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.....

US Marine Corps

It's in me, that's all I can say.

"Yes Mam" and "Yes Sir" fly off my tongue all the time. I can't help it. Often I have been corrected by my peers, asking me to not say it. I can't help it. I was raised by 2 Marines.

My mother and father both served in the Marine Corps during World War II. It affected their lives, and how they raised us as children. I will be displaying a picture of my parents this Sunday -- my mother in her dress whites, my father in his dress blues on their wedding day.

I have a deep respect for members all branches of the military, and a special place in my heart for Marines. I hope to see you this Sunday as we celebrate the birthday of the Marine Corps and Veterans Day at St. Clement's!

Saints

There are many people, some whom I've never met, that I feel are saints in my life.

Many of you know that in my spirituality, I've been influenced greatly by St. Benedict and the Rule that he wrote for his monks to live under. What a wonderfully God-centered man, who created an order for life that still stands the test of time.

One of the early saints in my life growing up was my paternal grandfather, Grandpa Jardine. He taught me the joys of listening to classical music, fishing with just enough worm on a hook to tempt a potential dinner entree, and the importance of education. He was a very special saint in my life.

Among the many jobs a priest has, is one that I cherish most. It is walking with people through this life, and celebrating their lives as they pass to the joys of heaven. I've posted the picture here of a saint that passed that I think of often and treasure the memories of -- Miss Hazel Wales. Hazel at the end of most sentences would exclaim, "Well Bless You" -- it was the way she said it -- and meant it -- that touched my heart the most.

Today, there are many people I consider saints in my life -- teachers and friends that are wise and offer kind, sage words.

Saints are always around us -- that is what the communion of Saints is all about. According to the Episcopal Dictionary (which I love to offer info from each week on the email blast), the communion of Saints is the union and shared life of all Christians in Christ, including those who now live in the world and those whose mortal lives have ended. The collect for All Saints' Day states, "Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord"(BCP p. 245). The Apostles' Creed affirms the communion of saints, and the Catechism explains that it is "the whole family of God, the lviing and the dead, those whom we love and those whom we hurt, bound together in Christ by sacrament, prayer, and priase" (BCP pp. 96, 862). A hymn text by Charles Wesley (526 in The Hymnal 1982) prays, "Let saints on earth in concert sing with those whose whork is done; for all the servants of our King in heaven and earth are one."





I pray you give thanks this day for ALL the Saints in your life....

Falling into Fall

I love this time of year!

The air starts to crisp up a bit, and taking walks in the middle of the day doesn't feel like walking in a sauna. I also love the fact that people fall into a gentler rhthym -- the children are back in school, church becomes more of a priority (there is that lure of the sun and the beach in the summer!) It just feels wonderful.

The light on the church during the day and early evening changes as we move into this time of year. I feel as though I want to crawl up in a blanket and just watch the movement of the sun on the stained glass windows while sitting in the church. It's beautiful -- and breath taking.

I think when we pray, we open ourselves up to the same feeling of warmth and beauty -- being in the presence of God in prayer IS like being wrapped in a warm blanket -- a blanket of love. What passes in front of our eyes is the beauty of this world -- of our relationship with God and with each other.

As we move into the fall, the days will shorten -- but God's love for us is always growing, as our response to that love is invited to grow. I invite you to wrap yourself in the blanket of God's love -- enjoy the beauty and warmth..... there really is no better place on earth!

Hospice...

I knew it had to happen one day, but why did it have to be now?

My Dad, who many of you know from his visits to the parish, was diagnosed with lung cancer and prostate cancer a few years ago. He refused treatment then. The lung cancer was extremely slow growing, until recently.

It started growing quickly. The doctors also found a tumor in his hip bone.

Radiation on the hip sent him from walking with a cane, to a walker, now he has to use a wheelchair. He has had enough, so he is refusing further radiation therapy.

He's on hospice now, and he's being kept comfortable. He's still feisty...he's still my Dad!

