Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Heart thread - 7/30/2008

A friend of mine went through some major changes in the past year and part of that was finding an affordable place to live. She found a wonderful place but it took lots of effort and money to make it all happen. Now she needs to move again. The emotional and financial toll of all this is considerable. Y'all know how to spin those prayer wheels, so please hold her in your hearts.


Those who recall my daily nagging last December to join in the appeal for the Anglican Church in Cidade de Deus, Brasil, will remember Elizabeth Kaeton as one of the organizers (along with Mad Priest). Sad news has arrived and is posted at several places, including OCICBW:
It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Elizabeth Kaeton's mother, Lydia.
Let us hold Lydia in our prayers along with Elizabeth and all the family and friends. This news reached Elizabeth while she was at Lambeth and she has headed directly to Massachusetts.


There were major presentations and considerations at Lambeth on the issue of violence against women - a topic and ugly reality that has been raised by faithful women who want the Church to pay attention and do something about it. One good place would be to drop the patriarchal power trappings from our preaching. (Duh, you think?) Synchronous with this is my reading of a Margaret Coel novel that treats this theme through story. We need to make it clear how wrong violence against women is.

Let us pray for all who suffer domestic violence and for those who perpetrate it, that the former may be delivered and healed of the trauma and that the latter may recognize the error of their ways and turn. Let us pray that those who use the Bible to support abuse may also see the error of their ways. May the cultures of the world heal of their tendencies to violence that all may live without fear.

I want to add my own prayers that the boys'-club aspect of churches will get over their terror of girl cooties (and gay cooties) and start getting healthier in mind and spirit. That might help reduce violence too. (Duh, you think?)

Thanks to those joining in prayer and those adding their own petitions and thanksgivings.
--the BB

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2 comments:

June Butler said...

Prayers for your friend and her housing situation and for our friend Elizabeth and her family. Also, we might spin a prayer in the direction of Bishop Catherine Roskam, who is being trashed for her statement at the Lambeth session on women and violence.

See Ann Fontaine's post "Shoot the Messenger. Hit cancel on the pop-up.

Paul said...

God bless Kathy Roskam. She was in charge of our clergy-in-training program in the Diocese of California before heading off to be purpled. Very good people. I was pleased at her becoming a bishop though very sorry to see her leave California. She helped shepherd me through ordination.

I am not surprised she had the courage to speak up and declare the uncomfortable truth. Nor am I surprised that the asshats, purple and otherwise, would attack her for doing so. Prayers indeed.