Tag: dainiel rondeau

Wind Chimes: 8 Oct 2012

On Sunday, October 7, 2012 we began reading from the Book of Job in our worship (which uses the Revised Common Lectionary to inform scripture choices for our Sunday worship). We will continue to read from this book for the remaining Sundays in October. Among the themes explored in this ‘parable’ are good, evil, God, creation, fate, suffering, pain, faith, doubt, lament, praise, and more. Here are some of today’s sounds in the Wind Chimes as we explore the Book of Job.
What do you hear?

“On the Church in the Modern World”

This ‘Pastoral Teaching’ of the bishops of the Roman Catholic Church was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965. Often referenced by it’s Latin title, Gaudium et Spes, it is one of the documents of Vatican II (1962-1965). Consider these words from the teaching:

…the Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. Thus, in language intelligible to each generation, she can respond to the perennial questions which men ask about this present life and the life to come, and about the relationship of the one to the other. We must therefore recognize and understand the world in which we live, its explanations, its longings, and its often dramatic characteristics. (Gaudium et spes, No. 4; emphasis mine)

The questions of Job, the responses of Job’s friends, Job’s own response to his plight, the role of God in deprivation, suffering, and pain, the presence of God in the midst of these things, are not just parts of an ancient story but contemporary questions (“perennial questions”) of folks like you me, questions addressed to the Church. So what do we learn from Job and what do we hear the Spirit singing in the chimes?

A contemporary story of faith and struggle and hope beginning with cancer

Cover of the book You mean besides the cancer?If everyone’s life is a book, and every day a page, then there are some days that deserve to be dog-eared. Your high school graduation, your wedding day, the birth of your children, and the day that your doctor discusses cancer with you for the first time.

If you are a caregiver, or about to be one, this book can hopefully shortcut the learning curve that sliced me to shreds.

This book is the story of my wife’s cancer and our journey through the medical system that eventually led us to one of the most cutting edge, lifesaving surgeries on earth.
—Bob Marcotte introducing You Mean Besides the Cancer?

I am proud to call Bob and Carole Marcotte my friends. Carole is living with cancer. Bob is her primary caregiver. Bob has journaled his thoughts and made them available to others in his book and his blog You mean besides the cancer? I encourage you to explore (and  buy) the book.

A prayer

Dear Lord, for all in pain we pray to thee,
O come and smite again thine enemy.
Give to thy servants skill to soothe and bless,
And to the tired and ill give quietness.
And, Lord, to those who know pain may not cease,
Come near, that even so they may have peace.
—Amy Carmichael (1868-1951) in Lyn Klug, ed., Soul Weavings: A gathering of women’s prayers, p. 48

Wind Chimes: 6 Oct 2012

Straw Flower by Pat Bailey
Straw Flower. Photo: Pat Bailey on ‘I Miss Me Too’

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

A visual delight, and more

I encourage you to visit the blog I Miss Me Too (renamed A New Day on 9/29/12) by Patricia C. Bailey. Pat lives with the pain of Fibromyalgia and the every day challenges of ‘Chronic Illness.’ Here is (part of) what she said about a rose pictured in her post Floral Friday: Finding Myself —

I think this rose best portrays who I am. It is open, showing the complexity of the inner. The inner seems to have a cross, as my faith is very central to who I am but I don’t proclaim it loudly. It is rather private. The outer is loose and gentle and freely unfurling. Even though I am in my late 60′s there is still some unfurling to do. I am still in the process. I can also be a bit prickly if people try to hold on too tightly or are careless around me. It helps people remember to play nice.

A short prayer for those living with chronic illness

Support and encourage those who live with chronic illness; strengthen those who endure continual pain, and give them hope; grant the refreshment of peaceful sleep to all who suffer—we pray to you, O God…
from A Litany of Healing in Enriching Our Worship 2 (a prayer book of the Episcopal Church), pp. 30-32

William Tyndale remembered today, October 6th

Preparations to burn the body of William Tyndale. John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, 1563. Image: Wikimedia Commons

At the risk of his own life William Tyndale translated the Bible into English from the Hebrew and Greek texts available in his day. What he began in the 16th century has blossomed in the 21st century.

“in whom we live and move and have our being” was first penned by William Tyndale. You may be surprised by the legacy on the English Language left by this man. Join others in giving thanks today for his scholarship, his courage, his faith, his desire to make the Word of God known.

