Archbishop's Response

The Archbishop of Canterbury today posted his longer response to General Convention and the goings on there. I was a little disappointed to see almost no mention of the role of women in the Anglican Communion, particularly how KJS's position as PB-elect is going to effect the communion. The best part of the letter was, I believe, the following:
"Both of these points are really grounded in the belief that our unity is something given to us prior to our choices - let alone our votes. ‘You have not chosen me but I have chosen you’, says Jesus to his disciples; and when we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, we are saying that we are all there as invited guests, not because of what we have done. The basic challenge that practically all the churches worldwide, of whatever denomination, so often have to struggle with is, ‘Are we joining together in one act of Holy Communion, one Eucharist, throughout the world, or are we just celebrating our local identities and our personal preferences?’"
Food for thought, definitely. I agree with the Daily Episcopalian, though, in that trying to say this whole debate is about how we make decisions and not homosexuality is like saying the civil war was about states' rights and not slavery. Right on, man. Let's just name it for what it is and go from there. That's just my opinion, anyway. If you're interested in reading the whole letter, go to http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org and check press releases. It's the first one under that, dated June 27. Happy reading.

Pic of Blaine

I think I may have promised you all that I would post a picture of my nephew...Well, here he is! The most beautiful boy in the world, Blaine. He's even a little bigger now than he was in this picture! He's perfect.

Interesting Article

Here's an interesting article from a newspaper in the UK...The Guardian. The comments below are also somewhat intriguing, as they provide a more everyday perspective from the British people. I like what the author says about the American Episcopal church being a church of the people. Nice. Anyway, I recommend you read the article.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,1805970,00.html

Back to the Daily Grind

Today was the first Sunday back at church since General Convention. I was half expecting Charles to preach on it, but to no avail. I also didn't hear many people talking about it. Could be because it's been half a week, or maybe because the average Episcopalian hasn't really paid too much attention to what's going on around the world. Check out some of the "Blogs I Read" for info on the conversation going on surrounding GC. I think the best point I've heard thus far is that in reality, what happens in our churches is on a very local level...and when it goes international, then it's usually one church pairing up with another. There's not really any meeting with the primates (how many Episcopalians have really known and been influenced directly by the PB? or the Archbishop of Canterbury? Or Akinola?) I just wonder how much of an effect this is going to have on the large middle ground dioceses of Episcopalians...It will be interesting to see.

Back from General Convention

That's right folks. I'm back from Columbus, OH, and the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church. I went there to participate in the Young Adult Festival as well as Convention itself. Aside from the awesome young adults I met from all over the country, and my conversation with Professor Britton at Berkeley Divinity (at Yale...which is where I want to go to seminary), there were a few things that were especially good.

First, we elected the first ever female presiding bishop. AMAZING!!! I hadn't even counted Katherine Jefferts Schori as one of the contenders, because I NEVER thought that the bishops would vote for a woman. But the Spirit moved them...and THEY DID!!!! The reaction in the House of Deputies was amazing. There was literally a huge gasp when they said her name, and then everyone started clapping (which we weren't supposed to do). I had chills down my arms, and my friend Bart literally fell out of his chair. There were women crying, and men got up to speak in favor of the nomination. Thinking about it makes me tear up...as a young woman who will (hopefully) one day be ordained in the Episcopal Church, there is nothing more affirming. Nothing whatsoever.

Second, there was a TON of energy around the millenium development goals (for more info go to www.episcopalchurch.org/one). I think that there is no better way to show the Anglican Communion that we are commited to such a communion than to commit our souls and resources to helping our brothers and sisters in the global South who go to bed hungry every night, are oppressed because of their sex of indigenous status, or are ravished by HIV/AIDS, TB, or malaria. Part of this energy centered around a U2charist, which was the most amazing spiritual service I've ever been too. Seriously. 750 people packed into this ballroom. The Spirit was moving there. Michael Curry preached an amazing sermon and had a whole room of God's frozen chosen saying Amen! Then the convention voted to make the MDG's a budget priority. The PB-elect has also made them one of her priorities, which is great!

