What are you supposed to be?

This morning I had the privilege of installing the Rev. Philip Hart DeVaul as Rector of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church in Costa Mesa. My chaplain Holly Graham, a member of St. Gregory's in Long Beach was with me, taking care of my gear and helping to get me ready for the service.




Once I was dressed, I turned to the young acolyte next to me and asked her,
"How high am I on the cuteness scale today?" She looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. Okay, I wasn't particularly feeling the love at that particular moment! There I was, standing there in my alb, chasuble, cope and miter, holding my crozier. Then she looked at me and asked, "What are you supposed to be?"

"The Bishop!" was my reply.

What are you supposed to be -- that was such a profound question.

My robes, hat and stick did not trigger who I was for this young lady. It made me start to think -- the outward and visible signs of who we say we are during a church service is not sufficient to truly convey what (or who) we are supposed to be.

Wearing a clerical collar can draw people to us or cause them to run from us. The out trappings of our work can be a help or a hinderance for us. When people meet me and I'm in my "civies" and they find out what I do -- I am sometimes shunned or have to hear why they don't believe in God and why they hate the church. Others can't wait to ask me questions. Maybe you've had that experience as well.

What are we supposed to be? We are supposed to be loving followers of Jesus Christ, drawing the world to him. We are supposed to go out into the world, proclaiming the gospel by what we do and how we live our lives -- and occasionally by personal witness.

What are we supposed to be? Hmmm. I wonder what this young lady will say the next time I see her -- and more, I wonder if I will have a better answer to her question -- What are you supposed to be?




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, Costa Mesa, CA

Yes, I know that it is.

My chaplains Bill and Pam and I were welcomed warmly today at St. Theodore of  St. Theodore of Canterbury's church, meeting in Club House Number 3 in Leisure World, Seal Beach. People were busy setting up -- how the club house is transformed into a warm, intimate sanctuary is amazing to behold! Others within another room setting up for a luncheon afterwards.

As is my custom, I stood at the front door and greeted people. Some I knew from St. Gregory's. Others I remember from when I came and spoke with a group at St. Theodore's a few years ago. Sisters, oblates and associates of the Sisters of the Transfiguration were also gathering here this morning. What a blessing!

The service of the Word started: hymns were sung, readings were heard, prayers were said, the peace was exchanged.. The service of the Table was said, and communion was distributed. That's when it happened. Now, I have been ordained for almost 16 years, and this was a first for me. As I gave a person there for his first time the bread of communion, I said to him, "The Body of Christ, the Bread of Heaven." His response? "Yes, I know that it is."

Not amen, not alleluia, not thank you or thanks you very much. I have heard all of those before. Rather, "Yes, I know that it is." He said it in such a way that made me know, deep down inside, that he truly did understand exactly what he was receiving. I sensed such a deep, abiding faith in him. It was as if he was saying: "Ma'am, I understand that God is truly in this -- God is truly among us."

May this eve of the Epiphany, when God in Man is made Manifest, fill your heart with truly knowing so that you can say every day in your heart, "Yes, I know God is in this".

What a wonderful, Spirit-filled visitation today at St. Theodore's! I wonder what great pearls of wisdom I'll hear the next time I'm there!

The Post Wedding Getting Back in the Swing of Things

I don't normally post too many "personal" things but sitting at lunch with the Rev. Bob Honeychurch and the Very Rev. Sylvia Sweeney today I heard myself saying "I haven't caught up yet with everything after the wedding". 

The wedding, of course, was of our son Max to his beautiful bride and our beloved daughter-in-law Devika. 

The FIRST wedding was in Hyderabad, India in July. Devika's family had the responsibility for that event (really, EVENTS) -- they were gracious hosts, and each of the planned events (and the unplanned ones as well) were wonderful. We did have our share of preparations beforehand -- including getting the necessary vacinations, figuring out itineraries, arranging packing (I must have packed and unpacked 10 times!). In the middle of all that, planning for the SECOND part of the wedding -- the ring exchange in Pasadena (our responsibility) was taking shape. (In Hindu services there aren't exchanges of rings.) I made a list of things I wanted to try to buy in India for that event -- that goodness I made a list!

Two weeks in India went by quickly -- as did our time with our children and family. We love India, and being there with Max is always so special -- he is fluent in Hindi and Urdu. He is fearless when it comes to food and going ANYWHERE. People gather around him when he starts to speak. He knew the local coffee and chai vendors by name, and they always greeted him warmly as he did them. I stood back as a VERY proud parent. 

