#lenten video series | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

blessedarethebinarybreakers · 9 months ago

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Due to flare ups, I’ve been thinking more about my relationship with my disabilities and my relationship with God — any good resources/book you can recommend?

Hey there, sending love and solidarity as you go through flare ups and as you explore all this <3

You came to the right place — disability theology is one of my great passions! Here are my recs for you. If anyone has more resources to add on or insights for anon, please share!

For starters...

First, you might enjoy wandering through my #disability theology tag over on my other blog, which includes excerpts from various disability theologians.

Or reading through / praying with the disability text prayers I shared here last July for Disability Pride Month, which were written by a variety of disabled folks.

Since it's Lent, Unbound's Disabling Lent: An Anti-Ableist Lenten Devotional is timely!

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Memoirs Exploring Christian Faith & Chronic Pain / Illness

My Body and Other Crumbling Empires, Lyndsey Medford (2023)

This memoir connects faith, chronic illness (especially autoimmune disorders), and the sickness at the heart of Western Empire / the Protestant work ethic.

How can we learn to work with instead of against our bodies? How can we rebuild our world to treat all bodies with the love and gentleness they deserve? .

This Here Flesh, Cole Arthur Riley (2022)

An incredibly beautiful book, poetic and searing...explores the goodness of embodied life and intersections between disability (particularly chronic illness), Blackness, queerness, womanhood, and more.

Each chapter focuses on a different emotion (anger, joy, lament, love...) to teach us how to honor and listen to what we feel in our bodies.

CW for accounts of sexual assault and other forms of and abuse and trauma, as well as accounts of antiblack racism. .

Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I've Loved, Kate Bowler (2018)

If you've been steeped in any kind of prosperity gospel, "if you pray hard enough you'll be healed" type Christianity, I highly recommend this book.

Bowler writes with gentle honesty about how her chronic pain and then cancer compelled her to move away from that kind of harmful Christianity into a faith with room for doubt, grief, and a God that holds her in her suffering.

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Disability Theology — Books, Podcasts, Videos

Disability: The Inclusive Church Resource edited by Bob Callighan (2014)

If you're interested in the perspectives of various disabled Christians, I love the range of voices they brought into this text! A great intro to how theology and church life impact disabled persons and how our churches must re-form themselves with disabled persons at the center. .

My Disabled AND Blessed YouTube series

I've got multiple YouTube videos that draw from various disability theologians!

I especially recommend my introduction to reading the Bible with a disability lens — stressing how different biblical authors hold different views around disability; so what's God's overall message? — and my video on Luke 14's parable of the banquet!

If you have questions about or struggle with the Gospels' healing narratives, I also recommend my livestream on that topic. .

My friend Laura's Autistic Liberation Theology Podcast (you can listen wherever you get podcasts)

Laura explores scripture through the lens of an autistic trans person who uses a wheelchair and has multiple chronic & mental illnesses.

I especially recommend their episode on "the Gethsemane of things," which takes an honest look at pain and where God is in our suffering. (Most of Laura's eps don't have transcripts, but I shared an abridged version of this ep on my podcast and it has a transcript)

"I am not your ornamental prophet" is also a great episode for thinking about what pressures are put on disabled persons and how to construct boundaries for yourself .

The Mad and Crip Theology Podcast

This podcast interviews the authors who are published in the Mad and Crip Theology journal, which is really cool! You can watch episodes with captions on YouTube, or listen wherever you get podcasts.

A good starter episode: this one "on Queer and Crip Sexuality and the Disabled Christ" .

Some eps of Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

While my own podcast largely centers trans perspectives, disability comes up frequently as well! Each ep has a transcript. These are the disability-focused ones:

"No End to Transphobia without Uprooting Ableism — exploring embedded forms of oppression"

"Our Pride Is Not a Sin — a Queer and Disabled Christian Lens"

"Goodness Embodied — an intersex, nonbinary first human and a disabled risen Christ"

"Marginalized Bodies as Spectacle and the good news in Jesus's disabling wounds"

"Eli and the prophet Elijah"

“Secular” books that helped shape my own theology

What Can a Body Do? How We Meet the Built World, Sara Hendren (2020)

Fantastic book digging into recent disability history, present, and future with focus on the “misfit” theory of disability where body and world interact with each other disharmoniously, and the creativity disabled people employ to make them more harmonious .

Exile and Pride, Eli Clare (1999)

One of my favorite books of all time. Connects disability, queerness, rural life, trauma, and more. Clare is one of the originators of the concept of the “bodymind” (though he talks about that more in one of his later books)

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Wanting even more resources? Here's my google doc with aaaaall the disability theology stuff — plus some helpful disability 101 stuff to share with loved ones!

Praying for comfort, wisdom, and community support for you as you journey! Please feel free to drop by again with any questions that come up or to share any insights you've gained any time <3

#disability theology #disabled AND blessed #disabled christians #faithfullydisabled #resources #recs #books #this reminds me i've been meaning to share more excerpts i've gathered from disability theology books...#anyone interested in that should go follow my other blog a-queer-seminarian and i'll start posting some in the coming days...

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thewahookid · 8 months ago

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Journey of the Heart: Mary's Way (Part 1)

Fear, sadness, pain, and hope were just some of the motherly emotions that Mary would have felt as she witnessed her only Son's journey to Calvary. In this episode of our Lenten video series, Journey of the Heart, Fr. Thomas McKenna, CM, assistant provincial of the Vincentians of the Eastern Province, USA, reflects on Mary's Way along with Joan Marie, a visitor of the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, and Clara, a student at Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Flourtown, Pa.

