A CATHOLIC, A WICCANAND A PAGAN WALK INTO A PUB

From BELIEFNET:

The Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales, worried about the growing influence of Harry Potter and his team of young wizards, has published a guide aimed at helping teenagers deal with 21st century witchcraft.

Elizabeth Dodd, the book's author and herself a former Wiccan who became a Catholic said the booklet is intended to help Catholics assess the history and beliefs of Wicca, and also how to talk to Wiccans they might meet in a pub.

COMMENT: MadPriest suggests that if she is a cute Wiccan, you should buy her a pint of Pendle Witches Brew and compliment her on "her many charms."

GRANDMÈRE MIMI - THE DOCUMENTARY (PART 2)

ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE

THE ANCHORHOLD: "Ten Thousand Opportunities!"
and "A Prayer; A Wonderful Prayer."

ST. LAIKA'S: Compline with lots of music, which today has an American roots feel about much of it.

CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...: Lots of stuff (and very likely some nonsense, as well). Check out the right hand sidebar for details of how to access Chin Wag.

WITH ALL YOUR SOUL: The latest podcast and possibly the best so far.

And don't forget The OCICBW... Experience's
OFFICIAL HOME on facebook.

MADPRIEST ON THE PRIMATES' MEETING IN DUBLIN

There seems to be a growing acknowledgement in the Anglican blogosphere that the Dublin meeting went well insomuch as there were no huge fights. If peace is the benchmark of success for a meeting of primates then I must concur. Furthermore, for once, I think that the Grand Tufti has been politically very astute in deed. The last thing he needed was for this meeting to go wrong and so he worked out the best way of making sure that all his colleagues remained happy. He designed the meeting so that most of it was concerned with the role of primates in the church and, from the beginning, he personally emphasised the uniqueness of primacy in the church, telling the other primates that they were very special, they were "first amongst equals" with the emphasis very much on "first." Faced with such flattery the delegates sunk into a blissed out state of self-importance and, like a classroom of children who have been told by their teacher that they have ALL done very well, they stopped fighting each other for the seat at the right hand of their messiah.

Machiavelli move over! There's a new man in town.

MADPRIEST ON BISHOPS

The function of a bishop is to celebrate the eucharist. All other functions presently owned by bishops can be carried out by the laity. It is the same for priests. But priests can only celebrate the eucharist if they are given permission to by their diocesan bishop. This is because a priest "vicariously" presides at the eucharist on behalf of the bishop. A local priest's mass is always the bishop's mass.

Therefore, the primary pastoral duty of a bishop is to care for the priests in his diocese. The priest is related to the bishop organically in the same way that all Christians are organically related to Christ. The metaphor of the vine applies to the connection between priest and bishop as much as it applies to the connection between Christians and Christ. Christians are part of the body of Christ and priests are part of the body of their bishop.

Jesus stated over and over again that he cared for those who were part of his body above all else. A bishop should care for his priests above all else. For a bishop to cut off one of his priests should be as rare as the True Vine shedding one of its branches.

If a bishop is served by priests throughout his jurisdiction then his duty of care towards the laity of the diocese should, in most circumstances, be carried out through his priests. Along with the teaching task of the bishop, pastoral care of the laity is at a distance, once removed. But the pastoral care of the priesthood must be the direct responsibility of the bishop because there are no "vicars" between the bishop and his priests.

Therefore, I stick by my statement the other day that bishops should be chosen by priests and priests should be chosen by the laity and endorsed by the diocesan bishop. For the laity to insist on an equal interest in the bishop with the priesthood is unfair as this gives the laity two provisions for pastoral care and denies priests real pastoral care due to the conflict of interest the present understanding of the episcopacy seems to always give rise to.

Of course, priests may choose their bishops unwisely but bad bishops are sometimes elected in provinces where the laity are part of the electoral college. In any case, the proof is in the pudding and I have not come across any province where the priesthood is, on the whole, as close to their bishops as in Scotland. Now, Scottish people often claim they are superior to everyone else, but, in reality, they are not. It is my opinion that if it can work in Scotland it can work anywhere, but only if we copy that other Scottish tradition of keeping their bishops' feet planted firmly on the ground.

FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE CHURCH

Here's a sad but beautiful song, written and performed by Danny Schmidt, from his album, "Enjoying The Fall."

Quite a few years ago, now, I sent some of Danny's music to local promoters and sent Danny details of an agent in the UK. I nagged him to visit England because I believed the roots music lovers here would love him. He did visit and they did love him and he now regularly pops over here to perform gigs. He is a really lovely man.



GOD’S LOVE OF MAN

Hey, the sun’s sinking,
Overhead the skies are grey
All’s still but folks thinking
On the words the preacher prays
“Lay thee down in heaven’s sunlight
And smile down upon the days gone by
- By and By -
His soul was taken
and don’t ask the good lord why”

“He was a good and was a kind man
Kept his garden free of weeds
Fed the sick and led the blind man
To the light where souls are freed
He left behind his ma and sisters
And ours is not to ask what’s fair
- what’s fair is fair -
So lend some kindness
for their loss is ours to bear”

He went to church and looked on Jesus
And how they stretched him ‘cross the post
With all our sins washed down his body
‘Cross naked flesh when eyes were closed
And at night he shared the burden
Of his brother lying close at hand
- hand in hand -
And just like Jesus
from eyes of love dropped tears of sin

Thou shalt not steal thy neighbor’s money
Nor take thy neighbor’s life
And thou shalt have but for desire
Not thy neighbor, but for his wife
They sheathed their swords inside their bibles
And when they come, they come to beat him straight
But it’s the bible that takes a beating
When you preach a love of hate

Now listen good though I’m no preacher
They killed a man for how he loved
If you believe that shit you’re teaching
You best take shelter from above
Cause it’s our words which built the heavens
And it’s our words which hold the mighty
- All and All -
Might come down crashing
if our word for Angel falls

Copyright 2001. Words and music by Danny Schmidt



DANNY'S WEBSITE

Buy Danny Schmidt downloads
VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE

Buy Danny Schmidt CDs direct from Danny's website
(as they are considerably cheaper there
than what Amazon are charging for them).

MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

If the Anglican Communion was a movie
the audience would know who the baddies are.

ADVERTISEMENT

Over, Price and Associates, the church supply company based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, has added a new range of candles to their catalogue that have been designed specifically for Forward in Faith and ACNA congregations. Managing director of the company, Mr. M. P. Snark, said he believed they would be very popular as they reflected visually the masculinity ontologically inherent in the priesthood of such churches. He also told OCICBW... that his company would be launching the new product at the end of February through a series of full page adverts on the "Stand Firm" website where most of the potential customers for these candles hang out.

Further details can be found at THE MACARTHUR CHRONICLE.

THE BODY OF CHRIST IS SICK

The mother who let her openly, effeminate, five year old son dress up as Daphne from "Scooby Doo" for halloween (a costume in which he looked so cute that even grumpy, Halloween -hating MadPriest would have handed out a whole jar of candy if the young lad had knocked at his door), has been excommunicated (literally) by the pharisee of a pastor at her church. Read all about it HERE.

Thanks to D. Gregory Smith for posting this story on his blog, FROM ETERNITY TO HERE.

CAPTION COMPETITION

Here is a photo of Our Ruth, of REVRUTH'S RANTINGS, at the consecration of Bishop Kevin. She looks far too at home among all those bishops so, please be as creatively scathing as you like in your suggestions.

THE PRAYER LIST - 7TH. FEBRUARY 2011

From UKPA:

Floods and mudslides in Sri Lanka have forced 320,000 people to flee their homes and killed at least 11. The Disaster Management Centre said the evacuees are being housed in 759 temporary camps after heavy rains last week forced them to flee. In addition to the 11 deaths, three people are missing.

From SKY NEWS:

More than 55 homes have been destroyed by bushfires that have swept through neighbourhoods of the western Australian city of Perth.

Posted by janinsanfran at CAN IT HAPPEN HERE?:

An Afghan prisoner held at the United State's prison camp at Guantanamo died this week after exercising. Awal Gul had been held nearly nine years without a trial. Although no court had ever found that he had committed any crime, he was in the category of prisoner that our government apparently intends to hold forever, without any legal process.

***

Posted by Lesley at LESLEY'S BLOG:

Dad has been unwell for years, but in particular two years ago he was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma. A tumour was removed and we were told that he was too frail for chemotherapy and so it would stay in the blood and reappear perhaps in three months, perhaps in two years, probably in his spine. Since then he has been in and out of hospital, he keeps falling and breaking bones. Most recently he had a hip replacement and he got out of hospital about ten days ago.

Yesterday, my brother phoned to say that mum wasn't coping with dad at home and that was the trigger. I have been in tears on and off since. Today dad was readmitted to hospital with many crushed vertebrae and the suspicion is that the lymphoma is indeed back.

Two things have occurred to me:
1. Dad is going to die fairly soon
2. I love him and I don't want him to die.

***

Posted at WOUNDED BIRD:

From Paul (A.)'s wife Catherine:

Paul in hospital, 4 broken ribs, 1 punctured lung slipping down ice-glazed front steps this am. Other than that, he's fine.

Update:

He was able to sit up, feed himself, and then pass out from (we think) dehydration-related low blood pressure. Life is never dull with Paul (A.)!

Catherine (Mrs. Paul (A.)

***

THANKSGIVING

The Reverend Kevin Pearson was consecrated Bishop of Argyll & The Isles (Scottish Episcopal Church) over the weekend.

Posted at JESUS IN LOVE BLOG:

Rev. Nancy Wilson was appointed yesterday by President Barack Obama to the White House Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She is lesbian minister and moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches.

If you would like to light
a candle as part of your
prayer, please click HERE,
then click on BEGIN and
follow the instructions.

Our group name is
Laika (case sensitive);
please type this into
the appropriate box
when requested.

THE MIRACLE OF THE JESUSWITH THE GLOWING MAN BOOBS

From MLIVE.COM:

In what is called “Eucharist adoration,” a large wafer — unleavened bread — about 3 or 4 inches in diameter was blessed by a priest and set on a gold stand, called a luna, in the school chapel of at Jackson Catholic Middle School on Friday. During the day, as adult volunteers sat near it, a student claimed to see the image of Jesus on the wafer.

Dave Krajewski, a psychotherapist with Crossroads Psychotherapy in Jackson and a Catholic, said he got a call from a friend about 4 p.m. Friday. He went to JCMS, 915 Cooper St., and was among 10 or 20 people squeezed into the chapel to observe the wafer. The outline of the male figure, Krajewski said, was a red or orange vibrant color. He had long brown hair and looked like he was wearing a robe.

“I left the school not knowing if I had seen a miracle or not,” Krajewski said. “But I’m not ruling it out.”

The Rev. Cecilio Reyna of St. Mary Catholic Church, 120 E. Wesley St., wrote on his blog about being called and driving over to see the wafer.

“I did see what appeared to be the outline of a man's face with some bright spots toward the bottom of the luna. One of the spots where it was glowing,” he blogged.

“It reminded me of an image of Jesus taken from the Shroud of Turin. What is also interesting is the subtle rose colored tint in the area of the face, which is not visible anywhere else,” he added.

They are now waiting for Bishop Earl Boyea of the Lansing Catholic Diocese to visit. That is the beginning of a very long process to determine if this is actually declared a miracle by the Catholic church.

