When I was 11 years old the strongest hurricane to hit the US, Camille, came on shore. It actually passed (the eye) right over where I now live, in Pass Chrisitian, Miss. I was in Hattiesburg, 60 miles north. We had 150 mph winds and were without power for a week. That's nothing compared to the devestation on the Miss. coast. The church I now serve, as well as most of the Episcopal churches on the coast, was destroyed.
This storm is now at Camille levels. While the exact point of landfall is unknown, we will certainly be severely impacted. We are less than 30 miles from the Lousiana border and the mouth of the Pearl River, which is the center of the projected path cone.
We packed up what we could of the church, we've boarded windows, etc. My church sits on the beach, a beautiful church in a beautiful spot - and the predicted storm surge, should it occur, will most likely destroy it.
I am going to a parishioners home about 8 miles north of the beach. We will hunker down, we have supplies and a generator. That's all we can do. I feel I need to stay in the coast area to be available to my parishioners once the storm passes. I pray it's the right decision.
Please pray for all those in the path of this storm. As I type, the wind is already gusting. Pray God acts miraculously to send some high level wind shears and take some of the power out of this beast.
I don't know when I can post again. May God bless you all.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Recovering and watching
I had knee surgery last Monday - arthoscopic. I had a torn cartilage that really reared it's ugly head on the Appalachian Trail hike last April with my son's class. I couldn't put it off any more.
Recovery has been fine so far. I did the crutch thing for a day and a half and have hobbled without them since. My LW has taken WONDERFUL care of me. Spoiled me, actually. Sweet to have a nurse at home!
I have mostly finished my sermon and now watching the Weather Channel as Hurricane Katrina moves into the Gulf. Looks bad, again, for the Florida Panhandle. Those folks need a break. You wouldn't believe the number of roofs still with tarps on them from Ivan last September. Then Dennis hit very near where Ivan did.
It's almost September and my beloved Cubs are out of it, again. You can see why some of us (ahem) still harbor much anger to the foolish fan that got in the way of a possibe out vs. the Marlins in 2003. We knew these chances just don't come up very often.
The Diocese of Mississippi had a Tent Meeting Revival last weekend. It was AMAZING. Largest gathering of Episcopalians in our history, over 2000 braved the August heat (the tent was air conditioned, of course) to be inspired by our Bishop's vision for the next 10 years. We will plant 3 churches in 3 years, increase attendance, reach out to children and serve our communities in better ways. The diocese has been restructured and the Bishop plans to be our Chief Apostle, instead of CEO - and he was right on target Saturday. It's very exciting.
Recovery has been fine so far. I did the crutch thing for a day and a half and have hobbled without them since. My LW has taken WONDERFUL care of me. Spoiled me, actually. Sweet to have a nurse at home!
I have mostly finished my sermon and now watching the Weather Channel as Hurricane Katrina moves into the Gulf. Looks bad, again, for the Florida Panhandle. Those folks need a break. You wouldn't believe the number of roofs still with tarps on them from Ivan last September. Then Dennis hit very near where Ivan did.
It's almost September and my beloved Cubs are out of it, again. You can see why some of us (ahem) still harbor much anger to the foolish fan that got in the way of a possibe out vs. the Marlins in 2003. We knew these chances just don't come up very often.
The Diocese of Mississippi had a Tent Meeting Revival last weekend. It was AMAZING. Largest gathering of Episcopalians in our history, over 2000 braved the August heat (the tent was air conditioned, of course) to be inspired by our Bishop's vision for the next 10 years. We will plant 3 churches in 3 years, increase attendance, reach out to children and serve our communities in better ways. The diocese has been restructured and the Bishop plans to be our Chief Apostle, instead of CEO - and he was right on target Saturday. It's very exciting.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
One of those bittersweet days....
A little something while I ponder what it means to have a blog nobody reads....
This morning, bright and early, we head north about 4 hours to deposit middle child at college. She will be going through rush this week, so she is a tad nervous. Beyond that, her mother and I are basket cases. Isn't this supposed to get easier? NO!!
