.jpg)
In recent news articles I read about discoveries that change scientist’s views about ancient cultures. In one a sandal is found—and it carbon dates to earlier than any other shoe unearthed to date. In another the presence of gluten on a grinding stone shoots down the belief that bread was not a part of the human diet during that time period. The author indicated that a popular diet based on the “hunter/gatherer” culture would have its basis knocked from under it because of this discovery. The followers of this fad diet believe they will be physically healthier if they make their food intake as close as possible to that of early man.
If the author is correct, then the followers of this diet may find they need to adjust their thoughts on early human diet and therefore adjust their behavior to meet their new beliefs. Would it be better for them to follow research on what is the ideal diet for optimum health of modern humans, and then adjust their food intake to match? If their ultimate goal is, indeed, providing their bodies with the best mix of nutrients to stay healthy, do they really need to go all the way back to early humankind for answers? Or should they be willing to accept that humankind has grown, evolved, and changed, resulting in corresponding changes in what the human body needs?
Similar questions can be asked regarding our spiritual health. New information is available to modern society that was unknown to earlier generations or cultures. Do we need to stick to the specifics of worship as defined by the early Church, or can we accept that there is new information available to us—that Christianity has grown, evolved, and changed? Just as the basic human body remains recognizable over generations, so does Christianity. The core belief remains, but some of the trappings of religion are different.
Do we need to partake of communion in secret behind locked doors, sharing our most sacred trust only with those we have identified as being sympathetic to our beliefs? Many of the early Christians did just that. Do we need to return completely to our roots and make animal sacrifices on the altar, as described in Genesis 22:1-13? Should we require that all Christians follow kosher laws?
We have evidence of the growth of the early church in the New Testament writings. For example, controversy existed regarding whether members were required to keep a kosher kitchen ( Romans 14:13-18)and questions were asked regarding whether Gentile converts would be required to be circumcised (Acts of the Apostles 14:1-9).
Even as early as the times of St. Paul the Church was changing as it grew. The important thing was that the core beliefs remained. The trappings of religion were in place, but they were not stagnant. As we grow together spiritually we need to remember that our core beliefs are what have brought us together. The Episcopal Church is not full of members who are treading water in a stagnant pool. We are a diverse membership who are able to adapt with the changing times while retaining that which makes us Christians.
And as we do so, we welcome all—no matter how much more or less fond they may be of the traditional trappings of our religion.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
A new recognition
Today in church a relatively new priest to the congregation, the chaplain at the local air force base, chanted the Eucharistic Prayer. It was wonderful. He's as good as my very favorite priest (you all know who that is). After the service I told him his presence in the service helped me miss home a bit less. He asked where I was from and told me he knows exactly what I meant. Seems he's buds with the IL priest.
Anyway, until today I would have said that my biggest pet peeve durig the worship service is people who carry on conversations during the service. I truly believe that if you need to talk, you should be respectful and take it out of the nave. Tody, I discovered that an even greater pet peeve is people who mock the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer!
A family who routinely arrives late with three kids in tow--two in high school and one in grade school--seems to believe that the worship service is a social hour. Unfortunately they almost always sit within a few pews of me and chat away. The parents are as bad as the kids. I just don't understand. What is the purpose of attending church? You can stay home and chat with each other. But I guess if you do that then you miss out on the entertainment in the sanctuary which provides such fodder for mockery!!!
Yes, I am incensed. There was truly no excuse for this behavior. Small children talking through a service can't learn a more appropriate way to behave unless they are taught better behavior through modeling and repetition. You have to bring them to church to teach them to behave respectfully in church. I get that. However, this was the high schoolers. And Dad was sitting right next to them the whole time.
Whether their problem with the priest stemmed from their lack of exposure to chanting the prayer, their lack of exposure to someone who knows how the chant the prayer, the fact he is black, or anything else does not matter. It disrupts the service and is disrespectful.
Wish someone would appoint me the verger. Then I'd be able to bop them with a big stick.
Anyway, until today I would have said that my biggest pet peeve durig the worship service is people who carry on conversations during the service. I truly believe that if you need to talk, you should be respectful and take it out of the nave. Tody, I discovered that an even greater pet peeve is people who mock the priest during the Eucharistic Prayer!
A family who routinely arrives late with three kids in tow--two in high school and one in grade school--seems to believe that the worship service is a social hour. Unfortunately they almost always sit within a few pews of me and chat away. The parents are as bad as the kids. I just don't understand. What is the purpose of attending church? You can stay home and chat with each other. But I guess if you do that then you miss out on the entertainment in the sanctuary which provides such fodder for mockery!!!