#youtube

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memorylang · 4 years ago

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12 Months’ Pandemic Chronicled | #51 | March 2021

Happy Palm Sunday yesterday, and Happy Passover from the night before! Right under two weeks ago, March 16, 2O2I, marked the one-year anniversary to the close of my first Peace Corps Mongolia service. While I’ve continued to serve virtually, I’ve done so informally as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Having lived these past 12 months back in the States, today’s tales chronicle that year.

Also commemorating the one-year anniversary, I’ve uploaded dozens of photos from my first nine months serving Mongolia. You can find those on my Instagram and Facebook, from February and March. I begin today’s stories with those. From there, I chronicle my journey across the year.

Evacuating Mongolia (February 2O2O)

February’s final week, on Ash Wednesday 2O2O, I was in Mongolia celebrating the third day of Tsagaan Sar, its Lunar New Year. Returning to my apartment from my last supper, I read an email from Peace Corps Mongolia that we were evacuating. I pulled an all-nighter packing my apartment. Shortly after sunrise, I visited a Peace Corps neighbor’s apartment to pack theirs. Then in my final two days, I said hasty goodbyes to community members, exchanging parting gifts.

Sunday morning, which began Peace Corps Week and March 2O2O, I and fellow Volunteers loaded into Peace Corps vehicles and rode in our caravan till evening. Then the snowstorm caused us to need to stay overnight in a hotel coincidentally located in a city that my cohort would frequent during our summer 2OI9 for training. My evacuation group reached Mongolia’s capital Monday afternoon, with briefings from staff throughout Tuesday. Mongolia had already begun to enforce mask-wearing and physical-distancing, so we couldn’t do much with our final hours in Mongolia. Indeed, since mid-January, many public places had already closed due to quarantine.

Wednesday night, the week after my peers and I had received notice of our evacuation and now mere hours before my group would depart the country, we awaited the arrival of fellow Peace Corps peers to the capital. For, Peace Corps staff staggered our arrivals into and departures from the capital to account for both the time drivers would need to assemble us from across the nation and the limited flight options still going out of the country. Those of us who remained awake through our final night enjoyed getting to see and embrace peers for our final moments together.

Over the course of Thursday, March 5, my group flew first from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, through Moscow, Russia, to Berlin, Germany. Many of our itineraries diverged. From Germany, I and a few flew to Amsterdam, the Netherlands. From the Netherlands, I and a couple others flew to New York, New York. I slept four and a half hours’ in a hotel. Then I flew alone Friday from New York to Las Vegas, Nevada. I returned to my home of junior high and high school in North Las Vegas.

American Twilight Zone (March 2O2O)

My first few weeks in the States felt weird, not just because of reverse culture shock. Back in Mongolia, fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, particularly Health Volunteers, had followed American media and read that our presidential administration had been downplaying the COVID-19 pandemic. Problematically, too, when leaders acknowledged it, some labeled it the “China virus” and accused Asians of spreading it. These set the tone.

When I arrived in New York, I felt perturbed by the lack of mask-wearing and physical distancing. The morning when I’d fly out, I felt annoyed when the worker who checked me into my flight joked that I might have the virus since I’d flown in from Mongolia. Mongolia had no COVID cases—and wouldn’t have its first community transmission till November 11, 2O2O. Friends, too, when I said that I’d come back, distrusted that I couldn’t have the virus. So, although Peace Corps peers and I had already been quarantining nearly a month and a half before returning to the States—and very much craved to reconnect with folks—we found ourselves again isolated.

Then Vegas felt weird. Nevada had reported its first COVID case the day before I returned, yet Mongolia hadn’t any. Yet Mongolia had shut down, and Nevada hadn’t. Society moved as though little was happening. My brothers still had school and were gone most of most days. Dad worked weekdays out-of-town. Thus, while I lived again in the States, even inside my family’s home, I was the only one around. I felt lonelier than how’d I’d felt before leaving my life abroad.

The Filipina family of my father’s fiancée was perhaps the most understanding of my circumstances. The oldest daughter was celebrating her birthday that first Sunday, March 8, since my return to the States. So, I got to join them in enjoying the occasion. As I’d come to learn, Mongolia and the Philippines had more cultural similarities than I’d expected. I’d also feel dismayed to learn that people weren’t treating the youngest daughter kindly in her food service role, for some customers believed that her being Asian meant that she had the Coronavirus.

Resettling Into Lent (March 2O2O)

Most every morning, my first few days and weeks, tracks from Disney's “Frozen II” became my anthems. I’d seen the film that Friday, March 6, when I’d flown alone back to Vegas. I’d connected especially with “Show Yourself,” “Some Things Never Change” and “The Next Right Thing.” I started to learn the lyrics not only in English but also in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

My local church was still open. Meanwhile, in Mongolia, our church had been closed for nearly months. So, I attended services daily. I overheard old parishioners wondering what all this pandemic talk was about. I visited Reconciliation and a Stations of the Cross service. I applied to sing in the choir with which my late mom sang.

My second week in the States, church and schools closed. Meanwhile, Peace Corps announced its global evacuation. My peers and I weren’t to expect to return to Mongolia this summer and instead were to expect that fall would be the soonest. My youngest brother’s hs senior spring ended abruptly, so he stuck around at the house. Our oldest brother left to quarantine with his girlfriend and her sisters.

I cleaned much in and around the house. My greatest achievement early in the pandemic was to lead a garage clean-up with all siblings when my sisters visited. The task enabled us to at last park a vehicle in it once more. My siblings and I donated, too, decades of belongings.

Among the unearthing, I dove deep into family history. I wrote up my understanding of my father's and my late mother's ancestries, which were also mine. Months later, I'd join WikiTree, talk to distant relatives and migrate large swathes of history onto the platform.

