tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58075010590660977362024-03-12T20:19:34.018-07:00The Adventures of (Almost) Parson CarsonA postulant for priesthood in The Episcopal Church and on the path to becoming Parson Carson, I will soon be a seminarian at the Sewanee School of Theology! This is my blog for the ponderings of life, poetry, prayers, travel adventures, humor, space goodness, puns, and photos!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.comBlogger432125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-30537120019561334002017-10-01T06:50:00.001-07:002017-10-01T06:53:34.659-07:00Planet of the Cats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Planet of the Cats”<br />Last night, Bluebell stepped in front of the TV at THE perfect moment!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">LOLOLOLOL!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-45499482224823279232017-09-30T19:05:00.003-07:002017-09-30T19:05:51.605-07:00A Sermon for Sept. 3, 2017 at St. Paul's Episcopal, New Orleans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Caroline Carson 4<br />Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost<br />Year A<br />09.03.2017<br /><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp17_RCL.html#ot2">Jeremiah 15:15-21<br /> </a><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp17_RCL.html#ps2">Psalm 26:1-8 <br /> </a><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp17_RCL.html#nt1">Romans 12:9-21<br /> </a><a href="http://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp17_RCL.html#gsp1">Matthew 16:21-28</a><br /><br />Good morning! I bring you a sermon crafted upon our holy mountain, exactly four days before my very first class on the Foundations of Preaching…</span><div>
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the written word, and the spoken word, may we know your Living Word: Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen</i><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Today’s passage in the gospel of Matthew follows Peter’s statement that Christ is the Messiah; Jesus calling him the “rock” upon which he will build his church, and his giving him the keys to the kingdom of God. How’s Peter feeling right about now? Secure? With a stamp of approval? In control? The most memorable lines from today’s gospel passage are: “Get behind me Satan!” and “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” It seemed rather harsh to me, going from a foundation rock to a stumbling block with “Get behind me Satan!” In the Greek however, the phrase is ambiguous and can mean “get out of my way” or “a cause to stray from whom he ought to trust” or maybe “keep following my leadership”. Calling Peter Satan basically calls him out at being adversarial to Jesus’ messianic role – he’s trying to pull Jesus away from death. This doesn’t go over well. Humanity needs Jesus on the cross. Peter has indeed just taken Jesus aside and spoken to him, almost as if he were in charge and not a disciple. Peter’s disappointment with what Jesus has just told them is evident. He enthusiastically loves Jesus. He has given up his family and possessions to follow him. He has made a grand and obvious commitment - so why not react strongly to Jesus’ informing the disciples that he will soon suffer - and even die? Peter is distracted and focused on himself and his relationship with Jesus, his being “all-in”. Maybe Peter is acting instinctively out of love for his friend…acting first, thinking later. I sure can personally identify with this trait. This is not always a bad thing though…acting quickly to save a life, acting instinctively for our own survival, acting out of love for another. We recognize his humanity and over time, we get used to Peter acting in earnest innocence and discovering that he has indeed moved or spoken too quickly. <br /><br />God’s call, however, is more than rapid response performed with sincerity. Unfortunately though, we happen to be drawn to quick fixes… Who isn’t? God’s calling is much more than a quick fix of say…going to church, even regularly. More than praying every day or night. More than tithing. More even than any one sacrament except….except for living out our Baptismal covenant, long term. It is a calling that we ourselves, like John the Baptist says in the Gospel of John, must decrease - and Christ increase. It is more than “making room for Christ in our hearts”, the implication of which is that we are already so full that we must shove aside, not even rid ourselves of what we have collected, but shove aside and pack the spirit in - to squeeze God into our lives. We may even live a godly life and be infused with the spirit of Christ and his goodness, but, and really ask yourself: how much have we decreased inside ourselves and increased in the image of Christ? Just how do we go about denying ourselves and taking up our cross? <br /><br />It is a call, in a sense, to be forgotten…a call to be forgotten. This is in the worldly sense, where we harbor any reservation whatsoever when asked to follow Christ and instead, we put ourselves first. Putting self-interest away, inviting the difficult, the different, the unknown – essentially inviting the uninvited into our lives. Not shunning challenges to our ways of interacting with people who are different from us or our loyalties… is the giving up of self for the greater good, for the sake of community. What about being willing to suffer or even die? It is a costly process. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the WWII era Lutheran minister who battled Nazi ideology in Germany, wrote in his book The Cost of Discipleship: “Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, and absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. “ <br /><br />How many of us are really super eager…or even mildly eager, to take up our crosses? Our crosses are not likely to be physical persecution for our faith. How do we even know what and how multi-faceted our crosses are? Is it even right to equate and legitimize our own suffering with that of Christ’s? In the 21st century, the cross symbol itself has become a fashion statement as we don’t use crucifixion and are certainly removed from the Game of Thrones-like gruesome practice. Maybe you have taken up a cross…was it your own? Remember Simon of Cyrene set down Christ’s cross because it wasn’t his responsibility to the very end. So, Peter’s asking Jesus not to bear suffering and death was Jesus’s stumbling block. What are yours? Societal additions to material things, money, being right, winning? Physical or mental ailments? Loneliness? Depression? Fear of solitude? Fear of groups? <br /><br />Some of my crosses were shaken and stirred during this summer’s clinical pastoral education course in NYC where I participated in a hundred hours of therapy-like examination, group discussion, and self-awareness training - basically moments of public emotional vomit - in addition to 300 hours as an NYU chaplain at a level I trauma center. Some of my many stumbling blocks are: anxiety, the need for approval, and super enthusiasm (that’s a positive and a negative for me). One you and I may share is the need to not be forgotten. Zing! That is an arrow right through that call to be forgotten, isn’t it? I do experience a certain freedom in seminary life that seems to show me that this vocation is authentic. But, I am deeply aware that self-denial is much broader and deeper than this. I’ve got my work cut out for me. Luckily, I know why I go to church. One of the many reasons is that here, “there is always room for one more” (Robertson). This church, this community of Christ-followers is the heart of opportunity to deny self. Following implies that there will be someone ahead to whom we reach out.<br /><br />To you whose young ones will be baptized this morning: Your name may eventually become: “Walker’s Dad”, “Ella Grace’s parental units”, “Mary Margaret’s Momma”, “Madison’s progenitors”, or perhaps “Ellie’s antecedents”. You are here and part of this community. You are taking up your crosses and that of your infant kin. “The baptismal call for parents who baptize their infants is to take up their own crosses, because you are making promises this morning for yourselves as much as for your children. It’s also a call to bear the cross that parenting can be for a time, to carry it with and for your children until they are mature enough to take it up for themselves. Yet, the good news in all the bearing is” how much more have your souls increased because of these gifts.” (Courtney) <br /><br />You are not alone. They will not be alone. As we accept your sons and daughters as new members of the body of Christ, as we all renew our Baptismal vows, the unison cry of “we will with God’s help” holds us equally in each other’s spirits. As the liturgy turns from darkness into light, we will not be alone. As we move from death in Christ into life into the same, we unite, UNITE, in the risk, in the discomfort of taking up the crosses of the spiritual forces of wickedness, sinful desires, our distrust, and we turn to Christ…..and he walks before and with us as we deny ourselves and follow him. As the old hymn says “In Christ there is no East or West, in Him no South or North, but one great fellowship of God, throughout the whole wide Earth”. Will you be called to be forgotten? For as you fade and decrease, it is God himself who will remember you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />“Lord Jesus Christ, fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may be less of what we used to be, and that we may become more of what you want us to be. Amen”</i><br /><br />Cost of Discipleship (Bonhoeffer)<br />Why Go to Church (Robertson)<br />BCP<br />Thayer’s Greek Lexicon / Strong’s NT</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for reading!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-81957548671055886932017-09-30T18:46:00.002-07:002017-09-30T18:46:41.915-07:00A Prayer for Quiet Confidence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Prayer for Quiet Confidence</span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><i>O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~ Book of Common Prayer</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-59590117221488934392017-09-30T18:34:00.003-07:002017-10-01T06:41:08.949-07:00I LOVE OCTOBER!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, I am <i>THAT </i>person. That person who LOVES OCTOBER...(and that person who has a personal blog...and uses it for all manner of things silly, academic, travel, and to tout the marvels of OCTOBER.) It has to be my favorite month and for a number of reasons. I love when Autumn actually arrives and sets in and while it doesn't come until late October or even November in my home of New Orleans, here atop the beautiful "holy mountain" in Sewanee - it sure is stunning! The smell of leaves, obvious big drops in temperature, and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">crisp and fresh air all mark a solid Fall. Sewanee fog is also beautiful...like living in a cloud. New Orleans fog is pretty too. Here are two of my favorite New Orleans October fog photos from the park across from where I used to live on Frenchmen Street. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Believe it or not, these are iPhone photos.