say happy birthday

Once again gentle readers another candle can be wedged into the cupcake.

It's been a lovely day thusfar. I visited a parishioner in the hospital. She thinks I'm a teenager. The morphine drip is gone, so she's not hallucinating. Two people said my hair is "fabulous"- and I wasn't even trolling for a compliment. Did a little shopping downtown - always fun. Yesterday, as an early present, I took myself to the Museum of Science and Industry. Sadly, I was disappointed: too much fluff and not enough science. The U.S. Navy had a really wonderful exhibit that satisfied my need for creative scientific application. Most everything else was dull. Ah well. It's almost tea time. Might take a power nap. No idea what I'll do for dinner - K. is working tonight, so I'll be dining alone. Later I'll read a little more of Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix. And that will conclude the annual festivities celebrating the day I was born. *flourishing bow*

what I didn't preach

I stayed up late last night putting the finishing touches on my sermon for today. Due to some other events going on, our dual church/beach service was changed to a single church service. Typically when this happens whoever was scheduled to preach at the beach preaches at the church. Whoever was supposed to preach at the church doesn't. I got an e-mail with the changes, but there have been other changes so far this summer, so my calendar has several scratched out appointments, and thus is a little confusing. I tried to get in touch with someone at the church to clarify, but never got a response. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to preach, but I crafted a sermon anyways. It's kinda fun to compare & contrast homilies in that way. We each took very different routes to get to basically the same place. Mine would have been shorter with more creative writing - stuff I picked up at the Preaching Excellence Conference. I started out by describing the millions of fireflies along route 65 in northern Indiana, talked about the science of bioluminescence, then tied it in with Jesus being the incarnate divine bioluminescence of the world. Trust me on this one gentle readers, it was a good summertime homily for a parish of highly intelligent and articulate people who love the outdoors. It would have been well received.

After the service I wished I'd thumb-wrestled the preacher for the gig. In a conversation with a parishioner, she began to talk about insects. She said she thought they were fascinating - Dang! - especially the science behind them - double dang! I would have talked about that.

Ah well. I'm definitely up to preach next week. Haven't looked at the scripture yet. I wonder if I can recycle the imagery somewhere before the summer is out - or firefly season is over.

congrats

A big shout out to the church's newest priests: Elizabeth, Raisin, and John.

Court and I got back from our trip to Iowa a couple hours ago. I have to say, I never in a million years thought I would venture into Iowa. Des Moines is pretty. Didn't see much of Davenport, though. Both the services were wonderful, Spirit-filled ordinations.

Court and I got to Des Moines Friday evening and attended a delightful reception at Elizabeth's home. After the service Saturday morning we left without much time for long farewells in order to race the Bishop of Iowa to Davenport for the next two ordinations in the afternoon. We just barely beat him there. Raisin's and John's ordination service was followed by a reception at the church with the parish, then a small gathering at their home afterwards.

Our road trip got a little dicey at one point when my traveling companion started jonesing for Starbucks and we couldn't get to one. I thought I lost him for a moment there, but he managed to keep it together until our next stop. (I only mention this because I told him I would.)

One more ordination next weekend, then I'm done -- for now.

Other classmates have been ordained this month in their respective dioceses, and as far as I can tell there's been at least one Seabury classmate supporting them there for the occasion.

back to school

What was I thinking!?

I've started sitting in on some of the D. Min. courses in Congregational Development this week. I spent the better part of yesterday following along lectures about community organizing. I was surprised at how much was not new to me. At one point the leader drew a few circles to represent a structural/organizational model of a parish. I shifted uncomfortable in my seat. I created a visual model for a parish/diocese model for a class two quarters ago that I think is a better representation of effective structure. I hope the classes get more challenging.

Last week I attended a preaching excellence conference. Not too bad. A friend and I were chatting about starting a preaching conference locally. I suggested we put something together to offer at the upcoming diocesan convention. If it goes over well, we could be expanded. Dunno if it will happen, but it was a cool thought.

And finally...

The school bought a Bowflex! (Click on the "See it in Action" button on the left column.) I am so totally excited about it. Every time the ad comes on TV I fawn. And now, in just 6 weeks, I too will have a Bowflex Body! In my mind I already look that way. It's really just a matter of my body catching up. I'm going to go to GNC and get myself some supplements. A little protein powder, a little detox (which I seriously need after the preaching conference meals - Lobster Newburg; Filet Mignon steak and eggs; 'nuff sed), and maybe a little muscle milk to promote definition. I did my first work out last evening. Not bad. The booklet that comes with the machine gives a sample grocery list that includes a lot of canned veggies. That was surprising. I would think that fresh and organic foods would be a better option. Later today I'll dig around for my old martial arts bag for my jump rope and shoes.

bread from heaven

We had manna from heaven at the beach service today. During communion it rained down just like in the story! "The body of Christ..." thud! "...The bread of heaven?"

Some might say a squirrel dropped half a bulkie roll from the canopy, but the timing couldn't be beat. Okay, maybe not *exactly* like in the story, but folks got the manna reference right away. Go St. Matt's.

Coincidentally, my sermon this morning was about the surprising in-breaking of God's grace in unexpected ways. Heh, heh.

done!

Well, here it is: my diploma.


Ingredients: three years of residential study; thousands of hours spent in classrooms; hundreds of papers; dozens of presentations; more books than I ever thought possible to read in three years (and yes, I read them all); at least a gross of mini post-it notes; about a gallon of tears - I don't know how to calculate laughter, but there was far, far more of that than the tears; some of the most wonderful and talented people I have ever met on the faculty and staff; and the very finest group of classmates that there ever was or will be again.

It's the most attractive diploma I have. The paper is a very coarse water colour paper, maybe 200lbs (that's paper weight, not how heavy it is). My name, the degree, and date are hand calligraphed. The Dean's signature is not a stamp. I'll frame it when I get back from the preaching conference next week.

Yay!