Letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury

Invite Bishop Gene Robinson to Lambeth in 2008

Your Grace ,

I am writing to express my profound disappointment at your decision to withhold an invitation to participate in the 2008 Lambeth Conference from the Rt. Rev'd Gene Robinson. Bishop Robinson is a duly elected and consecrated bishop of The Episcopal Church. As the only openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, it is imperative that Bishop Robinson be present at the Lambeth Conference so that real listening and learning can occur.

I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision and invite Bishop Robinson to the Lambeth Conference as a full participant.

Sincerely,

Dee Tavolaro

So that is a copy of the letter I sent to Archbishop Rowan. This afternoon I recieved a letter in return. It is copied below.

Canon Flora Winfield
The Archbishop of Canterbury's Office
for International, Ecumenical and
Anglican Communion Affairs


Dear Ms Tavolaro

The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked me to thank you for your letter of 21 June 2007 regarding his invitation to bishops of the Anglican Communion to next year's Lambeth Conference. The Archbishop is taking a period of study leave this summer and he has therefore asked me to respond to your letter on his behalf.

Prior to his departure, Archbishop Rowan noted carefully the level of disappointment expressed by correspondents, following his decision not to extend an invitation to Bishop Gene Robinson to attend the Lambeht Conference along with the other bishops. He stressed in his letter to the bishops that he did not take this decision lightly, but that he regarded it as appropriate in the light of the recommendations set out in the Windsor Report.

The Windsor Report counselled that in the future proper regard should be taken to the bonds of affection and interdependence between member Churches when considering the acceptability of a candidate for episcopal appointment. While it is recognised that Bishop Robinson was duly elected and consecrated according to the canons of The Episcopal Church, in view of the widespread objections to Bishop Robinson's ministry in other Provinces of the Communion, the Windsor Report further recommended that the Archbishop 'exercise very considerable caution in inviting him to the councils of the Communion'.

From the time of the election of Bishop Robinson to the See of New Hampshire, both the representatives of many Anglican Provinces and the Instruments of Communion made it clear that full recognition by the Communion could not be given to a bishop whose chosen lifestyle would, in most Provinces of the Communion, give rise to canonical impediment to his consecration as a bishop. The Archbishop has to be loyal to that widespread concern as well as bearing in mind the position of Bishop Robinson within The Episcopal Church. The Archbishop is therefore exploring inviting Bishop Robinson to the conference in another status.

Thank you once again for writing.

Yours sincerely

Flora Winfield

Feeding Fire

I love recieving gifts with extra meaning behind them. One of the gifts I think I will treasure the most from my graduation is John B. Coburn's "Feeding Fire". It was given to me by Mike and Carol Coburn. Mike is the son of John B. Coburn. I've gotten to become good friends with Mike and Carol in a relatively small amount of time. I thought it was so special that Mike would share something with me that his father had written. It was a wonderful read. Feeding Fire is a book of poems. These free verse poems lead to a series of meditations. Coburn's poems on various topics are extremel thought provoking. It is a must read for any poetry fan, and any fan of spiritual reading.

Thoughts in Solitude

Thoughts in Solitude is a spiritual classic. It is exactly what I expected from Thomas Merton. It was a quick read, but I wouldn't say easy. It challenged me to look at what a prayer life it, what it means to speak with and be with God in the silence. It challenge me to look at my own faith and spiritual life. It helped me gain a better and deeper understanding of what it means to live life in the solitary, to search for God. I recommend it to anyone and everyone. For those interested in prayer life, theological reading, and those interested in learning more about their relationship with God.

The Devil Wears Pinstripes

So here are a few thoughts after reading Jim Caple's "The Devil Wears Pinstripes". First I thought the book was hysterical. Caple's obvious hatred for the yankees is extremely entertaining. As a yankee fan, I have enjoyed my fair share of making fun of the Red Sox's, but as Caple points out at times it makes sense. There are also times when, I agree, that the yankees and their fans can be really annoying. But, that is true with any team. However, you can't hate all of them. Caple even a section on the yankees that you can't hate like Joe Torre and Bernie Williams. I'd recommed this book to every red sox fan, and to yankee's fan who don't take the dynasty too seriously. I mean if you are a yankees fan who can stand the red sox and their fans then dive right in.

