The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it…
I have said this passage from the Gospel of John over and over in my head the past few weeks. Not because I am unhappy, but because I am overwhelmed. I keep looking for the light of Jesus to guide me through as I complete my junior year in seminary.
I look at the Bible that was given to me in September at my matriculation service and it has taken a beating! I have highlighted in almost every chapter, I have written all over it and the pages and cover are bruised. I can say the same thing for my Book of Common Prayer. I am not sure I could have told you most of the stories in the Bible in September. Not only have I learned them, but I have absorbed how to dig deep in to the text, to question it, to make it come alive, and to teach it. I have learned this and so much more. To make this statement is empowering for me because I never did well in school and I barely opened a Bible before coming to seminary. Yet, I knew God was calling me to a richer relationship with Him and as a shepherd of His people. Seminary has given me that and so much more.
I can say with certainty that I have learned more than I could have possibly imagined this year. The education I am receiving is not only in the classroom, but also in Christ Chapel, and with this amazing community. Most importantly I am growing with God. Sometimes growing hurts, often it feels dark, but if we remember Jesus and look for the light, we will be enriched and blessed ten fold.
I read a story yesterday about a woman finding Christ in an unlikely character. This person was married to a man that did evil things, he stole, he had affairs, and he was not a good guy. The man became ill and his wife took care of him, knowing of all of the unhealthy and broken things that he did in his life. It was difficult for her, but she lived out her true calling in life, to be a disciple of Christ, to act Christ like. Remember, Jesus associated with the leopards, blessed the outcasts, and forgave the sinners. This woman did just as Jesus would have done. The most important lesson I have learned this year is to be a disciple of Christ in everything I do. Take in the outcasts, love the unlovable, care for those that are different from me, and embrace the people that God has put in my life. Christian love will follow if there is love and respect in your life.
As this year comes to a close and I continue to look for the light of Jesus that is sometimes hidden in the darkness, I want to thank you all for supporting me on this journey. Even though seminary is the hardest thing I have ever done, for the first time in my life I feel completely at peace with God’s call for me. I have embraced the fact that He wants me to be a priest. I can only hope that I will not disappoint Him and remember to always look for Him in everyone that I encounter.
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Seminary of the Southwest Christ Chapel
The view I get to experience everytime I attend Christ Chapel!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
The Hands of God...
The Hands of God…
I was sitting and chatting with a dear friend this week telling her about letting go of certain fears and anxieties that I have. My friend patiently and kindly listened to me and said this, “Whenever I need to let go of something, I imagine a giant set of hands, God’s hands, taking the fear, worry or issue away from me.” I love the imaginary of a giant set of hands. Hands that are so big that they are able to take all of our pain and worries away. I was reminded that sometimes the best thing to do is let go and let God.
As I reflect back on the amazing Easter Triduum that we as a seminary celebrated last weekend and as I look forward to this Easter Tide season, I am thankful for where I am and grateful for this big set of hands to take all of my fears and worries away. The Easter Triduum was a wonderful experience. I am actually not sure that I have ever been to all four services and participated as fully as I did this year. Not only was it a learning tool for a bunch of future priests, but also we came together as a family and washed each other’s feet, kissed the cross of Jesus’ crucifixion, baptized babies and celebrated the fact that Christ is risen!!! Alleluia Christ has risen indeed!!!
After all of this I hit a wall! All this week my eyes have been extremely heavy. In the midst of tons of schoolwork, trying to participate in class and the growing pains of my class, I have just been trying to stay awake! I know the next few weeks will be painful but worth every minute, because I am learning, worshipping our Lord and basking in the glory of His resurrection. It is an exciting time and a privilege to be a part of the journey.
Two of my classmates have decided to transfer to other schools. I am sad about this and I will miss them. They have both pushed me, listen to me and cared for me. As they told us of their plans we decided to pray for them. The great news is that in the midst of these prayers we were able to celebrate them and what they have meant to the life of our seminary. We should pray all the time for the needs of others. Not just when someone is leaving or is sick. We should celebrate them!
As I give my fears and worries over to the giant hands of God, I am also going to celebrate all of you and thank Him for allowing me to be a part of your lives and yours a part of mine. Alleluia!!
