Heart thread - 3/28/2008 - updated

We have some major prayer requests to consider today.

Our beloved Fluffy Snuggles (Eileen the Episcopalifem) just this week found she was pregnant then had surgery as it was ectopic with complications and so has been taken on an immense biological and emotional rollercoaster. As the news appeared at OCICBW:

SHITTY NEWS FROM A GOOD FRIEND
From EILEEN:

Hi All

I am writing briefly from my phone. I had to have emergency surgery yesterday morning. The pregnancy was ectopic and one of my tubes ruptured and had to be removed

I was in a lot of pain yesterday but after the surgery I am doing pretty well. I'll be in hospital until tomorrow.

I'm more relieved than sad, at this point - conflicted as I was.

My son is taking it hard, but so far, I am doing ok.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Eileen
Sent from my iPhone

We hold Eileen and her family in our hearts and prayers. I was too bummed to post this yesterday (sorry).

Sheila asks our prayers for her father's transition. Also from OCICBW:

RAGE, RAGE AGAINST THE DYING OF THE LIGHT
From SHEILA:

Dear MadPriest,

Would you and yours say a prayer for my father? He's dying of esophageal cancer. Hospice and my mother are taking care of him at home, but he may be slipping away even as I'm writing this. They stopped giving him food and drink a day or so ago because it hurt him too much to try to swallow. I'm flying down there on Sunday - had to line up wheelchairs to help me get through the airports, but I think I can make it. My son is being confirmed on Saturday by the bishop, so I had to wait until after that - the usual crazy timing, of course. I haven't seen my parents in many years, and we thought he would last until Sunday, but this afternoon Mom said that he wouldn't wake up fully, that he kept falling asleep when she tried to talk to him. He seems as comfortable as he can be, has pain medication, and all his papers are fully in order for Mom, so I think maybe he is just letting go. I sure would like to see him one more time, but I understand if he just wants to rest now. He's been through awful times this past year. I would appreciate any prayers you can offer for both of them and for my sister and her daughter who are there, too.

Thanks a lot, MP,

--sheila--

For Sheila's father and all her family, may grace and love abound.

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin

The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin... a vision becoming reality

What is before us at this moment, in early 2008, is an opportunity of amazing magnitude. It is ours to celebrate the love of Jesus Christ through the Episcopal Church here, at home, in our diocese. It is our vision, yours and mine, to create a diocese that welcomes all, blessed by the gifts of all, accepting – welcoming, actually! – our differences. We wish not to be known as rich or poor, clergy or laity, black or white, conservative or liberal: we wish to be people of God, here, all of us.

Join us! We wish to be in communion with one another, humbly thankful for one another as God’s beloved creation.

They have their Special Convention tomorrow to reconstitute a functioning Episcopal diocese. This evening they will have a reception with the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies followed by a healing service. Please hold them in your prayers that those who wish to live God's love may do so without fear, coercion, or deception. They have, on many levels, to begin again after the grand theft ecclesia attempted by


For Those in Trouble or Bereavement
O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their soul with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


For the Mission of the Church
Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witness to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness and the hope of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

For a Church Meeting or Convention
Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in the Diocese of San Joaquin for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

For the Unity of the Church
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

That We May Be Cleansed by the Fire of Love
Almighty and most merciful God, kindle within us the fire of love, that by its cleansing flame we may be purged of all our sins and made worthy to worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Build Us into One Church
Gather us or scatter us, O Lord, according to your will. Build us into one church: a church with open doors and large windows, a church which takes the world seriously, ready to work and to suffer, and even to bleed for it. Amen.
—Hungarian, source unknown

UPDATE:
From Grandmère Mimi I learned of this:

Blogger Kate Morningstar said...

My Dad's in hospital as of yesterday. I thought it would be a very short stay, and he'd die in the next few days. But there's something they can do that will make him more comfortable and able to breathe, without fixing the problem. They're saying, after they've done it, they're planning to send him home early next week. It will still be soon.

--the BB