The Family Letter

I just read the following online:

Thoughts?

(There's an update to the family letter below… Don't miss that because of this one!)

I am trying to decide whether to keep both the "Family Letter" blog and the "Diaconal Deliberations" blog. The latter would have to be renamed anyway, probably to something like "The Curate's Corner", to continue the alliterative theme. My thought is to condense the two into one. I'd still post those mammoth updates on my life, but interspersed would be more reflective stuff, questions, things to ponder, and all of that.

I'm wondering what you, the readers, think. Please use the comments to let me know!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday!

It has been a busy week already. Those of you who are clergy or who have aspirations in that area know that this is not an unusual thing… Christmas home communions, preparing for Christmas Eve, actually doing the services, and so on. Phew.

Monday was, thankfully, my day off. Nothing at church scheduled. I think had there been I would have rebelled and begged off, since I was still somewhat in recovery from preparing for an ordination and actually being ordained. I got up a little earlier than a normal weekday (much earlier than a day off), and Aunt Mary (Sister Ruth) and I headed up to Eat 'n Park for breakfast. They have a breakfast bar that is quite good, and I very much enjoyed a very full breakfast. I don't do that too often. We left from there for the Pittsburgh airport, and made very good time. Despite being at Terror Level Orange (or whatever it's called), we had no problem getting parked and into the terminal, and she got checked in quickly. The gentleman who checked her in actually offered me a pass to get through security without being a passenger. Wow! I thought those were very hard to come by. I declined, seeing as how she had a two-hour wait ahead of her. We parted ways at the security line.

After driving back to Hermitage I fueled the car (running on fumes) and washed it (it was practically white with mud and salt residue–yuck!). For most of the afternoon I vegetated, just resting body and mind. I did go to the gym for the first time in weeks (illness and recovery) and managed some walking and some running on the treadmill. After the holidays I will try to get back to where I was before the illnesses hit last month.

I also baked two batches of fudge on Monday. The first was rum-raisin and the second orange-chocolate. The first turned out perfectly, the second had the consistency of taffy. It was unmanageable so I had to ditch it. I think the extra liquid from the orange juice late in the process caused the problem, so next time I'll add that earlier.

Tuesday was a normal work day. Doug and I split up the homebound parishioners for communion purposes. I worked on some things for the newsletter (January) and on my sermon for Christmas morning. The whole staff (custodian, financial secretary, secretary, curate, rector) all went out for lunch at a nice Italian place in Sharpsville, PA (it's one of the communities that makes up our immediate area). We all exchanged gifts, having chosen a random gift-person a week or two before. I admit to being so preoccupied with the ordination that I didn't do too well on Doug's gift, but I hope he'll like it. I received a gift certificate to a group of local restaurants, including the Iron Bridge Inn, a place I've been meaning to try.

Tuesday afternoon I went back to the apartment at around 1430 to await the arrival of my new sofa. Yes, you are thinking of the sofa I ordered in September. And no, the cushions for the love seat that I ordered in August are still not here. Sigh. But at least I am closer to having decent living room furniture. The sofa did arrive around 1530, and the gentleman who delivered it went above and beyond and helped me get it in, upstairs, and into the apartment. Yeah!

I managed to get one communion done Tuesday afternoon. A neat couple that would come to church more often if it weren't for physical impairment. In the evening I opened all the ordination cards, keeping track of who came from what and how much… That sort of thing. The thank you cards begin this weekend. The haul was impressive, I must say. Anyone curious to know what gifts I got, just ask. The monetary part of all that will remain confidential.

Wednesday was, of course, Christmas Eve. I'm not entirely positive that we aren't still in that day. The office was open until NOON, and we put that time to good use. I picked up some flowers from a parishioner who donated them to the church. We had a rehearsal for the 1100 service. I took another communion out. That sort of thing. In the afternoon I vacuumed, cleaned, rested (not so much a nap as just idle sitting at the computer), packed clothing, laundry, and other things into the car, and the like. I took a bath at around 1700 and headed out the door not too much later.

The first service was at 1930. The children did the most of the liturgy of the word, not just the sermon. It was a play produced by the local parents and teachers, and they did a really good job. No lines to memorize and not too much in the way of moving around, and yet it was dramatic and did a good job conveying the Christmas (and Epiphany) story. I concluded that segment with a brief sort of sermon (less than 2 minutes, I would guess), and then we launched into the Nicene Creed. I was presiding at that service, the third time of presiding for this new priest. It went, I think, well. I didn't get the proper preface perfectly, but plowed on so I doubt anyone other than Doug noticed. I continue to be amazed at how comfortable this all feels, and how well I am doing even on the parts when I don't have text/music in front of me.

I hung out at the church between services, warming up with the choir at 2130, and then working on my Christmas Day sermon for a bit in my office. At 2245 we all vested and prepared for the late service (there was a carillon, choir, brass, and organ concert at 2200). It was very elaborate, so I am really glad Doug was Presider! I got to sing the gospel and dismissal, and used incense for the first time as clergy. That wrapped up around 0030.

After the service there was a choir party at one of the parishioner's home. Seems like an awful time to do such a party to me, but then none of them had to be up to do another service on Christmas morning. Even Paula, our organist, was off. But still, the clergy must attend, so I went for about 30 minutes. I got home after 0130 and was in bed by 0230. Phew.

This morning's service went well. I had just enough sleep to be coherent, but by the end I was nearly unable to sing (too much singing and too tired). I preached and Doug presided. It was much like an 0800 Sunday service but with carols. Rite I. Very short sermon but I think good and to the point.

After that service I changed into civvies and hopped in the car to drive up to Erie. There were some snowy patches but for the most part the roads were clear and I was able to make good time. A much better trip than the one last week. I got here around 1300 in time for Christmas dinner with the family (Tim, mom, and dad)–Guinness beef stew, green bean casserole (first time we've ever made that here on a holiday!) and Yorkshire pudding. Mmmmmmm…

We've all just been lazing around the hou