Terrapin Station

The Feast of Our Lady of Guadelupe

The feast in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe goes back to the sixteenth century. Chronicles of that period tell us the story.

A poor Indian named Cuauhtlatohuac was baptized and given the name Juan Diego. He was a 57-year-old widower and lived in a small village near Mexico City. On Saturday morning, December 9, 1531, he was on his way to a nearby barrio to attend Mass in honor of Our Lady.

He was walking by a hill called Tepeyac when he heard beautiful music like the warbling of birds. A radiant cloud appeared and within it a young Native American maiden dressed like an Aztec princess. The lady spoke to him in his own language and sent him to the bishop of Mexico, a Franciscan named Juan de Zumarraga. The bishop was to build a chapel in the place where the lady appeared.

Eventually the bishop told Juan Diego to have the lady give him a sign. About this same time Juan Diego’s uncle became seriously ill. This led poor Diego to try to avoid the lady. The lady found Diego, nevertheless, assured him that his uncle would recover and provided roses for Juan to carry to the bishop in his cape or tilma.

When Juan Diego opened his tilma in the bishop’s presence, the roses fell to the ground and the bishop sank to his knees. On Juan Diego’s tilma appeared an image of Mary as she had appeared at the hill of Tepeyac. It was December 12, 1531.

Quote

Mary to Juan Diego: “My dearest son, I am the eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, Author of Life, Creator of all and Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth...and it is my desire that a church be built here in this place for me, where, as your most merciful Mother and that of all your people, I may show my loving clemency and the compassion that I bear to the Indians, and to those who love and seek me...” (from an ancient chronicle).

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Saint of the Day content provided by AmericanCatholic.org 

Mother Mary

WHOA.

I've just finished reading Looking for Mary: (Or, the Blessed Mother and Me) by Beverly Donofrio.  This was a recommendation I found via Pinkshoes' reading recommendation list...I took that list to library and requested a bunch of the books on it and oh, my, how my reading life has grown in depth, richness, interest.  How many murder mysteries can one gal take!?

Seems very timely that Mary would show up in this amazing book just when I am thinking so intently about Mary this Advent. 

I am going to need to re-read this book at least once (I read very, very fast and miss a lot).  Because this book aroused in me, several times, the reaction of "What!?"  or "You've got to be kidding!"  and I need to get past that. 

Let me explain.  My basic theory on culture (after 20 years working in international education) is that culture is what we say, "Of course!" about. 

So, the Protestant religious culture I was raised in says, "Of course Jesus Loves Me!  The Bible tells me so!"  One of my dearest religious images (I suppose it's an icon) is a wonderful wooden puzzle-style Good Shepherd that I have had for many years.  The lamb is a wooden cutout that fits snugly in the middle of the Jesus block.  And just that way, in my mind, Jesus is looking for me all the time, and when He finds me, (and I am willing to be found) I fit just perfectly into his loving arms.  He has a place made just for me.

Beverly, on the other hand, was raised in a religious culture that told her Jesus and God were mad at her, and she'd better check in with Mary, who would intercede on her behalf.  "I'm highly resistant to adoring Jesus..." she says.  "Why would I want to adore someone who tortured me in childhood?"

furthermore...

I have no trouble believing in miracles and miraculous healings.  I grew up with that stuff to an extent.  The Holy Spirit was the main figure there, and Jesus.  Mary was NOT mentioned. 

In the book, Beverly has completed an NPR documentary on Marian sites in the US (as a skeptic and lapsed Catholic) and then takes a Mary miracle tour to Medugorje and through Southern Italy.  The miracles that are described at those sites are truly amazing.  The scent of roses, associated with Mary, follows her everywhere.  She finds through the trip (which is NOT all roses!) a real connection with Mary and with her faith.  She makes her first confession and takes her first Holy Communion in 35 years. 

Varieties of Religious Experience, indeed. 

Back to my life...