I'll be going up to see him this weekend....my last chemo was almost 4 weeks ago, so I've been cleared to travel -- and my own radiation starts Monday. It'll be good to be with him for a few days.

I was hoping to put this kind of visit off for a long time....who knows? He has beaten other things before.......

Creation out of a void...

Creation out of a void -- that's how St. Clement's started.

There was little here, but Ole Hanson had a vision! "I vision a place where people can live together more pleasantly than any other place in America ... the whole picture is very clear before me... I can see hundreds of white-walled homes bonneted with red tile, with trees, shrubs, hedges of hibiscus, palms and geraniums lining the drives, and a profusion of flowers framing the patios and gardens..." -- Ole Hanson, 1925.

If you look around San Clemente, you can see remnants of Hanson's dream -- and there is no place more beautiful than St. Clement's!

Built on land that Hanson donated, this church, with it's white stucco walls and red tile roof, with geraniums in parts of the flower beds and flowers lining the entrance to the sanctuary is a vision realized! More importantly, it was and is a vision of God in Christ in this place.

Our mission and ministry together has been important since the inception of St. Clement's, and it will continue to be important for generations to come. We were created out of a void -- and we continue to create and hone our mission and ministry to fill the voids in this world.

Thank you for being part of Ole's dream!

Big Celebration

We're gearing up to celebrate our 80th Anniversary at the parish!

What a great event! October 4th (Sunday) we'll celebrate by having just ONE service, and lots of celebrating we'll do: St. Francis Day, our 80th Anniversary in San Clemente, our 20th year of doing Latino Ministry, and our Stewardship Sunday! Whew!!! LOTS of good stuff happening!

I think about all of the ministry done over the last 80 years-- we've had along history of service in this community -- and that is a great blessing.

The greatest blessing is all of you -- commited to mission and ministry in this place at this time. It is a blessing and an honor to serve as your Rector. You have taught me so much about what commitment and love mean -- and I am very grateful!!

Let's all come together on October 4th, celebrate all these great ministries and this milestone in our common life -- and commit overselves to continued mission and ministry in the years to come!

Post-Labor Day Musings....

When I was younger, it was Labor Day that marked the end of summer -- all the white was put away, purses (or, as I knew them, pocketbooks) were changed out from summer bags to fall baga, and sweaters were pulled out of the closet.

Well, living in Southern California with the temperatures still hovering in the low 80's it's hard to think that summer is over!

I knew something was different yesterday when the number of cars on the road were much greater than in other weeks throughout the summer -- families are back from various vacations, and for some school has started, and for others will start soon.

As we enter the autumn season -- no matter what the weather is, the gospel is the same -- while we may change our outer clothes to reflect the change of the season, our hearts should always be pointed in the same direction -- towards our Lord and Savior. This does not change -- our inner nature, while always evolving as we continue our journey of faith is clothed in the same garments always -- the garments of love!!!

The Sea of Galilee

The last few weeks in the daily readings, there's been a lot of "traveling" on the part of Jesus.

Lots of crossing water, walking along water, being on the water.

I couldn't help but think back to my time in the Holy Land this past January/February, and our boat trip on the Sea of Galilee -- I could see Jesus walking along the edge of the water. I could see Jesus calling the fisherman in the water to come out and help him fish for people.

My reading the gospels has changed significantly since my trip to the Holy Land -- indeed, my life was changed through that experience. I see the sights, I smell the smells, I taste the bread -- it was a powerful time, and it stays with me!

I hope this few pictures invoke wonderful images for you as you read or hear the gospel in the weeks and months to come.

How lovely is thy dwelling place . . .

The first time I stepped into St. Clement's sanctuary was the day I met with the Search Committee in the library. It was in the winter -- the Sanctuary door was open, so I walked in to see the church before I met with the Committee.

I fell in love!

There was something warm and welcoming about the Church -- I felt love emitting from its walls -- the love of many years, many people.

