Thursday, March 5, 2015

March 4: Rev Christie

Today's honoree is one of my very favorite people, and my favorite priest. I met her[ yes, HER} in August of 2010 when she came to  Beach Parish as the new rector.  At the time I was attending Small Parish, but really enjoyed Christie's conversation and company.






When I moved to Beach Parish she became my priest, and to this day she's the priest who has had the most effect on me. Christie taught me to embrace my human foibles . She knows she isn't perfect--- and because of her " real-ness" I learned to be more authentic in my dealings with people.  Christie is such a good priest mainly because she's unapologenically authentic--- a trait that I admire.


I also learned from her that a strong woman need not buy into the ' strength is not feminine' bullshit that is put out by are media and culture. She's " all girl" yet displays a strong and capable presence .


I miss her terribly here on the Coast, but I know God will do great things through her in her new parish and position.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

March 3 Rev Cathy Zappa

Today's honoree is someone whom I just learned about recently. Her name is Cathy Zappa.


She is an Episcopal priest serving at The Cathedral of St Philip in Atlanta who is also the spiritual director of the only woman on Georgia's Death Row. [ that is fodder for another essay entirely}


Rev Zappa, as a prison  chaplain, ministers to and with some of society's most-despised citizens. While I do not condone what many of the people in America's penal system have done, I DO believe it is our duty as citizens of a civilized society to respect the dignity of each and every person. And ESPECIALLY as people of faith, those of us who follow Christ as our Lord and Savior are MANDATED to serve the downtrodden and the despised. There are many examples in the four Gospel lessons of Jesus our Savior serving those  in his society that were "untouchables". Whether we like it or not, we are also called to do the same here and now.


I shall admit that prison ministry is NOT something that I am called to do. But all of us can support those such as Rev Zappa who ARE serving among those in our prison systems. She is doing what very few people will do and for her service I commend her.


Amen.

Monday, March 2, 2015

March 2 " Grandma" Jeanne

Today's honoree has passed on to the next life. I think of her often  and still miss her, especially when I return to the lake for my summer visit.


Although I refer to her as ' Grandma' , she actually was of no blood relation to me.  ' Grandma' Jeanne was my Godfather's mother, and I loved her as though she were my blood relative.


She and I were as different on many levels as two women could have been, and I shall admit to feeling frustrated by and downright mad by her words and actions on some occasion. But Grandma Jeanne taught me some good life lessons, and for these I am grateful for her influence in my life.


She taught me the value of hard work and how to manage time. I remember working at the snack bar at the campground that my Godparents own on Sundays  waiting for Gram to arrive in her golf cart. She made sure that I, as well as the rest of the staff, stayed busy while 'on the clock' and did not waste time. I learned to be a good employee under Gram's watchful eyes.


Another valuable lesson I learned from Gram is to have an eye for natural beauty.  As an artist, she was fascinated with the natural beauty of  the lake and had an observant eye for detail.


 RIP , and thanks so much, Gram.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

March 1 My Grandmother

Today I want to honor my paternal Grandmother, " Anne"




Truth be told, Grandma Anne is actually my Dad's stepmother. Dad's birth mother died when he was just a baby, and my Pap married Anne when Dad and his older brother were small children. Pap and Anne had four more children, and all six of said children produced 15 grandchildren. I am the eldest of the 15 grandchildren, and spent a lot of my early childhood with my paternal  grandparents.




Anne is a retired emergency room nurse who earned her Physician's Assistant degree. Her entire career was spent working in the emergency room of Small Town Pennsylvania Hospital, , all while raising six children at home. Grandma Anne taught me early on that it is not only acceptable, but ADMIRABLE for a woman to be a wife and mother as well as successful in her career.


My family is blessed to still count Grandma Anne among us, and I am grateful for her presence in my life. even in her 8th decade, she's feisty and I love her spunk!

Friday, February 27, 2015

In celebration of women, 2015

It is hard to believe that February, 2015 is almost over. These past couple of months have been wrought with transition for me in many ways, and as anyone who knows me well can attest---I HATE TRANISTIONS . I mean I HATE transitions  of any way, shape or form. But in hindsight, these 12 months of transitions have been good for my mind and soul.


