Fifth Sunday. Means I am liturgist for the evening worship. And skipping the morning to prepare (the joys of the laity who have a certain discretion about attendance :-) Looking around I found on Textweek a link to this wonderful powerpoint slide by Will Humes. This man is a gem and has a lot of resources for busy pastors (and lay people although we don't get a mention in the header) I made a compilation of Advent readings and images for Friday night that I can reuse. Blessings friends as we together prepare and wait ...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Mix and stir
Songbird posted this week's Friday Five over at RevGalBlogPals. She writes:
In a minor domestic crisis, my food processor, or more precisely the part you use for almost everything for which I use a food processor, picked the eve of the festive season of the year to give up the ghost. A crack in the lid expanded such that a batch of squash soup had to be liberated via that column shaped thing that sticks up on top.
Can you tell this is not my area of strength?
Next week, I'm hosting Thanksgiving. I need your help. Please answer the following kitchen-related questions:
1) Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Which is to say, do you actually use it? Just a few weeks ago I picked up a second-hand very inexpensive Moulinex at the market. My Bamix is wonderful but unfortunately all the little bits got thrown out by visitors (who probably thought they were off cans or something.
2) And if so, do you use the fancy things on it? (Mine came with a mini-blender (used a lot and long ago broken) and these scary disks you used to julienne things (used once).)
Basically I use it for soup and some baking. I have never used most of the parts. The lemon squeezer thing looks good for lemonade though - which I must start making as the weather warms up.
3) Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand-held varieties?
Neither. I mix by hand (or food processor for carrot cakes etc)
(And isn't that color delightfully retro?) I love it!
4) How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?
My children wish I did. But no. I have an old 'shaker' that my Mum used to make milkshakes (large metal tumbler thing with a lid that fits on - then hold in your hand and shake madly) I figure it is exercise!
5) Finally, what old-fashioned, non-electric kitchen tool do you enjoy using the most?
The spurtle. Mine are made by my Dad and the flat (not round) kind. Kind of like this
Bonus: Is there a kitchen appliance or utensil you ONLY use at Thanksgiving or some other holiday? If so, what is it?
No.
In a minor domestic crisis, my food processor, or more precisely the part you use for almost everything for which I use a food processor, picked the eve of the festive season of the year to give up the ghost. A crack in the lid expanded such that a batch of squash soup had to be liberated via that column shaped thing that sticks up on top.Can you tell this is not my area of strength?
Next week, I'm hosting Thanksgiving. I need your help. Please answer the following kitchen-related questions:
1) Do you have a food processor? Can you recommend it? Which is to say, do you actually use it? Just a few weeks ago I picked up a second-hand very inexpensive Moulinex at the market. My Bamix is wonderful but unfortunately all the little bits got thrown out by visitors (who probably thought they were off cans or something.
2) And if so, do you use the fancy things on it? (Mine came with a mini-blender (used a lot and long ago broken) and these scary disks you used to julienne things (used once).)
Basically I use it for soup and some baking. I have never used most of the parts. The lemon squeezer thing looks good for lemonade though - which I must start making as the weather warms up.
3) Do you use a standing mixer? Or one of the hand-held varieties?Neither. I mix by hand (or food processor for carrot cakes etc)
(And isn't that color delightfully retro?) I love it!
4) How about a blender? Do you have one? Use it much?
My children wish I did. But no. I have an old 'shaker' that my Mum used to make milkshakes (large metal tumbler thing with a lid that fits on - then hold in your hand and shake madly) I figure it is exercise!
5) Finally, what old-fashioned, non-electric kitchen tool do you enjoy using the most?
The spurtle. Mine are made by my Dad and the flat (not round) kind. Kind of like this
No.
Invitation to open space
Next Friday 28th November we will be holding our second Open House (I blogged too late at night last time and got the name wrong). Most of the people who see this will be too far away to come physically. But you can be in the virtual vicinity if you email me a picture or a favourite Advent scripture or short quotation (see under contact in full profile). I'm compiling the PowerPoint show for the evening. And will be delighted to receive contributions.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Remembrance
Remembrance Friday Five from Sophia. I thought I was too tired to play but seeing this topic I was instantly engaged and energised.