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I also love October because of Halloween and I love wearing my silly socks. I've got this Edgar Allen Poe lunchbox that I bought ten years ago in NOLA and it's hilarious so I use it during October and OF COURSE I wear it with my <a href="http://www.northernsun.com/Poe-Boy-From-A-Poe-Family-TShirt-%288385%29.html" target="_blank">"Poe family" t-shirt </a>:-) I have several Halloween shirts with bats or cats. I am the person that buys the chocolate eyeballs to give to everyone! If you know me and are nearby, <i>you will likely hear just about every Halloween pun that exists </i>:-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love pumpkin spice and though it's available in September nowadays, I get it more in October. I also love sugar free instant apple cider, sitting on the porch enjoying cool weather, walks or hikes in the woods, colorful leaves, and college football - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>GO USC GAMECOCKS! </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, I get somewhere where there's a nice bonfire or smell wood smoke as I'm walking. The days are getting shorter <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/09/21/happy-equinox-heres-how-quickly-the-days-are-getting-shorter-where-you-live/?utm_term=.0bfb5ca477e1" target="_blank">more rapidly</a> and it always reminds me of the good parts of my childhood when it was exciting to have shorter/darker days, walking to school, Halloween costumes, fall festivals, the SC State Fair (one of my favorite memories), apples, popcorn, and toasted pumpkin seeds. It IS always crunch time academically and a super busy month, but it feels great! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, October always brings to the forefront a juxtaposition of an acute sense of the brevity of life (paralleling seasonal cycles) and the happy urgency of scurrying to finish tasks or the celebratory defiance of evening activities outside under brilliant lights before the coming seasonal cold and slumbersome stillness.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-11675143609035575842017-09-29T13:41:00.001-07:002017-09-29T13:41:12.542-07:00Moon: September 26, 2017<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos of the Moon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canon powershot </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-35797057025276709572017-09-29T13:27:00.000-07:002017-09-30T20:11:12.184-07:00Forgotten<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Found this poem on the <a href="https://hellopoetry.com/words/forgotten/" target="_blank">Hello Poetry</a> website. It fits how I'm feeling this Friday afternoon completely. SO. COMPLETELY. It's been a super hard week, but a terrific week. I've got tons going on and for me. I'm whining a bit though. I am reminded that there are millions who feel this way every hour of the day. I would not wish that upon anyone, but I know it's likely many feel it. Frankly, I know not everyone can have all days be fantastic and I"m sure it will make the great times feel greater, but it stinks while you're down. Today, someone changed an appt., another rainchecked a lunch (good reason), and someone else's word choice about something minor was poor and left me feeling terrible. Last year, the question was: how many times does one hint around being included before one simply stops asking? Today brought some of that back. Everything was unintentional I am quite sure, I do know that. Still, it's been a rough day. I'm allowed to have them and it always brings me to prayer and ponderings with God. Yes I shed some tears. I needed to and now I feel better. It's not a bowl of roses now, but it' not as bad as I make it out to be. I hope whoever wrote the poem below is feeling better and I hope I do and if you're having a down sort of day or moment, I hope you will soon feel better too! Hang in there!</span></div>
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anonymous crazy person thingy Feb 2015<br /><a href="https://hellopoetry.com/poem/1083791/forgotten/" target="_blank">FORGOTTEN</a><br /><br /><i>Forgotten. <br />"I didn't realise you weren't there"<br />"I actually forgot all about you"<br />"I'm so sorry I forgot our appointment"<br />How many times <br />Can one be forgotten? <br />Oblivion is the state of being completely forgotten, <br />They say it comes with death<br />Yet I have achieved it in life.</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-15587016904883489072017-08-12T20:45:00.001-07:002017-10-01T07:11:05.926-07:00Words Fail Me <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Racism and anti-Semitism again raising their voices and
engaging in violence. I am thoroughly disgusted with the white supremacists, the rhetoric they feed upon, and especially the overt destruction of the civil progress our nation has actually made (and I know we have a long way to go). This feels like it's basically a form of terrorism. As humans, we are
far, FAR more alike than we are different. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Words fail me, maybe they fail us all, but I pray that there is an end to the violence and the belief that violent acts can foster an end to the marginalization that any group feels or experiences. When it is enough to make us all speak out simultaneously? How many violent acts resulting in injuries (to body or spirit) equal a reason that touches each of us enough to react as a whole? What is the point at which we can no longer stand the persecution of our friends, neighbors, and fellow citizens *of the human race*?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I realize offering prayers might not feel right for some, but it feels right for me right now. I realize it might seem like more failed or distant words, but I believe common prayer can have communion of spirit and maybe that's what I can hang onto tonight while I mull over and try to understand the "why" of it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I offer this prayer for Social Justice from the Book of Common Prayer:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Almighty God, who hast created us in thine own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.</i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I also offer this prayer from “A Year of Prayer to End Racism”
from the Diocese of West Virginia:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Creator of all people, in our amazing diversity of size, shape,
color, and giftedness: guide us, by your grace, to recognize the beauty and
fitness of all whom you have made in your own image. Give us gifts of humility
and generosity of spirit to recognize in all people, the face of our Savior,
Jesus, and to practice his commandment to “love one another,” toward the end of
bringing harmony and peace among persons of all colors, origins, and abilities,
for the sake of your Kingdom.” Amen.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Racism is NOT ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Bigotry is NOT ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Intolerance is NOT ok.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Violence is NOT ok.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-5221865148902343572017-08-12T15:37:00.006-07:002017-08-29T19:04:25.858-07:00My Summer 2017 - CPE and NYC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">HA!...of course I forgot to share this so......my last few days in NYC were FANTABULOUS, especially my last day. I'm back in Sewanee now, have taken a personal retreat in two parts, and classes have begun - TODAY! More info on classes I'm taking at the very bottom of this post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Howdy y'all! :-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having only three days left here in NYC, I decided to put some of my thoughts of CPE and living in NYC mixed into a generic update on my summer. I've been way from home since the end of the spring semester in April and it's been pretty nonstop busy, but I do love that.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in the spring, I received two grants (Seminary Consultation on Mission and Episcopal Church Global Missions) to travel to the Philippines. With faculty support, I scheduled my exams early to make the trip. I'm in the process of writing about my journey and the work I did there so stay tuned to this blog (you can sign up via email on the right-hand side of the screen). I spent three weeks there and was able to visit and work with small remote villages, attend the national synod and write an <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/05/10/joel-pachao-elected-episcopal-church-in-the-philippines-prime-bishop/">ENS article about it</a>, and learn about The Episcopal Church in The Philippines. It was FANTASTIC and I do hope to return!<br /><br />Two weeks before I left though, my mother had a stroke in Charleston, SC. She was in and out of the ER for four days and it was an extremely stressful time. My brother and I worked hard to make sure she was receiving the care she needed for stroke recovery and other issues. After a month of waiting on certain documents, we finally received necessary paperwork and my brother was able to get things rolling with placing her in an assisted living facility. During my CPE (explained below) unit, I flew down from New York to clear out some of the house and move Mom’s things into storage while my brother dealt with other things on Mom’s behalf. In July, he was able to help her get to a facility in NC. She is doing extremely well in her new place and seems happy. I am also happy and grateful that she is receiving the care that she needs, has friends, and is enjoying activities there!!<img height="638" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18620345_10101669471307937_1375523831509690573_n.jpg?oh=c0e466a79d119cee5ade07d486a3159b&oe=5A31072C" width="640" /><br />In light of my Mom's health, I did discern much about whether or not I should go to the Philippines, but I had some help and advice and in the end, I decided to go. After returning, I immediately began my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) program in New York on May 22. All Episcopal seminarians must complete a unit of CPE and it’s usually done the summer after the first year in the MDiv program. My CPE placement has been in New York at <a href="http://www.lutheranhealthcare.org/Main/Home.aspx">NYU Langone-Brooklyn </a>Medical Center and I have been living in a room in East Williamsburg in Brooklyn. NYUL is a Level I trauma center and is widely known and respected for its stroke response and medical teams. Working here, I've been able to be part of rapid response teams and witness the efficient, caring, and holistic care the hospital provides. I've gotten to know patients and their families, some staff, and some docs. I've listened, prayed with and for, distributed communion, sat in silence, cried with, laughed with, been at bedsides where last breaths were taken, been at cribs where new babies cooed, and been there as fiances screamed at the sudden loss of their beloved. My CPE program consisted of 300 hours of volunteer chaplaincy work and 100 hours of class – not to mention the books, presentations, and papers! I was placed in the stroke/neurological wing and that was very interesting, but tough. The summer has been challenging, emotional, intense, filled with holy moments, and I have learned so so sooooo much. Many say that CPE is transformative and indeed it has been. Knowing that most of us had similar experiences is also an amazing part of the communal nature of the journey to priesthood in The Episcopal Church (and other denominations). I'm grateful that we can share threads of these deep experiences, similar challenges, and mutual growth in self-awareness and pastoral identity with each other and with our future congregations.