On Kirtan Chanting

Those of us privileged to attend a yoga/writer's retreat  in Vermont recently as I did also learned Indian chanting  during our evenings, and benefited from sing-alongs led by a lovely, talented singer usually known simply as Yvette, or sometimes Yvette Om.

Yvette

I have been learning her chants by heart, aided by her CD "Into the Arms of Love" which I highly recommend. It is available at her website to order online, and makes the perfect gift for any yoga enthusiast, or buy it as background music, for meditation...She sings haunting Kirtan lyrics with the aid of her harmonium, other singers, and other musical instruments, such as the violin and sitar. 

Yvette

Please take a moment to buy it. You will soon find yourself adding quick chants throughout your busy days, and probably long, slow, chanting meditations,  as well.... Songs with titles like Sri Ganesha, Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha, Hey Ma Durga, Om Narayana, Om Namah Shivaya..Yvette's lovely lyrics will relax you when you allow her music to move you...

Bliss Out With Yoga

My incredibly gifted yoga instructor at a recent  retreat  in northern Vermont was a top American yogini, or should I say a guru, precious Lilavati, owner of "Temple of the Lotus" a yoga center near Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.

Lilavati

She has been learning yoga since the age of 15 and  has perfected her Ayurvedic practices ever since...She taught us yoga for hours each day. She now has lots of oils and nectars available at her website to use "as a protective sheath from Vatas dry chilling energy"  available to buy.

 

Lilavati

Best of all, for us, were her intensive training classes to yoga teachers around the country. I am hoping to use her special recipes to enhance my "strength, grounded~ness, health, and balance during the winter months." Be sure to contact her studio "Temple of the Lotus" where she teaches yoga, and talks about doshas and balance and  other such important yoga principles.

"Temple of the Lotus" Philadelphia's Ayurvedic Sanctuary is at 1527 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146 email: Lilavati@TempleoftheLotus.com 

Before I went to the writer/yoga retreat, I became convinced in my own mind I would fail at it. Lilavati assured me no one fails Yoga...If I can do a little yoga, anyone can!!!

Of course, I like yoga for the stress-reduction benefits, and "for positive effects on sleep anxiety, quality of life, and spiritual growth" W. Tranquility is, for anyone, a positive goal.  

Yoga also has a grand goal of freedom from illness, old age and death...As a physical, spiritual and mental discipline, however, yoga is a useful adjunct to our busy lives. I recommend it when you have the opportunity.

Is Mormonism a Cult?

Today, I am missing Sunday services at Washington National Cathedral. I like to listen to them for the quality of the service, the sermon, and the music. I will miss Cathedral Dean Lloyd's leadership.

Please give generously to Washington National Cathedral as they make repairs following the earthquake and subsequent hurricane.

Is Mormonism a cult?

Cult: a system of religious beliefs and rituals regarded as unorthodox.

The latest assertions of a Republican saying that Mormonism is a cult has me thinking. Even though I am not a Republican, and it matters not who said made this accusation, I am a Christian.

I also believe church and state are separate entities and should remain such. Wars have been fought over that division. At the same time, this is my platform to discuss my views on Mormonism, and you are most welcome to visit.

Mormonism has certain givens up front, aspects many mainstream Christians, including me, find very disturbing:

1. It's not inclusive and diverse...as this picture illustrates:

Mormon Tablernacle Choir and Orchestra

Even if a few diverse groups have joined recently, I remain skeptical. Assertions to that effect wouldn't cut it with me.

2. Why is it not ever going to be truly diverse?

Mormonism is elitist at heart and in principle, and only allows certain people to join because of their genetics and family history. It does not allow those who simply want to join if they change their beliefs. Newcomers would not be accepted into the inner sanctums with their children. 

3. Mormonism believes in Prophets alive until recently. That doesn't happen in Christian denominations. All our prophets died thousands of years ago...

