One week before Christmas Day. Here on the Gulf Coast, the temperature feels moderate to us, birds sing through out the day, and we are enveloped by thick pea soup fog morning and night. Most of our group has been working in Picayune on a house renovation. I've been working with a small group of young women from Mount St Aloyisus College in Pennsylvania. We have been working on 2 hoses in WaveLand. One was a "re-build" that is nearly complete. We met the owner, who is excited about his new home and anxious to move out of the trailer where he has been living for the past 3 years. At this house we have been doing the final construction cleanup before he moves in. The second house where we are working is belongs to an elderly woman. We have been working on her kitchen. We've "sheet rocked", mudded, sanded in a small space that will be her kitichen. Both of the owners are hoping to have the work done by Christmas .... or at least have Christmas dinner in their homes.
This morning campers from Indiana U of Pennsylvania left after 3 days of work here. Tomorrow the Mount St. Aloyisus group will leave, so the St Stephen's group will be the only volunteers here and working. We hope to accomplish much that will help the homeowners ave a joyful Christmas.
Peace.
Pam
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
CCC - Tuesday
Hi all,
Today most of us were at the smith house, which is about 45 minutes ENE of our camp. The eye of the katrina passed over the site, and the couple's roof got ripped off. They have got about half of the house fixed up. We're working on finishing the final half, 2 bathrooms, a hall, and a bedroom. The sheetrock was already hung, but it needed sanded and some more mud. So that was most of monday. Today, we continued that and got most of it in primer. Others touched up paint in the living room. Tm we shd be able to get color on the walls, in addition to putting popcorn texture on the ceiling. Oh, and all the doors need painted too. Hopefully most of the house will be ready for cmas.
take care,
matt
Today most of us were at the smith house, which is about 45 minutes ENE of our camp. The eye of the katrina passed over the site, and the couple's roof got ripped off. They have got about half of the house fixed up. We're working on finishing the final half, 2 bathrooms, a hall, and a bedroom. The sheetrock was already hung, but it needed sanded and some more mud. So that was most of monday. Today, we continued that and got most of it in primer. Others touched up paint in the living room. Tm we shd be able to get color on the walls, in addition to putting popcorn texture on the ceiling. Oh, and all the doors need painted too. Hopefully most of the house will be ready for cmas.
take care,
matt
Monday, December 15, 2008
From Camp Coast Care, Dec. 15, 2008 -- Monday
Thank You to those who came to see us off on Saturday morning! We drove to Brentwood, TN, south of Nashville on Saturday, and on into Mississippi on Sunday, arriving a Camp Coast Care about 5:30 pm, CST. We checked in, then went to the Lookout 49er Restaurant for supper, since they don't serve food here on weekends. The 49er is a local business in Gulfport, one that is recommended by the CCC staff. Most of our group had a local fish dish, and found it very tasteful and well prepared.
To those who sent tools and supplies to Long Beach with us, the Maintenance Foreman (who handles the tool shed operation) asked my to convey his Thank YOU! to the donors. Everything you sent will be used.
Today it is warm (70 degrees), cloudy and muggy. Most of the St Stephen's group is working on a house in Bay St. Louis, about 30 miles or so west of here. They are laying hardwood flooring and tile. Douglas and I are back at camp, on the Kitchen 'n Cleanup Crew. Other groups are here this week from Mount Aloyisus College in Central Pennsylavani and also Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Our total number of Volunteers this week is smaller than when we came in June, but enough people, mostly college students, to have a crew at each of 3 houses, so three households are being helped.
Those going to Bay St. Louis drove there along US Rte 90 (NOT I-90), which runs beside the beach from here to New Orleans. They will see a lot of devastated areas that have not yet begun to re-build. The estimate that we heard today is that a minimum 20% of Long Beach residents before the storm will never come back here to live. Developers are buying up the waterfront lots and building Very Expensive houses and condos that former residents can not afford to purchase.
In the neighborhood of CCC, not a lot of visible change since June, though a condo development a block or so north of the Camp which was under construction last summer now has the For Sale signs out. We drove along Rte. 10 east on the way to supper last night, but it was too dark to see much except the Casino and the Chiquita Banana port terminal.
