Advent - the beginning

The season of Advent begins tomorrow. Because we follow the Jewish reckoning of days in the Church the day begins at sunset so it is already the first Sunday of Advent. I am to supply at the Church of the Good Shepherd tomorrow.

For those not familiar with “clerical speak,” the word supply means that I will be in charge of the services tomorrow. Being in charge means that I will preside at the altar for the Eucharist and will preach. I’ve supplied at Good Shepherd many times over the past years. For a year I was the regular supply priest while they searched for a new rector. It is a place where I’m comfortable. The people know me and seem glad to see me when I appear. When I know I will be supplying at some church, the week is usually spent thinking about the readings and what the topic of the homily should be.

Again, for those not familiar with clerical speak a homily is based on the readings for the day, whereas a sermon can be on any topic of the preacher’s choosing. For the most part I just preach homilies. The readings chosen for each Sunday provide the people and me with a good number of ideas upon which to speak and listen. The readings for this Sunday from Isaiah, Romans and Matthew all speak about the second coming of Jesus. It is a topic not normally preached about in the Episcopal Church.

The prayer for the First Sunday of Advent from the Book of Common Prayer is one of my favorites. It echoes some of the second reading from Romans. To me it is a masterpiece of English composition. So you’ll know about that which I write I will quote it for you.

“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal.”

Often when I meditate on this prayer I see myself standing before the wall behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel looking at Michelangelo’s interpretation of Jesus’s coming again in his glorious majesty.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Judgment_(Michelangelo) It’s a beautiful work but also a bit scary as you see people being cast into hell.  Personally I don’t profess a religion which scares people. I realize that when the painting was done, it was a common thing to preach repentance with a sub-theme of scaring people into that repentance.

I think that this Advent and this prayer has a particular meaning for me this year. One never knows how one will react to the news that one has a couple of months to live until one receives the news. The oncologist told me that if I didn’t receive chemotherapy I would be dead in three to five months. After hearing the horror stories of others who have suffered so many awful side effects of chemotherapy my choice was made with some fear and trepidation. I made that choice to live longer. Now Advent comes and I have another choice with God’s grace to cast away the works of darkness which I earnestly strive to do every day. I can’t do it alone, but I have so many holding me up with their prayers for which I am eternally grateful.

I had my second infusion of immunotherapy this week. My bloodwork looked good. My hair is growing back, rather slowly however. I continue to have virtually no side effects from the infusions. 

As I look outside winter has arrived with its usual mix of snow, sleet, rain, drizzle and whatever else can befall us before it just gets cold and stays cold. A major storm bypassed us once again. Tonight we are supposed to receive more snow. Only tomorrow will we know what actually happens.

Wednesday was a “snow day.” We had those once in while when I was teaching. They were really gifts because they were a totally unplanned day off. Without any plans one could just do what one wanted to, but mostly confined to one’s home. If the school buses couldn’t make headway through the streets it was unlikely that any automobile could! I still enjoy those snow days. 

My good friend invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner which was delicious and traditional. Last Sunday evening another friend had some former educators for dinner. That was a pleasant evening renewing some old acquaintances.

It was a good week and there were many things for which to be thankful. I am blessed in so many ways.

Can you see me now?

I know this title is a riff on a once popular commercial.  I don’t have a problem with hearing, but I do with seeing so I altered it to fit the problem!

Having been warned that I shouldn’t worry about new lenses until my chemotherapy was complete, I’ve reached the conclusion that my vision is not going to get any better. Evidently some persons undergoing chemo experience a blossoming of their cataracts. As one optometrist put it, you’ll get them (cataracts) sooner or later. I’ve had a “slow growing” one in my right eye for years.  That has progressed to the point where surgery is needed. My left eye has also become afflicted. My oncologist says to go ahead with the cataract surgery whenever I can get it scheduled. 

Last Sunday afternoon the Fine Arts Series at First Congregational Church sponsored the Chamber Music Collective concert.  It is a new group composed of two members of the Dakota String Quartet and a violist from the Twin Cities area. They were joined by the first-chair flutist from the SD Symphony. The program varied from the traditional (Mozart) to the contemporary. It was very well played and a delightful mix of musical periods. The performing space at First Congregational is excellent acoustically. The size seems intimate although in reality not small. It was a nice way to end Sunday.

Monday morning was the appointed time to visit with the optometrist who told me I couldn’t see too well.  No news to me!  He has referred me to an ophthalmologist who will see me on December 5, and schedule the surgeries. I’m looking forward to a vast improvement in eyesight.

