Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

I do not have a single favorite hymn... to narrow to only one would be impossible. However, this one is very high on my list, and I love Sufjan Steven's simple expression of it here.

Props to the Sacristan for the link.

Remembrance

Today is the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (transferred). Somehow, it seems appropriate on this day to remember that, as Mark reminded me this evening, "Kill the Messenger" is still common practice-- and that we are still in need of repentance.

Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and, following his example, constantly seek the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through Jesus Christ your son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Surely not in Indiana... Right?

I am usually proud of having been raised in the Hoosier state. Not today.

Today I learned of this horror over at Ragamuffin Ramblings. Considering that this happened over two months ago, I was surprised that I had not heard anything of the case before now. One would expect that in an age of nearly instant communication a story like that might even garner some national attention, enough that word would filter this far west. And if not, I do still link to local papers back there, and try to keep up with goings on in the heartland. So where has the news been?

I did some back checking-- to find the small, twice-weekly county paper providing some information, and the larger city papers, none at all. What gives?? It's not like the Indy Star and the Louisville Courier-Journal don't cover the area-- they provided extensive coverage, for example, of a little girl from the same small town who was abducted and murdered a while back. Doing a search on the town in their archives turns up any number of articles about sports and other news items. So, why is there absolutely no coverage of such a gruesome crime on any wider level?

Any suppositions I might have in that regard would undoubtedly reflect my cynical human nature-- but I do think it's a good question.

Others wondering the same thing include the Bloomington Alternative and former Star reporter Ruth Holladay. Maybe if enough folks ask, there will be some answers.

Lord, have mercy.

Summertime Friday Five

1. Favorite summer food(s) and beverage(s)

• Food: Fresh berries, of almost any sort. Strawberries, cherries, blueberries-- and since we moved to Montana, I have become besotted by their cousin the huckleberry. Oh, and ice cream! The local stand opened just last week; I love to walk down and get a cone on a warm evening. Or afternoon. Or morning. (Is there a bad time of day for ice cream?)
• Beverages: Fresh lemonade. Root beer floats. Frozen margaritas. mmmmmmm. . .
  

2. Song that "says" summer to you. (Need not be about summer explicitly.)
Just one? Not possible; there are a boatload, and it depends on my mood. A short list, in no particular order:

• Fun, Fun, Fun, The Beach Boys.
  
• Fox on the Run, The Country Gentlemen. (Please note: this is the bluegrass classic, not the 70's Top 40 hit of the same name that some of you may remember)
  
• Hotel California, The Eagles
• I Feel Lucky, Mary Chapin Carpenter
• Get out the Map, Indigo Girls
  

3. A childhood summer memory

• Sitting up high in the huge tree in the front yard, wedged into a comfortable spot on a sturdy branch, reading a Nancy Drew novel-- and scaring the bejeebers out of the postman by saying hello as he walked underneath.

4. An adult summer memory

• During my CPE summer, after an overnight call of horrific proportions: three dead (including two children), several more injured, dozens of relatives and friends alternating between despairing collapse and murderous rage in their grief. By the time I was done that morning, I had been awake for something like 27 hours. I was on autopilot, beyond numb with the magnitude of it all. I finished my reporting at the morning meeting with the chaplain staff, and walked out the door-- into sunshine, and morning breeze, with damp on the grass, and the birds. . . and the wondrous presence of God's grace amid all that had been hit me full in the face.

5. Describe a wonderful summer day you'd like to have in the near future (weather, location, activities).

• We're actually planning this, in a few weeks! I hope the weather cooperates-- sunny and warm, but not too hot, and a gentle breeze would be nice. We hope to spend some time getting to know this part of the world: driving in the mountains, doing some hiking out in the middle of nowhere, and camping out or staying in a decent hotel/bed & breakfast, as the mood strikes us.

Optional: Does your place of worship do anything differently in the summer? (Fewer services, casual dress, etc.)

• Not especially, no-- though none of my churches are air conditioned, so I often leave off the chasuble in hot weather. Nothing disrupts a service like clergy collapsing in the heat.

On the radar, and for the record

In the couple weeks there has begun circulating through the blogisphere an article from the June issue of the Diocese of Olympia's Episcopal Voice newsletter, containing an interview with an Episcopal priest who has also converted to Islam. I say "also," because she maintains that she is both Christian and Muslim. You can download a PDF of the newsletter to read said article (page 9), and/or read an article in the Seattle Times that covers the same ground.