More later from Long Beach MS.
Deacon Pam
To those who sent tools and supplies to Long Beach with us, the Maintenance Foreman (who handles the tool shed operation) asked my to convey his Thank YOU! to the donors. Everything you sent will be used.
Today it is warm (70 degrees), cloudy and muggy. Most of the St Stephen's group is working on a house in Bay St. Louis, about 30 miles or so west of here. They are laying hardwood flooring and tile. Douglas and I are back at camp, on the Kitchen 'n Cleanup Crew. Other groups are here this week from Mount Aloyisus College in Central Pennsylavani and also Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Our total number of Volunteers this week is smaller than when we came in June, but enough people, mostly college students, to have a crew at each of 3 houses, so three households are being helped.
Those going to Bay St. Louis drove there along US Rte 90 (NOT I-90), which runs beside the beach from here to New Orleans. They will see a lot of devastated areas that have not yet begun to re-build. The estimate that we heard today is that a minimum 20% of Long Beach residents before the storm will never come back here to live. Developers are buying up the waterfront lots and building Very Expensive houses and condos that former residents can not afford to purchase.
In the neighborhood of CCC, not a lot of visible change since June, though a condo development a block or so north of the Camp which was under construction last summer now has the For Sale signs out. We drove along Rte. 10 east on the way to supper last night, but it was too dark to see much except the Casino and the Chiquita Banana port terminal.
More later from Long Beach MS.
Deacon Pam
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
This quarter I've been taking Comp. Studies 725 from Professor Hugh Urban, and if any of you are interested in the field of Religious Studies from a comparative perspective you should take this class or his undergraduate class. One Hugh is a great teacher. Two the material is fascinating. We have studied most of the primary religious theorists as well as topics such as feminism, sexuality, practice, environmentalism, fundamentalism, and terrorism as they exist in a religious context.
I have a paper due tomorrow, but when it is done I plan to post some excerpts from it here. I'm writing about the Medieval mystics and their practices. Hope you all find the material interesting.
Peace.. Joe
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Redistribution of Wealth (AKA: "If I mention 'Struhar' or 'Yates' in the subject line, will they come?)
In a local restaurant my server had on a "Obama 08" tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference--just imagine the coincidence.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.
I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful. At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient deserved money more.
I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in concept than in practical application.
Monday, October 27, 2008
What kind of liturgy do young adults like?
There was an interesting article posted on the Daily Episcopalian blog last week entitled "Yes, young people do like traditional liturgy." I encourage you to read it, if you have a chance, and maybe some of the comments that follow it. I've often wondered if St. Stephen's could attract more students to its regular worship services if they had a more traditional liturgy. I have heard that mentioned as an issue by some former students, but then I wonder how much of a difference that really makes. What do you think?
Interestingly, St. Stephen's has started a new Sunday evening worship service focused around a lectio divina study of scripture. Having attended the first one this past Sunday evening when I was back in town, I found it very enjoyable and a good way to get into the scripture passage read and think about how it applies to my own life. This could certainly be considered a contemporary liturgy (vs. a traditional one), though I would call it a contemplative liturgy. I have also heard that young adults like contemplative worship.
At Virginia Theological Seminary, where I attend, we have a service of Evening Prayer each weeknight at 5:30pm. Each day of the week has a different flavor of Evening Prayer: Monday uses the Evening Prayer service from the New Zealand Prayer Book, Tuesday's service is a chanted Evensong, Wednesday is Evening Prayer read from the 1979 Prayer Book, Thursday is an Evening Prayer service with contemporary praise music, and Friday is spoken Evening Prayer, sometimes in a foreign language (Spanish or French). There is no required attendance for these services. The two services that have the most regular attendance are the Tuesday Evensong service (which could be considered 'traditional') and the Thursday Evening Prayer & Praise service (which could be considered 'contemporary'). About half of the student body at VTS is under 35 years old. Both of the two services mentioned usually each get about 20 attendees, most in the under-35 age group, and I think I'm the only student that regularly attends both of these Evening Prayer services.
