Nothing spectacular to report

In my own life, that is.

This weekend included two loads of laundry, one church meeting, one worship service, hiring young people to clean up my back yard, and sharing a plum pudding with friends at a nice potluck supper last night. The yard looks great (for this bare time of year). They yanked up my summer annuals and vegetables, all long since dead. They did some light pruning. They cleaned up lots of leaf detritus. They prepped soil and planted the rest of my tulips and daffodils. This afternoon I watered everything and did some minor pruning of the fruit trees. Lots of down time today, for which I utter "huzzah!"

Now, to bed at a reasonable hour and off to work tomorrow.

--the BB

NY State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

h/t to Fran

--the BB

Terrorist attack in Rawalpindi

The Taliban Movement of Pakistan, headquartered in South Waziristan, struck at Rawalpindi again on Friday. Two militants scaled a ladder to drop into a mosque in the city's military residential area and then to shoot worshipers before detonating their belt bombs. They killed 40 and wounded nearly 100. Among the injured were former high-ranking military officers, now retired.

--Juan Cole

Let us pray for all victims of violence and for all who work for justice and peace.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

--the BB

This is most unfortunate

WASHINGTON - The United States does not know where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is hiding and has not had any good intelligence on his whereabouts in “years,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Saturday.

Speaking in an interview to be aired on Sunday on ABC's "This Week" program, Gates also said he could not confirm reports this week that a detainee might have seen bin Laden in Afghanistan earlier this year.

"We don't know for a fact where Osama bin Laden is. If we did, we'd go and get him," Gates said in excerpts released by ABC.
--MSNBC

Tota Bora was bungled from the top.

--the BB

Moral authority squandered

I have written extensively about genocide in the past years because for me it is personal. I grew up among survivors of the Armenian genocide during WWI. I lived among survivors of the Holocaust. I pastored Cambodians who survived Pol Pot. I cannot be silent about the threat of a new law in Uganda that would execute LGBT people and cast in prison those who do not denounce them. Rowan Williams thinks it is his duty to remain silent about this, at least in public. It is strange how quickly he jumps in to threaten some folks and remains silent about others.

Public silence on impending genocidal legislation in Uganda where human lives are at stake and not only silence but pressure for others to remain silent. Immediate public response to the election of a bishop suffragan in Los Angeles. +Rowan Cantuar has interesting priorities and they seem to be institutional.

I like Lois Keen's comment:

"...if our bonds of affection are to hold."

I must speak out. I can stand it no longer. Affection is not affection at all if it is conditional on anything. Affection has no prerequisites. It is not qualified.

Most of all, affection carries no thinly veiled threats of breaking affection.

Rowan has no affection for TEC, except we throw our LGBT brothers and sisters under the bus. Others in the Anglican Communion, for whom we still have affection, have no affection for us except we declare our LGBT brothers and sisters intransigent, disordered, unhealthy sinners. Subsequently, there is no bond of affection in the Anglican Communion.

But worst of all, to base communion on "bonds of affection" is a fallacy, if not a category mistake.

Communion is in and through Christ Jesus, and him alone. In him and through him our paltry, meager affections toward one another are unnecessary. We can never feel our way to loving one another. We can only do our way to loving one another, and that's hard work, because it holds up to judgment our refusals to work with another because in our judgment the other has "broken the bonds of affection".

Thank you, Lois. No human bond is sufficient; the Spirit's bond transcends our brokenness and, yes, our hatred (as you wrote elsewhere).

Jim Naughton added:

Lambeth Palace says it would be counterproducrive to speak out against a law that legalizes the murder of gays people and the imprisonment of their confidants, but thinks that inserting itself into the middle of the consent process of a duly elected Episcopal bishop is a good use of the Archbishop's moral authority. Do the clergy and people of the Church of England feel comfortable with this?

Look with pity, O heavenly Father, upon the people in every land who live with injustice, terror, disease and death as their constant companions. Have mercy upon us. Help us to eliminate our cruelty to these our neighbors. Strengthen those who spend their lives establishing equal protection of the law and equal opportunities for all. And grant that every one of us may enjoy a fair portion of the riches of this world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

And for the diocese in which I was confirmed - Updated: Bruce and Glasspool elected

Pray for the Episcopal
Diocese of Los Angeles

From Associated Press:

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles elected the first female bishop in its 114-year history Friday but ended voting for the day with one of two openly gay candidates still vying for the second bishop's position.