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
I was sitting and chatting with a dear friend this week telling her about letting go of certain fears and anxieties that I have. My friend patiently and kindly listened to me and said this, “Whenever I need to let go of something, I imagine a giant set of hands, God’s hands, taking the fear, worry or issue away from me.” I love the imaginary of a giant set of hands. Hands that are so big that they are able to take all of our pain and worries away. I was reminded that sometimes the best thing to do is let go and let God.
As I reflect back on the amazing Easter Triduum that we as a seminary celebrated last weekend and as I look forward to this Easter Tide season, I am thankful for where I am and grateful for this big set of hands to take all of my fears and worries away. The Easter Triduum was a wonderful experience. I am actually not sure that I have ever been to all four services and participated as fully as I did this year. Not only was it a learning tool for a bunch of future priests, but also we came together as a family and washed each other’s feet, kissed the cross of Jesus’ crucifixion, baptized babies and celebrated the fact that Christ is risen!!! Alleluia Christ has risen indeed!!!
After all of this I hit a wall! All this week my eyes have been extremely heavy. In the midst of tons of schoolwork, trying to participate in class and the growing pains of my class, I have just been trying to stay awake! I know the next few weeks will be painful but worth every minute, because I am learning, worshipping our Lord and basking in the glory of His resurrection. It is an exciting time and a privilege to be a part of the journey.
Two of my classmates have decided to transfer to other schools. I am sad about this and I will miss them. They have both pushed me, listen to me and cared for me. As they told us of their plans we decided to pray for them. The great news is that in the midst of these prayers we were able to celebrate them and what they have meant to the life of our seminary. We should pray all the time for the needs of others. Not just when someone is leaving or is sick. We should celebrate them!
As I give my fears and worries over to the giant hands of God, I am also going to celebrate all of you and thank Him for allowing me to be a part of your lives and yours a part of mine. Alleluia!!
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Saturday, March 31, 2012
I Know This…
I am going to go completely out of my comfort zone on this post, but something in side of me is saying to write, so I will.
Yesterday, a group of students at SSW hosted a workshop called Sexuality and Ministry. The purpose of the workshop was to learn how to have a meaningful and informed conversation about sexuality and ministry. In July, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church could pass an amendment supporting same sex blessings. What does this mean? It means that a Diocese that wants to bless same sex marriages would have the authority to do so through the Episcopal Church.
I am very appreciative of my fellow seminarians that took the initiative to start this conversation. As leaders in the Church, it will be up to us to help our brothers and sisters to have fruitful conversations about this sensitive topic. We have to learn to worship together, accept each other and most importantly love one another.
One of the presenters at the workshop said this, “we are called to minister to people, not ideologies and causes.” I really think that sums up what ministry is truly about. No matter what the issue is, it is God’s people that matter. What I do know is that we have to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we are all God’s precious children, without regard to the color of our skin, our gender or our sexual orientation.
I also know this; it takes all of us to make up the Body of Christ. I encourage us all to be a part of this conversation and to remember that we are all God’s people. Thank you for letting me get out of my comfort zone and speak from my heart.
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
I am going to go completely out of my comfort zone on this post, but something in side of me is saying to write, so I will.
Yesterday, a group of students at SSW hosted a workshop called Sexuality and Ministry. The purpose of the workshop was to learn how to have a meaningful and informed conversation about sexuality and ministry. In July, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church could pass an amendment supporting same sex blessings. What does this mean? It means that a Diocese that wants to bless same sex marriages would have the authority to do so through the Episcopal Church.
I am very appreciative of my fellow seminarians that took the initiative to start this conversation. As leaders in the Church, it will be up to us to help our brothers and sisters to have fruitful conversations about this sensitive topic. We have to learn to worship together, accept each other and most importantly love one another.
One of the presenters at the workshop said this, “we are called to minister to people, not ideologies and causes.” I really think that sums up what ministry is truly about. No matter what the issue is, it is God’s people that matter. What I do know is that we have to remember that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and that we are all God’s precious children, without regard to the color of our skin, our gender or our sexual orientation.
I also know this; it takes all of us to make up the Body of Christ. I encourage us all to be a part of this conversation and to remember that we are all God’s people. Thank you for letting me get out of my comfort zone and speak from my heart.