4. Some of the initiation rites, the marriage bed pictured in online photos, if true, and marriage practices of taking multiple wives, if true, are still  rumored to be going on.  These practices are illegal, and can be unconstitutional and hurtful to under-age or female participants.

5. Certainly, Mormons might consider themselves different children of God by choice and aspiration, but how free are they in the eyes of the world if they aren't allowed in principle to do normal American activities inside America? What's so wrong with drinking coffee or tea from Starbucks,  for example, or drinking a bit of wine?

6. No other church gets involved in uniforms and undergarments for general participants. To me, that makes it suspect and leaves it outside the Christian umbrella. God is supposed to love us at all times.

6. Mormons look at The Book of Mormon as their primary authority. Christian churches, in stark contrast, use the Holy Bible as their primary authority.

I am not going to delve any more deeply into the religion and invite quibbles. Any one of the above reasons would be sufficiently major to make most individuals around the world eschew it and take it out of consideration if they wanted to make a change.

Ultimately, I do not think Mormons are free enough to be happy and flexible,  either, even if they are children of God (as we all are), because freedom to change and join religions is an important and useful value.

To conclude, even if the religion works for some, and Mormons feel cozy in their beliefs, nevertheless, in my final analysis, yes, ultimately Mormonism is a cult as well as a religion. What it is not is mainstream Christianity, and most American Christians I have spoken to believe it is not Christian. What do you believe...Is Mormonism a cult?

Again, please give generously to Washington National Cathedral.

Washington National Cathedral Recovers

Washington National Cathedral is surely, off-site, preparing for  upcoming September 11 anniversary ceremonies. The Cathedral is ensuring the safety of worshipers and visitors, on-site, as seen in this video. Please give generously to the Washington National Cathedral to help fund recovery efforts. Thank you.

Video and article courtesy The Huffington Post

The  National Cathedral will host President Barack Obama, in our thoughts every Sunday in worship services,  Secretary Leon Panetta, Rhythm and Blues singer Pattie LaBelle, country superstar Alan Jackson, and renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, during services throughout the entire weekend, marking the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Titled "A Call To Compassion:Honor, Heal, Hope, the special weekend will host concerts to honor the fallen, help the nation heal, and renew our sense of unity and hope.

R & B Singer Patti LaBelle


Country Singer Alan Jackson

Mezzo-Soprano Denyce Graves

Washington National Cathedral's Jarring News

Here's a copy of a letter from the National Cathedral today. I hope they don't mind if I reprint it since it offers clues of the recent earthquake-related damages. From the pictures I am posting, the damage appears to have pushed pieces to lower sections of the roof rather than onto the ground. It makes me wonder whether it was planned that way, and proved a tremendously good idea if it was. Fortunately, the rose window pictured online in last Sunday's service, and indeed all 231 stained glass windows, were spared in whole.  

Interior of Washington National Cathedral 

Dear Friend,

The National Cathedral sustained significant damage yesterday in the biggest earthquake to hit the East Coast in more than 70 years. Fortunately, no one was injured and damage to the interior seems to be limited. Every assessment indicates that the Cathedral is structurally sound, but the exterior has suffered visible damage.

As a special friend of the Cathedral, we want you to be informed with the latest updates about this national treasure. To learn the latest information, visit www.nationalcathedral.org.

Here is what we know so far about damage to the building's exterior:

• Three of the four pinnacles on the central tower, at the highest point of the Cathedral, have broken off—luckily onto the roof, which is reinforced by concrete.
• Some of the flying buttresses also suffered major cracks, especially around the historic apse at the building's east end. The extent of that damage is still unknown.
• One large finial fell from the northwest tower onto the Cathedral lawn. Due to its size and weight, gravity has lodged it into the ground.
• A number of the Cathedral's beautiful exterior sculptures and carvings were damaged, particularly on the central tower.

An updated photo and video gallery showing details of the earthquake damage is now available for you online.

