ONEJobOnly - My seminary journey and beyond!

September 11, 2001

2011-09-09T15:40:00.007-05:00

Ten years ago and so much has changed! We all, unless we weren't born, remember where we on September 11, 2001 when we heard the horrific news about the plane crashes into the World Trade Center, Pentagon and field in Shanksville, PA. At the time I worked at a non-profit organization in Southeast DC. From the front doors of the building the staff gathered to look across the Potomac River where we could see the flames and smoke rising from the Pentagon. We heard reports on the radio about a plane heading to the Capitol Building just blocks away. There were also reports that a plane was heading to the White House. Everyone struggled to comprehend what we were seeing and hearing. It was impossible to process the gravity of the attacks happening in NY, DC and PA.

When I was finally able to head home late in the afternoon it was as if Washington DC had become a ghost town. Streets were empty of cars and there were virtually no pedestrians. Everyone had fled by foot or by Metro or by car earlier in the day. When I crossed the threshold to my home I cried as I held my beloved and our dog in my arms. The pain, shock, grief and fear of the day was absorbed in our embrace, if only for a moment.

We emerged from the condo and walked to our nearby church. The silence was deafening. No air traffic, car traffic or people. We sat on a bench by the labyrinth and prayed. In the stillness we offered our questions, our fears, our grief and our pain to God.

In those first few hours there was silence. Not long after, however, National Guard troops and tanks arrived and were positioned on street corners in the city. Fighter jets routinely flew overhead. And the war began.

Stories of courageous people, parents, children, firefighters, police men and women, and loved ones began to be told. The country gathered to remember the heroes in NY, DC and PA. We tried to go on - to find a way to live each day in a new and different world.

We were suddenly vulnerable as individuals, as cities, as a country. Life would never be the same.

Since September 11, 2001, we have choices to make as individuals. Are we going to live our lives in fear or love? Are we going to seek to understand or seek to be understood? Are we going to love our neighbors as ourselves? Are we going to seek and serve the light and love of the Holy One in every person?

I pray we will choose to live our lives in love, seeking to understand, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. And I pray we, with God's help, will seek and serve the light and love of the Holy One in every person. Amen.

God' Providence and Steadfast Love

2011-08-22T14:01:00.005-05:00

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - Romans 12:1-8, Psalm 138, Matthew 16:13-20

Psalm 138 has been described as one of the happiest psalms in the Hebrew Bible. It is a psalm of endless praise to God. Many psalms are songs of lament asking where God is amidst the pain and suffering. But Psalm 138 is a happy psalm – a psalm that begins with thanks, gratitude and praise to God.

This psalm primarily teaches us about what God does and how we should respond to God. The author of the psalm praises God for steadfast love and faithfulness, answering humans, increasing strength, speaking, regarding the lowly, preserving, reaching out, delivering, and fulfilling God’s purpose for humans.

One of the main themes flowing through this psalm is what Christian theologians refer to as the doctrine of God’s providence. God’s providence is about God’s ordering of creation and how God acts in the world. The author of this psalm has no doubt that God is the creator who intervenes in the world, the history of Israel and the lives of individuals.1

We may question or wonder whether God continues to intervene in the world today. In the Hebrew Bible we read about God’s conversations with Abraham, Moses and Saul, and to the prophets, just to name a few. God leads and guides them. But we might wonder about the intimacy of God’s communication and action with God’s people in this day and age.

Christian theologian Paul Tillich wrote insightfully about God’s active relationship with creation and described how God continually works through history in a way that preserves human freedom. “Providence is a permanent activity of God. God is never a spectator; God always directs everything toward its fulfillment…through the freedom of human beings and through the spontaneity and structural wholeness of all creatures.” 2

Both Tillich and the psalmist seem to be saying the same thing about the Divine. God is holy, high, and eternal AND God is responsive, loving and intimately involved with creation and its creatures. This is a paradox of omnipotence and intimacy. God is beyond what we can comprehend and yet God is present and involved in our lives. God is so vast that all the kings of the earth will praise God, and yet God has a specific vocation for individual human beings. God is forever, and yet God will stretch out God’s hand and will strengthen the believer.

This paradox of omnipotence and intimacy is an expression of God’s loving faithfulness. In Hebrew the word hesed is translated as “steadfast love,” “amazing grace,” or “loyal love,” and in this psalm as in other places in Scripture, hesed expresses God’s passionate, faithful love for creation. The God who is beyond time intervenes in history on account of this steadfast love and amazing grace.

Like the psalmist, our response to God’s hesed, God’s steadfast love and amazing grace is our thankfulness, gratitude and praise. However, it would be a mistake if we consider that our thankfulness, gratitude and praise are enough. Don’t get me wrong, I believe that we should all live lives full of thankfulness, gratitude and praise to God; however, there’s more that God requires of us.

To paraphrase St. Paul’s appeal to the Romans, ‘Because of God’s amazing grace and steadfast love, we each have unique gifts whether they be prophecy, ministry, teaching, speaking, giving, leading, welcoming, healing, and caring. Each gift is unique and necessary and valuable. And one is not more valuable than another. As the Body of Christ we need everyone’s gift in order to thrive.’

So do we wonder about the intimacy of God’s communication and action with God’s people in this day and age? I believe God continues to communicate with us through God’s word, prayer, worship, and one another. And I believe that God acts in the world today through us, through our thankfulness, gratitude and praise and – most importantly – through our use of the unique gifts God has blessed each and every one of us with.

I invite all of us to consider how we might use our gifts to the building up of God’s kingdom here at Church of the Ascension and in our daily life and work. In three weeks we will hold our annual Ministry Fair which highlights various opportunities and ministries for each of us to sign-up to use our God-given talents and gifts. Each gift is unique and necessary and valuable, and Ascension needs everyone’s gift in order to thrive.

We are God’s hands and feet and heart in the world today. Respond to God’s hesed, God’s steadfast love and amazing grace, by using the gifts God has give you with thankfulness, gratitude and praise. Then like the psalmist we will sing “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” Amen.

1. Mary Elise Lowe, Feasting on the Word: Year A, Volume 3 from Proper 16 (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011) p. 369.

2. Paul Tillich, Systematic Theology (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1951) 1:266-67; quoted in Peter C. Hodgson and Robert H. King, Readings in Christian Theology (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1985) p. 146 as found in Feasting on the Word: Year A, Volume 3.

3. Mary Elise Lowe, Feasting on the Word: Year A, Volume 3 from Proper 16 (Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011) p. 370.

LISTEN FOR GOD*

2011-08-21T18:50:00.000-05:00

The question is not whether the things that happen to you are chance things or God’s things because, of course, they are both at once. There is no chance thing through which God cannot speak – even the walk from the house to the garage that you have walked ten thousand times before, even the moments when you cannot believe there is a god who speaks at all anywhere. God speaks, I believe, and the words God speaks are incarnate in the flesh and blood of our selves and of our won footsore and sacred journeys. We cannot live our lives constantly looking back, listening back, lest we be turned to pillars of longing and regret, but to live without listening at all is to live deaf to the fullness of the music. Sometimes we avoid listening for fear of what we may hear, sometimes for fear that we may hear nothing at all but the empty rattle of our own feet on the pavement. But be not affeard, as Cailbgan, nor is he the only one to say it. “Be not afraid,” says another, “for lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” He says he is with us on our journeys. He says he has been with us since each of our journeys began. Listen for God. Listen to the sweet and bitter airs of your present and your past for the sound of God.

*changed “him/he” to “God”

From Listening to Your Life: Daily Meditations with Frederick Buechner

The Greatest Truth

2011-07-24T18:44:00.004-05:00

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - July 24, 2011
Romans 8:26-39, Psalm 119:126-136
Gospel of Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

In his best-selling book, The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck, begins with these words: “Life is difficult.”

He continues, “This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult – once we truly understand and accept it – then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”1

If, according to M. Scott Peck, “Life is difficult is a great truth,” than an even greater truth – in fact, the GREATEST TRUTH – is found in Paul’s letter to the Romans:

“For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”2

Nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God.

This lesson, this Greatest Truth, was taught to the children at our Vacation Bible School. They learned that “God loves us no matter what.” God loves me no matter what. God loves you no matter what. GOD LOVES US NO MATTER WHAT!
Life is difficult. God loves us no matter what.

As individuals we may have regrets, guilt, anger, fear and frustration over what we’ve done and left undone, things we’ve said, ways we’ve hurt others, relationships that have failed, disappointments over not being or doing enough. The list could go on and on.

Life is difficult. God loves us no matter what.

As Americans we are challenged by rising gas prices, high unemployment rates, poverty and hunger, and a government that
cannot seem to find a way forward to deal with the debt ceiling and the economy. It seems that the rich – corporations and people – are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

Did you know that thirty-seven million Americans, one in eight, rely on food programs for meals and groceries? This includes more than 14 million children!

Life is difficult. God loves us no matter what.

Internationally, people are dying because of the drought in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. Norway is mourning the senseless deaths of 85 people. Southern Sudan is struggling to become its own country independent from Northern Sudan. Japan is recovering from the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Haiti is still rebuilding from the January 2010 earthquake. And wars rage in Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world.

Life is difficult. God loves us no matter what.

Three years ago, the summer before my senior year at seminary, I had the great fortune to travel to South Africa. I spent two weeks traveling through the Diocese of Christ the King, south of Johannesburg, with clergy and the Diocesan HIV and AIDS Coordinator. I visited villages that bordered main highways to and from Jo-burg where houses were built of cardboard walls and tin roofs. The water supply was a communal faucet system in the center of the village where people, often children, filled large plastic containers and used wheelbarrows to transport the water back to their homes. Extension cords were strung from the electric poles and provided some power for hot plates for cooking. Grandmothers walked everywhere with babies tied with blankets to their backs. I learned that many of the mothers had died because of AIDS so the babies were being cared for by the grandmothers. I visited orphanages where babies, toddlers and infants, often children who were infected with HIV, lived twenty to a room. And I saw churches that were bursting at the seams, even with cardboard walls and tin roofs, because in spite of all the poverty, hardships and difficulty, people still gather together every Sunday to worship and celebrate the Greatest Truth that nothing separates them from the love of God.

Jim Wallis, the head of Sojourners, reflects on the Romans passage and says:

‘Paul assumes that weakness, conflict and hardship are normal for the Christian life, and for that matter, human life’. The promise of this passage in Paul’s letter to the Romans is not that God will remove the difficulties in life, but that God will continue to love us through them. People who accept the difficulties of life and find God’s love in the midst of them become wise, healed, joyful and whole people. 3

And isn’t that what we want? To become wise, healed, joyful and whole people. I certainly want to become wise, healed, joyful and whole. But I am imperfect and I fall short and I get caught up in the difficulties of life.
When regrets, guilt, anger, fear, frustration, failed relationships and disappointments threaten to overwhelm us, remember God loves you no matter what. There is nothing, absolutely nothing that can ever stop God from loving you. This is the greatest truth.

The question is do you believe it?

1. M. Scott Peck, MD, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1987.
2. Romans 8:38-39.
3. Jim Wallis, The Unshakable Promise of God. Preaching the Word: an online resource for preparing sermons and scripture reflections based on the Revised Common Lectionary for Sundays.

CONGRATULATIONS, IT’S A …

2011-07-07T17:30:00.000-05:00

I’m writing this on Wednesday, July 6, the first day South Summit Avenue and the high school parking lot is closed. In a way, I feel excited. After all, this is what we’ve been preparing for and waiting to happen since the end of the school year a few weeks ago. In a way, although I’ve never been pregnant, it feels like we’ve been through a first pregnancy and have finally given birth. We think we’re ready for this new, unknown experience, and while we’ve done our best to prepare we are certain that there will be challenges and missteps, and yet, there will also be exciting opportunities and joys that we can hardly imagine.

Yes, I believe there will be exciting opportunities and joys through this time of great transition and parking challenges. But like anything else, we must be attentive to the possibilities that good will come out of this time of transition. And we must be patient. The high school renovation project and our Ascension House parking lot project are going to take time. There is nothing we can do to rush either of these projects. We cannot wave a magic wand and be transported into the future when construction is completed.

No, we are going to have to adjust during this time of transition. Like having a newborn, our ways of doing things are going to be adjusted whether or not we’re ready for them or like them! We may lose some sleep and discover muscles we haven’t used in a while as we leave earlier to get to church and walk from remote parking lots on Sundays.

But we have the power within ourselves and among ourselves to use this time as an opportunity to strengthen our community. We might use this time to get to know one another on our walks to/from the parking lots to church and as we carpool together from our neighborhoods. We have a great advertisement program for Ascension in the construction that is happening! Why not invite your friends and neighbors to experience this vital and diverse parish community?

We can either look at this time as a time of growth and opportunity or a time of loss and insurmountable challenge. The choice is yours. I, for one, hope you celebrate with me this time of new birth, of exciting opportunities and of joys that we can hardly imagine.