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Sunday, March 25, 2012
My Theology...
My Theology…
As you might imagine, in seminary you not only learn about theology but you try to make sense of what your own theology is. I have always said that my theology is that God is love. I still believe that, but I want to go deeper with that statement. How do we know God’s love? How do we know when God is speaking to us and is showing His love for us through others? What does the word love mean? I don’t have the answers to the questions, but I am certainly thinking about them. I am also becoming more aware of my gifts - and issues that I need to work on!
I have always been a “doer.” You know, the person who volunteers, steps in, organizes events; this was my world for eleven years as a development officer. I am learning how to keep my “doer” personality while letting others shine as well. One hundred forty two amazing leaders surround me at SSW and many of them are “doers” as well. I have told you all this before, but this seminary is producing fabulous priests, counselors and chaplains. We are all in for a treat! How do I fit in to this group of one hundred forty two great people? How do I strengthen my gifts but also allowing for growing edges, edges that often hurt? These are the questions that I ponder often. These are the questions that I process with my classmates. In addition, how do I continue to remind myself that it is usually not about me?
This blog update isn’t a negative update; it is just real and what I am feeling. So, don’t get me wrong, I am still happy as a lark and I am enjoying every minute of seminary. I am also growing and sometimes growing hurts. I will admit having my Mom and Aunt Jane visit over Spring Break was a shot in the arm of goodness for me. I will be happy to be with my family this summer. In turn, I will be happy to come back to Austin in August.
So what is my theology? It is still God is love and I hope it always will be. But I am going to continue to ask myself what does that really mean and how does it strengthen our relationship with God. How are we creating space for Christ to show up in our lives? How are we letting God love us?
I am still working on my Lenten discipline of praying for those that I have hurt or who have hurt me. I am also praying for all of you that I love deeply. You are often in my thoughts and are very missed.
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
As you might imagine, in seminary you not only learn about theology but you try to make sense of what your own theology is. I have always said that my theology is that God is love. I still believe that, but I want to go deeper with that statement. How do we know God’s love? How do we know when God is speaking to us and is showing His love for us through others? What does the word love mean? I don’t have the answers to the questions, but I am certainly thinking about them. I am also becoming more aware of my gifts - and issues that I need to work on!
I have always been a “doer.” You know, the person who volunteers, steps in, organizes events; this was my world for eleven years as a development officer. I am learning how to keep my “doer” personality while letting others shine as well. One hundred forty two amazing leaders surround me at SSW and many of them are “doers” as well. I have told you all this before, but this seminary is producing fabulous priests, counselors and chaplains. We are all in for a treat! How do I fit in to this group of one hundred forty two great people? How do I strengthen my gifts but also allowing for growing edges, edges that often hurt? These are the questions that I ponder often. These are the questions that I process with my classmates. In addition, how do I continue to remind myself that it is usually not about me?
This blog update isn’t a negative update; it is just real and what I am feeling. So, don’t get me wrong, I am still happy as a lark and I am enjoying every minute of seminary. I am also growing and sometimes growing hurts. I will admit having my Mom and Aunt Jane visit over Spring Break was a shot in the arm of goodness for me. I will be happy to be with my family this summer. In turn, I will be happy to come back to Austin in August.
So what is my theology? It is still God is love and I hope it always will be. But I am going to continue to ask myself what does that really mean and how does it strengthen our relationship with God. How are we creating space for Christ to show up in our lives? How are we letting God love us?
I am still working on my Lenten discipline of praying for those that I have hurt or who have hurt me. I am also praying for all of you that I love deeply. You are often in my thoughts and are very missed.
Blessings as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Spring Break 2012...
Spring Break 2012…
I am going to scale back my blogpost writing to every two weeks. As you can imagine, my schoolwork is getting harder and I don’t have as much time as I would like to devote to blogging. With that being said, Spring Break 2012 is here!!! I am excited to have a week off and even more thrilled that Mom and Aunt Jane are coming on Monday. We are planning on eating great meals, visiting Lady Bird Johnson’s wildflower reserve, shopping on South Congress and possibly a trip to San Antonio.