Yet, as I prepare to leave February 2015 in my " rearview mirror" I must admit that these whole past 12 months have been one long transition. Since last February I've discovered who my real friends are [ and who are the "posers" , so-called friends who are more fake than Kim Kardashian's entire body!


 I am grateful for the women who have came into my life and also for those ladies who are still part of my life. Since March is traditionally Women's History Month, each day I shall honor one woman, famous or not, who has played a big role in my life. I wish to celebrate the accomplishments of women who are known worldwide, as well as honor the ladies whose lives and work have impacted me on a more personal level.


Amen.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Forgiveness is hard

This Lenten season, I am focusing on forgiving others as I have been forgiven.To be honest, this task has been more challenging than I'd anticipated.


A lot has happened in the past 12 months, and although I am grateful for where I am and with whom I associate with now, I've discovered that my heart still harbors some bitterness and anger towards certain people who have hurt me. This bothers me for two reasons:


1. Christ calls us to forgive, as He has forgiven all of us.


2. I want to be free of the bonds laid upon me by my unwillingness to forgive certain people.  My anger towards these individuals has my stomach literally tied in knots every time I recall them in any capacity. Anger holds ME down, not those at whom my anger is directed.


How can I walk towards forgiveness when all I think about when their face shows up in my mind's eye is anger at their lies and innuendos? Does forgiveness mean that I have to " make nice" with these people.


Best Dude says " everyone is different" and that I should learn to accept that some people do not have the same mores as I do. But just because some people think lying about, gossiping and  ostracizing others who are different from their little clique is acceptable doesn't mean I do. Or does it?


I do not accept mean people. Sorry, I just do not and shall not .


But does forgiveness need to encompass condoning someone's bad behavior?


Only God knows.

Monday, February 23, 2015

what I did this weekend.... Convention 2015 Reflections



First of all , let me say that it was an honor and a privilege to represent YOU as an alternate lay delegate at this year's Convention. even though I did not get to vote, the experience was a blessing and a gift and again I say thank you for this opportunity.

After the first business session I went to a meeting on the Commission for Youth, of which I am a member.  I am excited to serve our diocese in this way, and I shall update everyone of this commission's activities regularly.

I watched the election of our fourth bishop in ' real time' from the parish hall at Trinity Episcopal. The process began with a prayer, and delegates were asked to remain silent during the voting.

The election process in itself fascinated me, and I was impressed with the orderly fashion in which the election occurred. As many of you already know, the Reverend Dan Smith dropped out of the election process the day before convention met so the voting delegates were left with a slate of only three candidates. 

Canons require the winner required a majority of two-thirds in each ' house [ clergy and lay voters} to become elected. after each ballot, each candidate was phoned  with the results and asked if he wished to continue in the process.   Reverend  Ed OcConnor dropped out of the election after the second ballot, so that left  Rev. Chuck Treadwell and Rev Russell Kendrick as the choices  on the third and final ballot. Reverend Kendrick accepted his election  and will be installed as our fourth bishop this summer.

In closing, this was a wonderful, faith-affirming experience.

 Pax Christos,
Sarah Beth
Alternate Lay Delegate
St Francis of Assisi , Gulf Breeze

Saturday, February 14, 2015

#50shadesisabuse

I know many women adore the series '50 Shades' But for me, these books are yet another example of mass media objectifying women. It is not so much the BDSM that repels me, as is the total asshole of a character that is C. Grey.  


The author apparently { I have not read the books and do NOT plan to do so] tries to create  Grey as a brooding & mysterious type . Yet from the few detailed analyses that I've read, he is  neither brooding nor mysterious.


Why do so many young women find assholes sexy? Why do so many men wish for submissive, mousy women without minds of their own?  Although I've never been attracted to  'bad boys' many of the women I know are or have been attracted to these men. I LIKE and always have LIKED  nice guys.


I believe that the "50 Shades" series and other books/movies like this help perpetuate the ideal man as an asshole and ideal woman as a meek, mild , brainless creature. Why are not more women drawn to young Katniss in the Hunger Games series; she's independent, strong [ physically and mentally} and compassionate. THAT  is a literary heroine whom I can try to emulate instead of the naïve and superficial Ana Steele? I do not understand.


Time to change the paradigm, y'all.


Peace out, and Happy Valentines' Day.

