HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is hard to believe that yet another year has passed by.
General ramblings and thoughts as I get out of bed on January 1, 2007:
Well, the death of former President Ford has given the Episcopal Church some press that doesn’t revolve around gays in the Church and foreign Primates invading this province at the invitation of certain parishes and diocese. Despite what side of the troubles one might be on, there is recognition that with these kinds of things we do well.
I had New Years Eve dinner with Ashton and Peaches last night in Manhattan. After a lot of discussion of movies and Broadway (more Ashton and Peaches), we ended up talking about society and religious experiences (more Peaches and me, Peaches grew up in a Manhattan Episcopal Church). She made a comment that I thought was quite good concerning belief in such things as the birth of Jesus by a virgin – Mary. Considering the admittance that there are vast amounts of things we are yet to learn or understand in the universe and given that within that vast space there might be something like “God” or “miraculous happenings,” she said that those who cannot believe in such a thing as a virgin birth should consider the fact that we humans can now accomplish such a thing. A virgin can in fact become pregnant and give birth, and if that is possible by the efforts of very limited humans how is it then such a stretch to think that God could have accomplished the same thing? I had never through about artificial insemination as a possibility for a “virgin birth.”
Considering adherence to such things as the birth of Jesus by a virgin, I am reading a new book entitled: Searching for an Adequate God: A Dialogue between Process and Free Will Theists. Since I grew up within a denomination that is predominately Arminian, Free-Will Theism – otherwise known as Open(ness) Theism – makes sense to me. I do not and probably will never agree with a good number of positions held within Process Theology.
Anyway, in the first essay by Process theologian David Ray Griffin, he presents the idea of dogma divided into three groups: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary doctrines. Primary doctrines of the Christian Faith, according to Griffin, are: 1. God, the creator of the universe, is loving; 2. the world is therefore essentially good, although it is now filled with evil; 3. it is God’s purpose to overcome this evil; 4. this overcoming will include a salvation for us in a life beyond bodily death; and 5. God has revealed these truths and acted decisively to realize the divine purposes in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. (p.8)
Over time there developed Secondary doctrines to support the validity of the Primary doctrines, and Tertiary doctrines where devised as a third layer to support the Secondary doctrines. For example, the virgin birth of Jesus and the immaculate conception of Mary are considered secondary doctrines by Griffin that speak to the sinlessness of Jesus in relation to the development of doctrines of “original sin.” Griffin goes on to give additional examples of Secondary and Tertiary doctrines, such as the Trinity hammered out at Nicea and Constantinople, transubstantiation, divine impassibility, omnipotence, and predestination – all of which were developed over time in order to support the Primary doctrines.
I like the idea of the primary doctrines, which Griffin claims most all Christians of whatever stripe can agree to. Griffin says that problems occur when different groups elevate the importance and necessity of Secondary and Tertiary doctrines for defining who is and who is not really a Christian. He says that the differences between the Primary and the Secondary/Tertiary are vital as we attempt to explain the Good News to new and different societies or periods of time (he wrote “redefine”). Think about the looming battles between “Modernist Christians” and “Post-Modernist Christians”! What must we absolutely declare as necessary and essential as a starting point or foundation for Christian belief?
I suppose we can all agree on the “essentials” – those Primary doctrines presented above. But, what happens after those? I agree that too many of us want to demand that our pet doctrines are essential for defining the faith. We fight wars over such things – physical, verbal, and mental. Imagine that.
Is it essential to believe in double predestination to be a Christian? Some have told me that it is, and anything else is heresy and excludes their adherents from the faith. Okay. I’ve been unchurched over other issues, too. Anyway, Griffin’s comments are a good instigator of thought to ponder whether one claims Process theology or not. What is truly essential and necessary and how might we bring ancillary or extemporaneous things/issues into the equation erroneously?