Wind Chimes: 5 Oct 2012

Composting at Camp Stevens
Learning about composting. An extensive recycling program saves precious resources while composting food waste provides soil enrichment for the Camp’s 2-acre organic garden. Photo: Camp Stevens

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

Camp Stevens: Living in the spirit of St. Francis

Camp Stevens is our Episcopal Camp and Conference Center in Julian, CA. This is their Environmental Mission Statement:

As a peaceful place apart in a beautiful natural setting, Camp Stevens serves as a point of contact between human beings and the natural world. Today we are faced with enormous environmental challenges, having failed in many respects to appreciate and protect the earth. We invite you to join us in reclaiming an active stewardship of God’s Creation.

Not so ecumenical in San Francisco

The Religion News Service headline reads Episcopal bishop says he was denied entrance to Catholic archbishop’s installation Mass. The Episcopal bishop of California (San Francisco), Marc Andrus, was invited to witness the installation Mass of the Roman Catholic Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. Bishop Andrus says he arrived 30 minutes early. The Roman Catholic Archdiocese claims he arrived late and they were attempting to seat him without disrupting the service. Read the article on the RNS website to discover other dimensions to this ecumenical moment.

A ‘prayer for mission’

A morning “prayer for mission” from the Daily Office. On Friday I often am put in mind of ‘Good Friday.’ I remind myself to stretch out my arms in love and reach forth my hands in love. ~dan

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.
BCP 101 (Morning Prayer II)

Wind Chimes: 4 Oct 2012

October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi in both the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Liturgical Calendars. Here are three different Spirit-breaths through the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

St. Francis of Assisi
St. Francis of Assisi by Nancy Earle, SMIC via Daily Meditation from the Center for Action and Contemplation

Collect for commemorating St. Francis

Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

From Francis of Assisi, Friar, 1226 on Holy Women, Holy Men

Franciscan Mysticism

On September 30th Richard Rohr began a series of daily meditations on Franciscan Mysticism. Here are links to his daily meditations so far. I encourage you to subscribe to his Daily Meditation (the music in those Wind Chimes is one of my delights).

A Franciscan Blessing

I do not know the original source of the “Franciscan Blessing.” I have seen this blessing in several different (almost-the-same) forms. Most recently I saw that Brian McLaren has been using it in his Everything Must Change gatherings (go to the post). Here is the form he uses:

May God bless us with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that we may live from deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of God’s creations
So that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,
So that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with just enough foolishness
To believe that we can make a difference in the world,
So that we can do what others claim cannot be done:
To bring justice and kindness to all our children
and all our neighbors who are poor. Amen.

Wind Chimes: 2 Oct 2012

An angel among the flowersHere is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

Verse & Voice is a favorite ‘go-to’ site of mine for words of inspiration (verse) and quotes to inspire action (voice) and, the daily post concludes with a prayer. Here is a sample, and I have added a blessing to finish today’s post. ~dan

A verse from Isaiah

The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
—Isaiah 32:17

The voice of C.S. Lewis and a prayer

The rule for us all is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him [or her].” —C.S. Lewis

Lord, you have shown us what love looks like. Help us through acts of forgiveness and reconciliation to so love one another that our neighbors know we are your disciples and know that to be good news. Amen. —from Common Prayer

A blessing

May you find the practices
that offer you a doorway
into the heart of God.

Jan L. Richardson in her book In the Sanctuary of Women

Wind Chimes: 1 Oct 2012

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury. Photo in the Sunday London Times. Gareth Fuller/PA

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

Three more reports about nominating the man to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury

Here is the original post in this series

  1. Archbishop of Canterbury: Who makes the final selection? dated 9/28/12 by Jayne Lutwyche and José M Galván Déniz for Religion & Ethics on the BBC website.
  2. Church of England fails to agree successor for Archbishop of Canterbury. A partial transcript of an article by Ruth Gledhill in the Sunday London Times dated 9/30/2012.
  3. Critics attack ‘secrecy’ of Archbishop selection by Cole Moreton and Edward Malnick in The Telegraph dated 9/30/2012

“Official” Update on the Crown Nominations Committee of the Church of England

Here is a link to the latest “official” Update about the work of the Crown Nominations Committee via the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) posted Sep. 28, 2012.