PRIEST GETS INTO TROUBLE WITH HISBISHOP FOR NOT BREAKING THE LAW

From THE TELEGRAPH:

Waiting for the bride at the altar, Fr Tim Codling began to realise that something wasn't quite right when he saw her at the back of the church pulling her wedding dress out of a black bin-liner. In full view of everyone present, she proceeded to change into the dress. It became clear it was twice her size as she walked down the aisle, struggling not to trip over it and with the sleeves hanging down to her knees. As she stood next to the groom, there was not only an obvious lack of affection, but more alarmingly a complete lack of recognition.

"It was as if they'd never met each other before," says Fr Codling, rector of St John the Baptist in Tilbury, Essex. "Looking back now, I realise that they probably hadn't."

The wedding was one of dozens of marriages at his church that he believes were part of a scam designed to allow immigrants to gain British citizenship.

Concerned that he was being asked to perform bogus marriages, the rector informed Chelmsford's diocesan registrar of his fears. He repeatedly called to advise he would not recommend applicants be given common licences – a requirement for foreign nationals wanting to marry in church. Often, applicants could not prove the necessary "qualifying connection" with the parish and the vicar suspected that neither partner was a genuine resident. Addresses given by "couples" married at St John the Baptist, obtained from the church's marriage register, proved to be false when visited by The Sunday Telegraph.

Yet despite Fr Codling's warnings about the validity of the applicants, they returned from the registrar with the common licence, leaving him little option but to take their weddings.

In 2009, Fr Codling refused to conduct a wedding involving a Ghanian bride whose visa had expired. He told officials that any marriage would potentially be illegal as she did not have a legal right to remain in the country. However, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, then the Bishop of Chelmsford, rejected his advice and sent his chaplain, the Rev Chris Newlands, to take the ceremony.

Fr Codling says he felt that they thought he was being difficult.

Faced with having to officiate at weddings he suspected to be sham, he began to interrupt ceremonies and escort couples from the building when he was convinced they were bogus. He was verbally abused as a result and on one occasion Nigerians broke into his house and confronted his wife. She had a rape alarm installed by their front door. He called his local bishop, the Rt Rev Laurie Green, the Bishop of Bradwell, but was dismayed by the response.

"I was given the impression they were thoroughly disinterested in what I was saying. I expected a lot of support considering what we were going through, but he said he didn't have time to listen to my stories."

Instead of receiving backing from the diocese, when he finally did receive a personal visit from the Ven David Lowman, the archdeacon of Southend, he says he was threatened with disciplinary action if he continued to refuse to conduct marriages.

"It left me in a really terrible position because it meant that I had to stand in front of these couples in church conducting marriages I knew were unlikely to be genuine," he said.

Despairing at the lack of support from the Church and growing increasingly anxious that he could be arrested like other clergy caught conducting sham marriages, he turned to the UK Border Agency. In August, staff from the agency arrested a couple. Since the raid there has been a noticeable drop in applications to marry at the church.

COMMENT: I wonder how much the bishops and archdeacons would have bent over backwards to get these foreign nationals their welfare payouts if the diocese didn't take a pile of cash every time a couple gets married in one of their churches. And, I would point out, the parish priest gets nothing for conducting weddings.

UPDATE ON A DOORMAN (THE PEOPLE'S) PRIEST

From Jack Parkes:

Greetings,

Without wanting to be (too) self-indulgent here, I thought I'd let you know how things currently are with me.

I went back to St. Luke's last Sunday following the principle of getting back on the bike you've just fallen off sooner rather than later. It was good to be back in that worshipping community and a number of folk greeted me with hugs and a number of whispered conversations of support and incredulity. "Please don't leave us. It would be our loss".

I returned this week for my final service as Lay Minister where I led the service and preached in the absence of any clergy. It felt right to be there but ironic that I was fulfilling this function in a relaxed, natural and more than competent way - or so it felt to me - for the last time. I am not sure how many members of the congregation realised that, but the feedback was very positive and encouraging. It will, indeed, be their loss. I don't write this to big myself up, and I recognise how self-centred that last sentence might sound, but because I was at ease in the role: this is what I do. It's what I've been trained for and it's what I'm good at and I felt confirmed in that ministry again today.

I'd not been to church much since before Christmas but I had been to All Hallows a couple of times with Rachel and Anna. On both occasions I was asked to administer the chalice which I saw a real desire to recognise my calling by that community and their determination to stand in solidarity with me. In this Anglican Church the congregation have been more vocal and more proactively supportive of me. It almost feels as if this group wish to see a resolution and a good outcome more than the folk at St. Luke's. I don't think it is that, though: at All Hallows there is a greater sense of possibilities and new beginnings - not just within that congregation but within Anglicanism itself.

I have been lucky of late. I have eaten so much curry and chicken salad, and drunk so much beer with good clergy friends that I might just burst. The level of support and quality advice has been wonderful and I have been privileged to have been in such good and wise company. In addition I have been reading the wonderful range of advice, comment and discussion which has appeared on my friend's blog relating to my recent experience - something in the region of 122 comments all told: all valued, all helpful and many incredibly perceptive. If you made any contribution to those comment threads I thank you too for your kindness, your concern and your support. I have passed those on to my former church authorities. I know this will probably be interpreted as mischief making but I felt there was material in there that needed to be heard and reflected upon.

I have also taken the step of exercising my right under Section 7 of the Data Protection Act in requesting copies of all material held about me by the LCiGB. It may be a pyrrhic victory to discover that the balance in my references, reports and testimonials is positive and in my favour but as that is the only sort of victory available to me at present I'll be happy to take it.

I have reached the stage where if it were to transpire that my journey into ministry should remain stalled at this point, I could live with it. The journey has most certainly not been wasted.

