A Litany of Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us.

For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.
We thank you, Lord.

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women,

revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.

For minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.

For the brave and courageous,

who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice,
We thank you, Lord.

For the communion of saints, in all times and places,
We thank you, Lord.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and
promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

There is seating for 800 people and the media will be attending .....
Organize, mobilize, and put your words and emotions into action

...the work starts now ....

Sweet Home Alabama.....

On Thursday morning, I will be off to Camp McDowell (http://www.campmcdowell.com/) in Nauvoo, Alabama for the Province IV Youth Ministries Network Meeting. Included in the Province are Episcopal Dioceses located in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and part of Louisiana. Province IV has the largest number of clergy, baptized members, communicants, church school and day school pupils and is the largest contributor to the General Convention budget of any Province in our Church.

During the meeting we discuss what has worked well and what has not worked well during the last year. We do some resource and idea sharing along with planning and brainstorming for the upcoming year/2 years. The youth are the focus, so their voices and ideas take the lead. The adults do meet separately to discuss some of the boring stuff like budget, staffing, logistics, training, etc. But, overall, it is a very productive, educational, and spirit lifting meeting.

I will be travelling with 3 youth and one other adult. We have been told that the buildings are "rustic" (which to me means drafty) and to bring layers of clothing to keep warm. We will be doing some outdoor activities on Saturday.

I will be out of touch until Sunday, so I hope you all have a safe weekend ... and remember Thanksgiving is coming up on Nov. 27 .....

Peace.

Join the Impact!!

NOTE: I agree with the protest and encourage all to go. I am concerned about the choice of location for the one in the Miami area. We just had the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, Walk and Day last Monday that started at the Miami Beach City Hall. The Government Center, The Torch of Friendship (in front of Bayside), Miami or Coral Gables City Hall would have been a better choice. As commented by The Mrs Astor: "I wonder about the organizers' choice of City Hall for this when the mayor and the commission has always been 100% in favor of every gay rights issue."

If you go, please be respectful of the City of Miami Beach, the Mayor and the Commissioners while showing support/solidarity for the cause. This is a peaceful protest and I am sure that people from "the other side" (you know .... the one's who are still angry because a house fell on their sister...) will be there trying to cause discord.

"Join the Impact" is organizing a nation wide protest to take place in front of city halls at the same time on Saturday all across America against proposition 8 and other anti-gay/anti- human rights measures that were passed on Tuesday (In Florida is was Amendment 2). Miami needs to step up! Yes, we can!

Saturday, November 15, 2008
Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm
Location:Miami Beach City Hall
1700 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, FL 33139

Billy Elliot - The Musical (revisted)

Billy Elliot - The Musical opened this week on Broadway. Elton John was on "The View" promoting it with the boys playing the character of Billy. The show has been playing for 3 years in London and Sydney. I saw it in February 2006 at the Victoria Palace Theater, London. It is based on the Universal Pictures/Studio Canal Film of the same name. The book and lyrics are by Lee Hall and the music is by Elton John.

The "Cliff Notes" version is that it is the story of a boy raised in a mining town that discovers freedom and acceptance through dancing in the midst of a miner's strike. It was very inspirational and uplifting. There are three very talented boys who alternately play the lead at different performances.

One idea that strikes me is how the boy uses the arts to uplift himself, his family and his community. In a time when organizations are struggling for donors, access to and teaching of the arts to youth, in my view, is needed.

I am thankful to the Countess Bedelia for the initial recommendation to see the play, it was definitely was one of the highlights of my trip.

"I really can't explain it,

I haven't got the words

It's a feeling that you can't control

I supposed it's like forgetting, losing who you are

And at the same time something makes you whole..."

from the song "Electricity", Billy Elliot-The Musical

I invite all of you to practice two of the main messages of the play:

"If you want to dance....DANCE!"

"Be Yourself!"

I will, with God's help.

