Sunday, August 10, 2008
Lambeth Conference Reflections
Thursday Aug 7 I attended a reflection on the Lambeth Conference given by Bishop Don Johnson of the Diocese of West Tennessee; actually was given by him and his spouse.
Nothing earth shattering in this but a few things stood out in what he said and his spouse said.
He was surprised at how little the other Bishops knew of the workings of the Episcopal Church. I wonder how much do we know of let us say how the African or South American or Asian Anglican Churches workings.
He was moved very deeply moved by the recent Melanesia Martyrs, apparently crucified like Jesus.
He was struck by the various styles of liturgy but have having the same shape ( I think he used the word "pattern" at least that is what is in my notes). I am reminded of Dom Gregory Dix,"Shape of the Liturgy", which has been my guide for many years.
And the power of words particularly when we have to depend on translators struck him.
And then the Bishops spouse commenting on how some of the other Bishops and their spouses did not know about "Right Guard." I wonder what our odor is like to them. I think of the comment a tour guide at Colonial Williamsbugh said that there was one signer of the Constitution who had come to the conclusion that one ought to bathe every day; the other signers of the Constitution thought he smelled rather strange.
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
Nothing earth shattering in this but a few things stood out in what he said and his spouse said.
He was surprised at how little the other Bishops knew of the workings of the Episcopal Church. I wonder how much do we know of let us say how the African or South American or Asian Anglican Churches workings.
He was moved very deeply moved by the recent Melanesia Martyrs, apparently crucified like Jesus.
He was struck by the various styles of liturgy but have having the same shape ( I think he used the word "pattern" at least that is what is in my notes). I am reminded of Dom Gregory Dix,"Shape of the Liturgy", which has been my guide for many years.
And the power of words particularly when we have to depend on translators struck him.
And then the Bishops spouse commenting on how some of the other Bishops and their spouses did not know about "Right Guard." I wonder what our odor is like to them. I think of the comment a tour guide at Colonial Williamsbugh said that there was one signer of the Constitution who had come to the conclusion that one ought to bathe every day; the other signers of the Constitution thought he smelled rather strange.
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
St. Lawrence martyr
August 10 is the feast day of St. Lawrence. This is a very important day for me. It so happens this is my religious name day. Lawrence is the name I took when I became a member of the Third Order of St Francis many many years ago, +40 years. I chose Lawrence because I had long been an admirer of him since somewhere early in elementary school where I first heard/read of his death, more of that later.
It just so happens that on this date in 1963 I received my letter of acceptance into St Meinrad Seminary to study to become a Roman Catholic priest. I remember it distinctly as if it was yesterday despite 45 years having gone by. It was a Saturday. It was the day that my cousin Jo Anne Maynard, God rest her soul, married Cecil Cope. I rode my bike home to check on the mail between the ceremony and the reception of the wedding. I was so excited about being accepted. I had bugged my Pappa for over a year to let me apply before he finally agreed. I had real doubts about being accepted. My intention was to finish high school at St. Meinrad and then apply to the Trappist monastery of Gethsamane. I had already been a lover T. Merton for 5 or 6 years so the heading to Gethesamane.
It was the summer between the 9th and 10th grade. There were Minor Seminaries in those days. St Meinrad was a Benedictine monastery. There were 150 students in my grade at St. Meinrad. It was assumed even then that about only 4-5 of us would make it all the way to ordination, which as best as I can tell was pretty accurate. I cannot begin to say how important those 2 years there were for my formation and clearly were wonderful years for me. I would not be anything like I am now, at least in the positive way if not for those 2 years. I can recall very vividly many of those days there as if they just happened.
It has been rare in these past 45 years that I have not thought my whole life was not focused on this vocation. Very few seconds in which there was any question of this vocation, plenty of confusion and non-understanding what this really entailed.
Thank you Yahweh for that blessed day so many yet so few years ago.
The very 1st time I heard the story of St. Lawrence I was smitten by him. Could there ever be another remarkable story. I began to pray on a regular basis for the gift of martyrdom. I have often wondered what Jesus made/is making of such a prayer.
One can find many accounts of this life with little variations. Basically, he was roasted on a gridiron and as he was made fun of he said: "Turn me over I am done on this time." I have thought about this over and over in my life and cannot begin to grasp what type of person could do this. It is unimaginable by any standards. I cannot make any of the small slights of my life into anything like this.