Easter in Action (April–May 2O2O)

Gloom seemed to enshroud the world by Easter. I saw from the telly the Vatican's Lenten services, witnessing Pope Francis’ words from his city to the world and for Holy Week. His Good Friday Way of the Cross felt especially moving, for prisoners had written beautiful reflections that made me realize how little of a prison our quarantine was.

My younger sister in LA had also returned to visit Vegas. I resumed daily exercise routines, including trying to concurrently complete handheld video games and walk miles on the treadmill. This began my May push to make the most of my days back in America. I kicked up a daily Duolingo habit, rising through leagues, and talked regularly with Mongols during early mornings. Such helped my sanity, especially when state offices gave me a hard time trying to get the unemployment assistance to which lawmakers entitled evacuated Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

Around Memorial Day, an uncle and aunt visited from Kansas to celebrate my youngest brother’s high school graduation online. The relatives also took my siblings, a family friend and me on my first national parks trip in years. We saw Saguaro, Great Basin and Capitol Reef. During the trip I’d grown my Goodreads library and soon enough uncovered the Libby app. The journey led me too to begin a pensive look back on my life.

Summer in Reno (June–July 2O2O)

Dad remarried on June 6, 2020. Shortly thereafter, I relocated to Reno to help Pa and Stepma (“Tita”) handle copious amounts of yard work. With more time to reflect, I took up the request of a homebound friend to pray rosaries daily over the phone with him.

Another friend of mine was going through a dark patch too but had a love of films. So each morning I’d rise early to see one of his recommendations then discuss it while working the yard if I wasn’t praying a rosary. I fondly recall the conversations while trimming plants, as I wander the Reno backyard even now.

Near the same time, the friend and another encouraged me to tell my stories. So I began to write a memoir, on which he’d give feedback. The other friend had me appear on his podcast. Both experiences made the summer feel very whole. In memory of my first summer in Mongolia 2OI9, I also wrote a more detailed series on those experiences. [Arrival (June 2OI9), Meeting Host Family (July 2OI9), Summer’s End (August 2OI9)]

I celebrated my 23rd birthday in Vegas with an overnight vigil, praying 23 rosaries alone and with Catholic friends from around the globe. I felt such joy to reconnect meaningfully with so many across languages and cultures. Languages became a growing theme for me. I’d also begun again playing Pokémon GO after having not played since 2OI6.

That summer, I finished seeing “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (Season 7) as well as relevant bits from “Star Wars: Rebels.” I kept up with the Japanese episodes of “Pokémon Journeys: The Series.” Those, I’ve watched with English subtitles to know what’s happening. I’d also begun to read chapters of the Bible daily, at that time checking in weekly with an ol' friend. I started with Acts then Proverbs, Ephesians then Psalms. Meanwhile came Hebrews and John. Then were Ruth and Matthew. Now I read 1 Kings and Mark. I’d grown to appreciate both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles with renewed interest.

Autumn Languages (August–September 2O2O)

Much of that fall, I was back in Reno. Yet, my younger brother had also come to Reno for his undergraduate fall semester. The guest room where I’d stayed quickly became his room, which left me a tad displaced. Still, I stuck through. Mornings, I rose early to read through a Latin textbook before daily conversations with a close friend who’d majored in classics as an undergrad.

Meanwhile, I’d stepped up to arrange meetings with Congressional lawmakers on behalf of the National Peace Corps Association. I’d also taken on roles within my alma mater Honors College and within the Social Justice Task Force for the American Psychological Association’s Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. I kept people organized and took notes during meetings. Meanwhile, my siblings and I had been starting a scholarship foundation, so I’d taken point on negotiating a partnership with the Vegas-based Public Education Foundation.

As a nice break, I joined friends I’d met in high school on their near-monthly trips to national and state parks. These sights included Lassen Volcanic, Burney Falls and Tahoe’s Emerald Bay. Realizing that I wouldn’t return to Mongolia that fall, I booked a Department of Motor Vehicles appointment to renew my learner’s permit—The earliest appointment would be in December.

In entertainment news, I’d finished seeing “Queer Eye: We’re in Japan,” “Love on the Spectrum” and “Midnight Gospel.” I’d also started playing “Pokémon Masters EX” when I’d heard that it included characters from multiple generations. I enjoyed how the stories felt new yet nostalgic.

National Park Winter (October, November, December 2O2O)

October was a great month for my spiritual life. I got to attend my youngest sister’s Confirmation. I enjoyed my first retreat in years. I also got to tape videos for my alma mater.

Then I returned to Vegas some weeks to complete more yard work. I’d also relocated belongings in different rooms and was able to have my own bedroom back in Vegas. This gave me a decent space in which to work. From November, I’ve also been hosting weekly video calls to help Mongols from my community abroad continue to practice English.

I’d also listened to Riordan audiobooks, “Blood of Olympus” and “Hidden Oracle,” and various authors’ financial literacy materials. By December, “Kafka on the Shore” was a real highlight. In Reno, I saw too “The Mandalorian” (Seasons 1–2), emphatically recommended by a friend with whom I’d hiked at Red Rock Canyon. My other friends and I reunited to try again at Crater Lake and succeeded.

My siblings and I partnered with the Vegas-based Public Education Foundation to launch our family LinYL Foundation to honor our late mother with scholarships for students. Though my formal role’s within outreach, I’ve done a fair bit of organizational leadership given my undergrad experiences. I’ve also been helping another non-profit start-up. Through it, I’ve gotten to meet alumni of overseas programs.

My family celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas in Vegas with our stepsisters. I’d also celebrated American Independence Day with them. Christmas felt peculiar, as I’d returned from Mongolia to Vegas the Christmas before, too!

