Purge Update: Laundry Disaster

I am preparing to attend a meeting of the National Organization of Episcopal Resource Center. Traveling means having clean clothes. Having clean clothes means doing laundry. So this morning I took my laundry baskets down to the laundry room and filled three washing machines--one with sheets and towels, the other two with clothes.

While the clothes were in the washers, I loaded all the stuff going to Goodwill into the car. By the time that and a couple of other small chores were done, it was time to put the three loads of laundry into two dryers--which are significantly larger than the washers. Sheets, towels, underwear, socks and the like into one dryer, and the permanent press and other work clothes in the other. All the tee shirts and other pullovers I took back to the apartment and hung on a rack to dry.

During the dry cycle I paid bills and updated my checkbook. Just enough time to do that before going back to the laundry room to pull the permanent press stuff out of the dryer. I like to pull it out while it is still a bit damp and put it on hangers. Once I emptied the dryer, I noticed a Chapstick in the bottom of it. The cap was still on, so I did not think anything of it and threw it out. Back to the apartment again to hang up the damp clothes.

The first shirt I pulled out of the basket had a stain on the front. I thought, I don't remember spilling anything on the front of this. I guess I'll have to hit it with spot remover. As I tossed it on the table, I noticed similar stains on the back of it. Well, that's not right, I thought. The next shirt I pulled out was a light colored one. It also had stains on it. Red stains. Ick. Cherry Chapstick all over EVERYTHING. When I tried to remove the stain, I ended up with weird green stains, or grease stains. That meant everything from that load of laundry had to be thrown out.

Of course, that totally screwed up my whole afternoon schedule. I had been planning to start replacing the clothes, just not all at once. So I dug out a couple of Kohl's gift cards I'd been given and then started out on my errands. Post Office, Goodwill to drop off the stuff in the car, bank. Then, instead of meeting Mom for coffee as we had originally planned, I met her at Kohl's at her suggestion. She said I might as well take advantage of her senior discount.

Two pairs of slacks, two dress shirts, three more casual shirts, two belts, two ties, and some underwear later, the initial bill came to close to $300. Ouch! Fortunately, between the gift cards and Mom's discount it came to half that. Of course, my stepfather thinks I'm nuts because I now have not many clothes in my closet. Mom thinks it is great. I like the fact that all my clothes--work clothes, casual clothes, good winter coat, Faire garb, dance camp skirts and sarongs, and my alb--fit in one closet. Besides, how many clothes do I really need? I work five days a week, I have five work shirts.

On the other hand, it means I absolutely must do laundry every week. You win some, and you lose some.

Peace,
Jeffri

The Bishops Speak During Their September Meeting

September 25 - Evening

The bishops have spoken. It seems that the self-names "reasserters" are already expressing disappointment. I am sure this will amplify over the next few days. It also remains to be seen what will happen over the next couple of days at the so called Common Cause Council of Bishops meeting in Pittsburgh.

When I post this tonight, it will be the last time I add to or edit this post. Any further tracking will be of bishops' statements and reports to their dioceses, which I will do in a new post.

I will probably post a response of my own once I've had some time to reread and digest the collective statement the bishops issued at the end of their meeting.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 25 - Afternoon

All quiet on the southern front. I have added and updated some links, but for the most part there is nothing concrete to report. The usual suspects have thoughts on what to expect from the bishops later today, but at this point, it is all speculation.

In the meantime, the folks at Stand Firm seem to be digging up every instance of diocesan approval for same-sex blessings they can find and as many instances of actual blessings as they can. I know what they are trying to prove, and I am not sure that I disagree with them--for different reasons, but they do have a point. It's the tone of the commentors that I find increasingly over the top. I wish they would just post these and close them for comments.

I figure the proverbial ----- will hit the fan while I am at my Education for Ministry seminar listening to spiritual autobiographies.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 24 - Evening

As I suspected, all you-know-what seemed to break forth in the blogosphere while I was gone today. And this surprises me how?

The primary reason for all the "fuss" is a draft statement the bishops are working with. Repeat: DRAFT STATEMENT. Here is the article from ENS posted on Episcopal Life Online. Here is Episcopal Cafe's report on the ENS story, which they posted before ENS released it. Over at Stand Firm, Matt Kennedy has transcribed the draft from notes taken during an open session of the bishops' meeting. Here is John Clinton Bradley's report on Walking with Integrity. Matt has also posted a "Draft Copy of Notes from an informal meeting of 57 Bishops listing agreements and disagreements."

Let me say once again how much in awe I am of the work the folks over at Stand Firm do covering these meetings, etc. While I do not agree with their point of view, the "reporting" part of what they post is usually pretty reliable. Just steer clear of reading the comments on the posts!!!

Bishop Steenson's resignation and move the the Roman Catholic Church was noted in this article on Clerical Whispers, the blog of an Irish Roman Catholic priest. From everything I have read or heard about Bishop Steenson, he was well respected, and the people of his diocese--of whatever "persuasion"--will miss him. This is a loss for the Episcopal Church, but I respect Bishop Steenson's integrity and his decision. Remember him in your prayers.

