Thought/Prayer for the Day

"Engagement with those we love and who love us is the surest way to handling life's challenges. Today, I am grateful for those who are patient with me, who know when I am wrong about something long before I do - and who love me anyway. Today, I am grateful for their wisdom and compassion even when they don't know they are offering it. G-d bless those who love me anyway!" -Brother Karekin Madteos Yarian, Minister Provincial of Province VIII of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory.

..the poor will be with us always ...

A turn on a familiar quote from Jesus ... but doesn't it seem to be true? More and more of us know someone facing nearly insurmountable financial odds. What can we say to bolster thier spirits or our own?

There is a very nifty little book put out by the American Bible entitled Poverty and the Poor In the Bible. It's inexpensive, informative and helpful in these trying times, this slim volume helps us to inwardly digest the radical messages, stories and lessons Jesus gave us. It's then up to us to put them into practice.

You can check out the ABS website for this and other titles. Their link is: wwww.bibles.com.

Faith and Finance

The two go together. You'll hear it every year during the stewardship campaign at your house of worship.

In these financially trying times it is an important discipline to look at our private and national finances in relation to faith.

Back in December 2008, Krista Tippett, NPR reporter whose feature Speaking of Faith is a wonderful program, sat down at the studios at Trinity Church, Wall Street, to address this issue. She and the Rev. Mark Bozzuti-Jones (clergy at Trinity) share their thoughts in this interesting video. Click on the following link for a short but provocative discussion of this timely topic: http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/welcome/?article&id=1046

Here on The Farm, drop in and see what Carol Stone is cooking up in Ways of the World these days .... it's just a click away!

An Interesting Internet Tidbit

Inspired by prayer to cast a wider net for information and sources to pass on, I found a very interesting article posted by Jesse Phillips on the website http://www.catalystspace.com/catablog/ . This site is a bit more on the evangelical side - and it's a smart move to see what all kinds of people are up to.

For the particular article that caught my eye, click on the following link: 45% of Megachurch Attenders Never Volunteer at the Church which was posted on June 11, 2009. Some of these statistics will be surprising.

A Great Remedy to Have On Hand

The Divine Miss Em, my EpiscoPup, has once again been "skunked". This may or may not have a great deal to do with church ... but if you are the owner of a pet who has undergone the skunk treatment and you are headed for church - or nearly anywhere in fact - this remedy will make your entrance less noticeable! I used it on Emmy Lou Thursday night and then on me, my clothes and her dog collar.

This mixture was recommended to me years ago by Rev. Richard McKeon of Zion Episcopal Church, Dobbs Ferry, NY. Thanks again, Richard. In a twist on Mr. Cohan's words: "My dog thanks you, my car thanks you, my home thanks you and I thank you!"

The Recipe:

One pint of hydrogen peroxide, one small box of baking soda, and a couple of squirts of any dish washing liquid mixed in a gallon of water.

DON'T mix the ingredients ahead of time as it loses its effectiveness within about an hour, and the mixture will explode if kept in a covered container.

When using on a pet, work the solution into the coat thoroughly, let it sit about five minutes, then rinse it out. BE SURE NOT TO GET THIS STUFF IN YOUR PET'S EYES, THOUGH!!

This solution also works as an effective rinse for clothing.

A Beloved Bishop to Retire

In case you hadn't heard it yet, the Episcopal News Service has just posted the retirement announcement of The Rt. Rev. George Packard, effective May 31, 2010.

Bishop Packard is a remarkable man with an equally remarkable history and impact. Kind, congenial and decisive, Bishop Packard will always be remembered with great admiration particularly for his leadership during the catastrophes of Hurricaine Katrina and the process after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Use the following link to read the article from Episcopal Life Online: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81831_109571_ENG_HTM.htm

Ecology, Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability

Debbie over at Hodgepodge has been putting up information on National Parks. I thought I'd bring a whole series of enlightening presentations from this past year's (Jan.21-23, 2009) Trinity Institute entitled Radical abundance: a theology of sutainability. The speakers are thoughtful, thought provoking and gifted. Choose one or many and enjoy! Click on the following link to begin your journey: http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/education/?institute-2009&p=watch