Sabbatical Journey 2009

Final Post: Reunion Day

2009-09-10T20:19:00.001-07:00

The sabbatical journey came to an official end last Sunday morning with "Reunion Day" worship and lunch at Church of the Palms. Clint Reynolds delivered a stirring sermon, "Pilgrims," and then returned the bible and stole I entrusted to him on May 31. A wonderful salad-and-sandwich lunch followed in King Hall with some Q&A about the summer journey.

The festivities included some terrific cakes... one is shown here. Thank you to everyone who was involved in the planning!

This has been a busy week of re-engaging with the ministry here, evaluating reports of the summer, and ramping up for what promises to be a busy and fruitful Fall.

So... pondering much, with insights still to come... onward!

Home Again

2009-09-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Our bodies are slowly re-orienting to the 9-hour time difference; it is amazing how productive I can be at 3 a.m. Our flights home were flawless, but long (2 hours to London, then 11 to Phoenix with a 2 hour layover in London). Harold and Rosemary Armbrust met us at Sky Harbor and whisked us home.
It is amazing how quickly it seemed as though we never left... how does that work? (If we were suddenly back in Paris, I am sure it would seem the same there.)
Happily, things were pretty good at the house. Ninety percent of the courtyard landscaping survived. Liz' car had a dead battery (it was six years old... not bad). A few bills needed IMMEDIATE attention, which they received. (The amount of mail that accumulates in 90 days is staggering; thanks, Cindy, for tending to that.) There were some high-tech matters to address that (of course) took more time to correct than expected. But all-in-all, no complaints.
I have made a few short visits to the church, and Liz goes back to work tonight. This Sunday will be "Reunion Day" at church, and Clint Reynolds will turn over the keys to my office... I hope. A lunch {free} will follow the service, and we will share briefly about my sabbatical and the church's renewal program.
For those who have followed this blog, I hope you have enjoyed the adventure with us. I will be preparing several presentations, so feel free to invite me to share one of them (e.g., Pilgrims in England; Pilgrims in Holland; Pilgrims in Plymouth; Monasteries; Provence (France); Alsace (France); Paris).
Onward.

Gratitude

2009-08-30T00:16:00.000-07:00

An important part of "mindfulness" is learning to live gratefully in every moment. (The Apostle Paul wrote, you may recall, "Give thanks in all circumstances....") Some moments are easier than others; this is one of the easier ones:
As we prepare to wrap things up and head home, I want to express tremendous gratitude for what has been an experience of a lifetime. The list is not necessarily in order of importance... just the way it rolled out!
The Lilly Endowment: Thank you for believing in the proposal the church sent in, and for the grant that made my program and the church's possible. (Both I and the church now write an extensive report to the Endowment on our programs.)
The Church of the Palms: Thank you for writing sabbatical time into my terms of call, and for all the cooperation and interest you have shown. A special thank you goes to the planning team for working on the proposal last year and seeing the process through. Thank you to the staff and volunteers for weathering the changes and disruptions, for picking up the jobs that I had done before, and for taking good care of my mother when she was hospitalized... and after.
Cindy Fain: Thanks for faithfully coordinating our mail and other personal matters that came up.
Clint Reynolds: Thanks for serving so capably and enthusiastically as Acting Minister.
Summer Preachers / Seminar Leaders: Thanks for bringing your unique gifts and sharing them so freely.
Everyone who has held us in your prayers along the journey... thank you, you made a big difference.
This will be the final post... at least from Europe. A bientot! (See you soon.)

Happy Birthday, Kel!

2009-08-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Our daughter, Kelly, celebrates her birthday today... happy birthday, Kel... you are such a blessing to so many people! We spoke with Kel a few moments ago and we give such thanks for the person she has beccome, and the life that she (and we) share with Steve, Kayla and Aidan.
We spent yesterday on an open-top bus tour of Paris; it is a relaxing, informative way to see a wonderful city. Among the sites we saw, of course, was the Arche de Triomphe, commissioned by Napoleon I (pictured left).
Questions From Home, part 2:
Have there been surprises on this sabbatical?
Yes: Early on, in Farnborough (UK), we encountered the mausoleum of Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie of France. We had never thought much about them. Well, so much of modern Paris is a result of the far-sightedness of NIII-- it is amazing. It gives me pause as I consider the importance of our ministry at The Palms; more to come on that. France wants their remains back-- no wonder!
How does this sabbatical compare with the one in '04?
Great question. In many ways, there is no comparison. In '04 it was all self-funded, and there was of a service focus (teaching in China and India). This sabbatical has been focused on learning and spiritual integration. I feel as though the Pilgrims are friends and personal acquaintances. I also feel a kinship with the artisans of medieval France.
Will the sabbatical impact your preaching and ministry?
You have no idea!!! Oh, yes. Poor people.

Picnic and Au Revoir

2009-08-27T04:13:00.000-07:00

Mary's week here has flown by, and we are amazed at her ability to step into the entirely different rhythm of life here. She was an excellent guest and we all had a great time.
Yesterday we enjoyed one of our favorite things... a picnic on the steps of Eglise Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart Church) high atop Montmartre (Mount of the Martyrs) with a panoramic view of Paris stretching before us. Attached are the in-front-of and from-the-back views of mesdames enjoying bread, cheese, meat and some excellent wine.
Part of the joie de vivre of the steps is the excellent music and arts entertainment always ongoing. The whole experience is impossible to describe... ya gotta be there. Among yesterday's performers were two drama students to whom we made a gift in honor and memory of Katie.
A cafe visit and stroll around Ile de la Cite finished the day, and this morning we took a reluctant Mary to Charles de Gaulle airport for her flight home to Rhode Island.

Questions from home:
1) Are you ready to come back?
Three months is a really long time to be away, so yes, I am. It has been good to be "unhooked" from normal responsibilities and routines and free to pursue interests and new experiences. Now it is time to be home again.
2) Have you been able to find joy?
That is a tougher question. There have been many wonderful moments and experiences that I and we will be "unpacking" for a long time. We are so very grateful for all the pieces and people that have made this sabbatical possible, and I have some satisfaction at things being as I hoped they would be. At the same time, as we move through the grief process, using the word "joy" does not seem to fit. No, we are not "all better" by any means, and the sadness of losing Katie remains profound. We appreciate those who continue to pray with and for us.
Onward.

Cathedrals and Gift Shops

2009-08-24T00:04:00.000-07:00

Mary's visit continues; here the cousins are in Luxembourg Gardens where we enjoyed a leisurely picnic, shared with an assortment of birds and bees.
This was a cathedral weekend... magnificent worship at Notre Dame on Saturday evening, and then a an hour's train trip to the medieval village of Chartres on Sunday.
The cathedral there (pictured) dominates the town and the surrounding area-- it can be seen from 25 miles away! Older than Notre Dame Paris, it was dedicated in 1160. (There has been a cathedral on the site since the 400s.) In both places the mighty organs were thundering... what a thrill. Built into the ancient Chartres floor stones is a huge labyrinth, a symbolic pathway to deeper spirituality. (I thought briefly of clearing away the chairs and people so I could use it.
Excuse me for this next item... I can't resist. I have long noted how gift shops are always positioned where you cannot avoid them... at the completion of a museum tour or exit from a theme park ride. We have made our way through hundreds this summer, but this one takes the cake... in a public toilet no less! Thankfully, the items for sale were not themed to the surroundings.
Since I mkentioned the public toilets: Unlike in the US, they are clean and safe here. There are two reasons: 1) You pay 1/2 euro to use them, and 2) there is an attendant on duty at all times. The attendants are on the public payroll, and are pleased to have a job with great security, 4-to-6 weeks' vacation, and a living wage.
Much of Paris is on the public payroll. The tax rate is high... it can be as much as 75%. With that comes free health care for everyone (so much in debate in the US now) and an admirable array of public services; for example, every street in Paris is cleaned every night.
Onward.

A Visit from RI

2009-08-21T23:30:00.000-07:00

Liz' cousin, Mary, arrived Thursday from RI for a week. She is doing amazingly well with the jet lag, and is thrilled to fulfill a longtime dream by being here... especially seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. (I realized I had not included a picture of that... herewith corrected!)
Lunch near the Eiffel Tower provided an opportunity to discuss American sports with our waiter, who happened to be a Patriots fan. He was, however, unable to comment lucidly on the Yankees / Red Sox rivalry. ("Here we do not do ze bessbole.")
Yesterday we took a boat tour on the Seine, then walked back riverside to the Tuileries Garden, where we enjoyed a ride on the giant ferris wheel... erected only for the summer. From there the walk continued to the Louvre, where we enjoyed the sunset. (Pictured is the entrance pyramid with some of the Louvre to the left and also the beautiful arche de jardin.)
With ten days left in Paris, my thoughts and even dreams are turning to home and resuming life and ministry there. This has been a remarkable oddyssey, and in the next posts I will reflect on some of what I am taking away from the experience.
Onward!