Third, we approved shared communion in the interim with the United Methodist Church. This is a great move, in my opinion, towards a more unified Church. We're not becoming Methodist, bu t we're recognising the shared heritage of all Christians. I ate lunch at a pub and the chief officer for ecumenical relations (a bishop whose name escapes me at the moment) was very pleased. So yahoo!

As for the Windsor Report, and everything surrounding it, I feel that this General Convention worked so hard to wrestle seriously with issues of communion and what that entails. Some may feel that the resolutions were not good enough, either because they went too far or not far enough. But the Archbishop can't say we didn't try. I sat in on the debates, and there was a real willingness (as far as I could tell) to work out these issues and come to some resolve.

All in all, it was an amazing experience. Anyone who can should check out General Convention in three years...

Peace ya'll

The Heat is Hot

Well, it's hot as hell here. As PT would say...balls. It's that hot. Wonder if Boston is anywhere near as bad. Anywho, pretty much just rollin' along here on the home front. The baby is home with his family. They came over on Monday and we had a great time. I can't get over how cute he is! And he is already lifting his head some. At 1.5 weeks! Crazy. I started my job at St. Mark's this week, and I'm excited about it. Charles is a great guy, and I think it will be good to be working under him this summer. He's so upbeat, and I think St. Mark's will be a good place to get some perspective on ministry and my place in ministry. I'm reading a book he assigned me called "On Being a Priest Today." Thus far it's great, and totally confirms my view of ministry (which is one that is centered in empowering people to be the apostles we're called to be) and is helping me to develop it further. So that's cool! I'm trying to finish up my report for the Project, but it's slow go. I've been working on it for over a month...almost two I think, and I just want it to be done!!!! Hopefully soon. I've gotten 3 grades back so far, and I'm pleased. Got an A- in French, which was somewhat of a bummer, but I think it's because of the translation that was due the week I had my appendix taken out. I got it in on time and everything, but had to get it ready the day I got home from the hospital. So I'm not upset about it. I think it's pretty damn good, considering the circumstances. Let's see what else? The Niebuhr/Day paper got a good grade, strangely enough. I didn't feel that it was well developed, but who knew? Enough about school though. We bought an above ground pool for the yard yesterday. Hopefully we'll get it all set up and ready to go in the next few days! It's 4 feet deep, which is deeper than anything we had growing up. It will be nice to have a place to hang out in the back yard this summer. Especially since it's been so hot lately...That's about all I've got for now. Just thought I'd write about what had happened lately. Hope you all aren't melting.
Peace y'all.

I'm an Aunt!!!

Sorry for the long period of no blogs. I know the five of you who read this were heartbroken :) Anyway, the reason for the long delay is twofold: 1. I was moving back to Kentucky, which involved a two day drive through five states. So thank God that is over and that my brother and I got home safe. Road trips like those always wear me out. And then, the night we got back the baby was born! He was born at 8:12 pm on May 20th. He is the cutest thing I've ever seen. It's amazing to see how great this world is, all wrapped up in a baby. I mean, the miracle of birth...he's so perfect. Ten fingers and ten toes...I can't get enough of just looking at him and thinking about the great things he has in store for his future. With parents like Erin and Chase, he's good to go. I'm going out to the hospital to spend the night with my sister; she was supposed to go home tonight but he's a little jaundiced and has lost some weight, so they're keeping him again. She's really sad about it, but it will be ok. So it will be a girly sleep over and Suburban tonight. Woohoo! Other than that...I have my meeting with the commission on ministry tonight. It should be interesting; I have no idea what is going to happen or what is expected of me. I just figure I will go in and be myself and it should be all good. I'm also in the process of cleaning my room, which is tiring but I got this awesome new surfing monkeys room set from Target, so I can't wait to get my room clean and put it up. I'm also leaving for Florida on Friday!!!!! sweet. I haven't had a vacation in years and years, and I'm going with my best friend and her husband. It's going to be great, and I can't wait to go to a beach (haven't been to one since I was 11). Yay vacation! Then it's back home to start work. I'm excited for the baby to get to go home, both b ecause it will be good for him and also because it means I will get to spend some time at home. I feel like I haven't really been there at all since I got back. But I'll go wherever I have to go to see Blaine. Well, that's all from here. I'm off to pick up a laundry hamper, as mine from college is now officially demonlished. Time for a new one. Peace y'all.

