Through the Eyes of a Child (at St. George's Episcopal Church)

Little Amanda raised her hand during the Kids’ Sermon last Sunday and asked me, “Are you the ‘God of Church’?” The Cute o’ Meter needle went off the scale. Not only was it a precious and hilarious moment for us all, and not just a little bit like an Art Linkletter airing, requiring quickness of foot while under pressure on my part, but it was most importantly a perfect teaching moment for all of us on many levels, and thus, an example of one of the greatest benefits I was hoping for when we decided to combine our Children’s Family Service with our Contemporary Service for the summer.

We are all looking for that Presence are we not? Someone tangible we can touch and handle and adore. Someone to look up to. I told the congregation at the later service about the question posed to me. I told that them when she asked me if I am the ‘God of Church’, I replied, “Why, yes I am, you wise child!” They roared. Of course, that’s not what I told Amanda. I told her, “No, I am not the God of church. I am His servant, and so are we all.” I pray that our witness of God’s love can always be so sweet that when children and adults ask us if we are “gods”, we can point to the One and say, “Here is the Lamb of God. Follow Him.”

A second wonderful thing that happened was when Fr. Jeff and I invited all the children in the congregation--and more than a few came up—to join us around the altar as we celebrated Holy Communion. Their keen interest, their sense of wonderment, their obvious curiosity about what we were doing at that table was palpable. It didn’t hurt that we had some very attentive adult eucharistic ministers who showed to the children the bread and the wine and the water and the lavabo bowl and the chalice and the paten and all the stuff of table fellowship that brings us together in Jesus’ love. I remarked later how I wish that I had been given that invitation when I was a little child. I truly felt that we had been transported into the heavenly realm as we celebrated, which is what John Calvin, among others, would have us to understand about the Holy Eucharist.

“Allow the little children to come to me” was reverberating in my heart, and I knew we were doing something right because as Jesus said, “the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”. So a deep sense of purpose has begun to emerge for us at St. George’s through this combined service. It has always been with us, but now has found a renewed expression as we worship together this summer as children, adults, grandparents, single people and couples: We are here to serve God, and in our serving, to serve one another. And it always begins with the children. We see the Kingdom so purely through their eyes.

What I didn’t tell you until now is that Little Amanda, until last year, has been a foster child. Chew on that for a minute. Without knowing it, when we gathered together to seek God in Sunday worship, we gave a great, great gift to a child whose greatest desire has been to belong to someone. And this eager child (who tried so hard to mouth the words of the liturgy along with Fr. Jeff) helped to show us how God sees us all--as His precious, adopted children. She showed us who we are in Jesus.

Come see us at the 9:30 service on Sunday. And bring your children and your grandchildren with you.

Fr. Chris

St. George’s Episcopal Church   St. George's Website   

9110 Dorchester Rd.

Summerville, SC 29485

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the Candle of Hope

                     

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the Candle of Hope

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

                                                                            Luke 21:25-28

I’ve been in my 6^th decade of life for a couple of years now, and I’ve  realized something about myself. I’m a bit jumpy these days. I’ll give you a for-instance: I used to enjoy going to the shooting range or hunting birds in an open field. Nowadays, though, I physically and uncontrollably jump whenever I’m near gunshot. It’s not just gunshot, however. It has to do with loud noises--any loud noises. I believe it is tied to one particular instance about 20 years ago when an emergency situation arose (rather, “exploded”)  in my home when my son had a seizure in the next room and hit his head on the kitchen counter on the way to the floor. The next moments were full of trauma and emergent care. After a visit to the hospital, including a CT of the head, all was eventually well, and we tried to get back to “normal”. But here is where I learned the true nature of PTSD. Some days later, while my wife and I were sitting quietly and comfortably in our twin easy chairs enjoying a peaceful morning, a sound exactly like the one that had alarmed us before caused us to jump, and our hearts to skip with fear. Only this time, we looked at each other with tears in our eyes. Although it turned out that it was only a watermelon we had bought the day before that had rolled off the kitchen counter and onto the floor with a sudden and unwelcome crash, internally we were jolted to that recent bad memory of finding our son writhing on the floor. And I began to understand why some combat veterans, upon hearing a car backfiring on the street, will take cover beneath a parked car before their minds can tell them it was nothing to fear. It is an involuntary reaction, sewn into the fabric of the autonomic nervous system by a previous trauma associated with a sound, or in some cases a smell, or some other sensation. So you could say that in one sense my nerves are “shot”, because loud noises cause an unpleasant, visceral reaction. And I’ve never even been to war. To this day, whenever one or the other of us is about to do something in the house that will create a loud noise, we call out “loud noise” as a courtesy to warn the other not to be alarmed.

This is what Jesus is trying to do with His disciples in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. He is trying to say, “LOUD NOISE” to prepare them for wars and rumors of war, earthquakes and roaring seas; i.e., what to them looks like the end of the world. “These things must happen,” He says. But when you see these things happening, “Look up, for your redemption is drawing near.” Our natural reaction to real or threatened calamity is to react with dread, to cower, or to duck-and-cover. Who can “stand tall and look up” when every instinct has taught us to get low and to cover our heads? Every generation experiences this.

 Many things conspire to keep us from lifting our gaze, but when we do, it is often then that we can see the promised Son of Man coming. It is only when we stand up and raise our heads that we recognize the presence of Christ among us--even when all seems lost.

How do you hear Sunday’s words from Luke? Does the world that Jesus describes as marked by “fear and foreboding” sound like anything you have experienced? What might you see if, instead of cowering, you were to stand up and raise your head, or to encourage others to raise their heads in the midst of trauma and confusion? Where might you see the promise of the coming Christ?

We will light the “Hope” candle on this 1^st Sunday in Advent. It is not an empty hope, but one full of the promise of Jesus Himself. 

Chris Huff

Advent 1

Open Conversations Coming Throughout Diocese July 16, 17 and 18

TECSC to host open conversations July 16, 17 & 18 6/28/2018 0 Comments The Episcopal Church in South Carolina (TECSC) will host three public open conversations held in Conway, Charleston and Bluffton between July 16-18 at 6 - 7:30 p.m. TECSC is offering the open conversations to provide information and answer questions for people whose churches are affected by recent court decisions giving control of the property of the Diocese of South Carolina and 28 parishes to The Episcopal Church and its recognized diocese, The Episcopal Church in South Carolina. “We understand this is a time of great concern and confusion for people who care deeply about their faith communities,” said the Right Rev. Gladstone B. Adams III, Bishop of TECSC. “We want to listen well and respond to their questions in order to offer a clear picture of how people can remain in their churches as part of The Episcopal Church.” The open conversations will take place across lower South Carolina from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the following locations and dates. Conway’s Open Conversation will be held at the Conway Senior Center located at 1519 Mill Pond Road, Conway, SC 29527 on July 16, 2018. Charleston’s Open Conversation will be held at the Citadel Alumni Affairs Banquet Hall located at 69 Hagood Avenue, Charleston, SC 29403 on July 17, 2018. Bluffton’s Open Conversation will be held at the Rotary Community Center at Oscar Frazier Park located at 7 Recreation Court, Bluffton, SC 29910 on July 18, 2018. The Rev. William Coyne, TECSC’s Missioner for Returning Congregations, said people who attend will have an opportunity to speak with him, Bishop Adams, and other clergy and lay leaders from the surrounding communities. "Bring your questions, concerns and an open heart,” he said. “We wish to listen and provide a roadmap for reconciliation.” "This is the fullness of time to begin a journey with The Episcopal Church, both back and forward,” Fr. Coyne said. “Back to a relationship with The Episcopal Church that was there when your parish was consecrated, and forward to a new day of engaging God’s mission.” Meetings with the community will be crucial on the path to reconciliation for churches that have been separated from The Episcopal Church for about 5 years. Information regarding the meetings is posted on the TECSC web page. For more information, view A Historical Timelineof the Episcopal Church in South Carolina and the Frequently Asked Questions. About The Episcopal Church in South Carolina The Episcopal Church in South Carolina (TECSC) is the local diocese in the eastern half of South Carolina part of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. For the latest on TECSC, visit episcopalchurchsc.org or like us on Facebook.​ see this link on the dioscesan website here

