A modest proposal

This is brilliant. But it probably won't be satire for long, it will become prophesy.  And no doubt the Episcopal Church will lead the way.....

(hat tip to Transfigurations):

Temple Prostitution: A Modest Proposal
Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 5:38 AM
Rev. Paul T. McCain
Last summer, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to accept actively homosexual persons as members of their clergy and to condone gays and lesbians living in “lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships.” This has caused a firestorm of controversy in that church body. In response, the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, an independent pan-Lutheran organization that produces a magazine called Lutheran Forum, and a newsletter Forum Letter, published an article titled “Temple Prostitution: A Modest Proposal” by the Associate Editor of Forum Letter, Pastor Peter Speckhard, nephew of the late Father Richard John Neuhaus. I asked for permission to share this brilliant piece of satire here and they kindly granted it. And so, here is the article printed in the December 2009 issue of Forum Letter. Copyright 2009 American Lutheran Publicity Bureau. All rights reserved. For further information about Forum Letter, visit www.alpb.org. [Editorial warning: May be unsuitable except for mature readers]

Temple prostitution: a modest proposal
by Peter Speckhard, associate editor

November 2009 Forum Letter

Every now and then a new way of looking at things not only solves a problem but opens up unexpected opportunities for that one solution to lead to a whole host of related solutions. The recent decisions of the ELCA regarding homosexuality solved the problem faced by gay couples seeking church weddings. But even better, the new way of looking at the issue could solve several more perennial problems in the church with one grand innovation.

Facing our problems

What are the biggest problems, practical and theological, that Lutheran churches in America face today? I would submit the following:
—Inability to retain or reach out to young, single people, especially men. Think about it—on a typical Sunday in a typical Lutheran church, how many 28-year-old single men are sitting in the pews? How might we draw them in? What are their felt needs?

Read the rest at First Things

Personal prayer request

Please pray for my mother-in-law, Della Jones.

(From my husband):
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009


From: Fr. Kenneth Hunter

Subject: Intercessory Prayer Request

Please pray for my mother, Della Jones, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Hospice arrangements have been advised. We ask for her healing. If God has a better plan for her, we ask for the grace of assurance for her and for all of us who love her.

Home for Christmas!

Fr. Nigel Update 12:35 PM


Update on Fr. Nigel 12:35 PM

Monday 12/21/09



Fr. Nigel has been given the green flag by his doctor to go home on Wednesday 12/23. He will have to return to the hospital after the holidays for some minor surgery concerning the bedsore, but then home for good, God willing. He is still experiencing a good deal of pain from the bedsore. He had his trach capped and is receiving a very small amount of oxygen from a small tube that goes under his nose. THANK YOU LORD!!! With his trach capped, he is able to speak in full sentences again, but he still gets a bit winded trying to talk at any length. His lungs need to continue to build up and heal. He has been walking more and more every day, but he is still experiencing some slight dizziness off and on.



Please Pray For:

Healing of the bedsore and relief from the pain that it is causing

Strength for all of his muscles, especially for his leg muscles

Healing and rejuvenation of his lungs

Healing of the dizziness when he stands

Strength, stamina and peace for Lynn as she prepares for Fr. Nigel’s homecoming



Please give PRAISE and THANKS to our Lord for the healing that has taken place and for the healing to come. Our God listens to our prayers and as He did for St. Thomas, He relieves us of any doubts that we may have.



The following message has been sent by Fr. Nigel’s family in England to all the wonderful prayer warriors throughout the world:



Dear Beth and All, This is to greet you at the beginning of Christmas Week and then into the Blessed Day. David and I send you all Greetings for a very God-filled and therefore Joyous Season. We particularly thank you Beth and the Bissells and all the faithful "Prayers" who have stood by our son Nigel and dear Lynn through all these long and difficult weeks. What incredible fruit the prayers have brought forth - how our Lord has Blessed them - we are very mindful of His Love and Blessing. Ups and downs there have been - and may continue -- BUT GOD IS IN CHARGE and that is our great comfort and strength. THANK YOU ALL. With our most sincere Love. David and Jean Mumford and Family.