<br /><img height="480" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19642218_10101719816795177_7743499901071292068_n.jpg?oh=0b478ecc70984e53886d4999d58b09c4&oe=59FD66B2" width="640" /><br />I finished both the class and volunteer hours as of August 1st, but stayed a little on as an NYUL chaplain for a bit. I love the work and I love living up here so I was excited to stay on! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><u><i><b>Some of the things I have loved while working at NYUL:</b></i></u><br />- Meeting patients from around the world and being a chaplain to them<br />- Feeling more affirmed in my pastoral identity<br />- Learning tools for interacting with people when they are in distress and/or grieving<br />- Establishing personal learning goals for working with people in ministry<br />- Learning more about interreligious chaplaincy as it pertains to healing<br />- Developing better self-awareness on many, MANY levels</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Being ok with silence in togetherness with patients<br />- Being part of the RRT - (rapid response team) and what helps make NYUL known for a center that provides holistic healing<br />- Learning from my CPE colleagues, my supervisors, patients, and hospital staff<br />- Being on-call in evening shifts...I found that I liked this very much. <br /><img height="233" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20638477_10101765518239117_813864511557956474_n.jpg?oh=637cddf55f0c204d5c0f65097f754d07&oe=5A33A569" width="320" /> <img height="240" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375894_10101760092721897_1510452397233343886_n.jpg?oh=bf7a8897a8988bfb8f3952236a8bb78d&oe=59F2ABCB" width="320" /><br /><u><i><b>Some of the things I have loved about living in New York are:</b></i></u><br />- Not having a car</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Iced coffee. I always disliked iced coffee until, quite suddenly, this summer, I began to love it and have become rather used to having it often!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />- Student tickets to museums and some Broadway shows<br />- Cafes and shops on almost every corner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Attending St. Mary the Virgin Church. It became apparent that many people didn't understand why I attended the same church each Sunday. I've been coming to NYC fairly often since 1989 so have attended many of the ones they recommended and after a whole year of attending a different church almost every Sunday, I REALLY felt like attending the same church all summer long and it was worth it. Lovely church, excellent rector (Stephen Gerth) and music (David Hurd, director). "Smokey Mary's" <i><span style="color: cyan;">www.stmvirgin.org</span></i><br />- Many parks and quiet spots can be found...one simply has to look<br />- Seeing friends I know from New Orleans and New York<br />- The pizza (of course!)<br />- Having work here and feeling like I'm part of things and have a non-touristy purpose<br />- The diversity and hearing different languages all around me<br />- The many flowers I've found on my walks<br />- People don't look down upon you for using social media here<br />- People DO NOT care what you look like<br />- Free lunches for volunteers at the hospital. These have enabled me to save money all summer long and see shows and go to museums!<br />- There are beaches here...I had forgotten that!<br /><img height="480" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19399599_10101708956304687_2933240784876076896_n.jpg?oh=9643d2a506bbd9b529091b33f482c3c7&oe=59F4CB1F" width="640" /><br /><u><i><b>Some things I don't like:</b></i></u><br />- It's ridiculously expensive<br />- Summer is HOT and I say that having lived in NOLA, Columbia, SC, and Atlanta, GA</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's MISERABLE though, b/c it seems as if few places have adequate air conditioning. While most subway trains are cool inside, the standing platforms where you wait are like OVENS. I am not exaggerating one bit<br />- Crazy people on the subway who ruin perfectly good rides<br />- Those times when well-meaning people have lists of things they think you should do in NYC, but you either can't or have differing tastes and motives<br />- Climbing all the steps....there are so many....tooooooo many</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Daily motion sickness riding the trains. Mine has always been pretty bad. I can handle most short train rides, though I sometimes feel a bit nauseous and exit with a really bad headache. I was glad for the 10-12 minute walk from the subway station to the hospital so that I could feel better each day before starting work<br /> <img height="640" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18920676_10101683404780147_1351905128161499616_n.jpg?oh=3ef2e6638bba549a9fa956c935e50702&oe=5A33E509" width="480" /><br />I am <i style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: underline;">very</i> grateful to my host, an experienced staff NYUL chaplain. She let me afford living in her place this summer AND she let me bring my dear sweet Bluebell kitty up with me! She has two sweet kitties and everyone gets along :-)<br /><img height="372" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18881853_10101683776185847_3797632163870651243_n.jpg?oh=d4cbbd8d811c38e5f20a749cefebaa8c&oe=5A2D1088" width="640" /> <br />When I return to Sewanee, I will do some much-needed apartment cleaning, finish getting books for the semester, have a couple of meetings, hopefully view the solar eclipse (it had better not be cloudy!), and more. One thing I am especially grateful for is that I have planned a personal retreat during the week before classes begin. YIPPEE! I’ll get to have an actual peaceful much-needed break, thanks to some very caring friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have a Quiet Day on Monday, August 28 and classes begin on Tuesday, August 29. <br /><u><i><b>I'm taking the following classes:</b></i></u><br />- Pastoral Theology I<br />- Systematic Theology I<br />- A course on C.S. Lewis<br />- A ministry course called Transforming Congregations<br />- Foundations in Preaching and the preaching lab that goes with it<br />- I am attempting to take Arabic lessons this year, but not for credit<br />I'm very excited and have happy butterflies about returning and this second year!<br /> <img height="640" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19554987_10101711967729767_3083781216796465446_n.jpg?oh=e67dd3dfedf54dc5c16bf9cd09742335&oe=59FDCE4F" width="480" /><br /> <img height="640" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20293095_10101751645644907_4986754409923321749_n.jpg?oh=ecbdb1d6d20af1fac7300c4810878c95&oe=59EC6C12" width="536" /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-32267399673482993042017-08-05T17:19:00.003-07:002017-08-05T17:19:49.860-07:00Summer 2017 update for St. Paul's<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Dear St. Paul’s Family,</u></i></b><br /><br />It’s time for an update from your Sewanee seminarian! First, I’d like to thank you for keeping me in your prayers and for your support of all that I am doing and learning. Much has gone on since I last saw you in December and wrote to you in the spring. First, I received two grants (Seminary Consultation on Mission and Episcopal Church Global Missions) to travel to the Philippines. With faculty support, I scheduled my exams early to make the trip. I am in the process of writing about my journey and the work I did there so stay tuned to this blog (you can sign up via email on the right-hand side of the screen). I spent three weeks there and was able to visit and work with small remote villages, attend the national synod and write an <a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/05/10/joel-pachao-elected-episcopal-church-in-the-philippines-prime-bishop/" target="_blank">ENS article about it</a>, and learn about The Episcopal Church in The Philippines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two weeks before I left though, my mother had a stroke in Charleston, SC. She was in and out of the ER for four days and it was an extremely stressful time. My brother and I worked hard to make sure she was receiving the care she needed for progressive dementia and stroke recovery. After a month of waiting on certain documents, we finally received paperwork that was necessary to establish power of attorney and were able to get things rolling with placing her in an assisted living facility. I flew down from New York to clean out the house and move Mom’s things into storage while my brother dealt with selling the house on Mom’s behalf. In July, he was able to do that and Mom is now in a facility in Durham, NC, near my brother. She is doing extremely well in her new place and seems happy. I am happy and grateful that she is receiving the care that she needs!!!!</span><img alt="Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, outdoor" height="638" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18620345_10101669471307937_1375523831509690573_n.jpg?oh=c0e466a79d119cee5ade07d486a3159b&oe=5A31072C" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />I discerned much about whether or not I should go to the Philippines, but I had some help and advice and in the end, I decided to go. After I returned, I immediately began my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) program in New York on May 22. All seminarians must complete a unit of CPE and it’s usually done the summer after the first year in the MDiv program. My CPE placement has been in New York at <a href="http://www.lutheranhealthcare.org/Main/Home.aspx" target="_blank">NYU Langone-Brooklyn </a>Medical Center and I have been living in a room in East Williamsburg in Brooklyn. NYUL is a Level I trauma center and is widely known and respected for its stroke response and medical teams. Working here, I have been able to be part of rapid response and witness the efficient, caring, and holistic care the hospital provides. My CPE program consisted of 300 hours of volunteer chaplaincy work and 100 hours of class – not to mention the books, presentations, and papers! I was placed in the stroke/neurological wing and that was very interesting, but tough. The summer has been challenging, emotional, intense, filled with holy moments, and I have learned so so sooooo much. Many say that CPE is transformative and indeed it has been.</span><br />
<div>