I learned of the article a couple of weeks ago, and pointed it out to folks at that time. However, I hope that any lack of commentary thus far on this blog is not construed as "trying to stay under the radar," but rather as "amazed listening" and "waiting to see if far more articulate people will speak first."

My opinion? Honestly I found it both confused and confusing. With the best of intentions, I think she is trying to mesh some beliefs that are mutually exclusive.

We Christians, in struggling to express the beauty and dignity of Jesus and the pattern of life he offers, describe him as the ‘only begotten son of God.’ That’s how wonderful he is to us. But that is not literal."

Um... yes, it is. One of any faith, or none, can certainly credit the teachings of Jesus as wise, and grant that his pattern of life is a wonderful choice; however, it is a defining tenet of Christianity that recognizes Jesus as God, and the Son of God. Fully human, and fully divine. Begotten, not made. And, despite what some on the fundigelical end of the spectrum would attest, is also true in the Episcopal Church: see the catechism.

“The renunciations [of Satan, evil powers and sinful desires] any Muslim can say."

These renunciations are part of the vows we Episcopalians take at baptism. And sure-- many faiths have common tenets and teachings, and the Children of Abraham (Christians, Jews and Muslims) more commonalities than most. This is certainly an area to be explored and honored in interfaith dialogue as we strive to live up to our Covenant promises "to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves" and "to respect the dignity of every human being." As Christians, we believe Jesus is the Truth-- the fullest expression of God, and God's will for humanity-- but that doesn't mean truth cannot be found in part elsewhere as well.

“The affirmations are tough for any Christian who is at all progressive because there are certain of us [Christians] who have taken these and made them into something like fraternity hazing—you have to say these words in order to be part of the club."

No, we haven't. We take them as affirmations of our faith, and public vows to follow Our Lord as Christian disciples. Yes, they are tough, and I will be the first to admit that I have had (and will undoubtedly continue to have) moments of struggle along the way. That's why faithful community is so important, every day. This is not a club, but rather a way of life. If you want to be part of a club, I'd suggest the Kiwannis; they do wonderful work.

"I see them as taking Jesus as the human example to follow toward God. Most Muslims see Mohammed rather than Jesus as the pattern of life to follow, and I do not see him as the only example. I just am not willing to put ‘onlys’ in front of all those affirmations about Jesus."

This woman may indeed be a kind, loving and generous soul, doing her best to live a 'spiritual' life; but if she cannot testify that she believes in Jesus as "only," in this manner, then she is not Christian.

Please understand that I do not mean that to sound pejorative. Often people use "Christian" as a synonym for "good," as in, "She is so sweet, such a nice, Christian lady." Friends, with the best will in the world, that's off base. One does not have to be Christian to be "good--" there are scads of Good People in this world who are not Christian, and scads of Christians who fall short of Good on a regular basis.

It is not my call, of course; I am only a priest in another diocese, and not in any position of authority over her. However, as she is not living into her ordination vows to "conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church," I do hope and pray that her bishop prevails upon her to back up and take stock, and to then "fish or cut bait." Tobias' suggestion in this regard is the best one I've seen.

Later: AKMA-- who, bless his faithful heart, is as high on the "far more articulate" scale as anyone can be-- has just posted this. I knew I should have waited. I am obviously still working on that whole patience thing.

Calling all liturgists!

Part of my normal Monday routine includes liturgy planning. This includes assembling an initial draft of the bulletin for the upcoming Sunday, and selecting hymns. I do not simply pick the music randomly. I read through the appointed lessons for the day, and then try to select music that coordinates with and reinforces the scriptural teaching therein.

In addition, there are constraints-- filters though which I work. A significant percentage of the hymns are not on the "A" list.

• First, I try to skip the "dreck collection" that every hymnal contains (this is not unique to our denomination. Is there some quota system involved, do you suppose?)

• Secondly, there are some hymns that might be possible to sing if one were supported by a sizeable choir. I'm sure the organists at Trinity, Wall Street love them. However, we do not have choirs here. If a hymn is beyond the capability of our small congregations, we skip them.

• Then, a number of hymns are not programmed into "Miss Emily" -- the digital hymnal used by two of my churches. It is a limited list; but if they are not available, they are not available.

• Finally, I cannot use anything beyond the ability of the musicians at my other two churches-- who are quite good, but who are not professional. This includes anything with 4 or more sharps or flats in the time signature.

Still, even given all that, it's usually not too onerous a task to come up with 5 hymns (processional, sequence, offertory, communion, dismissal). The Episcopal Church has a rich musical tradition, and several authorized resources offer ample choices.

