Since we don't give up our sense of humor for Lent . . . a little humor about religious types from The Christian Century (and they got it from http://theconnexion.net) . . . .
WHEN STUFF HAPPENS --
Explaining life's vexing questions:
Taoism: Stuff happens. Who gives a stuff?
Hinduism: This stuff has happened before and will happen again.
Buddhism: The stuff that happens doesn't really.
Zen: What is the sound of stuff happening?
Islam: The stuff that will happen will happen.
Judaism: Lord, why is this stuff happening to me?
Evangelicalism: Jesus, we praise you and just wanna ask why this stuff isn't happening to someone else.
Catholicism: Stuff happens when you deserve it.
Rastafarianism: Let's smoke the stuff.
. . . and what I wanna know is "when stuff happens," how do Episcopalians explain it??
Blessings,
Janet+
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
SNOW DAY - LENTEN FRIDAY SUPPER AND CLASS CANCELLED
LENTEN FRIDAY SUPPER AND CLASS CANCELLED FOR THIS EVENING (Friday - 3/16)
Snow falling . . . more coming . . . let's rest and pray in the safety of our own homes.
All blessings,
Janet+
Snow falling . . . more coming . . . let's rest and pray in the safety of our own homes.
All blessings,
Janet+
Thursday, March 15, 2007
WEATHER "POLICY"
Dear Friends in Christ -
Folks have been asking me how we'll deal with cancelling events and/or services when there's inclement weather. Here's my approach:
Worship services are ON. As long as I can dig or slide my way across the parking lot, I'll be here to lead services for all who manage to make it. However, you should not feel that you "must" come, even if you're scheduled to be a lay reader, acolyte, etc. If you have any question about your safety or someone else's, don't drive.
Other events will be decided on a case by case basis. I'll try to make decisions as soon as I have a good indication of what's happening, and I'll generally err on the side of cancelling things for safety's sake. WATCH THE BLOG or CALL THE PARISH OFFICE (I'll post a message on the blog and change the message on the machine to let people know when things are cancelled).
Hope this is helpful . . . please don't hesitate to call the parish office if you have questions (929-1722).
Blessings,
Janet+
Folks have been asking me how we'll deal with cancelling events and/or services when there's inclement weather. Here's my approach:
Worship services are ON. As long as I can dig or slide my way across the parking lot, I'll be here to lead services for all who manage to make it. However, you should not feel that you "must" come, even if you're scheduled to be a lay reader, acolyte, etc. If you have any question about your safety or someone else's, don't drive.
Other events will be decided on a case by case basis. I'll try to make decisions as soon as I have a good indication of what's happening, and I'll generally err on the side of cancelling things for safety's sake. WATCH THE BLOG or CALL THE PARISH OFFICE (I'll post a message on the blog and change the message on the machine to let people know when things are cancelled).
Hope this is helpful . . . please don't hesitate to call the parish office if you have questions (929-1722).
Blessings,
Janet+
New Bishop
Dear Friends in Christ -
Last Saturday, five clergy and lay people from St. Paul's (Janet Waggoner, Knute Hansen, Ron Kelly, Betty Tuttle and Lilly Beall) spent the day at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. Their purpose there: to elect a new Bishop Suffragan (to replace The Right Rev. Wilfrido Ramos-Orench, who accepted the call to serve as Bishop of Ecuador).
Episcopal elections are fascinating . . . and very difficult to explain. Basically, two groups vote - 1. lay representatives from parishes and 2. clergy. Voting continues until a majority of both groups concur. In this election, it took five ballots to elect the Rev. Dr. Laura Ahrens to be our new Bishop Suffragan. We thank God for Laura's ministry among us and for how she will bless and lead our diocese in the future.
For details of the election and more information on the election and on our newest Bishop, please see the diocesan website: http://www.ctdiocese.org/news/news.shtmlr.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Last Saturday, five clergy and lay people from St. Paul's (Janet Waggoner, Knute Hansen, Ron Kelly, Betty Tuttle and Lilly Beall) spent the day at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford. Their purpose there: to elect a new Bishop Suffragan (to replace The Right Rev. Wilfrido Ramos-Orench, who accepted the call to serve as Bishop of Ecuador).
Episcopal elections are fascinating . . . and very difficult to explain. Basically, two groups vote - 1. lay representatives from parishes and 2. clergy. Voting continues until a majority of both groups concur. In this election, it took five ballots to elect the Rev. Dr. Laura Ahrens to be our new Bishop Suffragan. We thank God for Laura's ministry among us and for how she will bless and lead our diocese in the future.
For details of the election and more information on the election and on our newest Bishop, please see the diocesan website: http://www.ctdiocese.org/news/news.shtmlr.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Radio Silence
It's been over a week since my last post.
On the one hand, I'm sorry I haven't written. I really do enjoy reaching out to all of you in this way.
