Mamma Mia!

On Saturday Mr S and I are going to see the stage version of "Mamma Mia! - The Musical" at the Broward Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Currently, I have been told that we are now a group of around 31 people that are going. It is going to be difficult for dinner afterwards, but we have decided on the Cheese Cake Factory on Las Olas (If you can't find something on the menu you like, you can always start with desert).

My Persian Princess, Poneh will be in town and going to the show with us. We are hoping that she will get her Florida License this year, open her own Dr's office and be our own eye care professional. She is still in California, but has her brother's small place in Miami Beach.

If we get back early enough, we will hit the Palace to meet up with Provincetown Jerry and some of her friends. I haven't seen Miss Tiffany since I replaced her ear rings (That's a story for another time).

Also this weekend, I have two church meetings on Sunday and then we will be thrust into the month of February ( A very busy month, which I will write about later). This year is already going too fast for me already....

Hope all of you in the colder regions are keeping safe and warm ..... Have some virtual Hot Chocolate on me.....

Weekend Debauchery

Well... I guess the "season" is in full swing. European and Canadian visitors are around and the temperature has plummeted down (I always say they bring it with them). Also, the Northern friends and dignitaries are making their way down to the sun, fun and surf now and in the next few months.....Alan and Darren, Randee, Douglas, Provincetown Jerry, The Countess.... and maybe some last minute visitors...

First up is the Friday afternoon Pool Side Party at the Tides given by Alan and Darren. They are here escaping from Newport, RI and we always enjoy their company. It should be a hoot. They have The Mrs Astor as an event planner and Geraldine is to perform, along with a DJ and some refreshment. The one thing I'm not sure of is what to wear for a Pool Side Event if the temperature is below 70?

In the evening Twist will be having it's Warsaw Party. It is a night of excess and glamor and shows. I helped the manager in finding some Cuban Bakery cakes that they will serve in all the rooms. The plan is for different flavors, etc.....It is a Marie Antoinette type theme this year. Hmm? Cake, alcohol and dancing could mean a big clean up job on Saturday morning....

Warsaw was located where Jerry's Deli is now on Collins in South Beach. I used to go there with my sister before it was Warsaw and was named: Ovo's at the Warsaw Ballroom. It was when South Beach was still grimy and getting it's Mojo back in the 80's/early 90's. Many memories from both places ..... some will never be disclosed........ well....maybe someday.....

Saturday is the 7th Annual Dachshund Winterfest Festival from 12 noon to 2 PM. It is a fun, free event with a parade, games and activities for the dogs, etc and The Mrs Astor will be the Doxie Fortune Teller this year. (If I am not helping Mr. S with a job that morning, I will be there. )

Sunday, I get a little more dignified. It is the 25th Anniversary of Bishop Frade's ordination as Bishop (He was the Bishop of Honduras before becoming the Bishop of the Diocese of Southeast Florida). The Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Katherine Jefferts-Shori, will be in attendance and delivering the sermon. It is at 4:00 PM at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Miami and is open to the public. The parking will be at the Omni because the parking lot will be used for an outdoor reception.

I guess that's the weekend. Along the way I am still in the middle of planning the Winter Party Festival LGBT Family Picnic (Feb 22, 12 noon to 4 PM @ TY Park)... along with other committee responsibilities.... and Happening #24 for the Diocesan Youth.

Hope you all are keeping warm. Keep praying for the country....Peace.

Opening Inaugural Event: Prayer by Bishop V. Gene Robinson

(Note: HBO did not broadcast this in the original presentation, but will do so in future showings. The full text below and you tube video link to the right. Article and other info can be found through the Episcopal New Service and http://www.episcopalchurch.org/)


Jan 18, 2009
A Prayer for the Nation and Our Next President, Barack Obama

By The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire

Opening Inaugural Event
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC
January 18, 2009

Welcome to Washington! The fun is about to begin, but first, please join me in pausing for a moment, to ask God’s blessing upon our nation and our next president.

O God of our many understandings, we pray that you will…

Bless us with tears – for a world in which over a billion people exist on less than a dollar a day, where young women from many lands are beaten and raped for wanting an education, and thousands die daily from malnutrition, malaria, and AIDS.