I seem to multi-schedule very well. Busy days get busier. Monday afternoon I attended an OLLI class tour of the Orpheum Theater, an historic structure in downtown Sioux Falls.  It was originally constructed as a vaudeville house in 1913, complete with a railroad spur to the loading dock to enable traveling shows with considerable props and scenery to load in easily. It morphed into a “B” movie theater, fell into disuse and was purchased by a community theater group on a contract for deed with the city. The city assumed management through groups that manage other city venues. Now the theater is managed by the Washington Pavilion management group. 

The theater is supposedly haunted. We did not see any ghosts at 1 PM on Monday. There is a lot of history there and we got to see the public areas and many of the private ones as well. The “green” room, dressing rooms, and backstage areas are proof that being an actor is not as glamorous an occupation as one might believe.

Then it was off to the Rebuilding South Sudan through Education board meeting. This is the outgrowth of a project begun by one of my Sudanese parishioners several years ago. His original idea was to furnish school supplies for his home village. That evolved into something more permanent that being a school building. The school was completed, and a women’s center and a medical clinic, grinding mills so the girls could attend school, water wells for a clean water supply, churches, supplies for the women’s center and medical clinic, and numberless other projects small and large.  The idea of tablets and pencils for the students resulted in so much more.  The Diocese of South Dakota helped considerably at the beginning of the project which has now spread to other churches, schools, community groups and anyone else who would like to help.  Our main problem at this time is the lack of peace in South Sudan. We are hoping and praying that there will be a peace treaty early in the next year.  Now that the buildings have been constructed and repaired, the damage being caused by the civil war, our emphasis is on projects which will make the people of the town self-supporting. You can check out our Facebook page (Rebuilding South Sudan through Education). A new website is currently under construction.

Wednesday, along with my two exercise classes in the morning, and my volunteer job at the Pavilion in the afternoon, I returned to celebrate the monthly Eucharist at Dow Rummel Village.  I’ve been doing this for years but felt that I should stay away from “germ laden” places while undergoing chemotherapy.  It was good to be back. We had our weekly choir practice which ended with a little party for our director who celebrated a “big” birthday.

Thursday, along with other activities, our Foyer Group from the Cathedral checked out the new Thai restaurant in town. It’s always fun to get together with this group and to try the (non-chain) restaurants available in this city.

Friday one of my teacher friends hosted a luncheon for four of us who became quite close while working in the same building and continued that friendship as we all retired at various points. It’s always fun to get together and catch up.

Friday evening was capped off by an organ recital at Augustana University Chapel. The recitalist is from Atlanta and has studied all over Europe and Canada. It was a well played program. He commented extensively on the works but due to acoustical problems I could not understand most of what he said. I did enjoy the music.

Now I’ve just returned from the South Dakota Symphony concert which featured Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.”  A great performance by a wonderful group of musicians.  We are so fortunate to have such an excellent orchestra and music director here.

Henri Nouwen’s meditation for today spoke to me: “Never forget the words ‘In this world you will have troubles but be brave: I have overcome the world.’ Every time you spend silent time in your prayer room you celebrate Christ’s victory over the world (over death, over the evil one) and allow yourself to taste already now the peace that comes from this victory.

“It is so important for the people around you to see that peace of Christ reflected in your eyes, your hands, and your words. There is more power in that than in all your teaching and organizing. That is the truth we need to keep telling each other.”

Friends have constantly commented on how well I look. They can’t believe I’ve been through chemotherapy with such minimum side effects and that I am so active.  I’m grateful for all that has been given me and hope that in my interactions with others I reflect the peace of Christ which is referenced above.

I must credit my “editor-in-chief” for her assistance with this week’s blog!

Again, what season is this?

When there is no other topic of conversation in South Dakota one can always bring up the weather! We’ve had an interesting week with bitter cold and snow and then sunshine and temps in the 50s. I’ll take the later thank you very much.

I’m sitting at my computer typing these words which will shortly go out over the internet to whomever wants to read them. I think back to the days when monks of old sat in the scriptorium and copied books so they would be available to others. Many of those books took years to complete. Many of them were beautifully illuminated. Some are still around today having been carefully preserved. Hanging on my living room wall is a page from a book of chants, hand lettered and notated. Who know how long it took a monastic to copy that page from another book. It’s a far different world now. 

I thought about that as two friends and I made a pilgrimage to Omaha yesterday (Friday) to view the exhibit at the Joslyn Museum. The exhibit is the St. John’s Bible one of the masterpieces of the 21st century. The computer played only a minor role in the production of this book.  It is the first hand-written Bible to be produced since the invention of the printing press. It is amazing to see 76 pages from the Bible. The calligraphy is beautiful and unique to the Bible. The illuminations are stunning.  

