Heart thread - 11/07/2009

I ask your prayers for Marie and Ed who will be married this afternoon.

Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven; where, O Father, with your Son and the Holy Spirit, you live and reign in perfect unity, now and for ever. Amen.

For Rob who had surgery yesterday, that his injuries may heal swiftly.

Janine has an update on her husband Nick:

Thank you all so very much once again. Nick finally had a surgery done with a laser procedure to break up the stone. He returned home this morning. Very grateful to you all! Prayers really do help and are very meaningful to me always

For Margaret and her family.

For all touched by the violence at Fort Hood.

For Roseann and Gary:

FROM ROSEANN
Dear Jonathan and beloved friends,

I start hospice today. I've reached the point where treatment is doing more harm than good so we're stopping treatment and I'm being cared for by Gary and hospice. We met with my doctor, priest, social worker and dialysis nurses and we're all comfortable with this decision. I am at total peace and feel the presence of God so strongly. I am happy and sad but more than anything I am the Lord's own and I know I am loved. I will write when I can. The doctor said I have 1 to 2 weeks before I go. My priest Teri is awesome. She asked if I wanted a party after the funeral and I said, "well hell yeah!" I love you all and I will always be praying for you.

Love, Roseann

Roseann can be contacted by email.
Her address is:

revamundo@gmail.com

For Jane at the AAR and all travelers.

And all the rest, of course.

--the BB

Citizens must insist that the government do its duty

The header for this post has many applications.

This morning we have an example of a letter written by several citizens urging the FBI to act upon the evidence that Condoleezza Rice is guilty of conspiracy to commit torture.

Clearly, there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, and Condoleezza Rice, among others, is one of the perpetrators. If you do not come to a similar conclusion, surely there is enough evidence to bring her in for questioning. Frankly, Ms. Rice has been a fairly public person, and we are surprised that she has managed to evade federal authorities thus far. Please feel free to email us if we can be of further assistance.

You may read the letter and other comments at this post by youmayberight. If you are in Minnesota, there is an invitation:

Join us for a peaceful candlelight demonstration outside Beth El Synagogue, 5224 W. 26th St., St. Louis Park, Minnesota, at 5:15 Nov. 8.

Where there is no enforcement, law is meaningless.

--the BB

912

11/03/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Sgt. Cesar B. Ruiz, 26, of San Antonio, Texas, died Oct. 31 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to Marine Forces Reserve, New Orleans.

4359

Heart thread - 11/06/2009

My friend Janine asks prayers for her husband Nick:

"Dear friends,
Please pray for Nick who has a kidney stone. Although he was being monitored by our doctors, we had to go to the emergency room today and he is spending the night at the hospital. He was in a lot of pain but is comfortable now, and we'll just take it one step at a time... could be home as early as tomorrow A.M. but we just don't know. Thank you"

Our brother David@Montreal shares many people on his heart today:

your prayers for travel mercies asked for Jane who is travelling by plane to Montreal today.

Jane will be here for four days for the international meeting of the American Academy of Religion, and will be staying with us tonight before moving off to her hotel and the conference tomorrow.

positively abuzz with excitement here, as Jane is the first of my on-line siblings in Christ I will be meeting

in other quarters:
prayers for Frank and Carol please, he's still in and out of hospital
prayers for our beloved sister Margaret, her Joel and their 'guest' Juan who has an important immigration hearing on Dec 7th which will need ALL our prayers
prayers for a much loved brother in his discernment who very much needs to be held in that Love beyond our wildest imagining
prayers for two beloved sisters in their discernment for ordination
prayers for our brother Paul and the parish of Our Savior ABQ
prayers for dear sister Ellie and her way forward
prayers for the folks at Fort Hood and their families
prayers for the people of Pakistan & Afghanistan who continue to suffer new excesses of violence on an almost dailly basis
prayers for all those suffering loss of employment, loss of home, loss of self, in this gigantic re-alignment of 'first world' reality

Sue has news of Myron:

There is good news today. Myron passed his swallowing test this week, and that means the brain had healed a little more, and he can now eat. This is a major accomplishment because he can begin to put some weight back on. I think he has lost about 30-35 lbs, which is a lot for him. He was able to sign his name to a Social Security form for Mary Anne. She is now applying for disability benefits.