I think we in this country have lost our understanding of, desire for, and adherence to vows!
One’s word, a handshake, a commitment used to be all that was required to conduct personal and business affairs. Now, even “iron clad” contracts are litigated unto death because people and corporations refuse to honor their commitments – their contractual obligations.
Contractual obligations are a form of vow, but vows are more somethin’, somethin’. What?
And what about marriages? Well, we know we suck at keeping our vows to our beloved! There is indeed a crisis in the institution of marriage, but it isn’t because of the gays. A very big reason is our cultural proclivity to understand and make vows that might require a denial of self. Ah, we cannot deny self in whatever whim we decide to pursue and regardless of how it effects someone else. Oh, we may enter into a vow or even a contractual pre-nup, but we have every intention of breaking them if we don’t like the outcome.
I was looking through various websites for other than Episcopalian American “Anglicans” and just wonder – wonder in amazement. The Charismatic Episcopal Church lost 30% of its priests and parishes not too long ago. I really don’t know why, but some sort of internal fight. And people say The Episcopal Church is in self-destruct mode because parishioners of 200 or so parishes out of 7,000+ have left or are contemplating leaving this Church. The Charismatic Episcopal Church claims to be one on of the fastest growing denominations in the world, but even with this group of “God fearing, Bible believing, apostolic succession totin’, Spirit-filled Christians,” can’t keep from splintering again and again. What about the vows the clergy take to obey their bishops?
What about these vows? I took a vow to obey my bishop, period. There were no qualifiers in the vow – “I vow to obey my Bishop only if s/he agrees with my already determined theological or liturgical perspectives…” Bishops vow to guard the faith. Priests are abandoning their vows; bishops are abdicating their responsibilities and refusing to carry on their vows.
If it comes to a point where I cannot function under my bishop, then I will resign. Even then, I have to admit that I am the one breaking the vow! We have a problem, and I don’t see any relief in the coming years.
Oh, and I think the Church of Rome moved wholesale from the vow of guarding the apostolic faith by instituting the innovation of Papal Infallibility. That is one reason why I became an Anglican and not a Roman Catholic. But, that’s just me.
Anyway… vows, vows, vows. Soon, we will not be able to trust anyone. What a wonderful world that will be – – – for lawyers.
James 5:12 (New International Version)
“Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned.”

Today is Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, Rose Sunday, the Sunday of reprieve from the previous two weeks of self-examination and fasting as we wait, wait, wait for the coming of the Holy One in the Feast of the Incarnation, otherwise known as Christmas. For Anglicans, the Incarnation of God who became like us and one of us for our benefit is perhaps the most important day of human history. But, we don’t act like it most of the time.
Okay, so, that is supposed to be what this Sunday is, but I feel such a disconnect between what supposedly is happening and what is really happening.
Frankly, there is huge disconnect between what the Christian faith claims to be and what Christians actually are in this country. I don’t blame non-Christians for being so hesitant or outright hostile towards the Church. We have allowed the expectations of this American culture to warp our understanding of what the lived Life in Christ is all about. We vaguely see what it could be, but rarely are we willing to give up what is necessary to realize that blessed life. So, we live but a shadow of the true life God has made available to us.
What does the Epistle for today say about worry and peace? We do not have to be overwhelmed with worry, but as we present our requests to God with thanksgiving, the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard our hearts and minds. What is true religion? According to James, it is that we take care of the orphan and widow in their distress and we keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. How many of us practice that kind of religion? What does all this mean to us?
But, those are questions and considerations that require humidly and quiet contemplation – self-examination – and during this Christmas Season, who has time for any of that? No, we have the real holiday spirit – spend, spend, spend on more things that will ultimately prove to be worthless. We trade peace for stress, joy for anxiety, things for time spent in relationship with others, and so on.
All is not bad, of course. Giving in a spirit of joy is wonderful, and many of us are right there. But, Advent is not that. It is just that we Christians have sold our birthright for a bowl of red potage called consumerism, materialism, nationalism, and sectarianism.
This would truly be a Rose Sunday, a reprieve and relief from the hard work and revelation of self-examination and self-denial, if in fact we were doing any of it in the first place. But, most of us aren’t and we are disconnected from our Tradition and that which makes us who we are supposed to be. To bad for us! To bad for the world.