Clouds

So I didn't realize that Boston is located inside of a cloud. It has now been rainy and foggy for DAYS. I'm surprised my brother even made it to Boston yesterday because of the fog, and if he hadn't I don't think he would have made it today. And now it's raining really hard, and we have Sox tickets for tomorrow night but it's looking like it's going to be raining really hard the whole time and then they'll cancel the game and we won't get to go. LAME. Not to mention that the weather is supposed to be like this until I leave for KY. I feel bad for my brother because Boston is so beautiful when it's nice outside! Right now, though, it's been wet and foggy and cold for several days, and it's not going to let up anytime soon. I don't think he's even gotten to see the Boston skyline yet because visibility is less than a mile. Craziness. I'm ready for some warm Kentucky weather!

Procrastinate Now!!!

Procrastination sucks. Papers suck. Ahhh, the joys of finals. I'm working on my religious belief and moral action paper. I have about 6 pages done of 15, and I want to finish it tonight, but it's like pulling teeth I swear. I like the subject, but I would much rather just talk to my tf about it for an hour or so and leave it at that. Sitting here writing it all out is just so...tiresome. especially when I have a more exciting paper waiting in the wings to research and write in 6 days. How many people do you know who have to read Lord of the Rings in two days in order to get a paper done? Not many, but it'll be fine. On a happier note, I got a High Pass on my French exam, which is uber exciting! I was going to be pissed if I didn't pass. But I did so no worries. OK, back to work. For serious this time.

French exam...check

I'm now checking off everything on my insane list of things to do. So the language exam is out of the way, and I should get results this week. The paperwork for my liscense (sp?) arrived in l'ville today, and the guy forgot to get it notarized. So I have no idea what I'm going to do about that. At all. And I don't have the time or energy to deal with it. Just one more stresser. I bought boxes today and started packing, however. Which is an odd feeling...I mean, I lived in a dorm all through college, but for some reason this just feels different. Maybe because it's a house. But it's weird. Means school's almost over though!!!

PBS Reality TV???

Normally I despise reality TV. I think it tends to bring out the worst side of American culture, especially shows like Extreme Makeover and America's Next Top Model. Granted, there are reality TV shows that I guess could do some good. Like Extreme Home Makeover. And that's great. What I'm getting at is this PBS reality TV series I got hooked on while in the hospital. Remember, I was on morphine, lying in a hospital bed alone at 1 am watching hospital TV. So PBS was it. Anyway, there's this show called Texas Ranch House about these 15 people who all live on a Texas Ranch like it's 1867. I must have worked too hard yesterday because today I've been exhausted and not feeling great, so I lounged about at home resting up for the concert tomorrow. And what should be on TV but the last three episodes of Texas Ranch that I missed. Amazing. Go to www.pbs.org and you can see about the show. They apparently did another one the year before about a Colonial House or something of that nature. They're reairing a few episodes this Friday, so needless to say I'm uber excited about that. The show is interesting, mostly because the women get very frustrated with the situation and the men tend to turn into chauvanistic assholes. So it's an interesting lesson in gender relations. Which isn't to say that the men are really sexist in their normal lives, but living in 1867 they seemed to think it gave them an excuse to air sentiments otherwise regarded as offensive. I would recommend watching it. It's also pretty educational, and as a history buff I liked it. Something interesting anyway. I even thought it would be fun to apply to be on the next show they come up with, whatever it is. It's a thought...

