"One more said Mass,"

announced Fr. Davis today. It seems we have a new organist starting in two weeks (when I am back, beginning another "extended" month and a half stay at home).

He announced the dates for this year's Diocesan Synod, May 18-21, same place as last year. Interesting -- I have committee meetings nearby starting two days later. My employer will pay for my airline travel for the meetings, but attending Synod and a Saturday night stay might cut the cost. We all win.

Absent again

Tonight (right about now!) the next session of The Truth Project begins, and once again I'm not present. We must be about half-way through this very interesting set of DVDs, but between travel and illness I've made it to only two sessions. I really wanted to see the second half of Part 5 on the evolution debate last week, but was home sick.

Tonight, Fr. Davis had noted Sunday, we would set out on the history series of the project. But my wife is now ill with what I had last week, only far worse; the doctor said it's something going around. So I'm staying home tonight. The next two Wednesdays I am traveling, and there just won't be much left in the series after that, even though no new trips have come up between my return home early February and next trip late March. (I was looking at going to Frankfurt again mid-March, but fortunately that's not going to be necessary -- though one of my next two trips across the Atlantic is going to be extended somewhat instead.)

It's hard to report on things when you're not there. I'll be away during the Annual Parish Meeting in a week and a half -- but I look on the bright side: nobody's asked me to stand for the Vestry this year. (grin)

Seattle Seahawks Sunday

It is not true, as Fr. Davis confirmed before today's service, that the altar was dressed today in green in honor of the Seattle Seahawks, our local football ("American football") team playing in the playoffs starting about the same time as Mass.

It is not true that there was a Seahawks flag in the Sanctuary.

It is also not true that we had a said Mass so people could run off to watch the game against the Chicago Bears. At least I'm pretty sure that's not true; Kathy was a bit under the weather.

It does appear that we don't have any "12th Men" (Seahawks fans) or, if we did, their priority was to be at church instead of the TV because the pews were again full.

But during Coffee Hour Geoffrey did tune in to the game on the radio, set up in one of the Sunday School rooms for those interested.

Instead my wife and I went out for Sunday lunch, finding a restaurant with the game on TV screens and (unlike the Redmond pubs) with seating. Given the amount of Seahawk fervor I'd heard, finding this was surprising. (Though it had a LOT of "12th Men" present.)

But the Seahawks lost. Oh well. I guess it's a bit late now for a prayer for victory.

Back on the Bench

Kathy was back on the bench today, filling in until we find a new organist. She admits her training was on piano (and guitar and harp and...), not organ, and maybe we've been a bit spoiled by professional organists, But along with Fr. Davis I too appreciate her contribution.

This made for a very busy weekend for her. She spent the day yesterday at the womens' prison in Purdy WA, as part of the Kairos prison ministry program. And after the service it was off to an afternoon memorial service with Iranian(-American) friends.

In the meantime I have been enlisted by a fellow parishioner to help what looks like a several-year art project: in my international travels to collect print items in different languages, different scripts, different papers. Given that my only international trips this year are anticipated to be London, Saarbrücken (Germany) and Rome, I'm not going to have much to contribute. But maybe I can mine my folders of previous trips for material from Seoul, Beijing, Shenzhen, New Delhi, Bangalore, and a number of European cities.

A flyer in German for Frankfurt's "Ebbel-Wei Expreß" (named for a local "Apple-wine")?

And lest you think the Germans have no humor, here is one entrance to Frankfurt's "U-Bahn" subway system.

Prayers up

Fr. Davis did read a couple of prayers at the end of Evensong tonight, for the people of Persian descent and for Iran (and not leaving the U.S. out of the prayers as well).

Prayer request

We know many Iranian ex-pats --Muslim, Christian and Bahá'ís alike-- and I know for a certainty today's news of the death of Prince Alireza Pahlavi, younger son of the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi is devastating to our friends. Please pray for them in their grief.

Cribbing from the Prayer Book:

O GOD, Almighty and merciful, who healest those that are broken in heart, and turnest the sadness of the sorrowful to joy; Let thy fatherly goodness be upon all that thou hast made. Remember in pity such as are this day in sorrow, uplift those who are cast down. Cheer with hope all discouraged and unhappy people, and by thy heavenly grace suffer them not to be distressed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

I will ask Fr. Davis for a prayer during tomorrow's Evensong.

A cappella

I was surprised by the turnout today -- St. Bartholomew's was full to capacity, with even the front pews filled. Not that we were all on time; even though it's been four days since the snow fell road conditions dictate caution in places.

But this was our first Sunday without our former organist. She took a new position MUCH closer to her home in Seattle -- and avoiding the impending tolls across the SR-520 floating bridge.

So the bulletin's "Hymnal" column was bare. And the Hymnboard almost so: only Hymn 198 "Meditation", sung a cappella for the Kneeling Hymn. Fr. Davis decided that apparently with a bit of trepidation, but I guess he hasn't tested us that way before. It might not have been concert quality, but we have done this often enough and he was clearly pleasantly surprised.