentecost: Whitsunday

This week the untangling of languages occurs as the Holy Spirit is disseminated among the disciples, Paul teaches that the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is retroactive, and Jesus introduces the experience of the Advocate to those who would seek wisdom.  All this plus the dynamics of internal combustion in a racing car.

The lections may be found here.

Today Is National Maritime Day

I just thought you'd like to know, especially since I may be seen in uniform this weekend.

Remember To Wear Red On Sunday [Even Just A Little]

The problem with taking a few days off of posting on this site is that I fall out of the habit.  I also seem to run out of things to say.  I was hoping for a feast day I could mention [there is none today], or some archaeological news [what little there is bores even me], but no such luck.  So, since I have four letters and a newsletter article to write, I may not be able to revisit this site today.   

I do want to remind members of the parish's "lay services", that is, the members of the vestry, altar guild, the healing minsters, and the choir that we will be restoring an ancient practice of the Day of Pentecost [this Sunday] when, as an evocation of the Great Commissioning of the disciples, we offer something similar by way of prayer and intention for those who serve the greater, and rather practical, needs of the parish.  It requires nothing of the participants other than to receive the Holy Spirit as evoked by the community of the faithful.

Also, it's always nice to wear red on Pentecost Sunday [like this happy fellow pictured above], as the symbol of fire is of such importance.

Scenes From Graduation, Central New York, And The Weirdest Version Of The Scottish National Anthem I Could Find

By The Way...

...did you see how much the Christ Church Gyrines earned for the Bishop's Fund?  Not only are we in first place, with three of the five top earners from our own dear parish, but our lone parish is responsible for raising nearly 1/3rd of the total donations.

How about an "attaboy" for that, Diocese?  A tip of the hat?  A smile and nod?  Just a nod?  Something?

The Lid Is Off

Actually, graduation was a pleasure, but moving was a mild nightmare.  Who knew she could collect so much stuff in just the last year?  Kudos to Jim Lowe, again, for his Lone Ranger-like ability to show up at the right time to lend a hand.  Really, he should wear a mask and ride a horse named Silver.

I have received over three hundred e-mails that I have not read.  I probably won't, as I've got lots to do to catch up, so if you haven't heard back from me, feel free to try again.  Or go retro, and speak to me in person.

The Lid Is On

A brief hiatus as we attend a graduation.

This Morning's Sporting News

Thunderation!  Not only are we still in first, but we're the first and only parish in the diocese to crack the $3000 mark.  Lord Almighty, you folks are generous.  I'm proud to be your rector.

Links for donating are to be found a few postings below.

This Morning's Sporting News

Cold pizza for second place Mystic today, and Trumbull eats some dust as they drop to a poor third as Christ Church rises to the #1 position.  Also, we became the first parish to crack the $2000 mark.

Margot and Jack have added their contribution sites to the list; just look below to find the links and be ready to excel in our competition.

Also note the individual standings, as Meg, Carol, and Margot are among the top five earners.

Remember the motto of the 1/4th Marines:  "Whatever It Takes!"

This Morning's Sporting News

Christ Church remains in second place, barely, as it is seeing a fresh challenge from Grace, Trumbull, which has overcome Epiphanie's Stars to take third place and to join Christ Church and that pizza place in Mystic as the third parish to donate more than $1000.  Trumbull sits a mere $335 behind an apparently flagging Roxbury.

Speaking of the pizza parish, they pulled slightly ahead yesterday and now have a $480 lead over CC.

[Of course, since not even members of my vestry read this weblog, I guess I'm sorta talking to myself about this.  I hope the bulk of the readers, who aren't members of my parish, enjoy the theater.]

Look below for news about how to dontate online.

For Those Pledging To The Bishop's 5K Run For Children [Updated]

Carol Stearns's Fundraising Page

Meg Mongin's Fundraising Page

Jack Gilpin's Fundraising Page  [Dietrich Bonhoeffer?]

Margot Judge's Fundraising Page

This Morning's Sporting News

As of Tuesday morning, we are still in second place, $410 behind some parish in Mystic, [you know, the place that has pizza, or something], and we welcome our neighbor, Epiphany, Southbury, to the top five, as they heartily shoved Trinity, Lime Rock out of the way overnight.  Meg Mongin and Carol Stearns are currently the second and third highest earners in the diocese.

This posting will remain at the top of the page through this week.  Remember that the race is this Saturday.