When we came back to Irvine, it was near the end of July. I was Bishop in Residence at Camp Stevens, and before I knew it, it was September, and I've been running ever since! 

Planning a wedding for someone who is in Texas meant that the phone calls, email exchanges and photos flying across the internet were overwhelming. October was fast approaching, and with as organized as I usually am, I felt very out of control. I used my one day off per week to run errands or search for whatever we needed for the October ring exchange. Jon and Mary Bruno graciously allowed us the use of their beautiful back yard for the event -- what a great gift to our family. Still, planning had to happen, and I was on a tight budget.

We pulled it off! With over 40 out of town guests staying in Arcadia at the Hilton Garden Inn (they couldn't have been nicer or more accomodating for us!), we organized a "rehearsal" dinner, people from out of state LOVED LA, and on the most beautiful night in October, the ring exchange happened. Bishop Bruno, my brother Bishop and friend, officiated. He was brilliant, wonderful, spirit-filled. Devika's family and Max's (my) family were all impressed. It was beautiful! 

So? You may be asking yourself. Well, all the 'prep' for not one, but two events has left me on catch-up mode. I have tried to be on top of everything as best as I can. I think I may have dropped a ball or two, but I tried to catch them as they bounced. If I owe you a phone call -- let me know. If I didn't respond to an email -- let me know. It was not intentional -- you may be a victim of the post-two-weddings-catch-up. 

Thank you, Bob and Sylvia, for a bit of resbit and a time to reflect -- it was a great gift to me today. 

I have a bit of down time between Christmas and the New Year -- while there are things with friends and family on that calendar, I plan to rest a bit, catch my breath, and then strap on my roller skates as we begin 2014.

I wonder what I will find as I wander through my work and congregations in 2014?

September

I wrote this a few days ago and am getting a chance to post it now.

My schedule is a bit crazy this month.

I'm sitting on a plane from Newark to Orange County, after having flown down from Albany earlier this morning. Where have I been? Well, this past week at a Church Pension Fund Board retreat and meeting in Vermont, near the headquarters of the Church Insurance Company of Vermont, the Episcopal Church's primary insurer. People have asked me, "did you get to hike?" "Did you get to shop?" The answer is no. With the exception of one evening when we had the opportunity to interact with hawks, and see falcons and eagles it was back to back meetings and gatherings from the time I hit the ground in Vermont.







Months ago I accepted the very generous invitation of Bishop Bill Love to visit his Christ the King Spirit Center, the conference and camp center for the Diocese of Albany. Thank goodness I did! Not only was this a great "in between" time between Church Pension Group and going home, it was timely as well. You see, because of severe thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday, many flights were cancelled, including the ones I was scheduled to be on. Many people were trapped in either Albany or Newark -- but we were happily touring the beautiful 612 acre center in Greenwich, New York. Bishop Love and his wife Karen took us to the Old Bryan Inn for dinner in Sarataga Springs -- delicious, and haunted -- very cool. We had a good night's sleep at the Spirit Center before leaving early this morning and heading to Albany airport -- about 50 minutes south of Greenwich. Oh, and don't worry about our dog Basil -- our wonderful house and dog sitter Kathy is on the job again! What a blessing to have her in our lives, and she loves staying at our home!

We are on our way home -- this is one of the few times that Steve has travelled with me. When I was in meetings, he was hiking and writing. So it was nice to be together last night with Bill and Karen Love.

I will be home for 4 days and then off to the House of Bishops (HOB) meeting in Nashville. The program theme for this meeting is "Transforming Loss into New Possibilities." As assistant secretary to the HOB, I am privileged to serve on the planning team for the HOB meeting, and I'm encouraged and excited by the theme and what we will be learning and sharing as bishops. Among our guests joining us will be Bishop Suheil Dawani of Jerusalem, representatives of the Church Pension Group and a representative of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

We leave on Wednesday of next week and returning the following Wednesday. I will be home for 4 more days and then head off once again -- to New York for a HOB planning meeting and for a General Convention Rules of Order meeting. Why? Because I'm the assistant secretary to the House of Bishops! I don't have very many meetings with the HOB Planning Committee -- most are on the phone. This is the face to face one, and it comes on the heels of the HOB meeting.

So, September is a very crazy month for me. How do I keep up with mission and ministry in the Diocese of Los Angeles? Easy! The same way I'm writing this blog -- my iPad. I have spoken with clergy and dealt with issues in the congregations in my geographical area of ministry, planned and scheduled future meetings, and in general kept in touch in my time away. It will be no different at the HOB meeting and at the HOB Planning Meeting. There is no reason I can't be in touch -- there may be a slight delay to my replies, but I am available.