Now That the Lawsuit is Over: To My Friends and Family on the "Other Side" Who Do Not Wish to Leave Their Buildings

This is a Holy Week reflection that I saved for a time such as this. Many people with whom I have spoken in disassociated parishes said they wanted to "wait and see" if the Supreme Court of the United States would take up the Mark Lawrence appeal. Now that they know the answer, this is my message to them:



I've been yearning to declare to you on the other side a simple phrase of hope:

"You're not!" You are not on the  "other side" of anything except an unnecessary and artificial dividing line drawn across the naves and chancels of your historic parishes. You are still Episcopalians, still parishioners of your beloved churches, still brothers and sisters in Christ with the larger body.

Some of you may no longer wish to be so. I get that. Yes, some of you may feel as though you cannot, in good conscience, be so. I and my associates in the Episcopal Church have been so vilified and falsely accused of "heresy" for so long that you may actually be starting to believe it. But before you make that decision, I ask that you search within yourself whether or not what you know about me, Chris Huff, a native son of South Carolina and the Diocese, a Trinity grad, and a priest of 30 years here, precludes your sharing ministry together with me as Episcopalians. Some of you were there at my ordination. Some of you supported me in both, my lay, as well as my ordained, ministries. Some of you were there when I received my cursillo cross. I counseled many of your children at Camp St. Christopher. Many of you were in attendance at my wedding 40 years ago.

Despite the exodus you may be contemplating as your clergy are asking you to leave your buldings with them, you need not take one step. The sanctuaries built by your forebears were meant to house us together under God as Jesus' Body. I ask you once again not to leave that fellowship. You are free to remain and continue in worship. Many of your clergy,  who chose no longer to be Episcopal priests,  are the only ones who may not stay. This I find to be profoundly sad, and yet Bp. von Rosenberg did not depose them as he could have. He left the door open by removing them from the rolls of active Episcopal clergy so that there could be a way back to their Episcopal ordinations if they so desired. So far, three have successfully taken that graceful option. Bishop Adams continues to hold that door open.

Each attempt at reconciliation has been spurned,  not by you, but by those who would not be reconciled on your behalf, and are now asking you to walk away from what is rightfully yours--your parishes,  your heritage,  the ancient paths upon which many of our families have stood for generations.

Holy Week is approaching. At our Service of the Nails, I will once again hammer thick nails into the cross flung beneath our altar rail. Many of our parishioners will also drive nails. With each hammer blow, I will see all of you, as the Body of Christ, pierced and bleeding. I will not see you as "not a part of me". I pray that the cross of Jesus will be the reconciling instrument that God intended it to be.

I've heard it repeated that the church is greater than our buildings. True enough in one sense. But I must say that the buildings represent and facilitate our togetherness in worship, much the same way as our houses help to cloister our families together as havens of peace in good times and bad. No one is taking your house away from you. No one is "seizing" what already belongs to you.

As God said in Isaiah, "Come, let us reason together," I ask that you call me or Bishop Adams so we can talk. You know where to find me. I'm at St. George's Episcopal Church in Summerville (stgeorge-sc.org). Bishop Adams' contact can be found at episcopalchurchsc.org. I am certainly not God, but my invitation is sincere. As a fellow sojourner on this earth committed to carrying out the ministry of reconciliation given by God to all believers, I ask you to stay. "Taste and see" that the Lord is indeed good, and will provide a way where there seems to be no way.

Chris Huff

The Whole World Has Gone After Him

The Whole World Has Gone After Him

In response to Presiding Bishop Curry's sermon delivered at the Royal Wedding, some of the schismatics who are opposed to the Episcopal Church in general took a posture reminiscent of the Pharisees during Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem: "They said to one another, 'This is getting us nowhere. See, the whole world is going after him,'" as though the fact that the world was so blessed and uplifted by the Episcopal Primate's hope-filled, winsome homily was a sign that there must be something wrong with it. A cheap gospel, they surmised. One post comment by an ACNA bishop called it an example of "Christianity Light" in contrast to their brand, "Christianity Max", as he referred to it. And here in South Carolina, where the Presiding Bishop is most welcome and visits frequently, we are accustomed to hearing from our former colleagues that "they (meaning we of the Episcopal Church South Carolina) ascribe to a 'different religion'". Isn't that what the threatened Pharisees are reported to have said of Jesus in John 12:29; that is, "the whole world has gone after Him."? 

For a sermon to have been so popular with such a wide range of people is not some automatic disqualifier, as the naysayers contend. The Royal Wedding sermon was authentically Christian. Its broad acceptance and glowingly positive reception by people of almost every stripe may simply be an indication  that the preacher wisely and lovingly took stock of the enormous opportunity that befell him. He preached the Good News  that God is for us and not against us on a global stage. He decided to eschew school-marmish, moralistic, pharisaical  religion in favor of the Good News that God hints to us through human love of a far deeper love still, one found in the sacrificial love of God in Jesus Christ. Contrary to the complaint of some naysayers, Bishop Curry went far beyond Cupid and Eros in the most gracious and pastoral way that the world has seen...well...quite possibly...ever in our lifetimes. He even suggested that with such godly love, we can change the world. (If THAT'S what the naysayers mean when they say that we ascribe to a different religion, then maybe they have a valid point.)

We who beam with joy at seeing the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Primate (Episcopal Presiding Bishop) of the United States standing together talking about an "unconventional Gospel- revolution of love" have been dismissed as those who have "itching ears", running after those who tell us only what we want to hear (II Timothy 4). My ears have indeed been itching. They have been itching for an encouraging word from a gifted preacher that everyone is created equal and is equally loved by the One who created us. Presiding Bishop Curry actually did what St. Paul enjoins us to do: "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction." II Timothy 4:2 What we saw on Saturday in St. George's Chapel at Windsor was perhaps the most effectively evangelical use of 13 minutes the world has ever seen. Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry did the work of an evangelist, par excellence.

Chris Huff
Priest in the Diocese of the Episcopal Church in South Carolina
Dean of the West Charleston Deanery

Be sure to check out my 10-part blog series entitled
"Why I Stayed (in the Episcopal Church)" 
See the side bar for easy access to it.