Rev. Diane M. Jardine Bruce, rector of St. Clement's-By-The-Sea Episcopal Church in San Clemente, was elected Friday at the diocese's annual convention to replace one of two retiring assistant bishops.

You may track it all here.

A prayer from Susan Russell's blog:

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose new bishops for this Diocese,that we may receive faithful pastors, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

It was in the Diocese of Los Angeles that I first attended an Episcopal Church - Holy Trinity, Covina - in fall 1971 and I have been a communicant of the Episcopal Church ever since. (Yes, I was in Baptist seminary at the time.) During my time at UCLA I attended St Alban's, Westwood, and through that parish I was confirmed by the Rt Rev Cedric Mills, Virgin Islands (ret'd), in a service at All Saints, Beverly Hills. I was called to the Cathedral Church of St Paul, the old one downtown, to lead adult formation. I have a great fondness for that diocese where my early Anglican formation took place.

May God grant them truly wonderful new suffragan bishops.

UPDATE from The Lead:

In a seven ballot election The Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool has been elected a suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles pending the required consents. The second woman elected bishop bishop in the diocese in as many days, she is also a partnered lesbian.

The Diocese of Los Angeles elected the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce suffragan bishop of the diocese in the first of two elections taking place in that diocese this weekend. Bruce is the first woman elected a bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles pending the required consents.

Today's election was long and close with The Rev. Irineo Martir Vasquez (Martir) drawing considerable support from clergy and lay.

--the BB

This is not just for Mimi - updated: Thompson elected

Pray for the Episcopal
Diocese of Louisiana

UPDATE (from the diocesan website):

The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana elected The Very Rev. Morris Thompson, as the 11th Bishop of Louisiana today at Christ Church Cathedral, New Orleans. Thompson was one of six final candidates voted on by clergy and lay representatives from every congregation in the diocese. Thompson succeeds the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins who has served since 1997 and announced his retirement effective January 2010.

Thompson said, "I am honored and humbled to serve you as the 11th Bishop of Louisiana. Your rich tradition, your attention to the survival of your diocese, and the possibilities are what attracted me when I first read your profile. Under God's grace and with our shared ministry, I look forward to being among you as your pastor."

From Mimi's blog:

The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana will hold its Electing Convention tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 5). Please pray that the Holy Spirit may fill the minds and hearts of the delegates as they gather at Christ Church Cathedral to choose our next bishop.

From the diocesan website:

Mission Statement

The Diocese of Louisiana is, by grace, a vital community, reborn in the wake of tragedy, forging a new and prophetic environment of healing, trust and empowerment as servants of Jesus Christ

Vision Statement

The Diocese of Louisiana is one church, faithful to our Lord Jesus, united in mission, reaching out through service and proclamation to all for whom Christ died. We live in joyous expectation of God's transforming power, compassion, and mercy in our lives

A Prayer for the Diocese

We give you thanks, Gracious God, for your goodness in bestowing upon this Church the gift of the episcopate, and its heritage in this Diocese. Grant that in our search for the Eleventh Bishop of Louisiana we may be open to your will, receptive of your guidance, and ready in obedience. By your abundant grace may we lay aside any shallow self-interest so that in seeking to elect your servant we may serve you, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Amen and amen.

May the Holy Spirit guide the hearts of the electors, and may those who cast votes listen to the Spirit, for the good of the people, the glory of God, and the life of the world.

--the BB

Saturday is the funeral for Joseph Montoya who worked in the same department I do. He was on another floor and I did not know him but he was only in his 20s. His father works in the same section as Joseph. They were best friends and shared a love of working on cars. It was an unfortunate accident. I ask your prayers for the repose of Joseph and for his parents and all who love him.

Mimi has numerous prayer requests listed, as does MadPriest.

Prayers offered for all.



--the BB

Fanfares are in order - updated with photo

Good news for Juan today. Margaret writes:

Family Court postponed their asylum decision until September --which means even if Deportation Court decides to deport (we'll know that on Monday) he doesn't have to leave until Family Court finishes... which might change the Deportation.... round and round! Worse case scenario --September --which give the miracle gift of time!

and

I am a mom --for at least ten months --to the most beautiful and unexpected young man, who is laughing more tonight than he has in a month!

