A message from Vacationland

So it is the morning of day 3 and I figured that I would give an account of what I've been up to. Last time we met, was my first night here. Remember I told you about the Portland Seadogs games? Anyway . . .

Yesterday I got virtually no sleep. I went to bed at 1 am (Saturday morning) and was up at 3. Two hours of sleep was not enough! At about 5am I went down to the dock. it wasn't very nice out. Cold, raining, yuck! I was going to say morning prayer, but it was raining harder than I would have liked, and I didn't want my prayer book and bible getting all went. So at about 5:30 I walked back up to the house sat on the porch and said morning prayer. Then I hung out with Pam until around 7:30 when John graced us with his presence. We then had coffee and sat on the porch. At around 9:30 we had breakfast and then drove up to the apartment to see how the LaFreniers were doing. Then to the barn to check on the Bowens. Once we had our game plan set. John and I drove into town to reserve the really cool - I think it's called - auger so we can put the fence up on Monday. We came back to Tidewater Way and picked up Pam and the gang. Then we were off to the Granite Mill Store. What an experience! I love that place. I bought some peanuts and a yo-yo. By the time we were done it was time for lunch. MOODY'S DINER!!!! It was just like John had described it. It was really good. Then we went back to the Van Siclens. It had gotten a lot nicer so the kids went down to the river. By this time I was starting to fade form the lack of sleep. So I sat out on the porch for a little while with John trying to get some energy. Turns out all I needed was a little action to get the energy going. John and I started working on the fence. That was fun. Some posts just didn't want to come out so with a little sweat and a lot of determination we got all of the posts and rails down. We went back to the house, I took a shower, and by the time I was back outside the Cappers had arrived. We all had dinner and then went to ice cream. By the time we got back to the house, and cleaned up I was exhausted! So I went to bed really early for me. I think I was asleep by 10:30pm! I finally sleep more than a few hours. I woke up and it was 6:30 this morning. John was up once I got up and we had some coffee, hung out and now I'm writing here.

It's a glourious morning! I was freezing when I got up. I guess I'll have to get used to that! Well it's about that time. Have to go get ready then go to church.

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!!!

So here I am my first night of vacation! It feels like so long since I've taken time for myself, so I'm doing it now. Yesterday I traveled up to South Bristol, Maine to a wonderful place called Tidewater Way. Tidewater Way is this wonderful retreat established by John and Pam Van Siclen. (p.s. this is the John for which the blog is named). So last night on the way I met up with two other Christ Church families who are also here at Tidewater this weekend.

So there isn't too much to say now, but this. I've been feeling burnt out lately, and I really needed to get away. I'm hoping these next few days will be the perfect recharge for me. I can't wait to see what these five days will bring.

Jonathan Daniels Day 2007

I can't believe another year has passed, and we've already celebrated the feast day of Jonathan Myrick Daniels. My how time flies by when were having fun.

This year as I have reflected on the life and ministry of Jonathan Daniels, I a, reminded of two very important things: (1) the vows of our baptismal covenant; and, (2) my own call to serve. For Jonathan and I think for most of us these two things are extremely difficult to separate.

The last three questions of The Baptismal Covenant have to do directly with work and ministry. The first, "Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?" We are required and challenged to live out the values and beliefs of the Gospels - the life of Christ - to create this idea of the kingdom here on earth.

"Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?" During Jonathan's life African American people were not treated equally. They were truly second class citizens. Yet, Jonathan was able to recognize the face of Christ in each one of them. During his time in the south he lived, worked, and worshiped side by side with people many different people that society wouldn't have him associate with. But, Jonathan understood what Jesus meant when he said "love you neighbor."

"Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?" This is my favorite promise made during The Baptismal Covenant. This is how Jonathan lived out the final years of his life. He saw injustice in the country. He knew that it was not right that African Americans were being denied the basic Consitutional right to vote. He worked, rather, he strived for justice. He went to the south he marched and demanded for fair voting laws. Through working for justice he also worked for peace. He did this because Jonathan respected the dignity of every human being.

Jonathan answered two very important calls in his life (1) to enter into the priesthood, and (2) the call to march on Selma to gain voting rights for a peoples. His willingness to give up his life for others both literally and figuratively challenges us all. How are we, as people of faith, called to give up our lives in service of Christ and our fellow human being. How are we called to work for justice, freedom, and peace? How will we respect the dignity of every person? How will seek and serve Christ in those we meet? Jonathan made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life for his friend.

I'm still not to sure what to think having celebrated another Jonathan Daniels Day, but I find myself challenged now to think how I might serve others. May we all find the courage that filled Jonathan, and be willing to sacrifice our lives - hopefully figuratively - for others.