Waiting for Life--And Learning to Reconcile with It

St. George's Episcopal Church, Summervile, South Carolina

Good Friday, 2017

The church is looking steadfastly toward resurrection now. We will have faithfully opened our schedules and our hearts to Jesus’ hardship and agony. We will have been impacted deep within our souls by the pathos of Mary as she watched her innocent  Son die upon the horrible cross. We will sense the uneasy hush of Saturday, when Jesus lay dead in the tomb, and we will relate to all the deaths of all the friends and all the loved ones we have ever lost.

I like to visit my father’s grave on Holy Saturday. As a priest I don’t always get the chance (this is the busiest time of the year at the church), but at least in my heart I go there. Off to the right a bit in that same graveyard is my sister’s gravestone. And now, within a mere few feet, the body of a dear, dear friend lies in waiting, having just been buried there last month. Waiting for what?

Whenever we lose someone we love, we begin the slow process of reconciling with death. People encourage us to get to the place of “acceptance”. They bear us up in our shock. They listen to our sadness, our anger, our emptiness. And they wait. They wait for us to return to “normal”, to be restored to them as the old friend we used to be before our life was altered by the finality of death. We try to reconcile with the fact that they’re not coming back. We have to find a way to go on. We have to find a way to be happy again.

On Sunday we will read the story of the greatest joy imaginable; that is, the resurrection of Jesus. The reversal of death. The stunned near-disbelief of his friends and family. He is alive! It was grief in reverse. Now they had to get used to the fact that He is alive. They had to come to the acceptance, not of death, but  of Life. It must have felt so weird and exhilarating all at the same time. It was as though they were going to have to figure out how to live with Life-- as though they were going to have to figure out how to experience sadness again because, after this, there was no more reason to be sad or to be afraid of death—ever again. 

These disciples were altered by Jesus’ death. But they were altered by His life even more. It is that way with the entire world. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, death does not mean what it used to mean. Death is now no more than a doorway. Jesus’ bodily resurrection was a sign and a promise that our own physical bodies will rise again to new life, as well. We say it every single Sunday in our creed: “We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the Life of the world to come. Amen.” This Easter Sunday is the signature Sunday of that statement. The rest of Eastertide will be a time for us as the church to come to the acceptance of Life.

We have been altered by the deaths of our loved ones. And it feels so permanent. But even more permanently will we be altered by their life. My friend, recently buried, is not “waiting” for anything. He is enjoying the fullness of the presence of God. But his body waits, as mine will wait, in the hope of the resurrection.

I wait now to celebrate this mystery of God again this Sunday. And I pray for the joy of that hope to be with you all this Easter.

See You Around the Church,

Fr. Chris

What's a Christian to Do? What's a Christian to Think? A Message to My Parishioners About Living in These Times.

Living in Today’s Political and Social Environment

How is a Christian to live today? Quietly under the radar, living peacefully and in prayer for all people? Participating in social activism by anything from marching with placards to boycotting businesses with questionable stances on human rights? Home-schooling our children in order to protect them from what seems to be a downward-spiraling society? Sending them to public school and helping to improve the school system? Voting for conservative government? Voting for liberal government? Wearing a safety pin to show your support for equal rights? Wearing a Trump tee shirt to show your support for immigration reform and trade protectionism?

The truth is that devout Christians represent all and more of the positions listed above.

How should  I, your rector, approach these matters? Since I am duty-bound to minister with equal care to all people in our congregation and community, I do not “preach politics”. This is not because I do not have opinions--believe me, I do!-- but because God loves us all equally. But most importantly, I have something better to preach than politics; and that is, as Paul says, “I am compelled to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I Corinthians 2:2

That leaves us with an important assumption by which we must live: Whatever political/social/economic position we take as individuals, we will care for one another with the love of Jesus that we have received, and we will treat one another with dignity and respect. This leaves us free to follow Jesus in our unique and widely-differentiated callings.

Several varied and lasting lines of thought have arisen to which Christians have adhered down through the ages . Each has helped to shape political and societal behavior. All of these approaches have validity and legitimacy. All of these approaches need to be balanced by the others. We should study their  development in order to have healthy perspective and respect for each. This is a large part of what used to be the glory and heritage of us Episcopal Anglicans; i.e., that our roof, our baptismal vows and our God is great enough to house people of all stripes and stances and that, above all, we preach Christ crucified.

Richard Foster’s book Streams of Living Waters traces beautifully the 6 main streams, or traditions, of Christian expression. It is well worth the read lest, ignorant of our rich heritage, we neglect and forget some of the important aspects of who we are as children of God.

1) The Contemplative Tradition    2) The Holiness Tradition   3) The Charismatic Tradition

         The Prayer-Filled Life                   The Virtuous Life           The Spirit-Empowered Life

4) The Social Justice Tradition     5) The Evangelical Tradition    6) The Incarnational Tradition

       The Compassionate Life              The Word-Centered Life             The Sacramental Life

The beauty of our congregation at St. George's is that we have people who represent all of these faith traditions. This diversity of branches in our Christian Family Tree is what keeps us a healthy, cross-pollenated and--to use a loaded term, but by now you know what I mean--truly inclusive people.

Many traditions have been built upon the cornerstone of our faith. We need to include them all. I hope that our brothers and sisters across the wider communion will remember this, as well. And that includes those who speak through social media, as well!

Fr. Chris

It's OK to Grieve for Paris

To Those Who Would Criticize Those Who Grieve for France

Yes, it is true that so far in 2015 there have been approximately 297 documented terror attacks around the world: In January-30,  in February-12, in March-22, April-20, May-27, June-30, July-40, August 32, September-16, October-48, and so far in November-20. In some of these attacks, only the perpetrator was killed or injured. Fatalities or injuries in other attacks ranged from one to over 2,000. Methods used were shellings, bombings (IED's as well as carbombs), suicide bombings, beheadings, stabbings,  arson,  shootings, poisonings, vehicular attacks and more.  Beirut, the West Bank, the Philippines, Copenhagen, the Ukraine, Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, China, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and other countries and regions have been affected. Some by militant crazies, others by rogue governments, lone wolves and many by radical jihadist groups and individuals. People who more visibly grieve over the IS attacks in France have been criticized by some for singling out France while purportedly ignoring other victims of terror attacks. Let me offer some reasons why the attacks in France may resonate more with those of us in the Western World:
1) France was a champion of "Liberte'" with us when we were struggling for independence as a nation.
2) France, like the USA, strives to live openly (which involves risk).
3) Paris, for goodness' sake, is universally known as "the City of Love" 
4) France and other Western European countries, like the USA, emulate principles of equality, freedom of speech and, for the most part, elective forms of government.
5) IS, by attacking innocent ones in Paris, brings a realization that it seems NOT to be so well contained, and is edging closer to us.
So when Paris comes under terrorist attack, many of us feel it more intensely and identify with it more. Many of us have been to Paris, and so grieve for it with more poignancy.
Take care to allow people to relate and identify. It can be part of their awakening,  and can serve as a reminder of what has happened to us on our own soil as well, lest we lose our vigilance.
Then indeed, let us also understand that the many other innocent victims in the many other countries are also just as precious in God's sight.
The best thing we can do is pray, and pray for our leaders, and pray for the free world (along with those who strive to be free) to band together in order to stamp out these threats and to live better than they do by enjoying our freedoms and thriving and prospering and living and loving to the fullest. And we must come to the aid of all victims and their families with our treasure and opportunity.
CH+