I do find it difficult, though, to believe that my journey into ministry is to come to this abrupt end. I can not conceive of why God would have brought me this far only for His will to be (admittedly, as I see it) thwarted by men and women. This hiatus does seem to be an unnaturally abrupt interruption of the natural rhythms of ministerial formation thus far.

Going back to my leaving of All Hallows to seek my spiritual fortune, so to speak, around 2001/2002; to my growing sense of a call to ordained ministry; through James Barnett's motivating sermon in 2005 that spurred me into action; via my return to the Lutherans; a validation of my sense of calling; talking in hushed tones to Gerard Aylward in the back of a coach on the way back from the BBC studios so that I could actually hear myself say it all out loud; through two years on the Yorkshire Ministry Course and a fabulous parish placement in Tallinn; imbedding in the lovely community at St. Luke's; through graduation; a period of Lay Curacy and "time of reflection"; through continuing IME and additional Lutheran theological training and finally to a successful navigation of my Final Examination with the Lutherans. God has brought me to this point only to say "No"? I don't think so.

I don't know what the future holds but I am quite buoyed and have a sense of anticipation at what God might do next.

I appreciate having been upheld in prayer but when you think of me be reassured that am in good mental and spiritual health. I think the Lord has work for me to do yet. Keep praying, please, that between us we figure it out!

With Much Love

Jack

Jack blogs as "Sir" at WHY DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS, SIR?
Please over to his place and let him know you give a shit.

WITH ALL YOUR SOUL - THE PODCAST (6)

You know, even though I say so myself,
it's a mighty fine podcast this week.

Double click, or whatever, on MP3 File above to download audio file or click on the play arrow to stream.

This podacst can be downloaded from iTunes by clicking HERE and then clicking on "View In iTunes." 

MP3 File

When You're Young And In Love - The Marvelettes
Seven Days Too Long - Chuck Wood
Night Owl - Bobby Paris
You Threw A Lucky Punch - Fay Jones
Beaver - Clarence Armstrong
Banana Peels - Johnny Otis
I Got You - Dw3 Featuring Gerald Albright
You - The Styles
My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) - Kiki Dee
L'Amore Verra - The Supremes
Do What You Gotta Do - The Four Tops
All I Need Is You - David Sanborn
Let It Flow - Grover Washington Jr.
Miracles - Levon Solo
Will You Be Ready? - Maxayn
Stay For A While - Loralee Christensen
A Shell Of A Woman - Doris Allen
The Dark End Of The Street - James Carr
Don't It Make You Feel Funky - Joe Hicks
Manifesto - Case Of Tyme
Purple Haze - Johnny Jones And The King Casuals
It's Summer In New York! - Alvin Alexander
Jazzman - The Counts
Central-Funk Park - L.e.d Collective
It's A Man's World - Mary Ann Fisher
Your Key Don't Fit It Anymore - Marie ''Queenie'' Lyons
It's A Man's Man's Man's World - Leela James
Lets Party - Alex Williams
Bababa - WUPA
You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too - Brenda Taylor
Stay With Me - Lorraine Ellison

GRANDMÈRE MIMI - THE DOCUMENTARY

DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST,BLAME THEMETHATISME

CAPTION COMPETITION

If you are like me and live with a dog that walks all over you, I am sure you will empathise with the gentleman in this photo which has been sent in by PseudoPiskie. Get your own back for once by coming up with some really good captions.

THE SOPPY MRS MP SELECTION

WICKED ELLIE STRIKES AGAIN!

MADPRIEST'S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Each diocese should have three bishops - a diocesan and two suffragans.

One suffragan should be the priests' bishop and the other the laity's bishop. The diocesan bishop should keep out of politics and employment stuff and just be all holy and that sort of thing.

LOUD FRIDAY

This one's for serious lovers of the loud only. If you would not be comfortable with Throbbing Gristle, Suicide and The Jesus And Mary Chain coming at you through your headphones all at the same time, don't bother pressing play.

But those of you who have been looking for something a bit louder, dirtier and grungier than Throbbing Gristle, Suicide and The Jesus And Mary Chain coming at you through your headphones all at the same time, TURN IT UP TO ELEVEN!!!





BAND'S MYSPACE PAGE

PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE

DEMOCRACY AS BULLY

From THE MIRROR:

It will soon be illegal to smoke in New York’s Times Square or Central Park. The city will extend its ban from bars and restaurants to lighting up in any of the city’s 1,700 parks, along the coastline and pedestrian areas.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said: “New Yorkers who go to our parks will be able to breathe even cleaner air.”

Democrat Robert Jackson said: “It’s totalitarian.”

COMMENT: And it is totalitarian. But not the totalitarianism of Kim Il-sung and other despots like him. It is a totalitarianism that is becoming increasingly widespread in the so-called democracies of the world. It is happening because there has been a change in the understanding of what democracy is about. Throughout the developed world, but especially in the U.S.A., people are viewing the democratic process as permission for the majority to bully minorities.

There is little difference between this anti-smoking legislation and the overturning of the right for gay couples to marry in certain states. Smoking is being banned because the majority find it unpleasant and believe it is harmful to both the smoker and non-smokers. Same sex marriage is opposed because the majority find it offensive and believe it harmful to society.

I find it ironic that the government of the United States is panicking about the possibility of Northern Africa and the Middle East embracing democracy because this they think will inevitably lead to Muslims oppressing non-Muslims because Muslims will make up the majority of the voters. If countries, such as Egypt, embraced real democracy (a democracy that accepts that the majority has a duty of care towards those sections of society which, because of their numbers, are never part of the majority), then there will be no problems. But, of course, if Egypt embraces democracy as it is currently playing out in the States, then Copts and others might as well pack their bags and get the hell out of the country now. No wonder Obama is so scared, he is viewing the future possibilities from inside the perverted expression of democracy of his own nation.