When I was done with my interview, I was thrilled. I thought to myself, "if these people don't call me as their rector -- I'd still love to attend services here when I'm on vacation -- these people have it going on! With all they've been through, the love of God in Christ is so infused in them, that mission and ministry has alway been a strong focus of who they are. This place rocks!"

Well, thankfully, I was called as the rector, and June 1st was my 9th anniversary! While I was not in town (I was in Scotland), I still celebrated and remembered my first day -- hanging pictures on the wall of my office, Sally Richmond, then the bookkeeper came into my office and said, "Hi, my name is Sally. I'm the bookkeeper. We have $500.00 in the bank and we have to meet payroll -- what do you want me to do?" I thought to myself, "Holy guacamole! What have I gotten myself into?" Well, there was some money in savings, so we used that. I asked her how we were year to date -- she told me that we were, through April, $10,000 in the hole. I made some changes to procedures, and we ended up that year $49.00 to the good!

We've come a long way in 9 years, and we still have the journey in front of us. Mission and ministry are never-ending -- and the opportunities to serve are infinite.

....how lovely is thy dwelling place -- indeed, for me, St. Clement's reflects the depth and breadth of the love of God in Christ, and I am grateful to be your rector!

So many things to celebrate!

This past Saturday and Sunday were VERY busy days in the parish!

First, Bonnie Edwards' ordination to the priesthood on Saturday -- what a joyous event! It was so good to have Bishop Bruno celebrating with us! It was also, for the first time in anyone's memory, that an ordination took place at St. Clement's.

I want to thank all of you who came and celebrated with Bonnie, and especially everyone who worked so hard before, during and after the service as well as all those who put on a beautiful reception -- what a festive day! The bishop and guest clery were blown away by our hospitality and the beauty of our parish church.

In addition, Bishop Bruno took the time to bless the Virgin of Guadalupe banner that our own Sally Edwards recently totally re-did...it's beautiful! What a gift to have our Bishop do the honor of blessing the beautiful handiwork of Sally! Thank you, Sally!

On Sunday, we celebrated the baptism of Alison Lucy James -- I never had a baby look up at me quite the way she did I was preparing to baptise her -- she took my breath away!!! She was asleep before the baptism, woke up for it, and fell asleep again. Wow!

We will have many other opportunities to worship together this fall...most especially on October 4th at 10:00 when Bishop Talton will be with us to celebrate our 80th anniversay as a parish Church! We will be having confirmations that day, as well as our annual stewardship campaign! A BIG birthday celebration, followed by a very festive lunch catered by Bistro 221!

May it always be said of St. Clement's that when we do it, we do it BIG!

Eucharist

In last week's sermon, I spoke about the importance of the Eucharist. Jesus as the Bread of Life is a powerful image we have of who Jesus is for us -- the most incredible nutrient in our lives.

When we receive the divine life into ourselves at the Eucharist, we cup our hands.

Do that -- cup your hands for a moment. Then imagine yourself cupped in God's hands -- for the gesture we use to receive Holy Communion is the mirror image of God holding us in the palm of God's hand.

Whenever you feel yourself overburdened or alone -- imagine those cupped hands of God holding you. Rest in those loving hands -- for they are always extended to receive you as the beloved child of God that you are.

The Church in Canada

This week the liturgy is taken from the Anglican Church of Canada's Book of Alternative Services.

I had the privilege over the last few summers to be in class with members of that Church, and learned a great deal about the challenges and opportunities that face the Church in Canada. The man in the blue shirt in this picture is my friend Michael from Canada. It was such a joy to be with him! He could turn a phrase and was so poetic in his speech. My other good friend originally from Canada but now resident in upstate New York, Clarke, dropped out after his first year and transferred to Virginia Seminary to finish us his DMin. Between the two of them, they would throw out these phrases that are common use in Canada, but none of us had heard before.