Good Article on Being a Pastor [Christian] in a 5-4 World

[In my church] the bottom line is this: all are welcomed in my church and loved unconditionally by God. And all are asked and enabled to become more than what they are when they walked in the door – a person who is continually growing and transforming into the likeness of Christ. --Travis Garner in "Being a Pastor in 5-4 World" (See link to article below)

We have been through so much change of late. Being an Episcopal priest born and raised and currently living in Charleston, South Carolina, a major flashpoint of the Civil War (politico-militarily in 1861, sociologically in the hospital workers' strike in 1969, and  ecclesiologically with the Episcopal Church schism in 2012), I have witnessed first-hand the difficulty with which change and progress is made. Now we have been stricken with community-wide grief over the racially-motivated Mother Emanuel murders, people have been divided over the confederate flag in part as a result, the Supreme Court made a ground-shaking decision by the narrowest of margins on the definition of marriage. Such a narrow decision bespeaks deep division in our society. I have experienced fear and anger from some of my friends over it. Finally, on a happier note, a man was elected, for the first time in history, as the first African American Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. A glimmer of hope that an institution can be so united over what was once a deep division of ideology among us, especially those of us in the south. But so much change at once. Some of it we happily fell into. In some of it we were pushed over the top by a clearer perspective brought on by tragedy. With some of the change, however, we remain in transition...and division.

And the reactions to all this change are still evolving. Last Saturday one of my daughters posted on Facebook, "My Facebook feed this week looks like a battle broke out between the Confederates and a Skittles factory." I appreciated the humor of that, and the disconnect it brought me from the vitriolic tenor and tension that seemed to come to a head late last week. Facebook had become a wasteland of frustration and raw emotion. I hope Facebook in this instance has proved an effective lance for this boil and that we can actually go back to being "friends" soon.

In times such as this, one thing is clear: We need Jesus. Those who feel as though the moral fabric of our society has been irreparably torn need Jesus. Those who are elated over the changes established by the Supreme Court need Jesus. Those who feel that a little bit will have died inside when the confederate flag comes down from display on the State House grounds need Jesus. Those who would climb the pole and impatiently tear it down themselves need Jesus.  All of us do. I came across this article this morning, and offer it for your contemplation. As a pastor ministering in a 5-4 world, we need Jesus--together. Not "my Jesus" or "your Jesus", but the One who loves us all. We believers, after all, have been given the ministry of reconciliation. The vision of God in Christ is that we be one in Him. I suppose the issues, or our opinions regarding them, should not, then, be our guiding force. Instead, can we love and minister to one another, despite them...and better yet, through them? I can guarantee only two things, and they are 1) that these issues and their attendant changes will not be our last and 2) Jesus shall reign where e'er the sun doth his successive journeys run. Let's count on the latter to guide us through the former.

Chris Huff +

Article here:Being a Pastor in a 5-4 World

And the New Presiding Bishop for the Episcopal Church is..........

Michael Curry on the fist ballot.  TBTG for all of the candidates.

The Hegelian Didactic of the Confederate Battle Flag

"This is, of course, what’s known as the Hegelian Dialectic. A manufactured problem elicits a manufactured solution that leaves everyone satisfied and allows the originating issue to simply fall from the spotlight, wholly unresolved. In this example, the red herring of the Confederate flag was the opportunists’ bait to ensnare the country in a brilliant diversion from the underlying—and inherently more critical—issue of institutionalized racism."
--Claire Bernish in "How the Entire Country Bought the Govenrment's Confederate Flag Ploy", an op ed appearing in Anti Media (see link below)

I don't agree with much of what the author says here. Its accusation seems out of touch with the reconciling intentions of our community in Charleston, and our local and state government. But it is a good piece off of which to bounce our local perception. The Hegelian Didactic has naturally occurred (not so much intentionally and with slick purpose) but as our community's, as well as our government's, loving response to a communal horror. Groping for SOMETHING....ANYTHING to do in response to the Mother Emanuel murders, most of us realized, having been jarred into a moment of clarity, that this now powerfully-negative symbol (the Confederate Battle Flag) must go from the State House grounds. As a first step (taking it off our government face), it is a good step. If it were our only step, how great then would our shame and error be. 


Think of it as a cancer-marker in a diagnostic study. A cancer marker is typically radioactive, and also gloms onto cancer cells, lighting them up like Christmas tree lights under radiography. Like that marker, the flag points to a cancer. The cancer of racism has glommed onto the flag. The marker is not the cancer--the flag is not racism--but it points to it, and now that we see it more clearly, we can do some hard work (surgery) and keep at it (chemo) until it is eradicated. During the surgery, the marker itself comes out along with the cancer that is stuck to it. It is no longer needed. Should we try to eradicate this marker/flag from history or from our minds? That would be impossible. Hopefully we learn from history, not seek to revise it, unless its reportage has proven to be in error. It should always be remembered as a sign that we once thought it was okay (black and white slave owners included) to own other human beings. And further, as our racism mutated and went underground and became more viral, stubborn and destructive (Jim Crow), the flag became a valuable marker that all was still not well with us. It is valuable, but no longer worthy of display as a descriptor of what we now believe more rightly as a more enlightened people with a more enlightened government. At this point the flag we should wish  to display on our government's face is Liberty for All....all races, all genders, all people. Now the hard work can begin afresh to live into that better and healthier reality.

CH+

I recommend, for another perspective on this whole matter, the article named here. How the Entire Country Bought the Government's Confederate Flag Ploy.

Take it Down

Take it Down

As a native James Islander who grew up with Secessionville literally in his front yard and Ft. Sumter just down Clark Sound and out Schooner Creek, I find what used to reside in my psyche as a reminder of a time gone by, and of people and kin and southern heritage, now, given the martyrdom of the Mother Emanuel Nine, to be a complete embarrassment. People will argue that symbols in themselves do not kill people. But symbols, especially this one, are powerful--negatively powerful. People will counter that banning a flag is easy, why not do the hard work required to change racism in our country? To that I say that taking the Confederate battle flag down from its lesser position of display on the state house grounds is a necessary and powerfully-symbolic first step, representing a major and much-needed shift in ideology, sensitivity and consciousness. While appropriate and effective follow-through may prove elusive and difficult, this first step must happen. Would any person who is truly against racism here in South Carolina prefer that we not take this step?

When I first arrived in Bennettsville, South Carolina, to take up my first ordained position as deacon-in-charge of St. Paul's Episcopal Parish, I and my son and daughter and wife were near the center of town, visiting the law offices of the church's senior warden. His office was directly across from the town hall steps. We were horrified to turn and behold a gathering of the Ku Klux Klan in sheets and hoods. I don't know what the leader was called, but he was arrayed in a shiny purple robe. A portable speaker was blaring something unintelligible. I was in shock that this sort of thing still existed. I always thought it was something relegated to old movies about the Jim Crow era. And then I noticed something quite strange. Their audience was entirely made up of black townsfolk. They were there, I presumed, to convey a message: 1) We're not afraid of you,  2) We respect your right to free speech, and so we expect that you will honor ours, and 3) How ridiculous you look, you anonymous, be-sheeted cowards. The only other thing I remember from that surreal moment is the confederate flags that the be-sheeted ones waved.