In any case, this smoking ban is divorced from reality and totally unfair and arbitrary. There are far worse pollutants going into the lungs of New Yorkers everyday than tobacco smoke. From traffic and industrial fumes to overbearing perfume and people farting in crowded subway trains, you can't avoid the stench of city life. Just think of the number of times a vegetarian in New York has to breath in the smell of the cooking flesh of sentient creatures everyday. Of course, under the terms of the new democracy, if vegetarians ever became the majority in New York, there would be no more pastrami on rye, that's for certain.

THE SOPPY JAN SELECTION

This is Gracie who deigns to live with Jan
of the YEARNING FOR GOD blog:

THE PRAYER LIST - 4TH. FEBRUARY 2011

From THE IRISH TIMES:

Authorities in Turkey are investigating after 17 people were killed in two separate explosions in the capital. The blasts shook the same industrial area of Ankara hours apart yesterday. A possible malfunctioning of an oxygen tank is believed to have caused the first explosion, which partly collapsed two storeys of a factory. Rescue workers have so far pulled seven bodies from the rubble. The second blast sparked a huge blaze which engulfed several workshops and raged throughout the night. Ten bodies have been recovered so far.

Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:

The following have been murdered in the New Orleans metro area this week:

1/27 Justin Martin 26 M Shot Orleans
1/27 Dorian Meyers 24 M Shot Orleans
1/28 Terrill Andrews 26 M Shot Orleans
1/28 Joseph Emilien 35 M Shot Orleans
2/2 Information not yet released (killed last night in Gentilly, Male)

Please pray for the victims, their murderers, and their families.

***

From an Australian friend of Ann Fontaine:

Some of the images I have seen on TV tonight are shocking. Tully and Mission Beach look as though they've been hit by a nuclear bomb - almost completely flattened. Trees are just sticks - if not broken in two or knocked over, then stripped of all leaves. Power is out through parts of the North coast, and in some cases will be for weeks. All cities have had some damage, though some dodged the bullet to some extent. Townsville was threatened with running out of water tonight, but I think they will have an eleventh hour repair that might save them.

Sugar cane and banana crops are completely ruined. This area produces 90% of Australia's bananas. The pity is that they had another major cyclone in 2006 which similarly flattened their crops - now it has happened to them again.

There's been more heavy rain behind Yasi, and risks of flash flooding up and down the coast. Now the beast is nearly at Mt Isa, almost 900 km inland, and still a cyclone - amazing. It will turn into a rain depression and go down through the centre. They are even predicting more flooding for Victoria out of this lot - remarkable.

***

From JCF:

I ask your prayers:

At my father's request (more importantly, w/ his $$$), I have applied for health insurance.

I haven't been able to afford it for 5 years . . . and I'm afraid that fact (in itself) may be held against me---to say nothing of my "pre-existing conditions" (although, w/ the passage of the new law, those aren't SUPPOSED to count against me anymore. Y'know, the law that GOP "activist judge" just ruled unconstitutional >:-0).

At any rate (!), I've applied. Here's my limbo notification:

"Thank you for submitting your application for healthcare coverage. Your application is currently under review. We will notify you as soon as possible of acceptance or declination of your application."

Please pray I'm accepted? And that the rates don't send BOTH my dad and me to the homeless camp?

***

Posted at WOUNDED BIRD:

Update on Aileen.

From her husband, Mike:

(Tuesday, February 1, 2011, 8:20 p.m.)

How quickly things can change & change again. Yesterday was good, but at about 3:30 a.m. Aileen stopped breathing due to a "mucus plug" that blocked her airway. Thankfully, the nurse was on the ball enough to call a code on her and they were able to suction out her lungs, get it clear, and she was breathing again fairly quickly. She doesnt seem to have suffered any further permanent damage, but it was a horrible call to receive for sure.

(Wednesday, February 2, 2011, 9:00 p.m.)

Aileen has bounced back incredibly well from what we are going to just call a "speed bump". Today when visiting her, as I was leaving to pick up the boys from school I leaned over to kiss her goodbye and she kissed me back. She actually puckered up and kissed me. Amazing feeling! Later I had Kaleb do the same thing, and he screamed so loud the nurses thought something was wrong, but it was Kaleb saying "Mommy kissed me!"

***

Posted by Themethatisme at CONSCIENTISATION:

E-mails circulated at work on Tuesday...

"As you are aware, the recent Comprehensive Spending Review signalled that funding for public sector activity would reduce. The indicative statements indicate a reduction in income next year of around £3.3 million for Newcastle College. This will result in some staff who work in either Newcastle College or Group Services being placed at risk of redundancy."

This will be the third redundancy process I have been engaged in, during my working life. A long way to go in the settlement of the process but the one thing I can take from previous experience is that I know it's survivable. Yet again I am appalled by the behaviour of those who seem to feel that these occasions are little more than an opportunity to advance their own cause and pursue such skulduggery as to make life more complicated and uncertain for others.

This is a hefty cut. The numbers amount to roughly one in six of the existing staff complement in the FE/HE sector of the college group. It is chilling and difficult for the staff involved.

***

Posted by Tim Lewis at LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES:

There is an empty shop on Main Street.

Leo has eventually packed up his scissors and razors and left. An unwelcome and enforced retirement, but how can a barber compete with the greed and intentions of those who wish to maximize the profits made on their building.

Penolan at MENOPAUSAL STONERS is going through a very stressful time at the moment. She is having to do unpleasant things and it's getting her down.

***

The stress and ultimate disappointment of a recent brush with possible employment has left Viv feeling a bit helpless and got at by fate (a feeling I know only too well). She has posted a "rant" about this at ZEN AND THE ART OF TIGHTROPE WALKING.

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ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MEG AND JACK

The White Stripes would like to announce that today, February 2nd, 2011, their band has officially ended and will make no further new recordings or perform live.

