Category: Anglican

seekers

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I love the randomness of search strings people use to make their way here.

In the past 24 hours, we have been the tentative answer to the prayers of those seeking (among other things):

  • house exchange jewish
  • casual wedding barbecue
  • where does one kneel to pray in church
    (one presumes Jeeves is involved here)
    and (my favourite)
  • A furious devout church

And on a different note — there was an interesting sermon on seekers as part of yesterday’s broadcast of Choral Evensong.  You need to listen carefully to the anthem for the sermon to work to full effect.

the end of an era

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St A, St A

Today St Andrew’s, St Andrews said goodbye to Bob, Liz and Timothy. All in all it was very low key, which is as Bob wanted it. Mind you, there’s a limit to how low key one can make it with 180 or so adults and another 30-40 kids all wanting to make a fuss and say good-bye.

Despite Bob saying all the right things about how little depends on the rector, there were many there today who would contradict him. St Andrew’s, St Andrews is a remarkable church. Its strength does not depend on the rector, and they will do just fine without him. But that is precisely the legacy Bob leaves, the fruit of his leadership and nurture over so many years.

And now begins the search for someone who has sufficient skill and humour and humility and broad-mindedness to take the congregation on to its next phase. Suggestions on a post-card, please. There are lots of people praying.

long loved

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‘There are dragons in the vegetable garden.
… or there were. They’ve moved to the north pasture now.’

Meg, not replying — it did not do to answer Charles Wallace too quickly when he said something odd — returned to the refrigerator. ‘I suppose I’ll have lettuce and tomato as usual…’

Some books you read once, and some books you read all your life. The book you’ve just begun — for those of you lucky enough not to recognize it — is Madeline L’Engle’s A Wind in The Door. I have been reading it since I was 11, every few years, over and over again.

Madeline L’Engle is much loved in the States, but hardly known in Britain. She died last week, and her obituary in the New York Times reminded me that she was one of my earliest religious guides, and certainly my first Piskie guide. In A Wind in the Door, strange and unusual children work with an irascible angel to fight against all that would destroy life. Progo always was my favourite.

Here are a few random offerings — to remind you of old friends, or to tempt you to new adventures.

chapter 2

…Then Charles Wallace cried ‘my dragons!’
They turned around, and they saw, there by the great rock —
wings, it seemed like hundreds of wings, spreading, folding, stretching —
and eyes
how many eyes can a drive of dragons have?
and small jets of flame
Suddenly a voice called to them… ‘Do not be afraid.’
… Continue reading “long loved” →