Summer Reading

So I don't have summering reading (yet) for school. So since I'm not bogged down with reading for school. I thought I would take the time to read some stuff that I've collected from graduation and other occasions. So far I have read:
Jim Caple's "The Devil Wears Pinstripes"
and Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude"
both very good, and I recommend them both.

My list for other reading is as follows:
John B. Coburn's "Feeding Fire" (I'm halfway through)
Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns"
John McDonald's "Down the Road a Piece"
Anthony DeStefano's "Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To"
Dante Alighieri's "The Inferno"
Tim Sample and Steve Bither's "Maine Curiosities"
Barack Obama's "In His Own Words"

That is all I have so far. I'll probably reread Merton's "The Seven Story Mountain" again. After finishing "Thoughts in Solitude" I'm in a bit of a Thomas Merton mood. If anyone actually reads this and has any other suggestion leave them in the comments. If I don't get to it this summer, I'll get to it soon enough. Heck if it looks good enough it may even jump the list.

Thoughts in Solitude

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

~ Thomas Merton "Thoughts in Solitude" p. 83

The trip of a life time

6-25-07

I survived my first camping trip! Our Trailblazer trip was amazing, words cannot describe how much fun I had. I was really nervous going into it. All the other incoming 1st years didn't seem like the type of people I would ever hang out with. But, we were more or less forced to bond. Now I have 19 new friends. Some I will only hang out with when we have session 2 reunions. Others, however, I know my friendship with will only get stronger. Jess, Sam, Drew, and Theresa were so cool. Not only were they great at teaching myself and others the ins and outs of camping they helped show us what it means to be a student at UNE. We have so many inside jokes now - no making purple, sappy, the poop glove, highway to hell, shut yo face. One night 15 of us hung out in one of the tents and just chilled. Another afternoon a couple of us were relaxing in our tents and had some great comversations. Dance parties in the van, Ryan not letting me sleep, too many memories to count. ONe that is particularly memorable was my award. i recieved the dinosaur mascot as a spirit award. It was for helping out and always being willing to try new things. While it only cost 89 cents at Walmart - it sure means a hall of a lot. The more time I spend here on campus and with the REAL Trailblazers, the more I can't wait to start school. But, by the same token the more time I spend the more I miss Mount and home. On our way to and from lake mooselookmeguntic we passed Trinity Saco. It made me think of Deacon Linda and Christ church. See Trinity is where - most likely - I'll be worshipping next year. Seeing my new church for the first time made me want to be at Christ Church. It was really bad Sunday morning as I laid on the beach after we did some canoeing. I couldn't help but think of the new service and education program going on while I wasn't there. Dancing to Bohemian Rapsodey, singing baby shark, the dance at the campus center blow out, talking about Environmental Studies / Science, having people be called numb nuts all reminded me of experiences and inside jokes from back home. When I really started to miss home I would sing Elliott in my head and look at pictures from graduation on my camera. It helped a lot. Elliott reminded me of all the good tiems. The pictures reminded me of all the people who have been there for me over the years. I knew that I needed to keep strong and do great things to make them proud. Plus I knew a lot of people from back home were praying for me and that helped the most. I think everything will be ok. I really am excited to start school in the fall, to bring Nick up to visit, and to be back with my friends. but, I will enjoy every minute of my summer vacation. It's Senior Summer it will only get better form here!

GO!
BIG BLUE!
GO!
BIG BLUE!
GO!
BIG BLUE!
POWERCHECK!
::clap::::clap::::clap::
::clap::::clap::::clap::
::clap::::clap::::clap::
::clap::
HUH!

My first night at UNE

The following entry is from my journal. I'm adding it here a few days after the fact.

