Hark what a sound, and too divine for hearing, stirs on the earth and trembles in the air! Is it the thunder of the Lord's appearing? Is it the music of his people's prayer?
Surely he cometh, and a thousand voices shout to the saints, and to the deaf are dumb; surely he cometh, and the earth rejoices, glad in his coming who hath sworn: I come!
This hath he done, and shall we not adore him? This shall he do, and can we still despair? Come, let us quickly fling ourselves before him, cast at his feet the burden of our care.
Through life and death, through sorrow and through sinning, he shall suffice me, for he hath sufficed: Christ is the end, for Christ was the beginning, Christ the beginning, for the end is Christ.
It's pouring rain in Massachusetts, and I've been down with quite a cold for days. We've been so careful for so long that cold germs have been successfully kept away till now. I suppose it was just a matter of time.
Let me hasten to say that I did get tested, and it is not COVID-19, nor flu, nor strep. Just a cold. Nevertheless, I have been working from my room. We sisters hold all things in common - no one has private income, and all of our belongings belong to the community. However, the Superior has declared an unequivocal exception for germs, and thus I am doing my best to be stingy with them.
So here I am in my room on this grey day, looking at the rain and working on this weekend's sermon, and I have received the perfect thing: a cup of strong, hot ginger tea made by one of our sisters from Haiti, up in Massachusetts for our annual Gathering and Chapter meeting.
I thought I'd share.
The recipe is very simple:
Boil ginger root and cloves in water.
Let them steep for much longer than you think you need to. Stronger is better, especially if you have a sore throat. You can always add hot water to your cup!
Best served in your favorite, beat-up well loved mug.
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 whichArlo Guthrie announced his retirement. Therefore, in order to remedy the situation, I bring you a taste of 1967 Turkey Tales.
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
"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
“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
“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
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.”
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.
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
I began this blog as I prepared to leave for a seminary field education placement in a parish in Haiti, creating it as a way of sharing my experiences and reflections over the summer with people at home and continuing it upon my return.
I finally returned to Haiti in 2011. So much in a short time. I returned to the US in 2013, but something tells me I'll be back. Meanwhile, there is still so much I intended to share while I was there. I hope some of it will make it onto this blog. A piece of my heart is always in Haiti, and I hope some of yours will be, too. Pray for Haiti, please. So much is needed; with God, so much is possible.
Meanwhile, there are ample opportunities for ministry here, and plenty of discoveries to make. There are beautiful things to consider, birds to watch, and concerns to share. And I am never short of curiosity to lead me into all sorts of odd corners. In all of it, God is present. Welcome to the adventure.
* * *
This is a personal blog. Nothing in it is an official statement from the Sisters of St. Margaret, the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti, or any other organization.
