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!

Joy to the World!

A Merry Christmas to all who are reading! After a haphazard Christmas Eve, I am grateful that I was able to relax, spend time with those who matter most to me, and enjoy gifts and good food, and generally just thank God for all that is good in my life. On Dec 24th, I supposed to work. I left my home early in the morning about 7:30am to navigate a sheet of ice from home to the bus stop. Freezing rain had wrecked havoc all over the region, tying up all forms of transit but I thought I could make it. While I was walking, I slipped on the ice and fell smack on my butt! I wasn't hurt, I got right back up, so I can laugh about it. I got to the bus stop and waited an hour and a half for a bus that didn't come. I called the transit company on my cell and got through after a dozen tries, and the answer I got was "We don't know when the bus will be there because of the conditions." Ah, OK. I cursed myself for not taking this day off in the first place. I turned my sore butt around and walked in super slow motion back home and called out of work. By now, it was 9am, the time I was supposed to be there. Next thing I know, my boss calls my cell- not knowing I was still home and staying there. It was all OK though, he was just calling because he wanted me to come by his office and get my Xmas gift! I explained to him my misadventure, and he was OK with it, so that was cool. Late afternoon, the tempertures went up and the ice disappeared in time to get to mass which for me started at 10pm and ended at midnight. There's something so special about being in church at night, with candlelight and song. It felt especially good to be there last night. O Holy Night, indeed.

Congratulations Barack Obama!

History has been made. The racial barrier has been broken. The White House is no longer the White Man's House. And it's about time.

Another reason to feel good: No more Bush and no more Bush-alikes. And let's face it, McCain is a Bush-alike. He certainly made no efforts to dispute it, and I think America caught on to that. Add into the mix Sarah Palin, who, instead of quietly fullfilling the "get the female vote" criteria, showed up with more baggage than LAX. (Troopergate, the pregnant teen daughter, to name a couple of examples).

Obama based his campaign on hope. Hope is such a key word for me right now, as it is for many Americans. He is stepping into a huge mess left behind by Bush- coming to mind first is an ongoing war and an abyssmal economy. I really hope he can set things in the right direction. But the very fact that he has been elected is a glimmer of hope for the country. We've already started to pray for "Barack, our President-Elect" in church. While I was never too keen on praying for "George, our President", I am very sincere and eager in praying for Barack. He really needs it. The hopes of millions of people are hanging on him. God Bless him!

CONGRATULATIONS PHILLIES 2008 World Champs!!

Oh, how can I NOT blog about this? After a rather bizarre World Series that included a game being split over a 2 day period because of cold, rainy Nor'Easter-ish storm that was as ubiquitous as Phillies fans, it was an absolute gas to finally see them win after 28 years. Seeing the Phandemonium erupt all over the city was amazing. This is part of why I love this city so much. Philadelphia fans are tough as nails, loyal, passionate and fun. Rough around the edges- yes, but that adds to character, in my opinion, anyway.
And the team! What a joy they were to watch! Thanks guys!!

You GO, Girl!

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts-Schori is showing that she means business. Under her leadership, 2 bishops from PA have been deposed in one week: one conservative who has been threatening to break away over the "gay issue", and one liberal whose coverup of his brother's sex abuse came back to haunt him decades later.

About the latter, Bishop Bennison, I will say a few things. He was bishop of my diocese up until now. In May 2007- just last year- I knelt before him and he placed his hands on me and confirmed me. I have a photo of him and myself from that day. I look back on it with mixed feelings. Though it was a joyous day for me, looking at an image of him stirs up unsettling emotions. I cannot understand how a "man of God" can think it is acceptable to let corruption of a minor happen over and over again- at the hands of another "man of God"- especially if that man is your blood brother. Some argue ( and I've even heard people in my own parish use this line in defense of him!) that "blood is thicker than water" and this is why he kept silent on the issue. But in my eyes, being that the offender is your brother is all the more reason to step in and try the best you can to put an end to it. If your brother is doing something morally wrong, not to mention illegal, and not to mention traumatic to a minor- you let the proper people know about it and try your damnest to stop it, and get your brother the help that he needs. It is especially imperative if your brother is representing the Church, and you are representing the Church. Last I checked, turning a blind eye was not part of pastoral care, or at least is isn't supposed to be. So as a brother, Bishop Bennison failed. He also failed as a priest, as a pastor, as a Christian role model and as an adult who did not protect a minor. I've also heard people argue that this "was so long ago, let it go!" Well, I wonder how these same people would feel if it was revealed that it was their own daughter or grandchild who was on the receiving end of such abuse, many years ago. I think they'd be singing a different tune.

So, this is why I am very pleased with the Presiding Bishop. She seems well intent on "cleaning house". I knew her job wasn't going to be easy, but she seems to be holding her own very well, and we are only slightly into her term. God bless her!