Monday, February 9, 2015

My #Lent15 discipline

 I want to let you all know of my discipline for this Lenten season.


This season, I plan to re-read, chapter by chapter, bishop Katharine Jefforts-Schori's  book " The Heartbeat of God' AND I also shall make daily entries  in my pen-and-paper journal regarding my reflections on the daily readings. The parish I used to attend does their own Lenten meditations booklet and I would be lying if I said that I do not miss that discipline this season. so I created my own Lenten study and reflection discipline, using the wise words of one of my favorite Christian author and scholar.


SEM

Sunday, February 8, 2015

proud to live life #likeagirl

My favorite Super Bowl Sunday ad was not funny, too high-tech, nor did it involve a celebrity.  Instead, my favorite commercial had a simple yet poignant message: Why and when did the phrase " Like a girl" become so derogatory? There is nothing wrong with being a female human, but even now, girls and women are fed negative ideas about what doing things " like a girl" means.


Girls and women are NOT " wimpy"


Our bodies are different than the bodies of boys and men, but that does not mean that we are any less capable of athletic, academic and creative success.


If we work hard enough, we can become just as successful in our business and professional lives as our male colleagues. Gender does not preclude success or failure in ANYTHING.


Also: since when do the same qualities in boys and men that people attribute as ' leadership, become " bossy" when girls and women show the same traits?


Since when are strong-willed, independent women who think for themselves  seen as " less female' than women who are not as strong?


I am really tired of the veiled and not-so-veiled misogyny that I see often.


Get out of the freaking 18th century.




SEM

Sunday, January 18, 2015

one of my own ' call stories'

Regardless of what anyone's beliefs { or nonbelief, at it may be}are or are not, all humans are called to a purpose. none of us exist to merely take up oxygen and other resources, each and everyone has a purpose or two[ or three or four.....} for our time hear on Earth. Today's sermon lesson was on such ' callings' and since I am a Christian, I shall take a Christian approach to this topic.




Discerning a '"call"  has two components One is the inner voice that tells someone she or he is called to a particular place, job, relationship, ect. Makes sense, yes?




I've spent at least the past two years in my own discernment.  for reasons which I would rather not mention, I felt a need to make a move from one Episcopal parish to another.




My decision to leave Small Parish for Beach Parish was not an easy one, nor did I make that choice to follow that call "suddenly" [ no matter what you might have heard through the local grapevine]


 I'd been in a conversation with God and with some trusted friends regarding this move to beach parish for quite some time. When the right mix of events occurred, it was God SHOUTING to me " Time to move". By that time, I was ready for the next step in my walk with Christ---and as painful as my parting with Small Parish was and still is, I do not regret listening to that inner voice of God telling me that it was past time to move on.




As my mom, she'll tell you that I do not listen to anyone very well or very often. God was shouting at me to get my skinny butt to a different place . Sadly like the stubborn Irish-American hillbilly gal I am, I still didn't listen. after all, God wasn't giving me any specifics about WHY it was time to seek out a new parish home, all God kept telling me that I needed to move on from what I'd come to know and love.[ yes I do love Small Parish}






The second part of the ' call' isn't quite so easy: Does the community affirm the call? In my case, I'd felt both the inner call to leave Small Parish---but was terrified of what that might mean for the relationships that I had built with the people in that community. Best Dude was and still IS a member of Small Parish, and the idea of becoming a two-parish household DID NOT make me feel good. Yet I was restless in the former parish community, and felt out-of-place among them.  try as I might, I felt lonely among them, and only continued to be a part of that parish because I selfishly wanted to spend Sunday mornings with him. Also, are we not supposed to worship in a church near where we live? 


For two years I struggled with these questions and many more. God was telling me what God wanted me to do, and even as I began to see the ' big picture" of what God called me to do I still resisted until some circumstances hit me in what felt like a literal slap in the face. all I shall say about what prompted me to finally listen to God's calling me was that it SUCKED!




 I can say with a clear and joyous heart that Beach Church has affirmed my ' calling' to be a part and among them. I only wish I would have answered this particular call sooner.


Thanks be to God.