I wrote: "Cue the Hallelujah Chorus!"

It is a gift of time and a blessed one. Let us continue to pray for Juan and for Joel and Margaret.

And while we rejoice:

Robert Whalley is a Deacon!

Rob and I were in CPE together back in 1989. He's waited a long time. Many blessings upon his continuing ministry, now in a new role as a transitional deacon in Australia.



--the BB

54% of Americans Support Torture

SuperBowlXX reports on a new Pew Research Center poll:

54% of Americans believe that torture is either often (19%) or sometimes (35%) justified to gain information from terrorism suspects, compared to 41% who say it's rarely (16%) or never (25%) justified.

I am appalled.

You can read the whole thing here.

--the BB

That had not been the case when her mother committed her to the keeping of foreign prisoners....

The nineteen steps were engraved in R. and N's memory and this night they took them slowly, blindly, alert to any noise. They made it to the landing and paused until all were assembled with weapons at the ready.

Slow progress today, yet a few more paragraphs. The tale advances.

O Lord, open our eyes and ears

...when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry....

Are we not all chief priests and scribes, upset by what troubles our settled world, distressed when we see God working in ways we had not anticipated, planned for, approved?

O God, help us to hear your praise when it is proclaimed, even in the most unlikely places. And, attentive to your praise, turn our hearts to you.

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/01/2009

Let us begin with World AIDS Day, recalling all those who have died, those who live with HIV/AIDS, those who love them, those who toil to prevent and cure this disease, and the eradication of stigma.

A new site has been launched at www.aids.gov and you are encouraged to check it out.

For Ozzie's family.

For Lindy in China.

For Eileen's mother having a second hip replacement done.

Jacque Sue's cat Dexter who has gone missing.

For Rob Whalley at his pre-ordination retreat.

For the four slain Washington State police officers and their loved ones. For all those who put their lives in danger to protect others.

For Fran's reflections at Evening Prayer tonight.

For Dan, Sandra, and Mark and all who are going through extended healing periods.

For Mimi who asks:

For a good outcome and healing for surgical procedures on Tuesday...

...for my niece, Donna, who will have a hysterectomy

...for Ann's friend, Kay Rohde, who will have spinal surgery

For Frank and Carol, Jim and Ruthie, Myron and others dealing with major health problems.

For John and his mother.

For myself and those who take counsel for mission and ministry.

For Kirstin who has returned to blogging and for Jane R who has been busy beyond belief and also returned to blogging after a hectic few months.

For the LGBT citizens of Uganda.

For Juan and his hearing on Thursday and for Margaret and Joel who have taken him into their home.

We conclude with Margaret's prayer this morning:

Hey, God --it's margaret here --I pray that when I think I see disaster looming, I may have the strength to stand and lift up my head with joy and without shame --my Advent discipline.... I pray that when I think I see judgment, I remember judgment has already happened, and the gates of hell have been shattered and strewn about --just like the tables in your Temple... and I don't much like figs anyway, so there... you blew it with too many little seeds. Just sayin' --and God, thank you. Thank you. For all of it. Amen.

--the BB

Snippet from the Office

The Prophet Amos
from Wikipedia Commons

they sell the righteous for silver,
and the needy for a pair of sandals
--Amos 2:6b

Pikers. They could take lessons from the investment bankers.

--the BB

Good advice from a sister

Thanks, dear heart. What I needed to hear when I need to hear it.

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/29/2009

Susankay asks our prayers for John, her co-convenor at Integrity of the Four Corners, and his mother. He just wrote:

I'm in California with a fractured sternum--mom is in ICU in San Jose with multiple thoracic injuries, two broken legs,a fractured vertebra, dislocated hip, and had a heart attack during the accident. Her prognosis isn't great. Would you please pass this along to Integrity and church and anyone else. Medicated, I'm mainly only communicating on Facebook. But my phone and computer will be back on line tomorrow when I get the cords out of the car.

On 152 near the top of Hecker pass, between Watsonville and Gilroy, during the return trip to the airport in Merced, a van crossed into our lane on a hairpin turn and hit us head on.

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants John and his mother, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Finally

Flush with victory and vengeance for their father’s death, they listened eagerly as Mordal laid out his new plan.

After being stuck for two months, I finally finished yesterday the chapter I had begun so long ago. Whew. Also began the next chapter. I feel ready to engage the tale again and just hope I have time and focus to go forward. Way too much on my plate of late.

