Online Theology

Being a pastor somewhere in the country makes it sometimes hard to „do“ some Theology or at least to get some inspirations. Let alone to say to follow what´s going on internationally.
But thanks to modern thechnology there is a chance to even follow some Trans-Atlantic theology.

One of my Sunday-afternoon treats (thanks to the time difference!!) is watching the Sunday Forum hosted by Washington National Cathedral. It´s broadcasted and to be followed live online and there´s even an archive of past Forums which can be watched on demand.
Each week (at least most Sundays of the year) the Forum invites a guest speaker to give a talk on a certain issue. After the talk there is also a chance to ask questions to the speaker.

Following the Forum is a Eucharist at Washington Cathedral- also broadcasted online which is also worth watching (or on demand if you missed it live), at least if you´re a crypto-anglican like me.

 

Catholic shampoo

A dear friend (self-declared agnostic) just emailed this to me:

CATHOLIC SHAMPOO

While shopping in a food store, two nuns happened to pass by the beer cooler. One nun said to the other, „Wouldn’t a nice cool beer or two taste wonderful on a hot summer evening?“

The second nun answered „Indeed it would Sister, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable buying beer as I am certain that it would cause a scene at the check-out counter.“
„I can handle that without a problem“ she replied as she picked up a six-pack and headed for the check-out.

The cashier had a surprised look on his face when the two nuns arrived with a six-pack of beer.

„We use beer for washing our hair“ the nun said, „A shampoo, of sorts, if you will.“

Without blinking an eye, the cashier reached under the counter, pulled out a package of pretzel sticks and placed them in the bag with the beer. He then looked the nun straight in the eye, smiled and said, „The curlers are on the house.“

 

How to survive a reception

I´ve been to various receptions recently. It´s part of our (clergy-)life.
Receptions can be quite nice to catch up with people. But they can be terribly booooring too. In fact, most receptions are more or less boring.
Long, not always funny, sometimes even tasteless speeches. Many speeches. And an other speech. Never ending speeches.

This requires some survival strategies.
I figured some out:

1) shoes
If there are any receptions make sure, you wear comfy shoes in which you can stand for a while. Most receptions are standing- only events. No high heels. Now new shoes.
I usually wear my „preaching-shoes“ because I know they are comfy enough to stand in.

2) clothes
Yes, also clothes can be a survival factor for receptions. Make sure you wear something comfy too. Something that doesn´t need adjustment every five minutes (no too tight shirts or blouses which fall open or even make their ways up the waist). Same goes for hair. Make sure it´s tucked away or doesn´t fall over your face once you talk to someone. Be aware of windy locations.

3) Handbags etc.
If you carry a handbag or backpack with you, make sure it is not too heavy. Particularly handbags can get terribly heavy after a while if you carry too much stuff (I know what I´m talking about). Doublecheck before the event if you will really need all the items your bag contains.
Make sure it has a shoulder-strap that doesn´t cut.

During the reception:
Make sure you have always a free hand. You will have to shake many hands.
If there are tables, make soure to find a place at a table- it doesn´t matter if they are bistro-style standing-tables or not. Well, the standing-tables make it easier to socialise as you don´t always have to get up to greet someone and then sit down again.
Once you´ve found a place at a table, you´ve made it. Almost.
The table is the place where you can easily park your glass if you are supposed to clap your hands politely.
It also helps you with the „hand-free“ rule.
And you can easily even store a plate if any food is offered and take a bite or two during speeches. (Don´t overload your plate. Looks greedy. Rather go twice).

It is often unlikely that you will have a chance to eat because of the small talk. Use the speeches. Just don´t eat too quickly, but a bite every now and then helps you survive all the speeches and fill your tummy.

Even if you´re bored to death- put on your „I´m a interested listener-face“. Works like a pokerface. Don´t yawn. Don´t make any comments, neither non-verbal not verbal.
Try to open your eyes, this gives you an impression as if you were terribly interested. Have a little smile on your face too- just as you dream yourself away to a place where you´d rather like to be at the very moment.

And: Every speech and every reception will have an end. Just believe in it.

 

txting

I smply refuse 2 write like this. Not evn 4 txting.
looks silly & immatur.
its vry cmmn in nz. Evn adults do it. Well educated adults evn.
I dont wanna be an adult with this nnsnse.
srry folks!

 

Sushi, Dumplings and Dim Sum – eating my way through Melbourne

Since I’ve been to Melbourne now for three days I realize that I started a very „wholistic“ approach to this vibrant city.
With something well over 170 nationalities that can be found throughout the city you can immagine that there is a multitude of cultures, religions, tradition and culinary heritage.

Although I try to live on budget it’s so easy to eat my way throuth the various tastes of the world. Particulary asian cooking can be found everywhere, and Sushi and Dumplings are very much on the traditional line of taste. Because I see many Asians in the little takeaway shops.
For as little as 6Euros I had a wonderful dumpling-soup tonight. Which was to be eaten by chopsticks of course.
And it tasted so yummy.
Forget about the crap they offer you in Germany for Asian cooking.

 

Back to backpacking again

It’s been a short-hand decission. Today at 6:00 am I headed off to jump over the ditch to OZ.
Will visit Melbourne for a couple of days. I wouldn’t fly to Aussie if I weren’t „around the corner“.

