From THE TELEGRAPH:
Dr Rowan Williams has refused to be drawn on the issue publicly, but has broken his silence to tell MPs he is not prepared for the Coalition to tell the Church how to behave. He told a private meeting of influential politicians that the Church of England would not bow to public pressure to allow its buildings to be used to conduct same-sex civil partnerships.
COMMENT: Rowan Williams is an academic. He writes books. I have never met an academic or an author who does not want to be remembered, to be referred to in books yet to be written.
But, perhaps, Williams is the exception that proves the rule. Perhaps he does not want to be remembered.
It doesn't matter. Because he is going to be remembered and is going to be in a lot of the future's history books.
My two favourite history books are "The Victorian Church" (vols. 1 and 2) by Owen Chadwick and "A History of English Christianity 1920 - 1990" by Adrian Hastings. Both these works are full of heroes, villains, those who were right and those who got it incredibly wrong. Williams will already know that he will go down in history as one of the latter. He knows that one day, relatively soon, same sex couples will be getting married in church in the same way that women have the vote and you can't discriminate against black people at work. He knows that a future archbishop of Canterbury will publicly apologise for the pain he, and his precious Church, caused LGBT people over so many years just as he has apologised for the slave trade and the pope has apologised to the scientists his church persecuted over the centuries. He knows all this, so his sacrifice of his own reputation is deliberate.
Maybe he thinks his is a Christlike sacrifice.
But Jesus made his sacrifice so that others might live. Williams' sacrifice, albeit not his intention, is the opposite. Jesus became one with those who suffer. Williams has declared himself to be one with those who persecute. Jesus sought unity through love. Williams seeks unity through law.
There is nothing Christlike in expediency. There is no worth in sacrificing oneself for a mere concept. In fact, such a sacrifice becomes abhorrent when it requires the sacrifice of human beings.
We will remember him.
Saturday, 26 February 2011
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL - THE PODCAST (8)
I'm still in a bit of a grumpy mood so I don't exactly sparkle on this podcast. But the music is GREAT!
Double click, or whatever, on MP3 File below to download audio file or click on the play arrow to stream.
This podcast can be downloaded from iTunes by clicking HERE and then clicking on "View In iTunes."
MP3 File
OUT ON THE FLOOR - DOBIE GRAY
STAY - THE VIRGINIA WOLVES
IT AIN'T NECESSARY - MAMIE GALORE
LET'S HAVE A GOOD TIME - LILLO THOMAS
GET AROUND - ANTHONY DAVID
LAZY HAZY SUNDAY AFTERNOON - ROY HAMILTON
(FALLIN' LIKE) DOMINOES (LIVE) - DONALD BYRD
CHICAGO FALCON - THE BUDOS BAND
TEQUILA - CUBISMO
TALKING 2 MYSELF - KADIJA KAMARA
PUT IT ALL DOWN - N.COLE
WAITIN'SO LONG - NICK PRIDE AND THE PIMPTONES (FEATURING JESS ROBERTS)
BIG BOSS LINE - JACKIE WILSON
COAL MINER - NAPPY BROWN
LET YOUR HAIR DOWN - ARTHUR K. ADAMS
NEVER BEEN FORSAKEN - GLORIA LARSON
WHAT DOES IT TAKE (TO WIN YOUR LOVE) - DON BYRON
GRAVESTONES - HUNDRED STRONG JOSEPH MAILK
PIECE OF INDEPENDENCE - CO CO BROWN (FEATURING SAUNDERS SERMONS)
WE ALMOST LOST DETROIT (THE PEOPLE) - GIL SCOTT-HERON AND BRIAN JACKSON
STAND BY ME - TONY LINDSAY
I NEED A DOLLAR - ALLEN BLOCK
STILL IN LOVE - ROLAND JOHNSON
BOK TO BACH - FATHER'S ANGELS
COMING HOME - SOUTHWIND SYMPHONY
SLICED TOMATOES - JUST BROTHERS
RISING UP - FERRY ULTRA (FEATURING ANN SEXTON)
DON'T STOP DOIN WHATCHA DOIN - JEAN CARNE
A LOVE LIKE YOURS (DON'T COME KNOCKING EVERYDAY) - KIM WESTON
B-A-B-Y - CARLA THOMAS
THINGS GET BETTER - EDDIE FLOYD
I'M ON MY WAY - DEAN PARRISH
Friday, 25 February 2011
AMAZING RECORD SLEEVES OF ALL TIME
COMING SOON:
The Hawaii 5-0 Praise Team
sing the "Best of Graham Kendrick."
ISRAELI GOVERNMENT PROVES TUTU RIGHT
Israel is an apartheid state. They are obviously not ashamed of this fact so why do their supporters abroad make such a fuss when somebody, like Desmond Tutu, brings it up in conversation?
From ASIANNEWS.IT:
Israel’s Interior Ministry has revoked the permit for the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, The Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, to live in Jerusalem, and has refused requests to reinstate it, in spite of protests by Anglican authorities in the West specifically the United States.
The Bishop is a native of the Holy Land and has spent most of his life and ministry here, but cannot obtain either citizenship or legal residence in Israel, since he was born in Nablus, i.e. in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, but has not been annexed to Israel. East Jerusalem, on the other hand, where the Anglican Cathedral and Diocesan offices are situated, was also occupied at the same time, but Israel annexed it and considers it part of its national territory (although no other country in the world recognizes this annexation). Therefore, Bishop Dawani is considered by Israel to be a foreigner who can only visit – let alone live in – East Jerusalem with a special permit, which the Israeli authorities can either grant or deny at their sole discretion. In fact, even the original Palestinian inhabitants of East Jerusalem, and their descendants, are considered by Israel to be foreigners who are no more than possessors of a residence permit, which Israel can revoke.
Since the Bishop has of course remained at his post, in Jerusalem, without the permit, he could be arrested at any moment, be put on trial for being in Israel illegally, be sentenced to a prison term – or simply be forcibly removed from Jerusalem.
From ASIANNEWS.IT:
Israel’s Interior Ministry has revoked the permit for the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, The Rt Revd Suheil Dawani, to live in Jerusalem, and has refused requests to reinstate it, in spite of protests by Anglican authorities in the West specifically the United States.
The Bishop is a native of the Holy Land and has spent most of his life and ministry here, but cannot obtain either citizenship or legal residence in Israel, since he was born in Nablus, i.e. in the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967, but has not been annexed to Israel. East Jerusalem, on the other hand, where the Anglican Cathedral and Diocesan offices are situated, was also occupied at the same time, but Israel annexed it and considers it part of its national territory (although no other country in the world recognizes this annexation). Therefore, Bishop Dawani is considered by Israel to be a foreigner who can only visit – let alone live in – East Jerusalem with a special permit, which the Israeli authorities can either grant or deny at their sole discretion. In fact, even the original Palestinian inhabitants of East Jerusalem, and their descendants, are considered by Israel to be foreigners who are no more than possessors of a residence permit, which Israel can revoke.
Since the Bishop has of course remained at his post, in Jerusalem, without the permit, he could be arrested at any moment, be put on trial for being in Israel illegally, be sentenced to a prison term – or simply be forcibly removed from Jerusalem.
I'M CONFUSED, BISHOP (2)
From CATHNEWS (India):
Christians have a mission to transform society and this includes transforming the Church, a Malaysian Anglican bishop says.
“Within the Church itself, we face challenges - people can be from two extremes,” Bishop Andrew Phang said at the Anglican Church’s second South East Asia Provincial Gathering held February 22-24 in Penang.
Elaborating on the gathering’s theme, “Rising Above the Storms,” he said within the Church there is a cold and orthodox group which refuses to have anything to do with society or politics. At the same time, there are “liberals” who pick some scripture and act on it. They base their actions on their emotions even if the act is wrong.
COMMENT: Erm, no. They base their actions on the scripture - you just said it yourself. Really, I expect inconsistency from our leaders but contradicting yourself within a couple of short sentences is taking the art of bishopspeak to new extremes.
Unless, of course, that Bishop Phang, is saying that the words of Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospels are downright "wrong." Surely not!
Christians have a mission to transform society and this includes transforming the Church, a Malaysian Anglican bishop says.