From Elizabeth Strickland

Thanksgiving for continued healing

From Albany Intercessor:
Update on Fr. Nigel 9:53 AM
Friday 12/18/09

Today there is some wonderful news. Fr. Nigel has been told that the work that he is doing in PT and OT is being done well enough for him to plan to go home on the 23rd! THANK YOU LORD – AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS! He has walked far enough and long enough, he has been climbing stairs, and he has been working out his hands, arms and legs to meet the criteria for release. His drive to get better and get home has been extraordinary and he says that he can feel and is uplifted by your prayers. He has experienced a recurrence of dizziness when he is walking, which had disappeared for a few days. The only element that could be "a fly in the ointment" to his release is the condition of his bedsore – whether it is healed enough.

Please keep up your prayers for:
      Immediate healing of the bedsore – the tissues, the capillaries and whatever else is involved
      Continued healing of his lungs so that the oxygen level can be decreased even further and the trach can be removed
      Healing of whatever is causing him to experience dizziness when he walks
      Strengthening of his leg muscles to help with his walking and all of his muscles
      Patience for Fr. Nigel as he continues to heal
      Strength and peace for Lynn as she continues to walk this path with Fr. Nigel

Praise and Glory be given to our Lord who has answered all of our prayers in so many ways. Thanks be to God!

From Beth Strickland

Update on Fr. Nigel

 From Albany Intercessor:

***** Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:22 PM
From: Elizabeth Strickland
Subject: Update on Fr. Nigel
Monday 12/14/09

      Fr. Nigel continues to mend. He is walking, with the help of a walker, the length of the hall outside of his room, which is about 80 feet. He is doing about 3 hours of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy per day, which is exhausting him. He has sustained work-outs for his arms and legs. His mind wants to do more than his body is able to do at this point. When he walked down the hall Saturday, the nausea and the dizziness had subsided somewhat, so keep those prayers coming because that issue is showing signs of healing. Fortunately he has Sundays to recover and rest.
      His bed sore continues to be a source of pain and discomfort, but the new bed is a help.
      Fr. Nigel said that he has had some "remarkable prayer time". He has also been able to pray with some of the nurses that are attending to him. They have come up to him and said that they are Christians, and then they have prayed together.
      Fr. Nigel has asked for prayer for his concern over a couple of procedures which may take place this week -- removal of a port and a procedure on the bed sore.
Please pray for:

*      Healing of his lungs so that he can be weaned from the oxygen

*      Building up strength in his arms and legs so that he can increase his walking

*      Patience and endurance for his PT and OT and for the long road to recovery ahead

*      Elimination of the dizziness and nausea

*      God's Peace for his mind and spirit as he faces some challenges this week both physically and emotionally

*      Strength, endurance and peace for Lynn as she faces the marathon ahead

      Please give Thanks and Praise to our God who is so awesome. He listens to your prayers and is answering them. Fr. Nigel is getting a little better every day. God's will be done! Thank you Lord Jesus!

Book Review: The Liturgical Year

This is my first review as part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers program.  I signed up and received a free copy of this book.

Part historical study, part devotional, The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister, is part of Thomas  Nelson Publishers “Ancient Practices” series.  The historical background of the liturgical year is  woven throughout the devotional reflections and this book is in no way an academic treatment.  Actually, I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t a bit more academic, but it probably fulfills what seems to be the main purpose of the book: to introduce and meditate upon the practice of following the Church year corporately and privately.

It’s probably unreasonable to object to the heavily Roman Catholic slant of the book.  After all, Sister Joan Chittister is a Roman Catholic Benedictine nun.  I was just expecting something a little more generic, a kind of “mere liturgical year” treatment.  As an Anglican, I have never celebrated a number of the feast days she describes, especially the Marian Feasts.  With the exception of the Annunciation, most Marian Feast days are not observed in my tradition.  I have never been in a parish which even knew what the Octave of Mary was, let alone celebrated it.  Nor was the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Queenship of Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, Feast of the Immaculate Conception or any other of the many specifically Roman Catholic days she describes.

There are many branches of Christianity which are liturgical besides the Roman Catholic tradition.  Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and others all follow a Church calendar.  I even know of one local Baptist church that observes Lent.  So the almost exclusive emphasis on the Roman Church’s celebration and interpretation of the calendar detracts from the value of this book.  It is not the book I would give to any non-liturgical or non-denominational Christian to commend the use of either liturgy or the Church year.

