felix hominum

Fly fishing at Fortress Lake

We interrupt our regular blogging to let you all know about the best fly fishing in the Northern Hemisphere.

Dave Jensen runs an outfit here in the Canadian west that specializes in catch and release fly fishing on some of our great rivers.

Go have a look, and remember that an all inclusive fly fishing trip makes a great ordination anniversary present...

St Andrew's Day brief reflection: am I my brother's keeper?

There are two contrasting sets of brothers at the beginning of each Testament:  Cain and Abel, and then Andrew and Simon (Peter).  Both Genesis and John remind us of what was "in the beginning".  Cain, after killing Abel, asks the question:  am I my brother's keeper?  What one brother has brought to the other is death.

Not so in the Gospel.  Instead, Andrew shows us how we best answer Cain's question.  "Andrew first found his brother and said, 'We have found the Messiah'".  Andrew brings life, in the ministry of evangelism, by bringing his brother to Jesus, the Christ.

Be your brother's keeper.  Bring him to the Messiah.

St Andrew's Day

Tomorrow, being St Andrew's Day (also patron Saint of Scotland), is an ordination anniversary for me.  I refuse to accept lavish gifts, therefore, I direct my myriad of fans to vote for felix hominum at the Canadian Blog Awards online poll.  You'll find us in category 12 - best religious blogs.

If we somehow manage to get first place, we'll blow the whole year's budget on a grand dinner party at the Faculty Club.  If we manage to get second place, we'll rent out the Power Plant and have beer and wings.  If we scrape up to third place before the voting ends, we'll have a private function at Leva Cafe.  If we fail to make the podium, I'll leave a haggis on the steps, and you can help yourself...

so the choice is yours...mmmm....

I'm not a saint, just a parent

A few folks have emailed this article to me.  I pass it along to you.  The author writes for the Times, and is a fellow father of a child who lives with Down Syndrome.

By the way, I hope you are not too squeamish. This piece is not going to pull any punches. If you find the idea of love uncomfortable or sentimental or best-not-talked-about or existing only in the midst of a passionate love affair, then you will find problems with what I am writing. I am writing of love not as a matter of grand passions, or as high-falutin’ idealism, or as religion. I am writing about love as the stuff that makes the processes of human life happen: the love that moves the sun and other stars, which is also the love that makes the toast and other snacks. Love is the most humdrum thing in life, the only thing that matters, the thing that is forever beyond the reach of human imagination.

So no, I couldn’t imagine what it was like to live with a child who had Down’s syndrome. I could imagine only the dramatic bits: the difficulties, the people in public places turning away in shock and distaste, the awfulness of a child who couldn’t say his own name.

I could speculate on the horrors of living with a child who could not do a thousand things. I could create a dramatic picture of life with a monster. But I could not imagine what it was like to live with Eddie. You know, from day to day.

That doesn’t make Eddie unique. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like exchanging a childless life for life with Joe. I don’t think anybody can do that sort of thing: it’s not what the human imagination does. You imagine bits that make you proud and bits that make you fearful. You can imagine reading him the Narnia stories, reading his glowing school reports, watching him score the winning goal and hearing the applause after his solo at the school concert. But you lack the machinery for imagining the routine of living with a child who grows up with you.

The fact is that nothing to do with love seems so terribly difficult when you get down to it. Nothing seems an impossible demand on your time, your resources, your patience, your temper, your abilities: not because you connect with your inner saintliness but because you just find yourself getting on with it: muddling through. Most non-parents imagine that they could never change a nappy. Then parenthood happens and they do it. It was the same thing when it came to living with Eddie. It’s just parenthood: everyone who has done it knows it.

So Eddie was born, and I have spent the subsequent five years living with him. Not living with Down’s syndrome: what a ridiculous idea. Living with Eddie.

read it all here

Sarah Joy's "show & tell" for kindergarden this am was "what makes me special?".  She picked her favorite CD to bring along to the class, and said  "I can sing, I can dance, and I can pray"

Bishop Schori, Catholics & the stewardship of joy

A short time ago there was an interview published in the NYT with the new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.  A number of Catholic and other commentators caught this little section: 

How many members of the Episcopal Church are there in this country?