My oldest has moved back home to work full time a while and save some $$ before venturing back into college mode. So the family home dynamics are interesting to say the least as we have prepared middle child for her big adventure. She chose her in-state college so she can reunite with her friends from the Delta, my Curacy two years were good for her. She is rooming with her best friend, we are very happy for that. Ole Dad has mixed feelings about the sorority stuff, but I think she will handle it well.
Tears will be shed for sure. I will miss her terribly. She is a very sweet kid, and as prepared as any can be, I suppose. Still, I look at this incredibly cute picture of her on the beach at 3 years old and wonder what happened. Today, she is amazingly beautiful and strong....and I DON'T WANT HER TO GO. There. I said it.
But go she must, as we all do. Prayers are appreciated.
This morning, bright and early, we head north about 4 hours to deposit middle child at college. She will be going through rush this week, so she is a tad nervous. Beyond that, her mother and I are basket cases. Isn't this supposed to get easier? NO!!
My oldest has moved back home to work full time a while and save some $$ before venturing back into college mode. So the family home dynamics are interesting to say the least as we have prepared middle child for her big adventure. She chose her in-state college so she can reunite with her friends from the Delta, my Curacy two years were good for her. She is rooming with her best friend, we are very happy for that. Ole Dad has mixed feelings about the sorority stuff, but I think she will handle it well.
Tears will be shed for sure. I will miss her terribly. She is a very sweet kid, and as prepared as any can be, I suppose. Still, I look at this incredibly cute picture of her on the beach at 3 years old and wonder what happened. Today, she is amazingly beautiful and strong....and I DON'T WANT HER TO GO. There. I said it.
But go she must, as we all do. Prayers are appreciated.
Monday, August 08, 2005
I actually liked this one.....
Preaching - it's an interesting life.
When I was a Curate, preaching basically every other Sunday, with much less stress and pressure vs. that of a Rector, the sermon writing process came much easier to me.
Now almost 18 months into my Rector-ship, the sermon process continues to evolve for me. I put a LOT of time into my sermons. I usually read the lessons early in the week, then as the late hours and the pastoral needs, etc. roll in, I look for those moments where I can actually begin putting things down on paper. Often I find the entire sermon just comes out, on a roll, like I can barely type fast enough to get it all. Other times I may be doing something totally (it seems) unrelated, and an idea comes that I jot down in my now-ever-present-notebook. Sometimes the "hook" comes first, that opening piece, often humorous (hopefully) that still sets up the rest. Othertimes that part is the last thing I do.
Since I dearly love teaching, the Bible study and other classes I do often help me position the sermon. I am finding more and more that I need to teach a LOT when I preach. Doing that with any continuity is difficult.
This summer I decided to preach on Romans just about every week. It's good, foundational stuff and I think important as we grow in our faith, learn our story, become better disciples. I did a theme-based series last Advent and both Holy Weeks since I have been here, trying to weave a common thread throughout those sermons. It helps me, I wonder if it helps those who are hearing them.
Anyway, the sermon I gave Sunday was one that I struggled with all week. I finally wrote it on Friday, came home and tore it up. I started all over. On Saturday I went over it several more times and finally took out a bunch of stuff from the Gospel and just focused on Jonah. I went into the pulpit wondering if there was anything worthwhile at all in this sermon, and as I preached, the Spirit helped me tremendously. I ended up with one of those rare sermons - one that I actually liked. It's so weird how that happens.....and how you never really know until you preach if you've got anything that anyone will be inspired by or edified by or even like!
Preaching is a strange business....
If you want to hear it, click here....warning it's over 15 minutes long!
When I was a Curate, preaching basically every other Sunday, with much less stress and pressure vs. that of a Rector, the sermon writing process came much easier to me.