In the Episcopal Church (and other denominations), this is the reply given by a person, or their godparents, during the sacrament of Baptism and reaffirmed during Confirmation. During the past week, I have heard "Christians" use language and actions that, in my opinion, are not Christ-like. My Diocesan Bishop spoke publicly and in writing against Amendment 2 in Florida and is an open, accepting and pastoral man. He practices what he preaches.

When one is baptised, he/she is joined into the Christian Family community. The Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body ... the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism
is indissoluble. For one to tell me that I am "less than" for any reason is breaking the the covenant he or she has made with God.

Yes, the Church is still divided and is still in discussions on some matters. The good news is that we can all come to the table together and no one is denied access. We are all made in God's image, so when God looks in the mirror she/he sees your face......

Quote from Bishop Frade's Address to the Diocese of Southeast Florida's Convention on November 7, 2008:

"Of course diversity is nothing new for us in this diocese. I am sure that there are many different ideas and theological positions represented here, just as there are different races and ethnic groups, socio-economic standards, male and female, gay and straight, red and blue and many shades of purple. Of course there are also many countries and languages represented here.

But what unites us? I believe that what unites us is what unites hundreds and hundreds of Anglican bishops around the world who may have different ideas about many things but are united in this: It is our commitment to serve Christ, to bring the message of God’s love to the whole world, our commitment to love our God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is a commitment to the belief that we should stand for what is just and right in this world.

That is why as Episcopalians–who, by the way, are the only true Anglicans in this country–we are not guided by any of the popular phobias of this day, like xenophobia and homophobia. That is why we can dare to obey Christ’s call to welcome the stranger in our midst; that is why we can actually care for the immigrants and refugees who arrive at our doorstep, even when some call us to hate and fear those who are newcomers in our land. That is why we refuse to discriminate against people because of the color of their skin or what language they speak, why we will not discriminate against or despise any who have been created by God different from what we may perceive as “normal” or “like us,” even when the forces of hate and discrimination insist on denigrating God’s diverse creation–to the point of actually enshrining bigotry in our state’s constitution. "

From The Book of Common Prayer:

Celebrant Will you proclaim by word and example the Good
News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving
your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant Will you strive for justice and peace among all
people, and respect the dignity of every human
being?
People I will, with God’s help.

Pride Flag Raising Walk

Mayor Matti Herrera Bower, along with the support of her Miami Beach Gay Business Development Committee and the Miami Beach Commission, has changed City policy with the adoption of a resolution to finally allow the pride flag to fly legally on our Beach.

Celebrate this historic moment with Mayor Bower, her Gay Business Development Committee, and Miami Beach Pride, Inc. as they host an official pride flag raising walk beginning at City Hall at 4 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 2008, with Mayor Bower making an official proclamation that November 10, 2008 will officially be Pride Flag Day in the City of Miami Beach.

Following the opening ceremony, attendees will march with Mayor Bower to the following locations on Miami Beach at the allotted times listed below:

4:30 p.m. - Score flag raising ceremony hosted by Craig Stevens;

4:45 p.m. - New World Symphony flag raising ceremony

hosted by Merle Weiss;

5:00 p.m. - The Wolfsonian/FIU flag raising ceremony

hosted by Elaine Lancaster;

5:30 p.m. - The Miami Beach Police Department flag raising ceremony

hosted by Assistant Chief Martinez and Elizabeth Schwartz Esq.

5:45 p.m. - TWIST flag raising ceremony hosted by Adora

6:00 p.m. - TWIST hosts the Flag Raising Walk Afterparty

and Pride Fundraiser

During the various flag raising ceremonies South Beach icons will address the crowd, and briefly explain the importance of flying the gay pride flag in Miami Beach, including what the flag symbolizes to them.

A prayer for this week.....

Almighty God,

to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges:

Guide the people of the Miami, Florida and all of the United States in the election of a president, officials and representatives

and in voting for amendments;
that, by faithful administration and wise laws,

the rights of all may be protected and

our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.