To my delight, the princess has continued to come into her own. In the first two books she was mostly a victim; now she emerges as a strong protagonist and I'm loving it.

This is the sort of thing I don't know when I begin a tale and learning it makes story-telling such a satisfying adventure.

“Is it ever really over? Do dreams stop and memories disappear? Does our past drop away never to haunt us again? If it were only so, but I do not think so."

--the BB

4366

No No Keshagesh - Buffy sings again

Ghost Dancers

Cree Indian folksinger Buffy Sainte-Marie has a new album, Running for the Drum. She has not stopped singing for justice. Here is "No No Keshagesh." As I read at Meteor Blades' post:

The lead song is called "No No Keshagesh." In her native tongue, Keshagesh means "greedy guts." "It's what you call a little puppy who eats his own and then wants everybody else's."

--the BB

Bomb Causes Derailment of Russian Train, Killing 26

Photo: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters

By CLIFFORD J. LEVY and ELLEN BARRY (NYT)
Published: November 28, 2009

MOSCOW – A luxury express train carrying hundreds of passengers from Moscow to St. Petersburg derailed on Friday night after a bomb detonated on the tracks in a rural area, killing more than 25 people and injuring more than 100 others, officials said.

The force of the crash crumpled parts of the train, propelling several of its 14 cars well off the rails, trapping passengers in smashed compartments and scattering luggage into the nearby woods. People on the train, called the Nevsky Express, perhaps the most illustrious in Russia, reported a scene of panic and devastation.

Mapko asked prayers last night and I saw the NYT article this morning. As he wrote:

Twenty-five persons have died in a derailment of a Russian train. Please remember them, their loved ones, and the injured survivors in your prayers.

Additional analysis from BBC:

Richard Galpin, BBC News Moscow
This statement has to be extremely significant. It's come from the head of the main internal intelligence agency, Alexander Bortnikov. He's saying very clearly that it was a bomb, a home-made device containing the equivalent of 7kg of high explosives

BBC also puts the number of dead now at twenty-six.

Deliver your servants, O Sovereign Lord Christ, from all evil, and set them free from every bond; that they may rest with all your saints in the eternal habitations; where with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

928

11/25/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Jason A. McLeod, 22, of Crystal Lake, Ill., died Nov. 23, west of Pashmul, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with mortar fire. He was assigned to the 704th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

11/24/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino, 34, of Cockeysville, Md., died Nov. 23 in Pashay Kala, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group of the Maryland Army National Guard in Glen Arm, Md.

11/24/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Sgt. James M. Nolen, 25, of Alvin, Texas...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C...died Nov. 22 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

11/24/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Pfc. Marcus A. Tynes, 19, of Moreno Valley, Calif...assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C...died Nov. 22 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

11/23/09 DOD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Nicholas J. Hand, 20, of Kansas City, Mo., died Nov. 22 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

11/23/09
DoD Identifies Army Casualties
Staff Sgt. John J. Cleaver, 36, of Marysville, Wash.; and Sgt. Daniel A. Frazier, 25, of Saint Joseph, Mich. died Nov. 19 in Zabul province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when a suicide car-bomber attacked their unit. They were assigned to the 782d Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

4365

11/22/2009
DOD identifies Army casualty
Sgt. Briand T. Williams, 25, of Sparks, Ga., died Nov. 22, in Numaniyah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

Bad math

If Republicans want it: fifty votes plus one gets you a big tax cut.

If Democrats want it: sixty votes isn't enough to provide health insurance to every American, plus you have to give Lieberman a pony.
--via bluegal at C&L

What's wrong with this scenario?

--the BB

Social protest

If only present-day Americans were not so apathetic and timid that they gave up the most basic rights enshrined in our Constitution almost without a fight just because Dick Cheney sneered at them and muttered something about national security -- if only they showed some spunk and dared break social conventions and get uppity in the cause of personal liberty rather than that of corporate perquisites from time to time-- now that would be something to be thankful for.
--Juan Cole

If you'd like to know what this has to do with cross-dressing and American history, read the whole article here. Yes, this is a Thanksgiving post.