But now, the right to free speech notwithstanding, it is time for us to choose, as a state, to end this speech for all time; i.e.,the speech, that says by its very existence on the state house grounds, "We give homage to a past that fought, in part, to maintain the institution of slavery." Put it in a museum, like a holocaust reminder. But let it no longer speak its message from our official places of government.

Paul reminds us that we should no longer remember who we were as men, but now that we should embrace who He as made us in Christ:  In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Galatians 3:28

There has been a whole lot of church-going as people seek solace, comfort and unity in the wake of this racially-based mass murder. And as people are finding unity in the houses of God, it becomes ever apparent that any symbol of disunity and division simply no longer belongs in our midst. It's as simple as that.

As I post this, Gov. Nikki Haley has called for the flag's removal. Thanks be to God! Let's follow through on this call, and, having begun here, not stop there.

CH+

The Breakaways in South Carolina are Offered a Gift

The thing that has always bugged me, ever since January of 2013, when the breakaway group of parishes in what was the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina sued the remaining parishes of the Diocese, is the absolute non-necessity of it all. Literally millions of dollars in legal fees, and for what? Now that hearings, trials and appeals have nearly finished wending their way through state and federal courtrooms, a "Christian moment" finally comes to light. Over a year and a half ago at a gathering of the clergy of the continuing Diocese (loyal to the Episcopal Church) this idea was broached: "Why don't we grant to all the breakaway parishes their property?" That sentiment was immediately followed by: "We are only interested in what's rightfully ours; I.E., the intellectual, financial and real assets of the Diocese." (Actually, work on this offer was begun by our chancellor  the day we were sued by the breakaways.)

This resonated quite positively with most, if not all, in the room. One priest exclaimed, "How reconciling this is! It's the Christian thing to do!" The Presiding Bishop was contacted, and her response was positive, with the caveat that she would be interested as long as ALL the breakaway parishes were included. Ironically, while this was the attitude and desire of our Presiding Bishop, our Diocesan Bishop, our Chancellor, diocesan officials and rank-and-file clergy, the breakaways continued with their rhetoric that "'They (the National Church, aka, dreaded 'TEC') are coming after our property!" So rectors and vestries of most of the breakaway parishes retained their own attorneys so that there was scarcely enough room in Judge Goodstein's courtroom last summer to contain the 40-plus lawyers that represented them all. And more ironically, the only thing that actually put these parish properties at risk was their joining in the lawsuit of the breakaway former diocese.

More recently, as a member of the Standing Committee of the continuing diocese, I joined brother and sister members in unanimously approving this offer. On the 2nd day of this month (June 2015), the attorneys of the breakaway parishes were sent written notice of this offer--this offer which has been in the works for over two years. My brother colleagues on the other side could be off the hook. They would no longer have to lie awake at night wondering where they would go and what they would do, and who would go with them, if a higher court overturned THEIR lawsuit which put THEIR parishes on the line.

St. Michael's, St. Philip's, St. Helena's, Holy Cross, St. Luke's, St. James, St. John's, Prince George...the list goes on. The rectors of these parishes are, owing to Mark Lawrence's decision to leave the Episcopal Church, no longer episcopal priests. But the way back, should any of them choose to take it, remains open to them because Bishop vonRosenberg chose to remove, rather than to depose them. This was an extraordinarily conciliatory move that underscores our hope of reconciliation.

And now, the Episcopal Church is preparing to elect a new Presiding Bishop. Bishop Katherine, their "whipping girl", will soon be out of office, and a new leader from among fine candidates will take the reins. Whence the acrimony then?

I am a native son of this state and diocese. Ever since, many years ago, my mental and spiritual fog lifted and I remembered that we are to love all and welcome all in Jesus' name, I have hoped for the church in general to generate a better witness than judgment, infighting and lawsuits. I can't imagine a better place to start than, even in the face of those who would question our motives, giving such a gift as we are offering.

Christopher Huff +

Redemption: Early Reflections on Son and Grandson

No doubt about it. There is a lifetime of redemption in a child. God knew that when He gave us His. It has been a few hours now since the birth of our second grandchild. As I gaze longingly at the pictures coming in from Hawaii where mom, dad and little Donovan (their first) take up their post-natal journeys together, the word keeps coming  to me. Redemption. Redemption. Redemption. Like the heartbeat of God beating in my own heart. It was a long, difficult day of deliverance for this child and mother...and dad. A few complications and a caesarian section later, he has arrived safely and more completely into this world.

First, I am grateful for the safe delivery of mom, baby....and dad. Thanks be to God and the wonderful medical staff who gave care and protection. Redemption. But let me go back to this new dad, my son, and his mother, my wife, who more than any other single person, gave her son hope and encouragement, and a reason to go on time and again through the challenges of his life. She saw this day long ago in her dreams and visions, and dared to share them with her son, who claims that this vision, in his darkest times, drew him forward into...Redemption. She had seen this child, and held this promise in her heart....and believed...and as St. Paul wrote in II Co. 4, "we believe, and therefore we speak [the Good News of Redemption]". "The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight." These words mean more to me now than they ever did before.

Diagnosed at age 6 with Type I diabetes, my son played hard and worked hard to live a full and "normal" life. Whenever he became discouraged (because diabetes is relentless), his mom was always there to care and to guide and to comfort and to encourage. Once, soon after his diagnosis, he was going for the Presidential Fitness Award through his school. He excelled at every aspect of the program. But there was the final obstacle--the mile run--maybe it was 2 miles--it could have been 100 from where I was standing.  . For a 7 year old, and much more for one with diabetes, this was big.  Familiar with every nuance and cue, this mom had already learned to read our son's condition at any moment. About two-thirds the way through the  course, she could tell he was flagging.  Protocol says that when a diabetic feels fatigue, he should immediately discontinue physical activity and address blood sugar issues with carbs. She was ready at course-side with a snack and said, while briefly running beside him "You can do this, Son. You're almost there. I know you can do it. Don't stop. I believe in you!" And he made it. Many would have quit. But he made it. The Presidential Fitness Award Certificate, signed by President Reagan, is still in his old room today.  This scene, played out at Osborne  Elementary School in Sewickley, Pa., became the metaphor of their relationship. Encouragement to finish the race. Redemption.

Throughout his life, because he has always tried to stay healthy by keeping his blood sugars as low as possible, he has often danced too near the "too- low blood sugar zone" and suffered a number of seizures. Somehow, God always provided a person familiar with what to do to be in his presence each time. Redemption.

