A wedding and a vacation

Hi, all!

I just returned from a vacation trip to Colorado to see my family and officiate at the wedding of my nephew, Will, and his bride, Kelseigh. It was a wonderful trip and I came back refreshed.

It was an honor to officiate at the wedding of Will and Kelseigh, but it felt a bit odd. I wasn't sure if I was acting as the uncle or the priest. The emotions I felt as the uncle, with all the memories and associations of our family, had to be tamped down a bit as I officiated. The officiant shouldn't get choked up...that's the job of everyone else! Here's a photo.

I took walks in the Boulder foothills with my older sister, had coffee with my brother in a funky Boulder coffee shop, enjoyed a summer evening in the backyard of my younger sister and her husband, and spent mornings with my mother in her sun-spilled kitchen. It's good to connect with family...it helps me remember who I am, and reminds me that I am deeply loved. Also I had some time to make some sketches.

I attended St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in Boulder on Sunday morning. The priest was gone on a mission trip for the youth group, so we had Morning Prayer led by a layperson. The sermon was also given by a layperson, a lawyer, who gave an excellent homily.

When I returned, I found that Marge Mckenzie was in the hospital for heart problems, so I made a visit to her. I also learned that Janet Steller had a brief stay in the hospital but has returned home. Please keep Marge and Janet in your prayers. I'm grateful to Fr. Craig and Fr. Dick Scott for covering for me while I was away.

Although traveling is great, it's nice to be home, and I'm looking forward to being with you tomorrow as we gather around the holy table and receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, the sacrament of Holy Communion. See you there!

Bill

Remembering those who have sacrificed

Hi, all!

In yesterday's newspaper I read about the Tolling the Boats ceremony at Keyport Museum. The bell was tolled for each of the 52 submarines lost in World War Two, plus two more submarines lost at sea later. The loss of submarines in WWII is not generally acknowledged... it was only when I came to submarine country that I realized the tremendous sacrifices given by submariners.

One of the WWII submarine vets in attendance said, "It was a volunteer part of the Navy. Everyone volunteered and took our chances." On Memorial Day we remember those who volunteered to serve their country and were lost in battle.

It reminds me again how tragic war is. How many lives lost, and how much destruction. How many young men and women with so much promise, lost. I don't know if war is necessary. It seems to me that war is a complete waste of lives and resources. but I honor those who have given their lives in sacrifice, and those who serve our country with fidelity and courage.

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, "War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend." (The Two Towers)

As always, I find the words of the Prayer Book to be dignified and gracious:

"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in whose hands are the living and the dead: We give thee thanks for all thy servants who have laid down their lives in the service of our country. Grant to them thy mercy and the light of thy presence; and give us such a lively sense of thy righteous will, that the work which thou hast begun in them may be perfected; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen." (BCP, p. 488)

Tomorrow we'll honor the fallen with that prayer as we seek to continue "the work which thou hast begun in them."

Bill

Finding our deep gladness

Hi, all!

One of my favorite quotes is from Frederick Buechner: "The place where God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world's deep need meet." Finding our deep gladness is not always easy. Sometimes it takes a long time to discover our true self.

When I was in the eighth grade, my family moved from Kansas to Nebraska, and I was thrown into a new school in the middle of the year. In the first day of art class, the art teacher told us to draw something from our imagination. I had no idea what she wanted. I dawdled and dragged the time out, but she insisted that I draw something. So I drew a logo from my dad's work, the only image I could think of. She said, "What is that?" I explained and she said, "No! I told you to draw from your imagination." She crossed her arms and said emphatically, "You'll never be an artist."

And with that decree planted firmly in my mind, I avoided anything about art from then on. It was only many years later that I began to experiment with pencil, ink, and watercolors. I got such pleasure from sketching what I saw in front of me that I began to realize she was wrong. Contrary to what she said, I am a creative person. In fact, when I get too busy to sketch, paint, make music, or do woodworking, I begin to feel dull and bored, like something's missing.

I've finally come to accept that I need to be creative in order to be myself. My mind needs to be continually imagining new ideas, new images, new projects. I've come to understand that this is how God made me. Now I always carry a sketchbook with me so I can capture an image or describe a scene in front of me. It's not the quality that's so important to me, but the immediacy, the engagement with my surroundings, and the creation that happens with a pen or a brush. It inspires me.

I photograph my artwork and upload it to the internet so anyone can see it. So from time to time I'll show you some of my artwork so you can enjoy it, too. In fact, on Monday I made this watercolor of an old-time gas station I saw in Bainbridge Island (see below).

Each of us has unique gifts that God has given us. Your gifts and your inspiration are uniquely your own. So let me ask: what is your deep gladness?

Bill

Click on the image to see a larger size.

The blessing and beauty of inconvenience

January 19, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday and today I stayed at home because the roads are too slick to travel. It's cozy at home, with plenty to do and no need to rush. Sometimes we have to be forced to slow down, and when we do, we find that life at a slower pace is rich and good. I've been able to catch up on some reading, do some painting, and work from home.