I arrived at UNE for my orientation today (6-21-07). I'm really excited, but really nervous at the same time. I miss talking with my friends and my church. I don't knopw how I'll survive next year, I mean I've only been here for one day! I guess it will be easier with my cell phone and computer here! It seems that almost everyday I've been talking to Mrs. smith. I didn't realize how much that meant to me. I've missed talking with her.

Anyway, my guides are really cool and my roommate seems really nice. But, the other students on the trip don't seem like the type of people I would be friends with. However, this sense of "loneliness" may be heightened because I'm reading Thomas Merton's "THoughts in Solitude." I;m sure once we are off campus and on the trip I'll be able to bond better with my new classmates. I'm very different from them. They were all talking about parties, drinking, smoking, doing drugs, and camping with friends. Well I've never been camping, and the last time I went canoeing was last summer with Mrs. Ferry and the Blackstone Valley Rivers Project. The more I sit in silence the more I think about Smith, Ferry, and Nick. Nick, because he is one of my best friends. Also, I'm a little worried about him. He talked about homeschooling for next year earlier in the year, and most of his friends were in my class. So they graduated, and he is left with one more year. But, Smith and Ferry, because while I miss them dearly and wish I could be back in their classrooms, I know I can't. However, they have prepared me well. Now it is my turn to go forth and do great things. I'm now a Nor'easter part of Big Blue, but being a Mountie is still who I am.

It's funny tonight we watched the fireworks from a Franco-American celebration in Biddeford. How ironic I find myself in yet another French Canadian mill village! I wear my class ring with pride, and as the summer progresses my tan lines get darker. When I take my ring off you can see that something is missing. It's like when you look at me you can see I'm not a Mount student anymore, you can see that something is missing. The ring has left a mark on my hand, just like Mount has left a mark on my heart. While now I'm a Nor'easter on the outside, I will ALWAYS be a Mountie on the inside!

The life cycle of summer

Change is always hard. Even though we always have summer vacation, and at times during the school year can't wait for it to come, there is a natural let down when the school year ends. I have found this particularly true at Mount - at least for me. Having friends that live all over RI and Mass, makes it even more challenging. It isn't like when I went to Lincoln and during the summer, I would walk to the next street and there were my friends from school.

We get into a routine of getting up early going to school and living by a bell. We get used to the same teachers, students, lunch menus, and that begins to shape our lives. We become set, we begin to feel safe. Like things are working ok. But, then summer - or graduation - come along and that all changes.

No more uniforms, no books, no more getting up at the crack of dawn to get to jazz band on time. There is a great fear in that. What am I going to do now? It is the fear of the unknown. I know I'm pretty nervous and a little scared to go off on my new student orientation camping trip tomorrow. But, besides fear there is a let down. My schedule is no longer jam packed. I have time to sit out by the pool and read. I have time to go out to lunch with friends. I have time to go to work, and not be stressed out about getting my school work done. I have down time, time to relax. The high energy school year is over.

Summer, as I have come to know it, is a time of great saddness, it is an ending. But, it is also a beginning. Time for new experiences and adventures both here and abroad. It is a time to relax and restore ourselves, so when the fall comes we can once again jump into school life.

This day in history

Today we remember June 18, 2006. It was a day where the Episcopal Church gave the Boys Club (a.k.a the Primates) the greatest Father's Day gift of all. It was on this day just one year ago, that the House of Bishops elected The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori as the first female Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church. It has been an interesting year. Congrats to her and to us for all we have achieved. But, there are many more things to come we shall see what another year will.

The greatest gift of all

So I look back on the events of my Senior Week, I realized that my teachers gave me the greatest gift of all. First off the number of teachers that came to my party on Saturday was amazing. They didn't just stop by too, they hung out and had a great time. The comments they had, and the words shared on their cards were so inspirational. Then on Sunday at the graduation, the number of teachers that came up to me and gave me hugs to congratulate me was remarkable. Also many of them said how proud of me they are, and how much they are going to miss me. These are the people I've looked up to, admire, and respect. It made me realize the mark I have lef on Mount St. Charles. I guess that it wasn't all for nothing. My teachers are amazing and have changed my life. I will deeply and truly miss them all.