The reason is not due to artistic differences or lack of wanting to continue, nor any health issues as both Meg and Jack are feeling fine and in good health.

It is for a myriad of reasons, but mostly to preserve What is beautiful and special about the band and have it stay that way.

Meg and Jack want to thank every one of their fans and admirers for the incredible support they have given throughout the 13 plus years of the White Stripes’ intense and incredible career.

Third Man Records will continue to put out unreleased live and studio recordings from The White Stripes in their Vault Subscription record club, as well as through regular channels.

Both Meg and Jack hope this decision isn’t met with sorrow by their fans but that it is seen as a positive move done out of respect for the art and music that the band has created. It is also done with the utmost respect to those fans who’ve shared in those creations, with their feelings considered greatly.

With that in mind the band have this to say:

“The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want. The beauty of art and music is that it can last forever if people want it to. Thank you for sharing this experience. Your involvement will never be lost on us and we are truly grateful.”

Sincerely,
Meg and Jack White
The White Stripes



Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

This is truly dreadful and there's a whole album full of stuff equally as bad as this.

I'm giving away 200 days off purgatory to anyone who gets all the way through it, which I will increase to 500 days if you can honestly say that you are a fan of classic, soul music.

I warn you, though. Some of you are going to cry real tears.

HEADLINE OF THE DAY

From CHRISTIAN TODAY:

No, Ted. You're as queer as a nine bob note.

You're in denial because of your belief system.

THE UNDESERVING FAR FROM POOR

From THE INDEPENDENT:

The Department for International Development gave £1.85m to the Foreign Office to help to pay for the costs of Pope Benedict's visit to England and Scotland last September. They insisted that the money for the visit did not come from ring-fenced funds used for overseas aid. However, it admitted it would come out of central funds – used to support DFID projects around the world.

The "somewhat surprising" transfer to the Foreign Office was queried following a detailed investigation of DFID's annual accounts. The committee called on ministers to explain how diverting development cash to subsidise the trip met global aid rules.

Malcolm Bruce, who chairs the international development select committee, said voters would struggle to understand why DFID money was involved. "Many people will be as surprised as we were to discover that UK aid money was used to fund the Pope's visit last year," he said.


Initial figures published in November put the cost to Whitehall departments of the four-day state visit in November at £10m.

THOSE POOR AUSTRALIANS

It will be open air services from now on at this Queensland church thanks to Cyclone Yasi and its storm surge.

Photo from THE HERALD SUN.

"IN THE BACKROOM SHE WAS EVERYBODY'S DARLIN'"

Headline of the day or what?!!!

Oh, it's what I dreamt of as a teenager.

Thanks to Cathy and YFROG for this one.

DIOCESE PLAYS NASTY

From THE BIRMINGHAM MAIL:

A union representing a former Midland vicar seeking damages against the Church of England over claims he was bullied out of his home and job has accused the church of using delaying tactics after his case was adjourned by nine months.

Revd Mark Sharpe, is seeking damages against the church after alleging it failed to provide him with protection from harassment while he was posted at Hanley Broadheath, near Worcester, at the end of 2009. He has claimed that he and his family suffered more than four years of abuse at the hands of parishioners. Incidents included their pet dog being poisoned, car tyres being slashed, central heating oil being stolen and internet and phone connections being cut.

His case against the church was due to be heard at a Birmingham Employment Tribunal this week. But it was adjourned after the church allegedly submitted thousands of pages of legal documentation to Mr Sharpe’s legal team just days before the hearing.

Union spokeswoman Rachael Maskell said: “The church has had nearly three years to make its disclosures in this very serious case, and waited, cynically, to just a few hours before the proceedings to unleash mountains of documents on the tribunal, ensuring that Mark and his lawyers have no time to study these papers. The bishops are not above the law and should be on the side of the oppressed. Delay in such a sensitive case has caused great pain to Mark and his family.”

Sam Setchell, spokeswoman for the Diocese and Bishop of Worcester, called the accusations “highly inaccurate and extremely misleading” and said the tribunal documents were disclosed in good time. She said: “We believe there is no legal basis for this claim."

COMMENT: Well, if a human resources bod at Newcastle Diocese can tell a union rep that any priest who dared to take them to court would never work in the Church of England again, it seems to me that the Church of England is quite capable of being guilty of any amount of cynicism.

They will be claiming victory but they will, in the end, lose everything. Either they are too dumb to realise that such displays of uncharitableness are exactly what has turned fair-minded, good English people off the church or they just don't care because "they're alright, Jack." I fear the latter may be nearest the truth.

DON'T HURRY BACK!

From THE MAIL:

An immigration officer tried to rid himself of his wife by adding her name to a list of terrorist suspects. He used his access to security databases to include his wife on a watch list of people banned from boarding flights into Britain because their presence in the country is 'not conducive to the public good'. As a result the woman was unable for three years to return from Pakistan after travelling to the county to visit family. The tampering went undetected until the immigration officer was selected for promotion and his wife name was found on the suspects' list during a vetting inquiry.

The Home Office confirmed today that the officer has been sacked for gross misconduct.

FOR ELLIE

The above photoshoppie has been brought to you, in part, thanks to the photography department of Aljazeera which, unfortunately, they can't get in most of the U.S.A. because it's been blacked out. In stead, they have that bastion of impartiality, the Fox News Network. Democracy now!

ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE

ST. LAIKA'S: We are incredibly honoured to be able to publish a sermon based on the Candlemas readings written and preached by our good friend, THEMETHATISME. It really is a good one. Go read!

THE ANCHORHOLD: "The Richness Of This Day: Candlemas"

THE PRAYER LIST - 3RD. FEBRUARY 2011

We pray for the many places in the world where there is civil unrest. We pray for those killed and injured, an end to the violence, that peaceful dissent will bring about the changes that are being demanded and that democracy without oppression will be embraced in all the nations.