This morning I saw my neighbor and his grandchildren sledding down the hill next to our house, so I went out and joined them. I'd forgotten how much fun it is to skim over the ground with the snow flying past your face!

When I went out for a walk this afternoon, very few cars were out. The usual drone of traffic in the air was silenced, and the hush of the snow was magical. It was so quiet in Tracyton, all I could hear was the sound of children playing in the snow. Too bad it's not like this more often!

Sitting in a snug home on a snowy day makes me grateful for the basics of life: a warm, dry home that shields us from the elements; emergency personnel who brave the cold to keep us safe; the availability of food and fuel; the blessing of family and friends. Simple things.

I hope the snow hasn't been too much of an inconvenience for you, and I hope you can find beauty and blessing even in this inclement weather.

Bill    

Emerging from Christmas

January 13, 2012

Hi, all!

Yesterday I finally mailed the last of the Christmas letter we usually send to our far-flung family and friends. And even though Epiphany has blown by us, we still haven't taken our Christmas tree down. 

   

The Christmas season seems to wrap me up in a big wind and send me hurling headlong through the days. Now, finally, I think I'm emerging from the frenzy of Christmas, at least enough to think about writing Hello from the Vicar!

When I was first ordained a priest and our sons were little, I felt I had to do my part to help Katy make a special celebration at home, plus I felt the pressure of celebrating two Christmas eve services at church. Now that our boys are grown, it's much easier. But I still find Christmas to be exhausting.

This year after Christmas, our family went to La Push, a small Native American village on the Olympic Coast, for a couple of days of rest and relaxation. We hiked the beaches, went to a Native American Dance and healing circle, and I painted some watercolors. It was a very relaxing time for me. And now that Epiphany is over, I feel I'm fully engaged for the new year.

I hope that you had a good Christmas celebration, too, and that the New Year is finding you in productive and healthy endeavors.

Bill   

Ready or not

Hi, all!

I'm not sure I'm quite ready for Christmas. This time of year is hectic, because there are so many things to do. Parties, presents, house guests, travel, decorations...and on and on. It's a wonderful time of year, but it seems like it's impossible to do everything we want.

I'm not sure I'm ready for Christmas Eve, either. The sermon is done, the bulletins are printed, the music is ready, people are scheduled...but am I ready? Am I spiritually ready to celebrate the birth of Christ?

The truth is, I'm not really ready. I'm still fussing with last minute details, things I forgot to do, things I'd like to do. But when I think about it, I probably never will be really ready. There's always something more to be done.

The good news is that God didn't wait for the world to be ready when he came as a child in a manger. God didn't wait until every heart prepared him room. He didn't wait until all the conditions were right. He came when he was needed, at just the right time.

This poem from Madeleine L'Engle reminds us to rejoice that God is coming whether we're ready or not. Wherever you are tonight, I wish you a holy night, the night of the Savior's birth.

First Coming
by Madeleine L'Engle

He did not wait till the world was ready,
till men and nations were at peace.
He came when the Heavens were unsteady,
and prisoners cried out for release.

He did not wait for the perfect time.
He came when the need was deep and great.
He dined with sinners in all their grime,
turned water into wine.

He did not wait till hearts were pure.
In joy he came to a tarnished world of sin and doubt.
To a world like ours, of anguished shame
he came, and his Light would not go out.

He came to a world which did not mesh,
to heal its tangles, shield its scorn.
In the mystery of the Word made Flesh
the Maker of the stars was born.

We cannot wait till the world is sane
to raise our songs with joyful voice,
for to share our grief, to touch our pain,
He came with Love: Rejoice! Rejoice!

Bill  

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Hi, all!

Today is Thanksgiving Day, and our house has extra guests...our older son and his friend, our younger son and his girlfriend. As I sat in my chair saying my prayers this morning, I felt a sense of wholeness and warmth. We're all here together.

We'll have a big dinner this afternoon with all the trimmings, including non-gluten and vegetarian options, and afterwards we'll take a walk to work off some of those calories. I hope you and yours are also gathered to celebrate today, and I hope you'll take some time to reflect on the good things God has given you. Practice gratitude.

I'm especially thankful for those who labored to bring us our food, for those who stand by to protect us and keep our electricity on, for the good earth and the peaceful animals that gave us our food. God is generous.

As the General Thanksgiving says on p. 101 of the Prayer Book:
"We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory."

Even though there's a warm glow around the image of Thanksgiving Day, I'm aware this morning of all those who don't find this a happy day: those whose families are absent or broken by strife, those who are alone or grieving lost ones, those who have to work even on a holiday (especially the early Black Friday), those who don't have a warm, dry home to shelter them, and Native Americans who may find this day a painful historical memory. This awareness keeps my gratitude humble.

Keeping all this in mind,
May God bless you this day with deep gratitude of the soul.
May you savor the food in your mouth and taste the goodness of God.
And may you sense the profound presence of those around you.

Bill