O Sapientia

Alice's Restaurant

turkeys outside St. Marina's Guesthouse in Duxbury

It has come to my attention that there are people out there who do not know of Alice's Restaurant. This is wrong, especially within a week of Thanksgiving in the year in which Arlo Guthrie announced his retirement. Therefore, in order to remedy the situation, I bring you a taste of 1967 Turkey Tales.

 

Lo, these many moons later, Alice is just trying to stay in her home. That would not be the old church as described in the song, in which she has not lived for decades, but the cottage she rents in Provincetown. For more on that and on her reminiscences of the song's story, read Arlo Guthrie's 'Alice's Restaurant' Is A Thanksgiving Tradition. But This Year The Real Alice Needs Help. 

a compendium of quotes on the election

praying?
getting ready to cast a ballot?
eating chocolate?
all of the above?

 first, a few from the news:

"It would certainly be less chaotic if all Americans voted pursuant to a uniform set of federally imposed procedures — if forms, machines, drop-box specifications, mail-in ballot receipt deadlines and early voting schedules were exactly the same, from county to county and state to state — but inefficiency is not, of itself, unconstitutional." - Steve Vladeck

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/11/02/harris-county-drive-through-federal-court/

99-year-old Mississippi man born on a plantation votes in election

"I remember when I couldn't vote," Dr. Robert H. Smith Sr. said.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/99-year-mississippi-man-born-plantation-votes-election/story?id=73958509

"We have one of America’s most unusual presidents ever. The coronavirus has made it one of the most unusual campaigns ever. And it’s the most tense polling day I’ve ever covered here. I have never had to walk past rows of boarded up shops to get to work on Election Day because store holders are afraid there may be violence on the streets after the vote... And the world is watching, as it always does. But because this is the Trump presidency, and everything is oversized, the amount of global attention is through the roof too." - Katty Kay

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/election-us-2020-54786937

from high school students:

“Our generation in particular is not going to be quiet,” she said. “We are immune to dysfunction and disaster. From the beginning, when we were little children, we were practicing active-shooter drills. Now we’re not even in class because of covid. We’re going to make change.” - Lauren

“I can’t believe we are dealing with this uncertainty of safety due to an election. Nevertheless, we cannot stay in shock, but have to get to work no matter who wins.” - Jocelyn

“After growing up, experiencing what the world really has to say about women, being able to understand what that means for me, seeing Kamala Harris, a woman of color, standing up there, would be the glass ceiling exploding.” - Mirette

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/these-girls-were-crushed-when-hillary-lost-in-2016-four-years-later-theyve-created-their-own-strong-female-future/2020/11/02/ee53d8d0-1d1e-11eb-90dd-abd0f7086a91_story.html

from the Washington National Cathedral's interfaith service: “Holding onto Hope: A National Service for Healing and Wholeness,” 

“Dear Heavenly Father, we especially pray for our country as we go into this season of election. We ask you to help us to remember that we are, despite all of our troubles, a privileged people to be able to make our voices known, to choose those who would govern us. … Please be with each and every one of us, even as we are a divided people, to treat each other with respect, to treat each other with kindness, especially when we disagree, so that we might again make common purpose and common cause to be a people worthy of your grace.” - former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

“Our ideals, values, principles and dreams of beloved community matter. They matter because they drive us beyond service of self alone to commitment to the greater good of us all. They matter because they give us an actual picture of God’s reign of love, and a reason to struggle and make it real. They matter to our lives as people of faith. They matter to our life in civil society. They matter to our life as a nation and as a world. Our values matter!” 

“Whatever your politics, however you have or will cast your vote, however this election unfolds, wherever the course of racial reckoning and pandemic take us, whether we are in the valley or the mountaintop, hold onto the hope of America. Hold onto hope grounded in our shared values and ideals. Hold onto God’s dream. Hold on and struggle and walk and pray for our nation,”  - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/11/01/national-cathedrals-interfaith-prayer-service-takes-america-on-journey-from-grief-to-hope/

and today, election day, they are still praying there all day long, as people go in and out...

"When the clock struck each new hour, the priests paused with an Election Day prayer.

“As the people of this nation decide the future of our life together, we pray for all seeking elected office and their families, for the safety of all voters and poll workers, and for the protection of all ballots cast,” one said. “Help us now and always to find new ways to work together, to mend our divisions, that we may create your kingdom on earth.”

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/11/03/us/election-day?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage#at-washington-national-cathedral-a-time-to-pray-for-the-country

A handful of my own thoughts:

On second thought, I'll just leave you to caption that yourselves.

 As we wait:

obviously I also need an edit button for Twitter

and maybe some nutella
or a  Stop'n'Shop chocolate bomb cake

and world peace

https://twitter.com/sarahrandallssm/status/1323072181644001286

and finally, from the Book of Common Prayer (1979), pp.821-822

22. For Sound Government

The responses in italics may be omitted.

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we
may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to
other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors
of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative
authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their
duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our
laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and
foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to
fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding
and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and
justice served.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to
accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they
may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for
the well-being of our society; that we may serve you
faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.
For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as
head above all. Amen.

23. For Local Government

Almighty God our heavenly Father, send down upon those
who hold office in this State (Commonwealth, City, County,
Town, ____________) the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice;
that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their
offices to promote the well-being of all people; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.

