One Bread, One Body…
I finished up my January term this week. It really was a great three weeks and I learned so much. I have a much greater understanding of the daily struggles of many of the Hispanic people who live in our country. This is especially true in their efforts to worship Jesus. I am proud of the social services agencies and the churches we visited. They are truly ministering and doing all they can to help our brothers and sisters.
I left Austin on Thursday, arriving in Nashville that night. We drove straight to the Mountain after my parents picked me up to attend the 180th Convention of the Diocese of Tennessee, held in Sewanee. It was an honor to represent the Seminary of the Southwest there. Although I think very highly of the School of Theology at Sewanee and have many wonderful friends and family that have attended the seminary, it was great to be able to talk about a different school, a school that is just as special and is producing very fine priests - my school, the Seminary of the Southwest.
It was also great fun reconnecting with lots of fun people and enjoying my parents company. It will be no surprise to you that Daddy is well liked in the Diocese. He was elected to the Standing Committee and as a Trustee of the University of the South (I think this could be his 18th time to serve as a trustee, he loves it!)
I also got to speak to the entire convention about Southwest. It was great to be able to tell them all about my amazing school. A bonus was meeting the Bishop of Rhode Island, the Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolfe, the guest speaker for the convention. She told me the need for bi-lingual priests that have an understanding of Hispanic culture in her diocese. I told her to come visit SSW and that she would find plenty of fine seminarians with these skills!
The theme of the convention was One Bread, One Body. As I reflect over my January course and my time in at the convention, those words ring so true. It takes all of us, and I do mean all of us, to make up the Body of Christ. We are one in His eyes and I pray that we can see and live that message!
I am looking forward to spending a few more days with my family before starting the spring semester. I continue to think of you all often and pray for a healthy and happy 2012 for us all.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Seminary of the Southwest Christ Chapel
The view I get to experience everytime I attend Christ Chapel!!!!!!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
“You are not called to deliver pizzas, you are called to deliver the Gospel.”
“You are not called to deliver pizzas, you are called to deliver the Gospel.”
I just returned from a weekend at San Mateo’s Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. The rector, The Rev. Alejandro Montes, is a wonderful shepherd to many. On our first day of visiting with him, he told us his story. Father Montes is from Peru. He left his home at 8 years old and lived on the streets for many years. God called him at the age of 17 to serve the Church. At one point he was delivering pizzas and met an Episcopal priest. The priest told him: “You are not called to deliver pizzas, you are called to deliver the Gospel.” That phrase has stuck with me for days. I think we can relate it to any part of our lives. What is it that we do day in and day out? Are we delivering the Gospel or are we just living our lives? It is not only priest who deliver the Gospel, anyone can. Even a pizza delivery man.
It was an honor to spend time with the people of San Manteo’s. They are warm, inviting and have a deep love for Jesus. We enjoyed participating in a youth Bible study, eating Peruvian food and most importantly, fellowship.
Today, my friend James and I participated in the Eucharist as Chalice Bearers. I was a bit nervous about worshipping with 400 people that I did not know in a language that I could not speak. The Holy Spirit was present in that Church today! We sang, we clapped, and we prayed. At one point in the service, I was brought to tears. I was grateful to be there and felt so alive worshipping with these good people. Thank you Lord for this incredible opportunity.
I have the day off tomorrow and then head back for the final few days of classes. I will go to Nashville on Thursday to attend the Diocese of Tennessee’s convention. I am thrilled to represent the Seminary of the Southwest at the convention. I am really enjoying my January term learning about Hispanic culture and faith. I hope that I can take what I learn back to the Diocese of Alabama. May we always remember to deliver the Gospel each and everyday.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
I just returned from a weekend at San Mateo’s Episcopal Church in Houston, TX. The rector, The Rev. Alejandro Montes, is a wonderful shepherd to many. On our first day of visiting with him, he told us his story. Father Montes is from Peru. He left his home at 8 years old and lived on the streets for many years. God called him at the age of 17 to serve the Church. At one point he was delivering pizzas and met an Episcopal priest. The priest told him: “You are not called to deliver pizzas, you are called to deliver the Gospel.” That phrase has stuck with me for days. I think we can relate it to any part of our lives. What is it that we do day in and day out? Are we delivering the Gospel or are we just living our lives? It is not only priest who deliver the Gospel, anyone can. Even a pizza delivery man.
