Episconinjas Unite!

Bike meets Car

Today I was hit by a car on my bicycle on Rt 27 in Highland Park, NJ while crossing River Road. While I (and other cyclists) were in the crosswalk, a car barrelled around the corner and struck the side of my bike. I and my bike went onto the hood of the car and then rolled onto the street where I hit my wrist, knee, and head. After I moved over, the driver of the car shot me a nasty look and drove away. (This is a highly bike populated zone, over the next 20 minutes I saw at least 20 cyclists cross this intersection, and many cars make the right turn at safe speeds).

Since my bicycle was not rideable (although appears reparable), I sent the friend I was with to get my car so I could load the bike onto my car bike rack. I called 911 to report the hit and run. Since no one got the plates of the driver (I was busy being hit by a car and my friend was busy checking that I was okay), and I only recalled the color of the car and gender and approximate age the driver, the officers were honest that the driver was unlikely to be found, unless she felt guilty or scared and turned herself in.

I went to Robert Wood Johnson hospital where they took x-rays and checked for evidence of a concussion (there was none). They also gave me a tetanus shot.
A friend drove me to where the friend I was biking with had left my car, and drove it to my apt so I could get a change of clothes for work. She then drove me back to New Brunswick where I spent most of the day reading and resting and then going to to work in the evening. I am feeling a bit lethargic with a small headache and shoulder pain as well as prescriptions for muscle relaxants.

That's it for now.

A weekend in York, Pa

I spent this past weekend "getting away" by visiting my best friend in York, Pa. We had a great time hanging out, eating junk food and taking pictures in abandoned buildings.






We had a picnic with some close friends from college at Rocky Ridge County Park where we ate and played catch at the overlook.



I was also able to visit with my undergraduate advisor and some other professors with whom I was able to discuss possible directions for my future. Although I have begun the discernment process, I feel that I need to be sure that I have other avenues available. One of these is the possibility of pursing a Phd (or masters) in history. I was honoured when my undergraduate advisor told me to let her know when I needed letters of recommendation.


I was able to meet up with a few other friends and repair a friendship that I was worried was irrepairable.


Although I wish I could have stayed through Monday (I needed to leave early Sunday morning for a meeting), I'm glad that I was able to spend the weekend with good friends.

"Show me what a police state looks like!"

I got back from Pittsburgh, and it has sobered my ideas of American Democracy.

On this permitted "PEACE MARCH" there were officers in riot gear carrying batons and tear gas lining the entire (over 5 mile) route. There were children on this march who now understand that the police are not our friends.

Officers came from as far as Alabama to take part and tried to provoke the marchers, but we would not be provoked. Even the militant anarchists agreed to behave themselves, and did.

We were there to protest the direction the participants in the G-20 summit were taking the world. Some were there to protest capitalism, others were anti-war, while others advocated for environmental sustainability, but no one was in the mood to "start something." This wasn't the time.

The police didn't like that. Under the auspices of a free concert, the police rounded up over 100 potential attendees, and arrested them, many are still unaccounted for.

I read in the local paper that authorities expected protests to be as far as Pittsburgh Airport. The airport is very far. IF they had bothered to ask the people planning the protest, they would have known no one was interested in that.

We simply want to exercise our first amendments rights and apparently the authorities don't like that.

Visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/40256030@N08/ for more photos.

Update on G-20

Today there was a non-permited march.

PITTSBURGH - Police threw canisters of pepper spray and smoke at anarchists protesting the Group of 20 summit Thursday after the marchers responded to calls to disperse by rolling trash bins and throwing rocks.

The march turned chaotic at just about the same time that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle arrived for a meeting with leaders of the world's major economies
Read it all...

G-20

For those of you who don't know, the G-20 (Group of 20) Summit is taking place this weekend in Pittsburgh, PA. This is a group of the world's 20 largest economies getting together to discuss economic issues. There was a "People's Summit" in Pittsburgh last weekend and people have been gathering all week to draw attention to the summit and to show to the leaders that we have been paying attention, and we know capitalism doesn't work!

While I'm sure that very little media will be paying attention to these actions and demonstrations, you can keep up to date on a variety of sources, including:
http://resistg20.org/
http://www.guardian.co.uk
www.g20pittsburghsummit.org/
www.huffingtonpost.com/
http://www.organizepittsburgh.org/ (not advocating their stance)

There will be a variety of other outlets as well I am sure.

I'm back

I have a job, I have an apartment. My life is very different, but I think it's returning to life.

I'm still settling in, but I should be back in action.