Now almost 18 months into my Rector-ship, the sermon process continues to evolve for me. I put a LOT of time into my sermons. I usually read the lessons early in the week, then as the late hours and the pastoral needs, etc. roll in, I look for those moments where I can actually begin putting things down on paper. Often I find the entire sermon just comes out, on a roll, like I can barely type fast enough to get it all. Other times I may be doing something totally (it seems) unrelated, and an idea comes that I jot down in my now-ever-present-notebook. Sometimes the "hook" comes first, that opening piece, often humorous (hopefully) that still sets up the rest. Othertimes that part is the last thing I do.
Since I dearly love teaching, the Bible study and other classes I do often help me position the sermon. I am finding more and more that I need to teach a LOT when I preach. Doing that with any continuity is difficult.
This summer I decided to preach on Romans just about every week. It's good, foundational stuff and I think important as we grow in our faith, learn our story, become better disciples. I did a theme-based series last Advent and both Holy Weeks since I have been here, trying to weave a common thread throughout those sermons. It helps me, I wonder if it helps those who are hearing them.
Anyway, the sermon I gave Sunday was one that I struggled with all week. I finally wrote it on Friday, came home and tore it up. I started all over. On Saturday I went over it several more times and finally took out a bunch of stuff from the Gospel and just focused on Jonah. I went into the pulpit wondering if there was anything worthwhile at all in this sermon, and as I preached, the Spirit helped me tremendously. I ended up with one of those rare sermons - one that I actually liked. It's so weird how that happens.....and how you never really know until you preach if you've got anything that anyone will be inspired by or edified by or even like!
Preaching is a strange business....
If you want to hear it, click here....warning it's over 15 minutes long!
Friday, July 29, 2005
While the cat's away....
Awww....returning from vacation is always SUCH a joy! NOT.
But the time off was excellent (a new thing for me). I found myself the last couple of days thinking about work stuff - I even wrote half of this Sunday's sermon while in a motel room (don't tell my LW). That is a sign to me that I have had a good time off and ready to return.
Of course, returning means a pile of work and an extraordinary amount of pastoral care. Some very critical life things going on for some parishioners made for a full week. Still, it is in those moments that God's grace abounds and blessings unlooked for can occur.
Which leaves me, here late on a Friday afternoon, with the other half of the sermon to write. We have company coming in so I gotta get going!
Next week we ramp up the program year preparation. Things are coming together nicely. Anybody out there want to be a stewardship chair???
btw, our new webmaster is ROCKING on our church website. Check it out here - and don't forget to listen to ALL the sermons!
But the time off was excellent (a new thing for me). I found myself the last couple of days thinking about work stuff - I even wrote half of this Sunday's sermon while in a motel room (don't tell my LW). That is a sign to me that I have had a good time off and ready to return.
Of course, returning means a pile of work and an extraordinary amount of pastoral care. Some very critical life things going on for some parishioners made for a full week. Still, it is in those moments that God's grace abounds and blessings unlooked for can occur.
Which leaves me, here late on a Friday afternoon, with the other half of the sermon to write. We have company coming in so I gotta get going!
Next week we ramp up the program year preparation. Things are coming together nicely. Anybody out there want to be a stewardship chair???
btw, our new webmaster is ROCKING on our church website. Check it out here - and don't forget to listen to ALL the sermons!
Monday, July 11, 2005
Vacation!
One thing that I struggle with in this vocation is vacation. (Wow, how similar those words are!). I have followed the advice of those wiser and more experienced than I to try and take at least 2 weeks consecutive, but so far, 3 years in, I have always had something come up or some crisis arise that kept that from happening.
And this year, as noted in the previous post, a dadgum HURRICANE has messed with my plans!
But, thanks be to God, Dennis did not land with the punch it had for so long, and it was a non-event, weather wise, on my side of the coast. I pray for those who were impacted, but I know most folks are breathing a sigh of relief.
I delayed the vacation until today. And tomorrow VERY early, we will head to the sunny beaches, help the in-laws get the vacation house in order after all the storm prep, and then CHILL OUT until Sunday or so! I am VERY excited about that.
Here's to a lot of NOTHIN to do, sun, sand, and no nasty storms! See ya when we get back!
And this year, as noted in the previous post, a dadgum HURRICANE has messed with my plans!
