Hey Kids: Stay in School, mkay?

President Obama addressed America's schoolchildren as they started a new academic year. The address was aired during the day, classrooms set up TVs so the students could watch.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/MediaResources/PreparedSchoolRemarks/
What struck me is the reaction of some parents to this gesture, prompting some to pull their kids out the classroom during the speech, or pulling them out of school altogether. Not suprisingly, those who opposed the speech in the schools tended to be right-wingers, who went so far as to call the speech "indoctrination."
Funny that they had no problem with G.W. Bush and Reagan when they chose to do the same, that is, make a speech to schoolchildren.
If we want to talk about indoctrination, let's talk about the American History that has been taught so long in schools. We were taught America was founded by the people, for the people, and everyone had liberties and rights and freedom. Well, we know that was not true. (Slavery, anyone? Native American slaughter anyone? Women not permitted to vote, anyone?)
The parents who protested and pulled their children out of class are showing a real immaturity. What about showing some tolerance instead? Also the speech made no mention of policies. This was not a political speech. The message was a positive one, and one I can remember hearing as a child: "Stay in school, work hard, and maybe you too can become President someday." Why would you want your child to miss out on being told that message?
I can remember being in second grade and writing a letter to the President along with the rest of the class. It was very exciting. No politics were discussed, no parents were upset, nobody accused anyone of pushing any agenda. I imagine such a harmless, fun act as writing the President would be met with contrition today. How unfortunate.

TED KENNEDY, RIP.

"I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith, I have tried to right my path."

I fall asleep to the TV often, but rarely to MSNBC. One night, I did just that. I awoke at 3am and saw "Ted Kennedy Dead" across the screen. It took a moment to compute what I was seeing.

We all knew the prognosis wasn't good, but still his demise came as a jolt for me. I sat up,

made the sign of the cross, said a prayer and then tears came. My family has long been liberal Kennedy fans. My mom and

grandfather both saw JFK in person. I saw "Teddy" in person in the 80's when I was touring the Capitol. I joined America's fascination with "our Royal Family".

He stood for so much that I stand for. His cause for healthcare for all is very dear to my heart, ever since I was a 20something youth with no health insurance.

His departure begs the question: "What now?" What will happen to the cause? Who will take up the torch? How do we begin picking up where someone of his longevity and accomplishments left off?

The memorials for him were so down to earth, so real, filled with genuine emotion, they were so Kennedy. You saw all kinds of people file pass his casket. All ages, races, nationalities. There were tributes from dignitaries, and even those from the other side of the aisle shared anecdotes and bowed their heads.

His final step was at Arlington. Lightening flashed in the distance in the dark sky. "Taps" was played. His brother's flame burning nearby. A letter he wrote to the Pope was read: part confession, part petition, part thanksgiving. Hollywood couldn't have come up with anything more dramatic and moving.

His death came a year after he spoke at the Convention, in support of Obama- the President he would help elect, and who would happen to be vacationing nearby when he died.

He was imperfect, indeed. But look at all he has accomplished in spite of all the pitfalls. There's something to be said about that.

God Bless You , Teddy. I hope you have reunited with your family who did not enjoy a full life as you did. Rest in peace.

Well...that's right...I don't believe in that crap!

I've run into this "parody ad" quite a few times while searching for some Church related stuff and have been meaning to comment on it.

I believe this "ad" for the Episcopal Church was created in reponse to something that the Presiding Bishop said early in her term- in a nutshell she said that Mormons and Roman Catholics have theological reasons for reproducing a lot, wheras the Episcopal Church doesn't take that stance- hence why there's not a very large Episcopal population. (The last line of the "ad" offers to free birth control to Catholics and Mormons).

Though designed as a "slam" on the Church, I chose to take it as somwhat of a affirmation, as if to say, "Well.. YEAH, I don't believe in that crap!"

"Crap" :meaning the belief that women should know their place, that their "main purpose" is to pop out babies.

"Crap" : meaning that birth control "interferes" with God's Plan. What about "God helps those who help themselves?" Or being "stewards of the Earth?" Using birth control and population control fits right in with both those ideals.

"Crap": meaning that you are a total failure if you don't reproduce a lot. The Presiding Bishop and her spouse have only one offspring, so I guess she'd be deemed a failure in that department. As for myself, I have no offspring- by choice, and I suppose that not only am I a failure but I am sinful and hellbound.

When I was looking into church membership, a large part of the Episcopal Church's appeal to me was its respect for women and its belief in birth control and reproductive rights .

I couldn't belong to any faith that denies women control over their own bodies. I don't believe in that crap. And neither does the Episcopal Church! That's why I belong there!

Let's Talk About the Episcopal Church's Convention, Shall We?


Ubuntu . This was the word and theme of the Episcopal Church's General Convention, it is a word that means unity. Some say that the very opposite took place: a "disunion" with the larger Anglican Communion. This may be correct, but does mean that this is "the end"? Let's think about this:

