The weekend began Friday evening with a casual dinner at the Pub with my Cousins from Cladaugh Council #86, Knight Masons- Irish Constitution. After a wonderful board with pipe and whistle music to mark St. Patrick's Day, we repaired to the Lodge and conferred the Babylonian Pass on one candidate. The courage and steadfastness of Zerrubabel and the other Jewish Captives as they sought to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem has always inspired me, and this night was no exception. We then returned to the pub for convivial fellowship and plenty of time to renew old friendships and make new ones.
Saturday Morning began early at Lancaster Chapter #11, Royal Arch Masons. Two candidates received the Royal Arch Degree, one of the most sublime in Masonry, and for a change, I was priviledged to sit on the sidelines and see the degree in its entireity. It was a grand opportunity to reconsider my own dedication to God, and to consider those things that are truly important in life.
The afternoon brought several hours in the garden with my beautiful wife Rebecca. I divided siberian Irisis and lined the lower north walkway with these diminutive and beautiful plants while Rebecca planted primrose along the east walks as a transition to the conical boxwoods which define our grand-daughters' secret garden.
The evening found me clad in saffron kilt with bottle green socks and tie and day wear jacket at the home of good friends Steve and Camille for their annual Irish dinner. Beef pie, taties, cabbage and corned beef, lamb, garden peas, and desserts to die for filled the board, and the evening was finished off with cigars and Irish malt, and discussions of faith and fraternity with our hosts and friends Danny and Julie. Such an evening spent with fellow Anglicans and Freemasons was both uplifting and inspiring. I returned home with peace in my heart towards all men.
On Sunday morning I preached twice, and on this fourth sunday of Lent considered the life and ministry of Archbishop Rowan Williams, who announced his resignation from the see of Canterbury this week. While I disagreed with this good man on many things, I have always found in his life and ministry real inspiration and challenge. In what many might consider this most difficult time for our Communion, he sought to keep us together while providing safe havens for minority faith communities within the communion. He attempted to lead us into a rational and loving structure which would define our faith and make us more accountable to each other. And he sought to defend the historic faith received against what at times seemed overwhelming cultural odds. His gentle counsels were often rejected by those who might have profited the most from hearing them. I wish him the best as he re-enters the academic life.
After Church, Rebecca and I joined Bill and Nancy, friends and parishoners for a lovely breakfast at Shaw's Restraunt across the street from the church. The eggs Benedict were splendid, and the asparagus was perfectly steamed. The conversation strayed from ++Cantaur to the Parish Gardens to the Iraqi Rowing Team, for which Bill is an advisor. My soul was refreshed by the good work and beauty that surrounds me.
From lunch, we went to the Funeral Home to pay our respects to Jan, the sister of our friend Carole. Her illness was long and terible and now she is at peace. Even in times of loss, it is good to see a family where love is so evident in the lives of all.
The day concluded with Choral Evensong at St. John's. Our choir was joined by choristers from Trinity Newark, St. Paul's Logan, and Holy Cross Carpathian Orthodox Church in Columbus. The setting, including the Mag and Nunc, was composed by Kathy Heim, our Choir mistress, and one of the featured hymns was written by Thurlow Weed, our Organist. To hear the people of so many parishes gathered in worship employing their own original compositions truly gave me a deeper understanding of liturgy as the work of the people. As we gathered for a light lenten repast in the undercroft, I gave thanks again for God's soverign decision to post me to this place at this time.
I came home to relax on the back porch with a gin and tonic and a bowl of MacBaren's Navy Flake. The dogs and I watched the lightening show for the better part of an hour and a half, and now we have all retired to the chapel/study to share the weekend with you, my gentle readers. It is good to dwell in such a place and with such people. I pray that all who read this post might find such joy in the realities of your own lives. Surely God is among us here, and we are a people blessed.
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