England's (or America's) Story vs. God's Story
There are times when I know I need to blog and can't think of anything to write about. Then there are times when I want to blog but have about ten different things I want to talk about. There's the trip to Ireland, Bonfire Night, US election results and the media coverage over here, and Remembrance Sunday, only to name a few.
Ireland was lovely. Not as spectacular as I thought it might be, but in all fairness, I wasn't in the mood to sightsee that week. I just needed to get away and relax for a bit and so I did. On the Monday, I flew into Dublin where I hired (rented) a car and then drove across the country to Galway. Had a bit of an adventure finding the hotel. All I had was an address. No directions. No map. And it was dark and rainy by the time I got there. That was fun. Spent all of Tuesday in Galway and even went to the theater that night. Wednesday I got into my hired car and drove down to County Clare and The Burren. Gorgeous scenery down there. Made my way to the Cliffs of Moher, which were spectacular. I then drove back up the coast road (fabulous) and made my way back to Dublin. Spent all day Thursday in Dublin and went to the Guinness Storehouse which was fantastic. Friday, I flew back to England and took the train back to Norwich. I was tired, but felt rested for the push through November and December.
Bonfire Night(s) has come and gone for another year. On the Friday that I returned from Ireland, I actually went to a bonfire, which was enjoyable. We didn't roast hot dogs which was disappointing. They tried to roast marshmallows, but didn't have the right marshmallows or good roasting sticks, so I passed on those as well. There were also fireworks that we set off ourselves (or at least others did. I just watched.). On Saturday night I went with some other friends to watch a professional display. The company was good, fireworks disappointing. Oh well. Fireworks are still being shot off and will likely last through the New Year. So a few pops and bangs go off every night.
The elections were interesting to watch from over here. I did manage to vote absentee, which made me happy (it also got me a day in London when I went to get it notarized at the embassy, which was cool). You'd be amazed at how much in-depth coverage the elections got over here. The newscasts started talking about them the week before and analyzed the results for days after. Because I know I have a bi-partisan readership, I'll refrain from telling you what I think and what the predominant consensus is over here. If you want to know, email me, and I'll be happy to oblige.
Remembrance Sunday. A combination between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, really. There's the actual Remembrance Day on the 11th of November. Then, the closest Sunday is observed as Remembrance Sunday. I had the distinct pleasure (read sarcasm) of leading the service on Remembrance Sunday in an Anglican Church this year. Never again. It was awful. Most of you already know how I feel about nationalism in Church. I find it highly inappropriate, idolatrous, and unfaithful. I arrive at the church to find the BAPTISMAL FONT draped in a Union Jack flag, holding a picture of the Queen, with poppies scattered around the base. I should have just walked out then and claimed laryngitis or something. The morning began with a short ceremony at the village war memorial (every village has one...) which happens to be in the church graveyard. We went out there, had a short prayer, the reading of the names of the war dead from that village, the 'exaltation' which pissed me off, a bugler and two minute silence. Then, when we went back inside, the service started. During the first hymn, the flag processed down the aisle (no cross processed, mind you) and I was to take it and place it ON THE ALTAR. Went through the rest of the service where I talked about the tension between our stories--the story of war and God's story of peace. Then, at the end of the service, I removed the flag from the altar. But before it could be recessed out, we had to sing the national anthem. For crying out loud. I didn't. I wouldn't have if it were in the US. There's a problem for me, singing allegiance to an earthly power in the midst of divine worship. I wasn't happy. They knew I wasn't happy. Perhaps I made them think or planted a seed or something. Perhaps not. Suffice it to say, I won't be doing it again.
Ireland was lovely. Not as spectacular as I thought it might be, but in all fairness, I wasn't in the mood to sightsee that week. I just needed to get away and relax for a bit and so I did. On the Monday, I flew into Dublin where I hired (rented) a car and then drove across the country to Galway. Had a bit of an adventure finding the hotel. All I had was an address. No directions. No map. And it was dark and rainy by the time I got there. That was fun. Spent all of Tuesday in Galway and even went to the theater that night. Wednesday I got into my hired car and drove down to County Clare and The Burren. Gorgeous scenery down there. Made my way to the Cliffs of Moher, which were spectacular. I then drove back up the coast road (fabulous) and made my way back to Dublin. Spent all day Thursday in Dublin and went to the Guinness Storehouse which was fantastic. Friday, I flew back to England and took the train back to Norwich. I was tired, but felt rested for the push through November and December.
Bonfire Night(s) has come and gone for another year. On the Friday that I returned from Ireland, I actually went to a bonfire, which was enjoyable. We didn't roast hot dogs which was disappointing. They tried to roast marshmallows, but didn't have the right marshmallows or good roasting sticks, so I passed on those as well. There were also fireworks that we set off ourselves (or at least others did. I just watched.). On Saturday night I went with some other friends to watch a professional display. The company was good, fireworks disappointing. Oh well. Fireworks are still being shot off and will likely last through the New Year. So a few pops and bangs go off every night.
The elections were interesting to watch from over here. I did manage to vote absentee, which made me happy (it also got me a day in London when I went to get it notarized at the embassy, which was cool). You'd be amazed at how much in-depth coverage the elections got over here. The newscasts started talking about them the week before and analyzed the results for days after. Because I know I have a bi-partisan readership, I'll refrain from telling you what I think and what the predominant consensus is over here. If you want to know, email me, and I'll be happy to oblige.
Remembrance Sunday. A combination between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, really. There's the actual Remembrance Day on the 11th of November. Then, the closest Sunday is observed as Remembrance Sunday. I had the distinct pleasure (read sarcasm) of leading the service on Remembrance Sunday in an Anglican Church this year. Never again. It was awful. Most of you already know how I feel about nationalism in Church. I find it highly inappropriate, idolatrous, and unfaithful. I arrive at the church to find the BAPTISMAL FONT draped in a Union Jack flag, holding a picture of the Queen, with poppies scattered around the base. I should have just walked out then and claimed laryngitis or something. The morning began with a short ceremony at the village war memorial (every village has one...) which happens to be in the church graveyard. We went out there, had a short prayer, the reading of the names of the war dead from that village, the 'exaltation' which pissed me off, a bugler and two minute silence. Then, when we went back inside, the service started. During the first hymn, the flag processed down the aisle (no cross processed, mind you) and I was to take it and place it ON THE ALTAR. Went through the rest of the service where I talked about the tension between our stories--the story of war and God's story of peace. Then, at the end of the service, I removed the flag from the altar. But before it could be recessed out, we had to sing the national anthem. For crying out loud. I didn't. I wouldn't have if it were in the US. There's a problem for me, singing allegiance to an earthly power in the midst of divine worship. I wasn't happy. They knew I wasn't happy. Perhaps I made them think or planted a seed or something. Perhaps not. Suffice it to say, I won't be doing it again.
posted by RevSarah at 8:31 AM
1 Comments:
okay, i bite. what do you think about the election?
andrew
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