Thursday, March 20, 2008

Foot washing



In response to another blog (Matt again), I'm posting a report.

My first entry in this blog was about last year's Maundy Thursday. You might enjoy watching the neat video on foot washing I posted there from Youtube.

It took me a whole year, but I finally got the gumption to go to a foot washing at the Community of Joy Worship Center (Church of the Brethren). I was also more familiar with the place and its people. It was called a "love feast" and also included conversation, a meal, singing, communion, and clean up. It was wonderful.

Before I went I was mentally prepared by a slide show.

As I went outside my front door, I saw that nobody had taken yesterday's trash cans back from the street. I had to move one, because I had brought down trash. Then it occurred to me that since I was going to a foot washing I needed to have a servant attitude, so I moved the second one as well.

I arrived a little early so I was offered a seat and another woman came up and introduced herself. It turns out that it was her first love feast as well. She had joined the church this past January.

I sat at a round table with two older couples and one younger, who appeared to have been married a long time. My favorite sort of supper company. It turns out that most of us were present or past school teachers. The older couples were inlaws who told me a corny family joke about their mother having had four and a half dozen children. It took me more than a minute to get it. Ten children - four boys and a half dozen girls - get it?

A trio (including the new lady) sang.
The pastor led us in prayer.
The congregation sang a mixture of contemporary and old standard hymns using powerpoint displays on the wall.
Then we had a simple meal of water, fruit, cheese, nuts, rolls. We enjoyed conversation.
The pastor invited us to answer the question "who first helped you to see Jesus?"
Scripture was read. (I probably have the order of things mixed up)
More prayer.
We discussed another question.
Then we went over to rows of facing chairs, men on the left, women on the right. There was also a station for hand washing for people who were physically or otherwise uncomfortable with foot washing.
The towel was worn as an apron.
We sang from hymnals.
Two women each had tubs of water and washed the feet of the person next to them. After her feet were washed, she embraced the washer, exchanged blessings and then took the towel and put it on and washed the feet of the next person. I wasn't able to kneel on my fake knees, but I squatted down and the person I was serving raised her feet a little.
Music was led as the footwashing was going on and by the last song we'd developed some three part harmony that gave me goosebumps.
A very modern American touch: a woman gave us a squirt of waterless antibiotic handwashing liquid when we were done.
Then the pastor read from Luke 24 about how Christ was only recognized after he broke the bread at a meal.
We responded in a short litany and then had communion. The pastor led us in simple language. The wine was grapejuice and the bread was a cracker which I'm told is an "old traditional brethren unleavened bread (symbolic of the mana God provided)" which we broke with another person and shared. To me, it tasted a little like shortbread.
There was some more singing and short discussion about how we might plan to help others see Jesus. Then we got together and cleaned up the tables.
By the way, the dishes were washable! I really like this church.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Matt does it again


Matt , a blogger I've quoted before, sez:
  • "2/ In speaking against the ways of Christian heretics, the Apostle Peter warned, “This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.” (2 Peter 2:10-11)"
He goes on to say:
  • "I don’t know about you but to me this suggests that, not only should we treat non-Christians with respect as I have argued elsewhere, but that we should also treat non-Christian gods and goddesses with respect - even though we deny them."
Before Christ drew me to Him, I believed in the Allah of the Baha'i Faith and, later, a hazy "HP" in twelve step programs. Those beliefs kept me away from unhealthy lifestyles that would have killed me before I had found salvation.

So I think it's my job to give a Faith to others, not take it away.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Obama's speech on March 18



Well, I guess the rumor that Obama is Muslim is finally dispelled!

I had pretty much decided that I was voting for McCain because I'm more concerned about the future of the unborn than the victims of American imperialism. I figure that the war will eventually be dragged to an end, but I am less optimistic about the unborn. So I have planned to vote to give whatever help there can be in reenforcing their right to life. Many years ago I voted against Carter for the same reason.

But. This was a superb speech. It had compassion and intelligence. It was made by someone who would do this country credit as president. It was about race, something people don't often speak about in mixed company. It was about unity. It was made by someone I would be proud to present to the world as our head of state.

Now I wonder. Will my vote help the unborn? Did the "religious right" accomplish anything when it was in power? I would vote for Jimmy Carter in a hearbeat now. We need true compassion and intelligence.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

What book am I? What animal am I?




You're The Mists of Avalon!

by Marion Zimmer Bradley

You're obsessed with Camelot in all its forms, from Arthurian legend to the Kennedy administration. Your favorite movie from childhood was "The Sword in the Stone". But more than tales of wizardry and Cuban missiles, you've focused on women. You know that they truly hold all the power. You always wished you could meet Jackie Kennedy.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.



I suppose I ought to read it, then.
And here's another test result that fits me to a T! I knew where it was going when the last question asked me if I preferred "New Orleans" or "the mist".




You're a Gorilla!

Highly social and group-oriented, you like hanging out with the same people constantly. You have either black or gray hair and spend a good deal of time grooming it or getting others to groom it for you. Sleep is a big part of your daily routine and you like to either make very loud noise or no noise at all. You have more skills with language than most, however. One of your absolute favorite drinks is hot cocoa.


Take the Animal Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Every morning


first draft
I drive a beautiful drive to work in the morning. I see the sunrise, misty pastoral scenes, birds - water fowl, raptors, turkeys, trees in their changes. I drive at the speed limit - it's an exercise in humility. In order to defeat my character traits of defiance and arrogance.

This beauty is a morning gift to make up for the morning news. The father/stepfather of several of my students is arrested for murdering an elderly man who owed him three hundred dollars. The memory of this beauty is a respite from the sound of a coworker repeatedly tell others "he was nothing but a junkyard dog". The aftertaste of this beauty holds me over through contempt and misunderstanding.

This beauty is a free gift that comes in spite of my financial troubles. A free gift that comes despite my sloth and avarice. A daily free gift that comes on days when I have forboding, or sorrow.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Exercise

I'm told that exercise is an important way to pull out of depression. The catch is that it's hard to get started exercising when I'm depressed. Last week I think I went to the pool once. Today I went. Like pulling my own teeth. But, of course, once I was in the water, I was committed and active. One lady who I exercise with often is a gym teacher, so I bounced ideas off her. She reminded me that I had a stationary bike at home. And I actually don't need to dry clothes on it all the time.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Feeling down, no doubt

I've had a cold on and off for a few weeks.
I haven't played a musical instrument for several months.
I earn less money than I spend. And I don't spend much.
I haven't seen important relatives for almost two years.
I haven't sewn or done any oregami in over a year.
I don't feel close enough to anyone to have a rambling telephone conversation.
I have lost interest in teaching ESL.
I sleep too much.