Pray for a day where we have a lot more mobs like these…..
Prepare Ye the Way…..
06 Saturday Dec 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
06 Saturday Dec 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
Pray for a day where we have a lot more mobs like these…..
The Rt. Rev. Greg Rickel, 8th Bishop of Olympia 
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Good St. Nicholas’ day to you +Greg. I was intrigued by the harpist in the Air Force Band. When I served in the Diocese of Washington the retired Director of the Marine Band was in our choir. He told me that he wished to “integrate” the band with women but there was much opposition to it. He said he would back down if they could find a male harpist. End of discussion. Lo and behold, there is a male harpist in the Air Force Band. Advent Blessings. +Sandy
Greg, I have to say I was a little put off by your use of the word “mobs”. It seems to connote that some mobs–such as the orderly ones depicted–are good, whereas others…may be up to no good. A week past the 15th anniversary of the famous “Battle in Seattle” that protested the WTO meeting here, Anne and I have been reading a book of that title by Janet Thomas, an Episcopalian with a strong faith. In this book (written in 2000) she quotes Bishop Warner and Pete Strimer extensively, both of whom took part in the protests. Bishop Warner is quoted: “I have felt over the years that the church has become introspective and has lost its prophetic voice and its passion for the marginalized and the dispossessed”. The mainstream press, Janet reports in her book, categorized the protesters over and over again as a mob. We have to recognize that the extent of injustices perpetrated frently is frequently going to result in raucous and even violent conduct.
In the past two weeks we’ve seen two huge issues brought to the fore in our country: immigrant rights, and racism. So to my mind these issues need the prophetic voice of the church. In the WTO protests, the ecumenical church was highly visible; Pete Strimer himself being a chief organizer of the non-violent protests in those days.
This posting was in no way intended as a slap in any of the ways you have heard it. They are called flash mobs. That is why I used it. To be fair I would say some of the protests in these last days have been misguided and not non violent. I remain opposed to those . But most I have affirmed in sermons and posts in this blog including the one to be posted tomorrow. I know I will never live up to your hope for a bishop or cleric when it comes to these issues but I will endeavor to try, as insufficient as they may be.
Let me further say that Bishop Vincent Warner’s amazing presence, visibility, and witness, was one of the most prophetic moments I have become aware of in the Diocese of Olympia, something I have shared with him personally and at many other occasions, glad to do it now too. And Peter Strimer, very few better than him!
+Greg I am going through email this afternoon and found yours – thanks for the music on a gray rainy Saturday!! People don’t believe it when you tell them Bishops can be fun! Made my day, after leading a Saturday morning bereavement group. John, O.C.P.
Awesome…thanks!
Fun and inspiring! Great way to start the day. Thank-you.
Thank you – another inspiring message during this season. Blessings, Nan
What a lovely gift – thank you