~ Rev. Beth

9th Bishop

2011-06-21T19:13:00.005-05:00

On Saturday, the Diocese of Washington elected our Ninth Bishop, The Reverend Dr. Mariann Edgar Budde. She is the first female diocesan Bishop in the Diocese of Washington. She nearly won on the first ballot, lacking only 6 lay votes. She will be installed on November 12 pending the consents from Standing Committees and Bishops throughout The Episcopal Church. What an exciting day and exciting future for the Diocese!

Time Flies When You're Doing What You Love!

2011-06-15T19:20:00.003-05:00

Two years ago, on June 13, I was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons. On July 1, 2009 I joined the ministry team at Church of the Ascension in Gaithersburg, MD. These two years have flown by and I am having a wonderful time serving as a priest and pastor among the people at Ascension. We are a very diverse community who are faithful to the Gospel in upper Montgomery County. As I look at the congregation from the altar on Sundays I am continually amazed at this Kingdom of God on the corner of Summit and Frederick Avenues in Gaithersburg!

My ministry areas include Christian Formation for Children which encompasses Godly Play - which we started last year, Vacation Bible School - ReNew in 2010 and PandaMania in 2011, the Epiphany Pageant and other children's activities, and Pastoral Care which includes our Pastoral Partners ministry and other pastoral care. A talented and committed corps of lay people dedicate countless hours to Christian Formation for Children and Pastoral Care. I'm fortunate to help recruit, train and lead these amazing people.

I love what I do and I can't believe it's been two years since my last post! Hopefully I'll be posting more often. It's great to be back.

Gratefulness

2009-06-28T20:29:00.004-05:00

On July 1st I officially begin my ministry as the Assistant Rector at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Gaithersburg, Maryland in the Diocese of Washington. I am so grateful! This is a large and diverse parish, and I am certain that I will learn a lot and hope that I will contribute much!

I am grateful to so many people, especially to Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda, MD., and to Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria, VA., for their support during my ordination process including my time at seminary. I was grateful that representatives from these parishes and a respresentative from my original sponsoring parish, St. Thomas' Dupont Circle, were my presenters at my Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons on June 13th. A glorious and wonderful service! The sermon was especially wonderful thanks to preacher Judy Fentress-Williams!

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the ordinations of friends and classmates in the Diocese of Virginia, the Diocese of Texas and the Diocese of Delaware. While in Texas it was wonderful to attend a Sunday service at St. Mark's Houston and to reconnect with so many friends from years ago. Likewise, at the ordination in Delaware I reconnected with a friend, now priest, from Arkansas who is serving a parish in Delaware. Small world! A wonderful reunion!!

I am so very, very grateful!

Liminal Time

2009-06-09T12:02:00.002-05:00

The word 'liminal' is defined as "of, or relating to, an intermediate state, phase, or condition." Synonyms are 'in-between, transitional.' I am in liminal time - a transitional and in-between time.

On May 21st I received a Master of Divinity degree from seminary. It was a wonderful and joyfilled day. Bishop Barbara Harris was our commencement speaker and she, not surprisingly, gave a wonderful address.

This Saturday I will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons in the Episcopal Church. I am eager to begin my formal ordained ministry and look forward to the Holy Spirit's movement on Saturday!

However, for the moment, I am in liminal time. I suppose, given the stress of finishing three years of graduate education or seminary, which included a full summer of hospital chaplaincy, a three-week immersion in Honduras to learn Spanish, and an immersion in South Africa last summer, that I should not be surprised that during this liminal time my body decided it could afford to get a bad cold because it needed rest. So during this liminal time I am resting, staying at home, drinking lots of fluids and trying to get rid of this cold.

Blessed Eastertide

2009-04-14T20:32:00.002-05:00

He is Risen!! He is Risen Indeed!! Alleluia!!

Wishing you Easter Joy in the Risen, Living Christ!

Why Gay Marriage Matters

2009-04-07T20:15:00.003-05:00

Great article by MICHAEL JUDGE in Iowa City, Iowa

I often tell friends that a part of me is gay, even though I've been happily married to my wife for 12 years. What I mean is that in April 2003 I donated a kidney to my older brother David, who is gay. The transplant took place at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics -- and it was, in a very real sense, a miraculous event for our entire family.

So when David called me last Friday excited about the Iowa Supreme Court decision making same-sex marriage legal, I wasn't surprised. "You know what this means, don't you?" he asked. "It means we can visit those we love when they're dying in the hospital; it means we're finally treated like family."

Most hospitals in America only allow spouses and immediate family members to visit a patient during a medical emergency, when a patient is unconscious or in critical condition after a car accident, heart attack or kidney failure, for example. These are the moments when our spouses are most needed, the moments when life and death decisions are made -- and, if necessary, goodbyes are said. My brother, whose kidneys failed when he was in his 30s, understands these moments.

Of course, this is just one example of how Friday's decision changes the lives of gay and lesbian couples in Iowa. As the court wrote in its unanimous decision, the 12 plaintiffs (six couples) expressed "the disadvantages and fears they face each day due to the inability to obtain a civil marriage in Iowa." These include: "the legal inability to make many life and death decisions affecting their partner, including decisions related to health care . . . the inability to share in their partners' state-provided health insurance, public employee pension benefits, and many private-employer-provided benefits and protections," and the denial of "several tax benefits."

"Yet, perhaps the ultimate disadvantage expressed in the testimony of the plaintiffs," the court continued, "is the inability to obtain for themselves and for their children the personal and public affirmation that accompanies marriage." In other words, they desire to be recognized as married couples, as a "family" to use my brother's word.

With Friday's ruling -- which upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman -- that desire has become law. As early as April 24, gays and lesbians will be able to exchange vows in civil services.

As for religious attitudes toward same-sex marriage, the court respectfully, and in typically plain-spoken manner, explains that "the sanctity of all religious marriages celebrated in the future will have the same meaning as those celebrated in the past. The only difference is civil marriage will now take on a new meaning that reflects a more complete understanding of equal protection of the law."

My brother and I and millions of Iowans are proud of our state at this moment. Others aren't. There are many (some of them beloved family members) who believe marriage, civil or otherwise, should only be between a man and woman; others aren't opposed to same-sex marriage but don't think the courts should mandate it. Indeed, there's a movement here in Iowa as in other states to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union solely between a man and woman. (Such an amendment couldn't get on the ballot here until 2012 at the earliest.)

To this, I would simply ask why? Why blemish our constitution and narrow our definition of equal protection when our state has been a leader on such historic civil-rights issues as slavery, interracial marriage, women's rights, and desegregation?

As the court wrote in its decision: "We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective. The legislature has excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification."

Here's to marriage, a "supremely important civil institution." And here's to including, not excluding, kind-hearted people like my brother David, who want nothing more than to find the right person, settle down, and one day perhaps get married.

Mr. Judge, a fifth generation Iowan, is a freelance journalist and a contributing editor of The Far Eastern Economic Review.

Racial Reconciliation and Enlarged Hearts

2009-04-03T15:38:00.006-05:00

These past two days at the seminary have been rich with lectures and music and discussion on the subjects of African American Spirituality, the Black Church and Music. The culminating event was a celebratory Eucharist today at Noon. All this in honor and remembrance of the Martrydom of The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Having visited the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, I was able to picture exactly what Dean Pollard described in his opening address yesterday afternoon. We all must tell our own stories and listen to each others stories in truth and love, because only then will reconcilation happen and our hearts will be enlarged!

This editorial from the Washington Post provides some hope that we are on our way to that glorious day about which Martin Luther King Jr. spoke when "we will not be judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character." Thanks be to God!

Human Rights in South Africa

2009-03-13T20:36:00.002-05:00

The world is in such pain. I fear for the safety of lesbians who are living their lives with integrity in South Africa.

Raped and killed for being a lesbian: South Africa ignores 'corrective' attacks• Women living in fear of brutal assaults by male gangs• Country's 'macho politics' lead to lack of action
Annie Kelly

Interviews with South African victims of 'corrective rape' Link to this video The partially clothed body of Eudy Simelane, former star of South Africa's acclaimed Banyana Banyana national female football squad, was found in a creek in a park in Kwa Thema, on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Simelane had been gang-raped and brutally beaten before being stabbed 25 times in the face, chest and legs. As well as being one of South Africa's best-known female footballers, Simelane was a voracious equality rights campaigner and one of the first women to live openly as a lesbian in Kwa Thema.

Her brutal murder took place last April, and since then a tide of violence against lesbian women in South Africa has continued to rise. Human rights campaigners say it is characterised by what they call "corrective rape" committed by men behind the guise of trying to "cure" lesbian women of their sexual orientation.

Now, a report by the international NGO ActionAid, backed by the South African Human Rights Commission, condemns the culture of impunity around these crimes, which it says are going unrecognised by the state and unpunished by the legal system.

The report calls for South Africa's criminal justice system to recognise hate crimes, including corrective rape, as a separate crime category. It argues this will force police to take action over the rising violence and ensure the resources and support is provided to those trying to bring perpetrators to justice.

The ferocity and brutality of Simelane's murder sent shockwaves through Kwa Thema, where she was much known and loved for bringing sports fame to the sprawling township.

Her mother, Mally Simelane, said she always feared for her daughter's safety but never imagined her life would be taken in such a way.

"I'm scared of these people that they are going to come and kill me too because I don't know what happened," she said. "Why did they do this horrible thing? Because of who she was? She was a sweet lady, she never fought with anyone, but why would they kill her like this? She was stabbed, 25 holes in her. The whole body, even under the feet."

The Guardian talked to lesbian women in townships in Johannesburg and Cape Town who said they were being deliberately targeted for rape and that the threat of violence had become an everyday ordeal.

"Every day I am told that they are going to kill me, that they are going to rape me and after they rape me I'll become a girl," said Zakhe Sowello from Soweto, Johannesburg. "When you are raped you have a lot of evidence on your body. But when we try and report these crimes nothing happens, and then you see the boys who raped you walking free on the street."

Research released last year by Triangle, a leading South African gay rights organisation, revealed that a staggering 86% of black lesbians from the Western Cape said they lived in fear of sexual assault. The group says it is dealing with up to 10 new cases of "corrective rape" every week.

"What we're seeing is a spike in the numbers of women coming to us having been raped and who have been told throughout the attack that being a lesbian was to blame for what was happening to them," said Vanessa Ludwig, the chief executive at Triangle.

Support groups claim an increasingly aggressive and macho political environment is contributing to the inaction of the police over attacks on lesbian women and is part of a growing cultural lethargy towards the high levels of gender-based violence in South Africa.

"When asking why lesbian women are being targeted you have to look at why all women are being raped and murdered in such high numbers in South Africa," said Carrie Shelver, of women's rights group Powa, a South African NGO. "So you have to look at the increasingly macho culture, which seeks to oppress women and sees them as merely sexual beings. So when there is a lesbian woman she is an absolute affront to this kind of masculinity."

A statement released by South Africa's national prosecuting authority said: "While hate crimes – especially of a sexual nature – are rife, it is not something that the South African government has prioritised as a specific project."

The failure of police to follow up eyewitness statements and continue their investigation into another brutal double rape and murder of lesbian couple Sizakele Sigasa and Salome Massooa in July 2007 has led to the formation of the 07-07-07 campaign, a coalition of human rights and equality groups calling for justice for women targeted in these attacks.

Sigasa and Massooa were tortured, gang raped and shot near their homes in Meadowland, Soweto in July 2007, shortly after being verbally abused outside a bar.

Human rights and equality campaigners are hoping that the public outrage and disgust at Simelane's death and the July trial of the three men accused of her rape and murder will help put an end to the spiralling violence increasingly faced by lesbian women across South Africa.

Despite more than 30 reported murders of lesbian women in the last decade, Simelane's trial has produced the first conviction, when one man who pleaded guilty to her rape and murder was jailed last month.

On sentencing, the judge said that Simelane's sexual orientation had "no significance" in her killing. The trial of a further three men pleading not guilty to rape, burglary and murder will start in July.

In Soweto and Kwa Thema, women seem unconvinced that Simelane's case will change anything for the better.

Phumla talks of her experience of being taught a "classic lesson" by a group of men who abducted and raped her when she was returning from football training in 2003. She says that "practically every" lesbian in her community has suffered some form of violence in the past year and that it will take more than one trial to stop this happening.

"Every day you feel like its a time bomb waiting to go off," she said. "You don't have freedom of movement, you don't have space to do as you please. You are always scared and your life always feels restricted. As women and as lesbians we need to be very aware that it is a fact of life that we are always in danger."

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 12 March 2009 17.49 GMT Article history
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/12/eudy-simelane-corrective-rape-south-africa

Happy Anniversary Bishop Barbara Harris!

2009-02-28T10:38:00.005-06:00

Bishop Barbara Harris celebrates her 20th Anniversary as Bishop: the first woman Bishop in The Episcopal Church (USA). She is also going to be our graduation speaker this year at the Seminary!

From The Episcopal Cafe:

Bishop Barbara C. Harris, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversay of her consecration as the first female bishop in the Anglican Communion rates a passing mention and a nifty photo in this television review from The New York Times. Writer Ginia Bellafante points out that Bishop Harris' great-grandmother "was a slave who wound up in a confrontation with Gen. Ulysses S. Grant."

