03/21/07
Comments:
I have just read in its entirety the site suggested in your Diocesan entry re: the recent House of Bishops meeting. I APPLAUD THEM AND AGREE WITH THEM for their response to the recent Primates meeting. And, I thank them for "standing" in unison with the majority of the Episcopalians that I know, who believe in what our General Convention has done at the last two gatherings.
And it was fun to read Garrison Keillor's article. And I could relate to much of that "hilarity" also.
Christ Church is in the midst of a "reflective Lent"--enjoying soup suppers, praying, great music from our church choir with emphasis on repentance and the passion, and a quiet, meditative gathering each Wednesday evening, with compline, plus Jim's thought provoking Sunday sermons. THANKS BE TO GOD!!!
Inez L. Harris
03/21/07
Comments:
From the House of Bishop's meeting:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_84148_ENG_HTM.htm
03/20/07
Comments:
Garrison Keillor on Episcopalians:
We make fun of Episcopalians for their blandness, their excessive
>calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for
>their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like
>them. If you were to ask an audience in Des Moines, a relatively
>Episcopalianless place, to sing along on the chorus of "Michael, Row
>the Boat Ashore," they will look daggers at you as if you had asked
>them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among
>Episcopalians, they'd smile and row that boat ashore, and up on the beach....and down the road!
>
>Many Episcopalians are bred from childhood to sing in four-part
>harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone
>singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by
>putting their little heads against that person's rib cage. It's natural
>for Episcopalians to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison.
>When you're singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and
>D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it's an emotionally fulfilling
>moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not
>forsake each other.
>
>I do believe this, people: Episcopalians, who love to sing in four-part
>harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you're in deep
>distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely,
>they'll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they'll give you tuna salad!
>
>Episcopalians believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to
>pray out loud. Episcopalians like to sing, except when confronted with
>a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas. >
>
>Episcopalians believe their rectors will visit them in the hospital,
>even if they don't notify them that they are there.
>Episcopalians usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is
>their way of suffering for their sins.
>Episcopalians believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially
>during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
>
>Episcopalians feel that applauding for their children's choirs will not
>make the kids too proud and conceited.
>
>Episcopalians think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle
>while passing the peace.
>Episcopalians drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
>Episcopalians feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own
>wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
>Episcopalians are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
>Episcopalians still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the
>season and Episcopalians believe that it is OK to poke fun at
>themselves, and never take themselves too seriously.
>
>And finally, you know you are a Episcopalian when:
> -It's 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after
>the service.
> -You hear something
>really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can.
> - Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
> - When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, "May the Force be
>with you," you respond, "and also with you."
> And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye.
03/20/07
Comments:
Fr. Craig,
Welcome to the edge of the Banana Belt of the Northern Plains. May your mission be prosperous as you joine the Marines here (the few, the proud, the overtaxed).
Pace e bene†
Chip, Hot Springs
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