Then my national parks friends and I hit a new record, seeing Walnut Canyon, Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater, Sedona’s Devil’s Bridge and the Grand Canyon. Having successfully renewed my learner’s permit, I scheduled my driving test for the earliest date—February. I returned to Reno and at New Year’s reunited with friends for whom I’d participated in their wedding the year before.

Road to Rejuvenation (January–February 2O2I)

Following the U.S. elections came the presidential inauguration. I felt more at peace with the state of the nation after that. Though U.S. politics have absorbed media significantly throughout the pandemic, I felt relieved by the calls for unity and returns to political normalcy from Inauguration Day.

Meanwhile, I sought to kick off 2O2I strong, with renewed optimism and control. I practiced driving almost daily. I’d seen “Daredevil” (Season 3) too and progressed in the Blue Lions story of my younger sister’s “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” copy. At February’s start, after years of challenges, I secured my driver’s license.

Mid-February, my national parks friends and I saw Utah’s Mighty Five. Our trip spanned Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef (different section), Escalante, Bryce Canyon and Zion. I got to help drive at the end from Vegas to Reno, a major milestone.

Thanks to Discord, I attended a virtual alumni reunion of my high school alma mater. I experienced our school's recreation in “Minecraft: Java Edition,” wandering into the classroom where I used to play “Minecraft” as a freshman. In “RuneScape,” after 12 years on-off, I’d achieved level 99 in all but the newest skill. I'd even gotten the characters I wanted in “Pokémon Masters EX” and nearly finished my Kanto Pokédex in “Pokémon GO.” (I've never before completed a Pokédex.)

I finished February recording music for my undergrad parish’s online edition to our annual performance for “Living Stations of the Cross.” I got to lector at and attend a friend’s baptism. I’d also soaked up my youngest sister’s boyfriend’s Disney+ again and saw “WandaVision” entirely. Its takes on grief and joy astounded.

Social Justice (March 2O2I)

These bring me to where and how I am today. I write from Reno, Nev., where snow had fallen and the weather grown warmer. Spring is here.

The announcement of increasing vaccines gave me lots of hope. Since I've lost so many people this past year to COVID-19 and other conditions I'm grateful that we may near the end. An email from and a check-in call with Peace Corps confirmed that summer would be the soonest I’m going back abroad. Still, I’ve kept in touch with my people in Mongolia.

My older brother and his girlfriend moved into the Vegas house, so I haven’t felt as obligated to be there. Thus, I’ve focused more time on the church in Reno.

A great fount of a spiritual joy for me has been getting to help lector for my college parish’s weekly Proclamations of the Word. I received particular acclaim for my reading from 2 Chronicles, for Lent’s Fourth Sunday, which delighted me. At the time I’d been reading 1 Kings, so I’d enjoyed recognizing parallels. In some ways the exercises are like a miniature college course. Beyond regular Sundays and Holy Week, I’d also lectored for such feast days as St. Joseph’s Day (March 19) and the Annunciation (March 25).

My siblings’ and my family foundation chose our first year of recipients. It’s been an exciting process, reading and witnessing our inspiring candidates. I hope that I'll get to meet these students someday, but ah, the pandemic.

I’ve gotten back into “Frozen II,” thanks to its authentic behind-the-scenes docuseries. I've also passed the one-year anniversary of my first seeing the film. Each morning I’ve sought to see something on Disney's platform—real' nice.

Our psychological division’s presidential task force for Social Justice released our statement about the Capitol riots, which received strong critics but stronger supporters. Then came the Atlanta situation.

In my U.S. Week 5I (Feb. 19–25), during a walk past the nearby elementary school, I’d had an unpleasant personal experience that led me to feel very grateful when the #StopAsianHate campaign began. I’ll likely share more later, but today’s blog story is about done.

Hope and Easter 2O2I (April 2O2I)

At the last Adoration activity before Easter, our parish offered Reconciliation, so I returned again. Absolution offers such sweet cleansing for my mind and soul. Now Holy Week begins. I'm still lectoring, too!

This summer, I hope to write more on my memoir. I’m still revising my research. I'm set to finish all five tiers of Duolingo Latin tomorrow. Then I'll get back to my textbook.

I still delight in chatting with ol’ friends. My national parks homies and I will hit Redwood next weekend. Then my parish has Spring Retreat. I look forward to getting vaccinated in coming months then hugging folks forevermore.

You can read more from me here at DanielLang.me :)

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sjecblogarchive · 5 years ago

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COVID-19 UPDATE: SERVICES, ACTIVITIES CANCELLED THROUGH APRIL 13, 2020

03/11/2020

ANNA GALINA PETTY

COVID-19 UPDATE: SERVICES, ACTIVITIES CANCELLED THROUGH APRIL 13, 2020

NOTE: This post has been updated to reflect the latest news from the Diocese regarding COVID-19. Saint James’ will not be able to host worship services through at least April 13, which includes Holy Week. Please go to our newsfeed for the latest updates from Saint James’.

BY FATHER BEN

Our diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff, held two video conferences with the clergy of the diocese this afternoon to announce that all churches of the diocese will be closed for worship through at least April 13 in response to COVID-19.

In the meantime, we will regularly post video links, daily Lenten reflections and more resources to our website for as long as we are unable to gather physically on Culpeper Street.

Remote Worship Resources

All churches of the Diocese of Virginia will be closed for worship for through at least April 13 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUMMARY

All worship services cancelled through at least late April

Sunday school, youth groups, adult formation groups also cancelled

We will stream worship and provide online resources for family worship

Bishop Goff’s Statement

Email the Church Office

Bishop Susan detailed her considerable and careful discernment and how heavily she leaned on the specific recommendations of experts in the field of infectious disease.

