Companions in the New Year

It came as a suggestion on my post of December 28--to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in a more spiritual way. Actually, it's the suggestion given for January 3, but I read ahead, and knew the first two days of the year were the perfect days for selecting my companions for 2012.  My spiritual teachers for this coming year are Hildegard of Bingen and Menno Simons.

Hildegard (1098-1179)was a German writer, composer, philosopher, Christian mystic, a visionary and a Benedictine abbess.  She was a woman ahead of her time in her thought and theology.  I'll be listening to music composed by Hildegard in addition to reading more about her.  You can learn more about Hildegard here: http://hildegard.org/

The second companion/teacher this year will be Menno Simons; born in 1496, Simons is often credited for the branch of Anabaptists known as Mennonites.  He died a natural death in 1561.  Much of Simons writings may be found online.  Here is a link that you may find helpful: http://www.mennosimons.net/

If you know of interesting reading materials about Hildegard or Menno, please comment!

Who do you choose in this year of grace?  Happy traveling.

Happy New Year

Our deacon delighted us with a wonderful sermon this morning on this first day of 2012.  In the Episcopal Church, we commemorate today as Holy Name day.  In her sermon, our deacon read the text of a beautiful hymn from  The Hymnal 1982.  I share here with you the text of Hymn 250:

1.  Now greet the swiftly changing year with joy and penitence sincere;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.

2.  For Jesus came to wage sin's war; this Name of names for us he bore;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.

3.  His love abundant far exceeds the volumne of a whole year's needs;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embrace another year of grace.

4.  With such a Lord to lead our way in hazard and prosperity,
      what need we fear in earth or space in this new year of grace?

5.  "All glory be to God on high and peace on earth" the angels cry;
     rejoice, rejoice, with thanks embracce another year of grace.*

May your year be filled with grace; happy new year, one and all.


* From The Hymnal 1982; words : Slovak, 17th century; tr. Jaroslav J. Vajda (b. 1919)
music: Sixth Night, Alfred V. Fedek 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Making Christmas last . . .
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Holy-Birthing-Practices-for-the-12-Days-of-Christmas-Christine-Paintner-12-20-2011.html

Thanks to Center for Ministry for posting.  Enjoy!
Blessed Christmastide.

Advent Reading

Brian McLaren wonderfully joined Anabaptist/Anglican in his book A Generous Orthodoxy.  It warmed my heart when I first read his book, and warms my heart still.  Perhaps, in part, this explains my reading material of late. 

My husband has always laughed at me about what he calls my “reading habits.”  I tend to read more than one book at a time (what priest doesn’t)—one book in the den by my chair, one in my prayer corner and one in the bathroom!  Mind you, he probably hasn’t read a book since 2001! J

Advent has found me absorbed in three books.  The first is by Shelley Shepard Gray; Christmas in Sugarcreek is pure escapism for me—sappy, sentimental, but something light and relaxing at the end of long days.  It helps that a few years ago, I visited Sugarcreek, Ohio. Life is often uncertain, so I sometimes truly enjoy happy endings!

The second  book—the bathroom one—is one a found at an estate sale several years ago, and packed away for future reading.  Blue Hills and Shoofly Pie was written by Ann Hart and published in 1952—a year before I was born.  Ann chronicles her life in Pennsylvania Dutch country; she even records her attendance at an Amish wedding.  The book is dated, quaint, but also a slice of history and perfect reading for its location.

 The reading material in my prayer corner is completely different—to be read in the quiet of the morning when my focus is prayer and meditation.  For this Advent, I have been immersed in Radiance: a spiritual memoir of Evelyn Underhill.  Compiled and edited by Bernard Bangley, I have been wondering why we do not hear more about Underhill in Episcopal circles.  An English mystic, Underhill  (1847-1941) is the author of more than thirty books.  Without formal theological or religious education, she possessed an understanding of Christian mysticism that is without parallel.  In one of her early works, Evelyn Underhill writes this, “The early Christians themselves called it not a belief, but a “way”—a significant fact, which the Church too quickly forgot; and the realist who wrote the Fourth Gospel called its Founder both the life and the way.” An advocate of religion, science and psychology, Underhill writes about her mystical experiences and those of others, some for whom she served as spiritual director.  I am only coming to understand the riches of this wonderful woman.  To learn more about her, this link may be of interest to you: http://evelynunderhill.org/

My hubby and I took another road trip to Amish country this week, where he was finally successful in obtaining fried pies!  We are counting the days to Christmas—combining our Anglican/Anabaptist celebration—I will celebrate the Eucharist at my beloved Episcopal Church, and give thanks for my relationship with the Amish and Mennonites in my life with the full knowledge the Incarnated one comes as a “way”.

Can't resist . . .

It is snowing in my little corner of the world this morning; quite lovely here as the earth is blanketed in white.  Still in the midst of Advent, I can't help but think of the coming of Christmas.  Recently, I was one of my favorite website http://www.goatschool.com/  And there I found a greeting to share!  One day in retirement, I hope to own dairy goats--so you may understand why I am attracted to this 'early' Christmas greeting I share with you! Just click on the link below and enjoy . . .

http://www.goatbiology.com/animations/carol.html

Now, back to watching the snow, and Advent waiting.

Advent

Lord, for Thy coming us prepare;
May we, to meet Thee, without fear
At all times ready be:
In faith and love preserve us sound;
O let us day and night be found
Waiting with joy to welcome Thee.
                           From The Litany of the Moravian Church


As we prepare, you may wish to read Advent Devotions from Goshen College:
http://blog.goshen.edu/devotions/
“Awesome Deeds We Do Not Expect” is the theme for Advent 2011.

An Amish Outing

Having long admired the Amish, I have been pleased to learn of an Amish community not too far from our little country setting.  Today, my hubby and I made a trip for the day in search of "fried pies."  Sadly, we learned that Saturday is the day for Amish Fry Pies!  Ah--another trip soon.

The trip, however, was not in vain.  We had a marvelous visit with the most senior member of the Amish community around a wood fire in a small shop.  He poured out his heart to us, as his family was away visiting with relatives in another state.  It was a rare treat to sit and "chat;" the "senior Mr." lost his wife a little over two years ago.  He continues to miss his life's partner, and we, as strangers, felt much like family as he shared the joys and sorrows of his own life: the loss of his wife; a son moving away; a granddaughter getting married soon.  What a joy for this chance encounter.

Our day was made complete by finding saw mill; hubby has found a source for lumber for his wood-working ventures.  We met the soon bride to be and came home with sorghum molasses and fig preserves, and two loaves of homemade bread. 

In this season of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for this wonderful day and a chance encounter with such a seasoned Amishman.  Our day made me realize that Amish, Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist and so on, are held together by some common bonds: our faith in God and our humanity.  How blessed I am!