The last two weeks have been busy with Visitor’s Weekend, midterms and the daily activities of the life of a seminarian. Visitor’s Weekend was a huge success and it was a joy to participate in the event. I think we recruited some wonderful people to be a part of our community. I am already so excited about seeing them again in the fall. I took several tests this past week. They were challenging to say the least! I am trying to be positive and remind myself I gave them my best effort. I do put a lot of time and effort into my studies because this information is so important! I want to retain every bit of it. It is still very exciting to sit in class and devour the Bible, ponder the thoughts of prominent theologians and learn to chant our beautiful services.
I am excited to tell you that I will be going to the Episcopal Church’s General Convention this summer in Indianapolis. I will be traveling with other SSW students to be a part of the seminary’s social media team. We will be tweeting, facebooking, and blogging about the event. If you are on twitter, please follow me: marybalfourvz. I look forward to sharing with you all the important decisions that will be made this summer in Indianapolis.
I am still working on my Lenten discipline of praying for those that I have hurt or who have hurt me. I am always amazed by the amount of healing that happens. God is working on my heart in this area. I think I will keep this up way past Lent!!!
Please know that I am praying for those that I can’t see and touch everyday. You are in my thoughts and prayers as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
I am going to scale back my blogpost writing to every two weeks. As you can imagine, my schoolwork is getting harder and I don’t have as much time as I would like to devote to blogging. With that being said, Spring Break 2012 is here!!! I am excited to have a week off and even more thrilled that Mom and Aunt Jane are coming on Monday. We are planning on eating great meals, visiting Lady Bird Johnson’s wildflower reserve, shopping on South Congress and possibly a trip to San Antonio.
The last two weeks have been busy with Visitor’s Weekend, midterms and the daily activities of the life of a seminarian. Visitor’s Weekend was a huge success and it was a joy to participate in the event. I think we recruited some wonderful people to be a part of our community. I am already so excited about seeing them again in the fall. I took several tests this past week. They were challenging to say the least! I am trying to be positive and remind myself I gave them my best effort. I do put a lot of time and effort into my studies because this information is so important! I want to retain every bit of it. It is still very exciting to sit in class and devour the Bible, ponder the thoughts of prominent theologians and learn to chant our beautiful services.
I am excited to tell you that I will be going to the Episcopal Church’s General Convention this summer in Indianapolis. I will be traveling with other SSW students to be a part of the seminary’s social media team. We will be tweeting, facebooking, and blogging about the event. If you are on twitter, please follow me: marybalfourvz. I look forward to sharing with you all the important decisions that will be made this summer in Indianapolis.
I am still working on my Lenten discipline of praying for those that I have hurt or who have hurt me. I am always amazed by the amount of healing that happens. God is working on my heart in this area. I think I will keep this up way past Lent!!!
Please know that I am praying for those that I can’t see and touch everyday. You are in my thoughts and prayers as the ride continues…
Mary Balfour
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sweet Home Alabama...
Sweet Home Alabama…
It was very sweet to be back in Alabama for a few days. I had the pleasure of attending the Diocese of Alabama’s 181st Convention. Included in the convention weekend was spending time with new and old friends, watching my Bishop juggle, visiting with my fellow seminarians and having a ball! The Diocese of Alabama is a great a diocese. I am so blessed to be a part of it. I was updating my mother about the weekend and told her 10 times I love my diocese. In fact, it was hard to get focused on school after such an amazing weekend.
I am a big fan of Bishop Kee Sloan. You will see what I am mean if you take the time to listen to his Bishop’s address: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7G-wP0C9_s&feature=youtu.be. Kee is passionate about our diocese and wants to work together to continue to grow the Kingdom of God. I can’t wait for the opportunity to work with him in a few years.
The highlight of the weekend was spending time with my St. Mary’s family. I preached three times and spoke at Sunday School. Whew, Sunday mornings are busy for a priest in training☺ It was an amazing experience and I am grateful that I was welcomed home with loving arms. The audio for my sermon is on my facebook page. I hope you enjoy it! It was a labor of love for the people of St. Mary’s.
I made it back to Austin safe and sound and jumped right back in to the week by officiating at Evening Prayer. I am working hard on a big paper that is due on Tuesday and a variety of other projects and scholarship applications. Visitor’s Weekend is around the corner and I am excited to help entertain a postulant from Alabama and his wife.