About 2.2 million. It used to be larger percentagewise, but Episcopalians tend to be better-educated and tend to reproduce at lower rates than some other denominations. Roman Catholics and Mormons both have theological reasons for producing lots of children.

Episcopalians aren’t interested in replenishing their ranks by having children?

No. It’s probably the opposite. We encourage people to pay attention to the stewardship of the earth and not use more than their portion.

Now you might understand why a variety of Catholics have responded critically to this.  In the wake of this particular interview, the PB's office has yet to clarify these remarks, even though a number of folks have drawn attention to this.

So what exactly is being said here?  Well, I suppose it could be argued that the first statement is generally correct in one facet - that there are theological reasons for having lots of children.  I say having, rather than "producing", because producing is a term from industry, which makes products, and children are not "products".  Second, that first statement has the uncomfortable link between education level and the size of one's family. That is a hornet's nest waiting to be poked.  You may ask two things:  is it true that there is such a connnection?  And then you may ask:  is it good?  Sometimes the true and the good do not overlap...

It is really that second statement which I want to look at.  Is the PB saying that having less children trumps having more because of the virtue of "the stewardship of the earth" and not using "more than their portion"?  Well, as the father of 4 children, and hoping to adopt one more (there is still one more seat in the mini van) I must disagree.  Children - people - are about the stewardship of lives, the stewardship of joy, the stewardship of that which is made in the image of God.  I want to expand on this, but I must phone home and say hello to them, and remind myself of the blessing that I have.

The newest member of the Chaplain's Stewardship Committee offers his response:

Since I only have 4 weeks left before the end of term, let me offer a bit of free advice for those of you about to graduate and set off on your careers and life.  Parenting is a vocation.  I believe it is true that not everyone is called to that vocation.  But for those of you who are called to that vocation, know that it is a godly one.  It is not irresponsible to have children, even, dare I say, what we might today consider "many" children.  You don't need a whole pile of "stuff" for that to happen.  An acquaintance of mine once commented that they couldn't have any more kids because their house was not big enough.  I replied (he who owns 980 square feet of domesticity) two words:  bunk beds.  Seriously, what kids need is more love, not more stuff.  It is an illusion of our consumer society that we need a certain level of affluence to have a certain size of family.

Having kids certainly teaches you about stewardship of the earth.  No scrap goes wasted - you end up eating everyone's leftovers.  Want to learn about sharing resources?  Put 4 kids in one room with one set of toys... also useful for teaching conflict management.

Having children is but one way in which we imitate God our Creator.  We choose joy.  We choose life.

related posts:  Dame Julian, Jesus and procreation  the joy of sex

lessons & carols & food bank

Our annual Festival of Lessons & Carols took place yesterday evening, and a big thanks to all the musicians, choristers and organizers.  The final numbers aren't in yet, but we raised over $4000.00 for the Campus Food Bank.  Thanks all.

nature is a broken creation

One of the students from CHRCT 351 stopped me after church yesterday (yes, there are still young people who go to church), and we had a bit of a follow up chat.

The topic under discussion was the ethic of "what is natural".  Before we get into that particular question, you need to back up a bit and get yourself a worldview, or realize that you already have one, and take a look at how it shapes your understanding of particular and specific questions.  If you think that nature as we experience it is, in some way, perfect and complete, then you will have an entirely positive view of doing "what is natural".  If however, you hold to the Christian worldview that nature as we experience it is not exactly the same as creation as God intended it, then you will have some work to do.  You will need to figure out how and where the intention of God is, and is not, reflected in what we call "nature" -  human and otherwise.  That is the result of what we have come to call "the fall" - creation is broken.  It is not beyond redemption, it still reflects somewhat of God, but what is natural is not always what is godly.