A Concert at Sainte-Chappelle

2009-08-17T07:26:00.000-07:00

Last night was a visual, historical, and soul-soothing treat. We walked two blocks to the Sainte-Chappelle complex. It was built in the mid-13th Century by the very devout King Louis IX at the center of the then royal palace. The "chapel" was meant for his private use, and to house the crown of thorns... yes, purportedly the one the Romans used on Jesus before the crucifixion. (You will see in the picture-below- the 'throne' in the center, high up, intended for the crown.)
Now, before you roll your eyes... the crown actually has a pretty good provenance. (It is currently housed at Notre Dame, taken there for safety during the anti-religion French Revolution.) You can do some Googling if you want to learn more... the thorns are long gone, but the twisted-reed "crown" remains and is brought out on the first Friday of every month.
As you can see, the chapel is an exquisite example of high gothic architecture. What is remarkable is the amount of beautiful stained glass that surrounds the nave... without the walls caving in. It surpassed Notre Dame for its light, airy, uplifting feeling. Much of the original paint and decoration is intact. (The windows were removed and hidden away as the Germans approached during WWII.)
The concert was one of Vivaldi, featuring The Four Seasons, with Pachelbel's Canon in D tossed in. The musicians were superb (6 strings and a harpsichord), and the acoustics and setting were stunning. It seems impossible to me to experience that and then doubt that music is a pure language of the soul.
Today had a slow start... with coffee and tea on the terrace, as usual. We then took a walk up into the St. Suplice neighbiorhood for a visit to Liz' favorite porcelain store (several of you have received gifts from there over the years). On the walk back we stopped to eat at a Mexican restaurant, where Liz and I enjoyed the essence of sidewalk dining (pictured)! We walk more when we are here, and it feels good.
We stopped at Monoprix for some wine and the makings of fresh guacomole... then "home" for some reading and another Paris evening.
Onward.

The American Church, Paris

2009-08-16T07:42:00.000-07:00

Another clear, sunny day dawned, and after I made breakfast (using the French coffee press that Steve explained to me), it was off to the American Church in Paris. Liz and I had visited there in the past, but had never worshiped there.
The church is non-denominational, founded in 1857. The minister, Scott Herr, came here last year from Fort Collins, CO-- where Doris and Allan Gott now live. The impressive stone building was built in the 1920's and patterned after Riverside Church in NYC (UCC & American Baptist). As you can see, the sanctuary is also impressive, and has beautiful stained glass all around it. A 10-year-old pipe organ was played with panache. I especially enjoyed the incredible tenor soloist today, who sang from Handel's Messiah.
The church is located along the left bank of the Seine River, halfway between our apartment and the Eiffel Tower... such a spot!
Once again I have been brought to an example of Christian unity (e.g., they baptize or dedicate babies) to which I will pay careful attention. While clearly Christian, the church consists of people from all over the world and every major religion. Fascinating.
The service was much more traditional than I expected... entirely led by black-robed clergy. One interesting touch: Instead of sending the children out of the snactuary for their class time, they remained there, in the front, working on a project that was introduced during the children's message. I like that idea. Hmmmm.....
The ACP (American Church Paris) also has a contemporary service at 1:30 p.m.-- I may try that next Sunday to see what they do.
We miss Kelly, Steve, Kayla and Aidan. As I descended the steps to the Metro, there was no little hand in mine seeking a ride down. We assume they are home safe and sound in California, if a bit jet-lagged.
Later this evening: a concert in Saint-Chappelle, started in 1239 by King Louis IX. More tomorrow.

An Arduous Assumption

2009-08-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

I happened to note the link to this blog on the Southwest Conference UCC website... the description says this blog concerns my arduous sabbatical journey in Europe-- casting aspersions on my rigorous schedule. Originally blaming the Conference Minister, I now find I must vent on the Director of Communications. All in good time, all in good time.
Happy Assumption Day! Today Paris is celebrating the assumption of Mary, mother of Jesus, into heaven. The epicenter is Notre Dame Cathedral, of course. Kel, Steve and the kids were treated (on their last night here) to a stunning procession of lights and angelic music along the Seine River past the church last evening. As I write now the organ is thundering and what must be a choir of hundreds is singing beautiful hymns that echo all over "our" neighborhood. Yesterday we gazed in through an open door to the altar, where the bishop was presiding... again backed by etheral music. You don't need to be Catholic to be swept up in the spiritual depth of what is clearly a very big deal here.
Our family deserted us this morning to go home and start school. (Kayla begins 1st grade Monday, and Aidan begins preschool the following Monday.) We escorted them to Charles deGaulle Airport this morning, and saw them off with reluctance. We spent a wonderful two weeks together, with a lot more going on than sightseeing: Our relationships with Aidan and Kayla deepened significantly; we all had the sense that Katie was very much with us; I feel about this time much as I did about the monastery visits. I will need to reflect more.
Pictured at left is our visit to the giant ferris wheel and carnival set up each summer in the Tuileries Garden adjacent to the Louvre Museum (which you can see in the background). From the wheel you can see for miles in all directions (similarly to the Millenium Wheel in London). We also enjoyed other rides and some romping in the Tuileries playground. And yes-- we also did Paris Disneyland.
Aidan and Kayla soaked in the magic of Paris readily, as did Kel and Steve. The food, the sights, the people, the pace, the indescribable je ne sais quois blend with remarkable effect. They, and we, enjoyed (way more than their dad did) a hot-air balloon ride (right) and view of Paris.
The kids also had an elevator adventure yesterday morning. Liz and I were roused from our hotel room early by Steve yelling in the street outside... "Kelly and the kids are stuck in the elevator!" We hustled down the street, and sure enough, the elevator decided to stop about a yard up from where it was supposed to (as it likes to do from time-to-time)-- and since Kelly had not brought the key with her needed to send it back up, she was stuck. She was calm, and so were the kids. Liz ran out for the police, fire, sanitation, maintenance and tourism departments. Cool-in-a-crisis Steve got a butter knife and began removing the screws holding the safety glass in the elevator door... and it worked! After about 45 minutes the window came out and we were able to get a key into the elevator. They all used the stairs (7 flights) for the rest of their stay.
So we are back in the apartment (trsuting the elevator), feeling more and more at home with the rhythm of life here.
Onward.

Mindful in Paris

2009-08-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

It has been a whirlwind week... showing Paris to Kel, Steve and kids -- and the art of using the efficient Metro (subway).
Kel and Steve left very early Friday morning, against Aidan's advice, for a weekend away on their own... and Kayla and Aidan stayed with us. They were on their super-best behavior, and we had a great time together. Sharing life with 6-and-3-year-olds for several days is an object lesson in being rooted in the moment! ("Mindfulness" is much more than that... but it is a good start.) Aidan's days were puncutated with "that's AWESOME!" and "WICKED awesome!" and "I'm going to do this EVERY day!" Yesterday, after touching a stuffed goat outside a restaurant, he sang an impromptu song all the way to the apartment; the words are simple... "I love goats, I love goats, I really love goats, I love goats..."
Our forays have included several public parks with playgrounds; an excursion inside Notre Dame church, where they were awed by its sheer size and dazzling stained glass; an odyssey to find an appropriate toy store... finally successful as we returned with bubble-making stuff (a hoot off the balcony) and pick-up sticks and a Mr. Potato Head for the bath; 2 trips to Jardin d'Acclimation with its lovely grounds, animals, and rides that we all could enjoy; and (of course) countless Metro rides and grocery shopping at Monoprix. In my sleep I am hearing, "Poppy, can I ride on your shoulders now? My legs won't work." Kayla observed that maybe it would be a good idea to live here... until she realized that her friends and extended family are elsewhere.
Kel and Steve returned today, and Liz and I are 'holeing up' at a nearby hotel. We are grateful for these past days and also keenly aware of our loss of Katie.
A note about 'Paris pace': Paris is a large city population-wise, but is really a collection of 20 smaller towns. There is a laid-back air to life here; Kelly is struck at this difference from New York and L.A. There is a peculiarly small-town feel in the midst of 2 million people!
One sidelight: There have been four attempts (that I know of) to pick-pocket me-- two of them almost successful. My response has been immediate and angry each time; the aftermath has been an opportunity to reflect on mindfulness in its greater meaning-- awareness of the many levels in the simplest encounter.
Onward.

Skype / Family Arrives

2009-08-05T00:05:00.000-07:00

The posts may get a bit more infrequent... life has suddenly kicked into a higher gear!
Sunday's "Skype-in" to King Hall went well. (OK, we had to re-make the call few times before we got it perfectly.) It was to see and hear folks from back home and share just a little of what we are experiencing here. (My mom thinks the whole thing was utter wizardry, and cannot imagine where I got my brains. "Not from me," she says.)
Monday morning, the California contingent arrived and we met them at Charles deGaulle airport. We have turned the small apartment over to them and moved a few doors away into our favorite hotel on our favorite street (Rue de la Huchette). You can see it pictured at the left, just outside the hotel-- with Poppy playing the part of a camel. This is a very old street lined with cafes and shops and teeming with life... pretty much around the clock! It was left untouched in the 19th Century when the architect/planner Haussman re-did Paris with wide boulevards and mansard roofs.
What a day we had yesterday... a hike of 15 miles took us all over the left and right banks. We visited St. Sulpice Church (made famous by The DaVinci Code), then spent considerable time in the Luxemborg Garden... acres and acres of laid-back beauty with all sorts of great things to do for kids of all ages. (Pictured at the right, Paris's two newest French kids pose on a very old Catalpa tree in the garden.)
From there it was a long, beautiful walk across to the right bank, past the Louvre (more than a mile long itself!), the Tuilleries, on to Place de la Concorde (where the guillotine once stood), all the way up the Champs Elysee (where the barriers from the end of the Tour de France are still in place), and up the Arc de Triomphe. (We made the return trip by Metro.)
Having the grandchildren here adds intensity to all of the experiences, and really kicks "mindfulness" up a notch.
Onward.