I will be seeing him today for the first time in two weeks, and I should be able to observe a change in him. I hope.

Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.

For Dan who is making progress on his wound healing and for Mother Sandra in her ongoing healing.

For my brother-in-law Jack and my sister Shirley.

For MIBI52, Jaliya, JCF, and Robyn.

For Diane recovering from surgery, Kathy recovering from a cold, Mark healing in body and spirit,

Please add your own prayers in comments.

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.

--the BB

Breaking through denial - updated

It is time to acknowledge that the Catholic church hierarchy can no longer pretend that it isn't the active enemy of gay people and our families. That this church hierarchy - especially in its more conservative wing - is disproportionately gay itself and waging war against their fellow gays through the cowardly veil of the closet, is not new. But it is, as we flinch with the sting of defeat, harder to take than ever.
--Andrew Sullivan

UPDATE:
David Gibson writes at Politics Daily:

And truth be told, Christian groups that oppose gay marriage were certainly active in Maine. In addition to the National Organization for Marriage and the Family Research Council, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, which covers the entire state, pumped resources and staff into promoting a "yes" vote. Bishop Richard Malone called for a special collection at Masses on behalf of Stand for Marriage Maine, the principal coalition fighting to repeal the gay marriage law. The diocese eventually channeled $550,000 to the campaign -- even as Malone announced the closing of five parishes which he said the diocese could no longer afford to operate. Videos denouncing gay marriage were also shown at Mass throughout the diocese.

Cf. Psalm 58

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/04/2009

For all the current and potential couples whose love has been treated, once again, as lesser and whose rights have, once again, been trampled. For reason and justice eventually to prevail.

For Jack, Shirley, Jack, Sandra, Dan and others in need of healing.

For all who mourn.

For Brother Bernard Delcourt making his life profession at Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, NY, today and for the Order of the Holy Cross.

For the repose of the soul of Kevin's father, for comfort and courage for Kevin, and for peace and hope for the heart of Jonathan:

Please pray for MadPriest's friend and rural dean, Kevin, whose father died yesterday. It was not unexpected but my friend's sadness will still be great.

Please pray for MadPriest who has had another of his nightmare filled nights. This always leaves him very fuzzy and down the following day. Gone is his usual cheerful optimism to be replaced by the phrase, "Sod it! What's the point?"

For Diane in ABQ who has surgery today that all may go well and may she have a good visit with her daughter who is here to support her.

For all seeking to discern God's will (in any and every area).

I'm sorry, but for all the haters out there who fought so hard to propagate lies in order to relegate fellow citizens to second class in Maine I offer a morning Psalm, 58:3-11.

3 The wicked go astray from the womb;
they err from their birth, speaking lies.
4 They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
5 so that it does not hear the voice of charmers
or of the cunning enchanter.

6 O God, break the teeth in their mouths;
tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!
7 Let them vanish like water that runs away;
like grass let them be trodden down* and wither.
8 Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime;
like the untimely birth that never sees the sun.
9 Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of thorns,
whether green or ablaze, may he sweep them away!

For the people of Virginia that they may be delivered from some collective folly. Margaret offers more enlightened prayers.

For our enemies:
O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

4357

11/03/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Jonathon M. Sylvestre, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colo., died Nov. 2 in Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga.

11/02/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Christopher M. Cooper, 28, of Oceanside, Calif., died Oct. 30 in Babil province, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Schweinfurt, Germany.

11/02/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Pfc. Lukas C. Hopper, 20, of Merced, Calif., died Oct. 30, southeast of Karadah, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

11/02/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Adrian L. Avila, 19, of Opelika, Ala., died Oct. 29 at Khabari Crossing, Kuwait, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related accident. He was assigned to the 1343rd Chemical Company, 151st Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Battalion, 115th Fires Brigade of the Alabama Army National Guard, in Fort Payne, Ala.

For the repose of Sister Marguerite

NAVAJO, N.M. -- A nun has been found dead in her residence at a church in a small community on the Navajo Indian reservation near the Arizona-New Mexico border, the FBI said Monday.

Sister Marguerite Bartz, 64, failed to show up to Sunday Mass and a colleague who went to check on her discovered her body. Investigators believe Bartz was killed sometime between Halloween night and Sunday morning, but FBI Special Agent Darrin Jones said he could not disclose any details about how she died.

