Well, the summer is coming to a close. The new seminarians and families have arrived on campus and we have been busy making them feel welcome. Tonight is the first big community dinner of fall and we are all gathering for a pig roast. It is an exciting time at Nashotah House. Heather has been volunteering on campus as a crew leader with the High Seas VBS program. At first I was hesitant about participating in the event as it is related to the new group of individuals that have decided to attend our campus mass services on Sundays. There has a been a big debate as to whether this service is a "break away" church or a lab service. Our dean has advised us that Nashotah continues to worship in the Episcopal tradition and this service has always been open to the community. Though comments have been made which make this sometimes difficult to understand we want to continue to work and learn together in peace and harmony. Today Heather was told by a very young boy that he might not be able to remain in her group since she still attends church at Zion (a local TEC church) and that his dad told him that Zion was not good for him. It is such a sad state that the children are now involved in the church politics in a way that they do not understand. It creates hurt and confusion. Please continue to pray for unity amongst Christians rather than the continued separation of church. Classes for seminarians resume next week and for Heather Sept 1st. I too will be jumping on the learning band wagon. I have registered at UW-Waukesha for a night class to begin a slow journey of education to pursue a business degree. My first class will be Cultural Anthropology. On campus, Nashotah House has given spouses the opportunity to take Aesthetic Theology in the evening for either credit or audit. It will be a good way for the spouse to integrate into the spiritual and community life. I'm glad I only started with one class at UW, because I look forward to taking this class for credit as well. In addition to those 2 classes, I am currently enrolled in an iconology class on Saturday mornings. I am writing the icon of the Archangel Michael. It is a very exciting and spiritual experience. You can watch the progress of the painting on my facebook photo page. Each week is a progressive step. Last Sat I etched the image of St. Michael on the poplar wood gesso board. This Sat I will be applying the clay and gold leaf to the halo. Until next time, I will close with a prayer for the Unity of the Church found on page 818 of BCP:
O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace:
Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions;
take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord;
that, as there is but one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AMEN
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