A great deal of my life has been spent trying to figure out what motivates people to do what they do. but even more than the motivation how do people arrive at this point in their lives. This is not mere emotional response to something. There is something much deeper. It is this event in this life of St Lawrence that pretty much has pushed me to be so focused on how spiritual formation takes place. Is it quite amazing how something so pivotal happened in my life when I was somewhere in the 9-12 years old.
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
It just so happens that on this date in 1963 I received my letter of acceptance into St Meinrad Seminary to study to become a Roman Catholic priest. I remember it distinctly as if it was yesterday despite 45 years having gone by. It was a Saturday. It was the day that my cousin Jo Anne Maynard, God rest her soul, married Cecil Cope. I rode my bike home to check on the mail between the ceremony and the reception of the wedding. I was so excited about being accepted. I had bugged my Pappa for over a year to let me apply before he finally agreed. I had real doubts about being accepted. My intention was to finish high school at St. Meinrad and then apply to the Trappist monastery of Gethsamane. I had already been a lover T. Merton for 5 or 6 years so the heading to Gethesamane.
It was the summer between the 9th and 10th grade. There were Minor Seminaries in those days. St Meinrad was a Benedictine monastery. There were 150 students in my grade at St. Meinrad. It was assumed even then that about only 4-5 of us would make it all the way to ordination, which as best as I can tell was pretty accurate. I cannot begin to say how important those 2 years there were for my formation and clearly were wonderful years for me. I would not be anything like I am now, at least in the positive way if not for those 2 years. I can recall very vividly many of those days there as if they just happened.
It has been rare in these past 45 years that I have not thought my whole life was not focused on this vocation. Very few seconds in which there was any question of this vocation, plenty of confusion and non-understanding what this really entailed.
Thank you Yahweh for that blessed day so many yet so few years ago.
The very 1st time I heard the story of St. Lawrence I was smitten by him. Could there ever be another remarkable story. I began to pray on a regular basis for the gift of martyrdom. I have often wondered what Jesus made/is making of such a prayer.
One can find many accounts of this life with little variations. Basically, he was roasted on a gridiron and as he was made fun of he said: "Turn me over I am done on this time." I have thought about this over and over in my life and cannot begin to grasp what type of person could do this. It is unimaginable by any standards. I cannot make any of the small slights of my life into anything like this.
A great deal of my life has been spent trying to figure out what motivates people to do what they do. but even more than the motivation how do people arrive at this point in their lives. This is not mere emotional response to something. There is something much deeper. It is this event in this life of St Lawrence that pretty much has pushed me to be so focused on how spiritual formation takes place. Is it quite amazing how something so pivotal happened in my life when I was somewhere in the 9-12 years old.
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
Thursday, August 7, 2008
"Little Boy"
Yes I am aware that this bomb is also referred to often as "LIttle Boy."
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
"Baby" was delivered anniversary
Today at Eucharist and anointing service I asked the celebrant to anoint me in the name of the victims of atomic warfare.
This is a weary day for my soul!
It is the Feast of the Transfiguration, such a wonderful Feast Day, the Propers from the Eucharist and Office are wonderful especially if one has the old Propers to make use of. Yet it is the anniversary of the dropping of the bomb on the town in Japan that we seem to never quite pronounce correctly.
The name of the bomb "Baby." And the delivery was made.
I cannot help but think of Thomas Merton's wonderful, powerful, weeping poem "Original Child Bomb."
There were only 5 of us weary souls at the Eucharist, 7 counting the celebrant and assistant. And yet in my way of thinking the Churches should be full or maybe they should be empty with shame. "We were naked and so we hid since you Yahweh walked in the coolness of the evening in the garden."
When the bomb exploded the earth was left naked, people were left naked, bodies were left naked, and the souls of all were left naked.
Peter wanted to put up tents. We wanted to tear down everything.
Jesus was headed for Jerusalem and the Cross. We made that town into a cross.
Maybe we should move the Feast of the Transfiguration. No! It is where it must be.
Pray for the victims of warfare, even atomic warfare. vincent ira ciaramitaro
This is a weary day for my soul!
It is the Feast of the Transfiguration, such a wonderful Feast Day, the Propers from the Eucharist and Office are wonderful especially if one has the old Propers to make use of. Yet it is the anniversary of the dropping of the bomb on the town in Japan that we seem to never quite pronounce correctly.
The name of the bomb "Baby." And the delivery was made.
I cannot help but think of Thomas Merton's wonderful, powerful, weeping poem "Original Child Bomb."