It isn’t good when one pretends to care about and be interested in something, tries to convince himself that he really does and is, but in those moments of utter truthfulness that must be confronted from time-to-time, realizes that he really could care less.
What then?

Well, I bit the bullet over lunch and bought a new MacBook – in priestly black! I’m in love!
Ooohhhh…..

I’ve been following, kind of, the change and progress of “Revolution Church” that used to be based in Atlanta, GA. It was started and pastored by Jay Bakker. (Whenever you see two “kk’s” in the word name, Bakker, one may wonder – Jim and Tammy? Yes, the son of those Bakker’s). I’ve found his life and ministry very compelling!
I just discovered today that Jay has moved the church to the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn – the nearly new hipster neighborhood in Brooklyn, on the East River, by the Williamsburg Bridge. Vito and Monique Aiuto (who used to live in my apartment and favorites of Fr. Cullen) are pioneering a new Presbyterian Church in Williamsburg – Resurrection Williamsburg. It is only a hop-skip-and-jump from our neighborhood of Carroll Gardens.
Anyway, Jay’s church – Revolution NYC – is up and running. I also discovered that he is the focus of a new “reality” documentary show on the Sundance Channel called, “One Punk Under God“. Go to the site and watch a couple clips. The whole show is available on iTunes.
The funny thing is, this is really me in many ways. This is kind of the sort of perspective I honestly do have – generally. Being a data analyst is about killing me – I’m not a numbers guy. The creative aspect in what Church is, what the Gospel says, the way of presenting it all to unchurched people, to new generations, to those folks who seek. That’s what I want to be doing. Now, couple this way of things to High Church Anglicanism and I’ll be in heaven!!!
I’ve got to give the guy a call and try to get together with him.
Oh, and there is an article about him I found today in this week’s Advocate. Is this the face of the future of Evangelicalism, or something completely different? More Emergent, perhaps?
It’s kind of funny to think of how people see me, if I can be a good judge of that. I suspect most people these days see me as a fairly convention guy, a bit traditional. If those who know me now knew be back when I was working in campus ministry they may well have a very different perspective. I have always been a bit rebellious – I’ve been labelled rebellious by former pastors I’ve worked with. It really is in may nature to not accept anything at face value, to always try to see a third way, to try to understand the perspective of my opponents, and not fall into what is commonly expected of me. The world is too varied and interesting to fall into the trap of conventionality. I am in my own way quite rebellious.
That is why I find myself in a more-progressive Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian church. I am bucking convention and rebelling against the “established” order. Funny how that works, isn’t it?
I think this is where Jesus would be if he were here today.