What the...? Invisible Stanchions!

Look what Jack Gilpin did.  He rendered the unsightly stanchions in the parking lot invisible through the miracle of camouflage paint.  In November, he's going to paint them white again so that they blend into the snow, then green in the spring, etc.  In a few years, they'll have the circumference of those support pillars that hold up Atlantic City's Steel Pier.

A close-up:

We Have Power At The Church This Morning

No excuses, now.

The Sixth Sunday Of Easter

This week Paul goes to Macedonia [the Parma, Ohio of the ancient world], John of Patmos views the newest Temple, and Jesus celebrates a festival on the Sabbath in a manner that is bound to get him into trouble.  All this plus the story of Eddie Aikua.

The lections may be found here.

Episcopal Relief And Development Is Receiving Donations For Tennessee Flood Victims

The appeal accompanies a tragic story.  Please note the link to ERD at the conclusion of the article:

Receding Tennessee flood waters reveal death, damage

I've Just Ordered A Very Dangerous Book

From the first pages of the volume:

This book is a product of its time and does not reflect the same values as it would if it were written today. Parents might wish to discuss with their children how views on race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and interpersonal relations have changed since this book was written before allowing them to read this classic work.

Good God, what work of heinous hate and vehement ideology would be attached to such a statement?  What is it from which I should so ardently protect my child? Would you believe, a copy of The Constitution of the United States, [along with the Declaration of Independence]?

I thought it a bit much, really, although I fully expect the Holy Bible in some Protestant denominations to start issuing the same warning.  But to find the warning in this book, too, is beyond the pale.

Thanks

I wanted to thank all those who had the occasion to join us on the Great Lawn yesterday for the brief ceremony marking the National Day of Prayer.  I must say, given the reaction to our initiative from some members of the Roxbury community, I learned a lot about my adopted home town.  Clearly, we need to host more spiritual events for the town, as our parish offers something in the way of spirituality that is thought to be rare in this contemporary age.

Stand by for photos on the parish website.

Liquid Mountaineering

You have to see this to believe it.

"In Chaos, There Is Opportunity."

Nashville Flood Claims Millions in Music Gear

Dear Messrs. Paisley, Urban, and Gill:

I read recently of the unfortunate loss of some of your musical instruments.  I wanted you to know that I can put you in touch with a luthier in Connecticut who creates custom guitars in his one-man shop.  While it is a part-time job for him [he preaches the Gospel most days], I can assure you that his work is careful, artistic, and only mildly overpriced.

Write me for details.

Pentecost Is Coming

I know that this will be a controversial statement, but chickens are crazy. They aren’t just a little crazy; the Gallus gallus domesticus is a psychotic animal. I know this because my grandparents kept them on the family farm and those creatures delighted in torturing my cousins and me every chance they got. They pecked, they swarmed, they clucked with attitude. Sometimes they would just stare with what appeared to be an unblinking eye. If looks could kill, those chickens would have been Caesar’s Tenth Legion.

Fortunately, the chickens are only a part of my memories of the spring/summer harvest, a time that brought together parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to join in one of those seminal moments in family history. Besides, the younger cousins could always be saddled with Big Chick Edna and her evil gang from the coop. The rest of us could run amok in a world of harvesters and wheat and laughter. When the family was all together, and all working, it always seemed a moment that kept us grounded in an identity older than any of us, even older than my great-grandmother, who sat on the porch with her cane and her smile as she watched the three subsequent generations perform the same role as did the three generations before her birth.

There is something of my great-grandmother’s smile in the season of Pentecost, based as it is on the spring harvest in which the Israelites annually engaged since their escape from the Egyptians. As the Israelites in Palestine were an agricultural society, their calendar was marked by two poles: a spring harvest of grain [actually, barley] and a fall harvest of fruits. The harvest of grain began during the feast of unleavened bread, which was the fifteenth day of the first month of the year. That day sheaf of grain was ritually cut by the priests (Lev.23:10-15) and then waved before the Lord in the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple. This cutting and waving of the grain before God signified that the spring harvest could begin.

In order to mark the season’s conclusion, the Israelites counted seven Sabbaths from "wave sheaf day" and celebrated that end date as a holy day. (Lev.23:15-16). When the Greek language became dominant in Palestine, the holy day became called “Pentecost”, because it came at the end of a fifty day period, Not only was the end of harvest labor and its collected fruits celebrated, but the Israelites would recognize the gift of the Promised Land, liberation from slavery [both physical and moral] and, in the days after the Resurrection, the harvest of new members for the early Christian church.