On the other hand, I don't feel too badly about it. Other things have simply taken priority. Visiting people who need pastoral care - including my own daughter who broke her arm last week. Teaching two courses each week - a Bible study and the prayer series. Writing a sermon. Electing a bishop. Marrying two thoroughly lovely people.
But I come back to this because it, too, is a priority. The urgent must NOT always take over the important. God calls us to faithfulness in regular habits of relationship and self-discipline which shape our lives, as individuals and as a community.
Some disciplines are not nearly as fun as this one . . . sharing my thoughts and news of our life at St. Paul's together. I'll keep writing if you'll keep reading.
Thanks for YOUR faithfulness.
Blessings,
Janet+
On the one hand, I'm sorry I haven't written. I really do enjoy reaching out to all of you in this way.
On the other hand, I don't feel too badly about it. Other things have simply taken priority. Visiting people who need pastoral care - including my own daughter who broke her arm last week. Teaching two courses each week - a Bible study and the prayer series. Writing a sermon. Electing a bishop. Marrying two thoroughly lovely people.
But I come back to this because it, too, is a priority. The urgent must NOT always take over the important. God calls us to faithfulness in regular habits of relationship and self-discipline which shape our lives, as individuals and as a community.
Some disciplines are not nearly as fun as this one . . . sharing my thoughts and news of our life at St. Paul's together. I'll keep writing if you'll keep reading.
Thanks for YOUR faithfulness.
Blessings,
Janet+
Friday, March 2, 2007
What does God want from us?
The past couple of weeks have been full of puzzles and questions for us Christians. Actually, it's always that way. Sometimes we just don't notice. But during Lent, there always seem to be things that "pop up."
Like the TV show this coming Sunday night which will supposedly reveal new archaeological evidence that Jesus is buried with his family in a tomb somewhere. Is it true? Is it not true? How do we know? What does this mean for our faith?
Of course, for us as Episcopalians, there are other questions: what is going to happen in the relationship between the Episcopal Church and the rest of the Anglican Communion? What should happen? (There was a fascinating op-ed piece in yesterday's NYTimes on this, based on a historical perspective.)
And, for us Episcopalians in Connecticut, there's also the upcoming election of a Bishop Suffragan. Who is the right person to help lead our diocese - and help lead the entire Episcopal church - during these difficult times in our church?
As usual, I turn to Scripture for answers. And, as usual, Scripture doesn't contain play-by-play answers. What it does contain, though, is a clear picture of what God wants from us. My temptation, of course, is to focus outward, and to say things like, "well, I don't know why they just can't . . ." or "they should just . . . " But God, doesn't talk about "them" and what they are supposed to do; God talks about me and about I am supposed to do, what we are supposed to do.
Today, I found both reassurance and challenge in the daily office reading from the Old Testament - Deuteronomy 10:12-22. What does God want from us as his children and his disciples?
- "fear the Lord your God"
- "walk in all his ways"
- "love him"
- "serve him . . with all your heart and with all your soul"
- "keep the commandments . . . and his decrees"
- "you shall also love the stranger"
Whew! That should keep us busy for a while.
And perhaps if we focus, really focus, on doing these things, then we'll find the answers to these questions written on our hearts. We'll know the truth, and we'll be free to live into it.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
Like the TV show this coming Sunday night which will supposedly reveal new archaeological evidence that Jesus is buried with his family in a tomb somewhere. Is it true? Is it not true? How do we know? What does this mean for our faith?
Of course, for us as Episcopalians, there are other questions: what is going to happen in the relationship between the Episcopal Church and the rest of the Anglican Communion? What should happen? (There was a fascinating op-ed piece in yesterday's NYTimes on this, based on a historical perspective.)
And, for us Episcopalians in Connecticut, there's also the upcoming election of a Bishop Suffragan. Who is the right person to help lead our diocese - and help lead the entire Episcopal church - during these difficult times in our church?
As usual, I turn to Scripture for answers. And, as usual, Scripture doesn't contain play-by-play answers. What it does contain, though, is a clear picture of what God wants from us. My temptation, of course, is to focus outward, and to say things like, "well, I don't know why they just can't . . ." or "they should just . . . " But God, doesn't talk about "them" and what they are supposed to do; God talks about me and about I am supposed to do, what we are supposed to do.
Today, I found both reassurance and challenge in the daily office reading from the Old Testament - Deuteronomy 10:12-22. What does God want from us as his children and his disciples?
- "fear the Lord your God"
- "walk in all his ways"
- "love him"
- "serve him . . with all your heart and with all your soul"
- "keep the commandments . . . and his decrees"
- "you shall also love the stranger"
Whew! That should keep us busy for a while.
And perhaps if we focus, really focus, on doing these things, then we'll find the answers to these questions written on our hearts. We'll know the truth, and we'll be free to live into it.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+
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