I recently referenced a conversation happening in the blogosphere that I've been tracking, and I just wanted to update and let y'all know that it's still going on. It began with Bill Kinnon's piece titled The People Formerly Known as the Congregation, and has expanded to 11 parts now. I believe it's a valid and important critique of the church, especially in North America, but also continues to affirm the importance of it, although perhaps in a changed way. So here's a brief rundown of where the thread stands....
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Finally, the break
Well, the last week of members meetings was, as expected, out of control busy with everything that we anticipated as well as lots of challenges that we didn't. We all survived, and I think it went well. Meeting the members that I've heard about from all of the different branches was wonderful, and I really enjoyed getting to talk to people at meals, as well as attending a lecture given by Dick Keyes. He also spoke at the chapel service on Sunday, which was a really fantastic time of prayer and praise together. Sunday evening, Bellevue hosted a high tea which we'd been busily cooking for since Saturday, and we had an amazing spread.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Members and Mothers
So, the frenzy of preparing for the members meeting is over and the meetings themselves have begun. We cleaned Bellevue on Monday, members began arriving Tuesday and meetings began Wednesday. Also on Wednesday, my mom arrived for her visit, which has been fantastic. I've been able to take Wednesday and Thursday pretty easy, spending time walking, shopping, and laying in the sun with my momma (gorgeous, gorgeous days right now). Can't complain a bit.
Today begins the move back into 'real life', with the next 4 days full of shopping (the dull kind - groceries) and cooking for everyone. I'm eagerly anticipating the time with Mom in the kitchen, though. This time together is such a treat!
All that to say, the updates will likely be sporadic this week as we continue to test the boundaries of Bellevue's capabilities. Again, if you think of it for the next several days, please do say a prayer for Kay as she manages this circus, for the members who are meeting intensely, and for all of us for energy and grace in hospitality. Thanks!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Character Formation
April (as she is wont to do) has posted another thought provoking question on her blog. The gist: Does your character define your actions, or do your actions define your character? If you get a chance, pop over to her original post here and her follow-up here and post your thoughts. I'd be interested to read other folks' ideas on the subject.
Monday, April 16, 2007
It's over... but just beginning
Well, the term has just ended, and it's been a helluva week. Craziness from start to finish.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Some Powerful Knitting
Sometimes, I just stumble upon the most random things. This is one of artist Dave Cole's large projects, using excavators and 20 foot knitting needles to create an American flag. Most of his art is built around knitting with all sorts of strange materials. For example, a gigantic teddy bear using fiberglass insulation, a baby blanket composed of spun ceramic, and a cap made of steel wool. Personally, my hands get a little testy after prolonged knitting with acrylic yarn... I'm not sure how he handles this stuff.
Friday, April 13, 2007
A Question For Y'all
So what are the requirements of love here? Does one have to somehow overcome believing that someone is a schmuck in order to show true loving kindness? If you know someone needs help, are you somehow obligated to offer it, even if being around them sets your teeth on edge? And reach out to them, knowing that they've alienated most of the people in the vicinity and are probably (somewhere deep, deep inside) feeling alone? Or is kindness just backing away slowly, knowing that with your lack of control over your tongue, you may just do more harm than good? Thoughts?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The Votes Are In
For our book discussion, we'll be doing Brian McLaren's book titled A Generous Orthodoxy. I'll post something on the first chapter on May 1st. Hopefully that is enough time for everyone to get the book and read a chapter. If not, holler. Then everyone can comment on it, and we'll see what kind of dialogue we can get going. I'm looking forward to this meeting of the minds! (By the way, the doors are open. Anyone interested in participating is absolutely welcome.)
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Arthur and George
I just finished reading Arthur & George by Julian Barnes. Or, to be more accurate, I just finished listening to it. Does that count? I figure knitting + audiobooks = a more literate Jasie + more fun socks. At any rate...
It is a novelization of the true story of Arthur Conan Doyle's involvement in the case of George Edalji in England at the turn of the century. George, a 'half-breed' son of a Parsi father and Scottish mother, finds himself in the center of a community scandal, unjustly accused of mutilating livestock in the area. At once exceedingly intelligent and exceedingly naive he is convinced that the inevitable outcome of the case will be his declared innocence. Not so.
Preoccupied With Sex Much?
I just checked the Health & Science section of the IHT today, and had to laugh to discover that 6 of the 10 top articles deal with sex. A breakdown for those amused by the absurdity of the news and the misplaced priorities of, well, most of us...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
A Blog Worth Reading
Jamie Arpin-Ricci, whose blog I happily stumbled upon after his post on The Community Coming to be Known as Missional, has an essay on his site titled Homosexuality: A Personal Reflection. Homosexuality is such a hot topic that generates all manner of ill will, and I think he does a beautiful job of balancing orthodoxy and orthopraxy, and sets the discussion within the context of his own journey, personalizing it and not allowing the reader the luxury of impersonal interaction with an abstract idea. It's definitely worth a moment of your time to read.