--the BB

Thanksgiving Day 2009

Padre omnipotente y bondadoso, te damos gracias por los frutos de la tierra en su tiempo, y por la labor de quienes los cosechan: Haznos fieles mayordomos de tus dádivas abundantes, que recibimos para la satisfacción de nuestras necesidades y el alivio de los menesterosos, para gloria de tu Nombre; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor, que vive y reina contigo y el Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, ahora y por siempre. Amén.

Y a la vez:

Grandfather, Grandmother, Sacred One,
Creator of heaven and earth, Giver of life,
We are here before you,
Hear us!
Thunder Beings, Medicine Bear,
Waters where the Sun goes down,
We are here before you,
Teach us!
Buffalo upon whom the People depend,
Land of Snows and Winter Gales,
We are here before you,
Strengthen us!
Rising Sun and fresh Breezes,
Elk Nation, Seeds of all Beginnings,
We are here before you,
Fill us with life!
Ripening Time, Plant Nations,
Winged Cousins, Sheltering Trees,
We are here before you,
Nurture us!
Round circle of the Sky,
Father Sun, Sister Moon, Star Nations,
We are here before you,
Shine upon us!
Mother and Grandmother Earth,
Crawling and Burrowing Clans, all Grasses,
We are here before you,
Sustain us!
Great Circle of all Beings
And all Powers who serve the Sacred One,
We are here before you,
Behold us!
Gathered with All Our Relations,
Holy Creator of All Things,
We are here before you
To praise you!

Creator, we give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation. In Jesus, you place the Gospel in the Center of this Sacred Circle through which all of creation is related. You show us the way to live a generous and compassionate life. Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we grow in your spirit, for you are God, now and forever. Amen.

--the BB

Because we might just want to use them....

Does anybody else find this offensive, embarrassing, and immoral?

Washington (CNN) -- The United States won't join its NATO allies and many other countries in formally banning landmines, State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said during his midday briefing Tuesday.
"This administration undertook a policy review and we decided our landmine policy remains in effect," Kelly said in response to a question. "We made our policy review and we determined that we would not be able to meet our national defense needs nor our security commitments to our friends and allies if we sign this convention."

Russia and China have not signed either.
--the BB

Heart thread - 11/23/2009

Let us begin with some thanksgiving.

David@Montreal writes:

Mam just called to tell me that Frank [David's cousin] just called to report he is doing much better!
He's been into the hospital three times in the last ten days for day surgeries, but he's finally clear of both the pneumonia and c-difficile.
He specifically asked Mam to pass along his love and thanks to 'the Giants' 'please tell them ( and Mam says this is where my very butch cousin got real teary) tell them, they make all the difference in the world.'
Carol also came on the phone and wants you to know, you have no idea the difference you've made. Said she never felt alone or abandoned, no matter how scary or wild it's been at times.
Frank's doctor's are still shaking their heads, amazed that he's doing so very well with only a 9/10 genetic match. And that's when he tells them about the Giants, and Mam says he remembers most of you by name.
Not out of the woods yet, I'd ask your continued prayers for both Frank and Carol, but tonight there much to give thanks for. Full-voiced Hymns of Praise please!

Aping Shakespeare's Henry at Agincourt, I said Non nobis and Te Deum. Let us give thanks. And keep praying for Frank and Carol and all who love them.

Psalm 115 Non nobis, Domine
Not to us, O LORD, not to us,
but to your Name give glory; *
because of your love and because of your faithfulness.

Let us also keep David in our prayers:

the job hunt.... well if I'm not 'too experienced', I've got 'too many decades in management for anything less', or the experience is 'too diverse' as they skip over the unsalaried decade of fulltime AIDS service. and then there's the elephant in the room- my being sixty-one years old.
i have no doubt a true answer is in the making, but your prayers would be appeciated.
i keep applying, something's got to happen.

love always-always Love

David

From "the big, brave Mimi who could" we hear this:

The cataract surgery is over, and all went well. As I was waiting in pre-op to be sedated, I began to fret and get anxious. I gave myself a good talking to, saying (to myself), "You've been through this surgery before, and you can do it again." I answered myself, and said, "Yes, I can!" At that moment a picture of "The Little Engine That Could" popped into my head, and I began to say over and over (to myself), "I--think--I--can, I--think--I--can". I calmed down immediately and stayed calm until I was sedated and wheeled into the operating room. The surgeon kept up a running commentary about what he was doing, and I stayed calm throughout the procedure and found the experience fascinating and completely different from the surgery on my left eye. I'd guess that the doctor did the commentary through the first surgery, but I was too freaked out to notice.