While I may be away a great deal this month, know this please -- mission and ministry is still going on, I'm "plugged in" and "online" -- always here for the people of the Diocese of Los Angeles.

I wonder as I wander over to Nashville and New York who I might run into? What new things might I learn? hmmmm.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:various

Through the Evil Days -- by Julia Spencer-Fleming

It started out innocently enough -- as I am a HUGE Julia-Spencer Fleming fan (I've read all the Clare Fergusson/Russ van Alstyne books she has written), I received an email (along with many other fans) announcing this soon-to-be-published new book in the series: Through the Evil Days. I read about the new book, then noticed that there were instructions on how to be selected to receive a free Advanced Readers Copy with the caveat that I would write about the book. No problem -- one of my favorite authors of a series I love? I sent off my email and I never expected to receive an advanced copy to review, but a few days later I received my copy in the mail.

Color me surprised and happy! And here is my review:

Friends -- I was VERY busy the day it came, and decided to just glance at the first two pages. Two hours later, I was still reading. Through a very hectic work schedule, I have stolen moments to continue reading this latest addition to a wonderful series. In the stolen moments I was able to take throughout this week the book was a welcomed break -- I kept wanting to read what was going to happen next. I finished the book this afternoon.

Smart, vivid writing, excellent character development -- all the things I have come to expect from this talented writer, and more. Julia Spencer-Fleming kept me at the edge of my seat on more than one occasion reading this book. I sucked in my breath at one moment yelling, "no -- don't go there." I laughed at another moment. I was thoroughly and completely surprised at the happenings at the end -- all things you want in a good mystery that has not only faith, but a bit of spiciness to it, as well as the continuation of multidimensional characters with human flaws -- including Clare herself, the Rector of an Episcopal Church. If you have been a fan for as long as I have (from the beginning), you'll appreciate the continuation of the human journey all these characters have been on. Julia Spencer-Fleming is that rare writer who can skillfully knit so many characters together so well through all her books. If you are new to her writings, the books in this series are:

In the Bleak Midwinter
A Fountain Filled with Blood
Out of the Deep I Cry
To Darkness and to Death
All Mortal Flesh
I Shall Not Want
One was a Soldier

I commend this book to you wholeheartedly -- it is coming out on November 5th -- pre-order it -- you won't be disappointed!
One thing I want to know -- when will these be made into movies?

The Bishop Goes to Camp -- My Last Full Day

I'm going to have to leave a day early from Camp Stevens for a personal appointment -- which I'm very sad about. It has been a wonderful week with the campers!

Today, as was true every day this week, I woke up to a beautiful morning after drifting off to sleep looking at the stars in the night sky through my window. It is so beautiful up here at night! The light pollution is at a minimum, and the stars and planets glisten. No wonder the campers reported seeing shooting stars -- the night sky is so clear here.

As usual, wild turkeys and rabbits abounded on the Dining Hall Lawn and by the pool. I am going to miss them!

I took a long walk after breakfast with Kay. The Rev. Kay Sylvester is an intelligent, kind, reflective, talented and pastoral priest. It has been such a blessing to serve with her here this week. I'm only sorry I will miss the Eucharist tomorrow that she is working on with Mike, the transitional deacon from San Diego.

It was a day of talking with campers and staff. Long conversations about the camp, the goings-on-of-the-week, and reflections on how much fun this week has been. This is the fourth week of Adventure Sessions -- and the staff (both support and program) are holding up well, which is amazing given the high number of campers they've had these four weeks. Next week is Odyssey were campers from the US meet campers from Japan. That sounds neat! Camp Stevens is still in need of some host families for the Japanese students (sent out in groups of two to a household). It would be from next Saturday to Monday -- if you can help please contact the Camp immediately.







Anyway, after lunch I helped Beth wash out the tie dyed items from yesterday. The campers (and some adults!) had a great time tie dyeing items yesterday. One younger sister asked to borrow an older sister's t-shirt (both sisters are at camp. Guess what the younger sister did with the older sister's t-shirt -- you guess it. It is now red and green bulls eye pattern tie dyed! I loved the fact that Beth explained not only how to tie dye, but showed the campers different styles-- bulls eye, swirl, stripes, etc. WOW there were LOTS of items tie dyed! Headbands, shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, pillowcases -- you name it, it is multicolored now! I took a picture of roughly 1/3 of the items after they were rinsed but before they were washed. Here they are, along with a picture of the pants I tie dyed yesterday along with the shirt I brought from home which is a nice match. I think I will wear them tomorrow and surprise Steve!




