Fell off the earth!

Well, not really. But I have been pretty busy for the last little bit and will be pretty busy again for at least another week. I wanted to write a word about Happening though. For those of you who do not know, it is an intense retreat weekend for 10-12th graders. I got to be the clergy and it was my first Healing service and my first Reconciliation services too--albeit altered for the setting! It was amazing and inspiring and although I got no sleep and am just dopey, I am also flying high on the way it felt to be a priest among all of those fabulous young people. I finished thinking, "THIS is why I am a priest!" I got to preside at the closing too, in our Cathedral there at the top of the mountain. It is about 3-4 stories tall and the altar sits in front of a full height glass window with a built in cross as part of the framing. It was raining softly and the fresh new greens were just beginning to be evident. The red bud trees were blooming all the way down the hill. It was spectacular! It was a weekend full of joyous tears and gratitude and the Holy Spirit was just so present. Stay tuned for a photograph or two later on!

Comments

Raisin said…
And speaking of falling off the earth...how about this morning's earthquake in southern Illinois? Did you feel those tremors?
April 18, 2008 at 8:06 AM
Rev. Jane Austen said…
No! I heard about it but must be too far East! Did you? It would be nice if we both did (barring injury for anyone else) as I miss being connected on closer earth. . .
April 19, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
    In the intervening time since my last post, I have been diligently pushing out a weekly column, From the Treehouse, for our church family.   That felt important during the Pandemic at its isolating height, but now we have returned to a crazier life, fraught with all of the anxiety Covid has brought, but missing the slower pace of the previous months.   I have been advised that people are now too busy to read those sorts of things,—and if my own inbox is any witness, I absolutely get it. I have been pondering this culture of ‘both/and’ that has pervaded keeping a church going in these challenging times.   Many things have two sides.   Streaming our services means those immunocompromised folks in our parish family can still stay connected, which is something we absolutely desire.   But it also means that those who might choose to return to church in person instead select an easier route.   I imagine them staying home in their jammies, with coffee and a croissant or panne de chocolat
Read more

One sleepy dog

Image
They do wear each other out. . .We got out of school for ice today so they are glad to have some of us home. I was glad not to drive again! Late nights in Prestonsburg on Wednesday make for sleepy Thursdays.
Read more

Veterans Day

One of the towns I drive through is Manchester, KY. Manchester is a town that supports its military citizens in a big way. Several weeks ago, a deployed group returned. Two miles out of Manchester, the posters and yellow ribbons welcoming them home were blowing in a gentle wind. You could feel the joy of the entire town at their return. East of Manchester, there is a marker with a rifle forming part of a cross. At the base is a pair of boots, and the helmet rests on the butt of the rifle. This week, flowers were added and today a large 4X6 flag flew low to the ground as part of this memorial. I think this particular remembrance might be for Sgt. Stanfill, who died in an accident on the Hal Rogers Parkway just east of Manchester a couple of years ago. Even though Sgt. Stanfill perished on the road I drive several times a week instead of on a far away battle field, I am glad the citizens of Manchester --or perhaps his family-- honor his service in such a way. We observed the tradition
Read more