Peace,
Jeffri

P.S. FWIW: On this day in 1867, 76 from Anglican churches around the world met at the first Lambeth Conference.

September 24 - Morning

Obivously, nothing much is going on yet, as it is still relatively early in the day. I've added links to a couple of interviews and sermons. The only other thing of note that seems to be piquing people's interest is the story in the UK Guardian about some bishops working on a possible compromise.

I have the day off and will be out running errands, etc. I am sure there will be all manner of news, opinions, moaning and groaning, etc. when I get back this evening.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 23

The bishops spent the day yesterday helping the reconstruction effort in New Orleans. You can read the ENS story here. For a notable development, take a look at Jeffrey Steenson's letter to his clergy.

Other than that, not much happened today. Well, except for the various proposals for all or part of the Episcopal Church to withdraw from Lambeth or even the Communion itself (and become "associate" members) being discussed on various blogs.

I have updated some links and added a few others. Mostly I spent the day away from any computers--a refreshing thing to do once in a while.

Oh, and David Virtue is declaring "THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION IS FINISHED." Remember, this is David...

Peace,
Jeffri

September 22

This will probably be--and thankfully--a slow news day in terms of the bishops' meeting as they are out in the city "getting their hands dirty" doing some work to assist the rebuilding of New Orleans.

The primary purpose of this post, which I will keep updated and moved to the top until their meeting ends, is to track what the bishops themselves have to say. If you are interested in seeing accounts of the meeting from mainstream media sources, check epiScope (9/20, 9/21) and Walking with Integrity (9/21). Both these sites have links to those stories. If you are interested in seeing what is being said in the blogospere (and just about everywhere else!), check out TitusOneNine ( 9/21-1). T19 also has a post with links to blogs/sites of people who are "on the ground" in New Orleans.

Peace,
Jeffri

September 21 - Updated

It seems some of the bishops have already started letting their folks know what has been going on in New Orleans. Here is an email from Tom Shaw of Massachusetts posted on Kendall Harmon's Titusonenine. I am absolutely in awe of how quickly Kendall and the folks over at Stand Firm (take a look at their postings of proposed resolutions from various bishops, although you might want to avoid the comments, as some of the threads look to already be devolving into nastiness) get a hold of emails, documents, etc. almost as soon as they are released--and sometimes before they are released!

And throughout the day we have been seeing copies of statements made during the meeting--often released by the bishop who made the statement--and news reports of others'.

At this point, I feel no need to comment. You can read enough commentary in the usual places.

Peace,
Jeffri

Statements, Sermons and Addresses:

• Marc Andrus, California
• Mouneer Anis, Egypt and Presiding Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, so far only on Stand Firm and excerpts on BabyBlueOnline
• Robert Duncan, Pittsburgh, quoted in this article in the UK Guardian
• Katharine Jefferts Schori's 9/23 sermon at Christ Church Cathedral and the ENS coverage
• Jeffrey Steenson, Rio Grande, in an article posted by The Living Church
• Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, 9/20 Sermon and 9/21 Press Conference Remarks

Reports from Bishops

• Thomas Breidenthal, Southern Ohio, in an email posted on The Religious Left Blog
• Chris Epting, Ecumenical Officer for the Episcopal Church, (9/21, 9/22, 9/23, 9/24) on his That We All May Be One
• John Howe, Central Florida, has a proposal that is posted on TitusOneNine
• Barry Morgan, Wales, in an interview with John Gibson of Walking with Integrity
• Ken Price, Southern Ohio, in an email posted on The Religious Left Blog
• Tom Shaw, Massachusetts, also an interview with John Gibson of Walking with Integrity
• Kirk Smith, Arizona, on Nicholis Knisley's Entangled States
• James Stanton, Dallas, in an interview with Sarah Hey on Stand Firm
• Jeffrey Steenson, Rio Grande, in a video interview with Sarah Hey and a letter to his clergy, both on Stand Firm

News Media/Blog Reports of Statements:

• The UK Telegraph reports "witnesses said" Gene Robinson told the Archbishop of Canterbury...

Other News Reports:
As usual, ENS/Episcopal Life Online seems a bit slower than other outlets.

Accounts of the Meeting from Mainstream Media Sources

• epiScope: 9/20, 9/21, 9/23, 9/25
• Walking with Integrity: 9/20, 9/21, 9/22, 9/23, 9/24
• TitusOneNine does a pretty good job of posting articles from the mainstream press--and the blogosphere--just avoid the comments on the posts.