Checked in in a youth-hostel and was quite pleased that no one regarded me to be too old.
Pretty central and as I arrived very early in the morning I had a wee stroll around. There is a historic tram-line which provides free transport to many places of interest. So I had a tram-ride as well.

For monetarian reasons I jumped into the supermarked to buy some „taka“ for breakfast the next days and also for dinner tonight.
All youth-hostels in Aussie have kitchens so cooking a light meal is no problem. The kitchen is usually the meeting point, so I met some people who are also backpacking or on working holidays.
It feels so good to be far away from every church-stuff, not being the vicar but simply mingle with people from around the world.

This keyboard provides no German typing so I decided to write in English. Will keep you update.
Fotos will follow!

 

Some more Kiwiania in my life

Been to the Rugby-stadium tonight.
Canterbury vs. Waikato.

It´s always fun to watch a Rugby match. Those tough boys with their biiiig thighs.
Although the match itself wasn´t too good we had heaps of fun.

But I noticed that the atmosphere in the stadium is different to what we know in Germany.
There were no drunken hooligans. I felt always comfortable and safe. Thats good.
But there were no fan-hmns and chants to support the favourite team. That´s sad. Because that´s always something special if you support your team by yelling like mad.

Anyway. Canterbury won. 46:16. That is what counts. Nothing else.

Sorry for the bad quality. Mobile-taken.

 

You need a certain degree of madness…

…if you prepare at (at last!) bright sunshine and 30°C to bugger off to the land of the long white cloud which is going through a long, cold and gastly winter.

This means you have to get familiar with things on your packing and to-do list such as.

- get the woolen coat from the dry-cleaner
- try to find your beloved green cashmere-scarf
- get your woolen undies
- find your skiing-goggles
- don´t forget your gloves
- how many T-Shirts should I pack. Rather one less?
- What about a fleece-jacket
- Which hat shall I take with me?

Mind you- if you see someone at Frankfurt Airport tomorrow evening, carrying (at least not wearing) her winter coat- that´s me!

By the way- it´s still hot. I could do with another shower.

It is a strange idea that my summer 2009 will be finished tomorrow evening. Therefor I allowed myself some ice-cream yesterday and today. To fully enjoy the heat and sunshine. I sat by the river and ate ice-cream.
Yeah!

 

Liturgical fashion no-gos

Our „liturgical vestments“ aren´t real vestments. It´s the good old preaching gown with geneva-strips.

Although many people nowadays regard that garb as vestments with a deeper liturgical meaning.
It´s not liturgic. It has an academic background.
Basta.

Altough albs and stoles are allowed in my (lutheran!) church and get more and more common.
I don´t know if I´d wear alb and stole if I had one- that´s currently out of question because it´s a matter of money.

But I surely learned about the long tradition of liturgical vestments in some denominations. And I must say, some are really beautiful.

But, thanks to Peacebang, I came across some other vestments. Which are uggggggggly. Which shouldn´t be worn. Because they are distracting. They are liturgical fahion no gos.
No. Don´t eva wear them. Nononono!

This way for some amusement.

My „favourite“

 

Wedding vows- Simplify your (married) life?

I came across this article in NZ-Newspaper „The Press“

Till bust up do us part
By REBECCA TODD – The Press

Kiwi couples are ditching promises of „till death do us part“ and choosing what they consider realistic vows for their big days, celebrants say.

Many New Zealanders are moving away from traditional marriage vows, with phrases like „till death do us part“ and „honour and obey“ increasingly deleted from their wedding days.

A Christchurch marriage celebrant of 25 years, Anne Stubbersfield, said people were more realistic now about their chances of staying together.

Most still believed their marriage would be forever, but some vowed to be together just as long as their „love endures“.

Kiwis still hoped for a lifetime together, unlike an Australian couple who reportedly vowed a „three to five-year agreement plus options“ or another pair who pledged if their „love should falter or fail, I will respect you for the period that you were in my life“.

„[New Zealand couples] are going into it with values, maybe not the old religious values, but a far more realistic idea,“ Stubbersfield said.

Many couples spoke of choosing each other as their „life partner“ and of marrying their „best friend“.

Marriage celebrant Julie Lassen said fewer people were choosing to utter the words „till death do us part“ on their wedding days.

„They still see it as a lifetime commitment. I think it’s in terms of positive words, they don’t want to get that terminology in.“

She said more couples were adding something humorous into their vows like promising to put out the rubbish, tidy the lounge or not eat chocolate.

People also often left out any mention of religion, she said.

Anglican Reverend Paul Stanaway said couples he married still used the traditional vows including „till death do us part“, but were uneasy about the word „obey“.

„I think it’s a very positive statement, not talking about death, but that the only thing that should part us is death,“ he said.

It´s no surprise that many people have their difficulties with old- or let´s rather say- traditional wedding vows.
I realize that many people do not understand anymore what the idea behind is.

„Till death do part us“ means that the couple is willing to go through rough water at some stages in their lives together. It doesn´t mean to split off if there is a conflict. It doesn´t mean to split off if someone younger or more attractive comes across.
It does mean to make commitment to each other. To show at least the willingness to work hard on a relationship (I know there are always cases and reasons for a divorce rather than staying together).
But you should be at least willing to work hard on it. A life-time.