Thanks be to God, the medical staff, and to all of you who prayed and sent love and good thoughts my way. I had my little miracle with "The Little Engine That Could". I read the story to my children and my grandchildren. One of my grandsons liked to hear the story over and over. I'd go up to three times and then say, "Enough! Another day."

We continue to remember Gary in his time of sorrow and to pray for the repose of our sister, Roseann.

From Gary at Facebook [via Mimi]:

Funeral Services for Roseann will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway, AR, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Her ashes will be interred in a Hellman's Mayonnaise jar (per her request) in the St. Peter's Columbarium followed by a "Farewell" party in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend. Roseann's... life was guided by the scripture from Matthew 25:40: "I tell you this, Anything you did for one of my brothers, however humble, you did for Me." She loved this song and it will be played at the funeral.

"Into the Mystic" by Van Morrison, Moondance

For Eileen and her husband and the healing of memories.

+Rowan (Bishop of Play, not Cantuar)'s best friend Samantha has gotten her golden tail from Jesus. Let us pray for Rowan and Lindy and Lindy's mom and all who miss Samantha.

Joy to Chris and Lily and blessings on their marriage.

For the LGBT community of Uganda in mortal danger. For all who speak up on their behalf.

For continued healing for Dan and for Mother Sandra.

For the mission and ministry of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in the South Valley of Albuquerque. For the handful who are the heart of this new venture and the vast web of those who uphold us in prayer. For me, that I may listen to the Spirit and follow where I ought.

Lisa has asked our prayers for missioners en route to the Diocese of Lui in the Sudan and for the people of Lui.

For universal health care in United States of America and for every step that leads us toward it.

For nations torn by war or civil strife.

For those this night whose hearts cry out for love and find no answering cry.

A Prayer for Deliverance

O God, your glory blazes with the light of love and justice, your righteousness and your mercy flow together as one mighty stream: May we who beseech deliverance from violence, oppression, and degradation be purged within of their roots--of fear, envy, powerlessness, anger, resentment, the lust for revenge and the desire to hurt--and of the blindness and willfulness which beset our best intentions; that we may not act with violence, neither oppress nor degrade any of your creatures, but may strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being; for Jesus' sake. Amen.

--the BB

Practical advice for this week

You gotta love cooking advice like this. It is from Sam Sifton's Diner's Journal, The New York Times Blog on Dining Out.

Let’s start at the top. DO NOT BRINE A TURKEY THAT IS GOING TO BE FRIED. The first time I went to a turkey-fry we made that mistake, my friend Manny and I, the two of us amped on beer and adrenaline, redneck in the extreme. We put the brined turkey into the superhot peanut oil, which almost instantly converted the excess moisture the bird had been given by the brine into steam. The steam, caught inside the bird, exploded the breasts off the carcass and sent them hurtling skyward on a plume of boiling oil. It was a fairly intense couple of seconds. DO NOT BRINE A TURKEY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FRY.

"It was a fairly intense couple of seconds."

The voice of experience carries authority.

--the BB

Quick, before I forget

Tomorrow Mimi goes in for cataract surgery in her right eye. She is being very brave and the previous round went well, but prayers for peace of mind, a safe trip to and from NOLA, and very successful surgery would not go amiss.

I am putting this up right now because I am so scattered poor Mimi was going to have to remind me and she has enough to do.

A blessing for Mimi and anyone else who needs a blessing this evening:

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

--the BB

May flights of angels sing you to your rest

Gary posted this on Facebook:

Roseann's Spirit shed its mortal shackles at 8:45 p.m. Saturday. She would want you all to know that she went quietly and painlessly thanks to the loving care of the Hospice staff. She would want all of you to know that your expressions of love and well-wishes these last weeks made her passage much easier and that she loved and cherished you all. Somewhere tonight a new journey began.

We have all heard or read of a "holy death." Roseann has shown us all what that can look like. Here are recent segments from her blog.

11/09/2009

Tomorrow night at 6 I will be blessed to have my last eucharist before I'm given final rights. I am so happy and excited about this. It looks like we'll have over 100 people here which means our tiny house will have to use front porch overflow. I can't wait to celebrate with people I love. Sharing the body and blood is the ultimate meal of love. I can't begin to explain the peace and love of God surrounding me and Gary. You are all a part of that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love, Roseann

11/10/2009

I believe that I am living in a state of grace at this moment. I could write pages on how this feels and how it affects my perception but I am far too inarticulate to give it justice. My spirit feels so light and blessed. Thank you all for everything.

