Fr. Tony Update: Double and Blurred Vision? Yikes!...

Grand Meeting of the Primates: Tanzania...

Where The Boys Are... (Valentine's Day.. Must See)...

I'm Dreaming of a White Valentine...

Deployed to Iraq *GULP* Prayers Please...

FR. TONY UPDATE: Double and Blurred Vision?

Hmmm, what next? After braving the cold and snow yesterday, to shoot some pictures around town, I arrived home to Tony reporting he was seeing double. DOUBLE! Geee, one of me is enough, but two of me can be a bit frightening. grin

Tomorrow we'll see our Dr. Craig, and maybe an eye specialist as well.

Other then the above, we're still trying to work the ole bronchitis out of our systems. Not sure if it's the bronchitis, or the meds, that make anything you eat taste.... well, .... not worth cooking!

GRAND MEETING OF THE PRIMATES IN TANZANIA, AFRICA:

This week the primates of the World Wide Anglican Communion are meeting in Tanzania. Whenever I hear the words, "meeting of primates" I can't help but conjure up the following image.

Please, no disrespect intended, so don't bother harassing me about my creativity.

Anyway, all joking aside, this is a very critical time with regard to the Episcopal Church USA and her status as a member of the Anglican Communion. Geee, Tony was received into the Episcopal Church to be "in" communion with the WWAC, and after this week, WHO KNOWS!???

As a clergy spouse, I can honestly say I'm fed up to my eyeballs with all the politics, turf wars, power struggles, "he said; she said; they said", and the many ways in which "Christians" find to: knock each other down a peg; belittle those they consider "beneath" them; allow themselves to be distracted; make no attempt to understand the church or her teachings; and worst of all... make no attempt to BE a Christian.

Don't get me wrong, I have respect and compassion for the clergy (hmmm, well... 99.9% of them), from the highest ranking bishop (and we've experienced some terribly nasty +ones, in and out of the ECUSA), to the lowliest deacon. Theirs is a calling that most would/could not begin to understand or contemplate.

I suspect a large part of the problems that plague our young Church are: Lack of good Anglican teaching, and this ever present notion that it's perfectly OK for clergy and lay folk to insist they have a "right" to determine the future of the church, without considering the consequences their rights might inflict on the balance of the global Church, and those of us who quietly go about living the Golden Rule. The felony is compounded when you consider how many asserting their rights have little to no understanding of the church, her history and her traditions, and rarely (if ever) manage to show much compassion, love or forgiveness.

Is it possible for Anglicans/Episcopalians to understand that "Rome was not built in a day", and what we think should be, may not necessarily be what's best for the millions involved? We're not an island unto ourselves, but I highly suspect the ever growing patriotism (nationalism?) in our country doesn't help matters, especially when you stack it on top of a couple of "me" generations, and a dash of "I want it now" (thanks to our quick fix, fast food, disposable lifestyles) Americans.

Have we forgotten the basics?

The Golden Rule?

Do unto others?

Are we really thinking about "the others"?

When some stand for what they believe is "right" and "just", are they thinking about the Native American, single mother, living on a reservation in substandard housing, but attending the little mission church every Sunday, and giving her last dime to help someone else in the mission?

As the church gets dragged through what surely must disappoint the God we worship, are we willing to let go of our "cause" to bring peace back to the Church? Are we willing to make what we think is the supreme sacrifice, by letting go of that which is causing strife, division and possibly separating us from our Anglican family?

How great was God's sacrifice for us?

I suppose the most disappointing thing in all of this is that the majority of the decisions made in our Church are made by the powers that be, when the bulk of the good, faithful, kind and caring people are the ones who are the heart and soul of the Church. But are they being heard? Do they have a voice? Would that same single mother on the reservation be invited to attend a general convention? No, because she can't pay her dues to be in the club. But, her voice and actions could probably benefit many of us. How many other voices are not being heard?

As I sit here in my cold basement typing away at what will probably not be read, I wonder why the disgrace in it all seems so bloody obvious, and yet most can't see what they're doing to OUR Church and the wonderfully beautiful and diverse parts of her.

(ok, soap box sliding back under computer)

WHERE THE BOYS ARE: Parade of Roses in Morgantown

As the snow was coming down heavily, I made my way to the grocery store to pick up more Mucinex. I noticed right away there seemed to be a considerable number of "guys" shopping, and most had an armful of goodies in their clutches. Ah, Valentine's Day. The sight of all these men gave me a good giggle, wondering if they were doing this shopping out of a feeling of obligation, desire of things anticipated, or true love and devotion. It was quite cute, actually. In a span of only about 15 minutes I captured at least 30 guys of assorted sizes, shapes, ages and colors. See a sampling below.

Cupid had definitely been in Morgantown yesterday, and the manifestation of his work was interesting. I saw one guy with a huge bouquet of roses and a 6 pack of Guiness Beer. (interesting combination, aye?) Another fella had a huge balloon, big teddy bear, AND roses. (lucky gal) There were men with one rose, and others with huge bouquets in decorative vases. Oh, and I did catch a couple of women buying goodies for their loved ones. There were men shopping in pairs, but most were alone. Some seemed to be quick about it, and others lingered about their decisions.

Yes, there was one guy who should have his name posted as a deadbeat on a community board. He was standing in line with his buddy who was purchasing goodies for his girlfriend. Said "guy" was diligently trying to encourage his friend to dump the girl, and make up with her after Valentine's Day, suggesting there would be a big $avings in it. I gather this guy is single, and it's obvious why!

I'M DREAMING OF A WHITE VALENTINE:

I managed to make it up the steep drive to capture a picture of the church. It was so heavenly quiet up there on the hill.

Below is a picture of the lower half of the driveway, leading dowwwwwwwwwwn from the church. The upper half of the drive is MUCH steeper. Notice the pylons along the right side of the drive? They're there for a reason! I made sure I tested one of them out a couple weeks ago. grin

Shot taken during heavy snow, on a major road in Morgantown. Ya think we got a little bit of snow?

Another lovely picture of the snow, on one of our rambling little mountain roads.

DEPLOYED TO IRAQ

James R. Berard

James is the son of Jeanne (our parish administrator and music director extraordinaire) and Greg Elmes. He's being deploying to Iraq for 7 months. Please keep James and his family in your prayers. Go with God, dear James.