<img alt="Image may contain: outdoor" height="480" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19642218_10101719816795177_7743499901071292068_n.jpg?oh=0b478ecc70984e53886d4999d58b09c4&oe=59FD66B2" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I finished both the class and volunteer hours this past week and was asked to stay on as an NYUL chaplain until I leave New York in ten days. I love the work and I love living up here so I was excited to stay on! Our CPE unit graduation is this coming Tuesday, May 8th - please keep all chaplain residents and interns in your prayers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b><i>Some of the things I have loved while working at NYUL are:</i></b></u></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Meeting patients from around the world and being a chaplain to them</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Feeling more affirmed in my pastoral identity</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Learning tools for interacting with people when they are in distress and/or grieving</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Establishing personal learning goals for working with people in ministry</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Learning more about interreligious chaplaincy as it pertains to healing</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Developing better self-awareness on many, MANY levels</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Being part of the RRT - the rapid response team and what helps make NYUL known for a center that provides holistic healing</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Learning from my CPE colleagues, my supervisors, patients, and hospital staff</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Being on-call...I found that I liked this very much. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Iced coffee. I always disliked iced coffee until, quite suddenly, this summer, I began to love it and have become rather used to having it often!</span></div>
<div>
<img alt="Image may contain: outdoor" height="232" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20638477_10101765518239117_813864511557956474_n.jpg?oh=637cddf55f0c204d5c0f65097f754d07&oe=5A33A569" width="320" /> <img alt="Image may contain: plant, flower, nature and outdoor" height="240" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20375894_10101760092721897_1510452397233343886_n.jpg?oh=bf7a8897a8988bfb8f3952236a8bb78d&oe=59F2ABCB" width="320" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><b><u><i>Some of the things I have loved about living in New York are:</i></u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Not having a car</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Student tickets to museums and some Broadway shows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Cafes and shops on every corner</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Many parks and quiet spots can be found,one simply has to look</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Seeing friends I know from New Orleans and New York</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- The pizza (of course!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Having work here and feeling like I'm part of things</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- The diversity and hearing different languages all around me</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- The many flowers I've found on my walks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- People don't look down upon you for using social media here</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- People DO NOT care what you look like</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Free lunches for volunteers at the hospital. These have enabled me to save money all summer long and see shows and go to museums!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- There are beaches here!</span></div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: one or more people, ocean, sky, outdoor and water" height="480" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19399599_10101708956304687_2933240784876076896_n.jpg?oh=9643d2a506bbd9b529091b33f482c3c7&oe=59F4CB1F" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><i><b>Some things I don't like:</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- It's ridiculously expensive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Summer is HOT and I say that having lived in NOLA, Columbia, SC, and Atlanta, GA. It's MISERABLE though, b/c few places have adequate air conditioning and while most subway trains are cool inside, the standing platforms where you wait are like OVENS. I am not exaggerating one bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Crazy people on the subway who ruin perfectly good rides.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Those times when well-meaning people have lists of things they think you <i>should </i>do in NYC, but you either can't or have differing tastes and motives.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Climbing all the steps....there are so many....tooooooo many.</span></div>
<div>
<img alt="Image may contain: sky, cloud, outdoor and water" height="640" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18920676_10101683404780147_1351905128161499616_n.jpg?oh=3ef2e6638bba549a9fa956c935e50702&oe=5A33E509" width="480" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am very grateful to my host, an experienced staff NYUL chaplain. She let me afford living in her place this summer AND she let me bring my dear sweet Bluebell kitty up with me! She has two sweet kitties and everyone gets along :-)</span></div>
<div>
<img alt="Image may contain: skyscraper, sky, ocean, outdoor and water" height="372" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18881853_10101683776185847_3797632163870651243_n.jpg?oh=d4cbbd8d811c38e5f20a749cefebaa8c&oe=5A2D1088" width="640" /> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I return to Sewanee, I will do some much-needed apartment cleaning, finish getting books for the semester, have a couple of meetings, hopefully view the solar eclipse, and more. One thing I am especially grateful for is that friends of mine will let me use their mountain cabin for a few days during the week before classes begin so I’ll get to have an actual peaceful much-needed retreat break. We have a Quiet Day on Monday, August 28 and classes begin on Tuesday, August 29. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><i><b>I'm taking the following classes:</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Pastoral Theology I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Systematic Theology I</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- A course on C.S. Lewis</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- A ministry course called Transforming Congregations</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Foundations in Preaching and the preaching lab that goes with it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm very excited and have happy butterflies about returning and this second year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will be visiting New Orleans and St. Paul’s over Labor Day weekend and attending that Sunday’s 10:15 AM service so I hope to see you all in person!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-58330302348071989282017-08-04T12:42:00.003-07:002017-08-04T12:42:27.205-07:00Trees by Joyce Kilmer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Trees </b></i>by Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think that I shall never see </span></div>
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A poem lovely as a tree. </div>
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A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed </div>
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Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast; </div>
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A tree that looks at God all day, </div>
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And lifts her leafy arms to pray; </div>
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A tree that may in Summer wear </div>
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A nest of robins in her hair; </div>
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Upon whose bosom snow has lain; </div>
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Who intimately lives with rain. </div>
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Poems are made by fools like me, </div>
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But only God can make a tree.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-68153230337402727442017-08-03T16:22:00.001-07:002017-08-03T16:22:42.103-07:00A Moment<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I needed a moment today. A big one. So, I'm eating out for the third time since May 22. </span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent HOURS trying to finish scheduling things and making phone calls. Yesterday, I just finished my last CPE class session so I was supposed to take today OFF and tomorrow as well. Instead, I worked on things all day....things that will make life much easier when I get back to Sewanee for a bit before classes begin. I did it though - and remotely got a great start to being back at home. So, I'm rather excited to say that not only did I finish my final CPE course yesterday, but I finished my hours on Tuesday. I decided a while back that I'd stay in NYC a week longer than graduation (August 8) for a couple of reasons. First, I want to see friends I haven't gotten a chance to see up here since I've been so busy! Secondly, I was not sure at the time whether or not I'd be finished with my hours and it was recommended to me that I get a one-way ticket and wait to decide upon the return date.</span> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Image may contain: food" height="640" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/20525694_10101764537504517_8955069335057945850_n.jpg?oh=53de5945c6c93caabae3350854146c4b&oe=59F17B29" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> My dinner of chicken pad Thai at Sage in Brooklyn </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once back at Sewanee, I'll have a couple of days to bomb the apartment to get rid of spiders etc., get the new tires I needed last October and see if my car even still runs, and join a one-day Orientation trip to Memphis with the incoming class of seminarians. I hope to then experience the solar eclipse and...AND....AAAAANNNNND.... I need a retreat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really REALLY need it. It's been nonstop since spring break and much of the time super intense. SO, I planned one. I did it. I picked a tiny little town in an undisclosed location....somewhere not too far away, yet AWAY, and a place that has peace, activities, views, water, etc. I PLANNED IT! I'm so excited! It's just two days, BUT who cares, right?! I cannot wait!! YIPPEEEEEE!!!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-43016057741520099892017-07-26T17:01:00.004-07:002017-07-26T17:06:53.582-07:00The Little Tuft That Grows<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This triumphant little tuft of grass: stepped on or stepped around, but green and healthy, resilient, perhaps even determined, and able to grow and thrive! It reminded me today of overcoming many hardships in my life and how as much as I see those things, I also see the beauty around me. I'm so grateful to have seen this little green patch and to experience in myself the rush of feelings and excitement in life. I am so so sooooooooooooooo happy to be on the path to priesthood, attending seminary at Sewanee, and to have the capacity to love the adventure before me as it unfolds. It has been a long and difficult road - with plenty of things that have thrown me off or sent me on wild goose chases. It has also been harried with anxiety, both in family and personal matters, BUT, I'm enjoying the ride!