Never lacking a girlfriend, he did at times wonder if  "the one" was out there for him. His mother said, "Son, I have SEEN your son. The creed says 'we believe in all things seen and unseen.' I am believing  it for you." Some months later, at the urging of his mother, he came to Christmas Eve services at the church I serve and, right there on the spot, lightning struck. They met. Love at first sight. Marriage less than a year later. At their wedding I preached, "God brought Christopher's wife halfway around the world (from Hawaii where she was born and raised) to meet him here in Charleston (via Joint Base Charleston Air Force and St. George's Episcopal Church)", and now she is taking him back there (soon after they became engaged, she was assigned to Honolulu). She, like his mother, is a beautiful, winsome, selfless encourager.  Redemption.

Their first pregnancy did not last long. He took it hard. They were discouraged, but they decided to try again. And here we are today. Redemption.

And when, as planned, my precious, faithful, ever-patient encouraging wife gets to hold that boy, whom she has held in her heart for so many years, in her own flesh-and-blood arms, there will be glad tears of redemption shed. Likewise, when I baptize that boy in the Pacific Ocean off the beach near Honolulu, he will more fully be included in God's plan of redemption, having been buried with God's own Son in His baptism and having been raised to the new life of redemption and resurrection. Son, to son,  to son, to Son.

There is so much more to this story, as with all stories. But it has been an exciting and nearly sleepless 24 hours. And as I drink in the picture above, with my son holding his son--his long-hoped for and hard-won son-- I see Redemption. All who are discouraged or weary, take heart in this picture. As Jesus says in Luke 21:28 "And when these things begin to come to pass (armies arrayed against you), then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

Welcome, Donovan Mercer Huff, b. June 7, 2015,  9:20 PM, Honolulu time.

CH+

Elegy for a Friend

One lone sentry. Set apart to bid watch.
The others loft and spring, a-cackle up and down the railing.
Plaintive laughter "I want! I want!" "Mine!" "Mine!"
The tide low and still, the gulls search impatiently, frantically.
Laughing, laughing, maws agape.
Life ebbs from the rock salt tomb back to where it came from.

One lone sentry. Set apart to bid watch.
Perched atop the dock pole, keeping silent vigil.
A single soul...is it him upon the pole?
Or a vizier of the heir who lies below in particulate form,
Water born again....not at journey's end,
But re-baptized in death, now to begin life anew.

One lone sentry. Set apart to bid watch.
Kindred depart to resume the journey.
The sentry gull, not laughing, neither sad
Stays until tide ' s turn.

CH+

In Memoriam, Donald Wayne Henry
April 28, 1939-April 10, 2015

Dealing With Tragedy in the Community, Resurrection Style

The following article first appeared in the Family Faith Formation Newsletter of St. George's Episcopal Church in Summerville, S.C.

Dealing With the Walter Scott/ Michael Slager Tragedy

The Gospel for this Sunday, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, is John 20:19-31. It includes the story of doubting Thomas, who would not believe that his fellow disciples had seen the risen Lord until he could see and touch Jesus' wounds. The only reality to which he could relate was the horror and brutality of Jesus' unfair and undignified death. He was traumatized beyond belief.

Our community has also witnessed an unfair and undignified death. And there are many things that we begin to doubt under the crushing weight of such sadness. Among them are: 1) We will never see justice and peace and security for all people. Evil always seems to prevail. But we are learning. So far people are binding together in community-wide understanding, and are opting for peace and openness, peaceful justice and change, rather than revolt and protest. 2) Police will never be honest and trustworthy. By far the overwhelming majority of police understand and practice sacrifice, courage and human kindness on a daily basis. Their families undergo the daily stress of the danger under which these officers work. They need our continued love, support and understanding. 3) This was the biggest, most avoidable local human tragedy in recent times. It is utterly senseless, and of no redeeming value whatsoever. I'm certain this is what the disciples thought as they watched their precious friend and Lord dying upon the cross. "The biggest mistake in history!" Thomas was so dejected in his grief and trauma that he could not imagine Life rising out of his situation. And while Walter Scott does not compare with Jesus, neither does Michael Slager represent the Evil One. A big, terrible mistake, misstep, unnecessary loss of two lives, essentially. But we can take comfort in something. Neither the closed door of the Upper Room, nor the stubborn refusal of Thomas to believe could keep Jesus out. And nothing could prevent God from accomplishing His purposes through Jesus, His Son.

If you find it appropriate to do, or if your kids ask you about it, talk with them openly, and let them ask questions. And all the while remember that no closed door (to our hearts or otherwise) and no doubts and questions can ever keep Jesus out of our lives. This is an appropriate time for you to model for your kids how to wrestle faithfully with the tough questions and challenges that life brings. They can learn so much from this, along with the rest of us.

Fr. Chris

The following prayer was offered at our services today:

Heavenly Father, whose will it is that all people should live together in peace, love and harmony, and in the new life of the resurrection procured for us by your Son Jesus Christ, look with pity upon our community, especially North Charleston,  grieved by the loss of Walter Scott’s life, as well as by that which caused the loss of Michael Slager’s freedom. Console their families with your presence. Strengthen us as we are challenged by our renewed awareness of the need for justice for all people. Comfort those in law enforcement, and grant them courage and compassion as they carry out their service. Give patience and wisdom to those who continue to experience injustice and oppression. Protect the weak, correct the sinful, rid us of our suspicions and heal our divisions. All for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

You Have to Die to Bear Fruit, Lent V

(excerpted and adapted from the Family Faith Formation Newsletter of St. George's Episcopal Church in Summerville, South Carolina)

"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."--John 12:24

 We've all buried seeds before, right? Well, it's true, we call it "planting" instead of "burying", but that's actually what we are doing; placing a seed into the earth so that it can "die" from being a seed (change), and become something else (transform)--that is, a plant. Many things change from one form to another, don't they? Even people! When we change, it can sometimes feel a little like "dying" from being one thing to becoming another. As we grow, we notice changes. For example, somewhere around the first grade we start to lose our baby teeth. Once when my grandfather surprised me and yanked out my first loose tooth (he said he just wanted to feel how loose it was!), my parents said I went white for moment. I was shocked, and when I saw a little blood, for just an instant I wasn't sure that I wasn't dying. But then they clapped and cheered me on for taking a new step into life. The reason my grandfather tricked me like that was because I was hanging onto that tooth! I was afraid to pull it myself or have anyone else do it for me. After that first tooth, though, losing all the rest of them was a snap! (Well, almost. Except for that basketball injury. Those were NOT baby teeth!)

In a far more costly and grim situation, Jesus knew that His time was approaching to be crucified and buried. His disciples didn't like such talk. So he used the analogy of a grain of wheat. If you don't bury the seed and let it "die", it can never do what it is designed to do; i.e., transform and bear much more grain. Jesus was trying to teach that He must first die, and then rise again to open the way to freedom and peace for us all.

After He rose, it all began to make sense to the disciples. There has to be a death before there can be a resurrection. It is the way of life. God wants us to trust Him in ALL our transitions, for if we will let go, He will lead us into transformation and life. Sometimes our transitions are painful and unexpected. But if we trust Jesus, even with the biggest transition of all--our deaths--He will lead us safely into new life. That is our hope and our heritage.

