Povey Prattle

I hang around three parishes. St. David’s, Englewood; St. Boniface, Siesta Key Sarasota; and All Angels, Longboat Key. (A “Key” in Florida is a barrier island). In very rough order by ascension I would describe the communities as middle income; rich; and richer. Or friendly; somewhat reserved; and very friendly. Or (theologically) moderate liberal, radical; and moderate conservative. Tonight I was with the richer, very friendly and moderately conservative people at All Angels for Twelfth Night. I had a ball! At 4:30 p.m. we enjoyed a concert with parish musicians Dale Hooey (Organ), Sylvia Thompson (Clavinova) and Joyce Hooey (Percussion). They entertained us delightfully with a great selection of music, ranging from Silent Night to Frosty the Snowman. (A “Clavinova” is a digital piano). They we adjourned to the Parish Hall for a fine pot-luck supper. Church food is usually good and tonight was no exception. After supper Dale Hooey led us in spirited singing of Christmas so...

Stephen Foster wrote "Hard Times Come Again No More" in 1859, on the cusp of the Civil War. (I have a wonderful recording of Thomas Hampson singing this, with Jay Mason and Molly Ungar) I've been thinking about the song today, dismayed as I am by Mike Huckabee's strong showing in the Iowa Caucuses; and angered by the negative reaction on the part of my "white liberal friends" to Barack Obama's "win" in Iowa. (One said that he was certain Mr. Obama will be assassinated; another said that he has to "pay his dues" (whatever that means) and she related that a white democratic friend of hers has said that Mr. Obama "scares her" [Because he is a big black man?]) Prime Minister Harold Wilson of Great Britain famously said that "a week is a long time in politics", and we shall see what happens in New Hampshire next week. But whatever the outcomes, the U.S.A. is at the edge of a recession (if we are not a...

When I left Fairfield Grammar School (High School) at aged 16 in 1960 I found work with Her Majesty’s Stationery Office at their Government Bookstore. We were then located in the old Fry’s Chocolate Factory, a marvellous red brick building in the Pithay. When that building was demolished in the name of urban renewal, we moved to a new store under an overpass in Fairfax Street. The Government Bookshop stocked printed copies of all Acts of Parliament, and the various Departmental documents which enforced those Acts; together with quasi-governmental publications, and ordnance survey maps. I had the “most responsible” (!) task of receiving mail and telephoned orders, and packing the books, pamphlets and leaflets to me mailed to our customers. (On one occasion I forgot to put the telephone on hold, and proceeded to mimic the middle class “County Tory” with her “posh” accent. She heard the whole thing an complained bitterly to my Manager. I was given a reprimand, but the Manager could...

The Islamic Call Society and the government of Libya donate a Church to the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt. We rejoiced on receiving the news that the Islamic Call Society handed over to us a church building in the Old City of Tripoli. This church is called St. Mary, the Lady of Angels. It was built by the Roman Catholics in the 14th Century and the government has recently spent a large amount of money to restore it and use it as a museum. After consultation and agreement with the Roman Catholic Archbishop in Tripoli, I made an appeal to the Islamic Call Society, with whom we have excellent relations and dialogue, to use this church instead of the flat we are using now. This has become too small for our growing congregations. They promised to take my appeal to the President and the relevant government officials. Fortunately the appeal was accepted and the Ministry of Tourism handed over the building to the Islamic Call Society who in turn handed over the Church to us on Sunday ...

Now that I am in the South, I ate black eyed peas this January 1st - a Southern custom for “Good Luck” in a New Year. Legend has it that when Union troops scoured the South at the end of the Civil War, they disdained black eyed peas as not worth eating; thus leaving them in the fields as a staple for Southerners. Some people eat them with Collard or Turnip Greens - the peas representing coins, and the greens representing “green backs” (dollar bills). I ate mine (for breakfast!) with ham. Not as sweet as an English Muffin with Jam, but rich in protein! And as the day progressed I was reminded of a great Sidney Carter song (below). Perfect for the New Year. One more step along the world I go, One more step along the world I go; From the old things to the new Keep me travelling along with you. And it’s from the old I travel to the new; Keep me travelling along with you. Round the corner of the world I turn, More and more about the world I learn; All the new things that I see You’l...

Happy New Year Feliz Año Nuevo Bonne année Glückliches Neues Jahr Nuovo Anno Felice Próspero Año Nuevo Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar

Sermon for December 30th 2007 The Revd. J. Michel Povey at St. David’s, Englewood, FL (Revised Common Lectionary) Isaiah 63:7-9; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23 GOSPEL READING Matthew 2:13-23 13Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” 16When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18“A...