run-up to the run-up

My Muddy Buddy and I did one last 4-mile training run the other day, and have spent the time since then recovering and preparing. I've got the maps printed out, and my bag is almost packed. I picked up our team jerseys from the printer yesterday. While we were planning our winning strategy, I came up with a team tattoo. My Muddy Buddy is a biker, and we got to talking about commemorating the event, and tattoos came up.















Orange tank top. We traced one of MB's haircutting shears, and put silver wings and a halo on it. Viola! Team Shear Heaven, a partnership between salvation and style. And that is heavenly.

















The tattoo idea is an Episcopal shield with cross bones behind it. "Episcopal" arched over the top; "Pride" arched beneath. "West Mich." on the left; "Bless You" on the right. Heh heh. I love it. I think it'll catch on with the Episco-biker set.

Bit of uneasy news though. While we were training. my MB's knee began to hurt. Okay to walk, but running sent pain radiating up to her lower back. She had been wearing the wrong shoes, and was running for the first time on the right shoes. Send up a prayer for her that she can finish the race. I don't care what our time is anymore. I just want us to complete it under our own power.

memory lane

I was sorting through the music collection and came across a cassette (remember those?) of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "Up Your Alley." The whole thing is a big break-up tape. Side A has a couple of particularly good break-up songs. "I Hate Myself For Loving You." It has a solid beat, perfect for pounding on furniture - or the dash board of your new-to-you Camaro. I guy in my high school shop major told everyone he drove a Vette. It was a Chevette. I loved high school. "Little Liar" is another good track. I was going to pick out a couple verses that are especially poignant, but really, the whole song is appropos.






















Side B has "You Want In, I Want Out." Yep. "Back It Up" has a nice acid bite to it.

Ah Joan. You're good. Real good. Thanks for the memories.

peas be with you

I wasn't sure about them.
My secretary said I was too late.
Of the six, only two showed any signs of life.
Today I discovered my first pea pod. Yay!!!

I didn't expect any of the pea plantlings would produce. They all went yellow at one point. It's amazing to me, this whole plant life thing. I put a little plant in the ground, and it just grows. A few weeks later it makes stuff I can eat. Go figure! My Dad used to call them "nature's little sugar bags." He's so right. It was delicious.

















I guess it's true... the peas of God passes all understanding.

why i love st. collegetown

One of the joys of what I do is recognizing people in the community at special points in their lives - you know, birthdays and anniversaries and like that. Lately it's been things like Mothers & Fathers Days, and graduations. Last Sunday was a bitter-sweet recognition. We bid farewell to some long-time members taking their leave from us to retire elsewhere. They're cool people. I'll miss them.
















The parish decided to celebrate my first year with them that same Sunday. I hadn't planned to make anything of it. Someone caught up with me in the sacristy and said everybody was waiting for me to bless the cake and say a prayer. I thought it was a farewell cake. Nope. They made me a 1st anniversary cake. Aren't they great?
















It was also my birthday, but I was pretty successful at keeping that close to the vest. I don't want that much focus on me. It's about them anyways. I just lead.

garden update

Things are changing in the garden in good ways, and not so good ways.

















One of the tomato plants has small greet tomatoes already. Don't know how big they will get. I previewed a garden-fresh tomato from one of the Amish sellers at the farmer's market Friday morning. Delicious. Makes me hope all the more for what these little plants can do.



















The zucchini has been steadily taking up space, as zucchini are wont to do. There are finally some yellow flowers forming. The leaves look robust: strong stems, good colour, no signs of bugs.




















Now for the not so good side. One of the tomato plants is looking sickly. I have no idea what's going on. I trimmed wilting proximal branches near flowers, but it doesn't seem to be doing any good. Might have to let this one go. One of the other tomato plants was looking peaked earlier today. Hhmmmm....




















I discovered this little bug on a spinach leaf. It can't be good.

Overall, it's been quite an enjoyable project, in spite of some of the losses. Hopefully soon I will be able to enjoy what it produces.

fun with the Vestry

I took members of my Vestry out to the Whitecaps game last night as a gesture of appreciation for all their work. My youngest member is 16, and had never been to a baseball game! That's tragic. I think there's a theme for each day. Last night the theme was Mardi Gras. At one point the mascots came around with beads that they threw into the stands. I caught one! I never catch anything at a baseball game. I gave the beads to my young Vestry member. Might as well make her first game special. In the thrid inning a foul was hit towards us. I caught it! Can you believe that? I've always wanted to catch a ball. I thought about bringing my glove, since we were going to be in a good place for a bad hit. But I figured fouls never come near me, so I left the glove at home. Ah, Mr. Murphy, they're laws for a reason. I gave the ball to my young Vestry member too. Might as well make her first game magic. After the game (which we won 4-0), I took her down to meet the players and get the ball signed. There were a lot of people there and only two players. I called out "Hey number 8! You're my favourite player!" He look right past all the other people, right at me, and said "Really? Thanks." "Would you sign this ball for me?" I followed up. I tossed him the ball and said to write "To Emily" on it. He did, and signed his name, and tossed it back again. As we were leaving, my novice baseball fan asked me if I knew that player. I've no idea who he is, I said. I didn't have time to wait for all those other people to get their stuff signed. Ah, young padawan, there are ways of cutting through the crowds to get what you want. Lessons learned.

What an awesome game. What an awesome Vestry.

liturgy geek

I find I'm doing a lot of these sorts of things lately - Mothers Day, graduating students, Fathers Day, now this. I've got two parishioners departing to another (warmer) state in a few days as part of a permanent relocation. I think it's important to recognize groups and individuals for all that they've shared with the community over the years. I think it helps build a stronger community when we intentionally show how much every person is valued. To do that as part of a Sunday liturgy gives it greater importance, since we've called down the Holy Spirit as a community joined in love and affection with one another in God. I combined a couple prayers from the BCP at the end to give it a more formal feel. Here it is. Adapt and use it if you need something like it.

Liturgy of Farewell

As Betty & Jim come forward, the Congregation sings:

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine
I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine.

Celebrant: Today we offer a special blessing on Jim and Betty as they continue their journey begun, traveled, and ended in God.

Congregation: Your life with us has been a blessing.

Celebrant: We thank you for your many years of ministry.

Congregation: We thank you for your many years of friendship.

Celebrant: We pray that God will continue to light your way along new and exciting paths.

Congregation: We pray that your light will continue to shine in your next community.

Celebrant: Let us pray. O God, our heavenly Father, whose light brightens all of your creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: uphold Betty and Jim; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; bring them safely to the next path of their journey. Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, through Jesus Christ, the light of our world. And the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you always.

All: Amen!