I’ve been putting off saying Mass since the beginning of October primarily because I haven’t had time to practice chanting. I need to practice chanting! There comes a point, however, when ya just gotta do what ya gotta do.
So, tomorrow I chant a High Solemn Mass for the second time on the first day of Advent. More than likely, I will continue saying Mass from here on out – or until Fr. Cullen decides he wants to do a Sunday once again.
There is just way too much stuff to do. I would find things so much easier if I didn’t have to work a full-time job in addition to trying to be a priest, doing priestly things. I get home from work and am just too tired to be very productive. Particularly now when the sun goes down so early and I just want to sleep. Sleep. Now, there is a novel concept!
It would help if I could sleep. Getting three or four hours a sleep a night tends to make one want to fall asleep as soon as possible, when it gets dark, when I’m alone in my apartment… Oh, sleep!
It is taking me way too long to get things together to begin the discernment process for Rite 13/Journey to Adulthood. I’ve been talking about this for three years now, and “actively” trying to get it started over the past year. I did a lot of work today and hopefully things will begin falling into place, soon.
Then, there is the whole notion of a comprehensive method/system of Christian Formation, or as I would have once said – discipleship. We have decided that our proto-home group will become a place of invitation to new people who want to become more engaged in their own faith development. This may mean that there will be a stream of people coming in and out. We shall see how this works, but the idea was the groups and I think we have been together long enough now to survive additional people coming in and out. Now, what I want to do is begin a subtle if not underhanded way of getting the Guild heads into some form of Christian formation. A monthly “coordinating” meeting with a bit of spiritual stuff thrown in might be a way of at least beginning.
Two other things I want to work on – well, actually three. First, there has been a lot of press more recently in what seems to be a trend of “confession.” This is a bit different that what one traditionally thinks of as “confession” in a confessional with a priest behind a screen offering forgiveness. There have been a number of websites that provide a place for people to “get off their shoulders” stuff they have been keeping inside – things they know they should not have done. When we are instructed to confess our sins one to another, there is real benefit for our own wellbeing. So, is there a sort of groundswell particularly among the young for a new kind of “confession?” I think there might be.
So, we have a real confessional booth at St. Paul’s (since it is an Anglo-Catholic parish). More recently, it has been used to store things. Within The Episcopal Church, the “Rite of Reconciliation” has been more a face-to-face thing with the priest and penitent, but I’m wondering if presented to the wider community in the right way, and being anonymous, whether there might be an interest in the more traditional form of confession, with a twist, I suppose. I don’t know.
These kind of leads to the next thing: A new Sunday evening Mass. There are a lot of St. Paul’s parishioners who leave over the weekends. Many of them have homes upstate (or some other close by place). A Sunday evening Mass would allow them to be at church and still be away from Friday thru Sunday. I am thinking of the Mass being very contemplative/meditative and more “monastic” in feel. Cantors rather than a choir, lots of chanting rather than more complete Anglican hymns, perhaps periodically an interactive sermon or open time of questions, etc. Tricky, I know, but it could be good if handled rightly.
The third thing is to revive a real catechumenate process during Lent. There are a number of new parishioners who we have discovered are not baptized and who have not grown up in a faith community. Their understanding of the faith and particular of the more Catholic form of the faith is slight. There may be no interest, but I do believe we need to get back to truly instructing those who are interested in becoming a Christian.
I have been told a number of times that when a person first approaches a Rabbi about becoming a Jew, the Rabbi generally tells the person, “No!” Then, and only then, if the person returns and truly demonstrates to the Rabbi that s/he is serious does the process begin. I think we tend to be far too quick, perhaps too desperate, in bring people in and we expect things of them that they are not ready to undertake. We have developed into a “community” of ignorance of the Traditions of the Faith, of the expectations of God when we truly decide to follow Him, and the costs of being a Christian in a profoundly un-Christian culture, despite the freedom of religion and worship and the common notion that we are a “Christian nation”.
So, a revived catechumenate – and even perhaps having them leave after the Liturgy of the Word and before the Holy Communion. Who knows? Something like that may be completely unrealistic, although I think that there is something to consider in the whole prospect. There is nothing wrong with having high expectations. Potential Roman Catholic converts go through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and the Orthodox Church in American teaches about “the period of catechesis, especially during the lenten season, as well as the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation [Chrismation], and the Eucharist at the time of reception is reminiscent of the preparation of the catechumens in the early Church.” Why not? The Evangelical side of the Church surely shows that there are people more than willing to devote themselves to their own spiritual inculcation.
Anyway, these are things I want to work on, aside from saying Mass once a week. Of course, this doesn’t even begin to touch on the other things clergy normally do. I have no clue how I’m even going to begin to accomplish any of it, especially when I’m having problems with my own devotional life.

I keep listening to this over and over again. I just cannot get past how incredibly beautiful and haunting is:
Praise the Lord O My My Soul (Greek Chant)
Vespers (All-Night Vigil), for alto, tenor & chorus, Op. 37
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Sung by the USSR Ministry of Culture Chamber Choir with Irina Arkhipova
Unbelievable, particularly Irina Arkhipova and those who sing the Basso Profondo part!

I hate this time of year! It is 5:00 pm, the sun went down, it is dark, and I want to go to bed.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! My hope is that we all can live in a state of thankfulness, always.