That the bishop had fiery ancestors will surprise no one who knows her.

The bishop also sat for an interview with Tracy J. Sukraw of the Diocese of Massachusetts. Of the troubles currently roiling the Communion she said:

I think the whole Windsor process is an overreaction, which leads me to talk about the covenant, which I don't believe we need. I think our baptismal covenant is sufficient. We certainly do not need a juridical covenant; but rather, if we must have one, then it ought to be more relational in nature than designed to punish. I think that the pastoral council that is being suggested is an added layer of ecclesiastical bureaucracy that we do not need. We need to simply trust each other that we are acting in the best interests of our respective provinces. Interventions and crossing provincial boundaries need to stop. That is not a solution to controversies within a province.

The controversies of the day are not anything new. Controversy has always been present in the life of the church from her earliest, earliest days. There is an introductory comment on Paul's letter to the Colossians in which it says: the unity, stability and survival of the church was threatened by doctrinal diversity. This is nothing new. I think of the centuries that it took to reach agreement on the doctrine of the Trinity. Some folk want us to settle complex issues without even delving into them in any meaningful depth. And I think that schism is real, because we have competing claims of orthodoxy and other claims that are cause for hostility and division. A covenant or a Windsor Report [is] not going to quell controversy.

Posted Jim Naughton on February 26, 2009 http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/bishops/happy_anniversary_bishop_harri.htm

Ash Wednesday Quiet Day

2009-02-26T15:27:00.007-06:00

The seminary community observed a Quiet Day on Ash Wednesday which included two powerful meditations by The Reverend Mpho Tutu. I invite you to listen to them as you begin an observance of a Holy Lent. Cut and paste this link into your browser:

https://www.vts.edu/podium/tools/AudioPlay.aspx?a=67448&ttl=Quiet+Day+Meditations+2009%3a+The+Rev.+Mpho+Tutu

Hymn's Power As Black Anthem Endures

2009-02-16T16:22:00.004-06:00

by Adelle M. Banks Religion News Service Saturday, February 14, 2009

When the Rev. Joseph Lowery was chosen to offer the closing prayer at President Obama's swearing-in ceremony, he knew which hymn he would borrow to start his prayer.

"God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who has brought us thus far along the way," he prayed, invoking the third verse from "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the hymn that's long been considered the unofficial black national anthem.

"Thou who has by Thy might, Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray."

The words rang out across the Mall that day, and again the next day at the Washington National Cathedral in the sermon preached to the new president. For more than a century, they have been used to mark special occasions, including the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and have become a staple for Black History Month each February.

Lowery, a retired United Methodist minister who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with King, said he thought the song was entirely appropriate for the inaugural of the nation's first African American president.

"It had historicity; it had the religious context," said Lowery, who has used the third stanza as a regular hymn of praise in his worship services for 25 years. "The black experience is sort of wrapped up in that hymn."

Although Lowery has always called it a "national hymn" because he didn't think the nation should have two separate anthems, many African Americans give it the same honor as the traditional national anthem: They stand when it is sung.

"It is our 'Star-Spangled Banner,' " said Jackie Dupont-Walker, social action director of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which is why many African Americans respectfully stand when the hymn is played.

"Lift every voice and sing, 'til Earth and heaven ring," the song begins. "Ring with the harmonies of liberty." Its words include echoes of slavery and triumphs of freedom, moving from the "dark past" to a present hope and looking toward the "new day" ahead.

The song traces its roots to a 1900 celebration of Lincoln's birthday in Jacksonville, Fla., according to a 2000 book, "Lift Every Voice and Sing: A Celebration of the Negro National Anthem." James Weldon Johnson penned the words for the occasion and his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson, set them to music.

"Our New York publisher, Edward P. Marks, made mimeographed copies for us and the song was taught to and sung by a chorus of five hundred colored schoolchildren," he wrote in 1935.

The song that would catch on across the country initially "passed out of our minds," Johnson wrote. But children kept singing it, he said, passing it on to other children. Soon the song was pasted into the back of hymnals, Bibles and schoolbooks.

The song grew in popularity when Johnson became an executive of the NAACP.
"It was sung at the opening of every meeting," said Roland Carter, who arranged the popular concert version of the song and is a professor of American music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. "And 'We Shall Overcome' would be the closing anthem."

In one sign of how popular the song became, Carter's arrangement was played in space to awaken astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006.

Now that a black man presides at the White House, some have wondered whether the country still needs Black History Month, much less a black national anthem. The Rev. Vinton Anderson, a retired bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, sees a future for the hymn.

"I think we should continue the tradition of singing it," said Anderson, who helped place the song in the AME Church's bicentennial hymnal in 1984. "It reminds us of where we are, where we've come from and where we hope to go."

The Rev. Bernard Richardson, dean of the chapel at Howard University, believes the hymn isn't just for black Americans. "I think it speaks to the hopes of, particularly, African Americans throughout our history," he said. "But also I think the song is one that not only gives hope but it also challenges to stay the path and to recognize the importance and significance of God in the struggle for freedom."

Though the hymn is a staple at African American gatherings -- from church services to convocations at black universities -- it has been embraced by people of a range of backgrounds. The song is included in Methodist, Lutheran and Episcopal hymnals, among others.

The Rev. Sharon Watkins, president of the predominantly white Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), chose the same stanza of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" as Lowery did when she preached at the National Prayer Service the day after Obama's inauguration.

For a moment, when she heard the civil rights veteran use those same words in his prayer, she had second thoughts about using them.

"But I just thought, no, this belongs to everybody," Watkins said. "Those James Weldon Johnson words, they're just powerful."

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=51894404013&h=IFvpP&u=156et

Prayer at the Inaugural Concert

2009-01-18T15:40:00.001-06:00

+Gene Robinson's Prayer for President-elect Barack Obama
A Prayer for the Nation and Our Next President, Barack Obama
By The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire
Opening Inaugural EventLincoln Memorial, Washington, DCJanuary 18, 2009

Welcome to Washington! The fun is about to begin, but first, please join me in pausing for a moment, to ask God’s blessing upon our nation and our next president.

O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…
Bless us with tears – for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience – and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility – open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance – replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.

Bless us with compassion and generosity – remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.

And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.

Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.

Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand – that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.
AMEN.

Posted by Jim Naughton on January 18, 2009 2:22 PM

GOEs - They're Finished!!

2009-01-10T19:50:00.005-06:00

Here's my window of support and the final card that says "Celebrate. You're Done! I am so grateful for all of the gifts, notes, kindness, thoughts, prayers and support that was shown to me and to all my classmates during our week of GOEs.

This was an intense week of writing and answering questions and worship and collegiality among my classmates. I feel good about the work and responses I submitted. Time will tell how the 'readers' evaluate my responses. No matter the grades I was reminded that I am still a beloved child of God.

Thanks be to God!

GOEs - Six Down, One to Go!

2009-01-08T19:00:00.003-06:00

By tomorrow at 12:30 PM GOEs will be over! This has been an incredible week and the outpouring of support from so many people has been amazing.

The questions could have been much more difficult and the experience that much more painful. As it was, I feel like the questions were reasonable, at least so far! Church History is tomorrow morning. History is not my strong suit, but I'll do my best as I have with all of my responses.

Time will tell if my responses score a 4, 3, 2 or 1. The top 2 are 'passing grades' and the later 2 are 'not passing grades.' The 'grades' should come out in late February or March. But for now, I'm reveling in the fact that I've almost finished this week of comprehensive examinations! YIPPEE!!

2009-01-07T18:43:00.006-06:00

This is my room in the guest house at seminary where I have moved my books in order to take the General Ordination Exams (GOEs). I am pretty comfortable except for the desk chair. It is really not comfortable for a 3 1/2 hour exam, but the pillow makes it a little better. I suppose I could have moved my office chair from home, but it took all my strength to carry my suitcase up to the second floor!!

Today, Weds, is a day of rest from GOEs. I'm more than 1/2 way thru the process of comprehensive exams that every senior seminarian must experience in the United States! On Monday the questions were about 1. Holy Scripture and 2. Theology & Mission. Tuesday's questions were about 3. Contemporary Society and 4. Liturgy. Tomorrow's questions are about 5. Ethics and 6. Practice of Ministry and Friday's question is on 7. Church History.

The most amazing aspect of GOEs is the support that we all have received in terms of emails, notes on Facebook, care packages, baked goods and prayer partners. My prayer partner, who is traveling in Jerusalem with other students from seminary, even put a prayer in the Wall this week. Most awesome!!

Speaking of support, here's just a small sample of what I've received! And notice the balloons on the bed (above)!! Thanks everyone!!!!

General Ordination Exams

2009-01-05T19:26:00.002-06:00

For more than 3 years, ever since my Bishop made me a postulant, I have lived in anticipation of GOEs - General Ordination Exams. These are the comprehensive exams every Episcopal seminarian in the United States must take during their senior year. There are 7 sets or exams ranging from Holy Scripture to Church History. For some tests seminarians may only use limited resources, i.e. Bible and Book of Common Prayer, or open resources, i.e. anything your heart desires. For more information check out http://www.episcopalgbec.org/index.php

The 2009 General Ordination Exams started today! The first exam was available at 9AM and was on Holy Scripture with limited resources - Bible & BCP. The 3-page answer to needed to be submitted by 12:30PM. Then at 1:30 PM the second exam was available and was on Christian Theology with open resources due by 5:00 PM. I am taking the exam in a guest room at the seminary where I moved all of my books yesterday. It's comfortable to be on campus and nice to be with my classmates during lunch and our breaks.

We are also gathering in the chapel after the last exam of the day to share Eucharist together. It's a special time.

The juniors and middlers are taking good care of us, and a whole cloud of witnesses are keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. The GOEs are a requirement that have to be faced, and with the love and support of family and friends and complete strangers I am confident that "All Will Be Well." Thank you everyone!

Why Rick Warren Should NOT Offer Invocation

2008-12-18T15:49:00.004-06:00

From Bishop John Bryson Chane:

I am profoundly disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to invite Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church to offer the invocation at his inauguration. The president-elect has bestowed a great honor on a man whose recent comments suggest he is both homophobic, xenophobic, and willing to use the machinery of the state to enforce his prejudices—even going so far as to support the assassination of foreign leaders.

In his home state of California, Mr. Warren’s campaigned aggressively to deny gay and lesbian couples equal rights under the law, relying on arguments that are both morally offensive and theologically crude. Christian leaders differ passionately with one another over the morality of same-sex relationships, but only the most extreme liken the loving, lifelong partnerships of their fellow citizens to incest and pedophilia, as Mr. Warren has done. The president-elect’s willingness to associate himself with a man who espouses these views as a means of reaching out to religious conservatives suggests a willingness to use the aspirations of gay and lesbian Americans as bargaining chips, and I find this deeply troubling.

Mr. Warren has been rightly praised for his efforts to deepen the engagement of evangelical Christians with impoverished Africans. He has been justifiably lauded for putting the AIDS epidemic and global warming on the political agenda of the Christian right. Yet extravagant compassion toward some of God’s people does not justify the repression of others. Jesus came to save all of humankind, and as Archbishop Desmond Tutu has pointed out, “All means all.” But rather than embrace the wisdom of Archbishop Tutu, Mr. Warren has allied himself with men such as Archbishop Henry Orombi of Uganda who seek to “purify” the Anglican Communion, of which my Church is a member, by driving out gay and lesbian Christians and their supporters.

In choosing Mr. Warren, the president-elect has sent a distressing message internationally as well. In a recent television interview, Mr. Warren voiced his support for the assassination of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. These bizarre and regrettable remarks come at a time when much of the Muslim world already fears a Christian crusade against Islamic countries. Imagine our justifiable outrage if an Iranian cleric who advocated the assassination of President Bush had been selected to offer prayers when Ahmadinejad was sworn in.

I have worked with former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami to improve the relationship between our two countries as hawkish members of the Bush administration pushed for another war. He has spoken at the National Cathedral, which will host the president-elect’s inaugural prayer service, and I have visited with him several times in Iran and elsewhere. Iranian clerics are intensely interested in the religious attitudes of America’s leaders. In choosing Mr. Warren to offer the invocation at his inauguration, the president-elect has sent the chilling, and, I feel certain, unintended message that he is comfortable with Christians who can justify lethal violence against Muslims.

I understand that in selecting Mr. Warren, Mr. Obama is signaling a willingness to work with both sides in our country’s culture wars. I appreciate that there is political advantage in elevating the relatively moderate Mr. Warren above some of his brethren on the Religious Right. But in honoring Mr. Warren, the president-elect confers legitimacy on attitudes that are deeply contrary to the all-inclusive love of God. He is courting the powerful at the expense of the marginalized, and in doing so, he stands the Gospel on its head.