I loved catching up a bit with Adam, an Episcopalian who has joined the Marine Corps. He reports in October. He frequently wore his MARINES ball cap, and answered questions the campers would ask him. As the daughter of two Marines, and as the former Rector of the parish closest to Camp Pendelton in the Diocese of Los Angeles, I loved sharing stories about some of the Marines who have called St. Clement's their home. I assured him that there are at least two who are likely candidates to be Commandant of the Marine Corps. Here is a picture of Adam, dressed in a costume for his Adventure Group grace before dinner presentation.




Zoe, who is the leader of the Triad Adam is in -- the Broadcasting Buccaneering Beatles (each Adventure Group has a leader (staff person), and a male and female counselor) always had a smile on her face. She is such a kind person, and full of fun. I especially enjoyed her "outfit" today for the grace their Adventure Group presented. Here she is, with Kay in the background.







Tonight at Community Gathering there was, of course, great music, and sharing by the campers. Chaplain Mike told two great stories, one involved some of the kids as actors -- he kept them mesmerized for over 20 minutes. At the end of the gathering, I took a picture of Lindsay Taylor, the Rev. Cn. John Taylor's daughter and posted it on Facebook, and you can see it here as well. Also, there was a former staff member (20 years ago) Martin Seifried who was visiting from Austria. I was able to get a picture of him with John Horton. It was so good to see John again this week, and to spend time with him.

Program Group meeting as always was informative. As things are winding down (tomorrow is the last full day with the campers) talk about the closing Eucharist and Celebration as well as the day's events in the groups were the main topics of conversation. The Eucharistic Prayer was written by members of Zoe's group -- and I can tell you it is amazing! They were so tuned in and thankful -- tuned in -- that was the theme for the week -- TUNE IN -- and they certainly did! Kay will get me a copy of it and I'll be sure to post it on the blog. You won't be disappointed reading it! So look for it in a future blog post.

Things I'm going to miss about Camp Stevens:
1. The year round staff -- they ROCK! Professional, thinking about the camp and those who attend events or summer camp. I'm so impressed with their care for those who come here, and their care for this place.

2. The summer staff -- an amazing group of people who come for just short periods of time but who leave a mark on this place as this place leaves a mark on them.

3. The campers -- I heard more funny stories, re-experienced their moments of wonder, and enjoyed hearing about their "firsts" so much. Sitting making necklaces with them especially was a beautiful series of moments. We are blessed with wonderful campers this week, cared for by people who know how to instill a sense of awe and wonder about God's creation in their hearts. Beautiful -- just beautful.

4. The gardens and the animals. What a great way to use the resources God has given to the Camp than to grow food and raise animals.

5. The beauty of the camp, the peacefulness of the surroundings, the night sky and wildlife during the day.

6. The food and the food philosophy here. Outstanding, just outstanding. Thank goodness I walked or hiked every day. Enough said.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Camp Stevens, Julian, CA United States

The Bishop Goes to Camp -- Chickens, Farms, Bracelets and Candles

Walking to breakfast this morning I was treated to the sight of many rabbits and wild turkeys on the Dining Hall lawn. The rabbits were scurrying about, and the turkeys were pecking at the grass. I have so loved these sights each morning! Immediately after breakfast Kay Sylvester, Beth Bojarski and I got in Beth's car and started out to the farm that's on the other side of the camp property. As with many trips on the camp grounds wild life abounds. As we were walking to Beth's car, I spotted lots of squirrels and various kinds of birds, including magpies. Driving down the driveway we stopped as a mother deer and her babies were ahead of us on the road, staring at us. Here they are for you to see. As they walked away, we continued on our way over to the farm.




One of the plots at the farm had lettuce which ended up getting scorched in the heat wave the area had a few weeks back, according to Beth. In its place Ryan Wanamaker planted broccoli, cabbage and other things which grew quickly. Ryan had been growing cilantro in one area, and when it was "done", he let it continue to grow and flower. This attracted the bees who keep things nicely pollinated. Ryan is particularly astute at using what is there ecologically to enhance the garden and the produce in the garden. Here is a picture of Beth and Kay in that part of the garden.