I have the reproduction of the Bible in seven volumes, the same as it will be bound when it finishes its travels. The illustrations are good but they are not illuminations, just photographs of them. The colors are much more vivid and the use of gold, silver, and platinum leaf really gives the “wow” factor when you see the “real” pages.

The Bible took several years to produce and is the work of many calligraphers and artists. It was commissioned for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of St. John’s Abbey. Again, if you would like more information you can find it at  https://www.saintjohnsbible.org

When we travel to Omaha it is usual to shop and eat so we did that as well. Stops at Penzey’s Spices, Dunkin’ Doughnuts, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are obligatory since we have not those venues in Sioux Falls. Lunch was at an Indian restaurant. The curry was good!

The temperature in Omaha was about 60 degrees which made a most pleasant day. Along with the activities mentioned above two of us needed to procure the Advent Calendar for Cats so our beloved beasts can properly celebrate the season.

The rest of the week was busy and rewarding. Exercise classes, walks, OLLI classes on jazz composers and a New Zealand trip, choir practice, greeting visitors at the Washington Pavilion, serving lunch at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and a very frigid time on the river front attending a blessedly short rally on behalf of DACA were the activities of note.

I’m still feeling fine. I need to shave every two days now rather than once per week so the hair is growing again. I don’t think I’m going to get my wish of curly red hair upon its return to my head. It appears that it is going to be white.  I’ll accept that and will post a picture when it is worthwhile to be viewed.

Thanks once again for your comments, prayers, and thoughts.  All are very much appreciated and mean the world to me.

Have a wonderful week.

In the midst of November

The increasing darkness of the days as autumn progresses brings to mind and sets the mood for the liturgical remembrances as the Church Year comes to a close. The Feast of All Saints is a beautiful day as we remember those who have demonstrated the love of God in their lives.

This glorious feast is followed by All Souls Day, a day when we remember all the faithful departed who are not “classified” as saints. Most of the people I’ve known throughout this long life I would not consider as Saints with a capital letter. They are saints according to scripture but I wouldn’t put them in the same category as Peter and Paul, Matthew and Mark, Benedict and Scholastica. They need to be remembered and prayed for just a we trust they are praying for us as they await the general resurrection at the end of time. 

When I was a parish priest some of the congregation and I would visit the cemeteries on a Sunday near All Souls Day, walk around and pray for those parishioners we could no longer see. This, to me, made them a very real part of the parish family.  

I was asked by a college friend to explain to her Lutheran choir about a Requiem Mass.  They were singing part of a well known requiem and wanted to know more.  I took the time to explain that Christ’s Church is made up of three parts: the Church Militant here on earth, the Church Expectant whose members we do not see but know they are safe in God’s hands and are being healed and made ready for heaven, and the Church Triumphant the saints and angels in heaven. I went further and explained that this was made more real to us when we had to walk through the church yard with its many graves in order to get into church. The Church Expectant was right there around them. Now we bury the faithful in a nice park far from the church where they worshipped. We have a tendency to forget them because they are not close to us. The choir grasped what I was saying, I think. I hope. One of the choir members wrote later about going to the country church where her husband was baptized and confirmed and the real feeling she had while walking into the church that the departed were surrounding her as well as the living members there that Sunday.

The lengthening darkness of these late autumn days also reminds us of the shortness of our own lives. My own diagnosis of treatable not curable cancer made me more aware of the time I have left here and what I should be doing with that time. In other words, the prospect of my own death has changed my life. Having been previously diagnosed with prostate cancer I became acutely aware of the transitory nature of this life. The second diagnosis this past August was not the shock that it might have been. I accepted it without the anger that I experienced the first time around. The increasing darkness of the season could make one more than a little morose. So far it hasn’t affected me in that fashion. With my SAD it may.  I have a tendency to look for the good right now rather than dwell on morose. 

Last Sunday morning was a treasure.  I mentioned last week that that we ordained our new bishop. That meant that our Presiding Bishop was in the state since it is one of his jobs to ordain new bishops. The Presiding Bishop is elected by our General Convention to serve a nine year term. He is looked upon as our Primate. A Primate is the chief ecclesiastical officer. In other parts of the Anglican Communion the Primate is given the title archbishop. That was brought up several several Conventions past and was voted down. Bishop Michael Curry is our Presiding Bishop and has become known throughout the world as the preacher at the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. 

Bishop Curry was our celebrant and preacher at the Cathedral here is Sioux Falls last Sunday. There was a full-church crowd. It was a wonderful liturgy and a great sermon. Those of us in the choir began rehearsal at 7:30 AM so we would be out of the way for the photo-ops before the service.  Our Benedictine Community took advantage of the offer to have our picture taken with Bishop Curry. 