Lent is here, a time for reflection, soul searching, discipline and preparing. I have taken on several things including exercising more and increasing my prayer life. My challenge to increase my prayer life is to make my ordinary life a prayer time. I hope you will join me! Here are a few ideas:
1) Try saying the Lord’s Prayer while the coffee is brewing in the morning.
2) Pray for someone while you are walking from the parking lot in to work or even to the grocery store.
3) Make a list of all people in your life that you have hurt or have hurt you. Intentionally say their names everyday in your prayer life.
4) Be open to the power of prayer and remember prayer can happen all day long in every occasion.
I pray that Lent will be a time of meditation and reflection for us all. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
It was very sweet to be back in Alabama for a few days. I had the pleasure of attending the Diocese of Alabama’s 181st Convention. Included in the convention weekend was spending time with new and old friends, watching my Bishop juggle, visiting with my fellow seminarians and having a ball! The Diocese of Alabama is a great a diocese. I am so blessed to be a part of it. I was updating my mother about the weekend and told her 10 times I love my diocese. In fact, it was hard to get focused on school after such an amazing weekend.
I am a big fan of Bishop Kee Sloan. You will see what I am mean if you take the time to listen to his Bishop’s address: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7G-wP0C9_s&feature=youtu.be. Kee is passionate about our diocese and wants to work together to continue to grow the Kingdom of God. I can’t wait for the opportunity to work with him in a few years.
The highlight of the weekend was spending time with my St. Mary’s family. I preached three times and spoke at Sunday School. Whew, Sunday mornings are busy for a priest in training☺ It was an amazing experience and I am grateful that I was welcomed home with loving arms. The audio for my sermon is on my facebook page. I hope you enjoy it! It was a labor of love for the people of St. Mary’s.
I made it back to Austin safe and sound and jumped right back in to the week by officiating at Evening Prayer. I am working hard on a big paper that is due on Tuesday and a variety of other projects and scholarship applications. Visitor’s Weekend is around the corner and I am excited to help entertain a postulant from Alabama and his wife.
Lent is here, a time for reflection, soul searching, discipline and preparing. I have taken on several things including exercising more and increasing my prayer life. My challenge to increase my prayer life is to make my ordinary life a prayer time. I hope you will join me! Here are a few ideas:
1) Try saying the Lord’s Prayer while the coffee is brewing in the morning.
2) Pray for someone while you are walking from the parking lot in to work or even to the grocery store.
3) Make a list of all people in your life that you have hurt or have hurt you. Intentionally say their names everyday in your prayer life.
4) Be open to the power of prayer and remember prayer can happen all day long in every occasion.
I pray that Lent will be a time of meditation and reflection for us all. You are all in my prayers and thoughts.
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Back in to the swing of things...
Back in to the swing of things…
It seems we are back in to the swing of things here at the Seminary of the Southwest. I have just completed my second full week of classes. I am back to my routine of nightly reading and I have my first paper due soon. Scholarship deadlines are approaching, there is lots of paperwork needed for working in a VA Hospital this summer and I am working 8 hours at week for the Development Office at SSW!
Although I like a routine and schedules, I am also trying to create something new each day. Sometimes Owen and I take a different path for our walks, often I stop by the bookstore and chat with my friends Donna, Vivian and Laura. I had lunch with my buddy Kellaura and a new friend Maggie this week. I know I am a calendar person, but sometimes when you get caught up in calendars and routines you miss the very thing that God is putting in front of you. I am working on it God, show me what you want me to see!
I also had the privilege this week to hear two different and powerful sermons. In the second semester of your middler year, you begin preaching in Chapel. It was a normal Wednesday and I was fulfilling my schedule of being a greeter in Chapel. I wasn’t aware of who the preacher would be that day and I was pleasantly surprised by the sermon. Clay’s spoke to us about not getting caught up in the details, specifically about our worship in Christ Chapel. God will always get worshipped. Even if someone spills the wine, reads the wrong texts or sings out of tune. It was a wonderful reminder to enjoy worship and feel God’s love, but more importantly to enjoy each day and all that He has given us.