The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane
Eighth Bishop of Washington

http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/faith_and_politics/bishop_chane_expresses_concern.html

Letter from The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane

2008-12-10T13:49:00.005-06:00

This letter was sent to clergy and congregations in the Diocese of Washington (DC). Thank you Bishop Chane!

DIOCESE OF WASHINGTON
__________________________________________________________
The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane
Bishop of Washington December 9, 2008

To the Clergy and Congregations of the Diocese:

Last Thursday a front page article appeared in the New York Times, and a smaller article in the Washington Post, about the proposed formation of a new non-geographical province within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Episcopal Church. The proposed archbishop of this envisioned province is Bob Duncan, deposed bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

First and foremost, let me assure you that the formation of a non-geographical province within an existing province is highly unlikely. Before the establishment of any such province, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church would have to give her consent, and it is difficult to imagine that she would do so. If consent was given, the Archbishop of Canterbury would then form a committee of primates to discuss the feasibility of forming the new province. If two thirds of the primates felt that such a new province would assist and strengthen the ministry of the Anglican Communion, then the primates would forward their recommendation to the Archbishop of Canterbury who in turn would forward his recommendation to the Anglican Consultative Council for final vote and action. At present, neither two-thirds of the primates, nor the Archbishop seem favorably disposed to this
development.

The gathering in Wheaton, Illinois of Duncan, Martyn Minns and several hundred of their supporters who seek the formation of the non-geographical province came as no surprise to most of us in the House of Bishops. But the press it has received, especially in the New York Times, was well beyond what was warranted considering that the proposed province is, at most, about 5 percent of the size of the Episcopal Church and that its chances of recognition are dim. I realize, however, that this most recent installment in the media’s coverage of how the sky is allegedly falling on the Episcopal Church caught many members of our diocese by surprise, and I want to allay their anxieties. We face our share of problems in the Episcopal Church, but wholesale defections to a movement committed to denying gay and lesbian Christians the birthright of their baptism is not one of them.

The Archbishop of Canterbury wisely did not invite any of the bishops consecrated to serve in the Nigerian, Ugandan, Rwandan or Kenyan incursions into the United States to last summer’s Lambeth Conference. Nor did he invite bishops of the Reformed Episcopal Church, which broke from the Anglican Communion almost 130 years ago. Williams seems unlikely to reverse course now. He knows that the leaders of the proposed province have been working, overtly and covertly, to undermine the Episcopal Church for almost a decade, so what was a front page story to the editors of the New York Times was old news to him.

It would be folly for the Archbishop to even consider recognizing a non-geographical province because it would unleash chaos in the Communion, with theological minorities in every jurisdiction seeking to affiliate with likeminded Anglicans in other provinces. Unfortunately, the Archbishop has contributed to the confusion and anxiety the leaders of the proposed province have sought to foster by meeting on numerous occasions with Duncan and his allies. These meetings have bestowed an unwarranted sense of legitimacy on those who seek to deconstruct the Anglican Communion.

What Duncan and Minns propose – that Duncan become the Archbishop of a newly minted non-geographical province with the support of GAFCON primates such as Peter Akinola of Nigeria and Henry Orombi of Uganda – is a rejection of the respectful diversity and generous orthodoxy that defines the Communion. It is a repudiation of the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury in our communal life. It flies in the very face of what it truly means to be an Anglican. For Minns to suggest that he is leading a “new reformation” is ludicrous and demeans the historicity and value of the real Reformation as we know it and live it.

The movers of the proposed new province embarrass themselves, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion by the self-serving media coverage they have worked so hard to achieve. The news of the proposed province appears at a time when more than 28 million Americans are living on food stamps, one out of every 10 new mortgage holders is facing foreclosure, unemployment is at its highest level in decades, the auto industry is “tanking” and the real danger of deflation or a possible depression looms large on the horizon. In the global south, millions live on $1 a day, and wars, ethnic and religious violence, poverty and the AIDS epidemic continue to wrack the African continent. To learn in this context that Duncan, Minns and their allies think that the most important issue facing the church is the sexuality of the Bishop of New Hampshire suggests a level of self-absorption that is difficult to square with the teachings of Christ. And to learn that the New York Times considers the complaints of these deposed, retired and irregularly consecrated bishops to be front page news suggests a fixation on “culture wars” reporting that deprives readers of a true sense of the challenges facing the church in this country.

I write this to you because our clergy and congregations need to know the current status of the irregularly proposed new province within our church. I also need to share with you my disappointment in the behavior of men who were once bishops in the Episcopal Church. Some of these men have been my friends, but they have now taken their own personal agendas for power and control beyond the limits of common Christian charity and decency. As you may already know, the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church has deposed Duncan and John-David Schofield as bishops and priests in the church, and the Presiding Bishop has recently inhibited Bishop Jack Iker of Fort Worth and determined that he has renounced his orders. The case of Keith Ackerman, the former Bishop of Quincy, remains to be reviewed.

During this season of Advent, please keep Rowan our Archbishop in your daily prayers, as I know you will continue to pray for Katharine our Presiding Bishop and primate. Pray for the church, the body of Jesus Christ, that it might be a center of strength and a beacon of light and hope during these very tough economic times for those we serve here in the Diocese of Washington and in the global community.

In Christ’s Peace, Power and Love,
The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane, D.D.
Bishop of Washington

Same-Sex Marriage

2008-12-04T16:27:00.001-06:00

[from the San Diego Tribune]

Same-sex marriage
A question of how we feel about each other After Election 2008
By James R. Mathes December 4, 2008

When the Diocese of New Hampshire elected as its bishop a gay man living in a faithful, monogamous relationship, the Episcopal Church became a target. And so did I.

I received hate mail and even a death threat, so you can imagine that when I went to the Lambeth Conference in July – a conference of all Anglican bishops held every 10 years – it was with a certain degree of anxiety. Human sexuality is a charged issue in the Anglican Communion, so charged that the bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, was not invited.
Although he was not recognized as a participant, Bishop Robinson was permitted to make presentations twice during the two-and-a-half-week conference. Bishops from Africa, India, England, Asia, Australia and South America met Gene. Many of these bishops, who had rejected the very concept of an openly gay leader in the church, came to know the person and their perspectives changed.

On election night, friends who gathered at our home to watch the returns witnessed another change. When Barack Obama was declared the winner, we all sensed the history of the moment. I felt chills watching the president-elect in Grant Park in Chicago as he addressed the nation he would lead. As he spoke of healing and bringing unity to the United States, I remembered feeling similar chills when I met Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has taught us so much about healing divisions and reconciliation. Archbishop Tutu often leans on an African understanding called ubuntu, which can be captured in the words: “I am because you are.”

As I watched my friends listen to the president-elect, I felt connected to a constellation of people who had the capacity to overcome division and fear. I found myself filled with hope in the same way I had been when Bishop Robinson patiently met face-to-face with people who rejected him as a minister because of his sexuality and life partner.

Later in the evening, when it became clear that Proposition 8 would likely pass, the mood in our home changed again. Another historic moment had come. The state of California was changing its constitution to take away a right. A gay couple, who have been together longer than any of the straight couples present, quietly left our home, but their pain remained.

Many people say they have lots of gay friends, but they just don't approve of their “lifestyle.” In fact, Frank Schubert, the chief strategist who helped raise more than $40 million to pass Proposition 8, says he is not anti-gay, that he has a lesbian sister. I wonder if he celebrated this victory with his sister and her partner?

I feel a bit odd as a straight, white man making the case for gay and lesbian rights. It will seem even odder to some that I do so as a church leader. Nearly half of that $40 million war chest was contributed by Mormons, and we now know the Mormon Church was recruited to the cause by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco. But here's the rub. On Election Day, we voted to take away a right, a right that hurt no one and that did not threaten traditional marriage. In taking that right away, we hurt people and demeaned their humanity.

There are reasonable people who think I am wrong and that the right side prevailed on this issue. However, the ongoing protests so widely criticized by Proposition 8 supporters speak to the level of pain this measure has inflicted. Those who favored the proposition, especially, must own their share of responsibility for that pain.

The solution may be another proposition; but in the meantime, I suggest that we follow the lead of Desmond Tutu and remember that the dignity of each person depends on every other person: “I am because you are.” We need to come to fully understand the other: straight, gay, black, white, brown, disabled, smart, not so smart. History has taught us that when we do, the world is changed because we are changed.

* The Right Reverend Mathes is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081204/news_lz1e4mathes.html

President-Elect Obama and The Hug

2008-11-09T16:43:00.006-06:00

As soon as the announcement was made on CNN that Barack Obama was elected as the next President of the United States of America there was a collective shout of JOY and elation from folks in my neighborhood!! Then the fireworks and honking of car horns started and went on and on and on!!!! What a wonderful and historic evening and a new era for our country!!!!!

Unfortunately Potter, the cockapoo, was not so thrilled with all of the noise, especially the fireworks. He was shaking so much it was pitiful! I held him close and eventually he calmed down. He stayed close all night long!

I think Archibishop Desmond Tutu says is best:

"Today Africans walk taller than they did a week ago -- just as they did when Nelson Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994. Not only Africans, but people everywhere who have been the victims of discrimination at the hands of white Westerners, have a new pride in who they are. If a dark-skinned person can become the leader of the world's most powerful nation, what is to stop children everywhere from aiming for the stars?"

On Weds I walked across the seminary campus with one of my classmates who is a mature African American man. I asked him if he ever thought he would see this day, and after a pause he told me that he might cry again. He said that what surprised him was how he welled up with emotion as he walked into his polling place! Then I shared that my impluse is to hug my African American classmates. He said "that would be okay" so in the middle of the road we stopped and exhanged a heartfelt celebratory hug.

The challenges that face President-Elect Obama are great. Our prayers and patience will be needed. But our country has spoken and the global community has concurred - "Yes We Can!"

Prayer for an Election & Prayer for Social Justice

2008-11-03T18:34:00.002-06:00

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Donna Brazile Is Not Going To The Back Of The Bus

2008-10-08T19:33:00.003-05:00

http://jezebel.com/5059945/donna-brazile-is-not-going-to-the-back-of-the-bus

We've been waiting three days for this moment. This morning, the New Yorker finally posted video from "If I Were Running This Campaign," the Saturday morning panel featuring NY'er staff writer/moderator Jeffrey Toobin (swoon), and a bevy of his CNN colleagues, including Ed Rollins, Alex Castellanos, and Donna Brazile. Topics discussed: The GOP leadership, Bill Clinton, and Sarah Palin. As the 80-minute discussion wound down, Toobin raised the specter of race in the campaign, and Brazile, 48, let loose with an impassioned, ad-libbed exhortation that could be seen as a prescient, preemptive strike to the race-and-religion baiting tactics ("strategies"?) employed by the increasingly-ugly McCain-Palin campaign. Donna's remarks above; you can watch the entire video here.

World Blogging Day for Millennium Development Goals

2008-09-25T12:11:00.004-05:00

My stomach is aware that I usually eat at this time. But today at this time I will not eat. I am spending this time praying, fasting and witnessing in solidarity with thousands of others who are united in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

As my stomach grumbles I am remembering the people of Finetown, near Johannesburg, South Africa, who I met this summer. In spite of extreme poverty, living in homes made of cardboard and sheets of tin with outhouses out back and a water faucet down the deeply rutted dirt road from which they carted large plastic containers of water in wheelbarrows (if they were lucky), these lovely people shared their warm hospitality and joy with this stranger. In spite of AIDS and hunger, poverty and violence, these individuals shared their lives with me. The least, the very least I can do is pray, fast and witness.

O God open our eyes to see those in need. Open our hands to give to those in need. Open our hearts to care for those who are poor and in need, and to care for Mother Earth. Open our ears to hear the cries of women and men who are victims of rape, mutilation and terror. Break open our lives to love our global neighbors as ourselves and to care for this earth, our island home. Amen.

Sept. 25: Pray. Fast. Witness.

2008-09-24T19:01:00.004-05:00

In solidarity with people of faith throughout the world and in response to the Anglican Communion's call, Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation invites you to commit tomorrow - Thursday, September 25 to:

+Pray. Say prayers with special intention for the extreme poor throughout the world.

+Fast. Skip at least one meal in solidarity with the nearly 1 billion people who go to bed hungry each night. (As possible depending on health ... consult your doctor if in doubt)
Click here for information about giving the money you would have spent on the meal(s) you skip to ERD's MDG Inspiration Fund.

+Witness. Participate in an online advocacy action promoting our government's fulfilling its promises to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

White Privilege - Something to Ponder

2008-09-19T11:05:00.005-05:00

http://www.opednews.com/articles/This-is-Your-Nation-on-Whi-by-Tim-Wise-080916-307.html

Worth reading and pondering.

Statehood for Washington, DC - PLEASE!!

2008-09-17T19:04:00.004-05:00

The District of Columbia needs to become a state so that we are not governed by the Federal Government. Our citizens are being overlooked as the House of Representatives and possibly Senators with the President's backing EASE gun control regulations in DC.