Next stop -- the chicks! I posted earlier today on Facebook a video I took of the chicks -- they are SO cute! John Horton told me that when they arrived (via special mail) the local post office called over to the camp and said, "come and get your chicks!" They did, and put them in a special covered pen/house. While I posted at the beginning of my time at camp a few pictures of the area the 70+ chickens live beside the dining hall, there are a few dozen more chickens in a fenced in area at this farm, right beside the area where the new chicks are being housed. The difference between the mature chickens and the chicks we encountered today is this: the mature chickens are used for egg production for the camp. The new chicks are being raised for meat production. As with the pigs, these new chicks will make their way to tables in the future. This is part of the work of the camp -- and it is interesting to see the reaction people have to this "news". Knowing how and where your food is coming from is powerful -- it is not unlike the "farm to fork" initiative in Ireland, for example, where animals and vegetables are identified so you know exactly where your food is coming from. At any rate, the chicks were too cute! Here is a picture of Beth in the pen with a handful of chicks.




Next stop -- feeding the chickens in the pen next to the chicks. I did this a few years ago and really loved it. The chickens peck at your hands when you hold scratch in it for them -- two chickens said, "forget the scratch, I want your watch!" They were trying to eat my watch! They have different varieties of chickens in the pen, which lay different colored eggs -- brown, white and green. The hens are fed a special food which helps harden the shell a bit. While we were in the pen, the minute Beth started to head over to the bin where the scratch is kept, she was immediately joined by virtually all the chickens! Here's a picture of me feeding the chickens. I noticed some were missing some of their back feathers. When I asked Beth she told me that "there is a literal pecking order." Enough said. Visual image permanently engrained in my mind!

We then walked over the very short distance to the area where campers can come for an overnight -- right here at the farm. There are large wooden platforms for them to sleep on, an outdoor sink, a portable stove to cook on. The campers can go into the garden and pick vegetables for a stir fry dinner, and have the experience of being out in nature yet so near an incredible source of food! I think this is my new favorite overnight spot! After this we walked through the rows and rows of tomato plants Ryan has growing in another area of the garden. Needless to say, nothing tastes better than a freshly picked, warm tomato!




Back in the car and back to camp. After lunch I headed up to the Arts and Crafts center with a white pair of capris that got stained in India to tie dye them. Beth is an expert tie dyer, and she made a special batch of blue purple dye for me. She taught the 20+ campers the basics of tie dyeing, and we were off and running. I tried to do the swirl pattern up the legs of my pants. I'll post a picture of them when they are done "cooking". Kay tie dyed a t-shirt, and when we were both done we headed back down to the picnic table by the Dining Hall. Kay had her beads out, and campers were already hard at work. I finished a bead bracelet I was making for a friend of the family (a young girl). I REALLY wanted to learn to make a friendship bracelet to give to Steve--he wears those. Andrea, one of the campers who was with us yesterday (and who is a great teacher) taught me how to make one. She is a master! Kay held the end for me, and I was on my way! One of the strings broke, but Andrea made a quick repair Voila! Here is a picture of Kay holding the finished project -- just don't tell my husband Steve!




After dinner Kay and I joined David's group outside the Dining Hall to make candles and talk about the Eucharist on Friday. It was a very lively event! The campers were split into two groups -- while one group went to look for sticks to secure the wicks of the candles to and to find cool things (such as leaves, acorn or bark) to put in their candles, the other group was trimming down the size of the cups the candles were going to be made in. David, who I found out tonight is from Irvine (graduated for University High) melted wax and added crayons for color. He had a blue wax and a red wax, and campers got to choose which color. By mixing the two he made purple! Some campers let their candles cool then added another color on top -- some multi-tiered their candles. Kay offered a wonderful reflection on the Eucharist -- likening it to Thanksgiving Dinner. The campers understood -- David made a candle that the campers would offer for use in the Eucharist on Friday! Here is a picture of David pouring wax into the cup to make a candle.




Community Gathering was fun as always! Lots of great songs. As the group gathered tonight was different from the group we had last night, Trevor asked them about their experiences -- what was new for them. Many of the campers had never slept out under the stars. Everyone mentioned seeing shooting stars, cooking outdoors, and the games they played. Mike Stone, the Transitional Deacon from the Diocese of San Diego and Chaplain with Kay this week offered the reflection tonight. He told a "Holy Fish" story. I'm not going to ruin it by outlining it here, because hopefully someone will tape him telling it and put it on YouTube! Here he is telling the story.

I leave you with more pictures from today's adventure at Camp Stevens.

Location:Camp Stevens, Julian, CA United States