The Silly Episcopalian

A while ago, during her sermon, our Priest told us a story about her struggles with dyslexia; it's a tough disorder that I don't understand (reading and writing are my life!), but I can imagine it to be incredibly frustrating because so many people judge intelligence by how someone reads.  This is how I learned a new lesson. Caveat: literacy is a big fat hairy deal  to me.  I want everyone to at least TRY to learn how to read and write.  English teacher = mother.  Our punishment = not being allowed to read before bed.  insert context here. I used to judge people's intelligence by their reading abilities... I mean, if you can't do something as easy as reading, how the heck are you going to be able to do the other stuff? (inherited from EnglishTeacherMom) Years ago, I loved substitute teaching in special education rooms because there was always an assistant to help out (small classes + assistant = usually an easy-ish day).  There were kiddos who were absolute pains

On Tuesday I had probably the worst panic attack I've had in my life.  I have many a diagnosis (Bipolar 2, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder), and sometimes I'm able to keep things under control.  This did not happen Tuesday.  I felt "off" when I left for work, so I stopped to get an iced coffee, hoping that this "treat" would help me feel better.  Well, the register was broken and I had no cash, so there was a bit of a delay processing my card.  I know that they were annoyed at the process, and I apologized so much (I've been on the other side of the counter.  Note: when you're gentle to people in this situation, they REALLY APPRECIATE it), but it still bothered the hell out of me that such a thing happened.  Sat down in my car with the door open for a minute, felt that foreboding weirdness in my fingertips, and contemplated going home.  But I didn't.  My in-laws were coming to visit Joe, and I know that if I called out sick and seeme

Dear friends, I am looking for feedback on this draft of my sermon for Sunday, May 6, 2018.  Comments on here, on my facebook (Emily Morisette), or as an email are welcome.  Thank you in advance, and blessings to you. Preface: May the words I speak be only truth, and may that truth; let them express the love of God for everyone. I hate admitting that I hadn’t been to church in almost a month until last Sunday… but “coming back” felt like God was speaking directly to me to welcome me back, especially in the readings of scripture.   And then this Sunday’s readings brought last week’s readings into even more vivid light than they had been. This week I was struck by today’s first reading, when Peter says that it makes no sense to deny Baptism – inclusion into this union – to anyone who has received the spirit.   It makes no sense to deny anyone: welcome.   We welcome you here in love because we can’t imagine it any other way. Last week we read from the first book of John.

again. again, again, again. again. the blood, the screams. the shaking embraces. the parents who never fathomed this Again. the keening, the wailing. the primordial screams. the angry opinions on every computer screen. again. the dark, the pain. the confusion. the anger, the fury. the fruitless rage. again. the pain of empathy, the dolor of love. the bitterness. again. the ribbons, the posters the billboards, the flags. the meaningless moments of silence. again. the sanctimonious speeches. the "thoughts and prayers." the political gain again. When will our screams reach not the ears but the hands of Action before another Again? when will the outpouring of poetry, music, art, about these Agains STOP? when will           AGAIN stop its jarring cadence of our hearts pounding? again. again again again again, again, again. the "we should have known." would have. could have. the infinite futility of only w

The lessons:  Isaiah 40:21-31 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39 Psalm 147:1-12, 21c The Sermon: Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  So says the first reading.  Twice.  Seems like Isaiah is telling us to listen up.  It’s one of the greatest attention-getters in almost any conversation.  People use it all the time: “did you hear that so-and-so is getting married to that guy?  Did you hear that so-and-so died?”  In fact, I used that expression only last week.  I do not know whether it is comforting or not to know that the preface for almost all modern gossip, good and bad, has been around for millenia.  At any rate, it gets you listening. So. Have you not heard that the Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the heavens and the earth?   He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless!   Sounds pretty excellent.   And Isaiah tells us that it gets EVEN BETTER.   Even the youths will faint and grow weary, the young will fall exhausted.   H