Oh and hope your Derby horses did better than mine. Something nice about watching the Derby when I'm away from home and don't have to deal with the traffic and crazy drunk people. Sinister Minister started strong but ended weak. It's nice to hear My Old KY Home and see the bugler (who I actually know...I played Into The Woods with him at Trinity in '01)...home sweet home. Two weeks from today and I will be there. Yay! : )

Human Again

Nothing new has happened really. Aside from the fact that I am bored out of my mind. Yes, I realize I have finals to write and papers to work on, but every time I start reading I get so damn worn out...I'm hoping that tomorrow I'll be in much better shape to work and all of that. I actually feel human today for the first time since Monday night. I still can't believe everything that's happened since then. I feel bad too cause I won't be able to help my brother move me out of this house and into storage...I'm not supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs. Which also means I'll have to find help taking laundry to the basement to wash, returning library books, etc. Geez. I swear sometimes I feel like a baby again...it's like I can't do anything! But it was nice sleeping in my own bed and actually being able to sleep on my side a little bit. I'm awful lonely, which is a bummer. I haven't heard from any school friends since yesterday, and my roomates are being kinda weird. Maybe I expect too much from them...but I got a little upset last night when they took over the living room to watch America's Next Top Model. It's not like they don't have tvs in their room or that I had just gotten home from surgery that night. But people have their lives to live, so I guess stiff upper lip and all that. I'm going to church tonight...hopefully it won't wear me out too much, but I have to do something. I can't sit around this house with the roomies tonight...I'll go nuts. Anywho, my doctor just called to check on me, which was nice :) He's a cool guy. I like him. Well I'm going to go now, because I'm done venting and am bored again. I leave in two weeks!!!

Update

Sorry it's been a while since the last post. But I don't think there are many of you reading this anyway, however, some explanation is due. On Monday night I had my appendix taken out. Couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time...couldn't it have waited a month??? But no, there's no waiting. So I went into the hospital on Monday and I just got home about 30 minutes ago. It was a a weird experience...having surgery so far from home. But my friends came and visited, and Mike came by, so it all turned out ok. And the nurses were really nice too. So not too much to complain about. Anywho, I haven't showered since Monday, so I'm going to do that now. And then go lay down, as my tummy is hurting : (

Notes

School=stressful. Yesterday I was so stressed my entire body hurt. Luckily I'm doing better (so far) today. I'm not worried about getting stuff done...it's just the process of doing it all that stresses me out. But the weather is nice and I'm going to get ice cream with Julia, so it's all good. Hopefully I'll be picking up the truck next week. I think I'm going to name him Clifford (like the big red dog). Seems fitting. Anyway, just thought I'd post to say hey to all three people who actually read this thing. Now I'm off to write a paper on Kurozumikyo. Hot damn.

Blah.

So spring is here...but you wouldn't know it, seeing as it's cold as crap outside. Blah. It's been a blah day, for no real reason. Well, I take that back. For a real reason. So I went and bought a truck today; I'll go pay for it on Monday, but I test drove it and everything. It's a 95 Ford Ranger. I guess I would be more excited if I felt good about buying a car. But I don't. I hate the thought that once more I'm going to have to get caught up in all of the gasoline price wars and the destruction of our environment...but I have to have one for my jobs this summer. And to move. It's really ironic that I got the truck on earth day. Crazy. But anyway I was hoping someone would go with me to get the truck, especially one of my roomates. But when I mentioned it no one was willing. And when I got b ack they were in the same places they had been before I left: in front of the TV. Now, I understand it's their Saturday and they have every right to relax, but I just feel so...outside of everything in this house. It's to the point where I'm counting down the days before I move out. I can't stand it anymore. I love the roomies, I just don't wan tto live with them. Well, most of them. There are a couple I could live with and have no problem. I'm just tired of the relentless reminders to "Wash your dishes and turn off the lights." Makes me feel like I'm 13. And the constant comments about weight and people being overweight and food obsessions and body image....AHHHHHH. It doesn't help that almost none of my roomies believe in anything. Only one of them goes to church, and surprisingly she's the one I get along with best. Which isn't to say I have anything against those who don't go to church. I just wish my roomates had some kind of belief system. They could be secular humanists and I would be fine! Just have some sort of ethical system by which to run your life! Anyone, it feels like a very oppressive environment. Only a few more weeks and then I get to be home for the summer! I can't wait until my brother comes to visit. That will be awesome. And next year I'll be living with people who I really feel like are all there for me and are real friends. I'm sorry for complaining. It's cold and rainy and has just been one of those days.