Fr. Nigel update

Date: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 9:52 PM
From: Elizabeth Strickland
Subject: Update on Fr. Nigel
Tuesday 12/8/09
Fr. Nigel Mumford is in excellent spirits. Although he is still not able to stand without being dizzy or nauseous, he was able yesterday to do 15 minutes on a "bicycle" of sorts, exercising his arms. He was also able to do 6 minutes of workout on his legs, but had to stop because of the dizziness. He was disappointed in the brevity of that exercise, but he was reminded that a week ago he was barely able to lift his arm. Now he can raise it with confidence. He is now also able to push himself up in bed.
He continues to deal with the bed sore that is causing a lot of pain, and he has been told that it will take about 3 months to heal. But he will be getting a new bed specially made to aid in the healing of bed sores. So please continue to pray for the healing of this and thank God for the new bed.
The oxygen supply to Fr. Nigel's trach has been reduced a bit as the weaning process continues, so our Lord is hearing your prayers for the healing of his lungs. But he has a cough that persists.
Fr. Nigel said that his prayer life has returned, and he feels a great peace envelope him. He said that he knows that it is your prayers. He thanks God for your prayers and the gift of life.
Please pray for:

Immediate healing of the bed sore

Complete rejuvenation and healing of his lungs, and elimination of his cough

Healing of whatever is causing the dizziness and nausea when he tries to stand

Peace and strength for Lynn as she continues to support and care for Fr. Nigel

Please give Thanks and Praise to Our Lord - for the healing that has taken place- known and unknown - for the strengthening of his muscles, for the clarity of his mind, for the healing of his lungs, for the regular heartbeat, for the normal temperature, for the Lord's healing touch in so many ways.

Thank you all for your prayers. Our God is awesome and He hears your crying out to Him. God Bless You.

Albany Intercessor

A Message from Fr. Nigel

A message from Fr. Nigel

"A HUGE THANK YOU to all who have been praying for me. There was a night when the doctors told Lynn [Torre: probably October 19th] that they couldn't do anything more for me. That was the night the special request for prayer went out. There was a huge Tsunami wave of prayer that washed over me and that is why I am here today."

Fr. Nigel also reported that he was able to put on his own socks by himself for the first time today.

Please continue to pray for:
Immediate healing of the bedsore that is still causing him great discomfort
Healing of whatever is causing the dizziness and nausea
Complete healing and restoration of his lungs
Regaining strength and use of his muscles
Peace and stamina for Lynn

Albany Intercessor

Fr. Nigel - Friday, December 4th

Fr. Nigel Update 9:14 AM

Friday 12/4/09
Fr. Nigel Mumford continues to improve, bit by bit. Yesterday was an orientation day for him in his new surroundings, so he was meeting new doctors, nurses and staff. He continues to receive some help with oxygen as his lungs are not able to manage on their own just yet. He said that his brief time on his feet attempting to walk is much like Tim Conway on the 70s television show "Laugh In" – he shuffles along with his walker. Although he would like to be gaining more strength and time on his feet, his dizziness and nausea are continuing to plague him. The doctors are trying to discover what is causing this.

Fr. Nigel is in wonderful spirits and his sense of humor is ever evident. If you know Fr. Nigel, you will know that he is keen on humor in the healing process. He is anxious to build up his strength so that he can be home by Christmas, which would be a wonderful gift.

Please pray for:
Immediate healing of the bedsore that is still causing him great discomfort
Healing of whatever is causing the dizziness and nausea
Complete healing and restoration of his lungs
Regaining strength and use of his muscles
Peace and stamina for Lynn

Please give Praise and Thanksgiving to our God who has answered our prayers.
Because Fr. Nigel is still susceptible to infection, there is still a No Visitor policy. Fr. Nigel knows how many people are praying for him and he knows how God has listened to your prayers. If he were able, Fr. Nigel would thank each of you personally for your prayers for him and for others. May God bless you for your faithfulness in prayer and your faithfulness to Him.

From Beth Strickland

Update on Fr. Nigel- 12/3

Fr. Nigel Update 9:58 AM

Thursday 12/3/09

Fr. Nigel Mumford has been moved from Saratoga Hospital to a Rehab Center for physical rehabilitation. His move went very well and although he doesn’t have the intensive attention that he had at the ICU at Saratoga Hospital, this is a huge step forward in his recovery. He will be very busy at the Rehab Center strengthening his muscles so that he can do the most simple things that you and I take for granted. As an example, he lifted his arm over his head by himself for the first time yesterday. Thank You Lord for your healing touch!