There were only 5 of us weary souls at the Eucharist, 7 counting the celebrant and assistant. And yet in my way of thinking the Churches should be full or maybe they should be empty with shame. "We were naked and so we hid since you Yahweh walked in the coolness of the evening in the garden."
When the bomb exploded the earth was left naked, people were left naked, bodies were left naked, and the souls of all were left naked.
Peter wanted to put up tents. We wanted to tear down everything.
Jesus was headed for Jerusalem and the Cross. We made that town into a cross.
Maybe we should move the Feast of the Transfiguration. No! It is where it must be.
Pray for the victims of warfare, even atomic warfare. vincent ira ciaramitaro
Monday, August 4, 2008
Unique Episcopal Church
The last 2 Sundays I have been visiting Annunciation Episcopal Church in Memphis. This has been a unique and rewarding experience for me. I visited because a member of the congregation attended a meeting of the W. TN. Episcopal Diocese Creation Care committee and was impressed at what the congregation was doing on its own. Before attending I listened to several sermons by the Rector, Rev. John Leach. I was definitely impressed by them. Since them I have listened to several more and am still impressed.
The 1st Sunday I visited there was a baptism. I thought the way it was handled was good, though i would prefer the Font being at the same place as the Altar. It was clear that the Rev. Leach was atuned to the members at the service. I would estimate that easily less than 50% were cradle Episcopalians or of Catholic (not referring to Roman Catholicism) Theological thinking. It was a good baptismal sermon despite the lections not being of much help, I would have chosen others Sacred Text.
I returned this pass Sunday. The sermon again was excellent and creative theologically speaking and lots of food for thought.
Let me say a word about Rev. Leach's sermonizing. I would not say he is a great orator but what he lacks in this more than is made up for in his passion, well studied text, great illustrations that are very concrete and suited to this congregation, and most importantly he has incorporated the text into something very alive in his own being which comes through in a very powerful and real way that one would have to be asleep not to recognize.
This congregation reminds of many of the rural congregations of UM churches I served and am aware of. This is truly a middle class congregation. It seems to be of middle of the road evangelical theological thinking. High Liturgical orientation is not them, but certainly Rev. Leach is moving them there.
I post al of this for a couple of reasons.
First, It seems to me that Rev. Leach is the type of pastor so sorely needed in the mainline churches. I would say that pastors like him or the hope for mainline churches. If more of these do not show up the mainline churches are just going to fade away.
The rub here is that the denominational ordination committees are pretty good at weeding folks out like him and there is probably not many of them coming before them in the first place.
Second, I can honestly say that at this point Rev. Leach and Annunciation seem like an answer to a personal prayer of mine. I have for quite a while prayed for a congregation to worship with that is liturgical and Sacred Text oriented. I have found one aspect or the other in other congregations but not one that has both. A few more visits will let me see, but this seems to be very Providential to me.
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
The 1st Sunday I visited there was a baptism. I thought the way it was handled was good, though i would prefer the Font being at the same place as the Altar. It was clear that the Rev. Leach was atuned to the members at the service. I would estimate that easily less than 50% were cradle Episcopalians or of Catholic (not referring to Roman Catholicism) Theological thinking. It was a good baptismal sermon despite the lections not being of much help, I would have chosen others Sacred Text.
I returned this pass Sunday. The sermon again was excellent and creative theologically speaking and lots of food for thought.
Let me say a word about Rev. Leach's sermonizing. I would not say he is a great orator but what he lacks in this more than is made up for in his passion, well studied text, great illustrations that are very concrete and suited to this congregation, and most importantly he has incorporated the text into something very alive in his own being which comes through in a very powerful and real way that one would have to be asleep not to recognize.
This congregation reminds of many of the rural congregations of UM churches I served and am aware of. This is truly a middle class congregation. It seems to be of middle of the road evangelical theological thinking. High Liturgical orientation is not them, but certainly Rev. Leach is moving them there.
I post al of this for a couple of reasons.
First, It seems to me that Rev. Leach is the type of pastor so sorely needed in the mainline churches. I would say that pastors like him or the hope for mainline churches. If more of these do not show up the mainline churches are just going to fade away.
The rub here is that the denominational ordination committees are pretty good at weeding folks out like him and there is probably not many of them coming before them in the first place.