We'll be talking more later today.

holy land pilgrimage update

A reminder that we'll be having a preparatory meeting this Thursday evening, 7:30.  If you haven't gotten your registration stuff in, just go to the link on the top left of the blog and you can download a copy.  There is also a download of the itinerary.

Dates:  April 23-May12
Theme:  From Exodus to Resurrection
Huh?:  We'll start out in Cairo, then on to Mt Sinai, Jordan, Jerusalem, and various places referenced in the Gospels.

best and worst of felix hominum

Since I'm getting a few visitors regarding the Canadian Blog Awards polling site, I thought I would throw out a bit of the best and worst of felix hominum so you can get a flavour of who I am and what I blog about.

• how i resolved the ID - Evolution debate (light)
• Liturgy for the Blessing of a Mini Van (light, except for the Liturgists)
• some elementary Hooker on the Sacraments (medium)
• how a word dies: "inclusive" (heavy)
• the public tragedy of genetic testing & abortion (heavy)
• have your kids ever caught you at it? (light)

I'm the Anglican Chaplain at the University of Alberta.  I'm into the Book of Common Prayer for my personal prayer life, though at sol cafe there is a different flavor.  I write what I hope is the response Jesus calls me to on a variety of issues.  I am married to Mrs. Felix.  We have four kids, one of whom lives with Down Syndrome.  Here's a little article I wrote for the Anglican Planet.  I am interested in spirituality of the intellectually disabled.  I do some stuff with L'arche.  I like biking whan it's -25.  I believe Jesus calls us to follow and worship Him.

Now you know.  A bit.

prayers for healing

For a fellow local blogger:

It has been a little over a week and the nightmare will not stop. Last Tuesday, I was diagnosed with Leukaemia and no matter what I do, this is something that just won't go away.

The appointment with the specialist this afternoon, a semi-public ceremony of the Sacrament of the Sick (extreme unction, annointing, laying on of the hands, etc) tomorrow morning in the presence of the staff and residents of St. Joseph's College, an afternoon visit and tour of the Cross Cancer Institute, a weekend move into the home of a very friendly and hospitable Dean of the Diocese who is willing to adopt another child for the time being, hat shopping, a serious hair cut... and all before the bloody treatment starts on Monday.

El ángel más pequeño

we will keep you in our prayers

cultural appropriation of bagpipes

See if you know:  A] the event, B] the location, and C] the various religious groups?

 

Carleton University Student Council to Ban Pro-Life Groups?

UPDATE:   Anti-abortion groups on notice after CUSA tables policy amendment

Here's the lead from the Carleton University student paper:

Written by Sarah Bockstael   
Thursday, 23 November 2006

Sparks flew during question period at a Nov. 21 Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) council meeting after a motion that would prevent pro-life groups from assembling on CUSA space was tabled.

The motion — moved by Katy McIntyre, CUSA vice-president (student services), on behalf of the Womyn’s Centre — would amend the campus discrimination policy to state that “no CUSA resources, space, recognition or funding be allocated for anti-choice purposes.”

The motion was met with resistance from Carleton University Lifeline, a pro-life student organization that was denied CUSA club status at an Oct. 26 council meeting.

The easiest way to slice baloney is thinly.  I'll be cutting into this one piece at a time.  But for now I have a memory in the back of my mind of George Grant delivering a lecture at my old alma mater.  The University is failing.

Katy McIntyre, (VP Student Services) the mover of the motion, is also in charge of this:

This committee works to ensure that both events held and services provided by CUSA are accessible to all students. As well, it aims to raise awareness of issues affecting students with disabilities on campus.

Ms McIntyre, let me draw attention to an issue affecting certain students with disabilities.  Let me take just one thin slice.  Here at the U of A I've met several students who live with Down Syndrome and other conditions which we consider to be disabilities.  In order to raise awareness of issues affecting them, let me draw your attention to just one issue: abortion of their kind of person, simply because, well, it's their kind of person.

Thank you for your attention to this detail.

(Original post below)

Buzzing around the academic & blogospheric network for the past little while has been a report that Carleton University Student Council has been considering amending it's constitution so that "pro-life" student groups would be effectively nixed from campus.