Bless us with anger – at discrimination, at home and abroad, against refugees and immigrants, women, people of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Bless us with discomfort – at the easy, simplistic “answers” we’ve preferred to hear from our politicians, instead of the truth, about ourselves and the world, which we need to face if we are going to rise to the challenges of the future.

Bless us with patience – and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be “fixed” anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah.

Bless us with humility – open to understanding that our own needs must always be balanced with those of the world.

Bless us with freedom from mere tolerance – replacing it with a genuine respect and warm embrace of our differences, and an understanding that in our diversity, we are stronger.

Bless us with compassion and generosity – remembering that every religion’s God judges us by the way we care for the most vulnerable in the human community, whether across town or across the world.


And God, we give you thanks for your child Barack, as he assumes the office of President of the United States.

Give him wisdom beyond his years, and inspire him with Lincoln’s reconciling leadership style, President Kennedy’s ability to enlist our best efforts, and Dr. King’s dream of a nation for ALL the people.

Give him a quiet heart, for our Ship of State needs a steady, calm captain in these times.

Give him stirring words, for we will need to be inspired and motivated to make the personal and common sacrifices necessary to facing the challenges ahead.

Make him color-blind, reminding him of his own words that under his leadership, there will be neither red nor blue states, but the United States.

Help him remember his own oppression as a minority, drawing on that experience of discrimination, that he might seek to change the lives of those who are still its victims.

Give him the strength to find family time and privacy, and help him remember that even though he is president, a father only gets one shot at his daughters’ childhoods.

And please, God, keep him safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we’re asking FAR too much of this one. We know the risk he and his wife are taking for all of us, and we implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand – that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity and peace.

AMEN.

Inauguration Day 2009

As a friend put it " Today is the end of an error". As President Shrub departs and President Obama enters, I am very optimistic. But, I know there is a lot of stuff that needs to be done ... there is s**t left behind that needs to be cleaned up before we can start smelling the roses. We can not place all the responsibility and hope on one person. We must continue the process that has begun of working together to find solutions and carry them out.

For now, let's try to enjoy the day as a United States .......

'Purpose-Driven' pastor offers space to dissident Episcopalians

(As a side note: Bishop Gene Robinson was recently asked to also attend the Presidential Inaguration by Barak Obama.)

From the Episcopal News Service

"Purpose-Driven" pastor offers space to dissident Episcopalians

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, January 13, 2009

The Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of southern California-based Saddleback Church and a leading conservative evangelical, has reportedly told a number of Anglican leaders that he is willing to aid dissident Episcopalians in southern California.

"We stand in solidarity with them, and with all orthodox, evangelical Anglicans. I offer the campus of Saddleback Church to any Anglican congregation who need a place to meet, or if you want to plant a new congregation in south Orange County," Warren reportedly wrote recently in a letter.

Kristin Cole, an account executive with A. Larry Ross Communications which is based in Dallas, Texas, and handles public relations for Saddleback Church, told ENS that Warren sent the letter to "30 top Anglican leaders" including many in the global south. The letter was intended to be private, Cole said, and declined to release a copy of the letter and a list of its recipients.


Edited excerpts from the letter were made public by Timothy Morgan, deputy managing editor of Christianity Today. Cole said Warren gave a copy of the letter to Morgan because the editor had accompanied him on trips to Africa, reported on those trips for Christianity Today and helps edit a blog that Warren's wife, Kay, writes for the magazine's website.


In the edited excerpts, Warren referred to a recent landmark California court ruling that the buildings and other property of St. James Church in Newport Beach are held in trust for the Diocese of Los Angeles and the entire Episcopal Church and thus do not belong to the St. James members who left the Episcopal Church.


The Rev. Richard Crocker, St. James' newly-arrived rector, told ENS January 12 that he had not seen Warren's letter but that the congregation was "very encouraged and gratified" by what he called an example of the generosity of the wider Christian community." Despite the court decision, Crocker said the congregation had no immediate plans to move but added that "all offers like that will be part of our future considerations."


St. James and other breakaway Episcopal congregations are "actively pursuing and contemplating church plantings in the region," he said. Warren's support is welcome, Crocker said, adding that he is not sure just how he and others would avail themselves of the offer. He hopes to meet with Warren "in the near future."


Referring to Anglican African bishops Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda, Henry Orombi of Uganda, and Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya, Warren also reportedly claims in his letter that the Episcopal Church "already considered me an adversary after partnering on projects with Kolini, Orumbi [sic], and Nzimbi, and writing the TIME bio on Akinola." Warren wrote a biography of Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola for Time magazine's 2006 list of 100 "men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world."


Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori declined to comment on Warren's claims.


The projects to which Warren refers are led by his so-called "Purpose-Driven national movements" that he has led in the bishops' three countries. They are spin-offs of his best-selling book "The Purpose-Driven Life."

The edited excerpt of Warren's letter claims that he is on "[Diocese of New Hampshire] Gene Robinson and other's attack list for my position on gay marriage." Warren was a prominent supporter of California's Proposition 8, which was passed last November and banned same-gender marriage in the state.

Robinson told ENS January 12 it was inappropriate for President-elect Barack Obama to invite Warren to deliver the invocation at the January 20 swearing-in ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol because it would give high prominence at to a person whose views about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people "are pretty awful." Warren has equated gay relationships to incest and child abuse.

Robinson specifically praised parts of Warren's ministry which Warren claimed had put him at odds with the Episcopal Church. "I feel very positively about Rick Warren in some ways. He has broken from his evangelical brothers and sisters around his compassion of AIDS victims and his working on alleviating global poverty," Robinson said.

New Year, New Post, Pics from the end of the year...

This is my first post of 2009. I thought I was going to write something deep or personal or with some type of epiphany that would get the New Year started right. That being said, I've been busy with the Winter Party Festival Committe (I am now the chair for the LGBT Family Picnic on Feb 22, 2009, 12 noon to 4 PM at TY Park), planning a youth church event for March, getting prepared to teach a "Safeguarding God's Children" class in Spanish, getting used to having a 10 year old around all the time .... all that while putting Mr. S and my family first. Soooooo, enjoy a few pics from the end of the year. I hope your New Year has started off well ............ Peace.

Sometimes Family is for the Birds...

The picture was taken at the MetroZoo in Miami by one of my visiting cousins. She called it our family picture and assigned a family member's name to each flamingo. Let me just say from the "get go" that I LOVE my family .... so, that said .... I wish the visit was shorter. They arrived on Dec. 23 and are leaving Jan 2 ...

They were supposed to stay at my sister's place (which she stressed over with the cleaning, etc...), but they are staying with me instead. There is no quiet space and no dish unused.

New Year's Eve, Mr. S will be with me at the house and we will celebrate with several families and their children. Food, music, laughs (yes, I have a bottle of Jack Daniel's handy for Mr. S), games, etc....we will enjoy it. Then New Year's Day I will watch the Tournament of Roses Parade, then head back to the Island to continue welcoming in 2009.

I am wishing all of you health, prosperity, love of friends and family, and many good surprises, smiles and peace for the New Year!!!

(NOTE: Please put my friend Leo's Mom on your prayer list. She went into surgery this evening and the outcome is uncertain at this time.....)

Dressing For Chirstmas

Dressing for Christmas:

2008 Christmas Message from Bishop Leo Frade

(Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida)

What should I wear for Christmas?

That’s an easy question for a man to answer. There are just a few limited options that we have: Choose this or that suit, decide which color shirt and maybe grab a matching tie. If we really want to be impressive, we make sure to shine our shoes and put on our favorite–and only–cologne.

That’s not the case for women. Most women have been working on their choice for quite some time, definitely more than the seven minutes that a man uses to make his decision.

For most women it starts with what dress is the appropriate one–what length, what color, what style—and involves finding what shoes will go with the outfit and what jewelry will add the right touch. Then one more glance in the mirror–is this a good color or not?

Of course I’m sure that there are many more details that have not yet been revealed to me on how a woman decides what to wear.

The Gospel story doesn’t bother to tell us what Mary, Joseph or the adoring shepherds were wearing, but it does tell us exactly what Jesus wore. St. Luke tells us that after giving birth to her firstborn, Mary wrapped him in bands of cloth. That was Jesus’ first outfit, just simple bands of cloth.

I think that this is a very appropriate reminder that Christmas should be a very simple holiday. We have added so much hype to our celebration and turned it into such a commercial extravaganza that we worry about feeling underdressed if we don’t manage to wear a proper outfit to honor the birth of this baby–who wore simple bands of cloth.