Playful Paris

2009-08-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

The rehearsal for Sunday's "skype-in" to King Hall went well. The church now has a new laptop computer which will help us a lot. I look forward to seeing and hearing many of you after the worship service tomorrow!
In anticipation of arrival of Kel, Steve, Aidan and Kayla we have been scouting the city for kid-friendly places. As it turns out, this is not a problem. Paris has enormous green spaces filled with pony, hot-air balloon, and mechanical rides at reasonable prices! Pictured (left) is the Luxembourg Palace and gardens... home of kings in the past and the French Senate these days, along with pony rides, tennis courts, and a HUGE playground. Just beautiful.
Also, along the Seine River from mid-July to mid-August there is the Paris Plage (Paris Beach)... tons of sand, palm trees and chairs placed all along the river in central Paris to create a beach atmosphere!
Today we walked a lot ... including past the old towers where Marie Antionette was held prisoner prior to her execution (pictured right) along the Seine River. We jumped on the Metro for a ride out to the Jardin d'Acclimation and its live anmials, exotic birds, lush greenery, and wonderful rides all aimed for kids 3-10 years old; Aidan and Kayla will be ecstatic! (So will Poppy.)
Our biggest surprise has been the weather: We were expecting really hot and wet; au contraire, it has been lovely (mid-70s-80) and dry. So much for the tourist guides.
Parisian culture makes great room for children and animals in its everyday culture (both are welcome almost everywhere). The generations are not nearly as fragmented as they are in the U.S. There is much to ponder.
Onward!

Market Day

2009-07-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Today leaves us feeling a bit more Parisian. We began with a 10-minute walk to the open-air market at Place Maubert (pictured), a beautiful square with a fountain and classic Metro station. There, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, farmers bring fresh produce for the locals to buy. We picked up some excellent tomatoes and juicy nectarines, and admired the variety of other goods available. (Just when was it that we in the U.S. lost touch with locally-grown food and neighborhood markets?)
From there we took a walk along historic Boulevard St. Germain, with a stop at the beautiful Cluny park, site of Roman baths dating to AD 200 and a lovely museum and park today. We THOUGHT we were headed for a sample of the best hot chocolate in Paris... but the Patisserie Viennoise is closed for the month of August (as are many places). We will check back on that later.
Then there was a stop at the flower market (which becomes a pet bird market on Sundays) across from Notre Dame Church, in operation for hundreds of years. Liz picked up several plantings for our terrace, which is now a lot more colorful. A stop along the way for lunch and, later, some french fries (frites) made a great day.
Paris note: Spaces here are small, as a city of 2 million people is squeezed into a small area. This applies most particularly to elevators! The one is this building is (relatively) large, but it decides when and where it will stop. It and Liz are not friends. It will decide, instance, to stop with a grand lurch and throw its doors open smack in between floors. Yesterday, when we returned to the bottom, Liz hopped out and said "I am walking up." Well, seven flights later she was having second thoughts! The correct attitude is think of it as a game chance: Will the elevator start on the first button-push or the fifth? Will it stop where it should right away, or will we have a go at it several times?
Coming up: A "dry-run" for Sunday's Skype-in to King Hall. Onward.

Settling into Paris

2009-07-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ok... you are right, the picture is the same as yesterday's, only at night. I am surprised I was able to get such a clear picture to be perfectly honest. What the pictures do not convey is the life and energy of central Paris. I hope those of you who can be in King Hall Sunday morning will get some of that.
Today we tackled some practical matters (grocery shopping, etc.) and visited some familiar haunts in the neighborhood, including a favorite cafe for lunch. It is not necessary to spend a fortune here; lunch at the cafe included a large bowl of spaghetti bolognese, a large pizza, a coke, and wine... all for $32 including tip. (The same meal at night would be much more.) Wonderful sandwiches on fresh baguette bread are readily available for around $5. Of course, making them yourself if even less costly... but eating on the streets of Paris is a unique joy.
I enjoy the challenge of settling in to a different culture, and discovering its rhythms and (to me) idiosyncracies. I have learned that some common things Americans do are perceived as inexplicably rude here. For example: We think of going into a store as a commercial venture... about buying something, handing over money, and leaving without any thought to the people. For the French, when you enter their store it is as though you step into their home; eye contact and a "Bonjour, Madame" or "Bonjour, Monsieur" is met with a smile. It is not necessary to buy anything. To leave without a "Bon journee, Madame" is insulting. It takes some getting used to, but such behavior really does add to the quality of life!
Similarly, a meal is an event to savor, with conversation with the staff as well as with each other. Why all the rush? To wolf down food and then call out, "Check, please!" means, to Parisians, that they are not considered worthy company and have served bad food... the ultimate insult!
All of this has a tie-in to the central Buddhist understanding of "mindfulness"-- which includes being fully-present in each moment (not stuck in the past or consumed with the future). Our American culture has lost much of what it once knew of this art. We will try to soak in as much as we can while we are here, and bring some home to share. In the meantime, savor THIS moment for all that it has.
Onward.

Arrival in Paris

2009-07-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

We had a good trip across central France on the TGV (bullet train)... Colmar to Paris in 2.5 hours! (Just a few years ago it was a 10-hour trip.) Once in Paris, we hopped on Metro #4 and in a few minutes were in "our" neighborhood, at Place St. Michael on the Left Bank (near the Sorbonne).
After a walk down the lively Rue de la Huchette (with an abundance of Greek restaurants), we arrived at our destination, #2 Petit Pont. We were met by Gabriel, who showed us our home for the next 5 weeks-- a small, wonderful apartment on the 6th (top) floor of a building facing the Ile de la Cite, one of the two original Paris islands. From the terrace we have an amazing view of Notre Dame Cathedral... as you can see in the picture to the left. It is hard to imagine we will have the pure beauty of this view for these weeks!
We settled in, and then took a walk to a local grocery to pick up some fresh produce and supplies.
Among the things that please us here are the light, bright atmosphere in the apartment, full appliances, an excellent WiFi signal, and the location. For those who have not been to Paris, I will do my best to give you an introduction and a "feel" for this amazing city in the days ahead.
Onward.

Alsace Wine Road

2009-07-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

First, a response to a question re: Cluny/Taize: As far as I know, there is no train service. There may be some local bus service...not sure as I had a rented car to make the trip.
Yesterday we thoroughly explored the fascinating town of Colmar, population ~43,000. We learned a lot of its history and local characters... including the sculptor Bertoli (Statue of Liberty, a large copy of which greets people on the way into town).
The Alsatians have their own dialect of ancient German, close to what is spoken in Austria. (Of course they also speak French.) The Alsatian dialect is dying out among the younger generation.
Today we signed up for a tour of three other "wine road" towns plus an enormous castle first built in 1144. I am posting a couple of pictures from our tour... this is simply a beautiful, clean, flower-filled area. We also stopped for some wine tasting, and learned quite a bit about the white wines featured here and the various varietals.
PILGRIM CONNECTION: The Alsace region was a haven for Protestants, Huguenots, Walloons, and Amish. A sizable group wound up in Holland, and encountered the English Separatists there. A few were among the Mayflower travelers.
Tomorrow we travel by TGV (bullet train) to Paris... about 2.5 hours. We received the good news last night that Liz' cousin Mary may join us for a few days in Paris. Onward.

Colmar, day 2

2009-07-24T10:54:00.000-07:00

We awakened in the wee (think 5 a.m.) hours to the sounds of hammering and clanking. It turns out that today is the annual (as in one day per year) HUGE street market in Colmar! I took a picture (left) early in the day from our balcony. (NOTE: The 'Casino' in the picture is a French grocery chain, not a gambling emporium!)
Colmar is a sweet, relaxed, lovely place... and we chose a very slow place today. Over the weekend we will tour other villages along the "wine road" but for now it is slow and easy.
Later in the day we had Skype chats with the Rev. Seth Polley (some of you may remember him from last year's ecumenical retreat; he is the Episcopal missioner for the Mexican border) and Kelly, Steve, Kayla and Aidan ... these were separate chats, of course.
CHANGE: We have changed our itinerary; the time at Plum Village (Buddhist) Monastery will not work out. We had planned a 4-day visit, but they insist on 7 days as a minimum. So.... we will head to Paris when we leave Colmar, several days ahead of the plan. (I will study the teachings of the Buddhist leader on my own... especially his focus on 'mindfulness'-- more on that to come.)
Onward.

Colmar, in Alsace

2009-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

I was pried out of the hotel in Strasbourg, taken to the train station, and Liz and I took a 45-minute train trip to Colmar, the second-largest town in Alsace. Okay, I was wrong yesterday: Colmar is a slightly smaller (but just as pretty) version of Strasbourg. We are staying along what is known as the "wine road" of Alsace, and all of these villages are delightful.
Strasbourg's oldest part was called "La Petitte France" (Little France). Not to be outdone, the oldest section of Colmar is called "La Petite Venise" (Little Venice)... complete with canals and these amazing daub-and-wattle medieval buildings. Our hotel, the St. Martin, (pictured above left) dates from 1361. Zounds. (It is the corner building on the right... we are on the second floor.)
Now, just so that you will understand how arduous this all is, I close with a picture to the right... actually from Roussillon, but you get the idea.
Onward.