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love my own journey and I want to say thank you to all you reading this for your part in my life! <img src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f7f/1/16/1f60a.png" />😊<img src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v9/f6c/1/16/2764.png" />❤️ Have a lovely evening!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-25913536898280375582017-07-22T14:31:00.002-07:002017-07-22T15:17:43.570-07:00Mary Magdalene's Rather Creepy Hair Suits, Portrayed by Early Renaissance Painters<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today (July 22, 2017) we commemorate the feast of Saint <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Magdalene" target="_blank">Mary Magdalene</a>. I saw the first image on Instagram and thought "wow, that looks like a pantsuit....painted in the 1430's and referring to waaaaay earlier, my how progressive...what's up with that?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEN saw the second image which revealed to me it's actually her hair! Wow!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hair suits...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ponder that for a moment...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The imagery is both grotesque and amazing.... It was Mary Magdalene (in many interpretations) who used her hair to wipe her tears from Jesus' feet and anoint them (instead of Mary of Bethany, Martha's sister), thus her hair was an important feature. Perhaps she did have red hair and perhaps she didn't, but many Italian painters portrayed women with red hair. <a href="https://jacksitaly.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/redheaded-italians-where-do-they-come-from/" target="_blank">Here is an interesting blog post</a> on red haired Italian women. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice (and a bit creepy) touch of modesty here in these paintings though, covering Mary's naked form with suit-like long hair. First image: a master of Gdansk, an unknown painter circa 1430. Second image: </span><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Pietro_Birago" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Giovanni Pietro di Birago</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Italy, active from 1471-1513).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Third image: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Vivarini" target="_blank">Antonio Vivarini </a>(active from 1440-1480). These images are almost akin to modern hairy images of the mythical Bigfoot in some ways, but as I stare at the paintings, I think they're growing on me. If I can love early Renaissance music and the sackbut, krummhorn and shawm, I can surely make the stretch to strange paintings of hair-covered saints!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's a very interesting and informative article link <i><a href="http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/200806/who-framed-mary-magdalene-27585" target="_blank">Who Framed Mary Magdalene?</a></i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary Magdalene Raised by Angels in Glory, Unknown from Gdansk, 1430.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mary Magdalene by Giovanni Pietro di Birago, Italy ca. 1500</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-45688514274722030372017-07-22T13:22:00.000-07:002017-07-22T13:30:25.897-07:00A Collect for Coffee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">~ Found on the coffee pot in the student commons room in Hamilton Hall at The Sewanee School of Theology with no author's credit given, therefore, Anonymous. I performed a Google search and did not find anything so, I present it here for all to read and share!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Almighty God, who in your mercy provides all things for our goodwill and maintenance, pour out your blessings upon the farmers, harvesters, distributors, roasters, and all others who participate in the manifold tasks required to provide your people with that most useful beverage, coffee, that we, your church, might continue to reap the benefits of this beverage for the glory of your kingdom and the sake of your only son, our savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photo by Caroline Carson, Cafe du Monde, New Orleans, LA</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-44034144867980323382017-07-22T12:58:00.001-07:002017-07-22T12:58:17.070-07:00A Prayer for Quiet Confidence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A Prayer for Quiet Confidence</span><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we will be saved, in quietness and confidence will be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.</i><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">~ Book of Common Prayer</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bay Ridge in Brooklyn at sunset, CPE summer 2017</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-60944984779912858552017-07-20T10:48:00.003-07:002017-07-20T10:48:47.217-07:00A Little CPE Reflection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'll preface this by saying that it's a boiling hot summer day in NYC and I've a free day, but feel rather congested so I decided to stay home and write and watch a few movies later. I hope this makes some sense and either is of interest of helps those seeking CPE experiences. :-)</span><br />
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<img alt="Image may contain: one or more people and outdoor" height="480" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19894674_10101733749264397_4126415534929503194_n.jpg?oh=7f402b16e0a8a52896315c7fd2e5638a&oe=59F2CA7F" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />At the core of my personal theology resides two themes: that of our time being short upon this Earth and that of all humanity belonging to God and being comprised of a colorful collage of brokenness within it. I believe that our souls, our essences of spirit, are forms of sentient energy, separate, yet inextricably bound to our bodies….these bodies…these growing and learning, yet breakable and decaying bodies. We were created in the image of God, we are broken by our journey, and we will be healed in and by Christ’s breaking and rising. There is a temporal limit to our bodies and no one knows whether our souls existed before or will last afterwards. I choose to believe they live onward. I also believe that we are all children of God of equal standing in life and death. We are all born and we all die. There is no distinction and no division within Christ. Romans 3:22-25, <i>“For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith.” </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> One aspect of what this means to me is that I am as broken as my fellow man. As a <a href="https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/postulant-holy-orders-monastic" target="_blank">postulant</a>, praying and studying to one day (God willing) become a priest, I am called to use my brokenness to minister to those paralyzed by the fear this brokenness may create. This summer unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (<a href="https://www.acpe.edu/ACPE/_Students/FAQ_S.aspx" target="_blank">CPE)</a>, has placed me in an extremely socio-economically and demographically diverse environment.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I chose it. It was as close as I could get to doing my CPE in another country. I crave diversity of people and culture.</span><br /> <br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>There are no seminary bubbles here. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>There are no remote and lush mountain hideaways here</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here, one is faced with everything and everyone and can embrace the truths of the raw and beautiful or of the hidden and ugly…basically all aspects of humanity. It continues to be very refreshing for my soul and I feel at home in the middle of it all. It is not easy though. I was placed in a stroke/neurological unit after my mother had a stroke. It has hit home HARD that our family has these tendencies toward strokes and dementia. There have been times I’ve relived my father’s death through witnessing someone else’s love done gasping for that last breath. I have seen dysfunctional family dynamics and it has been like a mirror to my own family. These were not events that I buried, not at all, but rather, events that, like grief, tend to resurface.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">In a hospital environment, the brokenness of the body comes with the aching of the soul, the purest joy at rehabilitative progress, the deep sadness of parting, the humor from tired, slap-happy minds, the pain of needles, the happy tears of new and health birth, the stench of bodies, the warmth of blankets, the noise…and the silence. My calling to be a priest in this world has called me to pray, discern, and reflect. I am recognizing both strengths and growing edges of mine. Some of my gifts are enthusiasm, listening, reflection, and energy. Some of my strengths have nothing to do with my gifts, but rather the progress I have made in some of my growing edges. Even the tiniest bit of self-awareness is something I consider as progress. The urge to fix, the uncertainty of pastoral identity, and the awareness of how my anxiety plays roles in various situations from the unknown, to the wanting-to-be-in-charge, to the yes/no questions preventing going deeper with patients – these have all been identified and are all being worked on. I am feeling more at home in my role as it is sculpted toward priesthood. I feel more comfortable with the constancy of human physical ailments, traumatic events, the dying process, and thinking and talking about death.</span></div>
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This feeling of home aligns with one of the themes we studied and read about in our CPE course books this summer, that of grief and the grieving process. [The books are: <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thought-Was-Just-but-isnt-ebook/dp/B000SEHDGM/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1">I Thought It Was Just Me</a> (But It Wasn’t)</i> by Brené Brown and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/All-Our-Losses-Griefs-Resources/dp/0664244939/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500570782&sr=8-1&keywords=all+our+losses+all+our+griefs+resources+for+pastoral+care"><i>All Our Losses, All Our Griefs</i></a> by Mitchell and Anderson]. CPE has helped me to gain some tools to help me recognize when and how others are grieving. Grief does not simply take the form of physical death, but can also go along with change itself. I will grieve the loss of some of the ways I’ve done things and habits I’ve held. For example: in letting go of trying to fix things when I listen to suffering, I can become a vessel of God’s healing presence, allowing for an authenticity from the patient I’m with, an honesty and sincerity of feeling and emotion that they can express. I have re-learned in CPE that one of the most comforting things I can offer to someone is silence. Any words of comfort must be those that can let them open up their own experiences and find sacred space in which they can find their own path to God’s healing. Even if the person is not of any faith background, spiritual and sacred experiences can happen.</div>
