Sunday Eucharist and Healing

 It went very well.

Our wondrous musician, MF was back for the first time in a month.

He even let me anoint him for healing after all he's been through.

My sermon was well received, as was the healing after communion.

I had EL anoint me and pray for my healing to give the congregation an understanding that lay people can do the anointing. I hope, over time to have lay people do it each Sunday.

(There are two very active and generous members of the congregation who won't receive communion. I'm working up to talking to them about why they don't. Maybe next week....)

Coffee hour was great and several folks told me not to worry driving home because in my sermon I said something about 'being afraid' driving up Route 8. Great of them to wish me well.

I've loved every congregation I've served in all these years--4 one-on-one and three in a cluster ministry. But Trinity is becoming my favorite.

I can't tell you exactly why, but I'll try soon.

(I did get home safe and sound!)

Backing up

I don't know much about cars.

I did fill up my windshield wiper fluid yesterday--a big accomplishment for me!

My car failed it's admissions test a few weeks ago. I have to got get tested again soon. What if I fail again?

The testing guy told me I hadn't driven enough miles since my check engine light had been turned off. I didn't even know how he knew that had happened. My car fixers told me to drive a hundred miles before getting tested, but I didn't. So, they were right.

Besides that, though I drive fine and carefully, backing up is a challenge for me.

Josh and his significant other are coming today at 3 and Bern told me to back in so I could pull out when Josh's car was behind me in the driveway.

I did it somehow--good for me!

I have to leave for church at 8 a.m. tomorrow and I don't know how long Josh's car will be in front of me.

We'll see, I guess.

At least I won't have to back up to leave....

 

OK, one minor criticism...

 I've told you how much I love Bern and why.

The list goes on and on.

I couldn't ask for more--even imagine what 'more' to ask for....

But she moves things around.

If it were up to me, every thing would stay where it was forever.

No moving around.

But Bern does it all the time.

Most recently, our back porch.

The chair I sat in for years was moved to the corner by the door. And the trash can for bottles and cans (worth 10 cents when returned) still sits beside my chair but on the wrong side of the door. I can't just open the door and toss in a ginger ale can, I have to go on the porch and shut the door to hit the can.

OK, a little thing I know.

But I don't like things moved. Never. Not ever.

(Am I an idiot? Which is what she thinks when I complain....)

Don't move things around is my motto.

Hot Thursday

 I got a lot done today.

Washed me clothes and put them away.

Wrote my sermon.

Deposited my check from Trinity Church.

Bought some windshield washer fluid. (Tomorrow I'll try to figure out how to put it in....)

Erased the dumb stuff on my email.

Read 50 pages of the David Rosenfelt book I'm reading.

Even relaxed some.

Well, for me, that's a lot! I'm not a workaholic!

The sermon is about Jesus walking on water, which I can't do. (You can't either, I'd bet.)

I don't even swim well. I'm mostly ok in a pool but put me in the ocean and you'll never see me again.

It's hot and humid, but I don't complain since I hate the cold winter so much. Besides we have air-conditioners.

I'd better rest up for Friday....

 

 

Bible Stiudy (part 2)

 So we met today--only 4 of us, it's summer after all.

And we never got to actual 'study' of the Gnostic Gospels.

We had communion and then talked about my idea to have lay folks do the healing service. Why not? We let lay folks administer the chalice and take communion to folks who are stuck at home.

The bread and wine are blessed, so they can do it.

I think it might be against church law--but why not try and tell the Bishop "I'm sorry" when he or she tells me to stop.

But there were concerns because lay folks aren't under the rule of secrecy that priests are.

Anything a lay person tells me in private stays secret, it's part of my vows.

You could tell me you robbed a bank and when the cops came I would tell them what you told me was between you and me.

I would refuse to testify against you.

So, if you told someone anointing you for healing that you had a disease from an out of wedlock sexual encounter and wanted to be healed, a priest couldn't tell your spouse but a lay person could.

So, I get it.

We'll have healing Sunday but I'll do the oil.

We'll talk about lay people doing it later....

Bible Study

 We're reading the Gnostic Gospels. Some are fascinating and some are just dumb!

Anyway, there's usually 8 people or so there and they are great to talk with. I appreciate their insights and humor a great deal.

You get to know people sitting around a table, sharing communion and talking about spiritual things...among other things.

We've had to miss a few sessions so I hope they remember where we left off, I don't.

And I'm the priest!!!!

They know a lot more than me about a lot of things.

Bless them....

Rain, rain, don't go away....

 It's rained like crazy in Cheshire the last day or more.

That's fine with me (besides getting wet going out!) because much of the country has heat waves and/or forest fires.

So, let it rain.

I had a great night's sleep--not always true.

I went to the library and checked out as many books as I could get in my blue and gold West Virginia bag.

I love reading almost as much as sleeping.

I haven't been hungry for several days. I eat what I can and leave the rest (much to Brigit's delight!) I looked on line to try to figure out why and got nothing that made sense.

Causes went from minor things (slowed down aging metabolism) to serious things (depression and cancer).

Maybe I don't move around enough--that's true.

But we shall see how my apatite goes the next few days before I panic.

I don't like to panic more than I don't like to sleep well....