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.]