Heart thread - 3/10/2008 - Update (2x)

I ask your prayers for Gayland Poole and his wife Katie Sherrod. Brief version: "Gayland had a triple bypass operation, and then barely two weeks later, a stress ulcer in his stomach perforated, sending him to the ER in an ambulance and into emergency surgery at 3 A.M." He is recovering. Katie has more details at her blog.

They are great battlers on behalf of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Fort Worth. More than that, Gayland and I served together for years on the council of Associate Parishes and I remember meeting Katie when we had our annual meeting in Fort Worth and again when she joined us in Vancouver.

h/t to Susan Russell for this.

Amid the challenges in the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin we must not forget the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth (or Pittsburgh or Quincy). The Episcopal Diocese of Rio Grande continues to move through its transition between bishops and our Standing Committee is working very hard. The fractured nature of the diocese manifests frequently.

[I note that I wrote "our SC" even though I am physically but not canonically resident here. Telling indication that my heart is putting down roots here, as it should.]

Let us also keep in prayer the House of Bishops, still meeting at Camp Allen.

Although it is not a recent request, Malcolm+ of Simple Massing Priest, faces the recent death of a child that was slated for Baptism at Easter. He asks our prayers for little Xavier and his family. Our hearts surely go out to all involved.

And now an appeal from our friend Aghaveagh in San Joaquin (via OCICBW):
St. Paul's Church in Visalia, California (Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin) just voted today (Sunday) on whether to stay with the Episcopal Church or to follow the former Bishop, John David Schofield, to the Southern Cone.

The vote was 167 for Southern Cone, 96 for staying with the Episcopal Church. So there will be a viable Episcopal presence in Visalia.

Folks, these people will need prayer books, hymnals, altar supplies, and most of all, prayer. If every one of you who reads this can get your congregation to send just one prayer book or just one hymnal (with an encouraging note inside) to the folks in Visalia, it would send such a message of support and love!

If you send it to

Remain Episcopal
2067 W. Alluvial
Fresno, CA 93711

we'll make sure they get it!!

Oh, boy, there is such work to be done. Roll up your sleeves and let's get to the work of the Kingdom!

Love,
Aghaveagh

I am going to get out the sewing machine and make some stoles. I may be unemployed and unable to afford books and donations of cash but I do have lots of fabric (mostly dupioni silk) and experience making stoles.

Update:
I just read at Jake's that Leonardo Ricardo will need had to have his dear companion dog, Belle de Gonzalez, put to sleep.

Update 2:
Jane R reports that her colleague Jeff is doing a bit better. More here.

Grant us, O God, your protection; and in your protection, strength; and in strength, understanding; and in understanding, knowledge; and in knowledge, the knowledge of justice; and in the knowledge of justice, the love of justice; and in that love, the love of existence; and in the love of existence, the love of God, God and all goodness. Amen.
--Welsh Prayer of unknown source

--the BB