But, thanks be to God, Dennis did not land with the punch it had for so long, and it was a non-event, weather wise, on my side of the coast. I pray for those who were impacted, but I know most folks are breathing a sigh of relief.
I delayed the vacation until today. And tomorrow VERY early, we will head to the sunny beaches, help the in-laws get the vacation house in order after all the storm prep, and then CHILL OUT until Sunday or so! I am VERY excited about that.
Here's to a lot of NOTHIN to do, sun, sand, and no nasty storms! See ya when we get back!
Friday, July 08, 2005
Same Song, Which Verse is this?
Tropical Storm Cindy arrived right over my house around 4:00 am Wed morning. From a very nice 4th of July, out on a friend's boat watching fireworks in the Bay, to constant Weather Channel watching in no time....
And now, of course, there is Dennis..........
This is a BIG BOY storm! Projecting the path is always risky and rarely 100% accurate. Right now we are in the probable zone, although the Pensacola area has a higher probability. Those poor folks! Ivan the Terrible did a major number on that area, they are a long way from being fully recovered.
I was to start my two week-no church-no church talk-no church worries-vacation YESTERDAY. We were going to the in-laws place at.....you guessed it, just over the Bama line into Florida, right in the path. Of course that is all cancelled, they headed down today to board the place up. Evacuations are already clogging highways out of there. Rightly so, folks are in a bit of a panic.
Here we watch and wait. Last year I boarded (ok, some friends boarded) my house but I am not sure I will this time. If we are west of the eye, I probably won't. We will shutter the church on Saturday, and Sunday after church we will cart off valuables and parish register, etc. I was to be off Sunday, but will be there instead. No sense "wasting" a Sunday off, my heart and mind would have been there anyway. I won't evacuate but if it gets bad we will stay with parishioners who are 7 miles further north (my house is 1 1/4 miles from the Gulf, out of storm surge area). They have a generator so it's a good spot.
Cuba is getting slammed as I type this. Let's pray for all in the path of this storm. May God be with them.
And now, of course, there is Dennis..........
This is a BIG BOY storm! Projecting the path is always risky and rarely 100% accurate. Right now we are in the probable zone, although the Pensacola area has a higher probability. Those poor folks! Ivan the Terrible did a major number on that area, they are a long way from being fully recovered.
I was to start my two week-no church-no church talk-no church worries-vacation YESTERDAY. We were going to the in-laws place at.....you guessed it, just over the Bama line into Florida, right in the path. Of course that is all cancelled, they headed down today to board the place up. Evacuations are already clogging highways out of there. Rightly so, folks are in a bit of a panic.
Here we watch and wait. Last year I boarded (ok, some friends boarded) my house but I am not sure I will this time. If we are west of the eye, I probably won't. We will shutter the church on Saturday, and Sunday after church we will cart off valuables and parish register, etc. I was to be off Sunday, but will be there instead. No sense "wasting" a Sunday off, my heart and mind would have been there anyway. I won't evacuate but if it gets bad we will stay with parishioners who are 7 miles further north (my house is 1 1/4 miles from the Gulf, out of storm surge area). They have a generator so it's a good spot.
Cuba is getting slammed as I type this. Let's pray for all in the path of this storm. May God be with them.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Summer Time
My church has been holding three worship services on Sunday mornings for over 2 years now. Last summer, having only been here a few months, I continued that practice during the summer months. I found attendance to really be down for the two late services.
So this summer I changed to two services. So far, I have been THRILLED with the results. Our early service was moved up to 8:00 from 7:30, and has seen an increase in attendance over the program year average. A few folks have voiced their preference for the 7:30 time, but overwhelmingly folks have stated they wish we could keep this service at 8:00.
The combination of our 9:00 family service and our 11:00 Rite II with choir service has also worked well. We combined elements of both services, and so far I think things have gone even better than I had hoped. Last Sunday we had 100 folks at that service! Last summer we would be lucky to have 60 total between the two.
