My favorite mistake so far has been misspeaking while leading the liturgy on Sunday morning. I was supposed to say that when sinners repent and believe in Jesus they can have new life. It's a bold claim and I was building up to it nicely. However, I said, "Sinners who repeat, oh (pause), um, repent..." Smooth.
My second favorite mistake was locking myself out of the office today. Pastor Doug is on study leave for the week, and I was the only person at church. When I opened the door to the office, I forgot to unlock it manually by disengaging the lock on the inside of the door, As usual, I threw my keys on my desk, and then later after going into the hall to get a drink of water, I found the handle to the office door stiff upon return. I walked around the church for a bit wondering where someone might hide an extra key, and then I walked outside and contemplated breaking a window. Finally, I opted for a more rational third alternative and walked next door to the parsonage and asked Doug's wife if she had a key to the office. Turns out, she did.
When I'm not being an intern, I've had a chance to explore the city a bit.
Above is the Washington Monument from a distance. Below is the Washington Monument up close.
Below is the Lincoln Memorial (or should I say the Lincoln temple?) and below that is a picture of me with Father Abraham. The text above the seated Lincoln reads "In this temple as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." The influence of civil religion is obvious throughout DC, yet I wonder how many of those on field trips and family vacations who parade through the tour of monuments and memorials spend any time in critical reflection on the myths and deceptions that ground so many of the design choices and language.
2 comments:
I once gave a presentation in class, Justin, where I earnestly tried to convince the class that Buddhist monks where searching for immorality. Finally another student interrupted and tentatively asked if meant "immortality". A common mistake, I'm sure.
The parallels between the capital of the States and ancient Rome really are striking. The only difference is that I suspect that Lincoln would hate his memorial, whereas the Caesars would have loved something that big!
By the way, we are haying and we miss you (and not just because you know how to stack a wagon)!
Sylvia
I was wondering if you were haying now. I remember on last year's Fourth of July I had the chance to both preach and stack bales. Also, I've been missing you all too. I was just in western Ontario (Emo) for the weekend for a friend's wedding. I got to be there for the Canada Day festivities too--including the traditional spice cake!
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