Second, I can honestly say that at this point Rev. Leach and Annunciation seem like an answer to a personal prayer of mine. I have for quite a while prayed for a congregation to worship with that is liturgical and Sacred Text oriented. I have found one aspect or the other in other congregations but not one that has both. A few more visits will let me see, but this seems to be very Providential to me.
Peace vincent ira ciaramitaro
Monday, July 21, 2008
What do I do about worshipping? United Methodist vs Episcopal!
I have for many years struggled about where to worship, that is go to church. As a clergy person myself I have found it very difficult to be in the congregation. Things just jump out to notice and comment on, and how I would do things. I guess that comes rather naturally since many other clergy have related the same to me. I have to work real hard to remind myself that I am present to worship God. I think for the most part I am able to do that. Yet there are times when it is nearly impossible something sets me off, more often than not a sermon, the music, or a liturgical act.
It has been close to 7 years since I regularly worshipped in a United Methodist congregation, (I am still connected to the UMC as a clergy person in full connection). That has been by intentional choice.
I have not found that as a consistent pattern the worship in a UMC fits my understanding of what should be taking place. All during my tenure as a United Methodist clergy person I have on at least a weekly basis worshipped in a Roman Catholic congregation or an Episcopal congregation. I tried to be incognito for the most part, entering at the last moment and leaving as quickly as possible with as little contact with folks as possible and especially the clergy.
I found that satisfying my spiritual need. But over the last 7 years that has not been the case at least in satisfying the need. Over the last 7 years I have not been part of a staff person in any capacity as a clergy person. This has left a huge hole in my spiritual life that I have not been able to satisfy. In truth I would say the hole has gotten larger and has had a very negative effect on my spiritual life.
I have in the last 3-4 years tried to fill that hole by becoming more active in a local Episcopal congregation. If there is a function at this church I am there. I attend consistently the Sunday celebration and the mid-week celebration. I attend the church school classes, the mid-week fellowship and special events. Yet at best I sense that I am only holding off the hole from getting larger.
My spiritual anxiety has only grown it seems.I think the reason for this is that I am not having a outlet for carrying out my full vocation, which means I feel constantly frustrated. This is despite I am active in a lot of ministry.
In maintaining my UMC connection it is very difficult to be fully involved with this Episcopal congregation despite all I am involved with already in the congregation. I wrestle mightily about this constantly, about what should be my next step. Should I give up my UMC connection? Should I join the Episcopal Church (TEC)? If so should I seek a place as a clergy person? Should I return to worshipping at a UMC? Or even seek a pastoral position in the UMC? The answer to all of these type of questions have strong positives and negatives no matter how I answer.
The tension between the UMC and TEC is not over doctrinal/dogmatic matters. There is little difference there.
Here is where the tension lies. The tension lies over my understanding of what my vocation is. Am I called to the parish ministry or something else? In what place can I best live out my specific vocation?
My vocation is to help folks grow into a deep spiritual life. I have for a long time been of the thought that the parish is not the place for this regardless of the denomination. Not that growth does not take place it does but not the type I am talking about. As a general rule the parish is a place that is overwhelmed with dealing with crisis. And I am eternally grateful that there is a emergency room to go to and folks who are called to that. But that is not my vocation.
I am aware that there are parishes that do more than that but I would contend they are rare at best. It is just the nature of the beast. As a accurate description parishes or not set up to do this and denominational leadership does not want them to be.
Historically that is why monasteries, religious orders (including Third orders), religious congregations, spiritual fellowships, etc. arose. They arose to meet a real spiritual need and movement of the Holy Spirit.
This is exactly why Wesley started Methodism within the Anglican Church. The Anglicans did not make room for this movement regardless of what revisionist Anglican historians say now. Methodism jump to a denomination itself has been less than successful in regard to doing what Wesley started it for. There are many of us who question if one can be a Wesleyan and a UM at the same time. One might could argue rather strongly that the Anglicans are now the ones who offer the best possibility of being a Wesleyan yet this is not a cake walk by any stretch of the imagination. However, I would argue rather strongly that the very nature of Wesleyan thought and other such holiness movements can best work within a denomination and not as a denomination. However local congregations, much less whole denominations, do not have open arms in this regard.
Then the ultimate question for me is what, where,and how.
It has been close to 7 years since I regularly worshipped in a United Methodist congregation, (I am still connected to the UMC as a clergy person in full connection). That has been by intentional choice.