I have a good friend who has terminal cancer. He tells me (and I believe him) that he is grateful for his cancer. Although he never would have chosen this journey for himself, he has learned evermore to trust God for his care and peace, for his fulfillment and joy. He is understanding more each day that he is experiencing everlasting life now, because he is walking interiorly with Jesus. He has had to die to his plans, to his goals and to his very life. In dying to these things, he has found his life in the midst of the greatest transition a man can find himself. And Jesus is there with him. And Jesus has been there before him. And Jesus will show him the Way out of the tomb, because He IS the Way.

If you have children or grandchildren, help them to understand that whenever they experience a "little death" through some transition (new school, new grade, new sibling, new step-parent), that unless a seed "dies" (faces the death of the old situation and self) it cannot bear fruit (transform into the purpose for which God intended him or her to live). Teach them to entrust themselves to God at every step, for though weeping may last for a night, joy comes in the morning. When they are older, and more and more serious and painful changes occur (job loss, marital change, loss of a loved one) they will remember that unless a seed falls into the earth and dies.... They will know this pattern, and be able to find God right in the middle of it.

"Sir, we wish to see Jesus." Do you now? Go to your change-point. You will find Him there.

CH+

What's Their Spiritual Temperature? A Note to Moms and Dads (Grandparents, Too!)

A Long Introduction (excerpted article appears below)...

Here at St. George's Episcopal Church in Summerville, South Carolina, we have a passion for coming alongside families and helping them on their spiritual journeys together*. In my late 50's, I find that I now have more time to walk the Ancient Paths of the church, linger in a prayer, practice lectio, meditate, contemplate the Holiness of Beauty (word reversal intended) and do the daily office. But my heart has been burdened for busy families with young children for some years now. How are they to find the time to walk these paths when parental responsibility constantly calls them away from them? They can make a rule of life, for sure. But time for God within that rule is more scarce than hens' teeth. Sickness, chores, errands, discipline, nightmares, carpools, teachers conferences (both planned and unplanned) can exhaust and leave time for little else. Then...a veil was lifted, and a path for these families appeared, when...

A Lutheran Diaconal Minister named Jennifer Vasquez, who is studying for her D. Min. in Family Faith Formation, and who graced our doorstep along with her young family over a year ago, introduced us to Faith5, a practice developed by Dr. Rich Melheim (see www.faithink.com) to give families of all ages easy access to the ancient paths without using the words (self-examen, lectio, confession, meditation and anointing/blessing), and in a more simplified and time-friendly form, designed to be used at night before bedtime (when all kids and parents...and spouses, for that matter... should be doing a daily "check-in" anyway). The five steps are Sharing (highs and lows)--"self-examen", Reading a Bible verse or story (that relates to the highs and lows)--"lectio divina", Talking (about how the verse relates to their highs and lows)--"confession", Praying (about the highs and lows) and finally giving a Blessing (as the last words heard before slumber)--"anointing". Not only does this have immediate benefits for young families, it also establishes a spiritual path that even teenagers will find helpful in more difficult times.

Below is an article that appeared in our St. George's Weekly Family Faith Formation Newsletter today (to subscribe, write me at chris.huff@att.net) . It is based on the Gospel for this Sunday (Mark 1:29-39), where Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law of a fever. It gives parents and grandparents a way to touch the souls of children, take their spiritual temperature and provide spiritual "medicine", just as we would for their physical bodies.

CH+

What's Their Spiritual Temperature?

Moms and Dads (Grandparents, too), do you sometimes wish you held stock in pediatric thermometers? It's that time of year, and so many of us have helped our children through high fevers, coughs, sniffles and worse. When we look in on our children, the first thing we do is touch those little foreheads and those little faces with concern, ready to apply a cool cloth and good medicine to bring the fever down if necessary.

In the Gospel lesson for this Sunday (Mark 1:29-39), Simon Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a fever. The story tells us that Jesus went to her...and the first thing He did was to touch her ("He took her by the hand and lifted her up. And immediately the fever left her.") I wish I could have seen the look of concern on Jesus' face when He first felt that fevered hand. Just like a mom or a dad, He gave her His healing touch.

When we check on our kids, we want to touch their souls, too, to see how they are. Don't you wish sometimes that you had a thermometer for their souls? Well, you DO! Sometimes we call it "sharing our highs and lows" (step 1 in Faith5 devotions). Checking in on our spiritual temperature, then, is another way to look at it.

And don't you wish there was a good medicine to bring that spiritual fever down? Well, you HAVE it! It is God's Divine Touch administered through your loving hands. Don't forget to bless and TOUCH your children lovingly every night before bedtime after checking their spiritual temperature. The Bible tells us to anoint each other with oil for healing (the oil reminding us of our baptism and represents the presence of the Holy Spirit). This Sunday every family will receive a small bottle of olive oil for anointing (blessing) at night. Trace the sign of the cross on the foreheads with oil (just as at their baptism). Something tells me your little ones will come to treasure this in their lives. Around here, we have discovered that they love blessing us back!

Blessings and Peace,
Fr. Chris

From St. George's Weekly Family Faith Formation Newsletter 2-6-15 ed.

*Studies show that parents are the most effective and important spiritual mentors for their children.
Combine this fact with a statistic (By the time a child reaches grade school, he will  have spent more time with the television than he will with his father for the rest of his life), and one can see how life-changing something like Faith5 can be.

Muslims in the National Cathedral? What's Next? Dogs and Cats Living Together?

Under threat of cosmic cataclysm (the end of the world) in the comedy movie, "Ghost Busters", para-psychologist Dr. Peter Venkman, played by Bill Murray, at an emergency "high summit" meeting in the office of the mayor of New York, offered a "non-technical" translation for the local dignitaries assembled: "That's right. Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!"

It had been a while since I had gotten into a rip-snortin' exchange of opinion on Face Book. I had learned (or so I thought) to leave others to theirs and simply pass along the occasional joke or catch up with a friend or family member. But then someone posted a piece by Franklin Graham decrying the National Cathedral's hosting of a Muslim prayer service. Other friends piled on. A "shame" and a "disgrace", they called it. A "desecration". Muslims were being compared to Baal worshipers and witches. "Mass hysteria!" And I began to wonder if there is any hope if some of us who claim to be followers of Jesus could be so non-conciliatory and indiscriminant with their hatred. But I remember that ignorance is the basis of much fear. And knee-jerk reactionism is far easier than taking the trouble to be measured and thoughtful--indeed, loving (especially if loving is to include our perceived enemies).

But I don't think these people intend actually to hate; they are some of the best and kindest people I know. They don't know what to make of a radical fringe of Islam that has declared a jihad against Western Civilization. Not having studied or experienced devout Muslims personally, they lump them all together as a group to be feared physically and spiritually (isn't that what they call prejudice?). They paint them all as wild-eyed murderers. So it is no wonder that when they hear of Muslims being invited into the National Cathedral of the Episcopal Church for a Muslim prayer service, they seriously ask (in ignorance) "Why is our National Cathedral inviting people who fly planes into our buildings in the name of Allah to offer prayers in the name of Allah? This is a desecration!" How fearful it must be for the average Muslim to be so easily lumped in with terrorists. How disingenuous it is for Christians to do this.