24. For an Election

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers
and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of
this community) in the election of officials and representatives;
that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of
all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your
purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

https://www.bcponline.org/

Duxbury Interfaith Council 2020 Holiday Basket Project

 

COVID IS CHANGING THE  2020 DUXBURY INTERFAITH HOLIDAY BASKET PROJECT

 

For over 30 years the Duxbury Interfaith Council has helped over 100 Duxbury families with a turkey and all the trimmings for their Thanksgiving and the Winter holiday dinners.  Along with food help, the Council provided family members gifts for the winter holiday.

This year, the Interfaith Council is going to give gift cards only.  It was a difficult decision, but the safest one at this time.

The DIC Gift Team is collecting gift cards that will be distributed to families so they can shop for themselves.   There will be collection boxes for gift cards at most local churches, many businesses and the Senior Center.

DIC representatives will also be outside Brothers on November 21 and December 5 to collect gift cards and monetary donations

Gift cards and checks can also be mailed to:

 Duxbury Interfaith Council

PO Box 1161

Duxbury MA 02331

 

Or donations can be made via Paypal:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7MLC3MWZWEEGC&source=url

Lord, Who throughout this Quarantine

Note that this quarantine is currently taking place during Lent. Therefore, this setting is particularly appropriate for those familiar with the hymn Lord, who throughout these forty days.

However, I don't usually end up laughing during the original. Maybe that is about to change...



Many thanks to the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa for a much-needed laugh.

Just found their blog: https://catherinescafe.blogspot.com/ and signed up, as they seem like women I'll enjoy meeting (virtually, anyway). And yes, I am now following them on Twitter, too.

Here's the original:

join in prayer each Sunday at noon

In the midst of crisis, it is more important than ever that we stand together. From wherever you are, join the members of the Duxbury Interfaith Council each Sunday at noon in prayer for health and healing.

Duxbury Interfaith Council invitation to prayer Sundays at noon from wherever you are, however you pray. Church bells will ring, and we will all stop for a moment.

I Bind Unto Myself Today - St. Patrick's Breastplate

This seems particularly appropriate in such a time.

"I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity...I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation... I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead..." 

What strength could be greater?

And part I have loved since childhood:

Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ behind me,
Christ before me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort
and restore me.

Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ in quiet,
Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of
all that love me,
Christ in mouth of
friend and stranger.

At Trinity Episcopal, Fort Wayne, we used to sing this middle section before the gospel reading every week. This recording has a different tune for the middle section than the Episcopal hymnal has, but the words are still there and powerfully comforting.

May it be prayer and blessing to you, too, and may Christ, the One who is our Rock and our Salvation, the One who will never abandon us, be truly present in your life, now more than ever.



text via YouTube:

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. I bind this day to me for ever, by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation; his baptism in Jordan river; his death on cross for my salvation; his bursting from the spicèd tomb; his riding up the heavenly way; his coming at the day of doom: I bind unto myself today. I bind unto myself the power of the great love of cherubim; the sweet "Well done" in judgment hour; the service of the seraphim; confessors' faith, apostles' word, the patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls; all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls. I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven the glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks. I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, his eye to watch, his might to stay, his ear to hearken, to my need; the wisdom of my God to teach, his hand to guide, his shield to ward; the word of God to give me speech, his heavenly host to be my guard. Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One, and One in Three. Of whom all nature hath creation, eternal Father, Spirit, Word: praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.

maybe today you need this Ode to Joy flashmob

It's a time of worldwide anxiety. Instead of overdosing on news, sometimes it's good to put oneself in another key. Just watched this thanks to Jay Arnold at  https://twitter.com/JadedCreative/status/1238081405713821698 and thought I'd share - we're all in this together.

It occurs to me that sometimes we don't know who's around us any more than these bystanders are cognizant of the musicians' presence among them. Now is a good time to be aware of each other - both to help and to give thanks - and also to be alert for glimpses of God's beauty and goodness even in the midst of crisis.

In English:

1 Joyful, joyful, we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
hearts unfold like flowers before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
drive the dark of doubt away;
giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.

2 All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heaven reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise,
field and forest, vale and mountain,
blooming meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird and flowing fountain,
call us to rejoice in thee.

3 Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother:
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine.

Thanks to Hymnary.org (https://hymnary.org/hymn/EH1982/376) for these.

over the river and through the woods to peace

Slow down. Be outside virtually even if you feel - or are - quarantined inside. Peace to all of you - and thanks to KB for sharing it!

Slow Me Down, Lord

To start off our Lent mindfully, I share this poem with you. All the Sisters knew it but me... so you may know it as well. If not, well, this is for you. 

snowy egret standing peacefully in water

Slow Me Down Lord

Slow me down Lord

Ease the pounding of my heart

by the quieting of my mind.

Steady my hurried pace

with a vision of the eternal march of time.

Give me amid the confusion of the day,

the calmness of the eternal hills.

Break the tension of my nerves and muscles

with the soothing music of the singing streams

that live in my memory.

Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.

Teach me the art of taking MINUTE vacations,

Of slowing down to look at a flower,

to chat with a friend,

to pat a dog,

to read a few lines of a good book.

Slow me down Lord

and inspire me to send my roots

deep into the soil of life's enduring values

that I may grow toward the stars of my greater destiny.

Author: Wilfred A. Peterson

via https://www.scrapbook.com/poems/doc/13156.html

Strange Man at the Well

Did she know the man?
She said, "No, I never saw him before."
They asked her, "Did you get his name?"
"He didn't tell me and I don't know,
but when he spoke, my soul caught on fire
and I'll remember this day until the day I die."