Yes, I am incensed. There was truly no excuse for this behavior. Small children talking through a service can't learn a more appropriate way to behave unless they are taught better behavior through modeling and repetition. You have to bring them to church to teach them to behave respectfully in church. I get that. However, this was the high schoolers. And Dad was sitting right next to them the whole time.
Whether their problem with the priest stemmed from their lack of exposure to chanting the prayer, their lack of exposure to someone who knows how the chant the prayer, the fact he is black, or anything else does not matter. It disrupts the service and is disrespectful.
Wish someone would appoint me the verger. Then I'd be able to bop them with a big stick.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
We won the bid!!
Thanks to Lit's willingness to watch Oyster recently, Chill and I were able to attend the local Artists Against AIDS Auction. I was amazed at the large number of merchants represented along with the local artists. The many paintings, sculptures, jewelry items, blown glass, pottery, one afghan, and one quilt were displayed throughout a large room--that really could have been a lot larger. What a fantastic problem! Too many donations!
If I have figured this out, here is a photo of the quilted wall hanging I donated this year. Thanks to Oyster to holding it up to be photographed. Sorry for the bad quality of the photo--I used the cell phone and this was the better of the two tries.
Anyway, tucked amongst the original art were services from local businesses, such as clarinet and saxophone lessons, spa weekends, YMCA membership, dinner at local restaurants, and decorating consultations. Dinner for six with the mayor went for $750. Of course, he egged it on by bidding up to $500 himself. A framed autographed Thriller album went for around $2500. A 1970 autographed Sonny and Cher album and a Rolling Stones album signed by the entire band were also up for grabs.
Airline tickets, hotel, and show tickets to several places were auctioned off--Ellen Degenres tickets went for over $3000. A NASCAR event was also on the list. I admit I didn't pay much attention to that bid.
Because the ballroom at the El Dorado, the refreshments, and the printing of the tickets were all donated, this particular auction came pretty darn close to being 100% profit. I'm guessing the cash bar provided a hefty amount.
As for us, I just got off the phone with someone calling to tell me how to deliver my money and pick up my treasure. Life is good.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Observations
Over the summer I have noticed an increased number of odd items on the side of the road as I drive a short distance on the interstate to and from work. Now, I know I have expressed dismay at the number of shoes on the roadside before, but in addition to those there have been some bigger and more disturbing items.
I would hope that if a recliner fell off the back of a truck I was driving that I would notice. Same goes for a very large metal desk. However, these two items each spent almost a week in the median of the interstate this summer--spaced about two days apart. To me the most disturbing part of this is the danger to other motorists as items this large and heavy are heaved from the back of a moving vehicle at interstate speeds. And I have to wonder, did they originally land in the median, or did they block the road until someone later moved them out of traffic?
There have been several days when it appeared someone was making an effort to pick up trash, as there were somewhat evenly spaced trash bags tied up on the shoulder. But other days there have been what was more likely someone's bags of trash spilled at the roadside. There have even been a couple of suitcases, popped open with clothing strewn for a half mile or so. Fast food waste paper, drink bottles and cans, and other assorted trash can be viewed daily. Occasionally large numbers of beer cans are clustered together. Makes me glad I was not on the road alongside the car that dumped them.
The items I have found the most interesting for long-term observation are the pair of sandals that I have been watching all summer long. As I whiz past I get the impression they are expensive leather, much like Birkenstocks. And, as they have held up through some rough weather (and probably some heavy tires), my impression is reinforced. They are on a bridge, and are slowly being forced further and further apart, but both are still visible on 3132 as I am exiting onto I49. Although assorted other shoes have put in appearances, they seem to disappear from view within a few days. I guess they are falling off into the grass or being picked up along with the trash. (Trash retrieval does not appear to happen on the bridge where the shoulder is much more narrow).
Today was less exciting. All I saw of note was a push broom. And, of course, the Birkenstocks.
I would hope that if a recliner fell off the back of a truck I was driving that I would notice. Same goes for a very large metal desk. However, these two items each spent almost a week in the median of the interstate this summer--spaced about two days apart. To me the most disturbing part of this is the danger to other motorists as items this large and heavy are heaved from the back of a moving vehicle at interstate speeds. And I have to wonder, did they originally land in the median, or did they block the road until someone later moved them out of traffic?
There have been several days when it appeared someone was making an effort to pick up trash, as there were somewhat evenly spaced trash bags tied up on the shoulder. But other days there have been what was more likely someone's bags of trash spilled at the roadside. There have even been a couple of suitcases, popped open with clothing strewn for a half mile or so. Fast food waste paper, drink bottles and cans, and other assorted trash can be viewed daily. Occasionally large numbers of beer cans are clustered together. Makes me glad I was not on the road alongside the car that dumped them.