Strasbourg take #2

2009-07-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

Well, Strasbourg is one of the all-time favorites, for sure. The day began with breakfast in our room, included in the Liz-special rate (pictured left). Coffee, tea, pain au chocolate, yogurt, croissants... you name it. And all enjoying the view and the wonderful room. If you read in the newspaper about an American who barricaded himself in a room and would not leave... that would be me.
This afternoon we took a leisurely walk along the beautiful main canal, and then took a boat tour around all of the old city. Pictured at the right is one of the amazing 16th Century homes that are common here.
PILGRIM CONNECTION: Guttenburg perfected the printing press here. Such printing was the direct stimulus for the Reformation... and the Separatists (Pilgrims) once they were able to have bible in English. This revelation was unexpected but welcome!
The region of Alsace Lorraine has been independent, then German, then French, then German, then independent... then French. Wow. The Alsacians have their own language but also speak French and English! (There is also a significant middle-eastern population here as well.)
Tonight we sat IN the street at a cafe for a meal of pizza and french fries... and some nice wine. Later on, I did a dress-rehearsal for the Skype-in on August 2. (That day, after the service, I will be on the "big screen" in King Hall to say hi to folks at Church of the Palms and also be able to see and hear them!
Tomorrow we move on to Colmar. Onward!

Strasbourg

2009-07-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

After some low-key days in Aix, which is pretty and slow, we drove to the Marseille airport and turned in the car and Celine. We boarded a very small jet (much to Liz' delight.... not) and made the 1-hour hop to the Alsace region (on the German border) and the enchanting city of Strasbourg.
We have been trying to visit here for a long time; it just never seemed to work out before. Liz found the deal of all deals on the room of all rooms... literally straddling the central canal in this story-book place. As a I write, there is a brass band concert going on in the square... just for us? Maybe not.
Strasbourg blends the best of Germany and France... clean, neat and yet gracious and filled with joie de vivre. We took a walk around the old city (Petite France), found a grocery store, and stocked up on fresh tomatoes. The buildings date to the 15th and 16th Century, are well-maintained, and give a timeless sense of beauty. Don't believe me? Check out the picture from outside our hotel.
We will be here for two nights. Onward.

Aix-en-Provence

2009-07-19T08:45:00.000-07:00

On a picture-perfect weather day, after a stunningly beautiful drive over mountains and through villages, we arrived yesterday afternoon in this city which dates from about 200 B.C. (It is built on several hot springs, which the Romans loved.)
Our hotel (St. Christophe) sits adjacent to the signature fountain (pictured left)... Aix (pronounced "ecks") is often called the city of 1,000 fountains.
The main street, Cours Mirabeau, runs from this fountain. This was "where it was at" in the 16th and 17th Centuries, with large homes and prestigious shops ... now cafes and galleries. In the center of the picture you will see a Roman fountain of hot mineral water still running (pictured right)!
Today, another bright clear one, we ventured into the old city where we happened on the weekly farmers' market (pictured left). The produce and fish were fresh and aromatic... we came back with some great tomatoes, which we are enjoying as I write. We stopped in the square for lunch at a delightful cafe (where we enjoyed delicious pasta) that also gave us a bird's-eye view of them tearing down the market and cleaning it up. (It is really is fascinating to watch other people work....)
Random musings: I have continued to read and learn about Taize, believing that there is something truly extraordinary there to which I am supposed to pay attention. For those who have dreamed about what Christian unity might look like, there it is in action. If you are interested, Google "taize" on YouTube or just a general search and see for yourself.

Metro Rousssillon

2009-07-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

We have been day-tripping to surrounding towns, all quaint in their own way.
Yesterday we headed for Apt, larger than most, with NO parking anywhere. Thinking I could find a spot on a side street, I headed in... and in... until it all came to a dead end with nowhere for me to go or turn. Hmmm. Ultimately it meant backing all the way out (with crucial help from Liz), dripping in sweat. Celine got us home after we cruised around for a bit, exploring the hills nearby.
Last night we again walked beautiful Roussillon, with its colorful and dramatic cliffs (one pictured left). Restaurants and houses perch precariously at the edges, must closer than would be allowed in the USA.
Today we paid a visit to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue ("island on the Sorgue River"). Built on pilings in the river in the 11th Century (!) it is now called "the Venice of France" not without reason. Its streets are windy, quaint, and filled with shops and cafes and canals. Though the mills are long-gone, some of the water wheels are in place and still working (pictured right).
This evening we are enjoying our last look out over the valley below. Tomorrow we move to Aix-en-Provence.
Onward.

On to Roussillon

2009-07-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

After perusing the extensive market-day in St. Remy, we headed through lush countryside on the way to the very old hill-top town of Rousillon (pictured left), to the west.
Several things were striking about the trip:
1) The GPS is an invaluable help; we have named the voice Celine... God bless Celine;
2) The roads approaching the Provence villages rival those in the Cotswolds in narrowness-- but at least people drive on the right side of the road;
3) The roads inside the village are narrower still; hit your target on the first pass or drive around a LONG time trying to get back to it (didn't I just find THAT out this afternoon);
3) The scenery is beautiful at every turn, as the lavender and sunflowers are in full bloom.
The soil and rocks in Roussillon are reminiscent of Sedona... the orange/red is vibrant. The sheer drop-off on all sides from the village is dramatic. Our room has a large terrace with a magnificent view (pictured right).
We explored the village church... small but beautiful... and climbed to the highest point in the village before settling in for a light supper and then enjoying the evening and sunset on our terrace. A spot of wine, anyone?

Bastille Day en Provence

2009-07-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Bastille Day... the French 4th of July... remembering the start of the French Revolution and the beginning of the First Republic in 1789. There was a small ceremony in the town center this morning, followed by a very short parade. Last night there were some fireworks around.
The weather is hot and muggy here, the kind that saps energy after a short time. Like most Mediterranean cultures, an afternoon siesta is the custom here; things close between 2:30 and 5 each afternoon. Liz wisely chose our hotels to have air conditioning; not many do.
You can see (left) the view from our room over the hotel grounds to the Alpilles Mountains... foothills to the Alps.
Yesterday we took a circle tour of this part of Provence, passing through small, beautiful villages on the way to Nimes. There we visited the amazing Pont du Gard (Gard River Bridge--pictured right), built by the Romans in 20 B.C.! It is the best-preserved Roman aqueduct anywhere, designed to carry water to the then-thriving Roman city of Nimes. It is three levels, standing about 150 feet from the river bed. Across its 30+ miles the total descent is only 17 inches... talk about engineering.
We also drove into Avignon, but finding a place to park was hopeless.
St. Remy is a bustling village (pictured left), with shops and restaurants everywhere. We have found a couple of bistros that we like, and a "glacier" (ice cream parlor) that made this afternoon a bit cooler.
Onward.

En Provence

2009-07-12T10:37:00.000-07:00

Today's blog title was the title of one of my French text books in High School; I remember reading about life here but this is our first visit. We are in the typically French hill-town of St. Remy in Provence, in southern France (an hour from the Mediterranean). It is near Avignon, the home of the non-Roman Popes in the medieval free-for-all as the Roman empire collapsed. Exploring the area and its history will be fascinating.
Getting here was an adventure... French weekend highway traffic in the summer is intense. The back-ups at the toll houses were long; there were other stoppages for which I could not find an explanation-- other than that is just how it is! Altogether we were on the road for about 5 hours (with no meal stops). The change in the weather is noticeable: Suddenly it is summer.
Along the way we passed huge fields of brilliant sun flowers in full bloom. Liz captured one as we drove by (pictured). The French countryside is beautiful, at times much like California and at others more like Tuscany.
Follow-up Taize musings: In my reflections, I was struck at a similarity between the Taize experiment and the Pilgrims: In both cases a new community was formed to establish an authentic Christian presence that unites rather than divides. The styles are quite different, but the driving motivation is similar. I find myself powerfully drawn to that inclusive, unifying vision.
Onward.

Taize (cont.)

2009-07-11T07:48:00.001-07:00

In Memoriam: Barbara Silvester. You may recall my earlier post about my Dad's cousin Barbara, whom we visited in a nursing home in Massachusetts. I just received word that she has died there. Confined for 85 years in a much-diminished body, she is now free. I invite you to join in prayer blessing her on her way... at last freed from the body that limited her activity (but never her spirit).
Today marks the last of the Taize bible sessions. It turns out the instructor has been the head honcho of Taize... brother Alios (sorry for the poor quality picture of him). He succeeded Brother Roger, the founder, who was attacked and killed during an evening service several years ago. (Yikes) I did not guess at Bro. Alios's "rank" as he dresses casually, is very unassuming, with a great sense of humor and a wonderful way of teaching the bible. He has rehabilitated the Gospel of John for me. (Or rehabilitated my perceptions.)
Attached also is a video clip from today's prayer service.
I am also attaching a picture of one of the "tent cities" where people live while on a week here. (We opted to stay in nearby Cluny.)
My Taize time has been tantalizing and has been a peaceful and helpful interlude. The learning and worship has blended with some of the personal reading I have been doing in meaningful ways. No, I will not be enrolling as a Taize brother... but it is an intriguing place and I would love to come back with a group at some point.
I close with a shot of ancient buildings next to our hotel in Cluny. This is the view from ouitside the internet cafe heading back to the hotel.
We leave here tomorrow and head south. Onward.