...

Friends, I enjoyed, rejoiced and celebrated HE in a way that is still giving me the chills. I felt so much love and I was able to return that love. I will always be grateful. I could feel you all with me and if love were a color this house would still saturated.

Thank you all for your presence in my life. Thank you, thank you.

What a blessing Roseann has been to us, even if we have only known her "virtually." I did speak with her on the phone many months ago during one of her hospitalizations. Such a sweet voice. Such a fighting spirit. And such grace when the time came.

May she rest in peace and rise in glory. May Gary be upheld and comforted. May his body find healing. May love ever abound.



--the BB

923

11/19/09 DOD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Joseph M. Lewis, 26, of Terrell, Texas died on Nov. 17 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

11/19/09 CBS:
2 U.S. Soldiers Killed in Afghan Blast
NATO says two U.S. service members have been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Todd Vician says the two were killed by a bomb explosion in Zabul province late Thursday morning. He did not have any further details

4364

11/20/09 DoD:
Navy Casualty Identified
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian M. Patton, 37, of Freeport, Ill., died Nov. 19 in Kuwait in a non-combat accident.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

A powerful poem

I commend to your attention Tobias' new poem "She woke one morning" dedicated to "all women diminished and debased by culture, cult or clan."

So sad.

Such an outrage.

We have so very far to go.

--the BB

Jesus wept

Exodus International (no, I'm not providing a link) Sends Letter Opposing Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

While we do not believe that homosexual behavior is what God intended for individuals, we believe that deprivation of life and liberty is not an appropriate or helpful response to this issue.

While I disagree with a great deal of what they say in their letter, it is more of a protest than has been offered by any of the churches of the Anglican Communion except for the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod (thank you), to our great Anglican shame.

You can read about this at Jake's place and Susan Russell's letter to the PB is here. I also commend to your attention another post by Susan about the study showing how U.S. conservatives have exported homophobia to Africa.

We can sign a petition here.

Civilized nations and churches should be rising up in united protest against the proposed law. Those who are being timid do have a point - protests may be deemed as one more example of Western interference in Africa. My response is "just what the hell do you call folks like Marty Minns and their money channels cozying up to Akinola and Orombi et al.?"

Feh.

--the BB

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Twenty years ago today the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

I believe this portion is relevant to the health care debate in the United States:

Article 24

1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.

Note the word "access" in there and think about how insurance companies govern access in this country. Strikes me as a direct violation. Perhaps this is one of many reasons for the following:

Who has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and why?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely and rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history. Only two countries, Somalia and the United States, have not ratified this celebrated agreement. Somalia is currently unable to proceed to ratification as it has no recognized government. By signing the Convention, the United States has signalled its intention to ratify—but has yet to do so.

As in many other nations, the United States undertakes an extensive examination and scrutiny of treaties before proceeding to ratify. This examination, which includes an evaluation of the degree of compliance with existing law and practice in the country at state and federal levels, can take several years—or even longer if the treaty is portrayed as being controversial or if the process is politicized. Moreover, the US Government typically will consider only one human rights treaty at a time. Currently, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is cited as the nation's top priority among human rights treaties.

--UNICEF

[Emphasis mine]

Hmmph. As if the United States Senate gave a damn about any form of justice not in the interest of their lobbyists.

--theBB

Gary provides an update on Roseann

Gary sent this in a note on Facebook; I copied it from Mimi.

Roseann was admitted to the Arkansas Hospice inpatient facility. She sleeps pretty much all of the time now and only wakes up for a few seconds at a time -- sometimes lucid, other times not. The Hospice staff is awesome and are doing a wonderful job of keeping her comfortable and making sure she gets anything she needs. Her room has an extra bed and I will be spending most of my time in the room with her until the end comes. Thanx so much to all of you for your love and support -- your calls visits & online messages meant a great deal to her (and me). Please know that she loves you all as do I.