Pentecost has lost some of its general luster over the centuries, surrendering the attention it used to receive to the Feasts of the Incarnation and Resurrection [better known as Christmas and Easter], yet it still fulfills its spiritual function to celebrate the eternal Promised Land that is ours through baptism, liberation from slavery to sin, and the continued harvest of new members for our parish and its mission. This year, Pentecost Sunday is on May 23rd. I would hope on that day we could celebrate the various ministries of the parish, the welcome addition of new members, and renew our Baptismal Covenant in a manner that highlights what our Christian culture has enabled us to receive. And, in keeping with a once-vivid and now unfortunately fading tradition on Pentecost Sunday, please remember to wear something red, as it celebrates the infusion of the Holy Spirit, not to mention the fire of passion that has always characterized true Christians throughout history.

National Day Of Prayer [Updated]

A community ceremony marking the National Day of Prayer will take place on the Great Lawn of Christ Church at Noon on Thursday, May 6th.

If raining, the ceremony will be held in the church, naturally.

Wednesday Photo: Cinco de Mayo

In honor of today's "holiday", the surf shop in Cozumel:

Stay Off The Roads!

The Senior Warden has a new car; with lighted door sills, no less.  Obviously you can't hear it, but she's rocking the soundtrack to Superfly from her iPhone.

An Example Of What Happens To Official State Religions

“A vicar has been warned by council officials about flying a flag depicting Jesus Christ outside his church because it was deemed to be ‘religious advertising,’ ” The Daily Telegraph reports. “Rev. Mark Binney, vicar of St. Andrew’s Church, Hampton, Worcestershire, said he had been told he needed planning permission if he wanted to fly a flag ‘advertising Christianity’ in future. … Mr. Binney said the warning was ‘appalling,’ and he felt it was part of a gradual erosion of Christianity in Britain. … A spokesman [for the council] said flags other than national flags, county flags, or flags for patron saints, required advertisement consent if they were flown from a vertical freestanding flagpole.”

As I re-position the flags outside the church today, I'll say a prayer of thanksgiving that we don't live in England.

The Fifth Sunday Of Easter

This week Peter doesn't meet PETA, John of Patmos sees the New Jerusalem, and Jesus renders the last and best commandment of all.

The lections may be found here.

Our Senior Warden Just Got A New Car

A Mini Cooper, no less.  Check out the tricks that may be done with such a vehicle in the video below:



Also, ask to listen to her CD of "Superfly".

Friday Photo: Tornado

My brother-in-law, who lives in Vicksburg, Mississippi, sends along this photo of the twister that tore apart nearby Yazoo City.

An Obituary Of Note

Leslie Buck, Designer of Iconic Coffee Cup, Dies

Couldn't They Be Both?

Iron Man 2 toys at Burger King: Awesome or Sexist?

Looks Like We'll Have To Extend The Definition Of "Childrens Ministries"

Obama administration issues IRS ruling to speed up coverage for children in their 20s

The Same Guy Attacked Him Twice?

Terrorist Attacks Spike in Pakistan, Afghanistan

[An official Christ Church No-Prize to the first person to get the photo reference.]

Glorioski! We Actually Accomplished Something This Week

Well, Jim Lowe did and thanks to him.  The sign on Rte. 67 is back up.

Actually, I Don't Think This Is That Big Of A Tragedy

It certainly says something about the transient nature of art:

Anti-graffiti crew accidentally paints over Banksy art

Episcopal HQ's Spiritual Message Of The Week, Part Three

Another missive designed to salve the soul with spiritual insight and religious import:

Office of Government Relations of the Episcopal Church calls for comprehensive immigration reform

What The Heck Was That Uniform?

Those who attended the dedication service for the "Field of Flags" last Sunday noticed that I was attired a little differently.  Since 2002, I've served as a civilian chaplain to merchant seamen in the ports and harbors of New England.  While we generally wear civilian clothes when conducting this ministry, in official capacities we are to wear the contemporary version of the traditional uniform.  [Even though I think it makes me look like "the Orkin Man."]