“Within the Church itself, we face challenges - people can be from two extremes,” Bishop Andrew Phang said at the Anglican Church’s second South East Asia Provincial Gathering held February 22-24 in Penang.
Elaborating on the gathering’s theme, “Rising Above the Storms,” he said within the Church there is a cold and orthodox group which refuses to have anything to do with society or politics. At the same time, there are “liberals” who pick some scripture and act on it. They base their actions on their emotions even if the act is wrong.
COMMENT: Erm, no. They base their actions on the scripture - you just said it yourself. Really, I expect inconsistency from our leaders but contradicting yourself within a couple of short sentences is taking the art of bishopspeak to new extremes.
Unless, of course, that Bishop Phang, is saying that the words of Jesus Christ in the Holy Gospels are downright "wrong." Surely not!
OBITUARY FOR A SAINT AND FRIEND
From our longstanding friend, Strangelove:
Hi Jonathan. I am writing to see if you can use this letter-essay Elaine wrote to the son of her 95-year-old nanny-mentor-friend, Dorothy Polk, whom people called Doss. Doss passed away last Friday and we are going to her funeral in Elaine's home town on Saturday. She was the very best of the old-school black women who took no guff but raised their kids, and others, with love and the kind of discipline that set them on the right path. Elaine wrote this in an hour, and I cannot find a word that could be changed. I think it says a great deal about the bonds formed in childhood and where they lead. I'm biased, yes, but I'm also a writer and this is better than anything I've done. Bubba was one of Doss's two sons, Henry was the other. The rest is self-expanatory. Best wishes, Strangelove.
Hi Jonathan. I am writing to see if you can use this letter-essay Elaine wrote to the son of her 95-year-old nanny-mentor-friend, Dorothy Polk, whom people called Doss. Doss passed away last Friday and we are going to her funeral in Elaine's home town on Saturday. She was the very best of the old-school black women who took no guff but raised their kids, and others, with love and the kind of discipline that set them on the right path. Elaine wrote this in an hour, and I cannot find a word that could be changed. I think it says a great deal about the bonds formed in childhood and where they lead. I'm biased, yes, but I'm also a writer and this is better than anything I've done. Bubba was one of Doss's two sons, Henry was the other. The rest is self-expanatory. Best wishes, Strangelove.
A Letter to Doss
Hi, Bubba,
It says in the Book of Common Prayer, "Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon her." I think that the second part of this blessing is more likely than the first for this very new saint. St. Therese of Lisieux said that we'll be busy in heaven, and I'm sure that Doss already is. She used to joke about how she minded everybody's business, and I hope that she'll continue to mind ours. She'll be with us in spirit and memory, inspiring and encouraging us, and occasionally giving a kick in the backside to us when we need it.
"Grateful" doesn't come close to describing how I feel about having been a part of her life. She was intelligent, wise, strong, and full of love and joy. No one could be around her without feeling that it was time for us to "go and do likewise," as Jesus says about the Good Samaritan. Her life was not easy, but a rock solid and joyous faith were at her core, and her sense of humor was as sharp as it was deep. Whenever I was going through sad times, wherever Doss was became my "laughin' place," and you and Henry were a big part of this. She loved and enjoyed you both so much, and she loved to tell about what you were doing. Whenever I asked her to "tell me a Bubba and Henry story," she would relate your latest exploits, and we would both laugh and feel better.
She loved to learn, from people and life as well as books. When she first went to work (temporarily, she thought) for my parents, she wasn't sure how things would work out. Mother seemed very serious, and Doss was at the point of giving her notice when Mother baked a cake but left out the baking powder. It was a mess, of course, and Mother sat down on the kitchen floor and laughed hysterically at the debacle on the counter. Doss then decided that Mother had a sense of humor after all, and maybe they could work together. When they were discussing the terms of their arrangement, Mother asked Doss, "What do you want?" Doss answered, "Talk to me. I'm married, I have a young child, and I need to help support my family. I don't have the time to go to school, but you've been to college. Talk to me and tell me what you've learned." They continued to talk for over thirty years, and the learning was mutual, as was the love. I heard them both say, more than once, "She was the sister I never had."
Doss had pride and dignity, and her very presence inspired respect. As a kid, testing the limits, I tried being a wise aleck to her. Once. Just once. Without raising her voice or saying many words, she set me straight. Now, whenever I encounter the words in the baptismal vows, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?" I think of Doss, and I understand what the Book of Common Prayer is talking about.
I could go on and on, about her wonderful stories about growing up in Gonzales, her seemingly limitless patience (not only with the Polk and Perkins kids, but also with her incredibly fine crochet work), her virtuosity in the kitchen (those delicious lemon and chocolate pies with the beautiful amber beads that formed on the meringue the day after they were baked), and much more. She is an inexhaustible topic, and we'll remember her with love and delight until we're called to be where she is. I know she'll be right there to meet us, smiling and with her arms open wide, and she'll say, "Oh, baby, I'm so glad to see you! You're going to love it here, and we have so much to do! We need to get started right away."
Love, Elaine
It says in the Book of Common Prayer, "Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon her." I think that the second part of this blessing is more likely than the first for this very new saint. St. Therese of Lisieux said that we'll be busy in heaven, and I'm sure that Doss already is. She used to joke about how she minded everybody's business, and I hope that she'll continue to mind ours. She'll be with us in spirit and memory, inspiring and encouraging us, and occasionally giving a kick in the backside to us when we need it.
"Grateful" doesn't come close to describing how I feel about having been a part of her life. She was intelligent, wise, strong, and full of love and joy. No one could be around her without feeling that it was time for us to "go and do likewise," as Jesus says about the Good Samaritan. Her life was not easy, but a rock solid and joyous faith were at her core, and her sense of humor was as sharp as it was deep. Whenever I was going through sad times, wherever Doss was became my "laughin' place," and you and Henry were a big part of this. She loved and enjoyed you both so much, and she loved to tell about what you were doing. Whenever I asked her to "tell me a Bubba and Henry story," she would relate your latest exploits, and we would both laugh and feel better.
She loved to learn, from people and life as well as books. When she first went to work (temporarily, she thought) for my parents, she wasn't sure how things would work out. Mother seemed very serious, and Doss was at the point of giving her notice when Mother baked a cake but left out the baking powder. It was a mess, of course, and Mother sat down on the kitchen floor and laughed hysterically at the debacle on the counter. Doss then decided that Mother had a sense of humor after all, and maybe they could work together. When they were discussing the terms of their arrangement, Mother asked Doss, "What do you want?" Doss answered, "Talk to me. I'm married, I have a young child, and I need to help support my family. I don't have the time to go to school, but you've been to college. Talk to me and tell me what you've learned." They continued to talk for over thirty years, and the learning was mutual, as was the love. I heard them both say, more than once, "She was the sister I never had."
Doss had pride and dignity, and her very presence inspired respect. As a kid, testing the limits, I tried being a wise aleck to her. Once. Just once. Without raising her voice or saying many words, she set me straight. Now, whenever I encounter the words in the baptismal vows, "Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?" I think of Doss, and I understand what the Book of Common Prayer is talking about.
I could go on and on, about her wonderful stories about growing up in Gonzales, her seemingly limitless patience (not only with the Polk and Perkins kids, but also with her incredibly fine crochet work), her virtuosity in the kitchen (those delicious lemon and chocolate pies with the beautiful amber beads that formed on the meringue the day after they were baked), and much more. She is an inexhaustible topic, and we'll remember her with love and delight until we're called to be where she is. I know she'll be right there to meet us, smiling and with her arms open wide, and she'll say, "Oh, baby, I'm so glad to see you! You're going to love it here, and we have so much to do! We need to get started right away."
Love, Elaine
MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND
Things are getting a bit tasty at work and one's activism is being noticed and scrutinised. Information came to me this morning indicating that various bits of my blog had been commented upon in high places. So...I'm on clampdown for a while until we know what is happening here. If you could post a brief notice on Chin Wag to this effect I will be grateful, then people will at least understand my lack of presence. In a few weeks I'll allow a select few have access, that I can trust not to share anything elsewhere.
COMMENT: "Take the bastards down," comrade!
We're all right behind you.
Full details at CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
Details of how to access CHIN WAG
can be found in the right hand sidebar.
COMMENT: "Take the bastards down," comrade!