The items I have found the most interesting for long-term observation are the pair of sandals that I have been watching all summer long. As I whiz past I get the impression they are expensive leather, much like Birkenstocks. And, as they have held up through some rough weather (and probably some heavy tires), my impression is reinforced. They are on a bridge, and are slowly being forced further and further apart, but both are still visible on 3132 as I am exiting onto I49. Although assorted other shoes have put in appearances, they seem to disappear from view within a few days. I guess they are falling off into the grass or being picked up along with the trash. (Trash retrieval does not appear to happen on the bridge where the shoulder is much more narrow).
Today was less exciting. All I saw of note was a push broom. And, of course, the Birkenstocks.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
LET US WELCOME THE BEAUTY AROUND US
This is the August newsletter column:
Having spent most of my life living in a rural setting, I have always been pleasantly surprised by the abundant wildlife within the city limits. I’ve been known to pull over and watch a red-headed woodpecker seeking its breakfast or a territorial spat between a blue jay and a cardinal. I have especially enjoyed the hummingbirds that come to admire themselves in the mirrored glass of the parish office door and the red-throated lizards that puff up in the bush outside the office window. Baby rabbits and even a shy little mouse have been crouched near the flowers along the walk as I leave in the afternoon. Other favorites include the turtle dove who has made her nest in the light fixture above the main entrance to the Narthex and the two nests of ground snakes living in the remembrance garden, under the protection of St. Francis. I’ve heard rumors they have cousins behind the Garrett-Hall Building, but I must admit, I don’t make it out there often enough to have personal knowledge of the wildlife on that part of the property.
I find it reassuring that despite urban sprawl, God’s creatures have found places to create their homes. They continue to live their simple lives surrounded by the bustle of mankind. We could learn a lesson from them. They have adapted to the changing world. They retain their identity and work around the obstacles placed before them in their quest for survival. As Christians we must also live in a changing world, while working to maintain our identity.
One of the greatest strengths of the Episcopal Church is the fact that we welcome all. And we do so, despite the world around us that wishes to force us into their view of Christianity, telling us to only allow a membership of people who are, “like us,” or who are free of sin. However, if we were free of sin, there wouldn’t be a need for the Church, would there? As the world changes, we will not allow ourselves to be pulled into the trap of bigotry and hatred that some pass off as Christianity. We will maintain our identity, following the examples Jesus set, welcoming all into our membership. And that will keep us strong.
Just as the blue jay and the cardinal offer no apologies for their existence, we have no need to apologize for ours. We should be comfortable in our identity and proud to share our beliefs through our actions in welcoming others…in welcoming all.
Having spent most of my life living in a rural setting, I have always been pleasantly surprised by the abundant wildlife within the city limits. I’ve been known to pull over and watch a red-headed woodpecker seeking its breakfast or a territorial spat between a blue jay and a cardinal. I have especially enjoyed the hummingbirds that come to admire themselves in the mirrored glass of the parish office door and the red-throated lizards that puff up in the bush outside the office window. Baby rabbits and even a shy little mouse have been crouched near the flowers along the walk as I leave in the afternoon. Other favorites include the turtle dove who has made her nest in the light fixture above the main entrance to the Narthex and the two nests of ground snakes living in the remembrance garden, under the protection of St. Francis. I’ve heard rumors they have cousins behind the Garrett-Hall Building, but I must admit, I don’t make it out there often enough to have personal knowledge of the wildlife on that part of the property.
I find it reassuring that despite urban sprawl, God’s creatures have found places to create their homes. They continue to live their simple lives surrounded by the bustle of mankind. We could learn a lesson from them. They have adapted to the changing world. They retain their identity and work around the obstacles placed before them in their quest for survival. As Christians we must also live in a changing world, while working to maintain our identity.
One of the greatest strengths of the Episcopal Church is the fact that we welcome all. And we do so, despite the world around us that wishes to force us into their view of Christianity, telling us to only allow a membership of people who are, “like us,” or who are free of sin. However, if we were free of sin, there wouldn’t be a need for the Church, would there? As the world changes, we will not allow ourselves to be pulled into the trap of bigotry and hatred that some pass off as Christianity. We will maintain our identity, following the examples Jesus set, welcoming all into our membership. And that will keep us strong.
Just as the blue jay and the cardinal offer no apologies for their existence, we have no need to apologize for ours. We should be comfortable in our identity and proud to share our beliefs through our actions in welcoming others…in welcoming all.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The moral of the story
Just as if I had grown up in a good Jewish household, my family taught by allegory and story—much like the parables of the New Testament. As a result, my daughter has learned that just about anything in her life could be the jumping point for education. Most recently she has been subjected to the morality tales hidden in many of the stories of Greek Mythology. She started out by enjoying a game of Poptropica with me on the computer. The online world takes children to fantasy places, often based on history or mythology. Links within the game take the child to sites where they can learn the real-life story associated with the characters, places, or events in the games.
