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.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
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.
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.
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!
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!
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