Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

What's going on in Canterbury?! Please read.

Friends,

If you are interested in all this "Canterbury business," but would like a bit more information, please let me know!  I am more than willing to correspond with you via e-mail, letter, or phone (or in person, if you're in the Austin area!) about why I feel called to go to Canterbury this summer.  I don't want anyone to think this is an internet scam, because my intentions are simply to do something I've never been able to do--go overseas--with the intention to build community with my brothers and sisters in the Anglican Communion from around the world.

If you have questions or comments, either leave them on my blog, or e-mail me at erinjeanwarde@gmail.com

THANK YOU to everyone who has already donated.  Your generosity is going to change my life!  You are a blessing to me.

In addition, financial help is the biggest need, but it is not the only need!  I'd love to be a part of your prayer requests, and I'd love to know if anyone has travel tips for navigating the UK.

Thanks for reading--I hope faithful readers are looking forward to the blogs that will be coming from Canterbury as much as I am.  ;)

Blessings,

Erin Jean

SEND ME TO CANTERBURY--PLEASE READ

Friends, as well as people I don't know--

I'm Erin Jean Warde, a 24 year-old middler seminarian at Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX.  I am a postulant from the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.  I have been accepted into the Canterbury Scholars program, which is a program in which students/newly ordained priests from all across the Anglican Communion get together at Canterbury for two weeks.  In those two weeks, we will be taught by scholars from across the world, and we as pilgrims in the program will all be from different places.  We will pray the hours together, meet at the table together, and learn from each other by being immersed in community at Canterbury. 

This is truly a once in a life time experience for me.  As someone who is in the ordination process, I think the Canterbury Scholars program will only help me to theologically, pastorally, and genuinely care for parishioners in the future.  I am dedicated to being the best priest I could potentially be (with God's help), and I think that being immersed in members of the body of Christ from across the Anglican Communion will only help me see Christ in each and every person I meet.

Unfortunately, being a seminarian means being broke!  I also have never flown over seas. I do already have my passport, so I am blessed to not have to worry about that expense.  There is a possibility that I will be receiving a grant from EES to offset some of the costs of the Canterbury Scholar program, but I would still need airfare, other assorted travel money, a small amount of money for emergencies, and potentially money to put toward buying things I need to pack for such a trip. 

During the time I would be over seas, I have a friend who will be working at the Cathedral in Paris, so if money allows, I would like to visit the Cathedral and further explore the rich history that France and England offer, especially in regards to the church I feel called to be ordained in.  Also, I would like to go places and see things in England that are important for Anglicans to experience!  I say this to emphasize that if any money is donated above and beyond airfare and necessities, I plan to put that money toward a EuroRail card so that I can see other places of historical and spiritual significance that I would otherwise maybe never see.

Once I receive word on how much grant money I'll be receiving, I'll better know what my goal amount to raise is.  Right now my goal is simply approximately $1,000 because that is about how much a round trip flight costs.  I will update with a more accurate goal amount ASAP!

If you have any other questions or comments, please contact me at erinjeanwarde@gmail.com  I would be happy to tell you more biographical information, send you my C.V., etc.  Also, I do not write this to only ask for money, though money is a primary need.  If you have been to England, and the surrounding areas, and have suggestions for very important things for me to see to enhance my formation as a seminarian, please tell me.  I would like to make the most out of this trip, and bring my stories back to Austin and to my friends and family to hopefully build others up through the beauty of my own experiences.  I believe that when I reflect on this trip, I will definitely say "that'll preach!"

Thank you for listening! 

Groupon Controversy--Please Read!

First, go here and read this, if you have any reaction whatsoever to the Super Bowl ads, or if you're interested in the controversy.

http://www.groupon.com/blog/cities/groupon-super-bowl-ads/

Groupon is already catching uber complaints about their ads, especially the one focused around Tibet.  I didn't see the ad play live, but I saw tweets about it and started Googling out of curiousity.  In Googling, I watched the Tibet ad AND read the above link.. Here are my thoughts.

1) Yes, totally in bad taste.  Really probably shouldn't have been done if you ask me, especially without a little more explanation.  Because guess what Groupon, a bunch of people watching the Super Bowl probably don't read your blog.  Oh and it just usually isn't very good to joke about things like oppression in Tibet.


2) Good news, is that I think this link actually explains that they didn't mean it to be as tasteless as it seems at all.  This isn't an EXCUSE, but it is nice (to me anyway) to know that the entire idea behind it is to make fun of themselves, and that they do actually have links to ways to help.  But hey, guess what Groupon, when you air an INSIDE JOKE during the Super Bowl, it might fail.  And yours did.


3) I don't think people should necessarily delete their Groupon accounts.  Express your disgust please--I'm sure plenty of you already are.


4) Hey, good news for all you people who are really offended by the ads!  At the bottom of the link I posted at the top, there are links to go and contribute to all three of the issues that were raised by the ads.  So, since you're super upset about it, you don't just have to write a letter to Groupon, you can actually DO SOMETHING FOR TIBET and check out that link. 


5) As an addition to #4, they really should have told us ON THE ADS how to help each individual issue.


6) Last but not least, these are my least favorite Christopher Guest directed videos.