What did you do this weekend?

Planet Money on NPR provides an answer about the “Average American” use of weekend time. Will it surprise you that on average we spend 37min and 12secs on Volunteering and Religious Activities? Be sure to read the caveats at the end of the article. Here is the post with 2 graphics.

Wind Chimes: 30 Sep 2012

Papyrus fragment: front. Karen L. King, 2012 from the Harvard Divinity School Website.

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

Did Jesus have a wife? Three more perspectives. [1]

Here is the original post in this series

  1. The Coptic Papyrus by Martin E. Marty in an online series entitled Sightings published by the University of Chicago Divinity School. The essay examines the interaction of media and religion (and scholarship).
  2. Jesus’s Wife: Would it even matter for Women? by Sonja and posted on the blog WIT: Women in Theology. This essay examines what impact this text would have on women in the Church IF (a very big if according to the author) there was a debate 1800 years ago about the marriage status of Jesus.
  3. Vatican newspaper calls ‘Jesus’ Wife’ fragment a ‘clumsy fake.’ This is an article by Alessandro Speciale dated Sep. 28, 2012 on Religion News Service (RNS) reporting on an article published in L’Osservatore Romano (the Vatican’s newspaper).
    1. Here is a link to the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano.
    2. And, finally, a link to the English translation of the original article in L’Osservatore Romano

Update on the Crown Nominations Committee of the Church of England

Here is a link to the latest “official” Update about the work of the Crown Nominations Committee via the Anglican Communion News Service (ACNS) posted Sep. 28, 2012.

No shoes, no taxes, no sacraments

On Monday (9/24) I read this summary of a Pastoral Letter of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Germany. Later in the week I read their defense of their action. I understand, thanks to Hovak, that an article appeared in The Desert Sun on Saturday, Sep. 29, 2012 on page A-13. More to come, I believe.

________________________

Wind Chimes: 29 Sep 2012

You never enjoy the world aright,
till the Sea itself floweth in your veins,
till you are clothed with the heavens,
and crowned with the stars:
and perceive yourself to be
the sole heir of the whole world.

Thomas Traherne
First Century, Sec. 29

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

Thomas Traherne; Priest, 1674 [1]

“Though not as well known as John Donne or George Herbert, Thomas Traherne was one of the seventeenth century’s most searching, inventive poets and theologians.”

We ask God in the Collect we pray as we gather to “help us to know you in your creation and in our neighbors, and to understand our obligations to both, that we may ever grow into the people you have created us to be….”  God will surely answer such a prayer:

Creator of wonder and majesty, you inspired your poet Thomas Traherne with mystical insight to see your glory in the natural world and in the faces of men and women around us: Help us to know you in your creation and in our neighbors, and to understand our obligations to both, that we may ever grow into the people you have created us to be; through our Savior Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in everlasting light. Amen.
Collect from Holy Women, Holy Men

St. Michael and All Angels

Today (September 29) the church remembers Saint Michael and All Angels.

… Despite the best efforts of greeting card companies to make angels into cute babies, the Bible has other ideas. In the Bible, angels are almost universally terrifying. There is a reason that angels usually begin their encounters with humans by saying, “Do not be afraid.” … Mentioned in Daniel and Revelation, Michael the Archangel protects people against evil and leads the righteous armies against Satan. The word angel comes from the Greek angelos, and it means, literally, “messenger.” Throughout the scriptures, angels are sent by God to deliver messages. In the created order, angels exist in the heavenly realm along with cherubim and seraphim. There is no hint in the Bible that people become angels, though popular culture sometimes holds this view. On this feast day, we remember God’s heavenly messengers. And we give thanks that we are able to join with them at each celebration of Holy Eucharist as we sing, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of power and might.” Angels remind us of our place in the created order, and they sometimes bear messages for us from God.
Daily Prayer: a resource of Forward Movement

Walking with Children [2]

Quote . . .Children in Kid’s Word brainstormed who Jesus is to them earlier today [9/16]. They raised some critical messages:

  • He’s someone you don’t need to see to believe in;
  • He loves me and everybody.
  • They named Jesus as protector, comforter, lover of their soul, hope for the future, sweet, soothing voice.
  • A child once told me she would be able to recognize Jesus because she could tell from the love in his eyes. || Posted 9/19/12

Wendy asks wonderful questions of children and adults on her blog, Walking with Children. I encourage you to read her posts.