Almighty God, look on your servant Roseann, lying in great weakness, and comfort her with the promise of life everlasting, given in the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

Today

Got in my 8 hours at work. Shirts picked up at laundry. Copies made of 4 handouts for English classes. Two other handouts already prepared but not yet printed. Lesson insert for this coming Sunday formatted and 15 full-color booklets printed off. Hymns selected for Sunday (Reign of Christ). Many hymns sung in the privacy of my bedroom/office. The kids are glad I'm done with that. Half-sheet flyers designed and saved on thumb drive so I can forward the master to the printers tomorrow. One load of towels washed and dried. Up late again.

Oyasumi nasai,

--the BB

Are you saved? - an Orthodox Christian answer.

Stunning testimony.


via OCICBW, MP having nicked it first

--the BB

Hard to believe

I have not been posting much since there has been so much else going on in my life of late. (And, yes, laziness since I can post a link on FB with a click and quick comment, though I still much prefer blogs and miss my friends' posts since some do FB now and hardly ever post on their blogs any more- you know who you are.)

Anyhow, today almost slipped by me. Just before going to bed I turned off an overhead light and saw on my calendar that today is the fifth blogiversary of Byzigenous Buddhapalian. So, many thanks to all who have visited here, especially those who have contributed to the conversations, and very especially those who have become friends via the internet.

Over 3400 posts in the past five years. Lord, I'm wordy. (But we all knew that.)

Мир,

--the BB

Samantha Bee explains it all

Watch Giuliani debate himself. Then find out the real reasons that trying terrorists in NYC is a frightening thought.




h/t to Jed Lewison

--the BB

920

11/16/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Shawn P. Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas, died Nov. 13 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

11/16/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Christopher J. Coffland, 43, of Baltimore, Md., died Nov. 13 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Md.

4363

11/16/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy, 36, of Jaffery, N.H., died Nov. 9 as a result of a non-hostile incident in Anbar province, Iraq. He was assigned to 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The Gratitude Campaign

The ASL (American Sign Language) gesture for "thank you" is featured here. It is one sign I remember from my few ASL classes years ago. But I actually try to say "thank you" out loud when I see men and women in the uniform of country. It's almost always awkward but it is so easy and it means so much.



h/t to Ellie

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/15/2009

For the repose of the soul of the Very Rev. James M. Jensen and for his wife, Klady, and their family. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience; not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of your great goodness, and in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. And this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

For Margaret's Uncle Don and all who mourn as he passes:

All this talk of end-times and birth pangs.... no snark here tonight. Please pray for my Uncle Don who passed from this life to life eternal. He has no use any longer of stones or brick or mortar, edifices grand and regal --he lives now, in the living Temple of flesh and blood, life without end.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

For the repose of the soul of Terra Lyn Swinney, a young mother who attended All Saints, Greensboro, who was killed in her car when a tree fell during this past week's storm. For Kerry, her husband, and their little boy Tristen Douglas.



For continued healing for Mother Sandra:

Thank you for your prayers, as I believe that is the only thing that has gotten me through the last eight weeks. I ask for your continued prayers as I now begin the rehabilitation of my physical being. Until I see you in person at the rehabilitation hospital or at home (hopefully before Christmas), may your journeys continue to be blessed fully by God.
Vaya con Dios,
Sandra

For our brothers and sisters in the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. In the Orthodox Church we have come to the beginning of the Christmas fast. Words from our siblings at Syntheopoiesis:

If the government, how much greater the harm when caused by dangerous church leaders? Hence, the raison d'être for the Holy Incarnation ... Not just so we all may live as renewed creatures, but that we all may live as the fullness of God's image, as the overflow of God's likeness, as God's own gods (cf. Gal 4:4-6; Jn 10:10). If Orthodoxy teaches the Parousia is here and now; then why do so many shepherds (and their provocateurs) theosis-block their God-entrusted sheep?

For Jack and Shirley, Jay, Jim and Ruthie, Frank and Carol, JimB, Malcolm, Mimi (on her next round of eye surgery), Mark, Rob, Dan, Kirstin, David, Jack, Lindy, David.... for healing, discernment, employment, courage, hope, and whatever else they need right now.

I offer prayers of thanksgiving for Scott, Lois, Annie, Chris, Wyatt, Warren the younger, Steve, Larry, Warren, Anne Marie, Rhonda, Tim, Stephanie, Shawn, Joe, Rhonda the younger, Michal Anne, and Diane who all turned out to make yesterday a Miracle Day at the Church of Our Saviour.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
--Philippians 4:4-7

--the BB