That's all, just a few thoughts.  I totally get the outrage, but I also really want everyone to read that Groupon link so they can AT LEAST see what Groupon's intention was before they delete their accounts, or say that Groupon is awful.  Please, share your thoughts with me here.

 

SERMON--St. Ignatius of Loyola

As a disclaimer, this was written as a class assignment.  We were handed short saint biographies and the readings appointed for saints from Holy Women, Holy Men.  We were given a Bible and 20 minutes, then we presented our sermons.  In other words, this is a rough draft.  In addition, I'd like to note that there are quotes in here, not cited, from Holy Women, Holy Men.  There, that's me giving credit.  Enjoy, comment, and hear a short little bit on what I believe.

2 February 2011
Sermon – St. Ignatius of Loyola
Luke 9:57-62

“Whoever wishes to come with me must labor with me.”

Ignatius of Loyola was called out of sickness, to discipleship.  His spiritual awakening was not much unlike what I’m sure you have experienced – and what I have experienced.  Wounded in a battle, he found himself weakened and sick.  It is in this time, that he was called by God – out of weakness, into discipleship.

Discipleship for him meant vows of strict poverty, and serving the poor.  His calling was for himself, but he also shared with others his call, telling others of his awakening, and his desire to know Christ as an “intimate companion.” 

His spiritual awakening was not much unlike our own – as he was called to serve, and we too are called to serve.  As we find ourselves in our daily battles, we are weakened, and we are sick.  It is in these times that our gracious God calls us – out of weakness, into discipleship.  In our weakness, we are not without strength – we have an intimate companion in Christ. 

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head… Follow me… Proclaim the kingdom of God.”  In your battle, whatever it is against – greed, depression, loneliness, fear, what have you – you are called out of weakness, into discipleship.  This saintly life is not much unlike your own – serve God, serve the poor.  Hear the call out of weakness, into discipleship, and answer – “I will follow you wherever you go.”

“Whoever wishes to come with me must labor with me.”  Amen.

 

Join me and stand up for rape victims.

From MoveOn.org:

A far-reaching anti-choice bill, introduced by Republican Chris Smith and supported by 173 members of the House, includes a provision that could redefine rape and set women's rights back by decades.

Right now, federal dollars can't be used for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the woman's life is in danger. But the Smith bill would narrow that use to "cases of 'forcible' rape but not statutory or coerced rape."

As far too many women know, bruises and broken bones do not define rape - a lack of consent does. Please sign the petition today.

A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your Senators and Representative.

Go here, and sign the petition:
http://pol.moveon.org/smithbill/?rc=fb.share.smithbill.1.2

Note: this is not a Republican or Democrat thing -- people from both parties are supporting and not supporting the bill.  This is a time for unity and justice, not for bipartisanship.

Austinites: The Rep for Austin, TX (Fransisco Canseco) is a confirmed co-sponsor for the bill.  I encourage you to write letters, explaining how you feel about this issue.  It is important that we use the voice we have been given.  Acts of violence silence others, so in the wake of them, if we want to show our love for victims, we have to speak out.  There is always a time for silence, and there is always a time for your voice.  I think this is the time for your voice.

Non-Austinites: Go here, and figure out who your district representative is.  Write them.  Use your voice!
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112%3AHR003%3A%40%40%40P

I always always always want to be able to leave my ears open to conversation on matters as shocking as pro-life/pro-choice arguments, because I love people with a variety of views (and I certainly have my own), but I can't agree, even in the slightest, that we are in a place to re-define rape such that victims would get even less rights than they already have, after being violated. What we need is more protection for people who are attacked, not a new legislative definition. When I say I think we should enact change, I don't mean change like this.

Create a space.

At some point over the Christmas break, when I was back in Alabama, it hit me that I'm at the half way mark of seminary.  Unsurprisingly, for the past three semesters, more people than I can remember by name ask me the same question - "how does someone your age end up in seminary?"  Aside from my biographical information, and my "calling" that hounded me for years and finally won, it seems quite simple.

I feel called to create a space.

Yes, we have our churches, and those churches have pews, and those pews are spaces.  Spaces for people.  People who worship, and people who sit, and people who speak, and people who are able to love.  We shouldn't need more spaces.  In many areas, there are churches on every corner.  But what happens when we are violated within that space?  What happens when we dare to enter a place of people called to worship and no room is made for us?  The spaces we seek for solace can lead us into suffering.

Still, take heart!  We can create a space.  In the crevass of our brokenness, in the void between our lips when we open our mouths to speak, spaces are illuminated.  When we speak, we create a space.  The power and poverty of language is seen in what we do with it.  It is no surprise that the God of biblical narratives speaks things into being.  Because when we speak we create, and we see that, and it is good.  Creation is as much a part of our nature as breathing.

In the wake of theological violations that we engage in our communities, whether we witness them or whether we feel them, we are called to make spaces.

Spaces aren't always new.  Our spaces can be redeemed.  I'm not necessarily called to create a new sort of Christianity - I'm called to believe, and have faith, and participate in the act of our brokenness being redeemed.  Because redemption has happened before, and it happens now, and it will happen again.