A sign of the times

This is not about church today..... or spirtituality...... it's information that is disheartening to report, but this is what it is.

Today I don't have to go to work @ the UN. In fact, all "non essential" employees have been cordially invited NOT to attend. It is an official day off.... because it is too dangerous to go to work.

In my 26 years @ the UN - we have never been asked specifically to stay @ home the first day of the General Assembly. Yet we are this year. A circular went around telling us that - unless we really needed to come in - we should probably take Thursday and Friday off too as personal vacation days.

Ostensibly, these measures are in place because of traffic congestion and street closures - particularly with the arrival of Mr. Bush later today.

That's all well and good....... but before this time the staff was never requested to specifically register on line on a special roster as being "on premesis" for these 3 days or to - with a day's notice - register "in case of emergency" names.


Pray, my sisters and brothers, that the meetings this week go forward without incident; pray for restraint and peace and cooperation in dealing with turmoil whether here or abroad.