Must see video from Canterbury

With the Lambeth Circus, errr, Conference now in full tilt, there is like, way too much to read or take in. Yet there are some gems already emerging. One came forth yesterday (Sunday) in a park in Canterbury where the Rev. Susan Russell, president of Integrity, preached a mighty sermon and made me proud to be an Episcopalian and a member of Integrity. *Do* view this 10 minute video of her sermon. Scroll down to "Susan Russell preaches at Changing Attitude/Integrity service"You can read the text here, but a sermon is never written to be read, but preached. I encourage you to see and hear her preach this puppy. She will stir you hearts and raise your spirits.

On Sunday Teresa and I where also in park, though halfway around the world from the one Rev. Susan preached in. The weather was similar, being in San Francisco at the AIDS Walk in Golden Gate park. We walked with a delightful group of Episcopalians, having celebrated Eucharist together

right there in the middle of the assembly area for the myriad of teams. A most appropriate place for celebrating Eucharist.











Here the Rev. Mary Louise Hintz is leading us in prayer.


Teresa became a honorary Episcopalian for a day.
For me, the most moving part of the walk were to two displays of part of the AIDS Quilt. When I saw the display that was on the walk route, I immediately know what it was and Teresa and I went to walk and pray in that sacred space.

Sacred Space

Reverence

Some of the panels are most poignant. All are a testament to love that dwells in our souls, the image of God within us.

In particular I searched for the panel of a friend, Fr Bill Steuber. His was a Roman Catholic priest who served in the Diocese of Boise and died of AIDS, 19 days before Teresa and I had our wedding ceremony. A few days before the AIDS walk I had looked up his name at The Names Project website and found the section his panel was in. So I knew what it looked like. It was not on display Sunday.


There are 5,748 sections, over 46,000 panels to the Quilt. In 1996 the Quit covered the entire National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Every section that is displayed though is in memory of all who have died of this awful disease.

Sunday was a powerful day all around the world. What a blessings to be alive this day.

More photos of the AIDS Walk may be found here.

Finally, Ordination Photos

Here I am, newly ordained. I still feel amazed,
awe filled and grateful . I am especially
grateful to the Rev. Mary Lou Weiner,

She was my mid-wife for this ordination service,
and is a dear, dear friend.
Here we are celebrating after the service.

You can find many more photos right here.

Picasa is a great photo sharing app, but I'm not able to set the order of the albums yet. So be sure to scroll down to or just lick this link: 2008-06-29 Ordination - Canon... These photos where taken by Canon Karen Hunter and are really good. Muchas Gracias a Canon Karen.

Enjoy!

I have a date!

God willing and the people consenting

The Right Reverend Harry Bainbridge III
Bishop of the Diocese of Idaho will ordain

Deborah Marie Térèse Graham
to the Sacred Order of Deacons

on Sunday, the twenty-ninth of June, 2008
at four o clock in the afternoon

at St. Michael's Episcopal Cathedral
518 N. 8th St., Boise, Idaho

Your prayers and presence are requested

Reception following

Clergy: Red Stoles


You all are invited. There is joy in Berkeley, Boise and beyond today! Hallelujah. Thanks be to God!

Photo Albums on Web

Hi all. I have photo albums on the web here. Enjoy!
Note: I recommend having a high speed line to view these, especially the graduation one.

I Have Graduated! May 23, 2008, 11:22 PDT

I am still a swirl of emotions: joy, wonder, gratitude, sorrow (saying good-by for now to dear friends)happiness, excitement ... A picture is worth a thousand words. So here are photos:






The cross I am wearing is our CDSP Celtic Cross, given to all new Grads the night before Commencement. I wear it with pride, with pride in my class, the CDSP Class of 2008 and pride in my seminary. I am grateful to God for this blessing and the many people who have made this day possible. God bless us, everyone

DCOM approves ordination to diaconate

I have moved towards the more steps in my journey to ordination. Last month St. Michael's vestry approved my ordination to the diaconate. Also last month, on April 26, the diocesan Commission on Ministry approved my ordination to the diaconate. There are now three steps left in this part of my spiritual journey: (1) approval by the standing committee, (2) background check is okay, and (3) Bishop Harry's final decision. There is light at the end of the tunnel and I am so excited.

I sent out an e-mail earlier this week to some of my friends about the DCOM approval. I just want to clarify the ordination isn't a sure thing, yet we are getting really really close and indeed congratulations are in order at this point. The real party will begin, God willing and the people consenting, after my bishop places his hands of my head to ordain me.

I will update my blog today I hear of any more developments. The episcopal ordination process as many steps and at times can indeed be confusing. OK where are we at in this process? What are the next steps? Pero parte de parte, step by step, we move forward.

I want to thank and will continue to thank all of you who have supported me so much in this process. Your support will bear fruit in the building up of God's Reign, the realization of God's dream for humankind and all creation.

I will be in Boise June 2 through the 7. Teresa is not able to come. :-( Hope to see some of you at least, while I am there. God's blessing on you all.

Still truck'n and the truck'n is good.

Man, I haven't blogged in far too long. Busy, as seminary life always is. Lots been going on. Thinking about writing about it feels overwhelming. So I'm going to try doing a little at a time.

First the big news. I'm now officially a candidate of the Diocese of Idaho. Being a candidate is the next big step after postulancy and the one before ordination to the diaconate. Official date of my candidacy is Oct. 26th. I could be ordained to the diaconate this summer. Then after at least 6 months I could be ordained to the priesthood. Things are getting close and it's like --- wow!

Some of you may have known I took the GOEs (General Ordination Exams) this January. GOEs are like board exams. During the GOEs you write on 7 questions over 4 days, covering Theology, Ethics, Scripture, Church History, Liturgy, Pastoral Care, Contemporary issues. Some of the questions are closed book, some have limited resources, some are open resources, which includes the internet.

We all took these exams on the internet, in our homes or apartments so it's on the honor system. We'd login and at the exact starting time of the exam period the question would be posted. Then we'd 3 1/2 hours to answer the question. We needed to write 3 single spaced pages, 12 pt. type for each answer. It was an ordeal! I did not think I did well because I did not get to 3 pages on some of the questions.

However, I passed.

The readers I had, thanks be to God, valued content over answer length and typos. I'm relieved and sooo glad I can put that behind me.

On another note, here are pictures of my Quito family. Click on the picture for a larger image.


This is me, Miguel and Fernando. Fernando is the papa.


This Marianna,la mama, me and Miguel.

Greetings from Quito

I am blogging in Quito. Can you believe this? They have internet cafes everywhere, even in working class or poorer areas. Quito is an exciting place, very alive and colorful. I´m staying with a family in a working class neighborhood. They are very gracious. One young man, Miguel know a good bit of English and is helping me out. I will have a lot more to write when I get back but most now be on my way. Chow!

Nine months BC

Great video for an Epiphany laugh.

A New Year, a New Beginning

A new year, a new beginning. I'm really feeling that inside today. Thanks be to God!

Two links of note for the new year:

The Archbishop of Canterbury's New Years message - Take care of the earth and each other! Text of his message is here

BBC Interview with Katharine Jefferts Schori. Katharine,"unrepentant on gay clergy" tells it like it is to the Anglican Communion, tells it in truth, with grace and clarity.

Blessings!