This afternoon we had a wonderful English Christmas Tea at church, put on by a number of British and Australian ladies in the congregation.  This is the 14th year for the Tea, but my first.  I am so happy that my mom was able to join me for it!  We had crackers with paper crowns and toys;  we had an insane amount of delicious food:  cucumber sandwiches; ham sandwiches with horseradish; egg salad and chicken salad and who knows what; scones and clotted cream and jam; mincemeat pies; lemon curd pies; liquorice allsorts; sausage biscuits...wonderful!  And the tea kept coming. 

Each table had a "mum" who was in charge of pouring out the tea (that was me!), which was interesting because the tea was "real tea," that is, loose tea that had to be poured out into each cup through a strainer.  I was instructed that the milk went in FIRST before the tea, if people liked it with milk.  Definitely a cultural experience! 

Our Rector and his wife were there briefly, but left early as she was very tired.  She begins chemotherapy tomorrow.  She shared with the group before they left that she had been at the doctor's last week (having the mediport installed, I think) feeling very scared, and then felt a great wave of peace come over her as she felt us all praying for her. 

The power of prayer, indeed.  Miracles, to be sure.  Way bigger than I can understand, and coming from lots more places than I can imagine at this point. 

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

 

A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the eleventh century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the eighteenth century it became a feast of the universal Church.

In 1854 Pius IX gave the infallible statement: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justification for this teaching.

Two Franciscans, William William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology. They point out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleansed from original sin after birth. In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.

From Beliefnet's Saint of the Day: http://www.beliefnet.com/nllp/saintoftheday.aspx?date=12-08-2006&WT.mc_id=NL47

So, going on with yesterday's theme that I have some things to learn from Mary.  I have never believed in this doctrine and (sorry, I have to say it) actually have thought it was rather ridiculous that a whole church full of people would do so.  Non-biblical, unproven, just silly.  Dogma.

But here's the thing: what is it that I believe that might fall into the same category? 

Just looking at what my OWN Church (National Church) believes that I don't; I believe that the Holy Spirit is feminine, and that it's a mistake to refer to Her as He in the Creed and other locations.  (So I don't.)  I believe that gays should have the same rights as anyone else to ordination, marriage, being made bishop.  I believe that is what God believes.  Is this creating God in Mary Beth's image?

Maybe I am wrong.  Maybe I am also wrong about Mary's sinless nature.  But I realize that I am very quick to be SURE that what I believe, is right, and everyone else is a little misguided.  I need to stay open...that's the essence of Mary, I think.  "Even so, let it be done to me, according to Thy word."

Here is an interesting discussion of the doctrine. 

Christian Special Interest Group: Cultural Experience!!

I'm writing from the Regional conference of my professional organization (NAFSA: Assn. of International Educators).  It was at this meeting ever so many years ago that I really fell in love with this field. 

We have major sections (study abroad advisors, international student advisors) and also some Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for less-represented groups.  Such as the Community College SIG, the One Person Office SIG, the LesBiGay SIG, and the Christian SIG.  The latter has always intrigued and puzzled me (most of us are Americans in America, so being Christian isn't necessarily a struggle, IMHO).  But I worry sometimes that being Christian SHOULD be harder!  So last night I went to my first meeting of the group.

I learned that some of my colleagues DO struggle with being Christian in the workplace.  One woman from a Baptist college was concerned because a student asked to use their kitchen to prepare for her religious ceremony (non-Christian).  Should she have allowed it? 

One person was concerned because she received Buddhas as gifts from students and "what to do with them?"  Another fellow shared that when he received Buddhas or Krishnas or whatever, he would display them on their faces in front of a cross in his office.  (Another Christian school employee).  (!!!)

I had knitting to concentrate on, and that was good.  I have absolutely no trouble with those issues.  If I received a Buddha as a gift I would display it....but I would not pray to it.  Etc.  Of course, mine is a state institution and we work to respect all religions and encourage and help our students practice their own.  We also believe it is unethical to try to convert students as part of our work practice.  We attend Eid parties, Ifthar dinners, Diwali celebrations...etc. 

I told a friend (agnostic) about the meeting afterward and about how puzzled I was.  She said, "Well, you ARE the most liberal Christian I know."  Wow, really!? 