Bearing the responsibility to make such decisions for one parish, balancing the desire to carry on, reduce anxiety, and fully serve the needs of those under my care while protecting the most vulnerable in our community and diligently and responsibly realizing our part in safeguarding that broader public beyond our doors, has been no small task. I can only imagine the weight that rests on Bishop Susan and am grateful for her prayerful, thoughtful, and researched decision.

So what does that mean for us? We will not hold Wednesday noonday services, Thursday morning services, or Sunday services here at Saint James’ for the next two weeks.

Following the two weeks, Bishop Susan and others will reassess the risk of resuming regular worship and church life. In addition to worship, we will also limit our gathering together to essential tasks. Our children’s church, youth groups, and adult formation will not meet on Sunday. Our weekday formations groups will also not meet.

I know many of you serve on committees, have small groups in which you participate including dinner/ coffee fellowship and support groups. I will not and cannot tell each group whether or not to continue meeting inside or outside the church, but know my feeling and that of the diocese is that our primary responsibility during this season is to prevent the spread of this virus.

That said, I with the help of Bishop Ted and others are committed to the pastoral care and support of this community. I urge you to let us know when our care and presence is needed. I encourage all of us to lift one another up in prayer, to reach out by phone, email, text to one another and stay connected.

We will also continue to go about the rest of the work of being church, so do not hesitate to contact any member of the staff as you regularly would.

Also, please don’t forget that as we are physically distancing ourselves from one another, we still walk together. The staff and others are working to find new ways for us to journey together this Lent.

We will stream worship and provide resources for family worship. We will also stream the content of our formation series on the prayer book. You can follow along at home with your prayer book (which is also available online).

Our YouTube Channel

Online Book of Common Prayer

Jen Taylor is working to provide online lessons for our children and our weekly table talk discussion questions. We are also working on establishing daily meditations to guide us through the season. It will not be like any Lent we have experienced before, but I am confident it will not just expand our understanding of how we can be church, but the role church plays in our lives.

Finally, please also realize that the work of the church continues as does the dependence upon your faithful generosity. Please continue to honor your pledges and financial commitments to the church during this season. Please see below for ways to give during this time.

Realm Connect

Realm Connect is the new online giving platform as of January 1, 2020.

Know that all of you remain in my thoughts and prayers and I look forward to returning together with an even greater appreciation for what God has bound together in love.

Peace, Ben

#Community #Coranavirus #Covid19 #Diocese of Virginia

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firstumcschenectady · 4 years ago

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“What Did They See?” based on Psalm 62:5-12 and Mark 1:14-20

I was lucky enough to be raised in the church, and a thoughtful loving church at that. I liked church, I liked Sunday School, I loved church camp. Nevertheless, feeling a call to ordained ministry felt like it came out of no where. The call came during a worship service at camp, when the leadership of Jesus was being described. The camp director compared the characteristics of a worldly leader with the way that Jesus led, and invited us into the second kind of leadership. She talked about worldly being “important,” and having people serve and take care of them so they can do “important” things. She compared it to the leadership of Jesus, as seen in foot-washing, where leaders lead by serving others.

I immediately, viscerally, wanted to be a part of that. The inversion of what was important. The service. The care of people. The values of the Jesus movement. My desire to be a part of THAT was strong enough to change my life plans – from a desire to be an environmental scientist to a desire to be a minister.

Whenever I read the story of the call of the disciples, I can't help but wonder, “What did they see?” What was it about Jesus that was so compelling that they changed not only their life PLANS like I did, but their LIVES? Why did they go?

I bring a lot of skepticism to Biblical texts, but I do tend to think that a lot of people left their lives behind to follow Jesus. Thus, this story contains some big T Truth, whether or not it happened exactly this way.

So, what was it that made Jesus and his message so attractive? Why did people walk away from lives they knew just to follow him? Why was he so popular it began to threaten the Roman Empire?

There are a few pieces that may come into play. One option is that people's lives were really awful, so any alternative was better than the status quo. This may have come into play, but most people are still hesitant to leave what they know, so it isn't SUFFICIENT.

Rev. Rob Bell has a video series called NOOMA, and in one of them he points out that in the time of Jesus, all Jewish boys got some basic education, and the brightest and the best got to have more. There was continued education and continued weeding until the point when Teachers (Rabbis) would pick a few students to teach, and the rest settled into other lives. Thus, the very best Jewish scholars got to spend their lives working on questions of faith, Biblical interpretation, and things of God. The rest …. didn't. Rob Bell suggests that when Jesus called the fisherman, and invited them to follow him – a teacher – a rabbi, he was inverting that system and inviting those who'd been weeded out first into the best sort of education.

That is, perhaps the disciples followed because Jesus called – and no one else had. They were welcomed to be students of Jesus, but no one else had wanted them.

I haven't heard this theory elsewhere, so I'm not sure if it is true, but it also seems to contain some big T True.

Even so, even if life was hard and even if Jesus was the first one to invite them into a life of Spiritual goodness, there had to be something about Jesus himself that was simply attractive enough to follow. Based on how stories are told of him, it seems most likely that what was amazing and attractive in Jesus was his connection to God.

Now, it is important to remember that connections to the Divine are not a Jesus-only thing, nor a Jesus-movement-only thing. Today's Psalm, which comes from Christianity's Jewish roots, speaks profoundly about connection to the Divine.

The Psalmist says, “For God alone my soul waits in silence, my hope is from God” - and then goes on to name all the ways that God is the source of dependable goodness that allows for life to be lived well. The Psalmist compares the inconsistencies of life with the constancy of God, the un-importance of wealth and measures of power with the importance of steadfast love.