From the Washington Post:
"The House bill would abolish the city's gun registration requirements and allow residents to own semiautomatic pistols and rifles. It also would allow District residents to buy guns in Virginia and Maryland and would prohibit the council from taking any action to "discourage or eliminate" private ownership or use of firearms. " http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/17/AR2008091701314.html?hpid=topnews

You've got to be kidding me! In the Nation's Capital, which already has a high crime rate, the government is going to allow residents to own semiautomatic pistols and rifles!!!

We need our statehood so we can govern ourselves. Then hopefully this type of legislation would never become law.

Sermon - Constance & Her Companions 9.9.08

2008-09-14T19:42:00.005-05:00

Texts - Psalm 116:1-8; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; John 12:24-28

Hear again Paul’s words to the Corinthians, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.”

This is considered to be the most eloquent passage on comfort in the entire New Testament. Paul notes that all comfort comes from God who, whenever God’s children experience sufferings and hardships, provides abundant consolation through Christ.

Paul, in this pericope, uses the words ‘paraklesis’ or ‘parakaleo’ ten times. This word is translated as consolation, appeal and comfort. Comfort – a feel-good word that describes for us a sense of well-being, physical ease, freedom from pain and anxiety. And yet, the meaning of Comfort is much more empowering. Comfort comes from the root ‘fortis’, which means to fortify or strengthen in heart, mind and soul. “Comfort relates to encouragement, help, and exhortation. God’s comfort strengthens weak knees and sustains sagging spirits so that one faces the troubles of life with unbending resolve and unending assurance.”[1] Comfort is what we seek when we pray “grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart through Christ our Lord.”

Today we commemorate Constance and her Companions, commonly known as “The Martyrs of Memphis.” During August of 1878 Yellow Fever invaded the city of Memphis for the third time in ten years. While more than half of the citizens fled the city, nearly 20,000 people remained. At the height of the epidemic the death toll averaged 200 people a day. When the worst of the epidemic was over ninety percent of the population had contracted Yellow Fever and more than 5,000 people had died.

Constance, the Superior of the Sisters of St. Mary in Memphis, and her sisters remained to care for those affected by the epidemic. They were joined by three physicians, two of whom were ordained Episcopal priests, as well as several volunteer nurses from New York. They worked out of the Cathedral buildings that were located in the most infected region of Memphis. From these buildings the women and men of God gave relief to the sick, comfort to the dying and homes to the many orphaned children.[2]

AIDS is today’s epidemic. In the Diocese of Christ the King, South Africa, AIDS affects more than 18 % of the population – predominantly the poorest of the poor, the most vulnerable and the defenseless.

During my visit there this summer I witnessed a heart-wrenching conversation between Nandi, the Diocesan AIDS Coordinator, and the mother of a young woman with AIDS. The mother had recently learned that her daughter’s AIDS might have been prevented had she not discouraged her daughter from reporting the rape. But she was ashamed of the rape and fearful of the reaction from her community so she refused to seek treatment for her daughter; treatment which she recently learned would have included anti-viral drugs that most likely would have prevented HIV & AIDS. Now, several years later, AIDS is slowly killing her daughter. Nandi, through her words and actions, provided this Mother with comfort and consolation, strengthening her in heart, mind and soul, and empowering her to share her story so that others will not experience the same fate.

We will all encounter opportunities, during our time at seminary, CPE, fieldwork and other ministries, to provide comfort and consolation to others who need to be strengthened in heart, mind and soul. We ourselves may encounter times when we need to receive comfort and strength. My friends, remember Constance and her companions, as well as Nandi, and know that the God of all consolation will comfort us and strengthen us and will empower us to comfort those who are in any affliction through Jesus Christ our Lord.

[1] David E. Garland, 2 Corinthians of New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999, p. 60.
[2] Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2006. New York: Church Publishing Company, 2006, p.370.

Chapel Team Week

2008-09-08T20:00:00.003-05:00

Week two of senior year and I've finally engaged! On hindsight I realize I've had more difficulty with 're-entry' than I thought or expected. While I successfully made it through the 3-week immersion in Greek which began a short 48 hours after returning from South Africa, I did not lock into my new schedule and responsibilities when the semester started after Labor Day! So this weekend I spent a significant amount of time getting a hold of things including my schedule, 'to do list', and upcoming deadlines.

The most important set of responsibilites this week revolves around Chapel Team! I am serving on a team with Juniors, Middlers and another Senior, as well as a Faculty Advisor. We lead daily Morning Prayer and the Wednesday Noonday Eucharist for the seminary community. Today I was the greeter; tomorrow I read the lesson from Job; Weds AM I officiate; Weds Noon I chalice; and Thurs I read the lesson from the New Testament. As I senior I am invited to preach at a noonday Eucharist during Chapel Team Week. I accepted the invitation and will stand in the seminary pulpit tomorrow at noon and share the Good News!! The text is II Corinthians 1:3-5. The thesis is that God comforts us, a.k.a. strengthens us, so we are strengthened to comfort others. Prayers are appreciated!

Summer Is Almost Over

2008-08-26T21:02:00.004-05:00

I have two more days of Greek - a quiz and final test! I am amazed at how much I've learned in 3 weeks, and I am able to translate basic sentences - very exciting!!

My Thursday night class on Spiritual Direction starts this week. The course is offered at another seminary in the area. A number of classmates are taking this class. Should be fun to learn with them in a different environment.

My September calendar is filling up. Field Education begins on Sunday, Sept 7th. I serve on chapel team the week of Sept 7th and will preach in the seminary chapel on Sept 9th - Constance & Her Companions. The following weekend (9/19-20) is our class retreat and I will be facilitating a workshop on the labyrinth. Our class gift, at this point, MAY be an outdoor labyrinth which, personally, I think would be a tremendous addition to the campus.

The metaphor of the labyrinth is applicable to life, especially to life of a senior in seminary! One needs to remind oneself to take one step at a time, and even though there are twists and turns, it is important to stay on the path. Breathe, pace yourself, rest when necessary, and keep your eyes open! And so I will!

It's Greek to Me!

2008-08-19T15:20:00.003-05:00

I'm immersed in Biblical Greek and it is Greek to me! I started the three-week summer course last Tuesday, three days after returning from South Africa. In addition to daily quizzes, we have two major tests the first of which is Thursday. For me Greek has been easier, maybe more logical, than Hebrew, which I took the summer of my Junior year. It does help that the professor is engaged and enthusiastic about the subject! So far we've memorized more than 50% of the words in the New Testament, of course that includes all the "ands, buts and fors."

Surprisingly I am one of two Seniors in the class, except for the TA. I think there are about the same number of Seniors in Hebrew.

Well, I need to study vocabulary, and work on parsing and translation! Wish me luck!!

Cape Town

2008-08-11T18:13:00.015-05:00

We arrived in Cape Town late on Tuesday, August 5th. We stayed in De Waterkant area in a very nice, three story townhouse with a roof deck where we had a wonderful view of Table Mountain. (seen here).

Marla & I went to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and others were held as political prisoners in the 1960's, '70's and '80's. Our second guide was Eugene, a former political prisoner, who was arrested when he was protesting against the unequal education that blacks received. He shared stories of other prisoners asking him to read their letters and write letters as they were illiterate.

Our first guide showed us the quarry where prisoners including Nelson Mandela worked in the hot sun splitting rocks into gravel. The cave served as a class room in addition to a place of shade. Several years ago there was a reunion for political prisioners and Nelson Mandela was asked to demonstrate the labor of splitting rocks. As he left the quarry for the last time, Mandela picked up a rock and put it down at the entrance to the quarry. The other former prisioners followed his example and this pile stands as a memorial.

It was too overcast on the day we tried to take the cable car up to the top of Table Mountain. It was the only day of our two weeks that the weather was somewhat inclement. A nice tourist took our photo! We left South Africa on 8/8/08 and returned home on 8/9/08. We had a wonderful time with our friends and loved South Africa. It's a beautiful country. Thanks for sharing our journey!

Boesmanskop & Vineyards

2008-08-11T17:28:00.017-05:00

Last week, on our way from Knysna to Cape Town we stopped overnight at Boesmanskop, an amazing bed & breakfast which is nestled in the mountains at Kruisrivier. Boesmanskop is a dairy farm, as well as a vineyard. In addition there are ostriches and sheep on the farm. The views were spectacular and the food was delicious!!! And our accommodations were amazing!! http://www.boesmanskop.co.za/

Here are some photos.

On the way from Boesmanskop we stopped at the Jaubart-Traudauw Vineyard for lunch. Some more amazing views and interesting shadows!!

Then, while in Cape Town, we drove to Stellenbosch to the Warwick Vineyard where we enjoyed a wine tasting. Milla's nephew, Theo, who's studying wine making and agriculture provided lots of good information!

South African wine is very good and we brought some home to enjoy with friends!

Knysna Sunset

2008-08-04T02:15:00.005-05:00

We've had a wonderful time visiting our friends in Knysna. Last night they hosted a braai or barbeque with 10 of their friends. It was a wonderful evening and a nice opportunity to meet some really fantastic women. Here's a view from the deck.

Photos of People - Christ the King Diocese

2008-08-02T12:14:00.012-05:00

Here are photos of some of the wonderful folks with whom I spent time during my "plunge" in the Diocese of Christ the King: The Rev. Horace McBride (Archdeacon) & Lorraine, The Rev. Joan Hepburn (Archdeacon) & Jean, Nandi & Shirley, Betty & the Maropefela family, Beth & Sharon and The Rev. Gijimane.

Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome and hospitality. My ministry will be forever impacted by my time with you and my experience within your Diocese.

The Big Five!!!

2008-08-01T10:12:00.006-05:00

Marla & I enjoyed 3 wonderful days at Kruger National Park. Our homebase was the Skukuza Camp where we stayed in a 'luxury bungalow'.
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/camps/skukuza/

We enjoyed a sunset and a sunrise game drive, and we drove around part of this massive park in our Toyoto Helux (big, big diesel) truck. Hopefully I will be able to post photos soon, but suffice it to say we got up close to many animals including lions, elephants and giraffes! The big five include lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinos and leopards. We were fortunate that at the end of our drive yesterday we finally saw the elusive leopard!

We are now in the Johannesburg Airport awaiting our 2nd delayed flight of the day. We are flying to George where we will visit with our friends Milla & Elizabeth who live in Knysna (pronounced NIZE na). On Monday or Tuesday we will all drive to Cape Town where we will stay for a few days until 8/8 when Marla & I begin our long journey home!

p.s. These are actual photos we took, not stock photos! And we do not have a high tech zoom lens. The animals were really close to us and our vehicle (in which we stayed)!!!

Apartheid & Oppression

2008-07-23T12:12:00.008-05:00

Since I have been in South Africa, I have learned a lot about Apartheid and about the oppression that blacks experienced in the 1960s and 1970s. In addition to watching some of the documentaries in celebration of Mandiba's (Nelson Mandela's) birthday, I have been taken by my hosts to Soweto and the Hector Peterson Museum. The Hector Peterson Museum in Soweto commemorates the 566 people who died in the student uprising that followed the events of June 16, 1976. It is named for Hector Peterson, a 12-year-old boy who was the first person shot dead by police on the day that changed South Africa, and is located near a memorial to his death. http://www.gauteng.com/content.php?page=Hector%20Peterson%20Museum

After touring the museum we drove by the nearby homes of Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Winnie Mandela. The Nelson Mandela home is being turned into a museum.

Today I visited the Sharpeville Museum and Memorial. The Memorial commemorates the 69 innocent victims who were shot by police, also known as the Sharpeville Massacre, when blacks protested over the mandate that they carry a pass (or something that looks like a passport) with them at all times . http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/sharpeville.htm March 21st, the day of the Sharpeville Massacre, is also known as Human Rights Day in South Africa.

I also saw the nearby stadium, also in Sharpeville, where Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected President, signed the South Africa Constitution on May 8, 1996.

These are both important historical events and places for South Africans, as is Robben Island - the prison where Nelson Mandela and many other blacks were held for years. I will tour Robben Island when I'm in Cape Town on August 6th. The stories and the photos remind me of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/about/about.asp

We need to know and understand our history and our complicity in oppression of people who are different. Last week at the stakeholders meeting a report was being given about a failed attempt to persuade a local shopping mall to allow for 'health and information fair' of HIV/AIDS providers. The mall's marketing manager flatly refused to allow this event and was reportedly rude and abrupt to the stakeholders. From behind me someone asked if the woman was white. I paused and reviewed in my mind the images of the people in the room. It was then I realized that I was the only white person there.

Part of the challenge is that AIDS is unfortunately still considered a black person's disease in South Africa. While there are some white people with AIDS who have come forward, there is still a great racial stigma.

Still I wonder, how often do we make statements or ask questions that oppress the other? How often are we the one being oppressed?

We have so far to go and so much work to do to build a world where all people are treated equally and where the basic needs of people are being met. There is so much poverty here and around our world. We must consider our global family and begin to love our global neighbor as ourselves. We have much to share and there is so much need.

Please consider making a contribution to the AIDS Program at the Diocese of Christ the King. For more information please go to: http://www.christthekingdiocese-anglican.org/theme.php?id=57

Happy Birthday Madiba!