He is continuing to experience very intense nausea and dizziness as he tries to stand. His legs aren’t strong enough to support him for very long yet, but he is trying so hard. Relief from the nausea and dizziness would help tremendously in his efforts to stand and strengthen his muscles.

Fr. Nigel is also still experiencing severe pain from his bed sore, so prayer for healing of this is important.
Fr. Nigel is continuing to receive some oxygen at a low level as he is still not able to breathe on his own yet. His lungs are working but not to their full capacity yet.

Let us pray for:
Immediate and complete healing of Fr. Nigel’s bed sore
Complete healing of Fr. Nigel’s lungs
Immediate relief from the dizziness and nausea
Peace to Lynn as she aids in Fr. Nigel’s recovery

Thanks and Praise to our Lord for the mustard seeds of improvement that are seen day by day. We Glorify you Lord. You are an Awesome God.
Thank you to all you prayer warriors for your continuing prayers and steadfastness to prayer for Fr. Nigel.

Fr. Nigel’s parents have sent the following message:
We realize there is a load of hard slog for Nigel - but he is so determined to get back into life again. David and I so want to thank everyone of those who have and are continuing in prayer for him and Lynn. It's a long time now and their commitment is so heartwarming ----- and LOOK what prayer is achieving. God is faithful and He is doing such great things We do want also to send our appreciation to Torre & Jean Bissell who have obviously had a big part in all this. THANK YOU - THANK YOU. So hope to meet you all in due course. With Our Father God's Love, in the Name of His Son our Saviour and in the Joy and power of His Holy Spirit........Bless you all. David and Jean Mumford .

Perfomance enchancing drugs & Cricket fighting???

We live in a seriously strange world, where people give Ecstasy to BUGS and such a thing as the "Shanghai Folk Cricket Canister Art Association" exist.

SHANGHAI -- Like the baseball calendar in the U.S., China's cricket-fighting season is getting longer and longer. Purists fret that the pastime is being threatened by a money culture.

Helping lead the effort to upend thousands of years of Chinese tradition is Xu Moxiao, a man determined to lengthen the customary autumn fighting season. He thinks year-round bug fights are better for fans and for the people who make money off the sport.

"What I'm doing is trying to expand the good things," says Mr. Xu.

Cricket fighting has long followed the rhythms of nature. Around late summer, the inch-long blackish-brown insects are plucked out of farm fields and sold as cheap entertainment. Spectators gather to watch heated matches in which two crickets battle it out, gladiator style, until one turns tail and runs.. . .

Check out the video and slideshow, too.

Final day in ICU! Thanks be to God!

From the Diocese website:
Tuesday 12/1/09

Today will be the last day that Fr. Nigel Mumford will be in the ICU. We Praise You Lord and we thank You for all of the healing that is taking place! He will be moving to “Rehab” for his physical rehabilitation. He will be strengthening his muscles, especially his legs. He is fighting severe dizziness and nausea when he tries to stand, which is understandable after all of this time on his back. This is his 53 rd day in the hospital! He said that his head is spinning as though he were on a merry-go-round. As a result of all of this time in the hospital, he has developed a bedsore that is causing him serious pain and discomfort.



As Fr. Nigel has taught us to pray, we will pray as accurately as possible. Please pray for:

Relief from the nausea and dizziness as he tries to stand

Healing of the bed sore

Strengthening of all of his muscles, but especially for his legs, so that he can “walk out of the darkness”, as he put it

Continued healing of his lungs

Strength for Lynn as she ministers to Fr. Nigel


Glory to God for the miracle that He has worked through Fr. Nigel. “Glory to You, Lord God of our fathers; You are worthy of praise: Glory to You.” BCP 90



As it turns out, the 300+ E-cards that Fr. Nigel received at Saratoga Hospital, although they were a bit of an inconvenience, they were actually also a gift. Fr. Nigel told me that the volunteers that were printing the messages were reading them as they were printing them, and your messages were ministering to the volunteers and the staff. God works in wondrous ways. Today will be the last day that you will be able to send Fr. Nigel an E-card. If you have already sent one, then please don’t send another, but if you haven’t - today is your day. http://www.saratogacare.org/



Blessings to all of you for your continued prayer for Fr. Nigel and your Praise of our Lord, who is our healer and redeemer.