As I tried to come up with a theme for this Clergy Clatter, I seriously wanted it to be something happy and light, reflecting the warmer weather and spring flowers, and the joy of Easter. But my thoughts kept going to the war in Ukraine. I really didn’t want to write about it, but it … [Read more…]
Good grief! It’s Lent. From where did that come? I usually have my Lenten planning well under way right after Christmas. But we were just closing down after Christmas – and now we’re opening up right at the start of Lent. That blasted pandemic! Well, if the pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s adaptability. … [Read more…]
It’s been a few years since we’ve have any significant snow around here, but we got a pretty good one last weekend. Max was not happy with it, since it was well up over his belly on my decks, which meant he had to sort of swim through it. This last snow reminded me of … [Read more…]
Last year at this time, we were frantically trying to figure out how to celebrate Epiphany’s 100th anniversary. The first service held in the building was on January 6, 1921. The Anniversary Committee had been working hard on plans, we were on the bishop’s calendar, and certainly the pandemic wouldn’t go on much longer. Well, … [Read more…]
According to NPR, there are three fruit that are native to America; Blueberries, Cranberries, and a third that is unfamiliar to me. I love both Blueberries and Cranberries. Chicken and Turkey just have to be served with Cranberries. So – a few days before Thanksgiving I stopped by Boston Market drive through and ordered a whole … [Read more…]
I’m writing this within a few hours of returning from our annual Fall Clergy Conference, now called a Clergy Gathering. Retired clergy rarely attend these meetings, but I enjoy being with long time friends, meeting the new clergy, and keeping up on what is happening, especially since I’m still in active ministry. The first one … [Read more…]
“Why would you suggest something like that?” That was one of the comments I got after my question during announcements Sunday as to whether or not some folks would like a simple early morning Eucharist on Wednesdays. And I do understand the puzzlement. Why make more work for myself? But the fact it is, I’m at … [Read more…]
We all know them. They’re everywhere. They walk out in front of our cars. They mess up our sidewalks. They are so pretty, but such a pain in the neck. Of course, I’m talking about Canada Geese. Recently there was a late night segment on TV about a goose that was discovered with a severely … [Read more…]
Well, we seem to have somehow avoided the 17-year invasion of Brood X cicadas that some of our neighboring regions experienced. Actually, I was sort of looking forward to it. I can remember as a kid being terrified of the things. I hated the sound that they made up in the trees. Something that big … [Read more…]
As we begin pulling ourselves up out of this Covid 19 pandemic, with which we have lived for the past 15 months, I want to reflect on some of my own feelings and fears, lest they just get lost to time. The human mind is blessed with an uncanny ability to forget painful and frightening … [Read more…]