Today, however, is a challenge. For some reason, nothing is striking my fancy. I feel a bit like I'm standing in front of a full closet, complaining I have nothing to wear; but there it is.

So, I'm taking requests. You can find the Sunday proper readings here: we are using Isaiah and Psalm 22, along with Galatians 3 and Luke (the Gospel is a bit tricky to coordinate-- we seem to have a dearth of drowning swine hymnody). And you can listen to a goodly number of options online, here.

Any suggestions?

Friday nonsense

I've been tagged twice (thanks for thinking of me, Mrs. M and JSanchez!) so perhaps it's time to get to this. I will try not to repeat items from the six things recently posted.

Here are the rules…

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

So: random facts/habits?

• Construction on the Berlin Wall began only a few days before I was born-- in fact, my mother said, on the day I was due (I delayed my arrival, apparently preferring a less significant birthdate). This resulted in my father spending the first year of my life in Germany, as part of the U. S. peacekeeping forces there. I am glad to have outlived it.

• My father's side of the family are all from a tiny town in Tennessee, and that heritage includes both abolitionists and KKK members. Please note that I was raised with the former ethos.

• My ancestry on my mother's side mentions Mary, Queen of Scots and Jesse James. Make of this what you will.

• I have one sister and one brother, and I am both the oldest and the shortest of the three. My husband is also the oldest child, with 7 younger siblings.

• We have 18 nieces and nephews (to date).
  

• I have an odd relationship with vegetables: given a choice, I usually prefer them raw. I especially don't care for cooked peas or carrots, and the commonly canned combination is an Abomination Before the Lord.

• I am not, shall we say, athletically inclined. Oh, let's be blunt: I am a klutz. Though I have not broken a bone in several years, there was a time when I seemed to make a habit of it. I am a far better scorekeeper and spectator than a player of most games.

• On the other hand, I do like working with my hands, and I'm not too bad at it. Sewing clothing and canning preserves are fun to do. So was building my sewing center, and laying our basement floor.

Tagging? So far as I know, most folks have already done this-- but if you haven't yet, please feel free to consider yourself tagged.

Preacher to the Wild West

What happens when a mild-mannered priest from Hawaii visits Big Sky Country?

I'm still not sure...

Psalm 127

Unless the LORD builds the house, *
their labor is in vain who build it.

Unless the LORD watches over the city, *
in vain the watchman keeps his vigil.

It is in vain that you rise so early and go to bed so late; *
vain, too, to eat the bread of toil,
for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Thanks, Martin. I needed this reminder today.

Confession and the healing of the nations

Over at the Daily Episcopalian, the Rev. George Clifford has something to say about Confessing the sin of an unjust war. Something worth heeding.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions only too well, and my sin is ever before me.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us.

Happy trails

I know it's a radical thought, but here it is: priests need time off, too. Not just a "day off from church work so that I can get all the household stuff done," but actual, frivolous playtime.

With Mark in town, I have the perfect excuse; so this afternoon, we did some of that.

First we wandered over near the Stillwater River and spent a couple of hours on horseback, meandering around the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains. It's been a long, long time since I last rode, and it took a bit to remember and get comfortable in the saddle; but after a while I was able to relax and pay more attention to the trail and the scenery than to Sassy (my horse for the afternoon). I even managed not to fall off and break anything when she decided she'd rather jump a narrow creek than wade through it!

It was also the first time Kyle had ever been on a horse (we had tried to encourage him to ride a pony when he was just a little guy,

but he would have none of it back then. Wouldn't even pet the poor thing! As you can see, times have changed). He was a bit nervous at first, but very quickly got the hang of it-- and he had a ball! He spent a good portion of the rest of the trip trying to figure out how soon he could do this again.

After supper at a new little cafe in town, we took the long way home

so that Mark could see another part of my appointed rounds. This is part of the route I drive regularly; but this time we didn't have anywhere we needed to be, so we did something I often want to do-- stopped several times for pictures and general appreciation of God's wondrous creation.

I am dog tired... and it's been a grand day.

Commencement

Today is Seabury's graduation day! I so purely wish I could be there; but other commitments (and some unanticipated demands on family coffers) got in the way of that, this year.

So, I will try not to pout because I cannot tell them in person how wonderful they are, and how proud I am of them, as they receive their diplomas and get on with the next chapter in their lives.

Cheers and congratulations to Beth, and Laurel, and Raisin!