________________________
[1] The Episcopal Church has a Liturgical Calendar in which holy women and holy men are annually commemorated. Their faith and example is remembered by the Church as we gather and give thanks in prayer and worship. On September 27th we remember Thomas Traherne, a priest, often considered to be one of the Metaphysical Poets.

Holy Women, Holy Men is a “Trial Use” Calendar at the moment. Thomas Traherne is remembered in this Calendar.

[2] Walking with Children is a blog written by Wendy Sanders, a member of this Sunday Morning Forum at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, CA. This year she is leading Kids Word at 10am every Sunday Morning. In Kids Word ‘Miss Wendy’ assists the children and youth to go deeper into the story sharing their understanding with the her and the adults with her. Each generation teaching and learning from the others. I encourage you to follow her blog.

Wind Chimes: 28 Sep 2012

Two of the favorites to be named the next Archbishop of Canterbury
(LT-RT) The Bishop of Sheffield, Steven Croft and The Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby. Photo credit: Chapter and Verse / PA

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.

What do you hear?

Former oil executive still bookies’ favourite as final decision due on Archbishop of Canterbury (posted 9/26/2012)

Quote . . .The Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, was confirmed as the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Rowan Williams, as the Crown Nominations Commission began a two-day meeting to make its final decision.   [1]

Hat tip (ht) to John H. for sending the link to this article. Somewhere in the world, you can find someone else to take your bet on anything you can imagine. More seriously, pray for those making this selection (a request made near the end of the Telegraph article), and pray for the one who will step up to this ministry.

It is never too late to pray

The Crown Nominations Committee has done its work (9/26-9/27/2012) and names are being sent to the Queen for a final decision. An announcement will be made in the week of September 30, 2012. I believe it is never too late to pray. Here is the prayer to be offered for the Committee (and for the Queen) as the decision is made:

Almighty God, you have given your Holy Spirit to the Church to lead us into all truth: bless with the Spirit’s grace and presence the members of the Crown Nominations Committee. Keep them steadfast in faith and united in love, that they may seek your will, manifest your glory and prepare the way of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen. Prayer for the Crown Nominations Committee

Please join me (and so many others) in prayer.

Obama at the U.N.: A new religion doctrine

President Obama on Tuesday (Sept. 25) gave a forceful speech at the United Nations, in which he challenged much of the world’s assumptions about free speech and religion.

The article, by Lauren Markoe, goes on to extract five points which she says “add up to as close to an Obama Doctrine on Religion as we’ve seen.”

Read the article on Religion News Service

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[1] You may read the full article by John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor for the Telegraph, here: http://bit.ly/QXiwTt. At this point (9/28/12) two names will be forwarded to the Queen who will choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Her choice will be announced next week.

Wind Chimes: 27 Sep 2012

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

James 4:8a NRSV

Here is today’s sampling of the music made by the Spirit in the Wind Chimes.
What do you hear?

Being present: A Spiritual Practice

Quote . . .Being present in the spiritual life always has a double meaning. There’s present, as in here, in attendance. And there’s present, as in now, a moment of time. What is the spiritual practice of being present? Being here now.  [1]

Drawing near to God by “reading” God in Nature

We have to begin with the first bible, which is creation itself—that God has revealed who God is through what is. If we don’t learn to honor, respect, and learn from creation—the natural world—I think it’s very unlikely that we are going to know how to read the second bible—the written Bible—with respect, reverence, and in an open way. So I believe (and of course this is very Franciscan for me) that we have to start with the first bible, which is the created world itself, or nature. [2]

Obama at the U.N.: A new religion doctrine

President Obama on Tuesday (Sept. 25) gave a forceful speech at the United Nations, in which he challenged much of the world’s assumptions about free speech and religion.

The article, by Lauren Markoe, goes on to extract five points which she says “add up to as close to an Obama Doctrine on Religion as we’ve seen.”

Read the article on Religion News Service

________________________
[1] One of my favorite websites is Spirituality & Practice. A section of their site is devoted to Spiritual Practices. Among the practices (and a dimension of “draw close to God and he will draw close to you”) is “Being Present.”