Taipei Day One

We got in the early evening on Sunday, September 14th having left in the morning of Saturday, September 13th -- Taipei is 15 hours ahead of Irvine. We unpacked and walked around the hotel a bit, then off to bed.



I woke up at 5 this morning Taipei time -- not my initial plan for my first day, but I had enough sleep. I looked out my window and saw this beautiful, early morning scene outside. Steve and I got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast. We ran into bishops and their spouses who arrived either last night after we did or early this morning. It was wonderful to see them and to catch up for a few minutes! Our friends we were waiting for arrived, and we set out to plan our day.



A postulant from our diocese, Peter Huang, was raised in Taiwan and his parents live here. He is here to visit his parents and to help us plan a fews days of sight seeing before our House of Bishops meeting. I learned long ago that, when there is this much of a time difference, going in a day or two early to acclimate before the meeting starts is a great way to ease into being in a different country and time zone! Peter graciously offered to be our guide for a few days, and I gratefully accepted! As it was scorching out (okay, it probably isn't as bad as what my friends are going through in Southern California right now), we decided to spend most of our time in the National Palace Museum. Rather than hire a car to take us around we are utilizing metro, buses and cabs. The cab to the museum (with four of us in the car) was only $6.00 total -- such a deal! We got to the museum and I had to take this picture of heading to the entrance from mid-way from the bottom. It was hot and I needed a momentary pause in the heat before going any further!

As the museum does not allow photography, you will have to google the museum to see parts of the collections we saw -- the museum is VAST and we saw the main, important pieces (we knew that because the lines of tour groups queued to see them was enormous!) We got in those lines and were overwhelmed by the intricacy and beauty of the pieces!




We all got hungry, so Peter lead us to the restaurant at the top of the museum. It was wonderful! We each ordered the kind of tea we wanted to drink, and Peter took care of the rest. Starting with beef noodle soup and then all the different dim sum dishes to share. It was a feast, and something we needed to take some time off our feet and feed our hunger. Here is a picture of Peter dishing out some more soup for someone. You can see we had already done pretty good work on the dim sum dishes! There were eight of us -- Kirk Smith, Peter Huang, Michael Hanley, Marla Hanley, Andrew Waldo, Mary Waldo, Steve and me.



After lunch we headed to two more exhibits and the gift shop (no one bought anything!) and then headed back to the hotel. As we entered the hotel Marla stopped and stared at a sign that was in Chinese. I asked her why -- she told me that she had just seen a sign in English before the sign changed about the House of Bishops meeting. We waited for it to come around again and I snapped this picture.

We were all tired, so we took a few hours to rest (and in my case work on my personal travel journal (written long hand) and to work on this one.) It is quiet here, hot and windy outside. Inside the hotel is very peaceful up on the guest floors. Down in the lobby there is a steady stream of tour buses pulling up to the front of the hotel, letting the passengers out to take photos in the beautiful lobby (I will take a picture of that tomorrow). After a few minutes of picture taking the tourists are gathered back into the buses and drive off, only to be followed by yet another bus or two!



Peter came back and collected us all, taking us to the Huang family favorite restaurant -- Yi Yuan at the Westin Hotel. We dined on amazing food, including the Huang family favorite Peking Duck and a special Banana dish with sugar web made right at the side of our table (see pictures below -- I took the picture of the duck before the chef carved it table-side.)

We had a great time, talking about the church, family, life, etc. We laughed, we shared, we ate, and we laughed some more. It was the perfect way to end our first day here -- talking about mission and ministry and what is happening in our lives. It was a blessed time!

I am having problems posting my blog, so this may be sporadic. I finally successfully posted one to have it disappear into the ozone -- so if you see that one, it is slightly different from this one -- oh well!















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Flying home on 9/11

I'm sitting waiting for my flight to board, so that I can be home with Steve and our dog Basil.

I noticed this week while walking around New York more police officers than I usually see. I also saw military in uniform standing guard at Grand Central Station. There has been a heightened sense of the need for security this week, all leading to today.


I did not think about how I would feel flying home on 9/11. I, as I know so many of you, remember where I was, what I was doing and how I learned about that terrible, horrific day -- so many lives lost, and a city -- and a nation -- feeling more vulnerable than ever before.