The Episcopal Church is a 2 million member denomination, and has been losing members and money. Budget troubles and membership troubles can be upsetting, and at its worst, can spell death to parishes, property and jobs. But even in such circumstances, I would rather belong to an inclusive church that is having monetary and membership troubles than a church which will sell out and cave in to those who want to be exclusionary. Some things are more important than numbers in the pews and the Almighty Dollar. I think we can all agree that we belong to a faith community for reasons much deeper than crunching numbers or "one-upping" the other faith communities. Additionally, we must take another look at this: on the surface, it may appear that the Episcopal Church is undergoing a mass exodus as we hear from the dissenters, who have not gone quietly. A "noisy" group can give the illusion of power, or of omnipresence, but we have to take a deeper look beyond the hype. Is it as bad as it seems? We also have to look to at opportunity. since it has been made known that TEC has become "open" to blessing same sex unions and ordination of gay people, this may actually increase membership in the long run. Instead of perceiving the recent media coverage as "bad press on a church that won't get along", we can look at it as unintentional advertising (and free advertising at that!) which practically said, "Feel like you don't belong? Come on in! The Episcopal Church Welcomes YOU!" This could be the proverbial shot in the arm that the church needs. Prior to these recent developments, the Church had already developed a reputation for being a place of welcome for those who felt that their opinions or lifestyle was being judged by their former spiritual homes. The fact that the majority of today's Episcopalians are converts from other faiths , or are from "unchurched" backgrounds is very telling. The Episcopal Church has come far from the "club like" establishment it once was.
Anglican Communion and Episcopal Church relations may appear chaotic now, but as our Presiding Bishop so brilliantly puts it: chaos can be met, and transformed. Chaos followed by transformation is nothing new in the Episcopal Church. If it did not choose to brave any chaos, there wouldn't be female priests today- let alone female bishops, let alone a female Presiding Bishop.We may lose global Anglican support, lose members, lose ground, lose money, lose footing in the process. Ties can be broken, a union can die, but sometimes there has to be death for new growth to emerge- isn't that what resurrection is all about?

The PB and Me

It's no secret that I am a fan of Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori, she's been an object d'my blog a few times (see posts from June and later 2006), so when I got word that she'd be visiting my diocese, I was all over it.

She came to Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Philly, to help celebrate CHT's 150th birthday and was Celebrant at the Sunday Eucharist. I'm not a CHT member, but all were invited to come, and came I did. I've been wanting to see her since her election in 2006.

2006 was also the year of my baptism so that year holds a lot of significance for me.

Her sermon was a message of understanding each other and breaking down barriers. Her sermon began with her greetings us on behalf of various dioceses around the globe and that "they all pray for you." Yes, this is true- in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer. That's a good reminder. It was wonderful to hear her message of peace, in that distinctly low-toned voice of hers- a different experience than just reading words.

She cuts a distinct figure, too- she's tall and thin and wears a colorful chasuble and mitre - I have seen these before in photos, but I found that photos do not do them justice. They are much more lovely in person.

As Celebrant, she did the consecration and gave communion. That's when it all hit me.

"Here I am. Look where I am.", I thought. I was thinking about how it was only 3 years ago I had set foot in an Episcopal church for the first time, and I became awed about how much it has added to my life. I was brand-spanking-new to the Church in 2006 when history was made with her election, and on that day, I thought to myself, " Yes. I made the right choice. Re-affirmed!"

I couldn't believe I was now going to stand in front of her and receive Eucharist.

So all of this is running through my head as I'm in the communion line as the choir sang, "Let Us Break Bread Together". Emotion ran high, I was almost shaking as I made eye contact with her as she said, "The Body of Christ" and placed it in my hands. I remember then turning to the church's rector to drink from the chalice, I drank and the ushers were guiding the way back, and I walked back to my pew, overcome by it all, in tears by this time. I kneeled in my pew with my head down, kind of embarassed, kind of a mess, tears even dripping on the bulletin I held in my hand. I know it sounds crazy. Words can't really explain it, but it was very special and a significant moment. Something defintely happened there.

After the service was over, she stayed around to talk. She was still near the altar, there was no "greeting line" at the exit like you usually see in a church. We were all free to just go up and talk to her. Now, before I set out on my trip, I consulted my good Beliefnet board friends about how to greet her if I got to talk to her. Well, memory escaped me and I wound up just saying, "Hello. It's an honor to meet you." rather than, "Good Morning Presiding Bishop..." I am lucky I got that much out, and I also managed to ask her to sign my copy of her book "A Wing and a Prayer." She was kind enough to put down her bishop's staff and grab a pen and I now have a signed copy. I also got to tell her that I was still new to the Church and baptized the same year of her election, and that I was so, so, happy to be here. She responded, with "Welcome home." as we shook hands. What a gesture that was! When I did finally exit the church, I was still dazed from the whole experience. It exceeded all expectations.

I took a few pictures with my cellphone, they are not the best but I will cherish them always. I love the one where the sunlight is shining through the church window right onto her!

(I know....It's been TOO LONG since I posted anything. I've discovered Facebook and that's been taking up a lot of my time. But I have not forgotten Blogger!)

40 is the New 30??

On February 11 of this year, I turned 40. They say the teenage years are the "awkward years" but I think this is much more awkward. I have realized the following:

*Most sports stars and film stars are half my age.
*I now go to doctors who are 10-15 years younger than me
*I went to a church and realized I owned books, music and clothes that were much older than the newly ordained priest.
* Some of my coworkers don't remember tv before cable and have no clue what a vinyl record is.
*I'm too old for the "Young Professional Singles" group but too young for the 55+ groups.
*I've started reading up on menopause and started using face creams.
* I already get mail from AARP.
* I'm calling people in their 20's "kids".
*I know at least one person my age who is a grandmother(!)

In my teens, all I worried about was homework , going to the mall, and seeing the latest music videos on MTV.
The 40's are MUCH MORE AWKWARD!

The Audacity of Hope


No more Bush. This means I have to change my blog description. I'll still call it the "Panic Room" because I am sure there will still be plenty of things to panic about- political and non-political alike!

It has not registered with me yet that Bush is no longer in office and it is President Obama I will be hearing about. I greet his Presidency with open arms, yet also with some reserve. I know millions are very excited, and understandably so. But I am still cynical of anyone in politics. I like what Obama says, but will he deliver? Time will tell. Every president has his "honeymoon period" in office. I suspect Obama will have his for awhile. I will be interested in how he handles everything that comes his way. I wish him luck.

A side note: I noticed that Obama and his wife started the Inaugural morning going to an Episcopal church in DC. Good choice!