The FBI and state police were searching her residence for any clues.

Authorities and officials with the Diocese of Gallup, which oversees the parish in Navajo, said they were not sure whether Bartz or the church were the target, or if the attack was a random act.

-WHDH News

I saw this on Google News. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/02/2009

For beloved critters and the children who love them. For all children who must cope with death.

For Rob who has suffered a fall, concussion, and facial lacerations.

For Brad "who has a particularly yucky bronchial flu thing."

For the unemployed, among whom are many friends.

For victims of spiritual abuse of any flavor.

For the LGBT population of Uganda.

For those who vote tomorrow.

For PJ with her cough and for all afflicted with sundry ailments.

For Diane that she may be free of migraines (and offering thanks for good meds).

For Mark who continues to heal.

For Margaret and Joel and Juan.

For KJ, his Dad, and his partner.

For Roseann and Gary, Frank and Carol, Myron, and all those with ongoing needs for healing, peace, and lots of love.

For MP's parishioners (he has special requests), for Mrs. MP (on general principles), and for MP himself in his ongoing quest for the right place to serve.

And because tomorrow I will forget (and I love this prayer):

O God of truth and peace, you raised up your servant Richard Hooker in a day of bitter controversy to defend with sound reasoning and great charity the catholic and reformed religion: Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

The ofrenda at St Cuthbert's, Oakland

The tradition continues! Thanks to Tom Bickley for this photo (via Facebook). The white in the foreground is the fair linen on the Altar which is in the middle of the nave. The ofrenda is up where the Altar used to be. Looks like lots of loving remembrance.

--the BB

Pro animabus omnium fidelium defunctorum

O God, the Maker and Redeemer of all believers: Grant to the faithful departed the unsearchable benefits of the passion of your Son; that on the day of his appearing they may be manifested as your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

911

10/31/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Pfc. Brian R. Bates, Jr., 20, of Gretna, La., died Oct. 27 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

10/30/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Robert K. Charlton, 22, of Malden, Mo., died Oct. 27 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident Oct. 23 in Wardak, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

We want more truth and fewer lies!

Thank you, Mr. O'Donnell.

And Ms. Cheney? STFU.

--the BB

You may now find Our Saviour at a new location

I have just launched a separate blog for the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour.

You will find updates, events, and musings there.

Just as I keep my very strong political views out of the pulpit, even if I preach on moral issues, it seems right to discuss a new church plant without me going off on Darth Cheney in the same space.

--the BB

909

10/30/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Robert K. Charlton, 22, of Malden, Mo., died Oct. 27 at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident Oct. 23 in Wardak, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (7 of 7)
Staff Sgt. Keith R. Bishop, 28, of Medford, N.Y...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (6 of 7)
Sgt. 1st Class David E. Metzger, 32, of San Diego...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (5 of 7)
Sgt. Nikolas A. Mueller, 26, of Little Chute, Wisc...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Ga... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (4 of 7)
Sgt. Josue E. Hernandez Chavez, 23, of Reno, Nev...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Ga... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (3 of 7)
Staff Sgt. Shawn H. McNabb, 24, of Terrell, Texas...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Ga... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (2 of 7)
Chief Warrant Officer Niall Lyons, 40, of Spokane, Wash...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Ga... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (1 of 7)
Chief Warrant Officer Michael P. Montgomery, 36, of Savannah, Ga...assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment (Airborne), Hunter Army Airfield, Ga... died Oct. 26 of wounds suffered when the MH-47 helicopter they were aboard crashed in Darreh-ye Bum, Afghanistan.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (7 of 7)
Pfc. Christopher I. Walz, 25, of Vancouver, Wash... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (6 of 7)
Spc. Jared D. Stanker, 22, of Evergreen Park, Ill... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (5 of 7)
Sgt. Patrick O. Williamson, 24, of Broussard, La... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (4 of 7)
Sgt. Issac B. Jackson, 27, of Plattsburg, Mo... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (3 of 7)
Sgt. Dale R. Griffin, 29, of Terre Haute, Ind... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (2 of 7)
Sgt. Fernando Delarosa, 24, of Alamo, Texas... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualties Identified (1 of 7)
Staff Sgt. Luis M. Gonzalez, 27, of South Ozone Park, N.Y... assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash...died Oct. 27 in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

10/29/09 DoD:
Marine Casualty Identified
Lance Cpl. Cody R. Stanley, 21, of Rosanky, Texas, died Oct. 28 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif

10/29/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Brandon K. Steffey, 23, of Sault Sainte Marie, Mich., died Oct. 25 in Laghman province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 178th Military Police Detachment, 89th Military Police Brigade, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas.