I was picked up and taken to the airport, as usual. This time, the driver didn't go through the Lincoln Tunnel -- he made his way out of Manhattan through the Holland Tunnel. On the way, I looked over and had to snap this picture -- it is the World Trade Center 911 Memorial. http://www.911memorial.org. I couldn't believe we stopped here at a light! There were many police officers there as they were setting up for a special light show in commemoration of the tragedy tonight. I wasn't supposed to be driving by this site -- but here I was, staring out the window and praying. As I sat in the car, I could only imagine the emotion the families and friends of those who were lost are feeling this day. The loss never goes away -- it is always there as a part of them. My eyes welled up just being near the site, remembering that fateful day -- I was on my knees praying for them all on 9/11, and for the first responders -- many of whom lost their lives trying to save others. I still pray for them all.

I initially had a little fear about getting on an airplane today, but I'm not feeling that way now. I'm feeling hope-filled that, remembering, we will never forget. We will never forget that violence is never the answer. We will never forget that the power of love is greater than the power of hatred. We will never forget those who lost their lives. I began to pray again, as I did on that fateful day for the ones who committed these atrocities. I thought about all of the violence and atrocities happening throughout the world -- especially in the Middle East -- beheadings, murder, torture. I opened my prayer book in the car (on my iPhone) and said this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer:

O God, the Father of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth: deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I also prayed that violence would end:

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

May we, as we remember all those who lost their lives this day -- may we never forget them, never forget that our call is to love our enemies, and find ways to be peacemakers.
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Location:Newark International Airport

Connectability

I counted at least 18 Subway sandwich bags coming on board my flight from Houston to Orange County on United Airlines (UA321) today -- mine was one of them. I don't know how many others may have had their prize lunch hidden in a bag -- keeping their treasure out of view of those who either didn't think ahead or ran to catch this flight. You can see my partially eaten sandwich here in the photo I took (when it was safe to put down my tray table and break out my sandwich!) I even saw a man in business class pull out his subway sandwich as I pulled out mine. He was enjoying his as much as I was enjoying mine -- it may have been his statement against the food in business class that was about to be served. Whoops -- wait a minute -- he is eating his business class lunch now too -- and looks like he is enjoying it as well!

The man across the aisle from me just removed his shoes, which, well, if I were braver I'd ask him to put them back on, as the odor is interfering with my enjoyment of my sandwich. But I know he deserves to be comfortable. I'm praying the increased air circulation will take care of that soon.

I thought about the incident I saw on the news regarding a United flight this past week -- a man in a middle seat purchased a device designed to stop the person in front of him from reclining their seat. The person ahead of him -- who wanted to recline her seat -- could not do so. Not even the stewardess could talk the gentleman with the "stop it from reclining" device into removing it. What ensued was the woman in the seat that the man stopped from reclining became angry and threw her water on the man. At an emergency stop at an airport (not the final destination), the two of them were removed from that flight and the rest of the passengers continued on to their destination. I don't know what happened to the two who had to deplane, but I'm fairly certain both will be on United's "naughty" list. I am thinking about this today because the woman in the seat in front of me just reclined her seat so abruptly and quickly that she sent my iPad flying off my tray table and into my lap! While I did have water in my possession, I had no desire to throw it on her. Instead, I smiled and kept on working.

Yesterday I received an email from United letting me know that there would be wifi available on this flight. This greatly distressed me. Flying as much as I do I enjoy being "cut off", even if just for a few hours, from my mail and phone. It feels like a mini break where I can write and think without the distraction of the BING of an email received, or the melodious tone of an incoming call. No, I won't be taking advantage of the $6.99 access to wifi. As this airbus also does not offer any kind of movie, the quiet of people eating their subway sandwiches and crunching on the chips they bought to go with it is as soothing to my ears and my heart as the meditative music/chants of Hildegard of Bingen.

I like United Airlines -- I'm almost afraid to say that -- I was a loyal Continental customer until they merged. I haven't had any problems with United, and when there has been an issue, it was taken care of quickly. Many people I talk to tell me their United tale-of-woe. I feel as though I'm hearing a confession when they start! I am tempted at times to offer absolution for their loathing of the airline that I actually like.

The woman in the seat in front of me just came back to her seat from using the restroom. Something told me to pick up my cup of black coffee and hold it in my hand -- thank goodness I did. She plopped back down in her seat (which was still in the reclining position), and sent my bottle of water -- from the aftershock to my tray table -- hurdling down the aisle.

And I keep on smiling.

Maybe United needs to create an airplane etiquette video. I'd be happy to help make suggestions for that one!

In one week and a few days I'll be back on a United flight again -- this time to New York for a Church Pension Fund Board of Trustees meeting. I'll come back on a Thursday night from that trip, have one day to do laundry and pack, and get back on a United Flight on Saturday morning to head to Taiwan for the House of Bishops meeting. I normally try not to do back to back flights like this, but I had not choice in this case. At least I have two nights in my own bed before heading to Asia.