I have promised to return to three services in the fall, and I will stick to that, of course. We have some new things planned for our music program and hope to add a children's choir sometime next year. The energy of the combined service will give people pause to think about whether we really need to continue three services or not. Of course, the hope is our growth will continue so that we will have no choice. We continue to add new folks, especially parents with young children. That is SO exciting. I pray we are ready for the challenges that growth will bring, especially as we begin to intentionally move to a program size parish. Keep us in your prayers!
So this summer I changed to two services. So far, I have been THRILLED with the results. Our early service was moved up to 8:00 from 7:30, and has seen an increase in attendance over the program year average. A few folks have voiced their preference for the 7:30 time, but overwhelmingly folks have stated they wish we could keep this service at 8:00.
The combination of our 9:00 family service and our 11:00 Rite II with choir service has also worked well. We combined elements of both services, and so far I think things have gone even better than I had hoped. Last Sunday we had 100 folks at that service! Last summer we would be lucky to have 60 total between the two.
I have promised to return to three services in the fall, and I will stick to that, of course. We have some new things planned for our music program and hope to add a children's choir sometime next year. The energy of the combined service will give people pause to think about whether we really need to continue three services or not. Of course, the hope is our growth will continue so that we will have no choice. We continue to add new folks, especially parents with young children. That is SO exciting. I pray we are ready for the challenges that growth will bring, especially as we begin to intentionally move to a program size parish. Keep us in your prayers!
Monday, June 13, 2005
Wedding Update
I must say that the service went off better than I expected. We had a large crowd and I first explained to them what was going on, and why I was doing the opening parts from the back of the church. That piece worked very well, then we processed in, cross, choir, LEMs, priest, bride and groom.
After the sermon I did include the Creed, wanting this to be a "near normal" Sunday service. Then came the Marriage piece- vows, rings, blessing. After that, Communion as usual with Bride and Groom receiving first and serving each other the cup.
We had a nice reception afterwards.
Many folks there loved the idea of doing this as part of the service, I had tons of positive comments and some couples even said they wished they had known you could do it this way!
All in all, I was very pleased .... and now I know one way to pull this off!
After the sermon I did include the Creed, wanting this to be a "near normal" Sunday service. Then came the Marriage piece- vows, rings, blessing. After that, Communion as usual with Bride and Groom receiving first and serving each other the cup.
We had a nice reception afterwards.
Many folks there loved the idea of doing this as part of the service, I had tons of positive comments and some couples even said they wished they had known you could do it this way!
All in all, I was very pleased .... and now I know one way to pull this off!
Friday, June 10, 2005
Sunday Wedding
I know, I know, I should have asked for help on this a while back. But, anyway, liturgical freak that I am, I will be doing a wedding in the midst of my regular Sunday service this Sunday. The couple finds such help and community amongst their fellow parishioners, they asked if they could just do this on a Sunday morning, so here we are.
It's a weird deal. The Priest Handbook (or maybe one of the other handy dandy guides) doesn't offer much help other than "you should know what you are doing"! So I am winging it.
Here's what's in my head. We will do the Opening stuff - "Dearly beloved....." the charge, the consent, from the rear of the church. This is to emulate the ancient custom of doing the marriage on the porch steps before the Sunday service. We wont do it on the steps because we will either be in the midst of Tropical Storm Arlene, or enjoying our usual 98 degrees and 95% humidty. Anyway, then we will process in to a hymn, bride and groom in the procession.
The service will continue through the sermon and Creed (decided, since it's the principle Sunday service, to keep the Creed in), after which we will do vows, peace, Eucharist.
They will process out behind the cross and reception follows. I wanted it to be similar to a baptism - with specific changes in the service for the sacrament to happen, but maintaining enough Sunday "integrity" for those who came to church NOT expecting a wedding.
I will let you know how it goes - and any tips or advice are appreciated if you read this before Sunday morning.
It's a weird deal. The Priest Handbook (or maybe one of the other handy dandy guides) doesn't offer much help other than "you should know what you are doing"! So I am winging it.