Don't tell my Dad that, OK?  Some things he does not need to know. 

I probably won't attend that group again.  But I will pray for them and their students.

If you're an Elder, does that make you Old?

So, I belong to this RevGals ring and lots of my friends are over there.  Over the years that we've been hanging out together, I have been wondering about some things.  And learning far more!  A new member, QuakerPastor, is going to "splain" us all about programmed and non-programmed Quakers.  Awesome! 

Still, wondering.  Remember that I am an Episcopal layperson and haven't been to seminary (yet) so maybe that's where the rest of y'all learned this stuff.  Or just by being members of your own denominations, or non-denominations.  I remember that I read the word "Pastor" somewhere (not at our church, 'cause we don't call them Pastors) as a little girl (I was about 4) and upon seeing when our minister's wife I exclaimed, "Look!  There's the Paster's wife!"  Pronounced as if her spouse had a tub of Elmer's paste which he wielded professionally. 

So, you get an idea of my lack of background. 

Here are the questions:  What makes you an Elder in the Presbyterian Church USA?  Do you have to go to seminary or be ordained?  If not, what makes you a pastor as opposed to a lay elder? 

Do you Methodists have elders?  If so, how does THAT work?

What about UCC?  The United Church of Canada?  The rest of y'all?  Baptists? 

In the Episcopal Church USA (TEC) (as I understand it), after graduating seminary (where you've ben sent at the recommendation of your bishop and a committee at your home parish), you can be ordained as a deacon and then as a priest.  When you are a deacon you can do some special things in serving the altar, carrying the Gospel book, etc. that laypersons can't.  Then when you are ordained a priest, you can celebrate the Eucharist, baptize people, etc.  We have transitional deacons (which presumes you are a deacon on the way to priesthood) and permanent diaconate (which means you are not planning to go on).  Priests wear their stoles around their necks as in the first photo. 

Deacons wear theirs crossed over the hip.

I think in the Roman Catholic church, deacons can do more than in TEC.  I went to a RC baptism once performed by a deacon, and a wedding too. 

So...what light can you shed?

Ecumenically yours,

MB

PS:  I found the deacon stole photo at http://www.conniesplace.com/altarcloths.php  where they have the most absolutely gorgeous vestments and altar cloths.  Wow!

What My Church Leadership Said

Man, I love my church. 

After this summer's General Convention, my great fear was that I didn't know how my church's leadership stood...but that they were my family and I couldn't leave them.  I believed, and still do, that leaving the church isn't right.  There are things that need to be fixed, and we can't fix them if we all fink out and run away! 

What, I thought, if our Bishop (Stanton of Dallas) decided to take his toys and go home?  Would we have to go with him? 

There was a meeting after the Convention where Father David debriefed the congregation, but I was out of town that day.  So I was VERY glad to hear the letter below read from the pulpit on Sunday, and produced in our newsletter. 

I'm still not sure I understand all the answers, but I'm so grateful that there is patience, reason, willingness to work things out. 

August 17, 2006

We, the Vestry of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, Lewisville, Texas, hereby state our intent to remain members of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

We make this response to the statement made by the Standing Committee of the Diocese, calling for “disassociation” from the actions and leadership of The Episcopal Church.  We cannot participate in such a “disassociation.”

We are not now, and never have been, of one mind about decisions made by the triennial meetings of the General Convention – nor the annual meetings of the Diocesan Convention.  When we differ, there are canonical processes through which we are called to resolve our differences.  We do not support the call to disassociate with ECUSA, nor do we support the aligning of this parish with the Anglican Communion Network.  We believe that God’s Truth is found in staying together and living with our differences in understanding of that Truth.  This is at the heart of the Episcopal Tradition.  The Body of Christ, at any time in history, has flourished with differing interpretations of Holy Scripture, differing appreciations of Tradition, and differing understandings of the function of Reason in its common life.  This is a time to cling to one another and to Christ for the work of His Church.  We are bound to one another with all members of the Church – in and by Christ. 