We're all right behind you.
Full details at CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...
Details of how to access CHIN WAG
can be found in the right hand sidebar.
THE SOPPY POOR, PUT-UPON TOM SELECTION
Due to Grandmère Mimi's shopping addiction and nights at the casino, her long suffering husband, Tom, has decided to take up ventriloquism to earn some extra cash. Of course, you need a gimmick to get yourself known in such work and so Tom has decided to forego the customary doll and use a live animal in stead.
I must say, it looks like canine abuse to me. But Mimi's daughter's Maltese, Gino, doesn't appear to be in too much discomfort.
I must say, it looks like canine abuse to me. But Mimi's daughter's Maltese, Gino, doesn't appear to be in too much discomfort.
LOUD FRIDAY - "COME THE REVOLUTION" SPECIAL
From David Virtue's Bounteous Bosom:
I don't know if the news there is covering the story of the labor demonstrations in Wisconsin, but it's amazing stuff. It looks like Americans might finally be standing up to the oligarchy again.
Anyway, the Dropkick Murphys have put out a little song in honor of the protest. I think you will enjoy it.
Of course the bloggers and media commentators of the American right wing (you know, the people who persuaded that young man to go and kill all those people in Tucson the other month) are complaining that it is a call to violence. If you take it literally then it is and OCICBW... does not condone the use of violence in such situations. So, dear readers, please take the lyrics of the song metaphorically and "take the bastards down" by peaceful protest and with your God endorsed cries for justice.
BAND'S WEBSITE
Limited edition t.shirts can be purchased HERE.
Sales will benefit the
WORKERS' RIGHTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND.
And gird your loins and prepare for battle with this call to (metaphorical) arms sent in by our comrade, Red Dennis.
ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE
ST. LAIKA'S: A service of daily prayer taken from "The Book of Common Prayer." The service has been compiled around the theme of "mercy," - God's mercy towards us and our mercy towards others. The music during the service is, as always, either gorgeous or interesting and sometimes even both.
Look, you don't have to kneel down, put your hands together and concentrate on the service all the way through. Each podcast is between twenty minutes and half an hour long, which is a sizeable chunk of your free time if you work for a living (or if you are Grandmère Mimi, who does absolutely nothing all day except enjoy her retirement, but who still complains about the length of the services). Therefore, on behalf of God, as your priest and chief confessor, I give you permission to just have it playing in the background whilst you get on with something else. I would rather that than have all my hard work disappear into the depths of the internet tubes to be eternally ignored.
CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...: Updates on MadPriest, awful jokes and stuff. Details of how to access Chin Wag can be found in the right hand sidebar.
TWITFACE CHIT CHAT: Our weekly open thread. This week's topic is "My Favourite View."
And don't forget The OCICBW... Experience's
OFFICIAL HOME on facebook.
Look, you don't have to kneel down, put your hands together and concentrate on the service all the way through. Each podcast is between twenty minutes and half an hour long, which is a sizeable chunk of your free time if you work for a living (or if you are Grandmère Mimi, who does absolutely nothing all day except enjoy her retirement, but who still complains about the length of the services). Therefore, on behalf of God, as your priest and chief confessor, I give you permission to just have it playing in the background whilst you get on with something else. I would rather that than have all my hard work disappear into the depths of the internet tubes to be eternally ignored.
CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...: Updates on MadPriest, awful jokes and stuff. Details of how to access Chin Wag can be found in the right hand sidebar.
TWITFACE CHIT CHAT: Our weekly open thread. This week's topic is "My Favourite View."
And don't forget The OCICBW... Experience's
OFFICIAL HOME on facebook.
THE PRAYER LIST - 25TH. FEBRUARY 2011
From THE GUARDIAN:
Forty-six people in Zimbabwe have been charged with treason, and some allegedly beaten by police, after watching videos of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia The activists, trade unionists and students were at a meeting on Saturday titled Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia: What lessons can be learnt by Zimbabwe and Africa?, when it was raided by police who seized a video projector, two DVDs and a laptop.
The group was detained in police cells and transferred to a notorious maximum security prison on Wednesday night. Treason can be punishable by death in Zimbabwe.
***
From CBR:
LinkedIn, the networking site for professionals, has been blocked in China after a user posted comments in support of Tunisia's Jasmine revolution spreading to the country.
On 23 February, a LinkedIn user identified as "Jasmine Z" started the "Jasmine Voice" discussion group that was intended to discuss pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. Jasmine Z wrote, "After years of independent thinking, I am becoming a critical dissent dying for democracy, freedom and justice in my homeland."
***
From THE GLOBE AND MAIL:
The Canadian-born Bishop of Christchurch was coughing up mortar dust at the end of the line. Before her lay the rubble of the Christchurch Cathedral, symbol of a city in ruins. Victoria Matthews was ordained inside the historic New Zealand cathedral in 2008. The former Anglican bishop of Edmonton has celebrated Christmases and Easters inside its sanctuary, and visited it nearly every day. Now, she was standing before its toppled spire and scattered stones as crews prepared to start searching for bodies. As many as 22 people, mainly tourists, were believed to have been trapped inside.
“I hope there’s no one, but I suspect I will be wrong,” Bishop Matthews said when reached on her cellphone in central Christchurch. “There are just tons and tons of large stones. It’s almost like an avalanche has come down.”
She paused as the whooshing beat of helicopter blades sounded overhead. “It’s a bit like a war zone here,” she said.
“We used to call the cathedral the heart of the city,” she said, “and we’re now calling it the broken heart of the city.”
***
Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:
Murdered this week in the New Orleans metro area:
2/18 Eric Remee 17 M Shot Orleans
2/18 Guadalupe Martinez 64 M Beaten Orleans (from injuries sustained in 11/3/10 mugging)
2/19 Terrance Dennis 18 M Shot Orleans
2/19 Christopher Jupiter 29 M Shot Orleans
2/20 Warren Turner 27 M Shot Orleans
2/20 Little John Haynes 21 M Shot Orleans
2/20 Sean Simmons 27 M Shot Orleans
2/21 Edwin Canales 41 M Beaten Orleans
2/22 Boris Scott 53 M Shot Orleans
2/22 Christiana Junius 19 F Shot Orleans
Please pray for the victims, their murderers, and their families.
THANKSGIVING
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
Said Musa, the Afghan Christian who was facing the death sentence for converting from Islam, has been released from the prison in Kabul, a Christian persecution watchdog has reported.
"I got confirmation today that he is out of the country," Aidan Clay, of International Christian Concern, told The Christian Post on Thursday.
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.
Forty-six people in Zimbabwe have been charged with treason, and some allegedly beaten by police, after watching videos of the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia The activists, trade unionists and students were at a meeting on Saturday titled Revolt in Egypt and Tunisia: What lessons can be learnt by Zimbabwe and Africa?, when it was raided by police who seized a video projector, two DVDs and a laptop.
The group was detained in police cells and transferred to a notorious maximum security prison on Wednesday night. Treason can be punishable by death in Zimbabwe.
***
From CBR:
LinkedIn, the networking site for professionals, has been blocked in China after a user posted comments in support of Tunisia's Jasmine revolution spreading to the country.
On 23 February, a LinkedIn user identified as "Jasmine Z" started the "Jasmine Voice" discussion group that was intended to discuss pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. Jasmine Z wrote, "After years of independent thinking, I am becoming a critical dissent dying for democracy, freedom and justice in my homeland."
***
From THE GLOBE AND MAIL:
The Canadian-born Bishop of Christchurch was coughing up mortar dust at the end of the line. Before her lay the rubble of the Christchurch Cathedral, symbol of a city in ruins. Victoria Matthews was ordained inside the historic New Zealand cathedral in 2008. The former Anglican bishop of Edmonton has celebrated Christmases and Easters inside its sanctuary, and visited it nearly every day. Now, she was standing before its toppled spire and scattered stones as crews prepared to start searching for bodies. As many as 22 people, mainly tourists, were believed to have been trapped inside.
“I hope there’s no one, but I suspect I will be wrong,” Bishop Matthews said when reached on her cellphone in central Christchurch. “There are just tons and tons of large stones. It’s almost like an avalanche has come down.”
She paused as the whooshing beat of helicopter blades sounded overhead. “It’s a bit like a war zone here,” she said.