I have not found that as a consistent pattern the worship in a UMC fits my understanding of what should be taking place. All during my tenure as a United Methodist clergy person I have on at least a weekly basis worshipped in a Roman Catholic congregation or an Episcopal congregation. I tried to be incognito for the most part, entering at the last moment and leaving as quickly as possible with as little contact with folks as possible and especially the clergy.
I found that satisfying my spiritual need. But over the last 7 years that has not been the case at least in satisfying the need. Over the last 7 years I have not been part of a staff person in any capacity as a clergy person. This has left a huge hole in my spiritual life that I have not been able to satisfy. In truth I would say the hole has gotten larger and has had a very negative effect on my spiritual life.
I have in the last 3-4 years tried to fill that hole by becoming more active in a local Episcopal congregation. If there is a function at this church I am there. I attend consistently the Sunday celebration and the mid-week celebration. I attend the church school classes, the mid-week fellowship and special events. Yet at best I sense that I am only holding off the hole from getting larger.
My spiritual anxiety has only grown it seems.I think the reason for this is that I am not having a outlet for carrying out my full vocation, which means I feel constantly frustrated. This is despite I am active in a lot of ministry.
In maintaining my UMC connection it is very difficult to be fully involved with this Episcopal congregation despite all I am involved with already in the congregation. I wrestle mightily about this constantly, about what should be my next step. Should I give up my UMC connection? Should I join the Episcopal Church (TEC)? If so should I seek a place as a clergy person? Should I return to worshipping at a UMC? Or even seek a pastoral position in the UMC? The answer to all of these type of questions have strong positives and negatives no matter how I answer.
The tension between the UMC and TEC is not over doctrinal/dogmatic matters. There is little difference there.
Here is where the tension lies. The tension lies over my understanding of what my vocation is. Am I called to the parish ministry or something else? In what place can I best live out my specific vocation?
My vocation is to help folks grow into a deep spiritual life. I have for a long time been of the thought that the parish is not the place for this regardless of the denomination. Not that growth does not take place it does but not the type I am talking about. As a general rule the parish is a place that is overwhelmed with dealing with crisis. And I am eternally grateful that there is a emergency room to go to and folks who are called to that. But that is not my vocation.
I am aware that there are parishes that do more than that but I would contend they are rare at best. It is just the nature of the beast. As a accurate description parishes or not set up to do this and denominational leadership does not want them to be.
Historically that is why monasteries, religious orders (including Third orders), religious congregations, spiritual fellowships, etc. arose. They arose to meet a real spiritual need and movement of the Holy Spirit.
This is exactly why Wesley started Methodism within the Anglican Church. The Anglicans did not make room for this movement regardless of what revisionist Anglican historians say now. Methodism jump to a denomination itself has been less than successful in regard to doing what Wesley started it for. There are many of us who question if one can be a Wesleyan and a UM at the same time. One might could argue rather strongly that the Anglicans are now the ones who offer the best possibility of being a Wesleyan yet this is not a cake walk by any stretch of the imagination. However, I would argue rather strongly that the very nature of Wesleyan thought and other such holiness movements can best work within a denomination and not as a denomination. However local congregations, much less whole denominations, do not have open arms in this regard.
Then the ultimate question for me is what, where,and how.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Circiling Home
I have been following the posting of Kurt Hoelting from his blog found at
http://insidepassages.blogspot.com/
I highly recommend this blog. I wrote this comment after reading his post for yesterday for the New Year
"I am reminded of the monastic vow of Stability which means that a monk will remain for the rest of his/her life in the place this vow is taken. And of the Orthodox practice of Poustinia which is a setting aside of a place in one's home in which one goes to pray regularly.
it would seem that everything in our culture is working against these because we are always pushed to move to the new, the next.
My spouse frequently reminds me that I need to pay more attention to the wave I am on and stop looking for the next one to ride.
And finally I am reminded of the classic definition of gluttony: "Thinking about desert when I am still eating the main course."
http://insidepassages.blogspot.com/
I highly recommend this blog. I wrote this comment after reading his post for yesterday for the New Year
"I am reminded of the monastic vow of Stability which means that a monk will remain for the rest of his/her life in the place this vow is taken. And of the Orthodox practice of Poustinia which is a setting aside of a place in one's home in which one goes to pray regularly.
it would seem that everything in our culture is working against these because we are always pushed to move to the new, the next.
My spouse frequently reminds me that I need to pay more attention to the wave I am on and stop looking for the next one to ride.
And finally I am reminded of the classic definition of gluttony: "Thinking about desert when I am still eating the main course."
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