In other news, universities are places of thought and open discussion.

I'll see if I can find some first hand info on this...all I've seen is second hand, and not the actual text of a motion.   

UPDATE:  a few people have been wondering about contacting Carleton:

To RESPECTFULLY express concerns to the University:

Dr. Samy Mahmoud
President and Vice-Chancellor Pro Tempore
Office of the President
503 Tory Building
1125 Colonel By Drive,
Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6
Canada

Phone: 613 520-3801
Fax: 613 520-4474

Email: [email protected]

Blogs, Art, Felt

UPDATE on the Canadian Blog Awards:

Since I work at a University, the most natural thing in the world is to plagiarize modify and build upon an existing body of work, and then publish it as your own research.  You just need to cite the sources and put in footnotes.  So I thought I would just steal what Jamie (the current frontrunner) posted over at (e)mergent Voyageurs:

Wow! I could hardly believe it when I was nominated for a 2006 Canadian Blog Award in the category of Best Religious Blog. Well, the first round of voting is done and it turns out I cleared the top five! In fact, I ended up in the number one position. The next round of voting begins on Saturday, so PLEASE jump in and help out. Again, here's how it's done:

1. Go to http://cba.myblahg.com/
2. Scroll down to "Best Religious Blog"
3. Select (e)mergent Voyageurs Felix Hominum
4. Scroll to the bottom to vote. You are NOT required to vote in any other    category, but you are free to.
5. Repeat daily (wink)

Any way you can help get the word out on this thoroughly self-indulgent request is greatly appreciated. Due to a cold, I will be foregoing a Friday Art Reflection this week, but the discussion from last weeks is still going strong, so head on over and weigh in (it's all about nudity).

1*  (e)mergent Voyageurs, 2006

Now, the key to success in the academic world is to make some minor adjustments so that your published work builds upon, and yet goes beyond, previously established work.  Hence, here at Felix  Hominum, we will have Friday Art Blogging today!!!

"3 Puppets on the Floor, or, a Trinity in Felt"

Private Collection:  used by permission

Pope Benedict and Archbishop Rowan Williams agree

[Vatican City]

An historic meeting between His Holiness Pope Benedict and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams ended today with the publication of a joint declaration, outlining significant areas where the two share a commmon mind for the future of the Church.

Apart from mutual appreciation of holy bling in the form of large pectoral crosses, the two agree that in the tightly contested Canadian Blog Awards, they would be voting for felix hominum in the category of best religious blog.  "It's Latin, you know", Benedict was reported to have said to the Archbishop (see photo).  "Wwyddrnnyyn", replied the Welsh born Williams in his native tongue.

Officials from the Anglican Communion Office then pinned notes to the leaders' lapels, reminding them to vote every day from November 25 through December 1.

winter cycling III

First you have to ask Boethius what the weather is like. 

He happens to live in the backyard, and is the work of local sculptor Rob Willms.  Boethius says it is snowing...

Next you just get ready to hop on the bike.

Here I am prepared for the Edmonton winter...

...through the river valley...

groat road...

The last part of the current commute route is Emily Murphy Hill, at which point I knew that if I got off the bike to take a picture, I would be dead in my tracks, so maybe there will be a shot on the way home...

currently snowing, windchill -26

related posts:  winter cycling in Edmonton,  winter cycling part II

ps I wonder if little adamson is biking these days?

a prayer is a difficult thing

let us grow old together
you and I
as winter comes to me
for you a summer's eve

no longer remembering
both of us, we may look
and just forget until He
who holds the fullness
remembers both and gives
new life

you remember me
and I you, as you
were meant to be

(I believe in the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come)

Just playin' around with words for a moment.

The connection between Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease is complex. Studies of the brains of people with Down syndrome reveal that, by the age of 40, almost all develop the brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer's disease... info

I'll be about 75 when SJ is 40. God willing.

I've been asked to write a prayer for parents facing difficult prenatal diagnosis.  It is a difficult thing.  It is difficult to write such a prayer;  it is difficult to hear such news;  it is difficult to pray at such a time.