Taize Community / Cluny

2009-07-10T07:07:00.000-07:00

Finding an internet connection is tricky here ... so there has been some "quiet time" -- a good way to begin the next monastery segment of this journey. We flew back to Gatwick airport (London) and then on to Lyon, France. We slept at an airport hotel, and yesterday picked up another rental car and headed for the little village of Cluny, about 7 miles from the amazing Taize Community, which I have wanted to visit for many years.
Our hotel adjoins the 10th Century ruins of an abbey here! The village is really charming, and reminds me much of Cortona, in Italy, where we spent 5 weeks in 1995.
The Taize Community is truly ecumenical, in a most exciting way. Founded by Brother Roger in the early 1960's, somehow it has garnered official Vatican sanction to welcome EVERYONE to the altar and community. I am enjoying the daily bible study and prayer services-- the swelling music in spontaneous 4-part harmony is incredible.
There are about 2,000 people at Taize this week... down from the normal 4,000! Of those, only about 200 are over 30!! (They keep us carefully segregated so we won't pollute the others.) This is definitely an expereinced aimed at youth.
Each week here has a theme; this week's is the Gospel of John, chapters 14-16, on which I preached from the lectionary this Spring. It is very interesting to hear it from a totally different perspective. There are many things I have heard that I am aching to explore with someone... we shall see.
I will try to post some picture if I can get back on-line from here. Onward!

Delfshaven

2009-07-07T07:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the walking/canal tour of Delft was drowned out by powerful thunderstorms... worthy of an Arizona monsoon! Around noon I braved the elements, walked to the train station, and headed for Rotterdam, in which Delfshaven now is. (In the days of the Pilgrims, it was the harbor for the then-larger city of Delft).
Just as I stepped off the tram in Deflshaven, the skies opened up again! Contrary to my usual style, I headed in the right direction and found the spot I was seeking in about 10 minutes.
When the Pilgrims left Leiden by barge, this was their destination. According to tradition, they boarded the Speedwell at the spot that now has the Pilgrim Fathers Church (pictured). The drawbridge on which I was standing is at the spot of the dock from which they left.
Musings: What were they thinking and feeling... given all they had been through? Now they were headed back to England; that must not have been the greatest of feelings, even though King James had indicated he would not interfere with them. (English Kings were known to change their minds rather abruptly... and heads would fly.) Did they have any idea what lay ahead for them?
They put in at Southampton, where they joined up with the Mayflower, intending to cross the Atlantic on both ships. After some dirty dealing by merchants and backers, they headed out... only to have Speedwell spring leaks. They put into Dartmouth for repairs, then headed out again. Same results: Speedwell started leaking when they were about 100 miles out. This time they put in at Plymouth, offloaded about 1/3 of the people and a lot of their provisions. Records show that 102 people somehow stuffed themselves onto the Mayflower for the dangerous, stormy, and off-course trip, during which there were 2 deaths.
Interesting speculation: There is a school of thought that says the Speedwell was purposely over-rigged,, causing the leaks. There was more money (and less risk) to be made running goods around England, and this way he could keep some of the Pilgrims' money anyway. (They really were beset on every side by scoundrels.)
This marks the end of the "Pilgrim Trek" part of my sabbatical. As it happens, we also are going from here to England tomorrow... but only to switch planes and head into France. I will be processing what I have learned from and about them for some time. Onward.

Delft

2009-07-06T09:08:00.001-07:00

We are now in the lovely, smaller city of Delft, famous for its blue-and-white pottery. Our hotel (Emauspoort) is in the center of the old city. (This is our preference in order to be right where things are with little or no walk.) From our 2nd-story windows we look over chock-full window flower boxes to see the most-painted bridge and canal in the city, along the side of the New Church (dating from the 1300's!), and into the main square beyond (pictured).
Tomorrow we will take a walking-and-canal tour of the city, and then visit Delfshaven, now part of Rotterdam, from where the Pilgrims set sail aboard the Speedwell to meet up with the Mayflower in Southampton, England.
Response to Mac: Jeremy Bangs was very informative for sure. We have run into his work everywhere online and in print. He is quite the authority on all things Pilgrim!
Onward.

4th of July in Leiden, Amsterdam

2009-07-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th to everyone in the US! It is meaningful to be here on this day where arguably US democracy was born. Among the innovations that the Pilgrims picked up in Holland was the idea of locally elected representation. (They also adopted Holland's civil marriage laws... but that is another story.)
We returned to the old city, visiting an antique shop where Liz picked up a beautiful little porcelain watering bowl meant for a bird cage that dates to about 1600; for us it will be a bud vase and reminder of this place.
We took a walking tour of Pilgrim sites... visiting the Town Hall where Pilgrims couples went to register their marriages; St. Peter's Church where their remarkable pastor, John Robinson, is buried; the spot nearby where Robinson lived and twelve other Pilgrim families built small homes in his garden; and the very steps (pictured left) from which the Pilgrims likely went onto a barge to begin their trip from Leiden to Delftshaven to board the Speedwell. Amazing.
We also stopped by a second museum... the Pilgrim Archives (pictured right) which houses a higher-tech presentation of the Pilgrims' time here. It is located along the lovely Vliet Canal, down which the Pilgrims moved as they left for the New World.
After a canal-side meal, we decided to hop the train and take the short trip to Amsterdam. There we took a canal tour around the old city, treated with one beautiful sight after another (pictured left). This was the place the Pilgrims were for a year before heading to Leiden. They arrived and joined with other refugee English Protestants, intending to stay. Before long there were theological controversies between the various groups, and the Scrooby congregation (Richard Clyfton and John Robinson's) thought it best to relocate to Leiden. Of course, in Leiden there more controversies... not the least of which concerned infant baptsim and the role of predestination vs. free-will.
Some miscellaneous notes: The weather has been magnificent. Bikes are EVERYWHERE here; in Amsterdam we passed a four-level parking garage for hundreds of thousands of them! Tonight is our last night at De Beukenhof (beuken=tree, hof=house); our suite dates from the 1300's, which means it was old when the Pilgrims were here. My goodness.
Onward to Delft tomorrow.

Leiden, the Netherlands

2009-07-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

We bid farewell to merry old England yesterday, and after a [beautiful] final 2-hour drive we delivered the rental car safely in Manchester. There we boarded a flight for Leiden; how different from the Pilgrims' journey during which they almost perished in the storm!
Our intention to take the train from Amsterdam was frustrated by a "fire" in the train terminal... no further details were given, but we opted for a taxi to Leiden. Our hotel dates to the 1300's, but (happily) has modern enhancements. Our suite has Bang and Olufsen A/V equipment galore... and a sauna!
Leiden is a beautiful city of canals and quaint streets, centered on an old and huge windmill (now a museum--pictured left). In climate and culture it is a far cry from the English midlands, and I cannot help wonder what the Pilgrims thought upon arriving.
Today we wandered the city, eventually finding the American Pilgrim Museum and its Director, Dr. Jeremy Bangs (pictured right), whose research I have been reading for over a year. He is the pre-eminent Pilgrim scholar in the world, and we were thrilled to monopolize his time for most of the afternoon. His museum consists now of three rooms in a 1300's-era building, furnished with Pilgrim-era items and art. It is quite an experience to listen to him explain the collection and offer insight into the 12 exile years the Pilgrims spent here. We were awed by the chance to see, hold, and sit on 17th Century relics.. some pieces that were antiques when the Pilgrims were here!
Among the nuggets I gleaned: The Pilgrims' good treatment of the Native Americans stemmed from two convictions: 1) Those that had pledged allegiance to King James now had rights under English law, and 2) All humans are creations of the same God. In the early 17th Century these were radical ideas... and they flowered later in the founding documents that we celebrate tomorrow on July 4th.
While at the museum, I sat down at the Pilgrim dinner table... where there was an actual fish from the 15th Century (note the loook on my face)! I also had a chance to look over some of Dr. Bang's research into a debate by Richard Clyfton (of Babcock fame) and John Smyth on the topic of infant vs. adult baptism... a VERY hot topic in Leiden and among the Separatists.
A quiet canal-side meal gave us time to reflect on the day before walking back to the hotel.
Tomorrow we will return to the museum and walk the Pilgrim sites in the city.

Boston ... But No Fenway

2009-07-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Our last visit to Pilgrim sites in England took two days to accomplish: Yesterday the Guild Hall was closed! Boston, beautiful now (left) is a painful part of the Pilgrims' story:
In 1607, they knew they could not stay in England... but they were not allowed to leave. They WALKED for 65 miles, carrying everything they could (knowing everything they were leaving... including property... was now lost) to the thriving port city of Boston, and four miles beyond. (The intended point of departure is pictured... a beautiful undeveloped spot still.) They had arranged for a ship to carry them to Amsterdam.
They were betrayed, as they would be several more times: The captain of the ship had alerted the authorities, and they showed up to arrest the Pilgrims before the ship even left from the shore. The captain and the "authorities" helped themselves to their money and possessions before the Pilgrims were carted off to jail in Boston, in the Guildhall there (pictured right).
Separatist sympathy ran high in Boston, so the magistrate let most of them go ... keeping only Brewster, Bradford and Robinson in the cell (pictured left). After a month, he released them as well, ordering them to turn themselves in to the authorities in Gainsborough. Right.
In 1608 they devised an escape from Illingham to the north... this time successful for the men, but not for the women. The authorities arrived before the women and children could be boarded, but the Dutch captain said, "I'm out of here!" -- and left with the men. Imagine their horror at seeing their families arrested on shore! Worse: They headed into the teeth of what was evidently a hurricane in the North Sea. After an ardent prayer service, the storm abated and they arrived safely in Amsterdam.
Women and children were considered of no consequence, so they were released and made their way to Holland in dribs and drabs over the next year. Unreal.
Tomorrow we leave Bolham Manor (pictured right) and fly to Amsterdam to pick up the story there. Pam and Butch have been wonderful hosts here!
FYI: Boston, MA, was originally called Shawmut. It was renamed because the first minister to serve there, the Rev. Robert Cotton, was from Boston, England. Now you know.