1. Did your church have any special celebrations for All Saints/All Soul's Day?
No - UCA is not exactly liturgical, at least in our part of Australia. I did attend a 'Blessing of the Hands' mass for our students on All Souls' Day. Homily was about purgatory.
2. How about Veterans' Day?
Definitely NOT in church. We have clear views about separation of church and State and even flags seem to be not allowed. Again though a yes for work - I used McCrae's poem In Flanders' Field as a reflection in our curriculum meeting. And I have worn a poppy all week.
3. Did you and your family have a holiday for Veterans' Day/Remembrance Day? If so, how did you take advantage of the break?
Not a public holiday here. I actually like making the 2 minutes silence in the midst of a 'normal' routine.
4. Is there a veteran in your life, living or dead, whose dedication you remember and celebrate? Or perhaps a loved one presently serving in the armed forces?
My nephew is currently serving in Afghanistan, my uncle served in World War II in Scotland. I recently blogged about my great-uncle who was killed at Gallipoli (serving with the Scots forces). I also have great respect for those who chose the hard path of conscientious objection and who bore the ridicule of their peers and the harsh punishment of their nations.
5. Do you have any personal rituals which help you remember and connect with loved ones who have passed on?
Memory isn't exactly a ritual but I do hold memories and family history very close to my heart. As the next generation of our family begins my sisters and I are more conscious of passing this knowledge on to our children and their grandchildren. Our family is good at attending funerals, which is a very direct way that younger generations learn about their forebears and meet members of their wider family and clan networks.
1. Did your church have any special celebrations for All Saints/All Soul's Day?
No - UCA is not exactly liturgical, at least in our part of Australia. I did attend a 'Blessing of the Hands' mass for our students on All Souls' Day. Homily was about purgatory.
2. How about Veterans' Day?
Definitely NOT in church. We have clear views about separation of church and State and even flags seem to be not allowed. Again though a yes for work - I used McCrae's poem In Flanders' Field as a reflection in our curriculum meeting. And I have worn a poppy all week.
3. Did you and your family have a holiday for Veterans' Day/Remembrance Day? If so, how did you take advantage of the break?
Not a public holiday here. I actually like making the 2 minutes silence in the midst of a 'normal' routine.
4. Is there a veteran in your life, living or dead, whose dedication you remember and celebrate? Or perhaps a loved one presently serving in the armed forces?
My nephew is currently serving in Afghanistan, my uncle served in World War II in Scotland. I recently blogged about my great-uncle who was killed at Gallipoli (serving with the Scots forces). I also have great respect for those who chose the hard path of conscientious objection and who bore the ridicule of their peers and the harsh punishment of their nations.
5. Do you have any personal rituals which help you remember and connect with loved ones who have passed on?
Memory isn't exactly a ritual but I do hold memories and family history very close to my heart. As the next generation of our family begins my sisters and I are more conscious of passing this knowledge on to our children and their grandchildren. Our family is good at attending funerals, which is a very direct way that younger generations learn about their forebears and meet members of their wider family and clan networks.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Inscribed
Christine at Abbey of the Arts has issued an invitation to the 27th Poetry Party. She chooses a photograph and invites us to respond with words. This week the photograph was taken on Innishmore, an Aran Island that touched my heart in 2005. I love the image!
This week's party was inspired by Christine's book-signing and the sense of connection between reader and author, and by the words of scripture that came to her:
“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by everyone (2 Corinthians 3:2).
As she reflected later on the ways in which the sacred is inscribed onto her heart, and her work is to share those words as well as possible. Words like Love. Silence. Justice. Contemplation. Beauty. Words made substantive, enfleshed.
What are the words inscribed on your heart?
(the image was taken in the summer of 2007 on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands in Ireland)
Chiseled
continually
Inscribed
indelibly
in my heart
Love is
Love is
Love is
11th hour 11th day 11th month
I bought a poppy at the railway station this morning and have been wearing it all day.