September 20 Press Conference with Bishops Robert O'Neill of Colorado and John Rabb of Maryland

• ENS report

September 21 Press Conference with the Archbishop of Canterbury

Episcopal Life Online photo by Matthew Davies

• Matt Kennedy's report on Stand Firm
• ENS' report
• The Living Church's report
• Integrity's report on Walking with Integrity

September 24 Press Conference

• Matt Kennedy's live blogging notes on Stand Firm

Conservative Bishops Leave the Meeting

• David Virtue's story. I do not usually look at David's site, but during meetings like this I check it because he seems to be "in" with bishops like Robert Duncan of Pittsburg and Kieth Ackerman of Quincy. However, always take David's "news reports" with a grain of salt. I was particularly struck by this quote: "We came out of respect for Dr. Williams" two orthodox bishops told VOL. "It is clear to us, however, that there will be no change of direction for the HOB and the Episcopal Church and there is no reason for us to stay." An interesting view, since from the beginning, these bishops planned to leave as soon as Archbishop Williams left.
• Mark Harris' post on his Preludium talks about bishops' schedules posted on various diocesan and Communion web sites, including a meeting of the Common Cause Council of Bishops in Pittsburgh September 25-28.

Sunday's Prayer For The Bishops

Calm them, O God, as You stilled the storm.
Still them, O God, keep them from harm.
Let all the tumult within them cease.
Enfold them, Lord, in Your peace.


Creator, bless the work that is done
and the work that is to be.


Creator, bless the servants that they are
and the servants they will be.


Amen.


Adapted from Celtic Daily Prayer, p. 38

I'm Contagious!

This evening I decided to go over to the Triangle Community Center for their "Saturday Night Out." On a good night there are several things going on--folks playing a variety of games, a movie on the TV, and folks just hanging out and talking. I have not been to the Center in a while--sort of a "recovery period" after having spent six years on the board. There were seven of us there at the height of the evening, and for a first portion of it, I was the only non-board member there. Mostly we just chatted. At some point we started talking about how the space might be reconfigured, if the board decides to stay in the current space for the long term. That became a conversation about what to do with the "Resource Room." I mentioned that I have been in the process of purging my apartment.

Suddenly, there was a flurry of activity. We started going through things in the "Resource Room" and piling stuff on dollies to take to the dumpster. A couple of people started working in the office, too. Others attacked the walls and replaced old signs and pictures with more recent ones.

Once again, "buh bye" was heard throughout the space as we tossed stuff that we did not need to be keeping. Like the whole pile of drinks and snacks labelled with a sign that said "Expired. Do Not Use." So we are keeping this stacked in the "Resource Room" because? Buh bye. Outdated psychology texts? Buh bye.

By the time we left there was a half-formed plan to complete the process of going through the rest of the stuff in the "Resource Room" and making it useful space again instead of the dumping ground it has become.

So for the time being, if you don't want to end up catching the "purge and reorganize" bug, stay away from me. I'm obviously contagious!

Peace,
Jeffri

Viewed Through The Lens Of History

Paul Woodrum posted this on a mail list to which I belong. He has graciously given us permission to share it. It is a response to remarks the Archbishop of Canterbury made in answer to a question at yesterday's press conference after meeting with the bishops of the Episcopal Church. In my opinion it hits the proverbial nail on the head. Thanks, Paul.

1st Century:
"Certainly Gentiles have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place Gentiles may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far the traditional theology of the church lets us move in that direction.

7th Century:
Certainly followers of Augustine have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about not only the date of Easter, but the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place followers of Rome may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far the Celtic tradition of the church lets us move in that direction.

12th Century:
"Certainly Anglo-Saxon people have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place Anglo-Saxon people may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far Norman church tradition lets us move in that direction.

16th Century:
"Certainly recusants and dissenters have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place recusants and dissenters may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far the Established Church and Crown lets us move in that direction.

18th Century:
"Certainly colonials have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place colonials may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far Parliament lets us move in that direction.

19th Century:
"Certainly slaves throughout the Empire have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place slaves may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far slave owners let us move in that direction.

1900 - 1960's:
"Certainly African Americans have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place African Americans may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far white American tradition lets us move in that direction.

1970's :
"Certainly women have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place women may hold in offices of the church. The question is how far the traditional patriarchal theology of the church lets us move in that direction.

21st Century:
"Certainly gay and lesbian people have a place in the church as do all the baptized. The debate is currently about the appropriate limits of pastoral care and the place gay and lesbian people may hold in the offices of the church. The question is how far the traditional theology of the church lets us move in that direction." (The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, 21 September AD 2007, New Orleans, LA, USA)

Saturday's Prayer for the Bishops

Heavenly Creator, in your Word you have given us a vision of that holy City to which the nations of the world bring their glory: Behold and visit, we pray, the City of New Orleans. Renew the ties of mutual regard which form its civic life. Send the people honest and able leaders. Enable us to eliminate poverty, prejudice, and oppression, that peace may prevail with righteousness, and justice with order, that people from different cultures and with differing talents may find with one another the fulfillment of their humanity; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

--Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 825

Friday's Prayer For The Bishops

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life, we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

--Book of Common Prayer, p. 100