An Amazing Pilgrim Day

2009-06-29T11:41:00.000-07:00

We met up with Sue Allan, author and Pilgrim expert, at 9 a.m. By the time we returned at 5 p.m. our heads were spinning with amazing sights, ideas, and new connections. It has been a remarkable day to see events and places that I have studied come alive, and to get some of the "story behind the story."
The day included a return to Babworth All Saints' Church, where Richard Clyfton did much to fan the Separatist flames 400 years ago. This time I got spend a few minutes in the pulpit (the wood is Victorian, but the location and pedestal is likely original). Look closely at the picture and you may see a Pilgrim attending to the Word. (Actually that is Sue in authentic garb.)
Then it was on to Scrooby, where Clyfton teamed with William Brewster and a very young William Bradford to establish a clandestine congregation at Scrooby Hall... at great peril.
In Austerfield, we visited the church where William Bradford was baptised (Anglican), and the original font that was used is still there and in working condition (pictured). From here, Bradford would (at the age of 12 or so) walk to Babworth to hear Clyfton preach... much to the consternation of his Catholic uncles who were raising him!
Later in the day we visited the Old Hall in Gainsborough, gathering place for Separatist congregations and later Methodist ones. It is a remarkable speciman of a medieval manorhouse, and one which King Henry VIII (among other notables) visited. It was likely here that Anne Boleyn was accused of infidelity; the results were very difficult for her, as you may know. Less well-known is the likelihood that the manor was a harboring place for many hunted Separatists across many years.
I am in great awe of the price these Pilgrims and their protectors paid for their convictions, and the manner in which they persisted in finding signs of blessing in the most devastating circumstances.
Onward.

Pilgrim Country: Where It All Began

2009-06-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

We made the drive from Broadway to Retford in a bit more than the scheduled time... with an unplanned detour right smack through downtown Birmingham. I aged at least ten years .
We made it and were directed to lovely Bolham Manor (more about that on another post) where we were one of several guests last night, hosted graciously by Pam and Butch (www.bolham-manor.com).
This morning was memorable: Pick-up by Russell Hocking (owner of Pilgrim Tours Ltd.; this was not part of the tour but was a personal gift) and on to the morning Communion service at All Saints' Church in Babworth (pictured), where Richard Clyfton was preaching in the late 16th Century. He attracted (among others) a very young William Bradford and William Brewster as he developed the theological foundation of what would later be called Separatism. For this, at length, he was removed from the Church of England (and his living).
The early Pilgrims often walked for miles, the last bit of which was over this very path, to attend Clyfton's services. Why through the woods? The roads were watched carefully, and Separatism had already cost some lives!
Following the service, the Hockings (Shelly and Ethan joined us) provided lunch at the Pilgrim Fathers Restaurant. Then there was a run to Epworth so I could get a good grounding in the origins of Methodism (I know, I know) at the Old Parsonage there.
To worship in the place where the Pilgrims first felt the call to a simple, New Testament-style faith; to walk on the very path they walked; to meet Russell, with whom I have been communicating by e-mail for a year and spend some time with his family; this all made for a memorable day.
If you would like to know more about what we will be up to tomorrow, check out www.pilgrimtours.co.uk.

Cotswolds and Shakespeare

2009-06-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

OK, take notes now because there will be a quiz!
"Cotwolds"" Cots = sheep pen in Saxon-speak, and wold = high windy ground. We can testify to both.
We had rain today, and lots of it.
We headed off, in the left lane except when I forgot, and made our way to Chipping Campden (meaning from old and middle English, "market" and "valley with fields"). We then made our way to Stratford-on-Avon, home of ..... whom? Those who said Shakespeare, take an extra credit. The traffic was so ferocious there (I earned a universal salute from one driver) that we did not even stop. We went by Anne Hathaway's cottage (by accident) in our meanderings.
I am posting a picture of a thatched-roof cottage. Thatch was originally the roofing material of the poor but today is very costly. Two-foot sections of "hay" are bound togther and attached with wooden pegs-- good for 50 years or more. Tours charge exorbitant fees to take tourists to thatched cottages... but here is one for you for free!
Returning to Broadway, we stopped into the deli next to our hotel and purchased fresh mozzarella and GENUINE beefsteak tomatoes (pictured at right--we haven't had them in 13 years!) for a wonderful supper in our room. Oh, how good they were.
Tomorrow we head deep into Pilgrim country/Sherwood Forest (of Robin Hood fame), and we will be based in Retford.
Onward!

Over the Mountains to Buckland

2009-06-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

Both of us awoke to what seemed a low-energy day. In the early afternoon we decided to head off on a wee walk, having been told that the village of Buckland was nearby...with an easy walk to get there. Easy, sure, if you have cloven hooves! (Watch the news, the woman in the tourist center may be in danger.)
We headed off ... Liz in her sandals. We crossed flowing meadows and communed with the sheep. We passed through several gates and walked across fields of hay. Then we hit the Himalayas. From the top of one field (pictured) the view back to Broadway was gorgeous. "Do they fly medivac copters out here?" Liz wanted to know. We kept climbing, then leveled off for a long stretch. If there had been clouds, I know we would have been in them. I kept looking for a base camp.
Nearing Buckland, we hit the downside of things...oh, my. Not only was the pitch very steep, but several gates had to be climbed over. (See the picture.) Liz stared at the first one for quite a while. Up and over she went, and by the time we reached the last one she practically bounded over it. Okay, that is an exaggeration, but we are calling her "MG" now (mountian goat).
The descent into the village was steep for sure, but all was worth it: We stumbled on Buckland Manor, an exclusive hotel just then serving veddy high tea. The picture of the flowers was taken from our seat in their garden. They were good enough to call us a taxi... perhaps pleased to be rid of the under-dressed, red-faced yanks.

One-cart roads in the Cotswolds

2009-06-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

First, THANK YOU to those who remembered Kat(ie) with candles and prayers yesterday. From coast-to-coast people sang happy birthday, made pink bubbles, released balloons, visited children in need, had cookies and punch, and otherwise honored her short but very significant life. We video-Skyped with Kelly, Steve, Kayla and Aidan as we lit our candles. Liz and I then released balloons here in Broadway.
Today we awoke to a spectacular day weather-wise... not a cloud anywhere. After a hearty breakfast here at Russell's, we stopped by the hotel next to us--the Ligon Arms. What makes it siginificant for me is that Oliver Cromwell, the only Puritan prime minister of England, stayed there in the 17th Century. Most of the buildings in Broadway date from the early and mid-1600's-- making them Pilgrim-era. As we are only 200 miles from where they lived it is possible some of them came here. (Their leaders were upper-middle-class merchants before their exodus to Holland.)
We ventured out for a white-knuckle, left-sided drive to some of the area villages. (Have you heard me saying the Hail Mary in Latvian?) When I tell you that these roads meant for two-way traffic are not wide enough even for ONE way ... well look at the picture and see for yourself. It is wise not to be in a great hurry to get anywhere, as a lot of stopping and back-tracking is necessary to let people get through!
We went to the village of Snowshill, then the untouched and beautiful village of Lower Slaughter (meaning "muddy place" in middle English). From there we hiked the three miles to Upper Slaughter and back using the beautifully laid-out system of "footpaths" throughout the area. (The picture is of one of the views along the way.)
Back in Broadway, we visited our favorite pub for a tuna baguette and a pint. On to Budgeon's grocery (next to our hotel), and then it was bathtub laundry time, which is duly recorded to the left for everyone's enjoymjent.
A note for those interested: My mom has been hospitalized at Boswell for a couple of days but is due to go home today. Thanks for the prayers and to Cindy and Debbie for checking in on SuperChihuahua Chili.
Onward.

With Love

2009-06-23T00:56:00.000-07:00

Twenty-seven years ago today, God lent you to us. We did not have you nearly long enough. We long for you.

Broadway / Cotswolds

2009-06-22T11:47:00.000-07:00

This has been a day of adventure, as in 1) pick up a rental car in Bath and decide on the various insurance coverages, given the situation; 2) remember how to drive a manual transmission; 3) re-program my brain to sit on the RIGHT and drive on the LEFT ... which is tough enough anyway but unreal when one hits a round-about (rotary)! It was a white-knuckle drive back through central Bath (went the wrong way) and finally out and north. I do owe some apologies to a couple of drivers--whose horns are in excellent working shape.
A two-hour drive brought us to the amazing village of Broadway in Worcestershire, deep in the Cotswolds, where we will stay for five nights at Russell's, a restaurant with rooms above, directly on High Street in the middle of the action. (Our room has the two open windows over the front door in the top picture.)
We spent a bit of time preparing for Katie's birthday tomorrow, took a walk, and ate outside at a pub down the block. This is a beautiful place... for those who have been there, think the best of Cape Cod and Camden, Maine (minus the ocean).
This will be our base as we visit surrounding villages, each one reportedly more beautiful than the last.

{addendum} Abbey Evensong

2009-06-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Bath Abbey is about 150 yards from where we are staying, so it was a short walk to attend the Evensong service there. The liturgy was moving and beautiful, with extensive music on the grand organ and by the men-and-girl choir--I don't think I have heard that combination before.
In the midst of the service I was struck with the appropriateness for the sabbatical: Last Sunday it was High Mass in Latin; today it was high Church of England; a week from today worship will be in Babworth, where the Pilgrim Separatist foment really kicked into gear. This sequence of services is following English history rather nicely.
A walk to Jamie's Italian for tomatoes and mozzarella then another for some excellent pizza, and an end to the day by the fire in our room watching the Red Sox. (Yes, the fire feels good.)