We come to church dressed in our best, and that is fine. It is natural that we should want to look our best when we welcome our Lord, our Savior and King, but at the same time we need to remember that the true spirit of Christmas can be found only if we look for its simplicity. The warning I want us to heed is this: Do not mistake the wrapping of Christmas for the actual gift. Unless we can put aside the wrapping, we will not find the gift that God has given us—God’s own self in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If someone brings you a gift wrapped in the most exquisite and colorful wrapping, you don’t toss the gift aside and put the paper and ribbons in a place of honor as if these were the actual gift. You may be delighted with the beauty of the gift paper wrapping, but you know that it is not the gift.

All the hype, and even all the stories of Christmas, with the shepherds in their field by night and later on the visit of the Magi, even the celestial choir, are just signs that point to the real gift.

And that gift is from God, the gift of his presence in our midst that allows us to look more joyfully at life, a life with hopeful possibilities, where people can be different, where peace may reign, a life full of love, optimism and open-hearted generosity.

You see, I sincerely believe that the proper outfit for Christmas Day is pajamas and bathrobes. We may begin by wearing our best outfits to parties and receptions and then at last to Midnight Mass, where we hear the familiar and awesome Gospel story and sing all the familiar hymns that we love. But the reality is that all of our dressing-up leads us to the simplicity of a morning on which we greet baby Jesus with the joy of children.

Have Yourself A Peace and Justice Christmas.

(This was passed on to me, and I am passing it on to you)

"A popular Christmas song says “let your heart be light,” and that "our troubles will be out of sight." Even though Christmas is a time of wonder and excitement at the birth of our Savior, a troubled economy, violent conflicts, and extreme poverty weigh on our spirits and require our attention.

So instead of just the feasting and presents, what if we all take action this Christmas? Let’s not just sing about God’s love when we can commit to actions that will bring love, peace, and justice for our neighbors far and near."

Sing to the tune of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

Have Yourself a Peace and Justice Christmas
Have yourself a peace and justice Christmas,

Set your heart a-right.

Flee the malls and focus on Christ’s guiding light.
Have yourself a peace and justice Christmas,

Give your time a way. Share God’s love,

And serve “the least of these” today.
Here we are, as we pray for peace,

We’ll live simply and give more.

We care for those far and near to us,

Which brings cheer to us, once more.
God brings down

The haughty from high places,

And lifts up the low.

God cares for the hungry and the humble,

so –Forget the stress and

let the peace and justice flow!

The Holidays are almost here....

Well, the week has been very busy. Met up with some friends from Kentucky that were down last weekend and had a really nice lunch and visit on Espanola Way. Then now this week am in the middle of putting up all the holiday stuff.

If you have not been to the house, putting up the holiday stuff is a 2 to 3 day chore. We replace everything with Holiday decor .... shower curtains, bed spreads, towels, plates, cups, bowls, throw pillows, knick knacks, wall art, etc. Then there is the outside lights (in the front yard, outside patio and yard). There is a Nativity set for every room of the house....

I also have some more things set up this week. The Task Force Holiday get together will be on Thursday at Halo. The beautiful and fabulous Nancy will be coming in from Boston for a visit. (She is Mr S's best friend.) Saturday is up in the air. There is a kid/family get together in South Miami and also the Diocesan Youth's Christmas Ball in Boca Raton .... not sure if I'll go to either .... but just might go to give Mr. S and Nancy some time alone to catch up (and get into mischief.) Sunday we are meeting some friends (Vickie, Penny, The Mrs Astor, etc) for champagne brunch at D'Leo ....but ... there is also a Fish Fry Fundraiser for the South Beach Aids Project (SOBAP) at Thomas Barker's at 4pm ... let's see how it goes.

Got to hear from the Jonnies today. They have a new address and are doing well. I'm hoping to get together with them sometime before the New year.

That's about it for now. Not sure if I'll post anything before Monday. If not, enjoy the weekend! Peace.

In Memorium ... Jessica Palmer

The following is from the University of South Florida newspaper "The Oracle". I am an Alumni and I was glad when Jessica chose it as the school she wanted to attend. Sometimes people live so much and touch so many lives is a short amount of time that God decides to reward them by calling them to his side.

I will be attending the Funeral Service for Jessica this morning at Holy Family Episcopal Church. The youth of the Diocese are taking part of the service. Last night they had a Thanks for Life Service at the funeral home.

