New Year

Well, technically, the New Year for the Church began on the first Sunday of Advent. That's when our new Church year begins -- the readings shift to be centered on a different gospel on the first Sunday of Advent.

The New Year is a traditional time to vow to make changes in our lives. Earnest desires for change will be on the lips of many this year.

The best attempts at change are thwarted by the ruts we sometimes find ourselves in. What to do, what to do? Well, one thing is to make a pact with others to be held accountable for the change we wish to make. Another way is to try the change for 90 days -- for many, this time period helps make the change permanent.

The best rule of thumb is simply this: start small. Don't work to make sweeping changes -- one change at a time, slowly but surely, may just stick.

I'll be teaching a class on this on Monday, January 4th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Library. Come -- bring a thought or two of things you'd like to change. We'll talk strategy and support. We'll pray together. What better way to start this New Year?

Shepherd's Field

We got off the bus in the village of Beit Sahour -- and went to a Franciscan site that was excavated a number of years ago. Byzantine mosaics were found there, and they believe this is the field where the Angel of the Lord announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds. We went to a cave that the Franciscans excavated -- a cave that had niches carved into the walls to store items they used in the tending of the sheep and in living their lives int hat day and time. You could imagine what it was like to live in that cave with all those sheep! Is that where the shepherds slept? Is this is place where they stored their food and ate meals together? As was the case at each Holy Site we visited, we read the appropriate gospel reading for the site, sang a hymn and heard a prayer. It was moving to be in that space and imagine what life was like 2,000 years ago.

We went from this cave to the small chapel/church called the Church of the Angel. The tree frescoes on the wall depict the story of the Shepherd's working in the field, their hearing the message of the Angel, and then going and seeing Mary, Joseph and Jesus. The frescoes were gorgeous -- I've posted one here on this blog -- and they moved my spirit. The acoustics in that chapel were perfect -- so perfect, that we stood together and sang Silent Night. I had thought that touching the place where Jesus was born was the ultimate experience for me -- it wasn't. It was singing that wonderful hymn in that perfect place. Why? Because the message of that hymn and the message of the Angel to the Shepherds is the same message we are to hear this night and always -- to us a child is born, to us the Prince of Peace has come -- and WE are to shout -- Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

Almost there....

We're almost there...

We're almost at the point where the Christ child is born -- but we're not there yet!

In Churches restraint is made not to sing Christmas Carols because, we'll, we're not there yet. We're still preparing room in our hearts to welcome the Christ child again. Yet, the secular world has been decorating and singing since before Christmas.

There are only a few more days before we celebrate the fact that love came down to earth over 2,000 years ago. I pray that your Advent time of preparation has been fruitful. If it hasn't, I pray that these last few days bring you peace and a welcoming heart.

Slow down. Breathe. Pray. He is on his way!

Blessings to all,
Diane+

On laity, on deacons, on priests, on bishops....

The order or ministry in the church is clear:
Laity, Deacons, Priests and Bishops.

I have been the first three, and last weekend I was elected to become part of the fourth.

Whew!

I'm exhausted, but humbled and honored. What a wonderful time for us as a church.

Over the weeks to come, we will share together what all this means, and look forward to a wonderful future. I know I will be still living in Orange County, and assigned as area bishop over this area ....so, I'm not going far.

Love to all,
Diane+

...on Bishops

Well, after nearly a year since Bishop Bruno called for the election of 2 Suffragan Bishops, the election will take place this weekend.

It's funny, it has seemed like such a LONG time in coming -- and here it is!

No matter what happens this weekend, it is important to me that the people of St. Clement's understand that the honor I received in being nominated and then selected as one of the candidates is a direct reflection on the mission and ministry that is carried out here day after day. It is a reflection on all of YOU, and I'm so proud to be your rector.

Giving Thanks

Giving thanks is so important.

So often we don't stop to say "thank you!"

Undergoing radiation treatment, I'm at Hoag Hospital every day. ....yes, really.

Two weeks ago, half way through the treatment, I thanked the women behind the desk, who must see 60-80 people per day, for remembering my name. "Thank you for remembering me", I said. She replied, "thank you for being thankful".

Thank you for being thankful. It's so simple, yet so complex. We can be so quick to take offense, but not quick to notice the small kindnesses that are offered to us.

I pray this Thanksgiving Day that your heart is set to giving thanks....for ALL the blessings in your life!

St. Clement of Rome

I was at my seminary (the Episcopal Theological School at Claremont) a few weeks ago, addressing the Church Administration and Finance class on issues regarding clergy and money.

During lunch before the class, my Greek professor, the Rev. Dr. Ted Fisher asked me to sit with him. I graduated from that school in 1997, but Ted still remembers me: "I've taught hundreds of students here Diane, and there are very few that stand out in my mind: you're one of them." I asked him what I had ever done to have that distinction -- his answer was quick and simple: "You were always on the ball."

It was a wonderful compliment from a man I greatly admire.

He went on to remind me (which he didn't need to) that his PhD was on the letter of Clement of Rome, our patron Saint. He would quote parts of Clement during our Greek class -- and throw out some interesting tidbits (none, of course, which I can now remember!).

I'm always amazed and humbled by the impressions we as human beings make on one another -- for good or for bad. We have the ability in our time on this earth to try to touch people with the simplest of kindnesses -- as Ted did for me a few weeks ago. He subsequently invited me over to his home in Claremont to see the "stuff" he has started collecting. We will be making a date to do so after Christmas!

May all your encounters leave people feeling as though they just encountered the risen Christ.....