2008-07-21T06:45:00.006-05:00

This was the sentiment all through the country on Saturday - celebrating Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday! There have been some wonderful tributes on television for Mr. Mandela! Over the weekend my hosts, a beautiful family named Maropefela, showed me a wonderful time from a family dinner to a braai. A braai is the word in South Africa for big barbeque with lots of meat - sausage, steak, chicken, etc. and other foods - beans, salad, rolls, etc. I attended church at Holy Trinity in Turfontain with my host family and found the liturgy to be almost exactly the same as ours across the ocean! Holy Trinity has a very active children and youth education programs, and they are very involved at the refugee camp.

Speaking of refugee camp, we tried on Friday and Saturday to enter the camp so I could visit with some of the displaced people; however, we were not allowed. A new registration program was recently started and some of the people in the camp revolted on the previous Weds. so visitors have not been allowed to enter the camp. Even Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children representatives have been turned away. Because today is the deadline for the registration program it is expected that more violence will break out today. And the South African government says it will close the camp at the end of this month.

The refugees are from countries like Zimbabwe where they fled for fear of being killed and if they register in South Africa they will not be treated as refugees by the United Nations and will not have protection. If they are sent back to their country they most likely will be killed. It seems to be a 'no-win' situation. Someone said that it is only when the situation becomes a crisis that the United Nations will come in and help resettle these people.

I did not take any photos of the camp as photos were not allowed. But the camp was basically a large park that had been filled with large white tents like we would see at a wedding reception. Hundreds and hundreds of families and people - young and old - are living in these tents. The area churches serve the government issued food three times a day. Before the violence, the churches and NGOs were able to provide counseling and assistance. Please pray for the people in this camp, for the government officials and for the countless volunteers and staff and that this crisis will soon be peacefully resolved.

Bits & Pieces

2008-07-15T09:27:00.016-05:00

Today was a day of meetings. Nandi picked me up at 7:30 AM so we could make it to an area HIV/AIDS stakeholder meeting by 9:00 AM. We picked up Sello on the way and arrived by 8:50 AM. Representatives from various governmental agencies, including the Health Department and Social Service Department, as well as NGOs and business (Nestle) were represented. The meeting began 'promptly' at 9:30 AM and ended at 2:00 PM!! The good news is that this type of collaboration and communication is new to South Africa and this monthly meeting has become a model for other jurisdictions. After the meeting finished the hosts served a light lunch.

Tonight at 5:30 PM I attended with Nandi an Executive Counselors Meeting of the Diocese. The meeting started on time and ended by 6:40 PM. Much better than this morning!

I am eager to get back out in the field tomorrow. We are visiting the refugee camp that 'houses' a number of people who have fled from Zimbabwe. It's sure to be an interesting day.

I thought I would share a bit of my experience since I've been staying at the Diocesan Conference Center - St. Peter's Place. I'm currently the only guest and the staff are feeding me like there are three or four people here. The food is delicious and water is always available for a 'spot of tea' or coffee. I've become a tea drinker since arriving in South Africa! I have a lovely private suite with private bath. The bath doesn't have a shower so I use a cup to pour water over my head to wash my hair. It works quite well!

The staff has also been packing lunch for me. The other day we were sharing lunch - Nandi, Sello & I - when I spotted what looked like a peanut butter & jelly 1/4 sandwich. I, a lover of peanut butter, took a bite and immediately realized that the 'jelly' was fish paste! Not wanting to be an ungrateful guest, I continued to chew and swallow and to finish the 1/4 sandwich! There was another 1/4 fish paste sandwich in the lunch which no one else ate, so it was returned in the container. I haven't found another fish paste sandwich in my lunch box!

I have especially enjoyed my early morning visits with the manager of St. Peter's Place. Sharon is an ordained priest, and we've discovered that we have common interests, especially around healing ministry. I have a new author, Mike Endicott, to read when I return home.

Tomorrow at 4:00 PM I will be picked up by another member of the Plunge Committee and will spend the weekend at her home. I will return to the McBrides Sunday night and will be housed with them for rest of the week. I will be spending the days with various clergy and lay people who also serve on the Plunge Committee. I am not sure what we'll be doing next week, but I'm sure I will have experiences to share!

I am most grateful to Nandi and the HIV/AIDS staff for sharing this time with me and allowing me to experience their ministry. I am also grateful to Sharon and the staff at St. Peter's Place. Thank you all for your gracious welcome and hospitality. I hope we meet again.

"Finetown"

2008-07-15T09:27:00.010-05:00

Today Nandi & I, Agnes, the head of the Mother's Union and Sello, the local coordinator, went to the shanty town called "Finetown". There's nothing fine about it, however! Most of the homes were made of tin - siding and roofing with gaps between the tin sheeting. All had outhouses with new-looking vent pipes (to keep people from dying from methane gas). And some had water taps in the "yards" while others had no water and the occupants had to go to a community water supply which had several faucets to fill jugs of water. I saw someone pushing a wheel barrow with 2 or 3 large plastic containers of water back to their home.

The 'roads' were not paved and were deeply rutted making hard for Nandi to drive. Dust was everywhere! We visited several clients in Finetown, sitting outside on borrowed chairs, stools or benches from neighbors. One lady invited us to sit inside her home. A curtain separated her bedroom (I think) from the kitchen, dining, sitting area. She has no ID so she cannot receive services - food & financial support - for herself and her family (3 children). She lost her birth certificate and only has a baptismal certificate. Nandi talked with her about presenting the baptismal certificate as ID to see if it's acceptable; otherwise, she told the lady that she would get an affidavit to say she lost her birth certificate. If anyone can find a way to get this lady an ID it is Nandi!

Some of the neighbors in Finetown were drinking beer that Nandi told me they spike with battery acid to make it more potent. You can see, she told me, their red lips that have been burned from the acid.

Today was quite shocking for me. It's so sad and yet Nandi and her staff & volunteers are doing amazing work and providing so much support, but as Sello said to me, "the need is overwhelming."

Lesedi La Kreste - Light of Christ

2008-07-15T09:27:00.008-05:00

Today and yesterday I traveled around the Diocese with Nandi Tshaka, the Diocesan AIDS Coordinator. We visited two homes where children as young as 2 months and as old as 18 years are being cared for by women with help from the Church, government and private companies. We happened upon an event being sponsored at one of the homes by ABI - African Beverage Incorporated. Nandi was delighted to see the business and community collaboration that has taken place since her last visit to this home. The walls were freshly painted, the rooms clean with new bunk beds, mattresses and blankets and an office for the staff. We also visited one of Nandi's clients who, in spite of many attempts to receive anti-viral drugs at the local clinic, kept on being denied. Nandi escorted the client to the clinic and was successful in getting proper treatment for her. As we visited yesterday the mother shared the story of her daughter's rape and how they told no one because of fear and shame. The mother had recently learned that if the rape had been reported to the health clinic her daughter might have received the anti-viral drugs which would have prevented HIV/AIDS. The mother wept as she told Nandi how responsible she feels for hiding this secret. Nandi shared that this is not uncommon - the shame and stigma of rape and HIV/AIDS is pervasive in South Africa. And more often than not the men are set free and the women have no rights to pursue action against them.

Today we visited an Anglican Primary School - Lesedi La Kreste (Light of Christ) - which has 1200 students from 5 years to 7th grade. The children were having lunch as we walked through the campus, and they smiled and waved to us. We visited with the principal and the school counselor who shared stories of the needs and challenges facing some of the children. The counselor told of a 2nd grader, probably 7 or 8 years old, who was raped by her step-brother and who hadn't told anyone until the counselor spoke to the class about sexual awareness.

These stories are heartbreaking and yet, it is wonderful that the Anglican Church in South Africa, specifically the Diocese of Christ the King, is committed to HIV/AIDS education, awareness, counseling, treatment, support and advocacy. Nandi has championed this effort for many years, first as a volunteer and now as a full-time staff person. She has established an impressive network of coordinators and counselors who lead these efforts in the Diocese. Some parishes are still reluctant to support this work, but Nandi continues to encourage their involvement. As she says, "Step by step we are making a difference."

I will spend the rest of the week with Nandi visiting more projects, clients and programs. She is a strong woman who is deeply passionate about her work and her clients. Thank God for her commitment and for the support of the Diocese, government and other organizations. She and her staff and volunteers are definitely making an impact in this part of South Africa.

Winter in South Africa

2008-07-15T09:27:00.007-05:00

It is winter in South Africa and while I don't exactly know the temperature I am guessing that at night it goes down to 35 or 40 degrees. Fortunately for the past two days it has been sunny during the day so I have been warm with a light sweater or polartec vest over my turtlneck. At night, however, I use a space heater to stay warm. The first night I did not feel comfortable turning it on, but couldn't sleep because I was cold so for the past two nights I've used the heater for at least part of the night.

This week I am staying at the Diocesan Conference Center - St. Peter's Place. This Diocesan offices are here, but unfortunately I will not meet Bishop Peter John Lee. He is attending the Lambeth Conference. Since I was confused, I will mention that this is a different Bishop Peter J. Lee from Bishop Peter J. Lee of Virginia! The Virginia Bishop's middle name is James, I think.

My accomodations are wonderful. I have a private suite and am currently the only guest here. Sharon, the manager who is also an ordained priest, has been very gracious to allow me to use her computer in the evenings. We've also enjoyed some wonderful conversations. I eat in the dining hall (by myself) and have enjoyed delicious meals. I hope to upload some photos in the next day or two so check back on the posts!

Arrived Safely in South Africa

2008-07-14T03:10:00.002-05:00

A quick post to say I arrived Saturday evening in South Africa after two flights totaling about 16 hours with 2 hours in Paris. The McBrides, my hosts, were there to greet me. They are a lovely couple with whom I've enjoyed some wonderful conversation. The Reverend Horace McBride is an Archdeacon in Christ the King Diocese. His wife and I went to the Sunday service in the chapel next door to the Rectory yesterday morning. I hope to post photos when I am able to use my laptop.

I will be spending the week traveling with Nandi, the Diocesan AIDS Coordinator and will be staying at the Diocesan Conference Center in Johannesburg. Then I will return to the McBrides next Sunday.

Preparing for "The Plunge"

2008-07-01T08:47:00.007-05:00

In 10 days I will be flying to Johannesburg, South Africa for "The Plunge" - a ministry immersion in the Diocese of Christ the King which is just outside Joh'burg. I am looking forward to staying at the home of the Archbishop and his wife and experiencing ministry in a new part of the world. I hope to spend time with the diocese's AIDS ministry and Mother's Union. I'm sure that "The Plunge" will significantly impact my ministry in ways that I cannot even imagine! I expect to blog during my journey so stay tuned.

In preparation I've started the hepatitis A & B shot series. I'll start taking typhoid pills later this week. Can't wait for the flu-like side effects!!! I have malaria pills to take before, during and after my three-day visit to Kruger National Park which is scheduled to take place after "The Plunge." In fact, I'm spending two weeks after "The Plunge" traveling around South Africa, eventually visiting friends in Knysna and winding up in Cape Town.

Since it's winter there I will need to get sweaters and warm clothes out of the closet! Seems odd to pack fleece when it's 90 degrees at home! I'm making progress on the list of all the other details - paying bills, car, home and pet care, etc. There is a lot of preparation before leaving for a month!

Meeting Presiding Bishop Katharine

2008-05-21T20:45:00.005-05:00

Tonight's Service for the Mission of the Church at Seminary was extra special because Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was the preacher. As the lead sacristan for the service I introduced myself to +PB Katharine and offered assistance. I tripped over my words and said "lectern" and "podium" before arriving at "pulpit" explaining that is adjustable and she might want to check it before the service. Nerves are funny!

The service was great and her sermon was right on! I hope to link to the text in the coming days. I'm thrilled that she signed my copy of her book On a Wing and a Prayer. Tomorrow is commencement and she will receive an honorary degree, along with several other folks.

It is bittersweet to say goodbye to the graduating class - joy for their future endeavors and sadness that they are leaving. The reality that I will be a senior and graduating next year is sinking in too!!

One Down, One To Go!

2008-05-15T10:41:00.005-05:00

One exam - Systematic Theology - is finished and tomorrow I have my final, comprehensive, entire semester worth of Ethics exam! Then preaching Sunday on the Trinity using a visual. Sermon discussion is after the service - a new experience for me! I still have to put final touches on a paper for ST before COB on Monday and then I'm truly a Senior! It's exciting and yet bittersweet. I will miss the Seniors who are graduating and moving onto new ministries. As a sacristan, I will be carrying the Processional Cross for graduation next Thursday (5/22). It's an honor.

Summer will involve working at the Seminary Library and other places before spending a week at 'preaching camp' at Villanova. A week's vacation in Miami at the end of June and then heading to South Africa for an immersion - cross cultural experience in mid-July. Fortunately I will have 2+ weeks to tour South Africa before returning home in time to study Greek!

But for now, I'm off to study for my Ethics exam!

3rd Quarter and Holy Week!