From ALJAZEERA:

Egyptians in the capital were tense amid fears that renewed clashes could occur between pro-democracy protesters and President Hosni Mubarak's loyalists in the central Tahrir [Liberation] Square on Thursday. Activists in Cairo confirmed that there were more demonstrators – from both sides – on their way to the square.

Car-loads of regime loyalists were reportedly headed towards Tahrir Square, the epicentre of the demonstrations. They seemed organised and commanded by ringleaders, Al Jazeera correspondents observed. This came after heavy gunfire aimed at pro-democracy demonstrators left seven people dead early on Thursday morning, according to local doctors. The government puts the figure at five deaths, but confirmed that about 800 people have been injured.

Violent clashes began on Wednesday when Mubarak's supporters charged into Tahrir Square, clashing with the pro-democracy demonstrators gathered there for days. Pro-democracy protesters began to defend themselves as camel and horse riding men forcefully barrelled their way into the square, which had been peaceful for more than a week. A bloody clash ensued as the assailing men used knives, clubs and other weapons.

From THE FINANCIAL TIMES:

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of the Yemeni capital Sana’a in what the opposition have dubbed a “day of rage” against the president, Ali Abdullah Saleh. Government supporters also rallied in Sana’a on Thursday, and their demonstration was estimated by some eyewitnesses to be even bigger than the opposition’s.

As of mid-morning, the atmosphere was peaceful, in spite of warnings by the pro-government press that demonstrations would bring about chaos.

From THE WASHINGTON POST:

An independent doctors group says political violence in Zimbabwe has left at least three people hospitalized. Armed riot police on Wednesday sealed off the downtown offices of the Harare City Council as it was besieged by mobs chanting slogans of longtime President Robert Mugabe's party, witnesses said. Council staff fled the building.

Activists say Zimbabwe is already seeing a surge in political violence and intimidation as the government prepares for national elections even though a date for the vote has not even been set.

***

From AFP:

Haitians were left waiting Thursday for promised presidential poll results set to determine who will qualify for the election run-off, as officials failed to release the outcome. As of 2:30 am (0730 GMT) Thursday, reporters were waiting at a planned press conference, but no results had been released.

Meanwhile, international security forces were gearing up for renewed unrest.

***

Posted at DIOBETH NEWSPIN:

Pray for our young men and women who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families:

Joshua R. Campbell, 22
Shawn A. Muhr, 26
Omar Soltero, 28
Anthony Venetz Jr., 30
Leslie D. Williams, 36

Pray also for the fallen heroes also of our coalition partners, and for the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan who have died, unnamed and unknown to us, and for those who mourn ... and for an end to this endless war.

***

Cathy brings this story to us because it has been very much on her heart since she read it.

From THE RSPCA:

We received a call about a colt (young male horse) seen collapsed by the gate of a field in Thameside in Chertsey, Surrey, at 9.50am on Wednesday, 26 January. But when RSPCA Inspector Nicky Thorne arrived at the field near Chertsey lock only 20 minutes later, there appeared to be no sign of a sick pony in the field, only some other equines. A witness said the foal was now down at the other end of the field after two people had driven onto the land in a small black car. They had tied the animal's front legs together with a strap, attached the strap to the car and dragged the foal some 600 yards, leaving him out of sight of the road.

Inspector Thorne said, "When I heard about the foal being dragged I expected to see a dead body, but nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see, even after years in this job. There was a tarpaulin which was covered in logs and stones, and as I pulled it back there was a pony, weak, barely alive and terrified, just dumped under a plastic sheet and left to die in the dark with his front legs strapped together and his head twisted around over his back where it had flopped as he was dragged, and he was too weak to move it back to a comfortable position himself."

The RSPCA and the fire service carried the young black-and-white colt, named Babe by RSPCA officers because he was so young and sweet, to a horse lorry and he was taken to nearby veterinary stables for treatment. But sadly, despite this valiant effort to save the young pony, he could hang on no longer and he died soon after he arrived there. A post mortem examination of the six-month-old pony revealed he had bad diarrhoea and was dehydrated and underweight with a very heavy worm problem.

Cathy has sent in the following prayer by Albert Schweitzer to accompany this story.

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals, especially for those who are suffering; for animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all the wistful creatures in captivity, that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted, or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death. We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity, and for those who deal with them, we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words. Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals and so to share the blessings of the Merciful.

THANKSGIVINGS

Posted by Shelly at MAYBETHINKING:

Life is good. Back in the summer I never thought this day would come. But today I scheduled the yearly payment for my long term care policy with funds from my regular checking account. No dipping into savings. I made enough this year to pay it proper. Next month I'll complete the process of replacing the last of my baby teeth with an implant. Paid out of my pocket-again, no dipping into my savings. I have two great clients for my marketing consulting business. I enjoy working with them and am thankful every day. In a week I'll celebrate the 16 month anniversary of my last cigarette. In the late spring I joined Planet Fitness. Today I'm no longer obese and a little over a third of the way to my goal weight. Last week I used a Groupon-like offer and bought 12 visits at Body Business for $30. Today I swam laps for the first time in 15 years. In November I took advantage of the City's no-interest financing, and the federal government rebate program, and got a new heating and air conditioning system for my house. I'm toasty.

***

Posted by Diana at THE KITCHEN DOOR:

Dave got a new job -hooray! We're very excited about this, as he'd been feeling ready to move on from the old one for a while. We'd been expecting a new job to also mean relocation, and it won't.

***

From REUTERS:

Australians voiced relief and surprise after one of the world's most powerful cyclones spared the nation's northeast coast from expected devastation on Thursday, with no reported deaths despite winds tearing off roofs and toppling trees.