That sort of mystical connection to God, that trust, that wisdom – seems much like what the disciples may have seen in Jesus. Embodied love and grace are profoundly attractive. (If Im totally honest, I prefer the sort of “evangelism” that is being such a happy, kind, and loving person that people want to know how you became like that.)

I wonder if the choice of the disciples to follow Jesus had some of each of the components we've talked about – and one more. I wonder if those who followed Jesus had always been looking for something, that is that they'd always been nudged by God towards more, and when Jesus came they had “ah ha moments” and recognized that this was what they'd been waiting and looking for.

That way of God working in lives fits what I've lived and what I've seen in people's lives. I wonder if it fits in yours? Have you felt God nudging you along the way? Has God pushed and prodded you towards something? Have you found it? Are you still looking?

I think that God is always calling us, prodding us, nudging us --- that is, guiding us. Calls aren't one time events that can be answered and then disregarded. Rather, calls are continual guidance on the next steps of our lives. Sometimes God's calls are rather small, urges to be “good” or “kind.” Sometimes they're huge – reminders to build the kindom – to take on the issues of injustice and change the world.

But I think there are also particular asks for particular people (at particular times). Jobs or volunteer positions to take (or not). Relationships to build or let go of.

In what way are you being called right now?

Is it just to offer care in and love in the world – a call that might be met with one of the Lenten projects coming up? Is it something bigger? Or something different?

Are you listening?

Will you be ready to respond?

I suspect many factors were involved in the way the disciples choose to follow Jesus. They were disenchanted with their lives, they were yearning for something more, someone finally invited them, they could SEE God's hand in the life of Jesus, and God had long been at work preparing them for that moment. I suspect many of those factors are alive and well among us as well. May we be ready to answer, when God calls. Amen

January 24, 2021

Rev. Sara E. Baron First United Methodist Church of Schenectady 603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305 Pronouns: she/her/hers http://fumcschenectady.org/ https://www.facebook.com/FUMCSchenectady

#Thinking Church #Progressive Christianity #Call of the Disciples #God calling #a different kind of leadership #FUMC Schenectady #UMC #Sorry about the UMC #Rev Sara E Baron #Schenectady #What did they see #Why did they follow #Getting ready #pandemic preaching

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therevlisad · 5 years ago

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Sermon- Bread Alone (Matthew 4, Deuteronomy 8)

Lenten Sermon Series: Bread This sermon series was inspired by the book Taste and See: Discovering God Among Butchers, Bakers, and Fresh Food Makers by Margaret Feinberg.

Message 2 of 5: Bread Alone Scriptures: Matthew 4:1-4; Deuteronomy 8:1-3 Notes from a message offered Sunday, 3/8/2020 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida. Click Herefor a video of the entire contemporary…

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#baptism #bread #bread of life #commandments #Deuteronomy 8 #Devil #fasting #Matthew 4 #obedience #sin #temptation #wilderness

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phgq · 4 years ago

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Fiesta Filipinas to feature Iloilo on virtual Visita Iglesia

#PHinfo: Fiesta Filipinas to feature Iloilo on virtual Visita Iglesia

ILOILO CITY, March 24 (PIA) – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will feature Iloilo on a virtual tour for its initial offering of Visita Iglesia on an episode of Fiesta Filipinas on March 27, 2021.

In a media release, the DFA said that through the virtual Visita Iglesia, visitors who will join Fiesta Filipinas have the opportunity to marvel at the beautiful architecture of the country’s churches, see the fast-developing city of Iloilo, and discover the country’s journey to nation-building and its rich heritage.

“Iloilo is home to one of the four baroque churches inscribed by UNESCO as National Cultural Treasure of the Philippines, the Santo Tomas de Villanueva Parish Church, also known as Miagao Church,” the media release said.

This episode of Fiesta Filipinas will air via Youtube at https://youtu.be/Vcy8eOsShqo on March 27, 2021, 4:00 PM (PH time/local time).

For the said episode, it will feature the Lenten season, as a tradition, that takes deep root in the role of the Catholic faith in shaping the Filipino nation into what it is today, a predominantly Catholic nation enjoying a just and humane society.

The “Fiesta Filipinas: An Online Celebration of Philippine Festivals” project is a six-part, multi-format online event series from December 2020 until May 2021, which will simulate the experience of a festival through a combination of live and pre-recorded videos and live workshops and activities.

The project aims to introduce and showcase Philippine festivals, culture, and traditions to our global audience and invite them to the country when conditions are more favorable.

The project is organized by the Philippines’ DFA and its 94 Foreign Service Posts, in cooperation with the Department of Tourism and National Commission for Culture and the Arts. (JSC/LTP/PIA6 Iloilo)

***

References:

* Philippine Information Agency. "Fiesta Filipinas to feature Iloilo on virtual Visita Iglesia." Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1070408 (accessed March 24, 2021 at 11:22AM UTC+08).

* Philippine Infornation Agency. "Fiesta Filipinas to feature Iloilo on virtual Visita Iglesia." Archive Today. https://archive.ph/?run=1&url=https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1070408 (archived).

#Philippines #News #Filipino #Pinoy #Tourism #Politics #Culture #Editorial #Environment #Society #History

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a-queer-seminarian · 2 years ago

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A poem for Holy Saturday, when we remember that for a short while, God lay dead in a tomb. Let us make space for hopelessness and grief to be felt.

You can also read this poem here.

ID: a grayscale video of a white genderqueer person with short hair reading a poem they wrote.

#holy saturday #holy week #christian poetry #my poetry #lenten video series

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monasteryicons · 5 years ago

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New Video on the Passion of Christ in Iconography

A new Lenten Youtube video from Monastery Icons: The Passion of Christ in Iconography | Gospel Narration by Alexander Scourby.