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People need the holy. They need to know God cares for them, even in their grief and that God is there for them, even in their raw state of being. Having let down my fences through therapy in the past, I know how healing it can be to let go. Still, letting go, involves a type of grief over the loss of what you let go. What if you never had it to begin with? Can a person grieve over something they have never had? I propose that yes, we can in fact grieve the loss of something we have not actually had. It can be the loss of an imagined state, the loss of potential, or the loss of an opportunity for growth. During this summer of CPE and working with patients at the hospital, I have observed many people who have suddenly lost physical opportunities they did not consider until it became too late. They grieve in varying ways. CPE is teaching me to learn to sit with them in this grief instead of creating a false sort of bravery that keeps sorrow and death at a comfortable distance. By showing our vulnerability do we begin to reach the sacredness inside ourselves. By allowing others to do so without invasion, we allow them to experience release and healing. This allowance is a thin place in our emotional lives, enabling us to be truly connected with God and open to God’s interaction with all humanity. Once we are comfortable with our own vulnerability and our own sense of the holiness in ourselves, we can truly be home anywhere. By this, I mean that we may give ourselves, our souls, and our bodies to the God in everyone and every place we experience.</div>
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Some of the cultural and sociological observations I have include the following. I’ve seen no racial, age, or cultural issues arise, but I have seen gender issues while at NYUL. NYUL is a hospital open to all, but most of the patients are Catholic and many in this tradition prefer to have a male Catholic priest. Likewise, I have seen men in the Jewish faith or Muslim traditions prefer not to pastorally talk with a woman. It has been very interesting for me to see these dynamics. Because of my travels and personality, I can often provide pastoral support for these families even if they did not necessarily want to “see a chaplain”. Part of being a good leader is to know when to step back and when to follow and to do it willingly, both for the sake of respect and for learning. I was respected as an intern and included by response teams doctors, family, and others. I was invited to discussions, allowed to watch some therapy and some procedures, and grew comfortable and affirmed in my role.</div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: ocean, sky, cloud, outdoor, water and nature" height="480" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19905225_10101733100654217_8302586537592827965_n.jpg?oh=017eee41127fe1b811733ce5eefaad26&oe=59F55128" width="640" /><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /> Theologically, I saw God at this hospital….in patients, pastoral care team, staff, doctors, and more. I have been in hospitals many times, but this time being in a leadership capacity, I was able to step into others’ grieving process and witness transformation in progress. I did not see the end results of many of these processes, but having a glimpse into them was valuable. Chaplains are in a unique role of representing God and/or the Divine. Sometimes all we can do is to let a person know that the divine is still divine in the midst of their story. The sacred nature of this is the visceral reality of our own mortality. Again, we are all born and we all die. Where do we stand before God? How shall we live out our lives? The key for me is made of favorite quotes from Jonathan Swift and Henri Amiel. <br /><br /><i>May you live all the days of your life. </i><br />~ Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)<br /><br /><i>My friends, Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind. And may the blessing of the One who made us, and the One who loves us, and the One who travels with us, be with you and those you love this day and always. AMEN.</i><br />~ Adapted from Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821–1881)<br /><br />Below is one of my spiritual reflections after an evening shift at NYUL.<br /><br /><i>As soon as I walked out of the hospital, I could feel it and so I chose to walk slowly, savoring every moment. My whole 0.7 mile walk to the subway station this evening was a mystical and transcendent thin place. It's chilly, misting droplets filling the air, and the twilight fading into the night. The softness of the air. The hum of a streetlight. The hint of the idea of an Autumn out of place. The sounds of children playing. The smells of dinners. The oddity of civic fireflies that flickered over green garbage cans and brownstones. A multitude of languages, cars whooshing by, bells on shop doors dinging the way in or the way out, music of all sorts coming from a distance down every street, the smell of fresh laundry, and an occasional breeze in the trees. I'm so grateful to have moments like this! Moments of satisfying joy, a twinge of sadness, a breath of excitement - Moments that fill me with inexplicable longing, yet fill me with this transitory life itself. I walked from the past, through the present, and touched the future tonight. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Thanks be to God.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes, we suit up for the protection of the patient or our protection.</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-25098586414613544422017-07-15T09:32:00.002-07:002017-07-15T09:36:37.819-07:00Hair-Raising Rantings of a Ginger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep in the recesses of your mind while you read this - that this is in fact, my hair, my head, and my opinion!</span><br />
<img alt="Image may contain: one or more people, flower, outdoor and nature" height="636" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16938850_10101564157053547_5016481104383345352_n.jpg?oh=a31ca00eca9476489514a3c2cb401b46&oe=5A0678E0" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are unalienable truthbombs all redheaded folks face, though I wonder if it's as much of an issue in northern Scotland as it is in my neck of the woods. People you've never met will ask about the nature of your hair: whether it's real or not, whether or not certain other portions match the hair on your head, whether you steal souls when you get angry, or whether you've ever been called "Annie" before (oh THAT's a new one #not).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Seriously, people have no shame about it and feel you shouldn't either. Regardless of your heritage, it will always be assumed you're Irish (not that that's a bad thing)! How dare you think of cutting it. "You should" blah blah blah.. Srsly. People will give you unwanted advice ALL. THE. TIME.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People tell me several times a week how jealous they are and compare my hair to someone they've known or known about. I get stopped on the street, even here in NYC just last week. They offer recommendations about what colors to wear in makeup, clothing, and look offended if you don't like "terracotta camel orangine" or whatever...but you get the point. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I might appreciate compliments....if they weren't only ever followed by advice and directives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It gets old. </span><br />
<img alt="Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, outdoor" height="319" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18620345_10101669471307937_1375523831509690573_n.jpg?oh=eb99817c7aec221cf3abc1241a3b7b14&oe=5A097A2C" width="320" /> <img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling" height="320" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/16711740_10101551060529087_3806161820386498678_n.jpg?oh=918e247c35fa706dc560490d77c13820&oe=59C3E181" width="320" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's fun to see their faces when I tell them how I used to want to dye my hair black when I was in kindergarten through six grade. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's way less fun to hear their shocked and critical responses. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They tell me "that's crazy", "you're insane", "how stupid can you be?!" "only an idiot would do that....you should (blah blah blah)" and proceed to tell me how lucky I am to have this color and that people would kill for it (really?) That only made me want to change it more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For as long as I can remember in my life, I've been having to interact with this strange sort of attention. My brother and I used to think we were adopted because we didn't know as tiny children that red hair is a recessive gene and sometimes skips a generation. I used to be teased and bullied by kids my own age AND ADULTS who acted as if it was so hilarious to call me Annie all the time or some other name. It wasn't just the names. As I grew up, I traveled to other countries where redheads were thought to be from the dark side, or witches, or worse. Watch out, or I might steal your soul. Good grief, England is TERRIBLE when it comes to gingers. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then again, Italy is not. I was reminded how they'e often angelic and in Titian paintings or Florentine Renaissance Botticelli works. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nowadays, anyone can be a redhead and that's great....or is it?</span><img height="401" src="https://d32dm0rphc51dk.cloudfront.net/2VgTXzq3A2p5vTxxosS4zg/larger.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I read. I traveled some more. I grew up and embraced what I wanted and dropped the rest. I actually began to legitimately love my hair and in fact, I truly do appreciate it as an identifier. It's also quite pretty in the sunlight. Not many people have red hair. There is much distinction between shades too. Here are a few quick facts about us gingers:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Usually redheads are born with brown eyes, but many end up being green </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(mine change from green to grey to green/blue etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Redheads have less hair than most other colors, but each individual strand is stronger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Red hair doesn't usually turn grey, it sometimes goes through a molting bird color and then turns white.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Redheads are more sensitive to hot and cold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Gingers often need more anesthesia</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- Redheads have low concentrations of eumelanin in their body and as a result, they can’t absorb the required level of Vitamin D. However, they make up for this by producing their own Vitamin D when they are exposed to low-light conditions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- (Personal note: bees stung me more and horses tried to eat my hair...I assume they thought I was a GIANT CARROT!)</span></div>