Also worth reading: Slaves, Women and Homosexuals by William Webb
Monday, April 09, 2007
Formerly Known As...
There's a conversation happening that I've been eavesdropping on, and I thought I'd post some links here. It's definitely worth a read, and I thought some of my fellow lurkers might like to track it...
Bill Kinnon wrote a piece called The People Formerly Known as the Congregation, a terrific synopsis of what so many are railing against in the church. It was followed by Emerging Grace's defining of some of the underlying issues. Jamie Arpinn-Ricci then responded with We are the Community Coming to be Known as Missional. Finally, from the pulpit of John Frye came The People Formerly Known as the Pastor. Greg, who many of you know and love, has also posted on the topic, and his thoughts are always worth hearing.
Easter High Tea
I hosted high tea this Sunday, and after a dinner of veggie pot pie we had a contest in which everyone split into teams and created their own fabulous Easter cake for dessert. Then Tori played judge and jury, awarding a Swiss chocolate bunny to the winners. And they say Easter has been commercialized...
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Prayer for Easter Sunday
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Happy Easter, y'all!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Luz is Funny...
Luz just posted a project for her printing class portfolio on her blog called Cliché(d). Check it out...
What Would Jesus Really Do?
There's a great article by Roland Martin on CNN titled What Would Jesus Really Do? (HT: Ready to Grow) It's a good reminder of the broader Christian mission...
As we celebrate Holy Week, our focus is on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But aren't we also to recommit ourselves to live more like Jesus? Did Jesus spend his time focusing on all that he didn't like, or did Jesus raise the consciousness of the people to understand love, compassion and teach them about following the will of God?
Prayer for Saturday
O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Friday, April 06, 2007
Lessons of Dred Scott
In the IHT today, there is an opinion piece on the lessons of Dred Scott, a supreme court case in 1857 which shamefully concluded that blacks had "no rights which the white man was bound to respect". The authors point out that since then, while we may want to think the country has been moving continuously towards racial harmony and equality, the reality has been more of an ebb and flow.
Prayer for Good Friday
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Prayer for Thursday
Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Congratulations, Jeff and Jen!
Sadly, I missed the wedding, but at least Josh posted tons of photos on flickr. Congratulations, guys, I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you. Sounds like it was a rollicking good time.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Prayer for Wednesday
Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave his body to be whipped and his face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Book Club, Anyone?
So, I'm thinking it would be fun to start a book club here on the blog. If you would be interested in doing something like this, please leave a comment on this post. If people are interested, I'll post a poll listing a few titles that may be good (and again, if you have suggestions, please comment here), and whichever book gets the most votes after a week wins the golden banana. Then (probably in May, for the sake of time to get the book & read a chapter) I can post weekly (or bi-weekly, depending on the density of the volume) on a chapter, and we'll take a week to comment/discuss it. No time or place to meet, just a leisurely conversation. Any takers?
Prayer for Tuesday
O God, by the passion of your blessed Son you made an instrument of shameful death to be for us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Monday, April 02, 2007
Prayer For Monday
It's Holy Week, and I think I'll post the prayer from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer each day of it, as we meditate on this final week in the life of Christ.
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Ripping from the Headlines
Lately, I've been posting articles that I've come across in my meanderings through the web. This could easily become a daily habit, as my first notion upon finding something interesting is to share it, assuming that others will find it equally interesting. This may or may not be true. So, in the interest of my (few but wonderful) readers, I'm putting a poll on the left bar of the blog for the next few weeks, where you can cast your vote. I won't promise to stop doing it just because the majority find it boring, but I can at least maybe limit it.
Bud Cummins Speaks Out
Bud Cummins, one of the U.S. Attorneys recently dismissed in the latest Bush administration scandal, has written a piece on Salon. A large part of his concern in this whole debacle is the effect it will have on the credibility of the Justice Department.
Being credible is like being pregnant -- you either are, or you aren't. If someone says they "kind of" believe what you say, they are really calling you a liar. Once you have given the public a reason to believe some of your decisions are improperly motivated, then they are going to question every decision you have made, or will make in the future. That is a natural and predictable phenomenon.
If people can no longer trust the judicial system and constantly suspect (to an even greater degree - I think most would agree that full trust is dead, if it ever lived) political motivation in prosecution, it will further muck up an already dysfunctional system. As proven here. Sigh.
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