|
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Bliss
The late Bishop of Michigan, Richard S. Emrich, accepted me for postulancy in 1969 and ordained me a transitional
deacon in 1972. Upon the latter occasion, he advised that when I take a vacation, I not go to a church on a Sunday morning,
but to some place such as a golf course. (He himself was an avid golfer. I took his advice precisely in 2000, playing golf
on a Sunday morning after my class reunion.) His wisdom came home to me again today, which I spent skiing with three buddies.
How renewing! What insight I gained into what's going on with and of concern to persons who are outside the church's orbit,
and who are completely comfortable and free around me, and not constrained by the collar I sometimes wear. I suppose I could
gain much the same by interviewing the "man on the street," but how much more relaxed and maybe more authentic it is when
it's the "men on the slopes."
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Children of light
Another gray day. I lent my anti-SAD lamp to a parishioner, and now wish
I had it, though hope it helps him. Maybe I'll phone to ask if he's using it. This Sunday's epistle exhorts us to "live as children of light..." (Eph 5:9) I'm looking at a photo of a light-filled
sky above the harbor's breakwall -- a scene caught by my older son on a bright winter day. What a challenge to keep such light
before us, so that it can lift our spirits. Christ, the light of the world.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Decidedly ecumenical
I haven't published it on this site yet, but it comes to mind after this morning's lectionary study group:
we are decidedly ecumenical. I guess this needs some clarification, because we local Episcopalians have not been numerous
at the Lenten Wednesday series with the Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and UCCers. But we have collaborated with them
in planning these series, had them with us on Maundy Thursday, and joined them for the last two hours of the Good Friday Tre
Ore. And there is the afore-mentioned lectionary study group, where the clergy gather weekly to discuss the readings for the
upcoming Sunday. Also, lest I forget, there is our local chapter of LARC -- Lutherans, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics. "Ecumenical
Relationships" deserves a page of its own on this site.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Back to normal?
After two Sundays of ice, bitter winds, and flu, the congregations seemed back to what we would expect for
this time of year. If you're not an "up-north" person, you might not realize that as much as half of a parish up here
winters in the deep South -- way "down-below," as Alpena natives refer to anything lower on the map than the 45th parallel.
|
