March 2011

Goodness in everyday life and being awake enough to notice.

Dear Ones,

As we continue our journey through the Tutu's book Made for Goodness, I wanted to relay to you a real life story from this past week.  It was relayed to me personally by someone close to me.  Read more »

Follow up and Feedback on young adults in the Church!

Hello, I am at the House of Bishops. In the days to come we will be taking up in earnest the issue of young adults in the church.  So, this would be follow-up to some of the feedback I got in posting "How to get more young people in the church."  These questions are for people 19-35.  Would love to hear your feedback and thanks for it.

1. What are some of your interests?

2. What do you do with your free time?

3. To what extent do you consider yourself a spiritual person?

4. Did you grow up in a religiously observant family? Read more »

Living the Eucharist??

Dear Ones,

As we continue our journey through Made for Goodness by the Tutus, I offer my thoughts this week.  In the second chapter Tutu brings up the idea of "living the Eucharist."  In this chapter we hear the amazing story of Ms. Maphosela and her living the Eucharist (thanksgiving) by reaching out and helping children with HIV/AIDS.  It is an amazing story.  It made me wonder, how do we live the Eucharist? Read more »

A Prayer for Japan by the Rev. Timothy Nakayama and ways to help!

Dear Ones,

Our very own Timothy Nakayama sent me a prayer he wrote this morning.  Tim and his wife Keiko lived and served at St. Andrew's Church, Aomori City in Northeast Japan from 1998 to 2000.   I also would like you to know that donations are badly needed by the Red Cross and seem to be the best place to give right now.  I have heard nothing from ERD as of yet but here are several organizations in which you could offer help in various ways.  For the Red Cross, you can do the following:

DONATE ONLINE:

click here
Read more »

Made for Goodness: Our Journey Begins

Dear Ones,

Well, our Lenten journey has begun and I welcome all of you who have decided to travel along in our study of Mpho and Desmond Tutu's book, Made for Goodness And Why that Makes All the Difference.  In the past two years I have provided a fairly detailed outline as a suggested reading of the book at hand and there is one thing I have learned in that time: in every way, wherever you are, you are creative and able to adapt to this just as you need to.  I have also learned that you have some of the best questions, suggestions, and insights and I hope this year you will continue to share those as we move along. Read more »

Mardi Gras and Carl's Piano

Dear Ones,

Saturday was the first of two Vestry and Bishop's Committee Days held at Emmanuel, Mercer Island.  That church is always such a gracious host and this was no exception.  Some pictures below of the clergy washing dishes!  Good for them!  The next one is March 19th at St. Paul's, Mt. Vernon.  Read more »

How to Get More Young People into Church!

Dear Ones,

At Saturday's Vestry and Bishop's Committee Conference and then again today at St. Paul's, Mt. Vernon, I mentioned this list below gifted to us by Tanie Fields Harkins, who has served as a college chaplain.  This came up in her blog and then in Bishop Kirk Smith's (Arizona) blog.  He mentions it is the most frequently asked question Read more »

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