This past summer we were joined by another delightful priest from Canada who shared with us in our Missional Liturgy and Preaching course that they conclude the Prayer after Communion with the following:


Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.


Now, we also have this prayer in our Book of Common Prayer, but not for the Eucharist. We were all surprised, but of course we knew these words by heart. It was a beautiful way to end the Eucharist -- and we will do so this Sunday.


It's funny how we "expand our horizons" listening to the stories of others and sharing in the way Anglicanism has manifested itself in their part of the world. Here we are, kissing cousins, separated by a national border -- and yet the subtle differences are there.


I give thanks to my friends from Canada, and I hope you enjoy their liturgy this weekend!

Jesus on the shore of the Sea of Galilee

Whenever I read about Jesus either walking around or crossing the Sea of Galilee, I remember my time at Pilgerhaus, Tabgha. The city this guest house is located in is revered as the place of the multiplication of loaves and fishes.

One of beautiful aspects of the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes is that, underneath the altar is a stone, where it is believed that the actually mulitiplication took place. You will notice that there are Byzantine tiles (dated from the fifth century) depicting the 2 fish and 4 loaves of bread -- can you see them in the picture above to the left? You should have scratched your head right then when I said FOUR loaves of bread -- the 5th one would have been the one Jesus held in his hands. It is a reminder to us of the Holy Eucharist.

This Church in Tagbha, run by Beneditines, is a beautiful pleace! The figurative mosaic floor (with more mosaics than just the basket of bread and fish) is the earliest known example of figured pavement in Palestinian Christian art.

When we share the bread and wine of the Eucharist each Sunday, let us be grateful for all the blessings of this life! Let us also celebrate the beauty that our ancestors found in living out their faith in a place such as Tagbha!

More General Convention

When you're elected to be a deputy to General Convention, you have an intellectual idea about how taxing and tiring and exhilarating and difficult this work can be, but nothing matches reality!

It has been an incredible learning experience. No doubt you read articles in the paper that stated that the House of Deputies voted for the full inclusion of all to all levels of sacraments and sacramental rites in the Church. I was there. You didn't read in the papers the incredible stories and hear testimony of people affected by all aspects of this resolution. I did -- and it was powerful. Yes, we voted -- and the Los Angeles deputation was of one mind on this issue -- we voted for it.

We also voted to actively help and support active and retired military personnel, and to honor all veterans -- I bet that didn't make the newspaper.

We voted to improve our outreach to Latinos across the country -- that didn't make the papers either.

What I want to say to you all is this: there were LOTS of issues we voted on, but you only hear about the ones that sell papers or make big splashy headlines.

Jesus said lots of things too -- and I bet in his day it was the same thing: the Pharisees and the Sadducee's plastered bits and snippets of Jesus' words -- the words that they felt were inflammatory -- all over the place (or, at least, by word of mouth). All of the good he was doing didn't make the headlines.

I don't think things have changed much -- but please know that it is in the Spirit that our decisions were made and our votes were cast. To be prayerfully engaged in this ministry is humbling.

General Convention

I felt a little like a doe in headlights!

Here I am as a first time deputy to the largest gathering of a governing body of any denomination. Wow!

In some ways, it is like a wonderful family reunion. I've seen lots of people from across the United States that I met at one conference or at school. You can sit back and people watch here, and see dozens of people reconnect from across the country -- and the globe.

We have had 3 sessions of the House of Deputies so far, with no contested issues coming forward. Primarily we have been dealing with housekeeping matters, and matters that have not sparked debate or warranted our place in local news. Yet, the fruit of some of this work SHOULD be on the news: Praying together, setting the theme for our meeting as UBUNTU -- I in you and you n me. We've had wonderful insights as to how this theme describes us -- we are interrelated, one to another.

I have been smiling a lot these first few days of convention -- seeing so many from St. Clement's volunteering here -- thank you all!

Pictures and more description will come later.

Of Cancer and Friends....