Graduation

So it's official! I am a high school graduate! It was a wonderful day, sad, but wonderful. It's weird not being a Mount student any more. I really don't know what to say other than it was a great day. Here are some pictures from the celebration.

Fairways and Greens

So today I'm playing in the Girl's State Tournament for golf at Point Judith Country Club. When I told one of the teachers at school that I couldn't be there for set up today, because of the tournament she told me good luck. She told me "fairways and grrens." So today pray for good weather, little wind, and fairways and greens.

A loss for the whole church

Today the Episcopal Church lost one of it's finest. Bishop James Kelsey was killed in an auto accident today. His passing is a sad, tragic loss not only for his family and diocese but for the whole church.

Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him.



[ENS] Bishop James Kelsey of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan waskilled in a road accident at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 3, whilereturning to Marquette from a parish visitation, Jane Cisluycis, diocesanoperations coordinator confirmed.
Kelsey was traveling alone, but it is unclear at this time whether any othervehicles were involved in the incident.
"The Episcopal Church has today lost one of its bright lights," PresidingBishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said. "We will be less without the easy grace of Bishop James Kelsey -- Jim to most of us -- and we shall miss hishumor, insight, and passion for the ministry of all. He gave us much. We pray for the repose of his soul, and for his family. We pray also for the Diocese of Northern Michigan. All of us have lost a friend. May he rest inpeace and rise in glory."
Born in 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland, Kelsey graduated from Ithaca College in1974, and from General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1977. In1985, Kelsey moved with his family to Oklahoma, where he served for fouryears as canon missioner for Cluster Ministries. In 1989, he was called tothe Diocese of Northern Michigan, where he served for 10 years as ministrydevelopment coordinator before being elected bishop in 1999.
Kelsey will be remembered as a welcoming and open person who always endeavored to include others, Cisluycis said. "It is hard to imagine the hole he will leave behind," she said. Kelsey is survived by his wife, Mary, and three grown children. Funeral arrangements are pending.

May you rest in peace Bishop Kelsey, you will be missed.

Goodbye, Father Mike

So today June 3 was Mike Coburn's last Sunday at Christ Church. It was sad, but he and I had just as much fun as always. He wore his orange flowered print chasuble, it looked great. I wish I had a picture! Since John left the week before Christmas (December 17) Mike has been with us. It has been a great six months and today we said goodbye. He also had the confirmation class of 2005 (high school class of 2007) recognized. I also served the ten o'clock service today. It was great, Mike and I had just as much fun up there as we always do. While some may see it as goofing around, I see it as our showing that we are filled with th Holy Spirit and a passion to serve. And who ever said church couldn't be fun? But, I realized that this was my last ten o'clock service, because I won't be on the schedule next year. It was really weird. In a wayit was like Mike and I were both graduating today. In any event, it has been amazing serving with Mike - I will truly miss him.

Not only have I had the privledge of getting to know Mike, it has been amazing to get to know his wife Carol. She is funny and all around amazing. I will miss her just as much. I always had someone to sit with in Church with Carol around.

Thanks for everything, and you will both be deeply missed.

Prom 2007

So Friday June 1, 2007 was the day we had been waiting for, our Senior Prom!

That's Dan, Steve, and I. We're the Seniors of tc 210.

Then we added Nick, the four greatest people of tc 210 (boy do we look tall)
So everybody met at my house before hand and Scott (the worst limo driver ever) picked us up.

At the prom we danced the night away

Mrs. Smith and Mr. Daigle even got out there with us and did the twist

It was so much fun. I have the Daigle and Smith down, and we took a picture together.

Dan, Steve, and I were our normal selves



We had a great time, it was everything Senior Prom should be. A night we will never forget!