“We used to call the cathedral the heart of the city,” she said, “and we’re now calling it the broken heart of the city.”
***
Posted by Ormonde Plater at THROUGH THE DUST:
Murdered this week in the New Orleans metro area:
2/18 Eric Remee 17 M Shot Orleans
2/18 Guadalupe Martinez 64 M Beaten Orleans (from injuries sustained in 11/3/10 mugging)
2/19 Terrance Dennis 18 M Shot Orleans
2/19 Christopher Jupiter 29 M Shot Orleans
2/20 Warren Turner 27 M Shot Orleans
2/20 Little John Haynes 21 M Shot Orleans
2/20 Sean Simmons 27 M Shot Orleans
2/21 Edwin Canales 41 M Beaten Orleans
2/22 Boris Scott 53 M Shot Orleans
2/22 Christiana Junius 19 F Shot Orleans
Please pray for the victims, their murderers, and their families.
THANKSGIVING
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
Said Musa, the Afghan Christian who was facing the death sentence for converting from Islam, has been released from the prison in Kabul, a Christian persecution watchdog has reported.
"I got confirmation today that he is out of the country," Aidan Clay, of International Christian Concern, told The Christian Post on Thursday.
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.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU WED
I have received this leaflet from Church House.
To be honest, I don't particularly like doing weddings. I always come away feeling somewhat used. So I don't think I'm going to take advantage of this course on learning how to make people get married. I expect they've set it up because weddings are a good money-spinner for the dioceses but, in my opinion, it's a tad unethical. Anyway, they've just nicked the idea off the Muslims.
To be honest, I don't particularly like doing weddings. I always come away feeling somewhat used. So I don't think I'm going to take advantage of this course on learning how to make people get married. I expect they've set it up because weddings are a good money-spinner for the dioceses but, in my opinion, it's a tad unethical. Anyway, they've just nicked the idea off the Muslims.
BRITISH HUMANIST ATHEIST ASSOCIATION
TO INSIST ON CHURCHGOING
From CHRISTIAN TODAY:
The BritishHumanist Atheist Association is gearing up for a major advertising campaign calling upon cultural Christians to tick ‘no religion’ in the forthcoming census. From next week, the BHA will be running posters on buses and trains telling the non-religious: “If you’re not religious then for God’s sake say so.”
The 2001 census was the first to ask British people ‘What is your religion?’, although answering was voluntary. Seventy-two per cent of the population in England answered the question by identifying themselves as Christians. The BHA is critical of the question, arguing that it encourages people to identify themselves with a religion even though they may not be practising believers, thereby distorting the numbers who are genuine followers of a particular faith.
COMMENT: Oh, boring, boring, boring.
Everything this group does is negative. Don't do this, don't do that. They're worse than the Roman Catholics and Fundie Protestants put together.
And they're so bloody arrogant. An arrogance that makes them incapable of considering the fact that those people who, by their definition, are not "practicing" Christians could still believe in something divine.
Basically they are coming from the exact same mindset as those in the Church who want to stop same sex couples having a good time. They really do belong with the "Stop this sort of thing!" crowd. Above all, they give atheists a bad name as they perpetuate the image that atheists are puritanical, dictatorial and lacking any sort of creative imagination. I'd suggest they get a life, but they would more than likely not know what to do with one.
The British
The 2001 census was the first to ask British people ‘What is your religion?’, although answering was voluntary. Seventy-two per cent of the population in England answered the question by identifying themselves as Christians. The BHA is critical of the question, arguing that it encourages people to identify themselves with a religion even though they may not be practising believers, thereby distorting the numbers who are genuine followers of a particular faith.
COMMENT: Oh, boring, boring, boring.
Everything this group does is negative. Don't do this, don't do that. They're worse than the Roman Catholics and Fundie Protestants put together.
And they're so bloody arrogant. An arrogance that makes them incapable of considering the fact that those people who, by their definition, are not "practicing" Christians could still believe in something divine.
Basically they are coming from the exact same mindset as those in the Church who want to stop same sex couples having a good time. They really do belong with the "Stop this sort of thing!" crowd. Above all, they give atheists a bad name as they perpetuate the image that atheists are puritanical, dictatorial and lacking any sort of creative imagination. I'd suggest they get a life, but they would more than likely not know what to do with one.
MADPRIEST GETS A COUPLE OF LOVELY SURPRISES
And I love these sort of surprises.
Firstly, a sweet, old lady from South Louisiana sent me a CD from Amazon (that's the company, Amazon, not the rain forest - she doesn't live that far south).
This record won the Grammy for "Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album" this year. Check out why by clicking on play:
CHUBBY'S WEBSITE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
And, as if that wasn't excitement enough, Joe sent me a mixtape (well, mixCD to be exact) featuring a load of bands from L.A. All great stuff. Here's three I particularly like and others will turn up on With All Your Soul and at St. Laika's in the near future.
The Last Fool - Orgone
Thousand Ways - The Tallest Man On Earth
Chicago Falcon - The Budos Band
Firstly, a sweet, old lady from South Louisiana sent me a CD from Amazon (that's the company, Amazon, not the rain forest - she doesn't live that far south).
This record won the Grammy for "Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album" this year. Check out why by clicking on play:
CHUBBY'S WEBSITE
PURCHASE VIA MADPRIEST'S AMAZON STORE
And, as if that wasn't excitement enough, Joe sent me a mixtape (well, mixCD to be exact) featuring a load of bands from L.A. All great stuff. Here's three I particularly like and others will turn up on With All Your Soul and at St. Laika's in the near future.
The Last Fool - Orgone
Thousand Ways - The Tallest Man On Earth
Chicago Falcon - The Budos Band
ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE
ST. LAIKA'S: A service of daily prayer (a lot shorter than usual) with plenty of gorgeous music to get you in the zone. There's even a tune called "Ellie's Theme," which is beautiful like Our Ellie.
CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...: Updates on MadPriest, awful jokes and stuff. Details of how to access Chin Wag can be found in the right hand sidebar.
TWITFACE CHIT CHAT: Our weekly open thread. This week's topic is "My Favourite View."
And don't forget The OCICBW... Experience's
OFFICIAL HOME on facebook.
CHIN WAG @ OCICBW...: Updates on MadPriest, awful jokes and stuff. Details of how to access Chin Wag can be found in the right hand sidebar.
TWITFACE CHIT CHAT: Our weekly open thread. This week's topic is "My Favourite View."
And don't forget The OCICBW... Experience's
OFFICIAL HOME on facebook.
THE SHAME OF CITIZENSHIP
From THE MAIL:
The most shaming picture to have been published in a newspaper for some time appeared in yesterday’s Mail. It showed a British-made armoured personnel carrier speeding past Libyan demonstrators.
Perhaps you will think that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the genocidal maniac still clinging on to power in Libya as I write, acquired this vehicle from a third party, and that its ominous presence in a Libyan street has nothing to do with Britain. I’m afraid you would be wrong. In 2007, the British Government agreed a £5 million package with Libya which included armoured personnel carriers and water cannon. Since then we have sold arms worth tens of millions of pounds to Gaddafi’s regime. As recently as last summer, the Coalition Government approved licences to sell products to Libya including ‘crowd control ammunition’ and ‘tear gas/irritant ammunition’. Only a few months ago we shipped sniper rifles to Libya.
COMMENT: There should be no arms trade.
But, as that ain't going to happen any day soon, here's a couple of pragmatic suggestions.
1) No government or civil service should be involved in the selling of arms other than to strictly enforce the laws governing sales.
2) The Democratic nations should all get together, define what "democracy" is and limit the sale of arms to those countries that abide by that definition.
Perhaps you will think that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the genocidal maniac still clinging on to power in Libya as I write, acquired this vehicle from a third party, and that its ominous presence in a Libyan street has nothing to do with Britain. I’m afraid you would be wrong. In 2007, the British Government agreed a £5 million package with Libya which included armoured personnel carriers and water cannon. Since then we have sold arms worth tens of millions of pounds to Gaddafi’s regime. As recently as last summer, the Coalition Government approved licences to sell products to Libya including ‘crowd control ammunition’ and ‘tear gas/irritant ammunition’. Only a few months ago we shipped sniper rifles to Libya.