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<img alt="Image may contain: 2 people, people smiling, people standing" height="564" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18301037_10101651012903727_4048303283136718341_n.jpg?oh=fa509646f9d51b5981fc277eefd61f1f&oe=5A067E2A" width="640" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I will fry up if they even think about the sun, but that won't change if my hair color changes. Red air is who I am now. It's toughened me, made me stronger, and become something that connects me to legends and beauty and truly unique creatures of nature...plus the whole "I was considered a vampire in ancient Greece" thing gets me a few cool points. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not getting rid of it, but I've <i>finally </i>decided to scratch the itch of dying it a bit. I can no longer ignore my fascination with blues and purples and shiny tints of peach. I'm not 100% sure what I'll do and I'm sure it'll last only a few weeks and then I'll return to my normal color. If anything, cutting my hair is also an option. My body type doesn't do too well with long flowy locks, but I've had them for the past 12 years anyway :-) Why? Because it's MY head and MY hair....plus I had a terrible bowl cut for most of my life before the long locks. I also lost 2/3 of my hair after VSG surgery. I almost cut it all off except that it seemed to grow back with a bit of natural curl in it (wahoo!) As someone who spent HOURS daily in hard plastic heated rollers and then used a curling iron and hairspray, that is a miracle!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, I've bought some colorful dye and who knows what'll happen next! To anyone who is ultra concerned with my hair or think my intelligence level has been compromised, I strongly urge you to pick a new obsession ;-)</span><br />
<img alt="Image may contain: 1 person" height="480" src="https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/11169889_10100908288150087_1908535323940370373_n.jpg?oh=6185c2cdef8da4f0aab59ce4cdd201b2&oe=59F78C51" width="640" /><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-82312529057725726822017-07-14T19:49:00.006-07:002017-07-14T19:49:49.762-07:00Transcendence on a Misty Evening<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as I walked out of the hospital, I could feel it and so I chose to walk slowly, savoring every moment. My whole 0.7 mile walk to the subway station this evening was a mystical and transcendent thin place. It's chilly, misting droplets filling the air, and the twilight fading into the night. The softness of the air. The hum of a streetlight. The hint of the idea of an Autumn out of place. The sounds of children playing. The smells of dinners. The oddity of civic fireflies that flickered over green garbage cans and brownstones. A multitude of languages, cars whooshing by, bells on shop doors dinging the way in or the way out, music of all sorts coming from a distance down every street, the smell of fresh laundry, and an occasional breeze in the trees. I'm so grateful to have moments like this! Moments of satisfying joy, a twinge of sadness, a breath of excitement - Moments that fill me with inexplicable longing, yet fill me with this transitory life itself. I walked from the past, through the present, and touched the future tonight. Thanks be to God.</span><img alt="Image may contain: sky and outdoor" height="640" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19990362_10101739167770667_4777376814941894129_n.jpg?oh=45bf8630a497e9e67163200d9372d711&oe=59FA2BE1" width="640" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />(Photo via google, but it grasps the feelings I had).</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-32848599634660195012017-07-08T15:22:00.004-07:002017-07-08T15:22:32.691-07:00Clinical Pastoral Education in New York!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In <a href="https://www.episcopalchurch.org/" target="_blank">The Episcopal Church</a>, the rich journey to priesthood usually contains the vital, and sometimes dreaded, element of CPE. This stands for Clinical Pastoral Education and often consists of work as a chaplain at either a hospital or medical center. Many other denominations also include CPE and many place it in the summer after the first year in semniary.The hours in my program have been divided into 100 hours of class and "Didactic days" while the remaining 300 are spent being and chaplain at a hospital. The National Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (<a href="https://www.acpe.edu/" target="_blank">ACPE</a>) has a list of most CPE programs and presents standards for spiritual care and education for professionals and people seeking to become professionals in any faith tradition or setting. CPE is a form of theological education. While it can lead to professional chaplaincy, it is important for faith leaders to have experiential learning and actually have a chance to practice ministry. Gaining insights of self-awareness and that of others is important to both giving and receiving care.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I chose the New York Lutheran Services Alliance for my program. It's in New York and is an extremely diverse program. I'm working at New York University Langone (formerly NYU Lutheran) hospital in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn, NY. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My classes are held on the upper west side area of Riverside at The Interchurch Center. </span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhTMeVdijt8/WWFXu_eyKJI/AAAAAAAAF7A/kj0Ghy3gl58tfzUXHzPg5CgBkJL5En5SwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--316858381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhTMeVdijt8/WWFXu_eyKJI/AAAAAAAAF7A/kj0Ghy3gl58tfzUXHzPg5CgBkJL5En5SwCHMYCw/s640/blogger-image--316858381.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm loving my experience, both in the program and in New York and Brooklyn. It's been valuable. I have </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">not </i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">liked </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">everything </i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">about it and certain things are still growing on me (verbatims, for one), but overall, I am personally finding it a pastorally-validating, mindfullness-creating, rewarding, journey-through-the-emotions type of experience. Long ago, I worked extremely hard on my boundaries between teaching and taking things home. I learned, the hard way, not to take everything with me all of the time. I did not realize how much my previous work and therapy had helped me until I began to notice other colleagues struggling with some things. Here, this time, I have not taken things home and spent time (other than prayer) on them. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have, in fact, managed somehow to have a bit of a life here in New York. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Lucky for me, I have a support system, including my sweet Bluebell kitty and some friends in NYC. I am very fortunate that the person from whom I'm renting allowed me to bring Bluebell with me. My friends are mostly busy or on vacation outside of the area, but I have managed to see some of them for dinner, coffee, a harbour cruise (</span><a href="https://southstreetseaportmuseum.org/visit/street-of-ships/pioneer/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">this one</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">), or a Broadway show. I'm able to do those things because my lunches are provided at the hospital (as a volunteer) and being a </span><a href="https://www.endobariatric.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">VSG</a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">-er, I eat tiny meals so get plenty of mileage from the salads I get! </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So, I'll write some more about the CPE experience another time, but: so far, so good.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-59809283994228807632017-07-08T13:38:00.003-07:002017-07-08T13:43:54.502-07:00E-care's Cafe Galilea in Atok, Benguet Province, The Philippines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In May, 2017, I visited </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the </span><a href="http://www.episcopalchurchphilippines.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Episcopal Church in the Philippines</a> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and the </span><a href="http://episcopal-care.org/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">E-CARE</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (Episcopal Community Action for Renewal and Empowerment) program. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This program is the community development organization of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines. Its structure is based on the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset-based_community_development" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">ABCD </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Asset-Based Community Development) model of organization. E-CARE has its own governing body consisting of a board of trustees and a chairperson who is also the current prime bishop. </span><a href="http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/05/10/joel-pachao-elected-episcopal-church-in-the-philippines-prime-bishop/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Joel Pachao was elected prime bishop</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> at the May, 2017 Regular Synod. I was inspired to visit the E-CARE program by colleagues in <a href="http://www.episcopalrelief.org/" target="_blank">Episcopal Relief & Development</a>, The Episcopal Church Global Missions office, and a seminary course in Environmental Ethics at Sewanee School of Theology!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First, a bit of basic information....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><b>Primary goals of E-CARE</b></u> (from their website): </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Episcopal-CARE seeks to improve the quality of life for its partner communities in the Philippines, facilitating poverty-reduction by providing or enhancing the opportunities to make a livelihood, while simultaneously empowering the partner communities through its asset-based approach and its commitment to creating self-reliance and sustainability. It also hopes to serve as an example for other development organizations in Asia and across the world as to how to help alleviate poverty without creating dependence.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><u>The metaphorical model for Episcopal-CARE </u></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(from their website):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The metaphorical model for Episcopal-CARE is the Sea of Galilee, which is a sea with both an inlet and an outlet and so both gives and receives water. This is contrasted with the Dead Sea, which only receives water. The Dead Sea, as one may expect from the name, does not sustain any life within its waters. The Sea of Galilee however, is a dynamic and vibrant habitat for life. The goal of E-CARE is to empower its partner communities to help themselves, to alleviate poverty and give the people access to basic entitlements, and then to help others along the same path. At the same time, Episcopal-CARE tries to raise the level of gender-awareness in its partner communities, by ensuring that women of the community are part of the decision making process as well as the management of projects, and that the women of the community will enjoy the benefits of their new project.