Informal poll

Is the font/contrast/size of the typeface on my blog difficult to read? If so how/why?
Please comment.
Thank you

Prayers Please

Hello,
As many of you know, I've been considering a call to priestly ministry since I was about 15. All through high school I was convinced that this was my call, and it wasn't until I got to college that I realised that God was making it abundantly clear that it was not the time.

A lot has happened between then and now. And in part, I now feel that I had stopped listening to God and simply decided that this would happen at a later date.

Last two Sundays ago was "Passion and Purpose" Sunday. I had been feeling a bit numb of late, and started to question, "What am I passionate about?" "Without what, would I not be me?" "What is missing from my life that makes me passionate?" and I kept coming back with the same answer - God. I love praying to God, talking to God, talking to people about God, arguing with God, living God's work, praising God, helping people determine their place with God and where God fits in their lives. I love relationships and God relationship with the world.

All of this has resulted in my asking my rector if she can meet with me tomorrow to discuss some sort of informal discernment or at least spiritual direction.

I'm nervous, she knows that I haven't been the most stable of late, and that my job is ending soon - long before I would be able to start seminary. So staying within commuting distance of the diocese would be necessary, but as I've been looking for jobs, I truly feel it is in God's hands.

I love the term "discernment." It makes it clear that discerning not to do something is not a failure, but is in fact simply one of the options that is okay in the process.

The Swine Flu Epidemic

(...or the Crisis of illness in the west)

Influenza A(H1N1) also known as the "Swine Flu" has hit over 3 continents with 7 deaths in countries including Mexico, the US, Britain, Germany, Austria and Spain. According to the CDC in the US alone there have been 109 cases in 11 states with one death.

There was an 18 day delay in announcing the Swine Flu issue, which I am convinced is at least in part because it was in Mexico and not the US or Britain. People are talking about schools and care facilities being shut down. As Katie Sherrod, a resident of Texas pointed out:

"Cleburne, just south of FW, has closed its schoools. The state UIL competitions have been cancelled. any day care centers and private schools also are closing or are considering closing.

Parents all over Tarrant County are scrambling to make arrangements to take care of their children as the ripple effect of this spreads.

Employers will be affected as frantic parents try to cobble together ways to take care of their kids AND meet their work responsibilities.

The bulk of this burden is falling on mothers, and it is hitting single mothers particularly hard. And as usual, the working poor are the hardest hit.

With no school, many children whose families depend on school breakfast and lunch programs will get less food or no food at all."

Just one more case of hurting the least of these to help the most of these.

And really: In Africa Malaria kills over 2700 people per DAY and THIS is an epidemic?

People and the news just want the world to end and people to panic. Please don't think I do not take illness seriously, but in truth, I take all illness seriously.

Radio Quote of the Day

Heard during the traffic report:

"If you love construction, you'll love the parkway"

Shane Claiborne

"When we really embrace and embody God's love, capitalism won't be possible, Marxism won't be necessary."

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

From: A Paschal Sermon By St. John Chrysostom (347-407)

Are there any who are devout lovers of God?
Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival!

Are there any who are grateful servants?
Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord!

Are there any weary from fasting?
Let them now receive their due!

If any have toiled from the first hour,
let them receive their reward.

If any have come after the third hour,
let them with gratitude join in the feast!

Those who arrived after the sixth hour,
let them not doubt; for they shall not be short-changed.

Those who have tarried until the ninth hour,
let them not hesitate; but let them come too.

And those who arrived only at the eleventh hour,
let them not be afraid by reason of their delay.

For the Lord is gracious and receives the last even as the first.

The Lord gives rest to those who come at the eleventh hour,
even as to those who toiled from the beginning.

To one and all the Lord gives generously.
The Lord accepts the offering of every work.
The Lord honours every deed and commends their intention.

Let us all enter into the joy of the Lord!

First and last alike, receive your reward.
Rich and poor, rejoice together!

Let no one grieve being poor,
for the universal reign has been revealed.

Let no one lament persistent failings,
for forgiveness has risen from the grave.

Let no one fear death,
for the death of our Saviour has set us free.

The Lord has destroyed death by enduring it.
The Lord vanquished hell when he descended into it.
The Lord put hell in turmoil even as it tasted of his flesh.

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen, and you are cast down!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!
Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen, and life is set free!
Christ is risen, and the tomb is emptied of its dead.

For Christ, having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen!

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

Vere Resurrexit, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

Vere Resurrexit, Alleluia!

Alleluia! Christus Resurrexit!

Vere Resurrexit, Alleluia!

Good Friday

"We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee, because by thy holy cross thou hast redeemed the whole world."