Peace ya'll

P.S. Nathan, you are the coolest brother in the world. Thank you for everything.

Thank you Ben King

I had lunch today with Ben King, chaplain for the Episcopal student group at Harvard College. Great guy. I hadn't seen him since the fall and we caught up again last week and decided to go to lunch. Aside from a great lunch and an awesome new (and free) t shirt, Ben said something that really struck me. He said "I'm socially and ethically liberal because I'm doctrinally orthodox." Now that's it, right there. I think so many people associate orthodoxy with right wing fundamentalism, and they really have nothing to do with one another, especially if you're working within a denominational framework. It's because I believe that Jesus is God's son and because I believe in the Resurrection that I believe in social justice for all people, and our mutual responsibility (and by mutual I mean both individual and societal i.e. the government) to work towards that. Which doesn't mean that believing in the resurrection is easy for me. It's not by any means, but reducing it to a mere metaphor seems to devalue everything I stand for. Ben told me I'm a closet doctrinal conservative. Ha. But I said I don't know enough about theology (yet) to be one way or another. So gimme a few years and we'll see : ) Other than that things are going well here. Hard to believe I am leaving for KY in a month. I'm excited about going home, but the amoung of work I have to get done...sheesh! I spent all day today working on my Shinto paper...which meant that I didn't go to work. I'll just put in the rest of my hours on Friday, when I have a tendency not to focus as well on school work anyway. I'm hoping to knock this Shinto paper out of the way ASAP so I can start on the other two papers I have to do. Yikes. And move outta here into a storage place, which means I have to buy the truck first. So many logistics and so little time! But it's all good. AND...is meeting here tomorrow night, so I've got to get ready for that. And pray that I can get this field ed stuff for next year worked out in the upcoming couple of weeks...I really feel called to work with that group...
Hope you're all staying sane as school comes to a close!

Peace y'all

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

Alleluia!!! Christ is Risen!!!!! HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!! It's been one hell of a week...from trying to do school work and work to getting to services for the week...I don't feel that I was able to focus on Holy Week as much as I was last year on the AT, but I'm inclined to believe that that was a definite once-in-a-lifetime deal. But this year's Holy Week wasn't bad...Maundy Thursday was good. Mike preached, and I got this great idea for a sermon. Usually I don't write those things down, but this time I did. Which was good. If you want to read it, let me know and I'll send it to you. And then Good Friday was a weird mix of the solemn and the beautiful...it was hard to sit in church for three hours during a most glorious Friday afternoon (I actually only stayed for 2.5 because of the weather...). And then the Easter Vigil...it was how Easter vigils are supposed to be, with the presiding priest SHOUTING ALLELUIA!!!! None of this namby-pamby polite mumbo jumbo. Easter this morning wasn't bad...kind of flat compared to last night though. It was just so crowded at church--which is great don't get me wrong--but it all felt a little rushed. I've been having this issue lately with rished Eucharist. Every Sunday at church I end up with the same priest giving out communion. And I always feel that she's rushing it. I'm used to a much more intentional experience...I look at the person giving me communion and usually he/she puts it in my hand with intention. This particular priest seems to rush through it, like it's all about getting it to as many people as possible as quickly. And I understand that it's a big church...but people aren't going anywhere. I just hate feeling like I'm on the communion assembly line. And what makes it worse is that I'm always checking to see if I'll have her for communion, and when I move to a different part of the church the next week I still have her! And then I start to feel somewhat resentful...maybe it's ego I'm struggling with here, I'm not sure. I just don't feel that the Eucharist is something that should be rushed. I always try to be very intentional when I'm giving bread or wine to another, I guess I just hope for the same in return. Oh well. Anyway, the weather today was perfect Easter weather...reminds me of Easter weather when I was a kid. Just wish I could have been home with my family for it. But I was still gathered with my family in Christ, and ALLELUIA!!!! It feels so good to get to say that again : ) May you all have a blessed Easter season!!!