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Watch the video and let us know what you think. If you like it, give it a thumbs-up. And leave your comments, positive or negative in the comments.

This video tells the story of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ told through Christian iconography, including icons from the Monastery Icons collection (http://monasteryicons.com), as well as icons, frescoes , illuminations and mosaics from the Byzantine churches on Mt. Athos, in Serbia, and medieval churches in Italy and other classical sacred art. The narration is an abridged harmony of the Gospels, read by actor and narrator Alexander Scourby.

Heralded as “the greatest voice ever recorded,” Alexander Scourby’s superb narration of the Bible has moved listeners for decades. In a partnership with the Scourby Foundation, Monastery Icons presents the second of a series of inspirational videos that combine Scourby’s narration with the classic imagery of icons by Brother Simeon Davis and ancient iconographers.

#Iconography #lent #passion of christ #sacred art #youtube #video

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thewahookid · 6 years ago

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Join Fr. Dan Cambra, MIC on your Lenten journey with a daily video series based on the readings from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: TheDivineMercy.org/divinemercyminutes

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joannrochaus · 6 years ago

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Alex Trebek and Hailey Bieber: 2 steps to biblical courage

Alex Trebek has announced that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The legendary Jeopardy! host told his fans, “I’m going to fight this, and I’m going to keep working.” He added courageously, “With the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.”

On the theme of courage in the news, Martha McSally disclosed this week that she was raped in the Air Force by a superior officer. The ex-pilot and current Arizona senator told an interviewer yesterday that she made her announcement to bring attention to the problem of sexual assaults in the military.

Speaking to other sexual abuse victims, the senator said, “Don’t let your assaulter rob you of your future. Don’t do it.” She hopes that telling her story will “inspire others to get through their own dark times.”

Since the Pentagon recently reported that incidents of sexual assault at military academies are up by nearly 50 percent, Sen. McSally’s statement is even more significant and urgent.

Hailey Bieber’s life mission

Living as fallen people with other fallen people on a fallen planet requires courage.

Supermodel Hailey Bieber recently discussed her life mission, declaring that the “bigger purpose” behind her modeling career is “to be a light in this place.” She added: “I’m here to represent Jesus through me for other people—for His will to be done.”

Meanwhile, a pro-life mother has started a fashion brand called “Culture of Life.” She told an interviewer that she and her daughters have always had a passion for shopping. When they learned that many of their favorite clothing lines were supporting Planned Parenthood, she began her own brand.

(For a list of more than forty fashion designers who support Planned Parenthood, see this Forbes article.)

“Not knowing where he was going”

Courage is a consistent theme across Scripture in the lives of those used greatly by God.

Abraham obeyed God’s call to leave his home “not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). Moses and Aaron risked their lives to stand before Pharaoh. David faced Goliath; Daniel faced a lions’ den; Peter and John faced the Sanhedrin with “boldness” (Acts 4:13); Paul faced persecution and multiple death threats across his missionary career.

Would we do the same today?

Jesus faced “trials” (Luke 22:28) and warned us that we would do the same (John 15:20). Satan attacks those who threaten him. Those who oppose God will oppose those who serve God.

The hostility Christians face in our culture is especially daunting because it is so unrelenting. Every day’s news brings another story supporting abortion, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and other unbiblical positions while demeaning Christians who disagree.

To stand firm every day, we need strength beyond our own. Consider two priorities that empower and encourage God’s people today.

The power of awe

Psychologists tell us that the emotion of awe plays a significant role in our health, happiness, and well-being. Experiences that make us “see ourselves as a small piece of something larger” can help us with physical health, stress, and personal relationships.

How can we experience the kind of personal communion with our Father that infuses us with courage?

David, the warrior king, prayed: “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy” (Psalm 61:2–3). He told the Lord, “I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night” (Psalm 63:6). As a result, he could say, “You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy” (v. 7).

Jesus advised his disciples to “pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:40). As soon as he submitted to his Father’s purpose, “there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43).

God will always give us his power to fulfill his purpose.

Luke Ditewig from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist in Boston observed: “I’ve come to see that silence offers the soul what punctuation offers language: a way to stop, demarcate, and define coherent thoughts. Learning how to listen in silence has helped me to punctuate my life, so that I can stand back and make meaning of so much action, input, and emotion.”

Jesus’ invitation to his first disciples is his invitation to us: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31 NIV).

This weekend, would you make time to be silent before your Father? Would you make a commitment during this Lenten season to make time every day for communion with Jesus?

“They had everything in common”

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was surrounded by his disciples. In their company, Peter “struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear” (John 18:10). Later that night, when Peter was alone, he betrayed his Lord three times (Mark 14:66–72).

The first Christians “were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common” (Acts 4:32). Note what comes next: “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (v. 33).

We find courage in community. When others are standing for Jesus, it’s easier for us to stand for Jesus. John Wesley said he wanted “the whole Church for my fellowship and the whole world for my mission field.” The first empowers the second.

Who is encouraging you to stand for Jesus today?

Whom are you encouraging?

NOTE: In today’s chaotic culture, we are increasingly faced with faith-related questions that can be challenging and impossible to answer.

In this week’s video from our YouTube series, “Biblical Insight to Tough Questions,” we tackle the question: What does the Bible say about racism?

Thanks for turning to Denison Forum to discern news differently and build a movement of culture-changing Christians.

The post Alex Trebek and Hailey Bieber: 2 steps to biblical courage appeared first on Denison Forum.

source https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/alex-trebek-and-hailey-bieber-2-steps-to-biblical-courage/ source https://denisonforum.tumblr.com/post/183311410467

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denisonforum · 6 years ago

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Alex Trebek and Hailey Bieber: 2 steps to biblical courage

Alex Trebek has announced that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

Since the Pentagon recently reported that incidents of sexual assault at military academies are up by nearly 50 percent, Sen. McSally’s statement is even more significant and urgent.