Do college students and/or young adults prefer traditional or contemporary worship? Does it depend on their background, what they grew up with? Or does it depend on the quality of the worship? If the worship is authentic and well-done (not boring, sloppy, or joyless), is that what makes it more attractive to young people? What do you think?
Interestingly, St. Stephen's has started a new Sunday evening worship service focused around a lectio divina study of scripture. Having attended the first one this past Sunday evening when I was back in town, I found it very enjoyable and a good way to get into the scripture passage read and think about how it applies to my own life. This could certainly be considered a contemporary liturgy (vs. a traditional one), though I would call it a contemplative liturgy. I have also heard that young adults like contemplative worship.
At Virginia Theological Seminary, where I attend, we have a service of Evening Prayer each weeknight at 5:30pm. Each day of the week has a different flavor of Evening Prayer: Monday uses the Evening Prayer service from the New Zealand Prayer Book, Tuesday's service is a chanted Evensong, Wednesday is Evening Prayer read from the 1979 Prayer Book, Thursday is an Evening Prayer service with contemporary praise music, and Friday is spoken Evening Prayer, sometimes in a foreign language (Spanish or French). There is no required attendance for these services. The two services that have the most regular attendance are the Tuesday Evensong service (which could be considered 'traditional') and the Thursday Evening Prayer & Praise service (which could be considered 'contemporary'). About half of the student body at VTS is under 35 years old. Both of the two services mentioned usually each get about 20 attendees, most in the under-35 age group, and I think I'm the only student that regularly attends both of these Evening Prayer services.
Do college students and/or young adults prefer traditional or contemporary worship? Does it depend on their background, what they grew up with? Or does it depend on the quality of the worship? If the worship is authentic and well-done (not boring, sloppy, or joyless), is that what makes it more attractive to young people? What do you think?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Lightning Crashes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD8DvkVB7rk
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door
Lightning crashes an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now to the baby down the hall
Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
This moment she's been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris
Presents the circle
And puts the glory out to hide, hide
Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Is anyone else reminded about abortion when they hear this song?
Unfortunately, according to Wikipedia, those who do are not correct:
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
Her placenta falls to the floor
The angel opens her eyes
The confusion sets in
Before the doctor can even close the door
Lightning crashes an old mother dies
Her intentions fall to the floor
The angel closes her eyes
The confusion that was hers
Belongs now to the baby down the hall
Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Lightning crashes a new mother cries
This moment she's been waiting for
The angel opens her eyes
Pale blue colored iris
Presents the circle
And puts the glory out to hide, hide
Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Oh now feel it, comin' back again
Like a rollin', thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from
The center of the earth again
I can feel it.
Is anyone else reminded about abortion when they hear this song?
Unfortunately, according to Wikipedia, those who do are not correct:
The band dedicated the song to Barbara Lewis, a 19 year-old friend of the band who was killed in 1993 by a drunk driver who was fleeing from the police after a robbery in York, Pennsylvania. Barbara had many of her organs donated including a liver to a 10 month old baby, and the song lyrics reflect how her death enabled others to continue living. After the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, Ed Kowalczyk would frequently dedicate the song to the victims at live shows.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Just a few thoughts...
One thing I love about St. Stephens' is the stress we place on economic justice. I wouldn't call it "liberation theology" or anything like that. I wouldn't even describe it as inherently political (although BREAD does engage in political activity). Pursuing economic justice is simply part of the church's mission. People shouldn't have to be outcasted by society simply for being poor, nor should people suffer the greed of others.
So, while I am studying the financial crisis and writing about it and think it is a huge deal, I have a few sobering thoughts. 20 percent of American children were impovershed before this crisis, and once the crisis is resolved, I'm sure 20 percent of American children will still be impovershed. Homeowners may regain their homes, but many people who have never had homes will still be without homes. Millions of Americans still won't have access to health care.
C'est la vie, perhaps. It's easy to stammer on economic fairness during a real crisis - and this is a real crisis - but we as Christians have a responsibility to speak up about injustice at all times. Especially when nobody else will.
