Daily Musings

Peas and carrots

"There was not a needy person among them." Acts 4:34

In March, I was blessed to spend five days in Taizé, a monastic community in southern France. What I found was a simplicity that my soul had been craving. This simplicity grew out of the daily cycle of prayer, fellowship over meals, Bible study, and work.

It grew out of the connections among people from all over the world coming together in a single expression of Christian identity. We sang in one another's languages. We took Communion together. We talked and laughed and cried. We sat in silence with one another. 

At Taizé, the strength of community was palpable, even though the accommodations were nothing to write home about. We never had a chair to sit in; instead we sat on the floor or on benches. My back hurt a lot.

Our meals were sparse: often a simple bowl of peas and carrots with bread and cheese. I was convinced I needed more food. Our showers were lukewarm and we had to press a button every 30 seconds to keep the water running. It made me grumpy. The weather was rainy and damp. I was cold.

But here is the point. We always had what we needed. We had shelter and food. We had water and a place to rest. Truly, we were never in need-but we did have to shift our expectations.

At Taizé, you can't rely on the typical comforts of home, but you really don't need them. The beauty of the people and the common exploration of our Christian faith provided all the comfort we needed.

When my five days were over, I didn't want to leave.  I had come to truly appreciate those bowls of peas and carrots.

- EMILY COBB

Re-published from “spirit”, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA

Lessons from South Africa

Upon our return from the recent Chatham Hall service trip to South Africa, someone asked me if I would ever go back.  My answer was swift and certain - Yes, yes and more yes! 

The people on the African continent are joyful, remarkably optimistic, and spiritually vital despite the political, economic, military and cultural uncertainty that seems to be everywhere.

Christianity is growing faster throughout Africa than any other place in the world. Unlike churches throughout Europe that, for the most part, are empty on Sunday mornings, churches in Africa must have multiple services each week to accommodate the crowds. 

Even the little Anglican Church in Touwsriver, South Africa (a small town 3 hours west of Capetown) has two services each Sunday morning so everyone can attend.

Chatham Hall students visiting a small apostolic church in Touwsriver, South Africa during their Spring 2009 Service Trip

I’m not sure why the church is growing so fast in Africa.  I wish I did.  But if I had to guess I’d say it has something to do with how much sense Jesus’ words make to them.

• “Blessed are the poor.”
• “Blessed are the mourners.”
• “Blessed are those who are persecuted”. 

All this makes sense to people who have known little else since the middle of the 17^th century; and all this makes sense to people with a seemingly bottomless well of smiling, authentic good will. 

The message of God’s love for them is not one of which they must be convinced.  It is part of their genetic code, and worship for them is as natural as breathing. 

The churches do not have fancy programs or grand facilities.  However, the people have hearts and souls in which God has taken up permanent residence and they love to let it show. 

               - David Smith

(Dr. Smith was one of six Chatham Hall faculty members accompanying this year’s Chatham Hall students on their March service trip to South Africa.)

A Time of Grace and Awe

Last weekend, I had the privilege of serving as the Presiding Bishop’s chaplain during the consecration of Bishop Hollerith and the follow on meeting of Diocesan Annual Council.

Council was fairly routine and non-controversial. We conducted the regular annual business of the diocese without much difficulty or fanfare.

The consecration of Bishop Hollerith, on the other hand, was momentous and awe inspiring. Approximately 30 of the Episcopal Church’s 150 bishops participated in the service conducted by the Most Reverend Katherine Jefferts Schori, our Presiding Bishop.

In this context, the chaplain is basically the Presiding Bishop’s personal aide seeing to her needs and following or standing behind her constantly throughout the proceedings.

These long hours of standing were greatly rewarded, however, with the occasional opportunity to talk with the Presiding Bishop on a variety of subjects as well as to listen to her thoughtful and straightforward responses to a variety of questions posed by individual bishops, clergy and laity.

I found Bishop Jefferts Schori to be:

• Highly intelligent without being condescending,
• Factual in her responses without being arrogant,
• Thoughtful,
• Attentive, and
• Gracious beyond bounds.

In every interaction, she focused completely on the person with whom she was speaking – always listening and never hurrying – until the person had finished.

Whether you agree or disagree with her on particular matters of policy or theology, the Presiding Bishop is clearly our chief pastor and priest – and the right person at the right time in our life together in the Church.

- David Smith

Back From Council and Ash Wednesday

My first diocesan council was a wonderful experience.  Though I arrived without any theological or ecclesiastical agenda, I did have a personal agenda: to get to know as many people as possible and let everyone I met know that life at Emmanuel in Chatham is vital and very promising. I was extremely impressed with the efficiency and dignity with which council was conducted and the energizing spirit of collegiality and love among all present.  I already look forward to returning next year when we will consecrate our new bishop.

The number “forty” appears in the Bible a lot.  Noah floated through the rain forty days and forty nights, the Hebrews were in the wilderness forty years, kings Saul, David and Solomon each reigned forty years, and Jesus was tempted in the wilderness forty days. It was a long time. Today we begin our forty days of Lent. Some of us will put ashes on our foreheads and begin to consider our lives: the good, bad and ugly. For the most part, we Christians are taught to focus our attention outward, on others.  Lent gives us permission to reverse that focus for forty days.  Let’'s take the time.