2008-03-19T13:24:00.004-05:00

In an interesting convergence of circumstances the end of the 3rd quarter and exams, midterms & finals, happened this week which is also Holy Week! Granted we are to be walking in the Way of the Cross and experiencing the pain of suffering of Christ's passion and death, but having this suffering overlap with the suffering of exams is just too much! Then on top of it, someone(s) removed all of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer books from the Seminary Chapel so that the Chapel Team and I, as Sacristan, were scrambling Monday morning to locate enough prayer books so people could worship at our 8:10 Morning Prayer service. The would be jokester placed 1928 Prayer Books in the pews and put "1928" on the hymn boards. The prank, in my opinion, was poorly timed and inappropriate, and the lack of comment from the powers-that-be has been surprising. I've been wondering "what would Jesus do?" and I think Jesus would have a few choice words to say! But alas, the Prayer Books were found and returned to their places, my exams are finished and the focus is now on the Tritium. For a good article on what these next few days means to Christians go to http://www.newsday.com/news/columnists/ny-opkea5615834mar17,0,6496178.column

I will be serving at my Field Ed parish for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday night and two services on Easter Sunday. It will be good to join this faithful community as we worship and journey together through this most Holy Week.

On Month Later

2008-02-23T06:58:00.010-06:00

I returned from Honduras and had a few days off before starting back at seminary. I am past the halfway point in my three-year seminary journey! I wonder how this is possible! My seminary operates on a semester and quarter system. Each semester has two quarters so this quarter I am finishing Church History - from 1600 to the present. My semester courses are Christian Ethics, Systematic Theology II and Colloquy which is a companion course to field education, or as I like to call it 'student priesting.' I spend every Sunday at my field ed parish where I serve at the altar, occasionally preach and proclaim the Gospel, and co-lead the Rite 13 group (teenagers). Co-leading Rite 13 is good and challenging for me because I haven't had much experience with teenagers! Also as part of field ed I meet monthly with a committee of lay people who provide me with feedback on my sermons and generally support me as I learn more about parish leadership and becoming a priest. It's a wonderful parish and I'm thankful to be there!

Speaking of parishes, my Bishop has transferred me to a new sponsoring parish. After 8 years I am moving from the parish that I joined when I moved here from Houston. This was the parish where I discerned my call for ordination and where the people joined me in that discernment, raised me up and supported me on this journey towards ordination. It's hard to leave these people and this place that has meant so much to me; however, it is my Bishop's decision to move me to a new sponsoring parish for my continuing formation. This is a time of sadness, grief and new beginnings. It seems appropriate and right that this transition coincides with the season of Lent.

Una Mas Clase!

2008-01-24T20:50:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is my last Spanish class here. It has been a wonderful experience to spend three weeks in Honduras at Our Little Roses and to learn Spanish. I have learned so much! I will return home able to understand a lot and able to speak a little more. I am far from fluent, but I have a better foundation on which to continue to build!

In celebration of one more class - una mas clase - and as a thank you to Belkis, we went to dinner and a movie tonight. On the way we stopped at Parque Central so I could take pictures of the statues (see Substitute Teacher). Sadly the fountains were not working, but I did get my pictures of the Honduran women. You can see they are very, very strong women! Our Little Roses is a place where strong and caring women are raised. It's been a privilege to live here among them. I have lollipops to give the girls at lunch tomorrow as a 'thank you' for their hospitality. I hope to say a few words of thanks, but I may only get to say "Muchas Gracias"!

I have done and seen things I never would have imagined before coming here. Our Little Roses is a wonderful ministry and I would definitely recommend their language school. The impact of this trip on my life and my ministry will be significant. I have not really had time to process all that I have done, seen and experienced.

Thank you for accompanying me on this journey! It's been great to share this with you. Adios!

The Home & The Girls

2008-01-23T19:34:00.000-06:00

I realize I haven't talked much about the girls here at Our Little Roses. This photo is of the center courtyard of their home. The dormitory style bedrooms and bathrooms as well as the dining room, television room, study room and workshop surround this courtyard. There are approximately 61 girls currently living in the home, and they are between the ages of 4 years to 20 years. There are two houses in the community where older girls live who are attending the university or working.

While I have had meals with the girls and have enjoyed some fun times with them (see Pulhapanzak Falls and A Grand Party) I really have not interacted very much with them. For a few days I did my homework in their study room, but the constant flow of girls in and out and their quarrels about puzzles and games was too distracting for me. And unfortunately they did not seem to welcome my interest in practicing Spanish with them! Not that I blame them. How many language students each year must say to them, "?Como se llama? [What is your name?] Me llamo _____. [My name is ____.]"

It has been interesting to watch the girls and their interactions with one another. There is a real spirit of care and compassion that surrounds this place. The older girls care for the younger girls. And there is a lot of love and protection, not just among the girls but also among the Tias (the employees who live with and care for the girls) as well as the other staff like the cooks, drivers and guards.

The girls have chores in the home and based on a merit system they may receive special privileges at the end of the week or month. There are always girls sweeping and mopping in the home and around the compound. And it is not surprising how much trash can acculmulate, especially considering all of the students, parents, and teachers that come into the compound every day.

The girls have sponsors, people who virtually 'adopt' them and provide financial support for their care. Most girls have more than one sponsor. For more information about sponsoring a girl or to contribute to OLR click here: http://www.ourlittleroses.org/

For me the lasting impression I will take home is the love and generosity that I experienced here, as well as the many, many smiles that reflect God's love for all God's children, including you and me.

La Clinica

2008-01-22T14:15:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I visited the clinic as a patient! I had been hearing a rattling in my chest for a week and when I awoke yesterday I had a sore throat and my left ear was stopped up. Fortunately OLR runs a clinic in the neighborhood so Belkis and I walked there so I could see a doctor - el medico. The small waiting room had 12 seats and all were full by the time I got to see the doctor. He diagnosed me with an upper respiratory infection caused most likely by the dust or mold here. He prescribed an antibiotic, advil and a cough syrup. The nurse/receptionist filled the 1st two prescriptions, but we had to drive to the pharmacy - la farmacia - for the cough syrup.

I'm not sure what my experience would have been if OLR didn't own the clinic, but I couldn't help think about the health care system in the United States and the disparity of people not having health insurance, and not being able to afford it even when they are working several jobs to support themselves and their families. Something needs to change.

Anyway, I took a three hour nap after lunch and slept very well last night. Hopefully all this rest in combination with the medicine will rid me of this infection! I certainly don't want to return home sick!

Copan: The Adventure! Part III

2008-01-22T13:37:00.001-06:00

The food! I've already mentioned that on Friday night at Via Via I enjoyed a hamburger and fries. Saturday morning, at La Casa de Todo, I had a mozzarella omelet with toasted homemade bread (see photo - Copan Part I)

Saturday night I treated myself to Twisted Tanya's, a very unique and good restaurant in Copan. I selected their 3-course dinner and had homemade mushroom soup (fantastic), tilapia with a unique sauce (the name is laropa, I think) and homemade carrot cake with cafe' con leche. The whole meal with a drink was $21. Extravagant, I know!

Sunday morning I was back at La Casa de Todo where I tried their homemade mango yogurt with granola. It was delicious. I actually spent the morning at La Casa working on my Spanish. I wasn't in the mood to tour and it was raining, so I sat in their garden protected by a roof and watched the rain and a hungry hummingbird while conjugating verbs! It was a great morning!

Fortunately, before boarding the bus I got lunch in the bus terminal. Their special was fried chicken with fries for 50 lempiras - around $2.63. Such a bargain! And it was very good.

Now I know with all this talk about food you may be wondering if I've gone loco - crazy! Well, yes, maybe. You see, I eat with the girls at OLR in their dining room. (see photos below) I'm not used to eating beans and rice with every meal. I'm not used to very tough meat and trying to eat it without a knife. Typically my utensils here are a fork and 2 tortillas. I'm also not used to not eating salads or fruits. I rarely have seen fruit here except for broiled bananas.

So if I sound a little too excited about the food in Copan, it's because they cater to tourists, and I could find food that was more like what I'm used to eating. I am fed well at OLR!

Copan: The Adventure! Part II

2008-01-21T18:14:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, after spending the morning at Copan Ruinas, I headed back by taxi (see photo in previous post) to Via Via to rest and freshen up a bit. I was debating whether to go on a horseback riding tour to Hacienda San Lucas or to go to Macaw Mountain. Having recently re-read Lauren & Robin's Adventure in Copan (seminary classmates), I opted for Macaw Mountain. It's not that they didn't have a good time, but the soreness that they experienced after horseback riding was more than I wanted to endure! It was an excellent decision for me because Sunday was a very rainy day and walking around was slippery. [And I wasn't feeling 100% due to congestion in my chest that had been coming on for a week or so, not to mention a painful knee, but more on my visit to el Clinica later!]

So, decision made, I headed by taxi to Macaw Mountain. I actually had the same taxi driver who took me to the Copan Ruinas, and he offered to come back to Macaw Mountain in two hours to take me back into town. Nice people in Copan!

Macaw Mountain is a Bird Park and a Nature Reserve. From the Macaw Mountain brochure:

"The park is nestled in a small canyon formed by the Sesemil Creek, that provides water to the town. The park has a collection of Honduran and Central American macaws, toucans and parrots that have been recovered from captivity. All the birds are carefully maintained and can fly freely in large, naturally planted aviaries. The park has a strong eco-educational component with informative tours emphasizing bird habitat, natural history, biology and conservation."

My guide, Kevin, was very knowledgable about the 140 birds in the park. He was very engaging with me and with the birds. It was a thrill to see the birds, hear their stories from Kevin and be able to actually 'pet' the birds! It's a beautiful park and a great place to visit on a very hot day - un muy caliente dia!

Copan: The Adventure! Part I

2008-01-21T07:06:00.000-06:00

Copan is about 3 hours by bus from San Pedro Sula, unless you are traveling on a Friday afternoon. My bus, which was a luxury bus (better than Greyhound) with comfy seats, movies, snacks & drinks served by a 'host', left at 2:30 and arrived at 6:30PM. After a brief taxi ride (see taxi below) I arrived at Via Via - a cute and comfortable hostel about two blocks from Parque Central. For $12 American dollars a night I had a clean room with a very comfortable bed, private bathroom and hot water! The hostel is a Belguim chain and served great hamburgers & fries - my dinner Friday night. What a treat!! The only odd taste was the ketchup which was sweet.

Saturday morning I ventured out early. Belkis had recommended La Casa de Todo - The House of All/Everything! It's a perfect name because they have a gift shop, laundry, dining room, book exchange, internet service, and more! After checking email I had a wonderful breakfast there. The tour book mentions their homemade breads and yogurt, and I can attest that both are delicious! Now, I'm not one to take photos of food, but breakfast looked so amazingly delicious to me that I needed a picture!!

I walked up to Parques Central about 2 blocks uphill and took a taxi to the Copan Archaelogical Site, about 10 minutes out of town. From my tour book:

"Honduras has only one major Maya ruin, but it's a true gem. A Unesco World Heritage site since 1980, Copan archaeological site is known for its remarkable sculptures, especially the enormous and intricately carved stelae depicting former leaders. The site is not as lofty or grandiose as say, Tikal or Chichen Itza but the artisanship is impressive."

"The most famous monument is the Hieroglyphic Stairway (see previous post), the work of King Smoke Shell. The flight of 64 steps bears a history - in several thousand glyphs - of the royal house of Copan; the steps are bordered by ramps inscribed with more reliefs and glyphs. Unfortunately, when the archaeologists uncovered the stairway, its upper section had collapsed. The bottom 15 stairs are in their original position, but the rest of the stones were jumbled and replaced with no way of knowing the correct order. As a result only about 45% of what's written on the steps is decipherable, and the overall story is far from clear."

For a map of the site, as well as more information click here: http://www.adventure-guide.org/honduras/copanmap.html

Weekend in Copan

2008-01-20T19:06:00.000-06:00

Here are a few photos of Copan. I stayed at a cute and cheap hostel named Via Via, and I toured the Mayan Ruins in Copan and Macaw Mountain.
http://macawmountain.com/

I ate wonderful food and didn't have beans and rice the whole weekend (subject for another blog entry). I just returned and have Spanish homework to do, but I wanted to say "hi" and let you see some of the amazing things I've seen this weekend. I'll write more tomorrow.

p.s. I love reading your comments!

Substitute Teacher

2008-01-17T09:42:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I had a substitute teacher, Ada Raquel (pictured here), because Belkis, my teacher, had to make another trip to Tegucigalpa. For class Ada Raquel and I took a field trip starting at the bus station where I purchased my tickets to/from Copan for this weekend. Then we walked to the Museo de Arqueologia e Historia de San Pedro Sula, the Roman Catholic Cathedral and San Pedro Sula's Parque Central. Our conversations were almost completely in Spanish!

The Museum was very interesting, and I especially liked learning about the history of the Mayan people and seeing their amazing pottery. I will learn more about their culture while in Copan this weekend. The Cathedral was beautiful, especially the paintings of the saints in the Dome.