It was an honor to spend time with the people of San Manteo’s. They are warm, inviting and have a deep love for Jesus. We enjoyed participating in a youth Bible study, eating Peruvian food and most importantly, fellowship.
Today, my friend James and I participated in the Eucharist as Chalice Bearers. I was a bit nervous about worshipping with 400 people that I did not know in a language that I could not speak. The Holy Spirit was present in that Church today! We sang, we clapped, and we prayed. At one point in the service, I was brought to tears. I was grateful to be there and felt so alive worshipping with these good people. Thank you Lord for this incredible opportunity.
I have the day off tomorrow and then head back for the final few days of classes. I will go to Nashville on Thursday to attend the Diocese of Tennessee’s convention. I am thrilled to represent the Seminary of the Southwest at the convention. I am really enjoying my January term learning about Hispanic culture and faith. I hope that I can take what I learn back to the Diocese of Alabama. May we always remember to deliver the Gospel each and everyday.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Laredo, a city of many blessings...
Laredo, a city of many blessings…
I returned last night from a four-day adventure to Laredo, Texas. Laredo is about three and half-hours from Austin and it is the last city before reaching Mexico. The city is located on the Rio Grande River. Spanish is the prominent language in Laredo. Over 17,000 trucks enter the city daily from Mexico. The majority of the population of the city of Laredo is Hispanic. Almost 30% of the residents of Laredo live below the poverty line. There are countless illegal immigrants that are not factored in to that number.
As many of you know, I have traveled to Haiti many times and I have seen the poor. I have also seen people of great faith that are so thankful for what God has given them in the midst of their heartache. Although there are many poor people in Laredo, they too are people of faith. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to hear the stories of some of the people of Laredo. I am grateful that they would share their lives with me.
During our visit to Laredo we meet with pastors, administrators of non-profits, boarder patrol officers, citizens of Laredo and most importantly, immigrants of other countries seeking a better life in the U.S. A recurring theme in my mind was how could this much poverty be happening in my own country. Another theme was how much ownership the citizens of Laredo felt to help those in need. I was also overcome by the amount of hospitability that was shown to my classmates and myself over the weekend.
Since coming back from Laredo I have been processing my experience. My ministry in Laredo, Texas would look very different than my ministry in Birmingham, Alabama, although some of the same issues exist in both cities. As far as I know, there is only one Hispanic Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. I can’t imagine numerous members of my congregation speaking a different language than me. I can’t imagine not only tending the flock of my parishioners, but of the Seventh Day Adventist that worship at Christ Church Laredo and the literally thousands of poor people in my community including some in my parish. When faced with this situation, what do you do? The first thing you do is get down on your knees and pray and the second thing you do is learn Spanish. Finally, you have amazing faith.
The people of Laredo blessed me this weekend. I was amazed, inspired, and most importantly, felt God’s presence in this city. I hope you will all join me in praying for those that have less than we do.
I head back to class tomorrow and I am off to a Hispanic speaking Episcopal congregation in Houston on Thursday. I look forward to updating you all on my trip when I return.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
I returned last night from a four-day adventure to Laredo, Texas. Laredo is about three and half-hours from Austin and it is the last city before reaching Mexico. The city is located on the Rio Grande River. Spanish is the prominent language in Laredo. Over 17,000 trucks enter the city daily from Mexico. The majority of the population of the city of Laredo is Hispanic. Almost 30% of the residents of Laredo live below the poverty line. There are countless illegal immigrants that are not factored in to that number.