We are encouraged by Bishop James M. Stanton’s call for a time of listening prior to our October Diocesan Convention.  We are also encouraged by Bishops such as the Bishop of Texas, The Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly, in his call for a meeting of “bishops (representing a diversity of opinions) who are firmly committed to the Windsor Report, to arrive at a common response to the current circumstances of The Episcopal Church – one that will ensure an unimpaired relationship between bishops who uphold the requests of the Windsor Report, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the other Primates of the Anglican Communion,” and Bishop Wimberley’s stated intention to do so while remaining in The Episcopal Church USA. 

In that spirit, it seems right that those among us who do not plan on leaving The Episcopal Church clearly state that at this time. 

Signed by the Rector and nine Vestry members

Isn't the church SUPPOSED to change?

My dear parents are part of a group at their church that will likely leave The Episcopal Church (TEC) at some point soon.  My 80-year-old dad said to me on the phone yesterday, "I've got to get out of this!  It's just not the church I was raised in!" 

Yep, I've heard about that church.  Where the only communion music they ever played was "Sheep May Safely Graze," over and over and over.  Snoooooooze.  Where it was all rote and recitation, and there was none of the Holy Spirit apparent in it at all. 

He and my mom later scandalized, then brought along the rest of his family when they became involved in the Charismatic Renewal of the early 70's.  He certainly was glad for change in TEC as a middle-aged man, when he went to Cursillo, joined the Order of St. Luke, and felt the power of the risen Lord in Folk Masses and praise services (we all played the guitar every Sunday - gasp!)

I told Daddy, "You know I disagree with you." He said, "I know, and I hope that won't cause a problem for us." I told him of course not - my main prayer for them is to get to participate in a loving and supportive church family that meets their needs. With their various moves in retirement, my parents went from that in spades, to not having it for over 15 years until they made their most recent move. It is necessary to them, as it is to me. 

It reminds me, though, of when I learned why my maternal grandparents had left the church altogether (in the 60's when the churches were integrated...they refused to worship with blacks.) It was much later that I was told this and I was HORRIFIED! "What are we going to do!?" I asked. (I was a teenager.)

Do?  You can't do much of anything with an 80-year-old, except tell them what you think in a respectful way, and then shut up and love them despite it. And sometimes go your own way. 

The point is, though, that change feels okay if it's YOUR change.  But if it's someone else's...not so much. 

++Katharine Jefferts Schori in her own words

She was on the Diane Rehm show this morning, and it's available on the WAMU website (I don't know for how long!) as an audio file, Podcast, and also for purchase as cassette or CD. 

http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/06/06/29.php#11030

Listen especially for ++Desmond Tutu's comments on her ordination.  I love and adore Desmond Tutu!

How's YOUR manner of life?

As you know, the Episcopal Church elected its first female Presiding Bishop last week.  Then they responded to the Windsor Report with an insanely wishy-washy statement, to wit:

"Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75^th General Convention receive and embrace The Windsor Report’s invitation to engage in a process of healing and reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion."

Um, could you BE any more vague?  I actually think that it is part of our Christian duty that our manner of life should present a challenge to the wider church.  I think that is part of what Jesus Christ wants from us.  Shake up the dadgum church, why don't you!  Therefore, I am personally going to buy one of these T-shirts, available at CafePress:

On the front it says, "My manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church."  On the back it says, "Acts 10:28," which in case you are wondering, says this: 

"He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean."

I love this tank style & it should give the folks at Jazzercise something to ponder.  :)

More damn theology

I have a category for "spirituality," but this definitely goes in the "religion" category.  :P

I have an ear to the ground near a particular conservative and unhappy group of Episcopalians, thanks to my mom who reports on the conversations at her church. 

Right now they are worried about whether our new Presiding Bishop is really a Christian.  I forwarded mom some articles and interviews, but she is concerned that ++KJS doesn't say outright in them that she believes Jesus Christ is Lord, etc. 

I told Mom that I thought that such a statement to news media upon her election would be similar to a newly elected Pope telling the press that he's Catholic. 

Am I just being pigheaded?