Unfortunately my camera battery died so I did not get photos of the Parque. The Parque has some beautiful sculptures and fountains so I hope to visit it again so I can take pictures.

About the Holy Family Bilingual School

2008-01-16T07:54:00.000-06:00

I thought you might like to see a little more of the Our Little Roses compound. Here's a photo of the front gate. As you can see there are two signs - Holy Family Bilingual School (preschool thru 8th Grade) and Our Little Roses Home - Ministerios Nuestras Pequenas Rosas.

The Bilingual School is pictured here. This building houses the School, the OLR Administration offices, the apartment and guest suites (which can accomodate large groups of people), the Spanish Language Program's classroom (where I spend 4 hours a day) and the group dining room & kitchen (for service groups like the Palm Beach, FL group).

In the center of the Bilingual School building is an open area which seems to be used for recess. The bedroom of the apartment where I am staying has a sliding glass door to the balcony above this open area and the noise carries - of course, the noise is screaming and laughing and yelling!! In addition to this indoor area, there is a large outdoor playground area. That is where the Grand Party was held and where the nightly movies were shown.

The students for the Bilingual School begin to arrive around 6:40AM. Usually I'm up and showered by then! It seems that school starts for some at 7AM and for others at 8AM and ends between 1PM and 3PM. Maybe they provide before & after school care.

The School is very well regarded and provides income for Our Little Roses Home. Some of the girls at the Home attend the bilingual school.

3 Days Off

2008-01-15T15:44:00.000-06:00

Well, I discovered that 3 days off was not the best thing for retaining Spanish! I enjoyed the 3-day weekend and want to thank the nice people from Bethesda by the Sea for a great time!

Now I am back at work studying and learning more Spanish. I spent most of the afternoon and evening yesterday refreshing my memory of vocabulary and memorizing various irregular verbs. Just when I think I have them they slip my mind! I even did extra homework so that more would stick!

Today we spent most of the class on "to be" and when you use "ser" or "estar". Lots of homework tonight, too! My teacher tells me my pronounciation is good and that I am doing well. So that's good. I also have been having more conversations with the women on campus in Spanish. I am making progress. Still, I wonder if I were 20 years younger would this be so challenging?

Spanish aside, here is a photo (on the left) of one of the two puppies that live at OLR. Next to him is a photo of my dog, Potter, when he was a puppy 6 years ago.

Do you think they look alike?

A Grand Party

2008-01-14T07:59:00.000-06:00

The folks from Bethesda by the Sea in Palm Beach, FL hosted a grand party last night in the large pavillion which they had beautifully decorated with balloon, flowers and colorful paper chains. The girls thanked the group by sharing several of their gifts including a beautiful wooden cross made here by one of the girls, a poem, songs and dances. The funniest part of the night was when the girls taught the group a new dance - something like the chicken dance in the states; however, this one had more moves, like wiggle your bottom! See photo.

After dinner, which was delicious and included meat (chicken and beef) and a half of an avocado and limes, it was time for the pinata!! Rick, the leader of the PB group, certainly got a workout pulling the rope up and down while the girls took turns swinging at the pinata. It was fun to watch from the sidelines. The girls whose birthdays are in January received presents and everyone sang "Happy Birthday." There were many pictures, smiles and a few tears.

The Episcopal Cathedral in San Pedro Sula

2008-01-13T15:19:00.001-06:00

Today everyone went to church at The Episcopal Cathedral. Our Little Roses girls, staff and volunteers made up 1/3 of the congregation. The celebrant was the Dean of the Cathedral, Muy Revda. P. Rosa Angelica Gamez and the preacher was LP. Jackeline de Ruiz. On the front of the bulletin is a picture of the Holy Spirit as a dove descending on Jesus as he walks out of the water having just been baptised by John the Baptist. The caption reads "He aqui el Cordero de Dios, que quita el pecado del mundo." "Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

During the service we renewed our Baptismal Covenant and prayers were said for a baby as he was named - Oscar. I understood maybe 1/2 of what was being said during the service, and was able to follow along in the bulletin and prayer book. The Dean made a very long announcement that included information about their annual meeting in four weeks and the important activities going on in the Communion. She encouraged everyone to become involved, to see, to hear and to work.

Here are some photos of the church and of Oscar with Belkis and some of the girls.

El Mercado

2008-01-12T13:35:00.000-06:00

The Palm Beach group invited me to join them on their excursion to the Mercado. There were two shopping areas on opposite sides of the road. We were warned not to cross the street without the OLR guard. He's pictured standing in front of the artisan market.

I saw many beautiful Honduran crafts: pottery, wood carvings, weavings, etc. Most of the vendors spoke English, or they had their calculators at the ready to convert lempiras to dollars. Several would lower their prices if you were the least bit hesitant to buy. I'm not really a shopper, but I found and bought some great things!

About Pulhapanzak Falls

2008-01-12T07:11:00.000-06:00

Pulhapanzak Falls is a magnificent 43m (approx. 140 feet) waterfall on the Rio Amapa surrounded by a lush and well-kept park. This is a popular swimming spot, and there are also guides who will take visitors to a small cave behind the falls. A few of the older girls went to the cave with the leader of the Palm Beach group. They got soaked!!

The park has a snack bar that serves sodas, beer and snacks. I did enjoy a cerveza - beer after zip-lining!

Here are the girls, Nicole and Jackie (they are sisters), who sat with/on me during the bus ride. They took each others' pictures with my camera while we rode to the Falls. Jackie liked my sunglasses!! Nicole was also my hair stylist at the movie.

Pulhapanzak Falls

2008-01-11T19:33:00.000-06:00

What a great day for a field trip! I was ready at 8:50 AM, as I was told to be, and we finally left OLR at 9:20AM. A two hour, mostly bumpy and uphill ride in a school bus with at least two, more often three, little girls climbing, sitting and sleeping on me! We arrived at the Falls and soon the girls were getting wet, collecting shells and swimming up river.

I decided to take a look at the Falls. This nice gentleman took my picture.
Did you notice the wire behind my head and in the photo of the Falls? It is for something called zip-lining! I didn't notice the wire until Allison from the Palm Beach group was looking for someone to join her for her second trip zip-lining across the Falls! I know, I can't believe it myself....the locals would say "I've gone loco!" but zip-line I did and I have the video (albeit sideways) to prove it!!! It was a blast, and I got a great view of the Falls and the river below. Enjoy!

A Night at the Movies!

2008-01-11T07:22:00.000-06:00

The group from Palm Beach invited the girls to a night at the movies yesterday. The movie screen - white with film boarders - is painted on the wall of the compound. As you can see, the girls sit on the ground - it's a rubber mat over concrete - or on chairs that they bring out from the chapel. The feature film was "My Big Fat Greek Wedding!" complete with Spanish subtitles and English subtitles when they were speaking Greek. It was a lot of fun! There was a lot of high-pitched screaming when Tula and Ian were kissing - and they kissed a lot!!

As I sat on the ground during the movie one of the younger girls, probably five years old, timidly approached me. When I smiled at her she smiled back! I guess she decided I was okay because she started to touch my hair. I'm not sure if she was interested in the short or gray hair or if she has aspirations of becoming a hair stylist, but she eventually got a clump of my hair and put a rubber band around it! "Bonita" - pretty!

Outing to the Supermercado

2008-01-10T14:51:00.000-06:00

After lunch Belkis and I went to the grocery store - supermercado - because I wanted to buy some fruit and she needed to buy some candy bars. The girls are being taken on a field trip by the group from Palm Beach, FL who is here for the week. I will tell you more about them later. The candy bars are for the box lunches that will be taken on the field trip. I have been invited to join the field trip too!

Here's a photo of the outside of the supermercado and a photo of the candy aisle. In addition to Skittles and other Hershey's candy there were candies that I did not recognize.

I bought a t-shirt at the store for the field trip. We are going to the Pulhapanazak Falls and I understand that I'm likely to get very, very wet!

During class today Belkis took me around the campus so I could describe what I saw to her using the indefinite article or the Spanish equivalents of "there is" and "this/that thing". It was good practice putting vocabulary together with the indefinite article!

Since I don't have class tomorrow I have a lot of homework - mucho tarea!

Mi Maestra

2008-01-09T13:49:00.000-06:00

This is Belkis, my teacher, mi maestra. Belkis has been at OLR for 4 years as a teacher and tia' (aunt to the girls). She is very nice, patient and funny!

I am really enjoying my classes with her. She covers a lot of material in 4 hours, even though she is moving at my pace. Today, for instance, we started with regular verbs and covered 'ar', 'er', and 'ir' verbs. She probably wrote the congugations on the board for 25 verbs after I said the congugations for each of them. Then I read aloud and completed several exercises in the workbooks she uses. We covered time/frequency words, i.e. siempre - always, todos los diaz - everyday, por poco - nearly, etc. And we did some more exercises in the workbooks.

Then we moved on to interrogatives; more exercises in the workbooks and rounded out the morning with words to describe people - their physical characteristics and their personalities. I have homework (tarea): write a paragraph describing someone I know - their physical traits and their personality and write 10 sentences using verbs I learned today. More later after I finish my homework!

My Studies & Classroom

2008-01-08T13:21:00.000-06:00

There are many post-it notes around the apartment with my new vocabulary on them! Here's a table setting that is on the kitchen counter.

plate = el plato

glass = el vaso

fork = el tenedor

knife = el cuchillo

spoon = la cuchara
cup = la teza

Here are some pictures of the classroom where I spend 4 hours every day from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. It's a very comfortable room - light and airy. Today, because of the heat, Belkis turned on the air conditioner.

My homework last night was to learn the alphabet. So today I wrote the spelling of words on the board as Belkis read them to me. At least you write from left to right, not like Hebrew - the last language I learned!

Well, that's all for now. I need to get to my homework!

1st Clase

2008-01-07T13:49:00.000-06:00

Hola! Como esta?
Bien Gracias. Y tu'?
Muy Bien Gracias!

This was the lesson covered in the 1st 5 minutes of class. We covered lots more during the next 3 1/2 hours! I have 4 pages of nouns and verbs! Now I need to put post-it notes all over my apartment to identify each piece of furniture and item. Belkis (pronounced Bell-keys) is a very nice and slow teacher - perfect for me!

We took a break around 10AM to go in search of coffee - cafe. Finally we found some - my first coffee in Honduras. Very strong and good - even without milk.

In case you hadn't heard of Our Little Roses, which was started by the wife of the Episcopal Bishop of Honduras, I'm including a link here. http://www.ourlittleroses.org/

From the website: "In Honduras where the plight of abused and abandoned girls was once ignored, the ministry of Our Little Roses home has become an oasis of hope and opportunity for the girl child at risk. God has truly blessed this ministry shown in the transformed lives of once destitute girls. It began with a vision given to Doctor Diana Frade of hope with life-changing dimensions for physically and emotionally abused girls as well as orphans."

The sounds of children laughing, playing and singing is such a joy to hear! The Bilingual School includes boys and male teachers which was a surprise for me today having only seen girls and women yesterday on my tour, except for the guard.

San Pedro Sula is in the northwest part of Honduras. It's the 2nd largest city behind Tegucigalpa.

Now it's time for me to study! Adios!

1st Day of School in Honduras

2008-01-07T06:33:00.000-06:00

Buenos Dias. It's 6:30 AM and I've already missed breakfast. The girls, 61 live at OLR, get up at 4AM and have breakfast at 5AM so they can leave for school by 6AM. Belkis told me I could get breakfast at 6:20 - she was being very nice - but when I went to the dining room it was locked! Good thing I brought some granola bars and peanut butter (thanks Robin and Lauren!). I will find coffee when the Admin office opens (I hope). I haven't found a coffee maker in my apartment yet.

I haven't slept in a bunk bed for decades! Decided for a lower bunk as I didn't want to fall from the top as I heard one girl did the other night. The roosters started around 2AM to greet the world!

More later. I need to get breakfast.

The Mall

2008-01-06T20:29:00.001-06:00

Belkis and I took a taxi to the Mall for dinner and to walk around. I now have 2 - 500 lempira bills. Nineteen (19) lampiras are worth one dollar. We ate in the food court at "Go Green" - salads. Many of the stores were the same or similar to stores in the states.

On the taxi ride to the Mall Stephanie, the 5 year old daughter of our driver, talked to me (in Spanish). She was sweet and I understood about 1 in 20 words! Hopefully by the end of the week I'll know more!

Buenas Noches!

Day 1 - Safely Arrived in Honduras and OLR

2008-01-06T16:36:00.000-06:00

The flights from DCA and Miami were easy and my host/teacher picked me up at the San Pedro Sula airport. After a short bus ride and a bit of a rain shower we arrived at the Our Little Roses Compound. I am the only student or visitor here, except for 4 volunteers who are spending a year here. So I will have private lessons!!!!

This is a photo of my OLR apartment - it's bigger than where I live in DC!

I won't even try to sleep on the top bunk!!

This is the view from my apartment door - it is a School for the Blind.

Adios for now!