COMMENT: There should be no arms trade.
But, as that ain't going to happen any day soon, here's a couple of pragmatic suggestions.
1) No government or civil service should be involved in the selling of arms other than to strictly enforce the laws governing sales.
2) The Democratic nations should all get together, define what "democracy" is and limit the sale of arms to those countries that abide by that definition.
THE PRAYER LIST - 24TH. FEBRUARY 2011
From SKY NEWS:
Hopes are fading for more than 200 people still missing after an earthquake in New Zealand - as the death toll rose to 98. Police said up to 120 bodies may still lie trapped in the tangled concrete and steel that was the Canterbury Television or CTV building in the city of Christchurch. Dozens of students from Japan and other Asian countries are believed to buried under rubble at the site after an English-language school collapsed along with other offices.
The official death toll from Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude tremor stands at 98, Police Superintendent Dave Cliff said. An additional 226 people were listed as missing, and prime minister John Key said there were "grave fears" that many of them did not survive.
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.
Hopes are fading for more than 200 people still missing after an earthquake in New Zealand - as the death toll rose to 98. Police said up to 120 bodies may still lie trapped in the tangled concrete and steel that was the Canterbury Television or CTV building in the city of Christchurch. Dozens of students from Japan and other Asian countries are believed to buried under rubble at the site after an English-language school collapsed along with other offices.
The official death toll from Tuesday's 6.3-magnitude tremor stands at 98, Police Superintendent Dave Cliff said. An additional 226 people were listed as missing, and prime minister John Key said there were "grave fears" that many of them did not survive.
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.
I'M CONFUSED, BISHOP
This is such a wonderful example of bishopspeak.
From THE IRISH TIMES:
In a statement, the Archbishop of Southwark, Dr Peter Smith, said the prime minister and deputy prime minister had made it clear that they were now considering “a fundamental change to the status of marriage”.
Dr Smith said, “Marriage does not belong to the state any more than it belongs to the church. It is a fundamental human institution rooted in human nature itself. It is a lifelong commitment of a man and a woman to each other, publicly entered into, for their mutual well-being and for the procreation and upbringing of children.
“No authority – civil or religious – has the power to modify the fundamental nature of marriage. We will be opposing such a change in the strongest terms.
COMMENT: So, marriage does not belong to the Church and nobody has the power to modify the nature of marriage. But the Church, which has no authority to define marriage is going to oppose any changes . . . that can't be made anyway.
Erm... I'm lost. Does not compute.
From THE IRISH TIMES:
In a statement, the Archbishop of Southwark, Dr Peter Smith, said the prime minister and deputy prime minister had made it clear that they were now considering “a fundamental change to the status of marriage”.
Dr Smith said, “Marriage does not belong to the state any more than it belongs to the church. It is a fundamental human institution rooted in human nature itself. It is a lifelong commitment of a man and a woman to each other, publicly entered into, for their mutual well-being and for the procreation and upbringing of children.
“No authority – civil or religious – has the power to modify the fundamental nature of marriage. We will be opposing such a change in the strongest terms.
COMMENT: So, marriage does not belong to the Church and nobody has the power to modify the nature of marriage. But the Church, which has no authority to define marriage is going to oppose any changes . . . that can't be made anyway.
Erm... I'm lost. Does not compute.
WHERE DOES HE FIND THEM?
Yes, this is truly dreadful. But there is an honesty about it that gives it a certain perverse charm. I think the gentleman's eyes in the photo above give a pretty good indication of what was fuelling him at the time of the recording.
Just in case my old buddy, Elizabeth Kaeton pops in, here's The Gypsies from 1965, just to balance things up. I don't want to be accused of BEING REPUBLICAN or something worse.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
NOT JUST GOOD WITH WORDS
Well, I kept the faith and I am so pleased I did.
It would have been so embarrassing to have to
admit I was wrong for the first time in my life.
DON'T LET YOUR PRIESTS CHOP MY HEAD OFF, MA'AM. I'M ONLY THE GAY PIANO PLAYER
From PINK NEWS:
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (above right), the Queen’s composer, has attacked “gay-bashing fundamentalists” in the Church of England for refusing to allow civil partnerships.
He said: “The Church of England has still got so many gay-bashing fundamentalists in it, clerical gay-bashing thugs, I really don’t understand why people want to have [anything] to do with it. I wouldn”t have anything to do with the church – they have such history of anti-gay nonsense.”
The Queen is the supreme governor of the Church of England but Mr Maxwell Davies said he was not concerned that his remarks would offend her. He said his sexuality was “not an issue” for the royal family and that the Queen and Prince Philip were “always extremely welcoming” to him and his partner.
“I think they are just interested in having a decent master of music,” he said.
COMMENT: It is true that the Queen has many gay members of staff and it doesn't seem to be a problem for her. However, if royal gossip, previously reported in the media, is anything to go by, I think Sir Peter is being a little naive if he thinks that Her Majesty doesn't back the Grand Tufti's enthusiasm to maintain the customary homophobia inherent in her Church of England, and throughout all her dominions, past and present.
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (above right), the Queen’s composer, has attacked “gay-bashing fundamentalists” in the Church of England for refusing to allow civil partnerships.
He said: “The Church of England has still got so many gay-bashing fundamentalists in it, clerical gay-bashing thugs, I really don’t understand why people want to have [anything] to do with it. I wouldn”t have anything to do with the church – they have such history of anti-gay nonsense.”
The Queen is the supreme governor of the Church of England but Mr Maxwell Davies said he was not concerned that his remarks would offend her. He said his sexuality was “not an issue” for the royal family and that the Queen and Prince Philip were “always extremely welcoming” to him and his partner.
“I think they are just interested in having a decent master of music,” he said.
COMMENT: It is true that the Queen has many gay members of staff and it doesn't seem to be a problem for her. However, if royal gossip, previously reported in the media, is anything to go by, I think Sir Peter is being a little naive if he thinks that Her Majesty doesn't back the Grand Tufti's enthusiasm to maintain the customary homophobia inherent in her Church of England, and throughout all her dominions, past and present.
THE SOPPY SKITTLES SELECTION
Skittles writes:
My favorite view is seeing my kitty Marmalade on my bed.
(it means that I know where he is!)
My favorite view is seeing my kitty Marmalade on my bed.
(it means that I know where he is!)
DON'T BLAME MADPRIEST, BLAME MAD DAD
Mother Superior was on her way to late morning prayers, when she passed two novices just leaving early morning prayers, on their way to classes. As she passed the young ladies, Mother Superior said, 'Good morning, ladies.'
The novices replied, 'Good morning, Mother Superior, may God be with you.'
But after they had passed, Mother Superior heard one say to the other, 'I think she got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.'
This startled Mother Superior, but she chose not to pursue the issue.
A little further down the hall, Mother Superior passed two of the Sisters who had been teaching at the convent for several years. She greeted them with, 'Good morning, Sister Martha, Sister Jessica, may God give you wisdom for our students today.'
'Good morning, Mother Superior. Thank you, and may God be with you.'
But again, after passing, Mother Superior overheard, 'She got out of the wrong side of bed today.'
Baffled, she started to wonder if she had spoken harshly, or with an irritated look on her face. She vowed to be more pleasant. Looking down the hall, Mother Superior saw retired Sister Mary approaching, step by step, with her walker. As Sister Mary was rather deaf, Mother Superior had plenty of time to arrange a pleasant smile on her face, before greeting Sister Mary.
'Good morning, Sister Mary. I'm so happy to see you up and about. I pray God watches over you today, and grants you a wonderful day.'
'Ah, Good morning, Mother Superior, and thank you. I see you got up on the wrong side of bed this morning.'
Mother Superior was floored!
'Sister Mary, what have I done wrong? I have tried to be pleasant, but three times already today, people have said that about me.'
Sister Mary stopped her walker, and looked Mother Superior in the face.
'Oh, don't take it personally, Mother Superior. It's just that you're wearing Father Murphy's slippers.!!
The novices replied, 'Good morning, Mother Superior, may God be with you.'
But after they had passed, Mother Superior heard one say to the other, 'I think she got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning.'
This startled Mother Superior, but she chose not to pursue the issue.