So, while I am studying the financial crisis and writing about it and think it is a huge deal, I have a few sobering thoughts. 20 percent of American children were impovershed before this crisis, and once the crisis is resolved, I'm sure 20 percent of American children will still be impovershed. Homeowners may regain their homes, but many people who have never had homes will still be without homes. Millions of Americans still won't have access to health care.
C'est la vie, perhaps. It's easy to stammer on economic fairness during a real crisis - and this is a real crisis - but we as Christians have a responsibility to speak up about injustice at all times. Especially when nobody else will.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Trouble the water
I got this in my e-mail today:
"Trouble The Water," a unique & incredible documentary about the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, is opening this weekend in a few select theaters in New York & Los Angeles, and will be in theaters coast to coast very soon.
"Trouble The Water," a unique & incredible documentary about the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, is opening this weekend in a few select theaters in New York & Los Angeles, and will be in theaters coast to coast very soon.
Kimberly Rivers Roberts is turns her video camera on herself and her 9th Ward neighbors trapped in the city. “It’s going to be a day to remember,” Kim says excitedly into her new camera as the storm is brewing. It’s her first time shooting video and it’s rough, and jumpy, but dense with reality. Kim’s playful home-grown newscast tone grinds against the audience’s knowledge that hell is just hours away. There is no way for the audience to warn her. And for New Orleans’ poor, there is nowhere to run.
As the hurricane begins to rage and the floodwaters fill their world and the screen, Kim and her husband Scott continue to film, documenting their harrowing voyage to higher ground and dramatic rescues of friends and neighbors.
As the hurricane begins to rage and the floodwaters fill their world and the screen, Kim and her husband Scott continue to film, documenting their harrowing voyage to higher ground and dramatic rescues of friends and neighbors.
tickets to New York screenings:
The IFC Center & Imagenation
http://www.movietickets.com/house_detail.asp?house_id=9598
tickets to Los Angeles screenings:
The Laemmle Sunset 5
http://laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?thid=2
The IFC Center & Imagenation
http://www.movietickets.com/
tickets to Los Angeles screenings:
The Laemmle Sunset 5
http://laemmle.com/
This is a must-see. The documentary won the 2008 Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and its premiere was described as "one of those electrifying, emotional, unforgettable experiences that captures Sundance at its very best."
Manohla Darghis of The New York Times called the film "one of the best American documentaries in recent memory."
"Trouble The Water" is directed and produced by Fahrenheit 9/11 and Bowling for Columbine producers Tia Lessin & Carl Deal, and was funded by my pals David Alcaro & Todd Olson.
Please support this film. It'll shake you down to your toes.
The trailer can be viewed at:
http:www.troublethewaterfilm.com
The flyer for the film can be seen at:
http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/troublethewater/troublethewater_flyer_ny.pdf
The flyer for the film can be seen at:
http://www.zeitgeistfilms.com/
Sunday, July 13, 2008
If anyone is around...
Hello? Anyone alive?
When: Saturday, July 26th from 1-6 PM
Where: 6835 Caine Rd (Near the area of Sawmill Rd, I-270, and Snouffer Rd.)
Why: Help support Central Ohio Crime Stoppers find missing adults.
Because this is a fundraiser, a $5 donation will be taken at the door.
http://pearljam.dreamhosters.com/Flannagons.pdf
I plan on attending, and just thought i'd pass the information along. (Randy Shaffer is the father of Brian Shaffer, the OSU student who was last seen in the University Gateway District in the spring of 2006.)
When: Saturday, July 26th from 1-6 PM
Where: 6835 Caine Rd (Near the area of Sawmill Rd, I-270, and Snouffer Rd.)
Why: Help support Central Ohio Crime Stoppers find missing adults.
Because this is a fundraiser, a $5 donation will be taken at the door.
http://pearljam.dreamhosters.com/Flannagons.pdf
I plan on attending, and just thought i'd pass the information along. (Randy Shaffer is the father of Brian Shaffer, the OSU student who was last seen in the University Gateway District in the spring of 2006.)
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