Stonehenge

2009-06-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

Our B&B is located wonderfully, so we only had a few steps to go for the pick-up spot for a tour to Stonehenge, about an hour's drive from Bath through beautiful villages. On the way we saw one of the famous "chalk horses" carved high into the hillsides hundreds of year ago. We kept our eyes peeled for UFOs and crop circles... nothing to report on those.
Stonehenge is amazing. It is one of those "life spots" for me that I am glad I have had the chance to see... especially on the eve of the summer solstice; they are expecting 50,000 people there overnight! The audio tour that is provided is full of information, and I learned that most scholars do not think that it was a Druid site at all (despite the fact that they will be prominently featured for the solstice). Neither of us felt any sort of emotional/spiritual energy there, which somewhat surprised me.
Returning to the city, we explored streets at leisure, and then took the river walk ... just a beautiful, peaceful place with stunning views in every direction.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads, and all those who are who have been as fathers (teachers, coaches, mentors of all sorts). Yes, mine has had both extremes: Great joy at being greeted by Kel, Steve, Kayla and Aidan and great pain at missing Katie.
One last night in Bath, then it is on to the Cotswolds.

"Dipping" Into Bath

2009-06-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Bath, in SW England, was a Roman center starting in 64 AD (as a reference, that is about 30 years after Jesus). It rose up around several very hot mineral springs... still running.
In keeping with the monastery theme, we are staying at Three Abbey Green, a B&B located right in the old city. In the picture, our room (the Lord Nelson Room, if you please) has the three windows starting over the door and moving right. It is nicely appointed with antiques, including a wonderful big old four-poster bed.
So we are shifting gears from monastery to "normal" life. We have reflected on the last week gratefully. (All things considered, the Farnborough experience had more impact.) I miss the chickens, except at 5 a.m.
Bath offers a free two-hour walking tour, which was enlightening, and which gave us the overview of a remarkable and ancient city. After that, we headed for the restored Roman baths (pictured), much of which is still there and working (although not used for bathing). I find it moving to stand on the very places the ancients lived and worked, and this was no exception.
Bath is full of terrific things to do and see, and we hope to avail ourselves of as much as possible. In the time of the Pilgrims, it had become a rather anything-goes place, so it is unlikely they ventured here.
One happy note: We have encountered consistently helpful, interested and interesting people (fellow pilgrims, cabbies, train officials, monks, waitresses, etc.) We have yet to meet anyone who is curt or in the least unpleasant. I find that remarkable.
We picked up a few balloons (shades of purple) for Katie's birthday on Tuesday. For those of you lighting candles that day (9 a.m. AZ time), if you care to we would love to have you send along a message by posting a comment on the blog site... it is simple to do. (You will find the link right on the page.) It still seems painfully unreal to us that she is gone.
Tomorrow: A visit to Stonehenge.

The Abbey at Sutton Courtenay

2009-06-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

First off: Thanks to those who have made comments through this blog page. I get them directly and enjoy them, but cannot respond directly. Darcy: No bangers and mash yet... lots of other really good food, though.
The second half of our first monastery week is three nights at The Abbey, an inter-faith retreat house in a pretty little village. There are six men and women in residence from a wide variety of backgrounds. The Abbey was built in the 1200's as a Benedictine place, but passed through many hands. It is owned by a non-profit group dedicated to spiritual enlightenment; they are seeking to raise a couple of million dollars and looked at us hopefully.
We entered through a rose-laden archway and found this welcoming sign. Our time was not structured, which can be a challenge. Wednesday is silent day... but no one told us. The meals are imaginative and completely vegetarian (though one of the community said some of them hide steaks upstairs). Talking with the variety of people there was stimulating; they were most welcoming and had a nice way to letting people do what each one needs.
We were housed in the Guest House with one other person... Susan, from England, whose husband died in February. She wants to travel by train across the U.S. Our "cells" were comfortable but not plush, and learning to regulate the heat was a challenge. The bathroom was shared, but it all worked okay. I finally figured out how to use one of the English coffee pots.
I found the slow pace and peace of these days helpful. The only "activities" were walks through the gravel lanes of the village and a couple of pub visits. (English pubs are wonderful, and very different from what we have in the U.S.)
We had a very slow internet connection, hence the delay.
We now re-enter the "regular" world with an hour's train ride to Bath. Onward.

Farewell Farnborough - on to Courtenay

2009-06-16T02:46:00.000-07:00

Today we leave Farnborough for The Abbey in Sutton Courtenay, about an hour's train ride west. Again, I am unsure of internet availability so do not worry if the blog goes quiet for a few days.

The time here has been peaceful; the hospitality has been completely undemanding and genuine. The pub at the bottom of the hill (Ham & Blackbird) has wonderful fish and chips. I am very glad this monastery time was part of the sabbatical.

Things I have learned in Farnborough:
1) English weather can be spectacular.
2) The offering of real hospitality is not to be under-estimated in its power.
3) Monks are amazing... 8 services a day, EVERY day, in Latin, starting at 3:30 a.m.!
4) High, repetitive liturgy has its own peace to offer; God inhabits all sorts of praises.
5) Chickens are not high on the IQ scale.
6) Cows are your friends only if it is convenient.
7) Check if your electric toothbrush will handle 220V BEFORE you plug it in.
8) Grief travels unhindered across times zones and borders.

In case you couldn't tell, here is a description of today's pictures. On the left side:
--Farnborough Abbey... the brick part is the oldest (1880).
--A pastor needs a flock, right?
--Father Abbott leading a tour of the buildings.

On the right side:
--The South Lodge (our place) as viewed from the Abbey.
--Free WiFi at Costa Coffee... a big help!
--The dirt road leading to our gate.
Onward.

High Mass and Bright Sun

2009-06-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

I attended the highest High Mass of my life this morning... beautiful and mournful. The Abbey's organist has some renown, and plays the excellent pipe organ with great touch and skill. There were about 70 people attending, by far the largest congregation we have seen here.
I was struck at the peacefulness of the fixed liturgy in Latin, and the extreme contrast to the Pilgrims! (It was, after all, such elaborate ceremony at which they took umbrage.) The Abbey prides itself on the study and preservation of historic liturgies, and this reminded me of what I have read about from the late Middle Ages, complete with only the priest receiving both the bread and cup.
The day is glorious; so far our British weather has been better than that in Plymouth. On now to get more potting soil and return to our "cloister."

Farnborough Abbey

2009-06-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

[created Saturday... but I lost the internet]
We traveled 30 minutes by train to Farnborough, whose (by far) most interesting asset is the Benedictine Abbey with quite a history: The monastery and church were built by the Empress Eugenie, widow of Napoleon III, as a burial place for them and their son. The community has 7 monks, led by an Abbot of very good humor. (Yes... she was French... long story.)
We are staying in the "south cottage" -- a wonderful, spacious and well-equipped place surrounded by lush fields, trees, chickens (and roosters...no alarm clocks needed), cows and pigs. The cows remind me of my childhood years in West Boylston; as you can see below, I made friends immediately. The view from our deck (pictured left) is peaceful in the extreme. (You can see the top of the Abbey in the trees.) It has its own dirt road with a gate that is manually opened to come and go.
The town is a very short walk down the hill; we are there now for a WiFi signal and some food. (We are self-catering in the cottage.)
Benedictines take hospitality as a high sacred calling, and they are taught that Christ visits them in every guest ... no matter who they are or where they are on life's journey. (Gee, that sounds familiar.) Bro. Thomas is the Guestmaster, a delightful and helpful fellow. They are very laid back aboout what their guests do while here; all are welcome at any of their services. (There are 8 each day, all in Latin / Gregorian chant.) I am finding them peaceful; there is no need to try and translate or understand... a foreign concept for Protestants. They are occasions for simple mystery and majesty.
Liz right away planted flowers in the several flower boxes that had been neglected giving the house a more welcoming look.

London - Trafalgar Square

2009-06-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

We will only be here one night, and thought we were going to spend the whole time getting from Gatwick Airport into London... there is a subway strike going on and the streets are mobbed with cars and bikes. We are staying in historic and beautiful Trafalgar Square.
In the picture you can see the famous column commemorating the naval battle in which Napoleon was defeated by Lord Nelson (statue, on his horse.... wait, naval? horse?). Our hotel is across the square just to the right of LN. You will also notice a London black cab in the foreground.
The weather is gorgeous, the square beautiful and teeming with life (sunbathers, street performers, etc.). Big Ben and the Parliament buildings are a couple of blocks away; this really is central London. The people we have met have been gracious and quick to converse. It must be the sunshine.
In the less-than-we-like-it column: Liz does not feel well at all today, so she has not ventured out of the room. She hopes to feel better tomorrow; traveling while ill is no fun.
We are off by train for St. Michael's Abbey in Farnborough tomorrow, the first of the monastery stays. I am not sure about internet access there; don't worry if the blog "goes dark" as I will catch up when I can.
I will close with a picture of the Square at night.