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While in the Philippines, I visited several villages (post links coming soon), two E-CARE communities, and two of the main E-CARE shops which work to promote and distribute products from community partnerships around the Philippines. One shop, coordinated and run by Jennifer Ong, is located on the diocesan campus in Cathedral Heights, Quezon City. The compound contains the Episcopal national offices, the campus and classrooms of <a href="https://www.sats.ph/" target="_blank">St. Andrews Theological Seminary</a>, and <a href="http://www.tua.edu.ph/" target="_blank">Trinity University of Asia.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second shop is attached to a fabulous restaurant and cafe called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CafeGalileaHalsema/" target="_blank">Cafe Galilea</a>. The cafe</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is located along Halsema Highway in Atok, the Philippines. If you are traveling between <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baguio" target="_blank">Baguio City</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bontoc,_Mountain_Province" target="_blank">Bontoc </a>or <a href="http://www.batch2006.com/visit_bugiuas.htm" target="_blank">Abatan</a>, you will pass it near kilometer 22. Stop if you can and enjoy all that they have to offer. It is well worth it!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joyce Roman</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The cafe was managed by Joyce and Kellan Lyman, one of the Young Adult Service Corps (<a href="https://www.episcopalchurch.org/blog/YASC" target="_blank">YASC</a>) Volunteers from The Episcopal Church, USA. Not only is the food excellent and affordable, the staff friendly and attentive, but they proudly serve to promote community development projects - cooking and selling foods and other items made in communities all over the country. The entrance the shop is below the restaurant. They also do professional catering. The restaurant has </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a perfect view of the mountains and a separate cafe with professional barista for a beautiful coffee before you head onward in your journey. When you eat there, you are directly helping to sustain local communities that are practicing sustainable growth projects and empowering many economically and culturally.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing" height="400" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18275059_10101650314623087_1732856003507890353_n.jpg?oh=0ad770b764e0de1ac679d48ef69666ff&oe=59D7AC97" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /> <img alt="Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, standing" height="400" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18403078_10101650314947437_7621983966129544545_n.jpg?oh=7fa852ad4b33420dd573f2ad90c7bb54&oe=59E9AEDF" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Arianne Aben, staff Kellan Lyman, staff</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The local </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pancit" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">pancit </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is well-known and loved by all who have visited the cafe.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image may contain: food" height="400" src="https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18342653_10101650314433467_7434947215696620597_n.jpg?oh=a81d6da71c9d1177363070d5c18e4afd&oe=59D58A4E" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My trip was made possible by grants from The Episcopal Church, USA Global Missions office, the Seminary Consultation on Mission (</span><a href="http://arc.episcopalchurch.org/ministry/scom.htm" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">SCOM</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">), and The Episcopal Church in the Philippines.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-81551216392118227042017-05-07T00:10:00.001-07:002017-05-07T01:29:25.928-07:00Visiting The Philippines<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Greetings from the Craft coffeeshop in Manila, The Philippines! This is the first of several posts on various groups and experiences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm here and staying at </span><a href="http://centralphilippines.anglican.org/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> as part of a multi-faceted grant project that was accepted by the Seminary Consultation on Mission and also supported by the office of Global Missions for the Episcopal Church! My project involves learning about The Episcopal Church of The Philippines, its e-Care program, visiting communities working in that program, and being as helpful as I can in any aspect of any work here. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Joyce Roman works for the e-Care Foundation at Cafe Galilea</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I arrived last Sunday night, April 30, and went to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atok,_Benguet" target="_blank">Atok </a>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CafeGalileaHalsema/" target="_blank">Cafe Galilea</a> on Monday, May 1st. There, I stayed two nights. I met the beautiful people who work at the cafe, learned about the products they sell, and visited the <a href="http://www.edncp-ecp.org/" target="_blank">Diocese of North Central Philippines</a> in Baguio City. There, I met Bishop Pachao and staff, visited The Cathedral of The Resirrection, and explored the town. Wednesday through Saturday, I visited the remote mountain village of Cabacab in Benguet province and learned about the community's way of life, their farming, the products they create and sell, and had an amazing and marvelously informative time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thirteen municipalities and 140 <i>barangays </i>(small divisions into villages) make up the province of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benguet" target="_blank">Benguet</a>. I will be sharing stories from Cabacab and other places / events in separate posts that follow. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-54900005523355290902017-04-06T18:58:00.007-07:002017-04-06T18:58:49.441-07:00Prayer for Syria<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Praying for Syria<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Help us, O Lord, to look with compassion upon those whose families and homes are ever being torn apart, uprooted, terrorized, or emblazoned with injustice. Help us show that compassion to all people of this world who live with unrest and hopelessness as their constant companions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lord, in your mercy.<br /><i>Hear our prayer.</i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-31274111749402318602017-03-24T09:27:00.001-07:002017-03-24T09:27:55.053-07:00Sara P. Duke Gardens in Durham, North Carolina<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This morning, we visited the <a href="http://gardens.duke.edu/" target="_blank">Sara. P. Duke Botanical Gardens</a> in Durham, North Carolina. </span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h1TvpJW38OA/WNVGxvpPwCI/AAAAAAAAF20/CQcK9pV82cU/s640/blogger-image-1377349826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h1TvpJW38OA/WNVGxvpPwCI/AAAAAAAAF20/CQcK9pV82cU/s640/blogger-image-1377349826.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though I've been to Duke University a few times, I have never been to the gardens. They are LOVELY and combined with the morning birdsong, dew, sunbeams, and quiet, it was a real treat. Here are a few photos :-)</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Big Easy" - sculpture by <a href="http://www.stickwork.net/022017-sarah-p-duke-gardens-duke-university-durham-nc/hdgltlefm2oe03wp2af9j94u80xc9i" target="_blank">Patrick Dougherty</a></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-7327900804148124462017-03-22T12:19:00.002-07:002017-03-22T12:19:43.534-07:00A Sweet Bluebell Kitty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bluebell loves to play, but here she is pretending to be asleep... Soon, her curiosity gets the better of her and she looks up at me with one eye, still not 100% sure that she wants to commit to being awake...</span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95GhXRKCgdk/WNLM-4daC8I/AAAAAAAAF2U/Q8A4oKUKlgQ/s640/blogger-image--1023360317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-95GhXRKCgdk/WNLM-4daC8I/AAAAAAAAF2U/Q8A4oKUKlgQ/s400/blogger-image--1023360317.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">THEN.... SHE SEES THE STRING!!! HAHAHAHA! She looooooooooooves to play with string or ribbons etc. I am s grateful to have her here with me at seminary. It's tough sometimes, knowing most of your friends are far away. Sure, there is a vast array of ways to keep in touch, but it's not the same as seeing folks and hanging out in person. I am very happy here, but I'm still glad to have this soft, silly, ball of fur with me. Bluebell will also accompany me to Brooklyn this summer where my C.P.E. (Clinical Pastoral Education) assignment is located. There are already two cats in the apartment where I'll be staying, but we hope that this will all work out. </span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZHsBeWUv7E/WNLM_Tj5ABI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/VTOdUucthoQ/s640/blogger-image-2003672699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nZHsBeWUv7E/WNLM_Tj5ABI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/VTOdUucthoQ/s640/blogger-image-2003672699.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Check our her cute and furry paws, awwwwww!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5807501059066097736.post-43852882929960285532017-03-22T08:00:00.002-07:002017-03-22T08:00:35.805-07:00A Hymn to the Morning Sun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The glorious sun has driven far</span></div>
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The mystic shades of night;</div>
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So in our souls the morning star</div>
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Hath shed His wondrous light.</div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/episcopal">#Episcopal</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/prayer">#prayer</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/morning">#morning</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/praise">#praise</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/hymns">#hymns</a><br />~D. Warner (http://www.hymnary.org/text/o_god_inspire_our_morning_hymn )</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sagrada familia light (by C. Carson, 2013)</span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15069527187024864674noreply@blogger.com0