A little further down the hall, Mother Superior passed two of the Sisters who had been teaching at the convent for several years. She greeted them with, 'Good morning, Sister Martha, Sister Jessica, may God give you wisdom for our students today.'
'Good morning, Mother Superior. Thank you, and may God be with you.'
But again, after passing, Mother Superior overheard, 'She got out of the wrong side of bed today.'
Baffled, she started to wonder if she had spoken harshly, or with an irritated look on her face. She vowed to be more pleasant. Looking down the hall, Mother Superior saw retired Sister Mary approaching, step by step, with her walker. As Sister Mary was rather deaf, Mother Superior had plenty of time to arrange a pleasant smile on her face, before greeting Sister Mary.
'Good morning, Sister Mary. I'm so happy to see you up and about. I pray God watches over you today, and grants you a wonderful day.'
'Ah, Good morning, Mother Superior, and thank you. I see you got up on the wrong side of bed this morning.'
Mother Superior was floored!
'Sister Mary, what have I done wrong? I have tried to be pleasant, but three times already today, people have said that about me.'
Sister Mary stopped her walker, and looked Mother Superior in the face.
'Oh, don't take it personally, Mother Superior. It's just that you're wearing Father Murphy's slippers.!!
ELSEWHERE ON THE OCICBW... EXPERIENCE
ST. LAIKA'S: A service of daily prayer on the feast of Polycarp, including special prayers for the people of Christchurch. With the exception of the psalm (which is American) all the music in the service has a New Zealand connection. I am exceedingly pleased with the compilation and editing of this podcast so, make my day, and pop over and join me in praying for our suffering brothers and sisters in NZ and throughout the world.
THE ANCHORHOLD @ OCICBW...: Loads of good stuff including vids of Handel's "Messiah."
THE ANCHORHOLD @ OCICBW...: Loads of good stuff including vids of Handel's "Messiah."
THE PRAYER LIST - 23RD. FEBRUARY 2011
We continue to pray for the people of New Zealand, especially those directly affected by the earthquake. We pray for those at a distance who await news of loved ones. We pray for those searching for survivors and those taking care of the injured, the deceased, the bereaved and emotionally damaged. We pray for those administering the rescue and clear up operations and those whose job it will be to rebuild the city of Christchurch and the lives of its people. We thank God that our blogging friends and their families are safe. We thank God for the Internet which has allowed us the opportunity to move closer to being the one people God wants us to be.
From REUTERS and SANTA MONICA PATCH:
Pirates shot dead four U.S. hostages on a private yacht on Tuesday, the deadliest incident involving Americans kidnapped for ransom in the increasingly dangerous waters off Somalia. The U.S. military said the pirates shot the hostages before American special forces boarded the vessel. The U.S. military said negotiations with the pirates had been under way when on Tuesday morning, without warning, a pirate fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett. Then gunfire broke out inside the pirated vessel.
The Americans killed were Jean and Scott Adam, from California, as well as Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle from Seattle.
In Seattle, people who knew Riggle, who was in his late 60s, said he was a retired veterinarian who had worked under contract for the Seattle Animal Shelter.
"He was a very nice, compassionate individual. He had a way with animals. He treated people with dignity and respect," said Dan Jordan, the director of the shelter.
Jean and Scott Adam were parishioners at St. Monica Catholic Church. Tuesday services at the church were devoted to their memory.
Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson said, at a special prayer service after mass, "They were an extraordinary part of our community. They loved St. Monica, and we loved them," Torgerson told the group. "Their work was an extraordinary work. They were missionaries in so many ways. At this time of their life, they were retired, yet they wanted to do more. They wanted to make a difference in this world. So they went out and brought the Word of God to people from all over different parts of this world, and they died doing this."
From THE JERUSALEM POST:
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has ordered his security forces to sabotage oil facilities, Time magazine reported Wednesday, quoting a source close to Gaddafi. According to the report, the forces were ordered to start blowing up oil pipelines in order to cut off flows to ports in the Mediterranean.
***
From CTV NEWS:
A renewed call for Middle East-style democracy protests in China urged citizens to take strolls at specific locations on weekend afternoons and demanded authorities release activists apparently still in custody Wednesday. Only a handful of participants answered the initial calls for protests, which authorities met with a show of force last weekend. Because of China's pervasive Internet censorship, few people were likely to know about the campaign for ongoing rallies. Letters posted online by the unidentified organizers said sustained action will show the Chinese government that its people expect accountability and transparency absent from the current one-party system.
***
From BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK:
The Economic Community of West African States is holding planning meetings and “marshalling forces” to remove Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo from power if sanctions and talks fail to convince him to step down, said Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“If all these measures don’t result in a change of regime, force will be used,” Odinga told reporters today in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. “As to when, I cannot say.”
***
From THE BBC:
About 1.6m children in the UK are living in severe poverty, Save the Children says. The charity, which found the highest levels of child poverty in Manchester and Tower Hamlets, in London, said the figure was a "national scandal". And it said more children would be tipped into poverty by public sector job losses and changes to benefits.
***
From THE CHRONICLE (Newcastle Upon Tyne):
An asylum seeker who overcame the odds to build a new life on Tyneside is facing deportation. Hundreds of supporters have joined together to ask the Government to show compassion to Leonie Mendo, who has lived in Newcastle for nearly three years.
The 29-year-old was fleeing her African homeland when she was lured into coming to the UK in January 2008 with promises of a better life. But when she arrived penniless and unable to speak English, she says she was forced into prostitution, locked up and raped repeatedly.
After escaping, Leonie, from Cameroon, claimed asylum. The claims she made were investigated by an immigration judge, who ruled against Leonie. Last month the mother-of-one was ordered to return to Cameroon with her daughter, who has never before left Tyneside.
Leonie has lived in Walker since May 2008, settling into life on Tyneside while she waited for immigration chiefs to decide her fate. Her daughter Stacey was born at Newcastle’s RVI in October 2008.
Leonie says she has been told she must first prove the nationality of the man who fathered her daughter before Stacey can be officially classed as a British citizen - an impossible task but one which could prove her daughter’s right to remain in her country of birth.
Leonie and her supporters are making a final appeal to the Government to grant her leave to remain on compassionate grounds.
Our friend, Paul Bagshaw, works for an asylum seekers' charity in Walker and is personally involved in this case. Please pray for Paul and his colleagues, as well as Leonie and Stacey. Paul blogs at NOT THE SAME STREAM.
Posted at WOUNDED BIRD:
Please pray for Ormonde Plater (THROUGH THE DUST)
Feb. 23 I go into Ochsner for a catheter ablation to cure focal atrial tachycardia (rapid heart beat caused by a spot in one of my atria, which fires off odd electrical impulses). The doc will put a catheter up one of my arteries and into the right atrium, locate the pesky spot (if possible), and zap it out of existence. He assured me the procedure was “low risk”—only 1 % die. (Ormonde)
***
Posted by Kirstin at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING:
I woke up too early, tried to pray and couldn’t. So I wrote a thank-you letter instead:
I can’t possibly respond to everyone individually, even though I want to. Your e-mails, blog comments and Facebook posts have blown me completely away. Your love, grace, and perceptions amaze me. All I can possibly say is thank you. To each of you, to all of you, to everyone.
I asked you to tell me what I mean to you. You did. You tell me I am a light to you. You are and have been lights to me. And those who haven’t answered that specific request—I can feel your love, sense your prayers. I know how many arms embrace me; how many hands hold me up. And I know I couldn’t count them. I treasure my relationships with all of you.
Thank you all for the gifts you freely and lovingly give. I’m so glad I share the planet with you. Gratitude for you keeps me connected to God. I go in and out of that connection, but I need it more than breath. Thank you for showing me so much love.
I know my prognosis in academic, statistical terms, thanks I suppose to journal articles I found while searching for melanoma brain mets and radiation. I’ll talk to my oncologist on Friday. I needed to make sure I said this, and I don’t know how long I’ll have the ability to. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Love always,
Kirstin
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.
From REUTERS and SANTA MONICA PATCH:
Pirates shot dead four U.S. hostages on a private yacht on Tuesday, the deadliest incident involving Americans kidnapped for ransom in the increasingly dangerous waters off Somalia. The U.S. military said the pirates shot the hostages before American special forces boarded the vessel. The U.S. military said negotiations with the pirates had been under way when on Tuesday morning, without warning, a pirate fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett. Then gunfire broke out inside the pirated vessel.