Quote of the Week

I read this quote today and it just struck me as beautiful, and true, and yes:

"...worship is not about numbers or instant intelligibility, but about mystery and beauty and faithfulness..." -Canon Gordon Reid

Lenten Song

(To be sung to the tune of "My Favourite Things)

Sack clothes and ashes and days without eating
Mortification and wailing and weeping
A sackcloth that scratches, a nettle that stings-
These are a few of my favorite things.

Penitence, flagellants, memento mori,
Spending nights sleeping on rocks in a quarry,
The sound of a cloaked solemn cantor who sings—
These are still more of my favorite things!

Tossing and turning and yearning, I’m spurning!
Passions aflame like an ember-day burning,
Corpus and carnis and wild drunken flings—
Forsaken are they for my favorite things!

When it’s Christmas,
When the tree’s lit,
When the cards are sent,
I simply remember my favorite things—
And then I can’t wait ’til Lent!

Can I have a do-over for today? Please. Are you out there? Anyone? Thankskbye.

Up to half a million women and children are thought to be trafficked into western Europe each year. Prostitution and sex trafficking represents 2% of GDP in Indonesia and 14% in Thailand. An estimated 50,000 women are trafficked into the US each year.

Army reports alarming spike in suicides last month

By PAULINE JELINEK
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - The Army is investigating an unexplained and stunning spike in suicides in January. The count is likely to surpass the number of combat deaths reported last month by all branches of the armed forces in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the fight against terrorism.

"In January, we lost more soldiers to suicide than to al-Qaida," said Paul Rieckhoff, director of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. He urged "bold and immediate action" by the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

According to figures obtained by The Associated Press, there were seven confirmed suicides last month, compared with five a year earlier. An additional 17 cases from January are under investigation.

There was no detailed breakdown available for January, such as the percentage of suicides that occurred in Iraq and Afghanistan or information about the dead. But just one base -- Fort Campbell in Kentucky -- reported that four soldiers killed themselves near the installation, where 14,000 soldiers from the two war have returned from duty since October.

Some Fort Campbell soldiers have done three or four tours of duty in the wars. "They come back and they really need to be in a supportive environment," said Dr. Bret Logan, a commander at the base's Blanchfield Army Community Hospital. "They really need to be nourished back to normalcy because they have been in a very extreme experience that makes them vulnerable to all kinds of problems."

Officials said they did not know what caused the rise in suicides last month and that it often takes time to fully investigate a number of the deaths. "There is no way to know -- we have not identified any particular problem," said Lt. Col. Mike Moose, a spokesman for Army personnel issues.

Yearly suicides have risen steadily since 2004 amid increasing stress on the force from long and repeated tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The service has rarely, if ever, released a
month-by-month update on suicides. But officials said Thursday they wanted to re-emphasize "the urgency and seriousness necessary for preventive action at all levels" of the force.

Read it all here

New Bus Slogan

I'm sure many of you have heard about the Bus Driver who Refused to Drive a Bus with an Atheist Slogan. Well, there is now a bus slogan generator, and of all the slogans I've seen people create, this is by far what I think is the most appropriate. Whatever you think of the driver's decision, I much prefer this one (although neither on a public bus).

So maybe I will be...

So maybe I will be going to GC.. this could work... So confused

Not going to GC

I just recieved this email from the head of my deputation. I am Lay Alternate 2

I have just been informed that the Diocese will only be able to assume the costs for General Convention for the 4 Deputies of each order, and for the First Alternate of each order (not for the 2nd Alternate). I am assuming this is a cost effective measure taken to counter less income being received by the Diocese. We will talk about this at our meeting on Wednesday (Feb 4th at 6pm).

I, of course, will not be at this meeting because I have to work that night

Clearly no surprise here

You Should Live in a Small City

You are definitely an urban person, but not any old city will do. You want a city that matches you well. For you, big cities lack individuality. You prefer a smaller city with lots of personality, local culture, and history.

Where Should You Live?

Pictures Posted

There are now pictures posted from my trip to Venezuela. They are on facebook. If you want to see them but aren't on facebook, let me know

Employed

I have been offered the position of "Temporary Librarian" at the Douglass Library at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. I will be working primarily for the Margery Somers Foster Center but will also be staffing the reference desk at times.

I will be working 30 hours/week,but being paid more than double per hour any other job I've had, so, while part time, this gives me some transition time (since I graduate a semester early) and time to still do Diocesan stuff. The job is only guaranteed through June, which is possibly a good thing.

Update

So I was just tentatively offered a job. Part time, but adds up decently.. and I'm on COBRA so I have benefits for now. Please pray that it works out.

Unemployed

I just finished my masters and am now unemployed and on the job hunt. Please pray and let me know of any jobs...

Back in the US

I'm back in the US and no, I don't have pictures