Amen.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Bullshit and bullies : Adulthood Version

As usual, a Facebook post led my thoughts to wander down a metaphorical " rabbit hole". As someone whose Myers-Briggs personality type is INFJ and being slightly on the autism spectrum, I know what it is like to be a " weirdo". At my age of close to 40 years old, this " otherness" status does not bother me. As a matter of fact, after recently seeing how some  so-called ' cool kids' act, I am grateful that I've never been part of any In Crowd.


I've always been the sort of woman and girl who prefers the company of guys rather than that of my own gender. When guys are mean to you , one KNOWS one is being bullied. This is not so with girls and women. Female humans can be truly vicious creatures, and most of the time these attacks are not brought on by someone defending her young.


I can recall countless instances in school when my intuition KNEW that some girls were trying to bullshit me yet my lack to social insight did not let me identify exactly WHAT the bullshit was about. As I've matured in age and experience , I'm slightly better at determining the source of social bullshit but still feel deep sorrow when I am bullied, excluded or otherwise made to feel "less than".


Eleanor Roosevelt said " No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."


Preach it, sister, preach it!


If someone doesn't want me around, I can tell. and I've grown beyond giving much merit to such narrow minded people who need to be cruel to me [ or anyone else] so that they can feel better about who THEY are.


Yo Bullies and Mean Girls, I am sorry that you hate yourselves so much. But how is making  ME  feel shitty about who I am stoke YOUR ego?


When adults bully or exclude me, I am hurt. It sucks for someone to remind me that there are petty, childish people in this world. Of course no one is perfect, but grown men and women who intentionally seek to belittle others both anger and sadden me.


Yet I've learned that how these people treat others says a hell of a lot more about the state of THEIR self-esteem than about me. After years of not listening to my mother telling me so, I've learned that bullies pick on people whom they perceive as weaker or different in order to boost their already fragile egos. I do not understand why these people must hurt someone else in order to make themselves feel ' important' { whatever the hell THAT means}but their issues are not MY issues.


 I've also learned that women and men who continue to bully others well into adulthood hang out with others who behave in a similar manner.  The concept of Mean Girls { and guys} extends throughout the lifespan. While I am sure that most  children and teens who bully others grow into fine adults , I know from experience that some refuse to give up the cliquish separations that are so pervasive in  middle and high schools. This is sad to me that some people peak at 16 years of age, but their issues should not be my problem. Actually, their insecurities are NOT my problem. Life is too short to deal with bullshit.


The end.

Friday, January 16, 2015

2015 so far

It is the middle of January and I am just NOW blogging. These past few weeks have been full of shitty stress, what with the holidays and other such happenings occurring. I am sorry that I have not updated yinz via this blog, but rest assured that I am alive and kicking here in the Deep South. After 17 years of life here in Northwest Florida, I am resigned that this is where God wants me to be at this time in my life. however, I am planning not one but TWO trips back to my beloved mountains this year. [ happy happy] stay tuned to this very blog for more information....


As it turns out, due to an injury in my cervical spine, I have not finished the novel I'd started in November.  Have no fear, friends, I fully intend to finish said novel.  My participating in National Novel Writing Month is fun, but if I am as honest as I try to be I know it is damn well impossible for me to complete 50000 words in 30 days.


The big news is; I am going to be an auntie again. Brother and SIL announced over the holidays that they are expecting baby #2 this summer. Aunthood rocks, and I am so excited to prepare for the arrival of my next niece or nephew.


Best Dude and I are still loving life together. we celebrated our 4th anniversary of non-marriage earlier this month , and I can honestly say that I am blessed beyond belief with such an amazing life partner. While I am DELIGHTED that gay and lesbian people in this state can now legally marry, I for one do not need a piece of paper issued from the government to validate that Best Dude and I are indeed  " one".


I am currently training for a 5k race to be ran in March. so far, my personal best record is EXACTLY 32 minutes. My pre-race goal is 30 minutes or under, and if I stay healthy, I just might accomplish this goal by race day!


Although I've been a member of my current gym for a year now I've not found a training buddy. I'm also ok with training alone, especially since I can now listen to commercial-free music on my NEW Samsung galaxy 5s smartphone.


[ drum roll please....}


Best Dude and I joined the 21st century this past Christmas by getting smartphone.  To be honest, said phone is my latest obsession; the thing does damn well EVERYTHING. I love it!


Happy New Year!