Sometimes it's easier to refer to those whom I serve as members of the "merchant marine", as that now-disused title is more familiar than any contemporary one.  [Also, the "Department of Transportation Maritime Administration" is a bit of a mouthful.] This sometimes leads to a second question:  What's the difference between the "merchant marine" and the United States Marine Corps?  That's an easy one.

These are members of the USMC:

These may be considered members of the merchant fleet:

See, that was easy.

[Marines are served by the Chaplain Corps of the U.S. Navy, by the way.]

More fun: Play "Spot the Rector" in the photo below.  Hint: Don't look for eyeglasses.

This Might Cause Him To Have An Unfortunate Nickname In Prison

Head wrapped in toilet paper, man robs store

A Celtic Blessing

It may have something to do with today's weather, but this seemed apt:

“May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within.

May the blessed sunlight shine upon you and warm your heart till it glows,
Like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come
and warm himself at it, as well as the friend.

And may the light shine out of the eyes of you,
like a candle set in the windows of a house,
Bidding the wanderer to come in out of the storm.

And may the blessing of the rain be on you - the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may spring up,
And shed their sweetness on the air.

And may the blessing of the great rains be on you,
that they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool, and sometimes a star.

And may the blessing of the earth be on you - the great round earth;
May you ever have a kindly greeting for people you pass
as you are going along the roads.

And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.”

It's Easy; Just Stay On I-95 North

Pakistan Militants Find New Haven
[Probably going to Yale Divinity School.]

What A Thing To Hope For

Grandparents hope to see boy ditched at NY church

The Fourth Sunday Of Easter

This week Peter does more than preach the Word, John of Patmos is shown the eternity that is present in belief, and Jesus answers yet another snarky question.  All this plus the literary quality found in the mushrooms of the Delphic Oracle.

The lections may be found here.

In The Parish Of Christ Church, Every Day Is Easter

In the Diocese of Maryland, every day is Earth Day

Today's Continued Rectory Improvements

Straight from the Clements' workshop, a new bookcase for those heavy tomes of forgotten theological lore.  If you're wondering what that mystery figure is on top, let me introduce you to Chief Wahoo:

Archaeological News From England

During the construction of a "cricket pavilion", no less.

Roman altar stone from 200AD discovered

'Bout Time

House votes to recognize Vietnam veterans

There Are Days When I Miss Being A Reporter

Woman Surrounded By Birds, Chihuahuas When Arrested

Something For Earth Day

Actually, Mrs. Rector and I planted it earlier this week, but still, I offer the Rectory a Buddleia, also known as "the Butterfly Bush".  It appears in the photo next to the juniper we planted right before the ground got hard in November.  [According to Celtic folklore, junipers chase away evil spirits.]

The Feast Of Anselm Of Canterbury

I can't recall if this is Earth Day or Secretaries' Day. It may be neither; it may be both. It may, for all I know, be Earth Secretaries's Day. Or "Keep your secretary green Day" or "Make your secretary mow your lawn Day" or something equally obtuse.

I do know that today is the Feast of Anselm, and that's much more important to me and to the development of our faith than any other, er, "holiday".

Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury and one of the most profound thinkers of the Middle Ages, died on this day in 1109, around the age of 76. He is considered the third greatest theologian of Western Christianity, alongside Augustine and Aquinas.

Anselm attained this status for his argument that faith is the precondition of knowledge (credo ut intelligam), for his "satisfaction theory" of the atonement ("No one but one who is God-made-Man can make the satisfaction by which Man is saved") and for his ontological argument for God's existence.

The latter simply recognizes that, if there is no God, there could be no rational discussion of God's existence. In other words, one cannot make an argument that dismisses the existence of something that doesn't exist.

In addition to his academic work, Anselm was also politically important in seeing that the English church played a greater role in its society and served as one of the checks on the power of the king.

Almighty God, you raised up your servant Anselm to teach the Church of his day to understand its faith in your eternal Being, perfect justice, and saving mercy: Provide your Church in every age with devout and learned scholars and teachers, that we may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, on God, for ever and ever. Amen.

How To Make Church Services Shorter

It's easy. All you have to do is work through the following set of modest proposals:

1. Eliminate the music - This way about 15-20 minutes will be cut from the liturgy.

2. Eliminate the sermon - Really, who cares about this? That's another 10-12 minutes gained.

3. Reduce the number of people coming forward to receive communion - After steps 1 and 2, this becomes real easy.  Perhaps mass excommunication would be the best way to complete this, as it sometimes takes thirty whole seconds for one person to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.  Think of the time saved!