If you were in Church last Sunday or listened to the sermon via the parish website or the email blast link, you heard I have bilateral breast cancer.

It's hard to keep up with questions from family and friends, and many of you have told me you're concerned, but don't want to bother me. Ellen Hill told me about a wonderful website, www.caringbridge.com, where people can set up a webpage of their own regarding their illness. I have set one up there for you to follow, if you'd like. I won't talk about my cancer any more on this blog -- this blog is more for theological reflection.

So -- if you'd like, you can follow along with my adventures in cancer-land on www.caringbridge.com. The name that I am under is dianejardinebruce (yes, just like that, no spaces, lower case). You'll have to sign in to see the blog -- that's so I have a little privacy!

So...my cancer journey continues!

Blessings and love to all,
Diane+

Calling all Jardine clan members...

One of the highlights for our daughter -- Lisa Jardine Bruce -- was visiting the area in Scotland where the Jardine Clan Society is headquartered. We knew we were getting close when we visited Sweetheart Abbey -- in the graveyard next to the Abbey there were a number of graves for Jardine's -- including a geneology!

We were able to see the area where the old Jardine Hall was before it burnt down -- the connection for us was powerful. We walked in what can only be described as the "family graveyard"-- yes, there were other names there as well, but the number of Jardine's was amazing!

The clan motto is: CAVE ADSUM -- beware, I am here. Now, I'm hoping that I don't resemble that remark! Then again, maybe it isn't a bad thing.

It was great to "connect" with a part of my history -- and to have the name recognized wherever we went! With a name such as Jardine Bruce, we couldn't help but be popular in Scotland!

Of Friends and Cities

One of the great things about building a network of friends is that, well, they're friends!

In England, our old au pair Allan was such a wonderful host to Steve, Jardine and me...what a great gift! Allan took care of Jardine when she was 4 years old -- and her she was at 22 hanging around with him in London doing what girls want to do -- shop! And Allan was very obliging! Here you see Allan with Steve at a Turkish restaurant in Allan's neighborhood in Central London...Wow! What a great experience!

I am struck by the joy of friendships and by the love of friends...and by the intersection of the two.

Abbeys

It is incredible to stand in the nave of an Abbey that is open to the sky with a floor that is covered in grass. Standing in such places I couldn't help but begin to pray -- praying for the people of St. Clement's, for my family and friends, giving thanks for God's creation.

In every Abbey ruin we walked through my imagination brought me back to the time when the Abbey was full of monks praying the hours and living a rather harsh life. The beauty of the surrounding countryside was not lost on me, and I'm sure wasn't lost on them. Scotland was amazing!

As we walked through the Abbey ruins, my mind also was filled with thoughts of visitors in the past to these beautiful, holy places. One Abbey we stopped at -- Glenluce -- is a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey founded in 1190 by Roland, Earl of Galloway. The remains include a handsome Chapter house and occupies a site of great natural beauty. It was visited by Robert the Bruce and James IV. Mary Queen of Scots stayed here during a royal progress. You read things like this and have to wonder to yourself, "did they stand where I'm standing?" "Did they pray here too?"

I'll post more pictures and reflections during the weeks to come. It was an amazing trip, and I feel blessed to have made it!

Off Sabbaticals and time away....

Well, my bags are packed, I'm ready to go....

While I'm looking forward to the trip to England and Scotland, I always have a slight trepidation when travelling -- it's far! Thankfully, where we're going, people speak English, although you'll have to convince my husband Steve about that.

Going to the "mother land" -- no, not New Jersey, although we will be going through there to get to London. The mother land being the birthplace of Anglicanism. I can't tell you how excited I am about going... and coming back and sharing stories and pictures with all of you.

I may try to post while I'm there...

Blessings and love to you all,
Diane+

Of Clergy and Conferences

The last few days I've been in San Pedro with a goodly number of my clergy colleagues.