A Museum, and A Personal Pilgrim

2009-06-09T17:04:00.001-07:00

The weather did NOT cooperate today... it rained heavily and was cold and raw. So we shifted the plan for the day, and spent extra time in the Pilgrim Hall Museum in Plymouth. They have the finest permanent display of Pilgrim items, including the Geneva Bible that William Bradford used in Scrooby (England), Leiden (Netherlands) and Plymouth. There is a traveling display in honor of the 400th anniversary of the Pilgrims' arrival in the Netherlands... including the original record book in which the Clerk recorded the decision of the Leiden rulers to let them settle there. Also on-site is an archive of original material available by appointment only.
I was struck at the assortment of items the Pilgrims elected to bring with them on the Mayflower. Most were practical, related to storage, warmth, etc. But some were clearly brought just because they were beloved and life would be less without them.
Of particular interest is the original of the Mayflower Compact, arguably the most important early document in American history. With it a group of rag-tag exiles, some religious but most not, agree to cooperate for their mutual survival in a simple democracy. It happened quickly, but the words are immortal and affect us still.
We kept waiting for the rain to stop so we could explore Plimouth Plantation at leisure; it was not to be.
In the heavy rain we headed south onto Cape Cod for a visit with one of the heroes of my life-- my dad's cousin, Barbara Silvester. You may have heard me refer to her in sermons: Because of damage done in the birthing process, she started life with severe brain and spinal chord damage. Unable to walk alone or do what other children do, she learned to observe and care and connect. Not expected to live past 18, she is now 85. Undamaged are her spirit, her sharp mind, and her positive attitude. She cannot care for herself any longer and is afflicted with lung cancer; she has given up her home and is now in a nursing home. "This is a good place, and they take good care of me," she says. Over the years we treasured her hand-written (how?) cards and notes; she was especially attentive to Katie at each holiday and birthday. She wanted to know all about our travels and several times wished us all the best. We asked the staff to correct the spelling of her name on their records (they put a "Y" in Silvester, as many do). What a woman.
As I write this, the Sox are leading the Yanks 5-0. A couple of loads of laundry, a good sleep, and tomorrow we head for London.

Plymouth, MA

2009-06-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Plymouth on a beautiful afternoon and headed immediately for the waterfront, where we enjoyed steaming bowls of homemade clam chowder while sitting outside and gazing at the spectacular harbor.
I have begun regaling Liz with fascinating (ok, maybe not) historical information about the sites I am seeing with new eyes.
The Mayflower II, a faithful recreation of the original, sits at anchor very near the Town Brook, site of the original settlement. One hundred and twenty souls crammed into this rather small ship, and historians really do not know how they did it; some slept in the open air, some in the longboat, and some in the shallop (which you see moored alongside the MF.) Touring the ship only increases the mystery. These folks REALLY wanted to get out of Europe!
By the way, the shallop was what they used to explore the coast of what is now Cape Cod, until they happened on to the sheltered harbor with abundant fresh water... which they promptly named after their final port of call in England.
You see pictured here two churches, so close you could easily lob water balloons back and forth. (Who would do that?) When the "Unitarian controversy" split the New England Congregational Churches in the early 19th Century, the Unitarians kept the older buildings (the stone one on the left... First Parish Church) and the Congregationalists built "new" ones (UCC Church of the Pilgrimage on the right). Both claim to be the true Pilgrim Church. Both have services Sundays at 10. *sigh* These churches stand at the head of Leyden Street, named for the city we will visit in The Netherlands where the Pilgrims spent 12 years. What is now Leyden Street is the sight of the original Pilgrim settlement, and a beautiful one it is.

Jamestown, RI

2009-06-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

Since we were going to be in the Fall River area, we decided to stay on the island of Jamestown, just across the bay from Newport, RI. The good news: The view is awesome. The challenge: There is no WiFi available.
The condo is on the water, at the foot of the Newport Bridge, in one of the most soul-filling places in the world--when the sun is out. The picture is of our view from the deck; Newport is in the center, through the bridge.
We narrowly averted disaster: While we were having dinner (looking at what you see) a load of laundry was in the dryer set to permanent press. Bottom line: The entire interior of the dryer melted, along with my clothes, many of which were also scorched. Things were so hot I burned my hand on the dryer door. It is amazing that the place did not go up in flames. (The resort agreed to replace my clothing.) [We always manage a few adventures; many of you will recall the piece of hotel that fell on Liz and cut her on our last sabbatical!]
We have spent some nice time with Liz' mom, Phyllis, each day. Our last visit included an outing to Papa Gino's and then the dollar store... two of her favorite haunts. She seems to be rallying some and has really enjoyed our time together.
Our time also included soul-wrenching visits to Katie's cemetery plot and a sign-off on the design for the burial marker... complete with a fireworks burst.
Next stop: Plymouth.

Full Friday of Family and Fenway

2009-06-05T19:27:00.001-07:00

OK, so now we remember why we love Arizona... our once-every-so-often Red Sox game was cold, wet, and the Sox lost.
The day had more significant moments: It began with a painful visit to the cemetery in Tiverton, RI, where half of Katie's ashes are buried right under a grand old oak tree. While there, Liz gave approval on a final design for a grave marker. It all still does not seem possible.
Later, we found Liz' mom a bit livelier than we were expecting. We took her to do some errands and spent the afternoon with her. Liz' cousin Mary joined us for a while to consult, and brought along some chowda and clam cakes. Thanks, Mary.
As we headed to Boston (and were stopped in rush hour traffic heading north near the coast) I reflected on how the Pilgrims, when they saw what is now Boston, wished they had settled there... but things were too far along in Plimouth. I am seeing the names and places with different eyes this time around.

Greetings from Roger Williams' town

2009-06-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

We have arrived in Providence after a flight from Phoenix with a stop in Chicago. Harold Armbrust shuttled us to SkyHarbor beautifully... we recommend his service. Leaving home and starting this journey was a big moment for us, for sure.
Our row-mate on the flight to Providence was Joel, a 15-year-old from Indiana on his first-ever flight. He was a bit nervous, and he was excited about every part of the flight. He was good company ... until we overheard his cell-phone call to his aunt: "I had a good flight. This old couple sat with me..."
In terms of my sabbatical: I am aware of the role Roger Williams played in the Pilgrim drama. In 1632, 12 years after the Mayflower landing, it was he who (in my opinion) embodied the true Separatist spirit and refused to adopt the 'exclusionary' Puritan ethos from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He fled to what is now Rhode Island, and treated the Native Americans here with respect. He was a strong proponent of a separation between civil and religious authority. He also believed in welcoming diversity as an expression of the greatness of God. These are lessons worth breathing deeply into the early 21st Century!

Departure Eve

2009-06-03T16:43:00.001-07:00

Getting ready to go is a big job, as many of you know. There is packing, re-packing, deciding what to bring, then re-deciding when reality sets in. Liz is a wizard at packing lightly, and I have worked my way up to honored lecturer.
Chili (our 9-year-old chihuahua) was dropped off at Grandma's for her sabbatical. Then there was a dentist visit in Scottsdale.
We spent some time (I cannot adequately describe the experience) at Katie's niche in Scottsdale; it is decorated with color and flair for her upcoming birthday (June 23) -- there is no doubt which one is hers. We will celebrate that day with many of you by lighting a candle at 9 a.m. (AZ time), missing her terribly, and sending prayers and positive thoughts and energy.
A Red Sox game on ESPN, a round of household tasks to get ready to go, some sleep, and away we go early tomorrow morning. First stop: Providence, RI, and a visit with Liz' very ill mom on Friday.

Leave-taking Day

2009-05-31T19:22:00.000-07:00

Today was Pentecost Sunday, and people did what I asked: They arrived dressed in bright, wonderful reds!
Joni Babbitt crafted the floral display pictured here; I happened to catch it in a quiet moment of brilliant sunshine Saturday just as the elements for communion were being prepared. I really like that picture.
Bruce Kline assisted in the service, always a treat. Just before we all sang The Lord's Prayer, Rusty Babbitt (Moderator) led the part of the service in which I turned over my bible and stole to Clint Reynolds, now the Acting Minister.
After the service we shared a dessert reception in King Hall; kudos to Cindy Fain and Kate Janecek and all their helpers for just the perfect touch. (And yes, the hall was ablaze in red!) The baseball cake was one of several along with other goodies. (But wait ... where is the Red Sox logo?)
I was given two new books about the Pilgrims, which will be great reads.
Onward.

Liz' Birthday

2009-05-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

Today Liz turned {redacted by the NSA} but we did not celebrate it as we usually would. "Happy" just doesn't fit; the absence of Kat(ie) feels all the heavier. We made a quick overnight run to San Jose to be with family Thursday night and marvel at how Kayla and Aidan are developing before our eyes. They helped with the filling of the KBBs (below).
Today Liz spent time finishing off the Katie Birthday Boxes which are being mailed to her friends. We are also inviting anyone who will to light a candle with us on her 27th birthday, June 23, at 9 a.m. Arizona time and praying / remembering / honoring Katie. (Some of the "sassy candles" from her memorial service are available in the church office.) We will be in the U.K. then, and candles will be lit in Switzerland, the U.K., New England, and across the U.S. wherever the word spreads. Liz designed and she, Kelly and I created beautiful hand-made cards to go with the boxes.
On to Pentecost and Leave-taking Day, taking all of this with us.

One week to go!

2009-05-25T14:39:00.001-07:00

"Leave-taking Day" will be this coming Sunday, May 31. It does not seem possible that all the months have passed since we began planning this summer's sabbatical (for me) and renewal program (for the church). Am I ready? The nice thing about having a date-and-time-certain is that I WILL be ready. This will be a busy week seeing people and making last-minute arrangements. We are grateful to the Lilly Endowment which is making all of this possible. Onward.