Tickets

Stupid Red Sox. All I want to do is go to a game with a friend. And are the Sox making it easy? No. First of all, the tickets are expensive...23.00 just for bleacher seats!!! I can get awesome seats for my Reds for just 19.00. Bleacher seats for them are only 9. I understand Fenway is small, but come on. They sell out all of the time. So I could only find one ticket, and I needed two, so I'm hoping this Craigslist situation is going to work out. The guy is selling them for face value and a friend said he would pick them up for me, so if all goes well I will be at Fenway on Tuesday night!!!! But you never know with these Sox fans... Other than the frustrations of trying to see a baseball game around here, you can tell spring has arrived. How? My eyes are watering, my throat hurts, and I'm sneezing. Yeehaw! But the weather is glorious so I'm not complaining. It was 70 today and I busted out with the shorts. Hell yeah. And I managed to fix my own bike. I haven't been able to brake for the past 3 days, so it's been pretty treacherous riding around without brakes. But I bought some new brake shoes and tools today and fixed them all on my own, which is very gratifying. I like fixing things...there's something really nice about the whole thing. Like I feel like I've done something useful (which hasn't been the case for the rest of the night as I'm trying to get through a Virginia Woolf novel that's 400 pages for class...ugh). Anywho, that's about all I know. Maundy Thursday is tomorrow...I'll reflect on that more then. So everyone have a peaceful night, and enjoy listening to the rain (if you're in Beantown).

Peace ya'll

Holy Week

It's hard to believe that this time last year I was on the AT...talk about a Holy Week. Kinda hard to follow that one up...but I have high hopes for this year. This weekend was pretty crazy. We had a party on Saturday night, which was fun, but I'm still recovering from the sheer exhaustion of putting one on and having to do all of my regular work on top of things. Haven't been able to pick up the Volf in a few days, not because I don't want to, but because when I go to bed at night I'm just exhausted and pretty much fall asleep. Hopeully I can get some reading in this week.

Went to morning prayers at Appleton chapel this morning and then service at the monastery this evening. Both were actually very good. Ben King is doing morning prayer this week. I haven't seen him since September, so I said hey. He was at service this evening too, so we're going out to lunch next week to catch up. He seems like a really cool guy. And he has an accent, which is always awesome. Anyway, the service tonight was especially good and peaceful. The weather was gorgeous, and I had just been outside reading for an hour or so...and then I went into to SSJE and the monk greeting us was so friendly. And worship was so good, especially when we sang "O Sacred Head Sore Wounded," perhaps one of my very favorite hymns, mostly because I love singing the alto part. And there we sing with no organ, so it was four part harmony...wow. It was beautiful.

On a much more mundane level, I'm starting the search for a car. I'm going to have to go into more debt for it, but I have to have one for the summer, and as my sister's extra car's engine blew up, I'm kind of sol. So now I'm looking for a truck; I figure it will be a bit cheaper and I'll be able to do all of the moving I'm going to have to do in the next year with it. Plus it will just be cool to drive a pickup : )

Anyway, that's all here. I'm going to try and finish up some Shinto reading and then crash. Tomorrow's new student open house day, so I'm going to get the free lunch and talk to all of the newly admitted students who came to visit. Hard to believe that was me just one year ago!

Springtime in Boston

A personal favorite of mine...I took this one on Cambridge St. as I was walking to work...I just looked up and there was this beautiful tree above my head. Awesome.











This is the most amazing bit ever. It's right after Oxford St. turns into Kirkland, and you're just walking along and if you don't look over you'll miss it, but BAM, there they are. Tons of these small flowers under the forsythia bushes. Amazing. I stand and look at it for a minute every time I pass. Isn't God's world amazing???







A tree in the yard...













Flowers in front of the business school... although things still seem a wee bit brown up here, signs of spring are turning up everywhere!!! Even at the business school...










This is what it looked like on Tuesday...is that snow, you ask? Why yes, yes it is. Wasn't it April 4th, you might also ask? Yes, why yes it was.