It's always interesting to gather as clergy. This year the guest speaker is the Archbishop of New Zealand, who is talking with us about Fresh Expressions -- a form of emergent church movement in New Zealand. It's amazing the different programs and forms of ministry -- and services -- they have been able to do there! It is about following the flow of the Spirit -- and doing something, well, FRESH!

Anxiety is high for parishes in Santa Barbara as they deal with the fires. One rector didn't come to the conference at all, and others left yesterday afternoon. Please pray for all affected by the fires, pray for the firefighters, pray for all emergency personnel.

The Lord is my Shepherd....

I don't know about you, but it can be awfully difficult to follow.

I can't tell you how many times I sit with people who are having problems letting go of trying to control every aspect of their life. It's frustrating for them -- but they can't let go. They want to know what's going to happen to them, want to control what will happen to them. I think that's why the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is a helpful one. The shepherd leads the sheep -- they just have to follow the shepherd to be lead to the best streams, the greenest grazing sites, the safest places to sleep.

We don't want to give that kind of control over ot Jesus, though. We want to keep it for ourselves. Don't we know better? Well, we think we do!

If we just let go of the need to control, different -- better things can come to us. We just have to take the first step and listen to the shepherd instead of listening to ourselves.

Peace be with you.

This Sunday we have another "Jesus sighting" -- once again Jesus comes among his followers and says, "Peace be with you."

I couldn't help but think about these words peace be with you as I sat waiting for my car to be repaired on Monday -- my last day of vacation. What was supposed to have been a 2 1/2 hour repair turned into 6 hours. It was at the end of the 2nd hour (when I thought I was in the home stretch of getting out of there) when I was informed that the main part they needed was out of stock, and would have to be brought in from another dealership. Couldn't they have figured that out in the first 1/2 hour of my time there? I wasn't feeling too peaceful at that moment! Yes, I was offered a rental car, but it seemed more hassle than it was worth, given my schedule for the next day. So, I sat and waited.

Peace was hard to come by. I was glad I had brought 2 of my DMin books assigned for this summer to read -- little consolation for the rise in my blood pressure.

It's a difficult thing -- peace. It can elude us when our nerves are short, we're tired, or we feel put out. Yet, it is there -- this peace.

One way I heard this peace explained is that it is the moment when whatever burden we have on our hearts -- any ill feelings we have towards others -- is removed from us. WE have to "let it go"-- we have to let go of whatever is burdening us, or we will never find or experience this peace.

I had to let my irritation go. In my heart I had to wish the technician God's peace -- for my own sake.

Is there someone in your life that you need to wish God's peace?

Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

This Sunday we hear the story of Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance to his disciples. Although they heard from the women who found the tomb empty that Jesus had risen from the dead, the disciples hadn't seen him yet. I can't help but wonder -- if I were one of the disciples and my teacher -- Jesus -- appeared to me in a room that was locked to keep people out -- would I have fainted? Would I have screamed? What would I have done? We're told the disciples rejoiced -- I may have done that as well, but I think I would have fainted first.

There was one disciple who wasn't with the others -- Thomas. The disciples told Thomas that they had seen Jesus. Thomas refused to believe them. "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe" Thomas told the disciples. Indeed, he had the opportunity to see Jesus about one week later -- and then believed. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe" Jesus told Thomas.

We are the ones who are blessed to have not seen, but have come to believe. We don't have the opportunity to touch the resurrected Jesus' wounds. Yet, we believe -- we believe because we see around us the fruits of living a life of faith. We may not be able to SEE Jesus, but we can certainly feel his presence with us. As we celebrate the Eucharist each week, we make Christ present. We share in communion with him and with each other. This is one of the most wonderful "seeing" moments we can have together!

Diane+

Welcome to St. Clement's by-the-Sea Blog!

Hello!
One thing I'm very aware of is the lack of "dialogue" with my sermons. Here's an opportunity for you to comment on what you heard this past Sunday or from my writings on the email blasts from the Parish.

So... let's talk!