When the prayer is written, I'll post it.

Matthew 6.26:

Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

two tips from Ian

Ian's Messy Desk has drawn my attention to the annual Salvation Army Christmas campaign - and we can help Ian win an ipod nano (there would not be a more deserving guy).

Ian also does some photography, and you can see a sample here.

church dialog box: choose application

You've seen the little box often enough:

It's always asking you to choose an application.

"when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy"

While we were chatting about the place of music in the church last sunday at sol cafe, a few thoughts were rumbling around. That little quote from Job expresses something about "music" as something which, in a way, is built into the structure of creation - what an older generation might have called the music of the spheres.

Second, there was a question raised about "application".  Now there are many, many, many things in the Scriptures which invite us to "application" - to a "doing something about".  The Christian life is an active one.  But it is also a contemplative one.  Sometimes we are not called to choose an application; we are called to a contemplative adoration in the presence of God.  Yes, it's a tricky sort of thing;  and it's open to all sorts of misinterpretation.  But the focus is on God, rather than our activity,

Canadian Blog Awards update

... picked up Mrs. Felix from the airport last evening.  I assume that means my vote tally for round one will double.  She says she'll vote for me, but it's gonna cost...

Today is the last day of round one voting.  I've got two nominations:  best religious blog and best blog post.  You can find the polls here, just scroll down to the appropriate category and cast your vote (you don't have to vote in every category).

how do you keep a Saskatchewan Roughrider out of your yard?

Answer:  put up goal posts.

CFL Grey Cup trashing from Magic Statistics.

next sol cafe @ Sally Ann

On Sunday November 26, starting 5ish pm, the sol cafe will be having its monthly "service service" where our time of worship and fellowship takes the form of some community action. This month we are back at the Salvation Army to do... well... whatever they need us to do. Meet at the downtown depot (address to come shortly), or if you need a lift, let us know -- we'll have our usual 'shuttle service' from Cafe Dabar.

We will then complete the evening across town at Japanese Bistro Kobe, in Callingwood Mall at the corner of 69th and 177th Street (just south of the west end YMCA). The restaurant is connected to one of our sol cafe irregulars, so we're excited to take in a little 'sol food' of the non-figurative kind. If you can only join us for dinner, we aim to be there around 7 pm.

Canadian response to the Windsor Report

Caution:  Anglican family matters follow:

Summary of a Draft Response to the Windsor Report

The Windsor Report Response Group

The Windsor Report Response Group was asked to prepare a draft response to the Windsor Report on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada. The members of the group were chosen in 2004 from the Partners in Mission Committee, the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee, and the House of Bishops, with staff support.

Following the publication of the Windsor Report in October 2004, Canadian Anglicans were asked by the Primate to send in responses to it. The Windsor Report Response Group read the responses and recorded opinions and concerns. A report was prepared for the Primate to take to the Primates’ Meeting in Dromantine in February 2005.

The group has been called together again and has prepared a draft response for the Council of General Synod to consider. The final response will be brought to the General Synod for approval and forwarding to the Anglican Communion in June 2007.

A Summary of the Draft Response
    •     As Canadian Anglicans, we are committed to our membership in the Anglican Communion
    •      We see our response as part of a process of exploration and discernment, as we work with other Provinces to understand the nature of the Communion we share. The Windsor Report is an important contribution to this process

In the report, we find much to affirm and celebrate:
    •     Our unity based on “our common identity in Christ”
    •     Our commitment to “the furtherance of God’s mission within the world”
    •     Our growing understanding of that call to unity in diversity
    •     The importance of Scripture and our commitment to exploring Scripture together
    •     Our commitment to the Lambeth Quadrilateral
    •     The role of bishops in the Anglican Communion and our concern over the intervention of some bishops in Provinces, dioceses and parishes other than their own
    •     The Shared Episcopal Ministry scheme as an appropriate model of supplementary episcopal oversight
    •     Our commitment to the listening process
    •     Our concern for the human rights and pastoral care of all
    •     An acknowledgement that our processes of synodical decision-making take time

We outline recent events and actions in the Anglican Church of Canada relating to the blessing of same sex unions, noting the expression of regret of the Bishop of New Westminster in response to the call of the Windsor Report. We await the discussion of the Windsor Report and the St. Michael Report at General Synod, 2007.

