Shrine Mont rocks!

We had a great parish weekend at Shrine Mont, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia's mountain retreat center.  Here are but a few images of the fun that was had....more to come...

Two New Bible Briefs!

Biblische Ausbildung: Two New Bible Briefs!:

From Professor Stephen Cook,'s blog, two new "Bible Briefs" to check out....

Dr. Cook writes:

"As editor of the series, I am delighted to announce the online publication of two new Bible Briefs. We now have 32 booklets in all, covering 38 of the 66 books of the canon. To access the entire collection, free of charge of course, click here.

Tod Linafelt of Georgetown University has authored our new booklet on the Song of Songs. It is a delightful treatment of this lovely gem within the cannon, and I highly recommend Tod's highly insightful Bible Brief (click here for the PDF download).

Our new booklet on the three Johannine Epistles has been authored by Virginia Seminary's own John Y. H. Yieh. The booklet is an extremely thorough and rich treatment of 1, 2, & 3 John, which will bring all readers deep into the heart of these texts. (Click here for the PDF download.)

Please enjoy these great new publications!"

Pray for Jerusalem

Prayers for Jerusalem, and the Middle East,

Pray deeply, pray constantly, pray....!

~The Rev. Peter M. Carey


From "Fiat Lux" blog:

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Each day the Anglican Cathedral in Jerusalem, and its bishop, The Right Rev. Suheil S. Dawani, are praying this Litany for Peace. Let's join them:

The Cathedral of St. George the Martyr, Jerusalem

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,Grant us your peace.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the birth in Bethlehem of the Word made flesh, Jesus your Son; who dwelt among us full of grace and truth.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you for his life; his death here in Jerusalem as he carried our sins and suffering, and for his glorious Resurrection in which he gave us new life with him.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We thank you for entrusting to us the ministry of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace-making for the healing of your creation.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all victims of bloodshed, violence and persecution and those who are in danger here in this Land -- in Gaza, Israel, Palestine and throughout the world.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who grieve for loved ones who have died in the desperation of violent actions this past week.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who promote violence, that their hearts may be turned to the way of peace.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for children and young people that you may fill them with hope for the future.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for the guidance of your Holy Spirit upon us; upon all the leaders of the Land of the Holy One; upon President Obama and President Abbas, Prime Minister Netanyahu; upon all those in leadership positions among those who bear arms; upon all the leaders of the United Nations and upon all those in authority in the nations of the world to seek peace and pursue it.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we praise and glorify you. You are our only refuge in a troubled world.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The Lord be with you.And also with you.
Let us pray. (in unison)

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to us and the people of all the nations a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that all of your people may use their liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(Hat tip to the Rev. Jim Richardson at his blog, Fiat Lux)

C. S. Lewis on the Clergy

Creedal Christian: C. S. Lewis on the Clergy: "Here's what C. S. Lewis once wrote about and to the clergy:

It is your duty to to fix the lines (of doctrine) clearly in your minds: and if you wish to go beyond them you must change your profession. This is your duty not specially as Christians or as priests but as honest men. There is a danger here of the clergy developing a special professional conscience which obscures the very plain moral issue. Men who have passed beyond these boundary lines in either direction are apt to protest that they have come by their unorthodox opinions honestly. In defense of those opinions they are prepared to suffer obloquy and to forfeit professional advancement. They thus come to feel like martyrs. But this simply misses the point which so gravely scandalizes the layman. We never doubted that the unorthodox opinions were honestly held: what we complain of is your continuing in your ministry after you have come to hold them. We always knew that a man who makes his living as a paid agent of the Conservative Party may honestly change his views and honestly become a Communist. What we deny is that he can honestly continue to be a Conservative agent and to receive money from one party while he supports the policy of the other."

The plastic bag

So funny, and scary...need to bring a reusable bag to the store!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw&feature=featured