I will leave for Asia on September 13 in the morning, arrive in Taiwan on September 14th in the evening, and arrive back home on October 8th. In addition to the work I will do at the House of Bishops in Taiwan, I, along with many other bishops, will take advantage of an optional, additional trip to another part of the Asian Anglican Communion. We had our choice of Hong Kong, Korea, Japan or the Philippines. I chose Hong Kong in order to continue the relationship we have with that Province. Because of my work in Multicultural Ministry, I will continue from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur, visiting the Bishop who was in charge of the Worldwide Anglican Chinese Clergy Fellowship I attended in Manila in 2012, then on to Korea to visit with Archbishop Kim and talk about the ministry exchange we share, and then on to Tokyo to visit with Bishop Oohata who we hosted in Los Angeles last year.

I will be on many planes, doing the work God has given me to do -- continuing and strengthening the relationships this Diocese has with Dioceses in Asia. There is much work we share in common, and a great deal of help we can offer each other. As the growth in Asian immigration continues on the West Coast, we as a church are in a unique position to welcome new immigrants-- some who know us from our sister churches in Asia, others who are hungry for the good news of Jesus Christ.

As I wander through Asia in the upcoming weeks, I will be blogging every day. I wonder, in this traveling, who I will meet on the planes and trains and buses I will be traveling on. One this is for certain -- if they take off their shoes, recline their seats, or bring food on board, I won't be complaining -- I will be smiling. And one more thing -- if wifi is offered, I won't be connecting!


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Nuevo Amanecer

From Monday afternoon to this morning more than 325 Episcopalians and members of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) gathered together to Nuevo Amanecer -- a conference dedicated to COMMUNITY -- MISSION -- FIESTA! This conference was designed for those involved in Hispanic/Latino ministry. Here you can see a picture of the Diocese of Los Angeles team (with the exception of Anthony Guillen who was pulled away from us right before this photo was taken).

It was wonderful to be with our ELCA brothers and sisters and to hear their stories. From the two plenaries (I did one!) and all the workshops, there was no lack of opportunity to be together and learn. In addition to the workshops and plenaries, there were daily walks built into each morning and afternoon schedule as well as opportunities to participate in zumba or yoga. It was a holy time of gathering together to talk about this important work in our church!

This was also a time for me to be with two of my Bishop colleagues -- the Bishop of New York, the Rt. Rev. Andrew Dietsche, and the Bishop Suffragan of North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Anne Hodges-Copple. While only three of us from the House of Bishops gathered here with the group, what we were told was that it is more Bishops than they had in 2012! With Episcopal groups coming from West Texas, Michigan, Kansas, Texas, Washington, New York, Olympia, Massachusetts, Virginia, Southeast Florida, Los Angeles, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, North Carolina -- and I know I'm not remembering them all -- it would be great to have my brother and sister bishops here with us! Hopefully in 2016!




The fruit of this time were the connections made, the learnings to be shared, and the commitment to come again in two years! I will be processing all I learned and heard over the next few weeks -- there was much that was shared, and I have lots of new food for thought.

The next gathering -- again at Kanuga in North Carolina -- will be August 29 to September 1, 2016. I wonder as I wander to Kanuga for Nuevo Amanecer 2016 what new friends I'll make, and what old friends I'll see? Interested in learning more? Look for information from the Office of Anthony Guillen! I will also be posting more about it as it gets closer.

I'm so grateful for this time together!


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Location:Kanuga, North Carolina

Rev. and the Book of Daniel

Tonight my husband Steve had me sit and watch the first episode of the first season of the BBC show Rev. I could not help but think of the NBC show a number of years ago (2006?) that came and went so quickly -- the Book of Daniel about an Episcopal priest.

As I watched the first episode of REV, I wondered a few things. Is this an accurate depiction? From what I know about Anglicanism in Great Britain, could what I'm seeing be true?

For me, the series the Book of Daniel made me cringe, at one point scream, and rejoice when it was off the air. We are on Season 1, Episode 1 of the Rev., and I am hoping my counterpoints in Great Britain helped this show fare better. More to come, I'm sure.

I wonder what the upcoming episodes of the Rev. will reveal.


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Planting

I made a decision when I became a bishop that I would "give myself away" to clergy in my geographical area of responsibility to be with them during Holy Week, Easter and Christmas. It isn't a formal visitation, so the open plate stays with them. Especially at Easter and Christmas, this is important, as the open plate is usually a bit higher on those days.