The Americans killed were Jean and Scott Adam, from California, as well as Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle from Seattle.
In Seattle, people who knew Riggle, who was in his late 60s, said he was a retired veterinarian who had worked under contract for the Seattle Animal Shelter.
"He was a very nice, compassionate individual. He had a way with animals. He treated people with dignity and respect," said Dan Jordan, the director of the shelter.
Jean and Scott Adam were parishioners at St. Monica Catholic Church. Tuesday services at the church were devoted to their memory.
Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson said, at a special prayer service after mass, "They were an extraordinary part of our community. They loved St. Monica, and we loved them," Torgerson told the group. "Their work was an extraordinary work. They were missionaries in so many ways. At this time of their life, they were retired, yet they wanted to do more. They wanted to make a difference in this world. So they went out and brought the Word of God to people from all over different parts of this world, and they died doing this."
From THE JERUSALEM POST:
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has ordered his security forces to sabotage oil facilities, Time magazine reported Wednesday, quoting a source close to Gaddafi. According to the report, the forces were ordered to start blowing up oil pipelines in order to cut off flows to ports in the Mediterranean.
***
From CTV NEWS:
A renewed call for Middle East-style democracy protests in China urged citizens to take strolls at specific locations on weekend afternoons and demanded authorities release activists apparently still in custody Wednesday. Only a handful of participants answered the initial calls for protests, which authorities met with a show of force last weekend. Because of China's pervasive Internet censorship, few people were likely to know about the campaign for ongoing rallies. Letters posted online by the unidentified organizers said sustained action will show the Chinese government that its people expect accountability and transparency absent from the current one-party system.
***
From BLOOMBERG BUSINESSWEEK:
The Economic Community of West African States is holding planning meetings and “marshalling forces” to remove Ivory Coast leader Laurent Gbagbo from power if sanctions and talks fail to convince him to step down, said Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“If all these measures don’t result in a change of regime, force will be used,” Odinga told reporters today in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital. “As to when, I cannot say.”
***
From THE BBC:
About 1.6m children in the UK are living in severe poverty, Save the Children says. The charity, which found the highest levels of child poverty in Manchester and Tower Hamlets, in London, said the figure was a "national scandal". And it said more children would be tipped into poverty by public sector job losses and changes to benefits.
***
From THE CHRONICLE (Newcastle Upon Tyne):
An asylum seeker who overcame the odds to build a new life on Tyneside is facing deportation. Hundreds of supporters have joined together to ask the Government to show compassion to Leonie Mendo, who has lived in Newcastle for nearly three years.
The 29-year-old was fleeing her African homeland when she was lured into coming to the UK in January 2008 with promises of a better life. But when she arrived penniless and unable to speak English, she says she was forced into prostitution, locked up and raped repeatedly.
After escaping, Leonie, from Cameroon, claimed asylum. The claims she made were investigated by an immigration judge, who ruled against Leonie. Last month the mother-of-one was ordered to return to Cameroon with her daughter, who has never before left Tyneside.
Leonie has lived in Walker since May 2008, settling into life on Tyneside while she waited for immigration chiefs to decide her fate. Her daughter Stacey was born at Newcastle’s RVI in October 2008.
Leonie says she has been told she must first prove the nationality of the man who fathered her daughter before Stacey can be officially classed as a British citizen - an impossible task but one which could prove her daughter’s right to remain in her country of birth.
Leonie and her supporters are making a final appeal to the Government to grant her leave to remain on compassionate grounds.
Our friend, Paul Bagshaw, works for an asylum seekers' charity in Walker and is personally involved in this case. Please pray for Paul and his colleagues, as well as Leonie and Stacey. Paul blogs at NOT THE SAME STREAM.
Posted at WOUNDED BIRD:
Please pray for Ormonde Plater (THROUGH THE DUST)
Feb. 23 I go into Ochsner for a catheter ablation to cure focal atrial tachycardia (rapid heart beat caused by a spot in one of my atria, which fires off odd electrical impulses). The doc will put a catheter up one of my arteries and into the right atrium, locate the pesky spot (if possible), and zap it out of existence. He assured me the procedure was “low risk”—only 1 % die. (Ormonde)
***
Posted by Kirstin at BAREFOOT AND LAUGHING:
I woke up too early, tried to pray and couldn’t. So I wrote a thank-you letter instead:
I can’t possibly respond to everyone individually, even though I want to. Your e-mails, blog comments and Facebook posts have blown me completely away. Your love, grace, and perceptions amaze me. All I can possibly say is thank you. To each of you, to all of you, to everyone.
I asked you to tell me what I mean to you. You did. You tell me I am a light to you. You are and have been lights to me. And those who haven’t answered that specific request—I can feel your love, sense your prayers. I know how many arms embrace me; how many hands hold me up. And I know I couldn’t count them. I treasure my relationships with all of you.
Thank you all for the gifts you freely and lovingly give. I’m so glad I share the planet with you. Gratitude for you keeps me connected to God. I go in and out of that connection, but I need it more than breath. Thank you for showing me so much love.
I know my prognosis in academic, statistical terms, thanks I suppose to journal articles I found while searching for melanoma brain mets and radiation. I’ll talk to my oncologist on Friday. I needed to make sure I said this, and I don’t know how long I’ll have the ability to. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Love always,
Kirstin
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.
TWITFACE CHIT CHAT (6)
"TwitFace Chit Chat," is a weekly posting in which I simply give you a word, or short phrase, and you then just waffle on about the subject in any way you see fit. Nobody, except Grandmère Mimi, of course, will be told off for going off thread.
If the number of comments on any one TwitFace post gets to fifty, all those who have commented will receive 500 days off purgatory. Should the comments ever reach one hundred I will grant all the participants a general plenary. Now, you don't get offers like that on Facebook!
Your subject for discussion this week is:
My favourite view
Now, I realise that there will be a few smartarses who will think that they are "oh so clever" by giving me their favourite political view when it's obvious I am referring to the scenic. If you have to, please get it over with quickly so the rest of us can talk about mountains and crashing waves and that sort of stuff.
If you have a photo of your favourite view you can send it to me and I will post it. But I will not be posting views of either ladies' or gentlemen's bottoms or anything like that - so don't even think about it!
You know, I don't like having to be strict with you but you people can be so perverse and on purpose as well.
Themethatisme's favourite view -
The PENSHAW MONUMENT near SUNDERLAND.
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This is redx's favourite view. I'm allowing it because it's easier than trying to explain the rules to you lot.
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Here are three of KJ's favourite views:
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Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach, Haystack Rock
(Ann Fontaine's favourite view)
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This is my favorite view - it's what I see when I look at the windows on the front porch and deck when I'm in Maine. A cup of coffee, my favorite book and comfy chair, and I'm in HEAVEN.
Fluffykins (Eileen)
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From Tracie The Red:
I’d like to submit a photo of a favorite view.
American workers standing up for their collective bargaining rights, against the greedy-ass corporate bastards and their government minions.
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Two favourite views from Ellie:
The Tulsa skyline and Table Mountain.
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
THE PRAYER LIST - AN UPDATE
New Zealand Bishops ask for prayers
We are receiving reports of multiple fatalities, many casualties, extensive damage, evacuation and major trauma to thousands of people. We are aware that the spire of the Anglican Cathedral has collapsed.
We, along with so many other people in this country, immediately turned to prayer for all those who are so seriously affected. We have also contacted our wider Anglican Communion around the world and asked them to pray with us. We reach out in this prayer to the people of the city of Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region, asking the God of all the earth to give everyone the strength and endurance that they need to survive and to recover. We pray also for all those who are involved now so dramatically in civil defence activities, hospital services and community organization as people begin to try and process what has happened and to work out the way ahead. We pray for our Prime Minister, our Government, the Mayor and City Council of Christchurch as they respond to this tragedy.
We also, along with New Zealanders throughout the land, pledge ourselves, in whatever way is useful to come to the assistance of this stricken city.
May God guide and guard us all.
Archbishops David Moxon, Brown Turei and Winston Halapua, and the Standing Committee of General Synod/te Hinota Whanui.
From ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE:
The Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, the Very Revd Peter Beck, has said he is fearful that people may have been in the Cathedral's tower when it collapsed after an earthquake struck the city.
Speaking to the BBC's 5 Live Radio programme he said that he had himself been in the cathedral office when the quake struck, but was able to escape and get others out of the Cathedral. However, he warned that others could still be trapped inside.
"We were in the cathedral when this happened," he said, "in the office and fortunately that wasn't too badly damaged, but the tower has collapsed and some of the walls have collapsed and we're pretty fearful there may be some people underneath that."
He said that, while there was no service taking place at the time, the cathedral is one of the biggest visitor attractions in the country so there would still have been visitors inside. "There will have been people in the Cathedral, as well as our own staff of course, when this happened. There's a huge amount of dust, it's like a fog inside there.
"We got all the people out that we could, but there are piles of rubble, especially where the tower has collapsed. We don't know whether there were people in the tower at the time, but I'm fairly fearful of that."
The Dean praised the citizens of Christchurch who he said have been looking out for one another in the midst of this tragedy, but called on the people of England--where BBC Radio 5 Live airs--to pray .
"This is a major, major event here of course and we like to reach out to one another. Those of you in England who will, please pray for us."
He added that the cathedral--designed 150 years ago by British architect Sir George Gilbert Scott--said its part-destruction was unimportant in the light of the earthquake's human cost. "A building's a building. The really awful thing is that we've lost lives this time," he said.
AH, HA, HA, HA, WHOOPS!
From THE ARGUS:
A mourner must have felt his cheeks burning after his phone went off during a funeral. But when the ringtone that echoed round the church was Staying Alive by the Bee Gees, it is fair to say he wished the earth could have swallowed him up.
Now Reverend Martin Morgan from St Margaret’s Church in Rottingdean has urged parishioners to make sure earthly communications are switched off while their thoughts turn to heavenly matters.
“It took a while before people realised what the song was and then fortunately most people found it quite funny. The culprit looked very embarrassed. I think they probably looked in the other direction and tried to pretend it wasn’t them. That’s what people usually do.”
Thanks to Andrew for sending in this story.
Now Reverend Martin Morgan from St Margaret’s Church in Rottingdean has urged parishioners to make sure earthly communications are switched off while their thoughts turn to heavenly matters.
“It took a while before people realised what the song was and then fortunately most people found it quite funny. The culprit looked very embarrassed. I think they probably looked in the other direction and tried to pretend it wasn’t them. That’s what people usually do.”
Thanks to Andrew for sending in this story.
CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
From THE STAR:
A photographic exhibition celebrating positive images of the trans-gender community has opened in Sheffield.
The Reverend Sarah Jones, who attended college in Sheffield as a mature student and secured the A-level results which landed her a place at Oxford University, is also the Church of England’s first ever trans-gender priest - and is back in the city where she studied to launch the new ‘Living My Life’ project on display until Monday February 28 at The Workstation on Paternoster Row. She admits it is not an easy task - but the Reverend Sarah Jones is passionate about the cause. Taking part in public events comes with price, the Anglican priest admits.
“It is hard, and it does cost me emotionally,” she said. “But it is a cost I am prepared to take because other people have had that cost before me.”
Sarah is a priest of the parish of St Mary’s Church in Ross on Wye in Herefordshire.
Details of the exhibition can be found HERE.
A photographic exhibition celebrating positive images of the trans-gender community has opened in Sheffield.
“It is hard, and it does cost me emotionally,” she said. “But it is a cost I am prepared to take because other people have had that cost before me.”
Sarah is a priest of the parish of St Mary’s Church in Ross on Wye in Herefordshire.
Details of the exhibition can be found HERE.
THE SOPPY JAY COLE SIMSER SELECTION
This is Miss Cassie.
What a brilliant photograph and there's lots more pics of
Cassie and the dogs she deigns to share her house with at
BAILEY'S BUDDY.
And while you are at it, check out RENZ IN THE WOODS
for Larry's post on Skittles the Jack Russell terrier.
THE PRAYER LIST - 22ND. FEBRUARY 2011
From UKPA:
The streets of Libya's capital are littered with the bodies of scores of protesters shot dead by security forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi, an opposition leader has said.
Tripoli's inhabitants are hiding at home after the killings and warnings by forces loyal to Mr Gaddafi that anyone found outside would be shot. Gaddafi's forces shot at ambulances and some protesters were left bleeding to death.
***
From EXPRESS AND STAR:
Up to 200 people were feared killed today and many more injured after a major earthquake brought down buildings in the centre of the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch.
The country’s Prime Minister John Key warned of a rising death toll, saying: “We may be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day.”
The tremor caused widespread damage as it occurred at lunchtime when Christchurch was at its busiest. The official death toll so far stands at 65, but emergency officials have said that between 200 and 300 could have been killed. At least 200 people are believed to be trapped under rubble.
From ALJAZEERA:
Ivorian troops have killed at least six protesters calling on Laurent Gbagbo to step down from presidency as African presidents charged with resolving Cote d'Ivoire's political crisis met the incumbent in Abidjan.
In the Koumassi district, residents said soldiers fired on protesters from machine-guns mounted on military vehicles on Monday. At least three demonstrators were killed. Three other people were reportedly killed and 14 wounded in the city's Treichville neighbourhood.
***
From THE BBC:
Thousands of people have marched in Moroccan cities to demand that King Mohammed VI give up some of his powers. In the capital, Rabat, police allowed protesters to approach parliament, chanting slogans like "The people reject a constitution made for slaves!"
A separate protest is under way in the country's biggest city, Casablanca, and another was planned in Marrakesh.
***
We pray for the workers demonstrating for justice at work in Madison.
From Fr. Jonathan:
I know what's going here is nothing like what protesters are facing in Libya, Bahrain, and elsewhere in the Middle East, but the consequences of failure are dire. I'm Rector of Grace Church which is on the Capitol Square of Madison.
Please check out FR. JONATHAN'S BLOG for further information and comment.
Posted at WOUNDED BIRD (21st. February 2011):
From David (Arkansas Hillbilly):
Quick update. I just got called for a second interview tomorrow at the retailer I applied for... Keep praying, it's working!
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.
Tripoli's inhabitants are hiding at home after the killings and warnings by forces loyal to Mr Gaddafi that anyone found outside would be shot. Gaddafi's forces shot at ambulances and some protesters were left bleeding to death.
***
From EXPRESS AND STAR:
Up to 200 people were feared killed today and many more injured after a major earthquake brought down buildings in the centre of the southern New Zealand city of Christchurch.
The country’s Prime Minister John Key warned of a rising death toll, saying: “We may be witnessing New Zealand’s darkest day.”
The tremor caused widespread damage as it occurred at lunchtime when Christchurch was at its busiest. The official death toll so far stands at 65, but emergency officials have said that between 200 and 300 could have been killed. At least 200 people are believed to be trapped under rubble.
From ALJAZEERA:
Ivorian troops have killed at least six protesters calling on Laurent Gbagbo to step down from presidency as African presidents charged with resolving Cote d'Ivoire's political crisis met the incumbent in Abidjan.
In the Koumassi district, residents said soldiers fired on protesters from machine-guns mounted on military vehicles on Monday. At least three demonstrators were killed. Three other people were reportedly killed and 14 wounded in the city's Treichville neighbourhood.
***
From THE BBC:
Thousands of people have marched in Moroccan cities to demand that King Mohammed VI give up some of his powers. In the capital, Rabat, police allowed protesters to approach parliament, chanting slogans like "The people reject a constitution made for slaves!"
A separate protest is under way in the country's biggest city, Casablanca, and another was planned in Marrakesh.
***
We pray for the workers demonstrating for justice at work in Madison.
From Fr. Jonathan:
I know what's going here is nothing like what protesters are facing in Libya, Bahrain, and elsewhere in the Middle East, but the consequences of failure are dire. I'm Rector of Grace Church which is on the Capitol Square of Madison.
Please check out FR. JONATHAN'S BLOG for further information and comment.
Posted at WOUNDED BIRD (21st. February 2011):
From David (Arkansas Hillbilly):
Quick update. I just got called for a second interview tomorrow at the retailer I applied for... Keep praying, it's working!
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.
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