We find some areas where we feel more work needs to be done in our own church and in the Communion:
    •     A deeper understanding of how reports and statements of international Anglican bodies are received and made effective in each member Province
    •     Further discussions on the authority of Scripture
    •     More exploration of how authority is exercised in the Communion
    •     A recognition of the importance of providing opportunities for laity and clergy to share in decision-making at all levels
    •     Further work on the development of an Anglican Covenant, exploring a variety of models.

Conclusion

We affirm our willingness to work with other Provinces to develop a relationship of trust in the Anglican Communion.

Possible Resolutions to Consider at General Synod
    1     A motion to forward the response to the office of the Anglican Communion.
    2      A motion to affirm the commitment of the Anglican Church of Canada to membership in the Anglican Communion, and our willingness to participate in ongoing discussions about life in the communion.
    3      A motion expressing regret at the hurt felt as a consequence of actions taken by our church.
    4      A motion affirming our resolve to maintain and increase at a variety of levels partnerships and visits, exchange and communication, in order to foster communion relationships.
    5      A motion to affirm our commitment to the Lambeth Quadrilateral, noting with appreciation the statement of the primates in 2000.
    6      A motion affirming our willingness to enter into the process of developing an Anglican Covenant

Membership of the Windsor Report Response Group

Dr. Patricia Bays, Diocese of Ottawa (Chair)
The Rt. Rev’d Michael Bedford-Jones, Bishop of Trent Durham, Diocese of Toronto
The Rt. Rev’d Peter Coffin, Bishop of Ottawa
Canon Dr. Timothy Connor, Diocese of Huron
The Rt. Rev’d James Cowan, Bishop of British Columbia
The Ven. Peter Fenty, Diocese of Toronto
Ms. Cynthia Haines-Turner, Diocese of Western Newfoundland
The Rt. Rev’d Colin Johnson, Bishop of Toronto
Staff: Canon Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan, the Ven. Paul Feheley

Please send responses to Canon Barnett-Cowan, 80 Hayden St., Toronto On M4Y 3G2,

Local PBSC event: anglicans & catholics & doctrine & same sex blessings

Monday, November 20th the Prayer Book Society of Canada, Edmonton branch will be hosting a presentation at St John the Evangelist Anglican Church.  The talk will discuss General Synod 2007 and their dealing with the question of doctrine as it relates to marriage of same-sex couples; the St Michael's Report, which attempts to answer the doctrine question and the Anglican church as a community pulled between catholic and protestant poles.

St John's: 11111 - 57 Avenue, Edmonton, 434-8955

The talk starts at 7:30 pm, no cost to attend.      

The following quote from (then) Cardinal Ratzinger sets part of the stage for the evening,

A new situation has been brought about by two circumstances: the extending of the majority principle to questions of doctrine and the entrusting of doctrinal decisions to the national Churches.  Both of these are in themselves nonsensical, because doctrine is either true or not true, which means that it’s not a matter to be decided by majorities or by national Churches.  Quote from Salt of the Earth: Christianity and the Catholic Church at the End of the Millennium.  Ignatius Press, San Francisco, 1997, p. 144.

Speaker:  The Revd. Matthew Oliver

Update:  The Revd Matthew Oliver has agreed to give us a "guest post" highlighting the content of his presentation.  I look forward to posting it here.

Harvard's "Blog Conversation Project"

Recent years have seen the explosion of a new form of public expression via web logs, or blogs. In early 2005, the Perseus Development Corporation estimated that 31.6 million blogs were active. By early 2006, estimates reached 100 million. Over 7% of American adults report having their own blog...