Today, Palm Sunday, I wandered over to St. Andrew's in Fullerton. Over one year ago I took the Rector, the Rev. Dr. Beth Kelly out of her office and walked her over to a vast expanse of lawn -- "Do you know how many people you could feed if you planted this with food plants instead of lawn?"

Well, today was the day that the first tree was planted.

Thanks to the generosity of a landscape architect who grew up in this parish, his firm drew up plans for a beautiful fruit tree orchard and garden. Instead of traditional raised beds, because this is St. ANDREW's (and Andrew was a fisherman), they are using boats. Yes, really. I bought one myself. How Biblical, and how wonderful!

And here I am, looking as those I'm jumping on a pogo stick -- but it's really the shovel. I blessed the land (where they removed the sod), and I was given the great privilege of digging the first hole. I've jumped on top of the shovel to try to "dig deep".

After me many of the parishioners took turns digging. A valencia orange tree was planted -- it is the first of many trees that will be planted there. The design is set to have a table for use while working in the garden, with the boats around it. There will be a water feature out there as well -- I'm thinking outdoor baptisms and celebrations of the Eucharist at that table!

I am so impressed by the design and what the people of St. Andrew's are doing! The head of the food bank that will receive much if not all of the produce from St. Andrew's was there as well, thanking the people for what they are doing. "I live three blocks from here," he shared. "Everytime I drove by I thought to myself, "that's a place that could have an amazing garden. And now you are -- and we are so grateful."

I wonder what I'll name the boat I bought. Thoughts, anyone?

Fish and bread -- how Biblical!

This past Sunday I was at St. Paul's in Ventura. The Rev. Susan Bek came down to Los Angeles to have lunch with me before the visitation, and shared with me the Good News of God in Christ that is happening in Ventura.

She told me, before I got there, "Bishop, there is one thing. We have one beautiful little girl that has some challenges, one of them is food. We have worked with her, but she cannot take the host. We asked her Mom what would work, and she told us "goldfish". So you will see on the paten the priest's host, and a goldfish cracker. We will point her out to you as you distribute communion."

Susan did, and I about cried.

Talk about being present for someone who is challenged, but is such a beautiful child of God, and of one member of the clergy who "gets it" and responds with what is necessary to not exclude one of God's children.

Here is Susan's note to me about this, and a picture of the goldfish cracker on the paten with the priest's hosts. This past Sunday, as there often is, there were Gluten free wafers as well -- we need to meet our people where they are to be able to offer them the Body of Christ!

Each Sunday we bless a priest's host, plenty of regular wafers, a few gluten-free wafers and one Pepperidge Farms goldfish. Every time the Deacon sets the table and I come forward to celebrate, we look down at the paten and glance at each other, nearly in tears. We know that it's unusual to bless a goldfish, but the story of why we do it, and who we do it for, means so much to us that the mere sight of it makes us emotional. We have, in our congregation, a little girl who has some special needs. Among her various challenges she has some food rigidity. She is unable to take the wafer; not because she's allergic, because it is not one of the very limited number of things she is able to accept and eat. Not long after I arrived at St. Paul's I had the great pleasure of baptizing this girl's younger sister. Following the baptism, and because it was their family's wishes, the younger girl received Eucharist for the first time. Sadly, the older sister could not receive. We tried many times. We met outside of Sunday service and offered her the opportunity to see, hold, smell and examine wafers in the hope that she might be willing to accept one and eat it. Much as she wanted to, she simply could not accept the body of Christ when presented in this form. I asked their mother whether there was a cracker of some kind that she was able to eat and that's when we found out that she likes goldfish. Now there is a box sitting in our sacristy and every Sunday one little orange goldfish adorns our paten. When I place it in her hand I say, "this is the body of Christ, the bread of heaven for you." She looks up and, ever so quietly, says, "thank you...I mean, Amen!"  She is welcome at this table as all are welcome at this table. And if we have to make some accommodations so that all may join us, so be it. 

Matthew 19:14 (RSV) 

14 but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

I have been wanting to take a picture of the paten with the priest's host and goldfish. I will do that tomorrow and send it to you. 

When I have the opportunity to return to St. Paul's, I hope to give this beautiful child of God what she needs to be included in the meal so many of us take for granted each Sunday -- but which, for her, because of her condition, she could not partake of before the Rev. Susan Bek became the loving vessel of God that she is. I wonder what I will find the next time I show up at St. Paul's?