Michael Sahdev was one of the youth that went to the Province IV Network meeting in Alabama with me the week before Thanksgiving. I wrote and led the prayer service for his father in October.

Jessica was an exceptional young woman and will be missed by many.

For freshman Jessica Palmer, life wasn’t about grades, accolades or popularity. It was about living her faith, spending time with her family and supporting her friends.

It’s what made her spend about $120 on a last-minute plane ticket home to Miami a month ago when she missed her train, just to surprise her family. It’s why she stayed there until 2 a.m., listening to one of her friends and helping him cope with his father’s death, even though it meant driving through the night to make it back to USF in time for class the next day.

It’s also why she packed her bags early Tuesday, said her friend Florencia Quevedo. Palmer was getting ready to make the five-hour trip Wednesday to be home with her family for Thanksgiving.

Palmer didn’t get to make that trip, though.

Just before 9 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2008, she was hit by a car while crossing Fletcher Avenue near USF Palm Drive, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported. She was rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where she died Wednesday morning.

“We had been instant messaging each other just the night before about how she couldn’t wait to get home, and how we couldn’t wait to see each other again,” Quevedo, 18, said. “The last thing I ever said to her was ‘goodnight’ and ‘God bless you.’”

Quevedo and Palmer met in July at a weeklong Christian conference called the Episcopal Church Event. Their faith brought them together, Quevedo said, and it was the first thing she turned to when she heard her friend had been injured. She began calling Episcopal churches throughout Tampa Bay, as well as the 700 Club — a national Christian news talk show — and asked to have Palmer added to their prayer lists, she said. She also started a Facebook group called “Prayers for Jess Palmer,” to encourage others to keep her at the forefront of their thoughts.

“Jessica had so many plans for her life that I wish she could’ve stayed here longer, but I know she’s some place much better than here,” Quevedo said. “She’s fulfilled God’s purpose for her on Earth and — sometimes I wonder if people are going to heaven, but I have no doubt that’s where she is right now.”

Palmer, 18, dreamed of becoming an engineer, her MySpace page read, but friends said her heart stood out more than her ambition.

“She was there for everyone, and she was so proud of her family,” said Michael Sadhev, a friend. “She’d always talk about them and introduce them everywhere they went and, after a while, I felt like her family was my family.

”Though Palmer wanted to surprise her parents and brother, Quevedo said that wasn’t the only reason she bought spur-of-the-moment plane ticket at the end of October — she also wanted to be there for Sadhev, whose father had died just days before.

“She was one of the most dedicated friends,” said Scott Gallimore, a junior majoring in business. “‘Dedicated’ may be a weird word to use, but it defined her. She was so supportive.”

Shortly after her plane landed, she went to Sadhev’s football game, Sadhev, 17, said, where she held a homemade sign that cheered for the “tall man,” as she jokingly referred to her 6-foot-5 friend.

“I couldn’t believe anyone would do something like that for me — spend all that money on a plane ticket, just to make sure I was OK,” he said. “There’s just something amazing about that.

”On Thanksgiving Day, Quevedo said she and other friends gathered at the Palmer house in Miramar to watch videos of Palmer.“The past few days have been in slow motion,” she said. “You meet a lot of people in life who are nice, wonderful people, but rarely do you meet anyone with such a good heart.”

December...already?!!

November is over and gone and the cool weather has come in to remind us that winter and the next round of holidays are coming. That brings us to Miami.... We have Art Basel in town this week (http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/) and the holiday shopping slowly trying to start up.

I have a friend and her hubby from Louisville, Kentucky coming in today. She wants to see some the "arsty" stuff and hit the Palace for a show and, of course, food. We plan to have dinner on Saturday evening before they hit the Symphony and then go see "Milk" on Sunday. I have noticed that there have been a good number of tourists in town ... maybe it will help.

There is an exhibit of Coco Chanel photographs and jewelry/time pieces on the SeaFair yacht that is parked at the Marina across from the newly renovated Fountainbleau Hotel. $15.00 admission. We might check it out.

I am in the beginnings of getting my holiday stuff ready. I wasn't in the mood, but the cooler weather helped ... also, the pic of Mr. S and I that was taken on Thanksgiving Day in front of a Christmas Tree at CocoWalk kicked start my holiday planning.

I think this year (like everyone else) we are going to cut down a bit. Let's see how it goes.... Hope you all have a good week.

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.