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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER, I SUPPOSE

My server is still messing me about. It's behaving erratically and is taking forever to upload files. But I have, at long last, managed to get it to upload the Eucharist for Candlemas which should have been available to you all yesterday. Even though it is a bit redundant now you might like to listen to it just for the music, which is rather good. There's even a Kate Rusby track.

You can stream or download it from the ST. LAIKA'S page.

BLOG NOTICE

I spent hours today putting together a lovely service for Candlemas and my server has been down all evening. So, I haven't been able to post it. I'm really annoyed and I'm going to bed now in a right grotty mood.

GIVE TILL IT TICKLES!

Due to your amazing and gratefully received generosity, my January appeal raised $549.45.

It is becoming increasingly likely that my ministry will be mainly through St. Laika's and OCICBW... which will rely on your continued generosity, with the rest of the money I need to live on coming from part time work. I would prefer this to be church related, but I am not that hopeful that it will turn out that way. I expect I'll "wind up working in a gas station" or something like that. At the moment, and this is the main reason for me being busy elsewhere, Mrs MP is working on something that will be a big, and irreversible, step towards realising this plan (more details to follow when things are sorted).

However, I am still unemployed and it's the beginning of the month, which means it's "pay the bills" time. So, if, and only if, you have some cash to spare, please consider making a one-off donation or, if you are one of the few people in the world not facing imminent redundancy, perhaps you might consider signing up to OCICBW...'s attractive subscription plan.

Anyway, here's the usual blurb:

The administrator of this site is the Reverend Jonathan Hagger (a.k.a. MadPriest). He is an ordained Church of England priest but he receives no salary from any church or any other employer.
At present his ministry consists entirely of his work at St. Laika's and OCICBW...

However, he likes to eat occasionally and his blogs cost quite a bit of money to run. So, in true Anglican style a collection plate is being made available for your donations (via PayPal).

You do not need to have a PayPal account to subscribe or donate via the buttons below.

Option 1 : £5.00GBP - monthly Option 2 : £10.00GBP - monthly Option 3 : £15.00GBP - monthly Option 4 : £20.00GBP - monthly Option 5 : £25.00GBP - monthly Option 6 : £50.00GBP - monthly Option 7 : £75.00GBP - monthly Option 8 : £100.00GBP - monthly Option 9 : £30.00GBP - monthly

Another way to help Jonathan is to buy Amazon products via his Amazon shop. Details of how to do this can be found in the right hand sidebar.

MAD DAD MAKES UP FOR ALLHIS NON-PC BLONDE JOKES

A typical bloke, having split from his latest girlfriend, decided to take a holiday. He booked himself on a cruise and proceeded to have the time of his life, that is, until the ship sank. He found himself on an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing, only bananas and coconuts. After about four months, he is lying on the beach one day when the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to the shore.

In disbelief, he asks, 'Where did you come from? How did you get here?'

She replies, 'I rowed from the other side of the island. I landed here when my cruise ship sank.'

'Amazing,' he notes. 'You were really lucky to have a row boat wash up with you.'

'Oh, this thing?' explains the woman. 'I made the boat out of raw material I found on the island. The oars were whittled from gum tree branches. I wove the bottom from palm branches, and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus tree.'

'But, where did you get the tools?" the man asks.

'Oh, that was no problem,' replied the woman. 'On the south side of the island, a very unusual stratum of alluvial rock is exposed. I found if I fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it melted into ductile iron. I used that for tools and used the tools to make the hardware.’

The guy is stunned.

'Let's row over to my place,' she says.

After half an hour of rowing, she docks the boat at a small wharf. As the man looks to shore, he nearly falls off the boat. Before him is stone walk leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. While the woman ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man can only stare ahead, dumb struck.

As they walk into the house, she says casually, 'It's not much but I call it home. Sit down, please. Would you like a drink?'

'No! No thank you,' he blurts out, still dazed. 'I can't take another drop of coconut juice.'

'It's not coconut juice,' winks the woman. 'I have a still. How would you like a Pina Colada?'

Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepts, and they sit down on her couch to talk. After they have exchanged their stories, the woman announces, 'I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to take a shower and shave? There is a razor upstairs in the bathroom cabinet.'

No longer questioning anything, the man goes into the bathroom. There, in the cabinet, a razor made from a piece of tortoise bone. Two shells honed to a hollow ground edge are fastened on to its end inside a swivel mechanism.

'This woman is amazing,' he muses. 'What next?'

When he returns, she greets him wearing nothing but vines, strategically positioned, and smelling faintly of gardenias. She beckons for him to sit down next to her.’

‘Tell me,' she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him, 'We've been out here for many months. You've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing for?'

She stares into his eyes.

He swallows excitedly and tears start to form in his eyes.

"Friging hell," he says. "Don't tell me you've got Sky Sports as well!"

KIWI P.M. LANDS HIMSELF IN "HOT" WATER

From THE TELEGRAPH:

John Key, New Zealand's prime minister, has been criticised after describing the British actress Liz Hurley as "hot". Speaking during an interview on Radio Sport, he listed Hurley among his celebrity crushes.

Asked if he would like to be like the Australian cricketer Shane Warne, the New Zealand prime minister, said: "Yeah, well, given, his current liaisons with Liz Hurley. I like Liz Hurley, actually. I reckon she is hot."

He also listed Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie on his "hot" list.

Sue Kedgley, a human rights campaigner, told The Daily Mail: "It's a bit stereotypical and rather odd coming from a prime minister. They do seem a little bit 1960s comments, rather than what you would expect in the 21st century."

CAPTION COMPETITION

Here is a photo of Sue Kedgley with her Green Party colleague, Keith Locke.

Suggested captions should fully reflect the fact that OCICBW... is well stuck in the 1960s when it comes to eye candy, but well up to date in its laissez-faire attitude towards the sex of the person being gawped at.

Sue Kedgley is on the left in the photo.