For Peace Among the Nations

Today, I offer some simple ponderings :-)

A butterfly and a caterpillar on plants in the breeze at The Audubon Zoo, NOLA

Life is good, isn't it... Life, this short time of existence in community on a fragile planet in a fortunately habitable zone. An infinitesimal fleck of matter and spark of momentary awareness in the vast cosmic realm. Life is SO SHORT for us. The only thing that makes this brevity bearable in our social, political, technological, and global adolescence is ourselves. We have each other. I dream of what is impossible in my lifetime: one open world with distinction rather than divisiveness. I dream of borderless equilibrium where strife, poverty, and fear of each other no longer exist, yet uniqueness remains and is celebrated. It would take one or two thousand years, but it could happen. 

NASA: Earth, east

I love to explore other cultures and learn from people different than myself. I find different ways of living and alternately functioning societal structures fascinating. Thus far in my life, I've been to 30 countries. Soon, I will take a very exciting trip! 
I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED about this trip and a bit nervous as well. I will be teaching music, visiting choirs, working with youth to plan worship service presentations, sharing fun times and knowledge, and I will also be giving presentations as a NASA Solar System Ambassador in the school systems! What a FABULOUS opportunity! Still, I know that where I'm going, as an American, presents its own set of problems and I have been mentally preparing for them. I feel certain I will be safe, but there are always chances that something could happen which could change that.I would be remiss if I did not address that. It's not a place where single women, especially Americans, travel on their own very much, if at all. Folks are saying "Oh you're so brave"! I am pretty unafraid at times, but it can indeed be mixed. Still, I feel very strongly called to go there. I have ever since I met the leader of the community I'll visit. I want to show them that we are the same. People are people. I want to be a bridge and one of love. I've tried to do that in my own life between people, programs, and more. We can each do our part.
This June, I'll travel to Israel on my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land! I am so greatly blessed by God, people, by opportunities, and by my own energy and initiative to create more opportunities. II'm living and leading a great life. 
I write all of these thoughts today because I am simply pondering life and in particular, my life. I think it's healthy to do that periodically. We never know how long we have and seriously, EVERY DAY is a gift, every single one. If you are reading this, I wish you a big hug and I wish you peace, happiness, and hope!

A prayer for peace in our world (from the Church of England)

Make your ways known upon earth, Lord God,

your saving power among all peoples.

Renew your Church in holiness

and help us to serve you with joy.

Guide the leaders of all nations,

that justice may prevail throughout the world.

Let not the needy be forgotten,

nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Make us instruments of your peace

and let your glory be over all the earth. Amen

An Alternate View: Being #GC78 Tired

I'm not just tired.....I'm #GC78 tired (but in a great way!)
Today began at 6:50, running to swap credentials at the Salt Palace, followed by delicious quiche at Eva's Boulangerie with lay deputy Edgar Stearns and the chair of our EDOLA deputation Rev'd Sharon Alexander. I was able to meet up again with Brother Jim Woodrum from SSJE for some coffee and conversation and then I made my way to the Media Room. I will probably step into worship a little later, but for now, I can hear the music in the Media area so am content. I'm also not quite ready to throw out my coffee. Today, I'll be an alternate so have a very full day. In fact, I hear from many that we will probably go until 9:00 PM. YIKES!
I had an involved twitter conversation this morning about the decision to leave out the names of performing ensembles and groups in the convention worship bulletins. The music at each service has been excellent and quite varied so that there has been something for everyone, but no names of performers have been given. Each bulletin is a PDF so looks easy to update/alter. Some comments that I received included that
- It is not the Standing Committee on Liturgy & Music's job and that they have no connections with the music planning for worship (I did not know that!)
- Sometimes you can catch the info on the Media Hub
- The SCLM only does work tasked to them by GC resolutions (ok, that makes sense) and their scope is limited
- Some arrangers have been thanked and some copyright info on pieces listed, so there is some info.
Ah, anyway, I can simply point it out and discuss it. I am quite sure that the info is somewhere, but I cannot find it.
I ran into Bishop Michael Curry, our newly-elected presiding bishop, in the hallway and managed to snag a big hug! :-)

                                

I spent the day on the House of Deputies Floor and it was super interesting, but VERY lengthy. Some of the highlights include:
- Heated debate in favor of church planting
- Legislature does tend to run in circles sometimes. There was this issue which took almost 30-45 minutes to solve with several cues from the Parliamentarian.

- Passing the proposed budget for The Episcopal Church (!!!)
See my twitter stream for more! @Conductor222
This evening, I went to a fun restaurant called Wasatch and tomorrow is the final day of convention. I'm trying to steer my thoughts a little bit back to the rest of what's been going on in the world and also look ahead to next Tuesday when I leave for India!!!
Thanks for reading!
Caroline :-)