And about Franklin Graham. It was his blog article from which they drank this bowl of indignation, ignorance and fear. It's time for him to come out from behind his father's respected and honored robes and quit stoking the flames of mass hysteria and misunderstanding among the less educated on these matters with his cowardly potshots (the pulpit can be a coward's haven) at a denomination with which he has nothing to do (the Episcopal Church), nor any appreciation for. His rigid interpretation of scripture ("No one comes to the Father except through me"), as well as his virulent brand of xenophobia (Lord, WHY do these people always have such a big stage?) has maligned the reputation of a very large swath of humble, devout people. Indeed, these have put an innocent culture at risk. Would we Christians (seriously, think about this) deign to persecute an entire race, a heritage, a culture, a religion? Nationalism, combined with religious and racial exclusionism, can be a very dangerous brew. Read a little history, please. You don't have to go back even just a little bit.

Listen to the words of a Kenyan Christian who learned from his Anglican priest grandfather to appreciate and honor other religions:

"Today Kenyans face an enemy who is strategically creating distrust between Muslims and other religious communities, especially Christians, for his own purposes. This enemy has chosen to hide under the guise of Islam because they know that most Kenyans only understand the doctrine and ideologies of their own religion. They know that an average Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, etc tends to be completely ignorant of the doctrines and ideology of other faiths and in fact; in that funny way of religion, will often look down on other faiths and categorize them as false [if not downright evil!]."

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"This enemy understands the ethnic schisms of our nation, the historical fault-lines of the Kenyan state, and the historical narratives of injustices and marginalization in our communities. He is now using this social environment to propagate a war of terrorism that he then presents to us as a warped ideology of Islam; one meant to make even the most tolerant of us angry; very angry!

Unfortunately it is working. It is also turning us against genuine adherents of Islam; those people my late grandfather admired. This ignorance of other faiths and exclusivity of our own is being used against us."   --NGUNJIRI WAMBUGU, in an opinion piece entitled "Kenya: We Must Not Allow Religious Intolerance to Thrive." (Credit Jim Simons in his blog "Three Rivers Episcopal": the article can be found here: http://allafrica.com/stories/201411240090.html  )

There are unfortunate similarities here in the United States, where prejudice is too often the easier path taken. A journalist friend of mine, Ellen Dooley, aptly stated:

"The issues we--humans across the globe--face at this moment in history demand the deepest, most critical thought, the most rigorous scholarship, the cross-disciplinary collaboration of all people of good will--lives are at stake and the very earth shudders with grief. We do no honor to God by refusing to listen, refusing to learn, insisting that self-righteous indignation and plainspoken ignorance is superior to the thoughts and ideas and traditions of those who have devoted enormous energy and effort to the study of history, politics, theology etc.

 Can we stop wringing our hands over the silly notion of "protecting" or "defending God's honor," as though the Creator were a fragile, simpering Victorian prone to fainting spells? This is the Lion of Judah we're talking about."--Ellen Dooley

As for the actual event in question, several hundred devout Muslims were invited to offer prayer in what Bp. Mariann Budde calls "a house of prayer for all people".

South African Ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool preached the sermon. Rasool and chief liturgist of the Cathedral, the Rev. Can. Gina Gilland Campbell had collaborated together on Nelson Mandela's funeral, and as they continued on in association and friendship, conceived the idea of this service as a call for peace and tolerance among the religions.

Rasool preached in part:
"Extremism is not the antidote to extremism. Extremism labels because it cannot debate. Extremism excludes because it cannot embrace. Extremism is angry because it cannot love. Extremism destroys because it cannot build. Extremism has perfected the art of dying for its cause because it has forgotten how to live for its cause."

Ironically, the hospitality of the moment was marred by an extremist, a woman who rose and interrupted, shouting:

“America was founded on Christian principles. . . . Leave our church alone!” She was swiftly ushered out by security aides, and the service continued. She was not arrested. She briefly became the poster child for those who fear sharing prayer with people of other religions. 

Some may ask, "Isn't this poking a stick in the eye of a people (red-blooded Americans) who have been attacked by terrorists who claim to be Muslims?" Ask any of the many Muslims who serve in our armed forces that question. I wonder if their blood is as red as any other American's. In times like this, reason, calm and tolerance must be upheld, exampled and held out as a lamp for the nations. 

As for us Episcopalians (not all of whom agree) modeling Christian hospitality and tolerance: If not us, who? If not now, when?

What we don't need in this world is encouragement toward "mass hysteria" with un-marinated, uncooked, un-filtered, un-thought-out reaction to constantly-breaking, un-marinated, uncooked, unfiltered and un-thought-out news.

We do need lots of prayer, meditation, community, acceptance and wisdom based on thought, hospitality, love and study. 

CH+ 

For some fascinating and enlightening reading, see:

Worshiping Jesus in the Mosque

What it's like to follow Christ embedded in Muslim culture. An interview with a Muslim follower of Isa [Jesus]. at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/january-february/insider-movement-islam-wheres-jesus.html

Another Little Milestone, Thank You

Another little milestone was reached for Acts Two Six late last month when it reached 25,000 page hits. You know, all bloggers have inflated hits due to "robots", but even if 20% (a high estimate) readers aren't actually human, that still leaves 20,000 page hits by humans. Thank you, humans, and other bloggers who draw readers to my blog.

Since the parish I serve is so busy, I have so little time to share, to educate and to comment via my blog. But I will be back with a big article in a day or two concerning the National Cathedral's hosting of a Muslim prayer service. Stay tuned.

CH+

Uh-Oh. Even Contemplatives Must Beware the Mighty EGO or, Try As We Might to Become Self-Aware, We Can Still Shoot Ourselves in the Foot

Maggie Ross, an "experienced" contemplative (you'll laugh as you read on at my use of the word), warns, among other things, of the pervasiveness of "consumerism", an insidious ego-driven phenomenon of human nature that seeks to grasp and change every original and natural thought and experience of God into something own-able, archive-able--and yes, even profitable.

Also problematic is our use of the word "experience", in that we forget that all experience is mere interpretation, and not reality in itself. True contemplation submits experience to a far deeper Mind and Wisdom, both affirmed by holy writ and tested by a more ancient path.

Enjoy this (as yet) unfinished series as it unfolds. Parts I and II can be found at
http://ravenwilderness.blogspot.com/2014/10/reflections-on-experience.html
and http://ravenwilderness.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-had-experience-but-missed-meaning-ii.html

Maggie Ross (Martha Reeves) is an Anglican solitary. A graduate of the Madeira School, Class of 1959, she is also a Stanford educated professor of theology and a mystic under vows to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

CH +

Monday, October 13, 2014

We Had the Experience But Missed the Meaning III

This simple (but not easy) reorientation goes against what most celebrity gurus are saying. Such people are masters and mistresses of staging artificial environments where people can have "experiences," for which these gurus charge an impressive amount of money. And when their customers come down off the high engendered by such events, they feel more hollow and depressed than they did before. So of course they immediately seek another expensive artificial event that will give them yet another "experience." This so-called spirituality is just another form of addictive consumerism.

Such consumerism is often based on a mis-use of the word "contemplative." The phrase "contemplative experience" is nonsensical, for contemplation properly speaking is about relinquishing all claims to experience, that is, all preconceptions.

read the rest here: We Had the Experience But We Missed the Meaning