This week the SSW Board of Trustees was on campus for a board meeting and the annual lecture in Bishop Claude Payne’s honor (Bishop Payne was the Bishop of Texas from 1995-2003). I had the honor of meeting Bishop and Mrs. Payne. They are fabulous, giving people! Even though they are now retired, they still bring the messages of leadership and evangelism to our Church. They are also chairing SSW Capital Campaign to raise 15.9 million dollars - we are already half way there ☺
The speaker for the Payne lecture was the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness. Bishop Magness is the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. His lecture was entitled "Moral Leadership in the Temple and Public Square: Missional Requirements for a New Era." This is a quote from Bishop Magness’ lecture: “As unconventional as it may appear to be, I am looking for persons who are capable of uniting the passion of Billy Graham, the theological grounding of H. Richard Niebuhr and the Anglican approach of Richard Hooker. A tall order? I suppose, but the times are changing, and the challenges are significant. I am finding that Jesus’ Biblical image of a seemingly stern requirement to be a follower is very appropriate for our circumstances: “’No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9.62, NRSV).
As you might imagine, I really enjoyed what Bishop Magness had to say about his vision for leadership and what kind of leader the Episcopal Church needs. I am not sure I can be exactly the person he is looking for, but it is sure would worth trying!
I will be leaving on Thursday to attend the Diocese of Alabama Convention and preaching at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be back in the great state of Alabama for a few days. I will be sure to report on those adventures as I get out of the swing of things for a few days!
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
It seems we are back in to the swing of things here at the Seminary of the Southwest. I have just completed my second full week of classes. I am back to my routine of nightly reading and I have my first paper due soon. Scholarship deadlines are approaching, there is lots of paperwork needed for working in a VA Hospital this summer and I am working 8 hours at week for the Development Office at SSW!
Although I like a routine and schedules, I am also trying to create something new each day. Sometimes Owen and I take a different path for our walks, often I stop by the bookstore and chat with my friends Donna, Vivian and Laura. I had lunch with my buddy Kellaura and a new friend Maggie this week. I know I am a calendar person, but sometimes when you get caught up in calendars and routines you miss the very thing that God is putting in front of you. I am working on it God, show me what you want me to see!
I also had the privilege this week to hear two different and powerful sermons. In the second semester of your middler year, you begin preaching in Chapel. It was a normal Wednesday and I was fulfilling my schedule of being a greeter in Chapel. I wasn’t aware of who the preacher would be that day and I was pleasantly surprised by the sermon. Clay’s spoke to us about not getting caught up in the details, specifically about our worship in Christ Chapel. God will always get worshipped. Even if someone spills the wine, reads the wrong texts or sings out of tune. It was a wonderful reminder to enjoy worship and feel God’s love, but more importantly to enjoy each day and all that He has given us.
This week the SSW Board of Trustees was on campus for a board meeting and the annual lecture in Bishop Claude Payne’s honor (Bishop Payne was the Bishop of Texas from 1995-2003). I had the honor of meeting Bishop and Mrs. Payne. They are fabulous, giving people! Even though they are now retired, they still bring the messages of leadership and evangelism to our Church. They are also chairing SSW Capital Campaign to raise 15.9 million dollars - we are already half way there ☺
The speaker for the Payne lecture was the Rt. Rev. Jay Magness. Bishop Magness is the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Services and Federal Ministries. His lecture was entitled "Moral Leadership in the Temple and Public Square: Missional Requirements for a New Era." This is a quote from Bishop Magness’ lecture: “As unconventional as it may appear to be, I am looking for persons who are capable of uniting the passion of Billy Graham, the theological grounding of H. Richard Niebuhr and the Anglican approach of Richard Hooker. A tall order? I suppose, but the times are changing, and the challenges are significant. I am finding that Jesus’ Biblical image of a seemingly stern requirement to be a follower is very appropriate for our circumstances: “’No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9.62, NRSV).
As you might imagine, I really enjoyed what Bishop Magness had to say about his vision for leadership and what kind of leader the Episcopal Church needs. I am not sure I can be exactly the person he is looking for, but it is sure would worth trying!
I will be leaving on Thursday to attend the Diocese of Alabama Convention and preaching at St. Mary’s-on-the-Highlands. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be back in the great state of Alabama for a few days. I will be sure to report on those adventures as I get out of the swing of things for a few days!
Blessings to you all as the ride continues…Mary Balfour
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