4. Eliminate announcements - After steps 1, 2, and 3, when the congregation has been reduced to about 6 or so, and there is no one to do anything anyway, announcements will be unnecessary.

You see, it's simple. It's not evangelism or even a valid way to live the Gospel, but at least you don't have to waste time on a Sunday morning.  Y'know, salvation is great and all, but we all have important things to do on Sundays.  Hmmm, maybe we can build a drive-through communion window with an automatic wafer launcher....

Or we can have a real church with real music, the proclaimed word of God, a growing population, and a greater number of things with which people may become involved [of course, that means announcements]; all for the investment of just 70 minutes a week.

Personally, I think it's an easy choice to make.

We Have A Winner

Meg M. wins the official Christ Church No-Prize for recognizing the photo reference in this posting from last week.  Here is the explanation, courtesy of Hollywood:

I'll Probably Pray That Day Anyway

Federal judge: National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional

Makes Me Wonder What I've Been Eating All These Years

Are there really "Earth-unfriendly" vegetables?

My photo for Earth Day, which is sometime this week. I don't really keep track of this "holiday". It seems designed for folks who don't dig, plant, nurture, or even ramble through woods. [Not to mention fish or, yes, I'm going to say it, hunt.]

The Best Politician In America

Dead Man Elected Mayor of Tennessee Town

The Lonely Life Of An Inventor

Man builds centrifuge to see if a lava lamp would work on Jupiter

The Third Sunday Of Easter

Well, that didn't take too long, did it? Just got back from the consecration and thought you might want to know tomorrow's lections, which may be found here.

This week, Paul gets knocked down, four elders get knocked down in Revelation, and Jesus has a cook-out [and what a cook-out it turns out to be]. All this plus The First Breakfast.

[Above is the "Galilean Boat", as was discussed in the Biblical Archaeology class.]

I'm Attending The Consecration Today

An event such as this is great for the preaching, the music, to revel in our liturgical tradition, and, not the least, to witness the most remarkable of collection of, um, "creative" vestments you ever saw.  Some examples from the past may be found below.  I'll offer a full report on Sunday.

[The photos are courtesy of Bad Vestments.]

In The Category Of Bizarre E-Mail

This message arrived from a source unknown in reference to a subject unknown. Obviously, it is a mis-addressed e-mail meant for another rector in another parish somewhere in Anglicanism, but I'm delighting in its mondo obscura:

"Organicsally functioning out of neighbors helping one another to what about the Christian Acountant is the way the inquiiry should evolve. At that point, if I can help please whistle."

This may be my new mission statement. Although, it kind of makes me afraid to whistle....

[I'm awarding an official Christ Church No-Prize to the person who gets the photo reference.]

For Baseball Fans, Or Indians Fans [Same Thing, Really]

Feller's Opening Day no-hitter turns 70

Tomorrow Is The Day...

...for the new bishop's coronation consecration.  Information for those attending or participating may be found at the link provided below.  We have a banner in the procession, the Presiding Bishop will, naturally, be in attendance, and the preacher is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Prize laureate [and a former seminary professor of your rector's.  Yes, I'm a name-dropper.  I learned it from my ordained colleagues.] 

All this plus it's free!

Click here for information.

Archaeological News

Do Dartmoors ancient stones have link to Stonehenge?

I Took A Walk Today

Yeah, I know that's not big news for most people, but I haven't actually taken a purposeful walk since before my tendon injury nine weeks ago. I got as far as one half mile and without much support from the cane.

Anyway, a poem popped in my head while I was strolling. It's William Wordsworth's "The Tables Turned" [I think; it may have a slightly different title. What am I, an English teacher?]

UP! up! my Friend, and quit your books;
Or surely you'll grow double:
Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks;
Why all this toil and trouble?

The sun, above the mountain's head,
A freshening lustre mellow
Through all the long green fields has spread,
His first sweet evening yellow.

Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife:
Come, hear the woodland linnet,
How sweet his music! on my life,
There's more of wisdom in it.

And hark! how blithe the throstle sings!
He, too, is no mean preacher:
Come forth into the light of things,
Let Nature be your teacher.

She has a world of ready wealth,
Our minds and hearts to bless--
Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health,
Truth breathed by cheerfulness.

One impulse from a vernal wood
May teach you more of man,
Of moral evil and of good,
Than all the sages can.