The game she is currently playing teaches her about the ancient Greek gods. She showed such interest that we incorporated the television show, “Hercules, the Legendary Journeys,” into our regular family activities. After the show we frequently discuss the differences between the legends as they have been handed down and the story depicted in the television series.
I was struck by the common theme running throughout the show, wondering just how much the current beliefs of the writers and directors have influenced the central characters. In several episodes our hero, known for his strength and might, refuses to fight. He opts, instead, for the non-violent answer, telling his antagonist that he refuses to hurt others for someone’s pleasure. Invariably someone whines, “But you promised to fight for us,” to which Hercules responds, “No, I promised to help.” Hercules doesn’t knuckle under to peer-pressure—he always does what he knows to be right, despite demands to give in. Sounds to me like the Hercules of the television is based more on the Son of God than on the son of Zeus.
This is among my favorite morals: when someone asks for assistance, they don’t always immediately realize that the answer to their prayer has arrived. We sometimes see only one possible solution or conclusion. We need to be open-minded enough to recognize that others exist—and often the best answer is the one that hurts the least number of people.
The game she is currently playing teaches her about the ancient Greek gods. She showed such interest that we incorporated the television show, “Hercules, the Legendary Journeys,” into our regular family activities. After the show we frequently discuss the differences between the legends as they have been handed down and the story depicted in the television series.
I was struck by the common theme running throughout the show, wondering just how much the current beliefs of the writers and directors have influenced the central characters. In several episodes our hero, known for his strength and might, refuses to fight. He opts, instead, for the non-violent answer, telling his antagonist that he refuses to hurt others for someone’s pleasure. Invariably someone whines, “But you promised to fight for us,” to which Hercules responds, “No, I promised to help.” Hercules doesn’t knuckle under to peer-pressure—he always does what he knows to be right, despite demands to give in. Sounds to me like the Hercules of the television is based more on the Son of God than on the son of Zeus.
This is among my favorite morals: when someone asks for assistance, they don’t always immediately realize that the answer to their prayer has arrived. We sometimes see only one possible solution or conclusion. We need to be open-minded enough to recognize that others exist—and often the best answer is the one that hurts the least number of people.
Monday, June 21, 2010
And so it begins
Summertime, and the living is easy--or so you hear in Porgy and Bess, my favorite opera.
Summer officially begins today or tomorrow, depending on who you ask. Summer camp officially began this morning. Oyster has about half an hour left of her first day of camp, and I anticipate picking up one very tired girl today. But it will be a good kind of tired.
She left this morning sporting a pair of white shorts over her black swimsuit. She listened to my warnings that if she sits in the dirt and gets them grimy I will probably not be able to make them pristine ever again. Fashion won out over good sense, in my opinion. While I am hoping she doesn't get disappointed, I think it would be a good lesson learned if she is. Well, at least I hope she will learn.
It is hard for parents to allow children to make mistakes and be disappointed, but I think it is important for them to do so. I won't be around to correct her decisions when she is an adult, so she needs to learn to think about the possible outcome of the different options and choose wisely. Just as importantly, she needs to learn to cope with the consequences of making a less than wise choice.
So, we have several weeks of camping fun laid out for the child's summer. She had a four-day session of beginning sewing last week, which she thoroughly enjoyed and begged to return this week for the next class. However, when given the option of real, outdoor, swimming, running, hiking, playing camp, she decided she can learn other sewing skills from Mom. Hope Mom is up to the task.
Summer officially begins today or tomorrow, depending on who you ask. Summer camp officially began this morning. Oyster has about half an hour left of her first day of camp, and I anticipate picking up one very tired girl today. But it will be a good kind of tired.
She left this morning sporting a pair of white shorts over her black swimsuit. She listened to my warnings that if she sits in the dirt and gets them grimy I will probably not be able to make them pristine ever again. Fashion won out over good sense, in my opinion. While I am hoping she doesn't get disappointed, I think it would be a good lesson learned if she is. Well, at least I hope she will learn.
It is hard for parents to allow children to make mistakes and be disappointed, but I think it is important for them to do so. I won't be around to correct her decisions when she is an adult, so she needs to learn to think about the possible outcome of the different options and choose wisely. Just as importantly, she needs to learn to cope with the consequences of making a less than wise choice.
So, we have several weeks of camping fun laid out for the child's summer. She had a four-day session of beginning sewing last week, which she thoroughly enjoyed and begged to return this week for the next class. However, when given the option of real, outdoor, swimming, running, hiking, playing camp, she decided she can learn other sewing skills from Mom. Hope Mom is up to the task.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
jewel tones was the theme