Tuesday I had my blood draw (this happens every third week), my visit with the doctor and the first of my immunotherapy infusions. There is always a waiting period between the blood draw and the doctor’s visit so that the lab can complete its work and the doctor can have the results in hand. All of my blood work looks good which means everything is going according to plan. There was a delay in delivering the medication for my infusion. This could have been made worse by the fact that it was lunch time and the pharmacy is still in the midst of remodeling. The infusion itself is only 30 minutes and only one day. The chemotherapy was three hours for three days. So this is, as one nurse described it, a piece of cake.  I’d rather have chocolate cake but I’ll take the infusion.

Wednesday brought our seemingly usual prelude to winter with freezing rain and snow. Again, as usual, there were a high number of accidents because people don’t remember how to drive in wintry weather. Not too much snow fell, but it was a foretaste of things to come since the weather prognosticators have announced a wetter than usual winter for us. The ground is so super-saturated already because of our excessive rain that any significant snow melt come spring will cause another round of flooding.

I enjoyed lunch with a friend on Thursday and attended a good OLLI class on the history of the English language. The rest of the week was quiet with lots of time to do what I wanted to do.  Today, Saturday, included cleaning up the main deck by moving the furniture to the basement to aid in snow removal when the time comes which may be tomorrow!

Thanks again for reading, for your prayers and your encouragement.

A trip to the capitol and an ordination.

It just occurred to me that it’s Saturday night and I should post a blog! Seems like only yesterday it was last Saturday and I had a whole week to think and pray and write.  

It has been a wonderful and busy week. On Monday I attended an OLLI class on cyber-crime which was informative.  I learned primarily that one should report to law enforcement not just ignore a known crime committed against you. The two presenters did a great job of trying to get a bunch of oldsters to understand what is going on in the world wide web.

Last March I had to have a new water heater installed.  The day the city inspector was to come and give the stamp of approval to the installation was also a day when we had a city emergency due to weather. It could have been snow or flooding or something else.  I don’t remember. They didn’t keep their appointment. When the repair person came to tighten the fittings on the water heater (to eliminate the gas smell I’ve tolerated for the last 8 months, he rescheduled the inspector who arrived on Tuesday and affixed his seal to the aforementioned appliance. All is well and the water heater is certificated or certified or legal.

Having signed all the necessary documents pertaining to Last Will and Testament and Powers of Attorney last Thursday, Wednesday was the day to haul of the paper work to the trust company who will be my agent when I depart to the Church Expectant. It is a good feeling to have all of that out of the way and know that no one will have to worry about anything I’ve left behind. While I could agonize over certain possessions and who could inherit them, the trust company is completely neutral and will just sell the lot. It’s an easy way to deal with these things.

Thursday I attended another OLLI class at the water purification plant for the city. It was very informative. I’m grateful to live in a place that takes great care with its water supply and has built in redundancy so that we do not have to worry about the water we drink. The redundancy thing has to do with several back-up plans, equipment, etc., so that if something goes wrong there is always a piece of equipment to take the place of the errant thing!

Friday brought an early rising so one of my Benedictine sisters and I could travel to Pierre in the center of the state for a meeting of the diocesan clergy with the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. Bishop Michael Curry made a name for himself worldwide when he preached at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He’s always been a fantastic preacher and it was great to hear him speak to the clergy of the diocese. 

We made good time on our travel west and north and arrived in exactly three hours. The rest of the day, following the PB’s meeting was free so I went to visit the Cultural Heritage Center which has a fantastic display of information and artifacts from the days when the native Americans lived on this land, through the coming of the European settlers.  I had been to the Center previously but with 36 choir boys in tow.  This time I could be interested in the exhibits rather than what the young gentlemen were doing.  

I had a chance to meet with a former parishioner who is on the national church staff later in the evening which was good time to to catch up on a lot of things.

Today, the eleventh bishop of South Dakota was ordained in Pierre in a lengthy and joyous ceremony. Now we finally have a bishop rather than a “bishop elect.” Now we can move forward to an exciting time for the church in South Dakota.  I have great hopes. It was a joy to be present at this event. https://m.facebook.com/episcopaldioceseofsouthdakota/

After returning to Sioux Falls, I grabbed a snack and went off to hear the St. Joseph’s Cathedral choir sing Gabriel Faure’s Requiem Mass.  It is such a beautiful piece and stunning in the acoustic of the Roman Cathedral.  

Needless to say I’ve felt fine all week. I continue to rejoice that the effects of chemotherapy have been negligible.  It has been a gift. 

We will see what next week will bring.