Here's what's in my head. We will do the Opening stuff - "Dearly beloved....." the charge, the consent, from the rear of the church. This is to emulate the ancient custom of doing the marriage on the porch steps before the Sunday service. We wont do it on the steps because we will either be in the midst of Tropical Storm Arlene, or enjoying our usual 98 degrees and 95% humidty. Anyway, then we will process in to a hymn, bride and groom in the procession.
The service will continue through the sermon and Creed (decided, since it's the principle Sunday service, to keep the Creed in), after which we will do vows, peace, Eucharist.
They will process out behind the cross and reception follows. I wanted it to be similar to a baptism - with specific changes in the service for the sacrament to happen, but maintaining enough Sunday "integrity" for those who came to church NOT expecting a wedding.
I will let you know how it goes - and any tips or advice are appreciated if you read this before Sunday morning.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Let's Try This Again
For all my many fans out there................
OK, for those who may possibly still have me in a blogroll, because you never get around to editing it, I am back. Maybe.
For a long time I was a pretty frequent blogger. My intent was to stay anonymous and be able to vent various things without getting myself in trouble. That failed, mainly because so often the way things are read online has little to do with the intent behind them. Posting on a public blog requires different ways of communicating than even "regular" writing does. I am not sure I have learned that yet.
Anyway, I have failed to keep posting on any sort of consistent basis, and I have found it so difficult to say anything meaningful while trying to "hide" my identity.
So I won't try that anymore.
I can't promise to post more frequently, but I can promise I will try my best to do so. If you managed to stop by here to read this, I hope you will make a mental note to check more frequently. If I find I just cannot do it, I will remove the blog and move on. Of course, I will keep my blogroll so I can visit places I really enjoy as time goes on.
While I am at it, for those clergy and / or clergy spouses out there, my LW (that's Lovely Wife) has started a blog of her own for clergy spouses - you can find it here.
As for me, I have decided to do a whole sermon series this summer from Romans, since the Episcopal Lectionary helps out. I have done series before - Advent, Lent, Holy Week - but they were thematic based, this is my first attempt at a series from one book of the Bible. I have sketched out the first 6 weeks worth, so I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Since I believe sermons should be heard, not read, if anyone wants to listen, go HERE, click Sermons on the left side, and you can play audio versions. I would LOVE feedback, and not just the "wow, great job dude" kind. We are too nice to each other as preachers sometimes and HELPFUL comments can do just that - help.
Much more about me soon - after I let this "new launching" take the blog-o-verse by storm!
Peace ya'll.
OK, for those who may possibly still have me in a blogroll, because you never get around to editing it, I am back. Maybe.
For a long time I was a pretty frequent blogger. My intent was to stay anonymous and be able to vent various things without getting myself in trouble. That failed, mainly because so often the way things are read online has little to do with the intent behind them. Posting on a public blog requires different ways of communicating than even "regular" writing does. I am not sure I have learned that yet.
Anyway, I have failed to keep posting on any sort of consistent basis, and I have found it so difficult to say anything meaningful while trying to "hide" my identity.
So I won't try that anymore.
I can't promise to post more frequently, but I can promise I will try my best to do so. If you managed to stop by here to read this, I hope you will make a mental note to check more frequently. If I find I just cannot do it, I will remove the blog and move on. Of course, I will keep my blogroll so I can visit places I really enjoy as time goes on.
While I am at it, for those clergy and / or clergy spouses out there, my LW (that's Lovely Wife) has started a blog of her own for clergy spouses - you can find it here.
As for me, I have decided to do a whole sermon series this summer from Romans, since the Episcopal Lectionary helps out. I have done series before - Advent, Lent, Holy Week - but they were thematic based, this is my first attempt at a series from one book of the Bible. I have sketched out the first 6 weeks worth, so I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Since I believe sermons should be heard, not read, if anyone wants to listen, go HERE, click Sermons on the left side, and you can play audio versions. I would LOVE feedback, and not just the "wow, great job dude" kind. We are too nice to each other as preachers sometimes and HELPFUL comments can do just that - help.
Much more about me soon - after I let this "new launching" take the blog-o-verse by storm!
Peace ya'll.
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