When I wrote about my uncle Thomas recently I certainly felt in one of those 'thin places' but I hadn't made the intellectual connection that it was so close to Armistice/Remembrance Day.
This year of course marks 90 years since the end of World War One. Sadly not the war to end all wars. But maybe the first time that armed conflict involved so many nations. And taught such hard lessons especially for the colonial nations. And changed forever the lives of generations.
I was 'on' for reflection at our curriculum meeting this morning. So chose Flanders' Field. With the modifications suggested by the narrative of those who saw the original pencilled by John McCrae.
I hadn't realised that this oft-repeated verse was written by a physician. John McCrae was Professor of Medicine at McGill University. Served in the Boer War as a gunner, and in WWI as a medic. More about him and the writing of the verse here.
As I think of our students, whose hands were so recently blessed by the Cardinal, I wonder where their careers will take them. What their eyes will see and their hands write. What healing they may bring. What will move their hearts. What torch they will carry and what faith they will keep.
When I wrote about my uncle Thomas recently I certainly felt in one of those 'thin places' but I hadn't made the intellectual connection that it was so close to Armistice/Remembrance Day.
This year of course marks 90 years since the end of World War One. Sadly not the war to end all wars. But maybe the first time that armed conflict involved so many nations. And taught such hard lessons especially for the colonial nations. And changed forever the lives of generations.
I was 'on' for reflection at our curriculum meeting this morning. So chose Flanders' Field. With the modifications suggested by the narrative of those who saw the original pencilled by John McCrae.
I hadn't realised that this oft-repeated verse was written by a physician. John McCrae was Professor of Medicine at McGill University. Served in the Boer War as a gunner, and in WWI as a medic. More about him and the writing of the verse here.
In Flanders’ Fields
In Flanders’ Fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders’ Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies blow
In Flanders’ Fields.
As I think of our students, whose hands were so recently blessed by the Cardinal, I wonder where their careers will take them. What their eyes will see and their hands write. What healing they may bring. What will move their hearts. What torch they will carry and what faith they will keep.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Comic Comments
One of the early birds responding to Presbyterian Gal's great Friday Five from RevGalBlogPals this week.
(comic from Google Images)
1. What was your favorite comic strip as a child?
When we went to town I would buy a magazine (from the UK I think) called 'June and Schoolfriend' Bizarre I know - but the comic strip I remember was about Billy Bunter - a rather rotund young man who has all sorts of adventures despite being bullied and teased.
When we went to town I would buy a magazine (from the UK I think) called 'June and Schoolfriend' Bizarre I know - but the comic strip I remember was about Billy Bunter - a rather rotund young man who has all sorts of adventures despite being bullied and teased.
2. Which comic strip today most consistently tickles your funny bone?
Leunig. I just love him! In the past year I have been blessed to be able to attend TWO live performances at the Opera House.
Leunig. I just love him! In the past year I have been blessed to be able to attend TWO live performances at the Opera House.
3. Which Peanuts character is closest to being you?
Lucy
Lucy
4. Some say that comic strips have replaced philosophy as a paying job, so to speak. Does this ring true with you?
No not really. Although I'm not sure that philosophy was ever a paying job I don;t think comic strips have replaced a perspective that is so often lacking in our communities. Leunig can be very philosophical at times though.
No not really. Although I'm not sure that philosophy was ever a paying job I don;t think comic strips have replaced a perspective that is so often lacking in our communities. Leunig can be very philosophical at times though.
5. What do you think the appeal is for the really long running comic strips like Blondie, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace as some examples?
Intergenerational familiarity, clever scriptwriting, human habituality
Bonus question: Which discontinued comic strip would you like to see back in print?
Footrot Flats
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Coming Out
I'm doing it. At last. Coming out from behind the pseudonym to use my name in this new world of the blogosphere. Some fellow bloggers may have noticed that I've been using name not alias in comments for a while. Inspired by Sally. Ruth, Whitney, Andy and others I figure it's not too scary to be myself. So goodbye EmJayDee. Mavis is here.
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