The Blog Conversation Project is a research study seeking to develop methods of automatically reading and coding a large sample of blogs so that we might be able to measure the views expressed in this national or international conversation. Our methods might then make possible automated public opinion polls of bloggers coded directly from the blogs, which may be more informative about some issues than the usual strategy of polling randomly selected citizens, many of whom have not thought about the question they are being asked. This project might also help us understand better the process of agenda-setting, the expressed thoughts of activists and those who have thought about issues, and many other subjects

The project is led by Gary King, David Florence Professor of Government and Director of The Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard...

have a look

annointing them with oil...

Emily and Sarah Joy helped me tidy up a few things today. Emily came across a small container of oil used for anointing and prayers for the sick.  After I explained to her what it was, she asked me if it worked.

I looked over at Sarah Joy for a minute before answering.

"Yes, it does, because He does..."

sol cafe: music in the church

this sunday at sol cafe one of the regulars (who is also a gifted musician) will be leading a discussion around the theme of music in the church.  happens around 5 (ish) at Cafe Dabar.

call for papers - Religion and Place

Fourth Annual Symposium of the Program in Religious Studies

Call for Papers

The annual symposium of the Program in Religious Studies will be held on Monday 16 April 2007, 9:30 to 3:30, in the Papaschase Room of the Faculty Club.  We invite proposals for papers on any aspect of the topic of “Religion and Place.”  We imagine that these could be papers on sacred spaces and architecture, holy lands and pilgrimage, ritual and religious "performance" within communal spaces, contested regions, migrations of religious communities, spiritual practices within one’s own "special" space, artistic representations or musical reflections of the religious dimension of place, or any of a host of other possibilities.

contact:
Stephen Reimer, Ph.D.
Visiting Speakers Co-ordinator, Program in Religious Studies
3-5 Humanities Centre

20 million ordinations

The Universal Life Church is the only denomination in the world that opens its doors to all and welcomes all who ask to get ordained and grants it without question. We are a non-denominational church, and we support a full spectrum interfaith ministry. We have ordained over 20 million ministers. We make no religious hurdles, no hoops to jump through, no tests of loyalty, no rings to kiss and no fees to pay. Why? The ULC represents freedom. And to have freedom, you cannot make demands upon individuals; in the ULC everyone is equal -- the same level of greatness is enjoyed by all.

ULC Monastery Inc. offers the acclaimed Ministry In A Box , which contains all the books, materials, ceremonies and training that you need to start your church business off right. We also offer the Monastery Credential Package , which has crucial information for any new minister. The Bookstore  is a must for book needs, which you will begin receiving after your free ordination. The ULC now offers services, such as the Instant Absolution of Sins . Watch for the forth coming free monthly newsletter.

That was interesting...

yet another priest with time on his hands

Or at least it appears that way.  My colleague the Rev. Steve London has started a blog.

...I was wearing my clergy collar so they started asking me about Christianity. One person seemed to be a lapsed Catholic and the other was definately a Muslim. I have to confess I never expect people to just come up to me and ask me to witness to my Faith! This was evangelism on a plate, and here I was with my mouth chock full of chinese food.

The Muslim woman asked me why we called Jesus by the name of Lord. She said that she had never understood that. I think that I gave her a decent answer about Jesus being the Son of God, and far more than a prophet and was able to clear up a few misunderstandings that she had. We also talked about why she thought that we are the slaves of God and why Christians see ourselves as the children of God because of our adoption through Jesus Christ...

Steve London blogs at  Our Hearts Are Restless

Father London, (or "Brother Steve" to the low church charismatics) is the rector of St Michael & All Angels in the Diocese of Edmonton.  The parish does not have a web site, but my sources tell me that you can find it at  5003 - 146 Ave, Edmonton;  Sunday Services:  9am and 11am (Book of Common Prayer)

He was foolish enough to have me preside and preach there not only once, but twice...
 

95% of believers

“In my experience, 95% of the believers who face the test of persecution pass it, while 95% who face the test of prosperity fail it.”

via The Age to Come
quoted from this book