Quick Hits

1. Was yesterday really the last day of February?  It was 56 degrees and I prepped both motorcycles for the season.  In fact, since my day started later I was able to ride the Vulcan to the office.  Unfortunately, by 5PM the wind had picked up (a great cross-wind) and cold weather was returning.

2.  In order not to lose them from my mind, I will post two comments I made during our Lenten Study on Tuesday.  We are using The Eucharistic Life from the Center for the Eucharist.   "We do not confect the Eucharist, it confects us", and "We do not have to "get" the Eucharist (point to head) to "get" the Eucharist (point to heart)".

3. Remember our Lord's teaching in Matthew 25 about giving drink to the thirsty?  Our Lord may enjoin it, but the police do not.  A church in Metarie, LA was "cited" for passing out water to thirsty onlookers during the Mardi Gras parade.  It seems they did not have a permit.  Wait for it.... Yes, it appears that Jesus' commandment takes second place to bureaucracy.  Can't have renegade water giver outers can we now.  "From the detestable enormities....Good Lord, deliver us."

4.  I just got a mailing from 815 Second Ave, New York, NY (National Church Headquarters), The Episcopal Church, announcing the Good Friday Offering.  Every year the Good Friday Offering is supposed to be sent to The Episcopal Church to support the work of the Diocese of Jerusalem.  Every year.  Every year, every registered mission and parish receives a letter announcing the offering, the good things being done in Jerusalem and the Middle East, and stating that if we want more information, or envelopes, log onto The Episcopal Church website. Every year, every church, and we all have email right?  This year, we had two copies of the letter inside.  One in English. One in French.  French?  Yes, that seems to be the second largest language group in The Episcopal Church (read Haiti as the largest diocese), but not really useful here in Central Illinois.  Yet, why not Spanish, if we are truly inclusive on our languages?  Why two copies and not three?  Of course, all this at a time when the budget at 815 is significantly in the red.  This is great stewardship, but next time send us an email packet.  BTW, how about this for efficiency?  Ash Wednesday was last week.  The letter, um letters, came today.  Dated for Epiphany 2012.