I'm leaving later on this afternoon for the 'long and winding road' to New Hampshire where I'm headed to join a gathering of the CTB (Claiming the Blessing) Steering Committee. We are making our final plans for our presence at Lambeth.
CTB is a coalition of Episcopalians who represent the various organizations which are concerned with justice the church: Integrity, The Episcopal Women's Caucus, The Union of Black Episcopalians, TransEpiscopal, Episcopal Church Publishing Company, Beyond Inclusion, etc. I will be there as President of the Episcopal Women's Caucus.
My GPS system (affectionately known as "Mrs. Garmin") tells me that it's approximately a 7 hour drive. That's a long time to be in the car, but I'm really looking forward to it. I uploaded a few more of my favorite CDs to my iPod last night, my iPhone is charged, and my Mac Note Book is packed along side my suitcase.
Whatever did we do before technology? Indeed, how did it happen that I've come to own all these technological gadgets? More than twenty years ago, when I took my General Ordination Exams, I hired a typist rather than buy one of those 'computers' that seemed to be all the rage.
Anyway, at that time, with six kids in tow, we couldn't afford a computer. When I got my first job, the salary was so low, we actually qualified for Food Stamps. We had lots of conversations back then about "alternative sources of protein."
Hiring a typist was less expensive and ever so much more personal and relational. I could talk with her - kick around my thoughts - get some feedback. You know. Like you can with other human beings.
A little more than twenty years later and I really wonder if my quality of life has improved for all of the technological advancement. Oh, I love the convenience (and safety) of having a cell phone, and I am still amazed at the easy, swift access I have to so much information. I don't have an 'Onstar' system in my car, but am often envious of those who do.
I have many friends around the country and the world who have become very dear to me, but whom I've never met. How strange is that?
While I'm away, I'm not going to miss even one sentence of any chapter of the ever-unfolding drama, "As the Anglican World Turns." I can just fire up my computer or my iPhone and I'm there, front row center, watching all the goings on in the orchestra pit.
Whenever I stop and think about that for more than one red hot nanosecond, I find my head shaking in disbelief.
I'm keenly aware that it's all very, very seductive.
Meanwhile, do check out the latest. Bishop Theuner has generously given Louie Crew permission to publish his letter to
the Archbishop of Canterbury. It's in the DO JUSTICE series at his home page
While you're there, see also Bishop Steven Charleston's article on the same subject, in the Episcopal Cafe, "The Empty Space in the Photograph."
You can find Louie's commentary "natter" on the whole thing here.
For a little diversion, you can also peek into the dueling going on about the situation in San Joaquin and the tempest in an Anglican Teapot over the depositions of Schofield and Cox that is ranging between the folks at Jake's Place and the Bullies on Viagra (I won't link there so you'll just have to figure out how to get there yourself.).
It's absolutely amazing to me that when Progressives say to these Bullies, "Okay, that will just about be enough of that abuse," the very first thing to come out of their poison pens is, "Ah, well. So much for inclusion!" It's always amazing to me how predictable they are. Then again, I've had a lot of experience dealing with abusers and the abused in situations of domestic violence.
And, make no mistake. This may be played out in ecclesiastical language and vestments and furnishings, but it there is domestic violence in the Household of God. While you're at Jake's, click on his link to the 'Chapman Memo'. It's all there. The whole, sad story.
Off I go, then. Pray for me and I'll pray for you. Pray for us to be given the strength and courage to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.
Film, as they say, at eleven.
6 comments:
Drive safe.
See you in a bit!
Susan (IMing and emailing and blogging from a hotel room in New Hampshire!)
Many prayers for you on your journey and for your church at large.
My rector is a year younger than I am but something of a Luddite. We've had this discussion about whether technology actually improves our lives or not. He says no, but I am convinced that my life is richer because of it. I have a whole community of folks I would never have known without the internet. At my ordination to the diaconate there were people from 14 states and two countries that I'd met in cyberspace who came together to support me...most of whom I met f2f for the first time that day. When my granddaughter was born on Easter night, pictures reached far flung members of the family within a couple of hours, connecting them to an event they couldn't be present for. My daughter has received great support and advice about childbirth and nursing from her bloggy community which overlaps with mine. When my other daughter was living in Asia I had a window into her life through her blog.
I could go on...and I know technology also contributes to some of the problems in TEC now...news and rumors travel too fast and there is ample opportunity for hate and dissent to be fomented. But any tool can be misused.
Ay yi yi, I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but like I say, I've had the conversation! And I too remember the days before it was accessible or affordable. But I don't want to go back:)
Have a safe trip, and thanks for all your good works!
(and you can see pix of my beautiful Easter granddaughter on my blog :)
Prayers for a wonderful and safe trip, Elizabeth. Prayers for the CTB committee meeting, too.
There's the open road ahead of you, and you're still in touch. Amazing, this tech stuff. I don't have GPS, nor do I have an iPod, nor a portable computer, but I do have OnStar. It came free with the car - for a while. In time, I'll need to pay.
I have many friends around the country and the world who have become very dear to me, but whom I've never met. How strange is that?
Me, too, Elizabeth. You were one until I met you. I was somewhat in awe of you before we met in "real life", but no more. Your intimidating mystique is gone forever, dissolved, disappeared. You're simply a lovely woman friend now - not at all a bad thing to be, you know.
God bless you on your journey.
Well, when I ended up spending the night in Hartford CT coming back from Quito because Anne was way too sick to travel any further, I was able to email my already-written sermon to three people so that someone at the 8.00 could read it at a hastily-improved MP service and someone else was on tap for reading it at the 10.00 (not necessary). As a clarification, I couldn't get the hotel email to work so I stopped in the parking lot of the rest area just over the Vermont border in Guilford. I didn't even need to get out of the car; I just emailed from the parking lot using wifi. So, yes, on occasion the technology is a life-saver.
What the others said.
But also this: Put down the blippin' camera and drive, fergodsakes! You're on the wrong side of the road! Unless part of your drive takes you through England or some other place where they drive on the left side of the road.
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