Sweet is the lore which Nature brings;
Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:--
We murder to dissect.

Enough of Science and of Art;
Close up those barren leaves;
Come forth, and bring with you a heart
That watches and receives.

Episcopal HQ's Spiritual Message Of The Week, Part Two

Another missive designed to salve the soul with spiritual insight and religious import:
Michelle Obama, Jill Biden visit Haitian diocese's quake survivor camp

Well, Except For "The Long And Winding Road", Which Is Still Unforgivable

Vatican forgives The Beatles

At The Very Least

Machete attack shows lack of tolerance

Disharmonic Convergence

Driver crashes head-on into ambulance

Shroud News

Shroud of Turin on display for first time since 2002 restoration

Obviously, Some Clergy Have Too Much Time On Their Hands

With her careers as veterinarian, astronaut and U.S. president behind her, Barbie has at last found her true calling: as a second-career Episcopal priest.

I'm glad to note that she's wearing her biretta in the correct manner. What really concerns me is that I have the exact same wardrobe items!

And I Thought School Prayer Was Against The Law

A furious New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie yesterday tore into the state's teachers union for circulating a memo that featured a prayer for his death.

The Second Sunday Of Easter

This week Peter and the disciples learn to question authority all on their own, John of Patmos begins his notorious book of scripture, and the disciples in the Gospel of John test the locks. All this plus the infamous nightclub fuses.

Remember that we are holding our usual 8am service at Christ Church and joining with the pilgrims at Roxbury Congregational Church at 10:30am. I'm preaching at both services.

The lections may be found here.

Easter Saturday

We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Episcopal HQ's Spiritual Message Of The Week

Another missive designed to salve the soul with spiritual insight and religious import:

Episcopal Church urges Census participation

God: 0
Jesus: 0
Holy Spirit: 0

Friday Photo: Raphael Says "Bienvenida"

Please Note The Venue

This Sunday we will meet at Christ Church at 8am for the Celebration of the Holy Communion.

However, please remember that we will be meeting at Roxbury Congregational Church at 10:30am for a shared liturgy with our pilgrim friends.

I will be preaching at both services. The title will be "St. Thomas and the Nightclub Fuse". [That's all I have so far; I'll write the rest of the sermon on Sunday morning. It'll be a corker.]

Easter Friday

Almighty Father, who gave your only Son to die for our sins and to rise for our justification: Give us grace so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Staffordshire Hoard To Be Featured On National Geographic

Although I guess the channel is now known by the trendier name, "Nat Geo".

At any rate, the Staffordshire Hoard, that load of gold and jewels discovered in the middle of an English field by a fellow with a simple metal detector, a find that was spoken of in the final session of our Lenten series on Biblical Archaeology, will be featured on Sunday on the Nat Geo channel at 7pm.

Details may be found here.

Easter Thursday

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Easter Wednesday

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A Memorable Holy Week For These Kids

Participants in an Easter egg hunt at a park found a body Saturday morning, police said.

Easter Tuesday

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.

Archaeological News

More about the Staffordshire Hoard found here.

New Written Language of Ancient Scotland Discovered

Graveyard of the Atlantic gives up ghost

Rosslyn Chapel was haven for bees

The 99% of the British Museum not on show

Easter Monday

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that we who celebrate with awe the Paschal feast may be found worthy to attain to everlasting joys; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Photo: Church Sign II

We Now Return To Posting

As you know, or have figured out, Holy Week is of such importance and just plain busy-ness that writing new posts just isn't done. Also, it's good to have the weekly schedule kept at the top of the page since we average, at the rectory alone, about 6-8 calls a day asking about our Holy Week schedule.

That doesn't mean things haven't been happening, though. In archeology alone, something in which a whole bunch of parishioners are now knowledgeable and interested, we have a number of things to relate. There's also a silly sign to note. Maybe even a commentary of two, once I recover from the effect of too many spoken, read, composed. or sung words during the past week. A day or two in the workshop or surf casting on the Sound cures that pretty quickly. Not to mention dealing with the effects of the Nor'easter on the house that Mrs. Rector and I have down on the Connecticut coast. [I'm thinking of launching the boat in the basement, but it may not be beamy enough. The boat, that is.]

Anyway, thanks for the great Holy Week and the welcome response from those who chose to attend even the weekday services. I'll have some attendance figures later.