We do not forget their sacrifice.

4355

10/30/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Spc. Joseph L. Gallegos, 39, of Questa, N.M., died Oct. 28 in Tallil, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 720th Transportation Company, New Mexico Army National Guard, in Las Vegas, N.M.

10/28/09 DoD:
Army Casualty Identified
Maj. David L. Audo, 35, of Saint Joseph, Ill., died Oct. 27 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 22nd Military Police Battalion, 6th Military Police Group, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Community Remembrance

This is our first press release:

Community Remembrance

The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour will draw on traditions of los Días de los Muertos as it
celebrates the Feast of All Saints on Sunday, November 1. An ofrenda for the community will be in the church so that people may bring photos, names, and other remembrances of their loved ones who have gone before. Flowers, candles, and santos will join tokens of the departed as expressions of love that transcends death.

"In a society that wastes so much energy denying death we hope to acknowledge it and allow ourselves to revisit memories, feel our grief, and share our love," said the Rev. Paul E. Strid. "There is much more to celebrate this weekend than candy," he added. "We celebrate the communion of saints: past, present, and future."

Holy Eucharist will be offered at 11:00 a.m. and all are invited. Our Saviour is located at 2805 Don Felipe Road SW, just off Coors south of Gun Club.

I have just printed off photos family members and others that I wish to remember this weekend. I have also gathered a number of icons of the saints so we may have a sense of being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses as we worship.

Tomorrow I try to locate marigolds and pan de muerto (I didn't order ahead so not sure if I will succeed or not) and other items for the ofrenda and the celebration in general. Lunch with a friend then off to build the ofrenda and decorate the church. A busy day. If I locate where I last left my thurible we shall have smells and bells for this high feast. I will not make but might buy tamales. I cannot say they were a favorite food of my departed relatives but I do think they would enjoy them and we will at coffee hour.

If you are in Albuquerque or nearby it would be lovely if you joined us.

Blessed God, you make all things new: Guide us as we seek your will for a new community of Word and Sacrament, that it may be leaven for the world's bread, and wine of delight for hearts in need; a gathering strong for service and glad in praise; and a people listening and responding to your presence in their midst; through Jesus our Redeemer and steadfast companion. Amen.

--the BB

This is not over

Emptywheel, whom I revere, keeps digging:

So Cheney and Libby asked Schmall (for at least the third time) about Wilson’s trip. Then Cheney went into a briefing, then meeting, with Bush, Condi, Card, and Rove. And then Rove went into the senior staff meeting talking about how they had to push back against Wilson. Cathie Martin wrote up some talking points reflecting Rove’s comments. And then Libby told Ari Fleischer about Plame’s identity.

It’s just a mere five hours from Cheney and Rove’s conversation with Bush to Libby telling the White House Press Secretary that Plame was a CIA officer.

I remain of the opinion that even when the war is illegal, immoral, and counterproductive, the outing of a covert CIA operative in a time of war constitutes treason. It is all the more heinous when that operative was engaged in tracking nuclear capabilities in a region where governments are questionable and terrorists lurk on the fringes - in other words, risking her ass to save ours.

It's a pity the Obama administration does not believe in holding criminals accountable.

--the BB

Service without expectation

[W]e Orthodox Christians are called to offer service to humanity without expectation of anything in return, and also, to be examples for others to do the same. Christ tells us to do good, to practice virtue, to practice virtuous works, to love our enemies—not just to love our friends. Christ also calls us to be teachers and guides through example, to serve God’s created order—whether we serve as priest or lay person or diplomat.
--His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Ninth Annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community

Other comments by His All Holiness:

— "Learning to be silent is far more difficult and far more important than learning to recite prayers."

— The Orthodox Church "respects the liberty and freedom of all human persons and all Christian couples. We are not allowed to enter the bedrooms of the Christian couples. We cannot generalize."

— "War in the name of religion is war against religion."

+ Constantinople Bartholomew