As many of you know, I have traveled to Haiti many times and I have seen the poor. I have also seen people of great faith that are so thankful for what God has given them in the midst of their heartache. Although there are many poor people in Laredo, they too are people of faith. I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to hear the stories of some of the people of Laredo. I am grateful that they would share their lives with me.
During our visit to Laredo we meet with pastors, administrators of non-profits, boarder patrol officers, citizens of Laredo and most importantly, immigrants of other countries seeking a better life in the U.S. A recurring theme in my mind was how could this much poverty be happening in my own country. Another theme was how much ownership the citizens of Laredo felt to help those in need. I was also overcome by the amount of hospitability that was shown to my classmates and myself over the weekend.
Since coming back from Laredo I have been processing my experience. My ministry in Laredo, Texas would look very different than my ministry in Birmingham, Alabama, although some of the same issues exist in both cities. As far as I know, there is only one Hispanic Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Alabama. I can’t imagine numerous members of my congregation speaking a different language than me. I can’t imagine not only tending the flock of my parishioners, but of the Seventh Day Adventist that worship at Christ Church Laredo and the literally thousands of poor people in my community including some in my parish. When faced with this situation, what do you do? The first thing you do is get down on your knees and pray and the second thing you do is learn Spanish. Finally, you have amazing faith.
The people of Laredo blessed me this weekend. I was amazed, inspired, and most importantly, felt God’s presence in this city. I hope you will all join me in praying for those that have less than we do.
I head back to class tomorrow and I am off to a Hispanic speaking Episcopal congregation in Houston on Thursday. I look forward to updating you all on my trip when I return.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Back to Texas......
Back to Texas…
I made it back to Texas safe and sound on New Year’s Day. I had a wonderful week in Tennessee with my family. I ended the year with a quick trip to where I grew up, Inverness, MS. I spent time in many states over my Christmas break, but well worth it to see so many of my favorite people. To all that I spent time with, thank you for making my Christmas Merry and Bright!!
2011 was a wonderful year for me. I finally began the seminary journey. It was also a difficult year. I had to say good-bye to my life in Birmingham and to two family members. As I reflect back over the past year I am, as always, so thankful for all the wonderful gifts God has blessed with me. I have learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. As I told many of my friends and family over Christmas break, seminary is the hardest thing I have ever done. With that said, it is a good growing experience. This experience is challenging me and stretching me in ways that I did not know that I could go. I am grateful for the good and the bad. I am thankful to be here.
Owen and I are settled back in to our little home and Austin. Today I started a three-week January course. The goal of the course is an emersion experience into Hispanic culture and ministry. My hope is that I will not only learn and experience, but that I will be able to teach what I learn. It takes all types of people to make up the Body of Christ. I am honored to learn more about the Hispanic culture to be able to welcome them into the Body of Christ.
I will report back soon on the class and our first trip of the course to Laredo, Texas.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
I made it back to Texas safe and sound on New Year’s Day. I had a wonderful week in Tennessee with my family. I ended the year with a quick trip to where I grew up, Inverness, MS. I spent time in many states over my Christmas break, but well worth it to see so many of my favorite people. To all that I spent time with, thank you for making my Christmas Merry and Bright!!
2011 was a wonderful year for me. I finally began the seminary journey. It was also a difficult year. I had to say good-bye to my life in Birmingham and to two family members. As I reflect back over the past year I am, as always, so thankful for all the wonderful gifts God has blessed with me. I have learned so much about myself and my relationship with God. As I told many of my friends and family over Christmas break, seminary is the hardest thing I have ever done. With that said, it is a good growing experience. This experience is challenging me and stretching me in ways that I did not know that I could go. I am grateful for the good and the bad. I am thankful to be here.
Owen and I are settled back in to our little home and Austin. Today I started a three-week January course. The goal of the course is an emersion experience into Hispanic culture and ministry. My hope is that I will not only learn and experience, but that I will be able to teach what I learn. It takes all types of people to make up the Body of Christ. I am honored to learn more about the Hispanic culture to be able to welcome them into the Body of Christ.
I will report back soon on the class and our first trip of the course to Laredo, Texas.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
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