Hailey Bieber’s life mission

Living as fallen people with other fallen people on a fallen planet requires courage.

(For a list of more than forty fashion designers who support Planned Parenthood, see this Forbes article.)

“Not knowing where he was going”

Courage is a consistent theme across Scripture in the lives of those used greatly by God.

Would we do the same today?

Jesus faced “trials” (Luke 22:28) and warned us that we would do the same (John 15:20). Satan attacks those who threaten him. Those who oppose God will oppose those who serve God.

To stand firm every day, we need strength beyond our own. Consider two priorities that empower and encourage God’s people today.

The power of awe

How can we experience the kind of personal communion with our Father that infuses us with courage?

God will always give us his power to fulfill his purpose.

Jesus’ invitation to his first disciples is his invitation to us: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31 NIV).

This weekend, would you make time to be silent before your Father? Would you make a commitment during this Lenten season to make time every day for communion with Jesus?

“They had everything in common”

Who is encouraging you to stand for Jesus today?

Whom are you encouraging?

NOTE: In today’s chaotic culture, we are increasingly faced with faith-related questions that can be challenging and impossible to answer.

In this week’s video from our YouTube series, “Biblical Insight to Tough Questions,” we tackle the question: What does the Bible say about racism?

Thanks for turning to Denison Forum to discern news differently and build a movement of culture-changing Christians.

The post Alex Trebek and Hailey Bieber: 2 steps to biblical courage appeared first on Denison Forum.

source https://www.denisonforum.org/columns/daily-article/alex-trebek-and-hailey-bieber-2-steps-to-biblical-courage/

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journalentry356 · 7 years ago

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The opportunity clock.

So during this Lenten season, I’ve been listening to The Dynamic Catholic ‘Best lent ever’ series. I’m a Christian but it’s the same thing in its teachings, being the best version of yourself. So far I have really enjoyed listening to the 5-7 minute videos daily. You can read or watch them, I prefer listening to them, I have found such great comfort in the narrators’ voice. Today, day…

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w2catholic · 7 years ago

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Lenten Reflections

Watch, Read, and Reflect for 10 Minutes a Day Lenten Reflections Direct to Your Inbox

Watch a beautiful video reflection from Ahava Productions’ ECHO series, featuring Bishop Hying

Read an inspiring passage from the Catechism

Reflect on how God’s truth applies to your daily life

Find it on formed.org here https://formed.org/promo/lent-2018

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zeroviraluniverse-blog · 7 years ago

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10 Weird Facts About Lobsters

Visit Now - http://zeroviral.com/10-weird-facts-about-lobsters/

10 Weird Facts About Lobsters

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10 Weird Facts About Lobsters. If they were designed as movie aliens, they would be too implausible.

Making Artificial Earthquakes with a Four-Ton Steel Ball. Get out of the way when it’s dropped in the name of science!

Jerry Lewis in The Bellboy. It wasn’t a typical Jerry Lewis movie, but it worked.

The Incinerator House. Artist Ron Fleming turned an abandoned industrial structure into a home and a work of art.

Why Adam Rippon Didn’t Win. He finished behind two competitors who fell because of the complicated math of figure skating.

Was Young Luke Skywalker a Selfless Hero or a Freeloader? Luke took advantage of the Rebel Alliance in using an X-wing or two as his personal vehicle, but a commenter refutes that argument in style.

15 ‘Trials of the Century’ and the Media Frenzies That Accompanied Them. Because true crime is more fascinating than fiction.

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Celebrate Valentine’s Day With the Awkward Romances of Star Trek: The Next Generation

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10 Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes Awkwardly Romantic Enough For Valentine’s Day. The series tackled romance often, but it often ended up as comedy.

This Prolific Nerd Is Shaping the Future of Wikipedia. Steven Pruitt has made over 2 million edits to the site, more than anyone else in its history.

The Ski Pole That Norway Will Never Forget. The moment Oddvar Brå’s ski pole broke during a cross-country relay in 1982 is an enduring touchstone for the nation.

The Sound of Skating on Thin Ice. Listen to new ice sing, groan, and echo as a brave man glides along.

Abraham Lincoln’s Secret Visits to Slaves. The president became a fictional metaphor in the folklore of emancipation.

How I Lost 110 Pounds in 18 Months. The author’s difficult journey was motivated by the hope of bearing a child.

The Saint We Call Valentine. There were three Valentines, none of whom had anything to do with the holiday as we know it.

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Richard Heathcote, Getty Images

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Figure Skating Jumps, Explained

Richard Heathcote, Getty Images

Figure Skating Jumps, Explained. We all become experts for two weeks every four years, so we might need to brush up on what’s happening on the ice.

Thank These Master Alchemists for the Magic of Alcohol. Distilled spirits are a product of the Islamic Golden Age.

Meet the Women Who Led the Klondike Gold Rush. The northern frontier enticed those looking for riches, freedom, and adventure.

The Story of Honest Abe’s Family Tree. What happened to President Lincoln’s descendants?

Why Do We Need to Sleep? While we still don’t know the answer, a lab doing pure sleep research has learned a lot about the process.

What Kurt Vonnegut Can Teach Us About Coping With the Internet. Our online footprints exist forever, like time-traveling aliens.

Conjoined Twins Abby and Brittany Hensel are Now Fifth Grade Math Teachers. While students may expect two different perspectives, the sisters are perfectly in sync.

9 Pre-Lenten Treats from Around the World. Even if you don’t observe Lent, Shrove Tuesday is a great day for indulging in traditionally rich sweets.

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