As we assess the damage and begin the hard work ahead, please visit our website for continual updates: www.nationalcathedral.org

Thanks to your help, our efforts to rebuild and restore the nation's Cathedral start today.

Interior of Washington National Cathedral

 Actual photographs of the damage can be seen on the Cathedral website here and here. Meanwhile, we'll just have to stay tuned. Dean Lloyd is magnificently handling the challenge, as always. Now if only he could stay... 
UPDATE: The Atlantic and The Washington Post have interesting reports.

Cathedral Dean Lloyd: Sad Day at Washington's National Cathedral

Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III announced on July 8, 2011 he plans to leave Washington's National Cathedral to return to Trinity Church, Copley Square in Boston, as their priest-in-charge.

He has written a letter to explain the reasons, although they all appear as reasons to stay at the Cathedral.

Under his stewardship, the Cathedral has instituted online records of services of worship for a few years now, which I have enjoyed following most Sundays, holidays, and special services from here in New Jersey. He has shown unparalleled leadership at bringing together disparate groups of the country and the world, and creating new programs within the Cathedral. While others may say Cathedral Deans "come and go" no other  will match his uniquely gentle personal style of truthfulness, humility and magnificence.

To say I am surprised and disappointed is an understatement. I am shocked (since I imagined the  Cathedral is a summit position within the religious community) and will greatly miss his leadership. I am sure the congregation will miss his  rare style of authority profoundly as well.

I will have to check whether his new appointment will offer live online services. If it is, I'll watch there.

Washington National Cathedral Plans Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

Today, Washington National Cathedral offered a live webcast, here online, of the installation of new Cathedral cannons: Kathleen Cox, Jan Naylor Cope, and Mike McCarthy. It was a beautiful service, superbly well-rehearsed and filmed. It's great for all  of us, theologians or lay, to see this service online, at any time, and for the Cathedral to keep as a record in the future.

Since I like to follow the Washington National Cathedral, in general, on this site, I am on a mailing list from the Cathedral, and have just noticed  that a formal announcement has been made of a full weekend of activities to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Washington National Cathedral was the place to which the nation turned for prayer and reflection following the 9/11 attacks. At a national prayer service on September 14, 2001, the President delivered a speech at the Cathedral. The Cathedral, in turn, is planning to offer "a weekend of compassion, remembrance, resolution, and hope."

A special concert at the beginning of the weekend will honor the Pentagon and all those who serve America abroad. The Cathedral's weekend is expected to have a "full array of events and programs" for all ages, a special concert, a commemorative exhibit on site and on the web, a youth leadership event, and an interfaith prayer vigil. The special concert is being planned to include reflections by celebrity actors, musicians, and government officials.

Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III will lead a Forum on Compassion with Karen Armstrong at 10:15 a.m. Sunday morning, September 11, 2011. At a Commemorative service at 11:15 a.m., the Bishop of Washington will preside, followed by a Concert called "For a Healing World" at 8 p.m. 

The events of this special weekend of reflection,  "A Call To Compassion" are described in detail at the website of the Washington National Cathedral. In an uncertain world, that sounds wonderful! It will be exciting to count on and look forward to this fall.

Please give generously to the Washington National Cathedral, an institution unconnected to this independent website.

Washington National Cathedral Greets Pinnacle of Christian Year-Easter 2011

Happy Easter! 

To all of you around the world, wherever you may be and whether or not you even celebrate Easter.

At Eastertime, I play the part of the Easter Bunny, offering chocolates to my family who are already far too advanced and well-fed for such luxury.

Thus, I had to resort to listening online from my home computer perch many miles away to the incredible services at the Washington National Cathedral, though it would have been better to be there in person.

Actually, I had a "Cathedral Marathon" and saw far more on the internet than I would  likely have done in person, and might have attended maybe one or two of the Easter services...not the four I watched online! In addition, watching services on the internet now resembles a sports game on television because it is well-televised, and close-ups bring the principle players up close, in this case the Ministers, Organist and Choirs.  Watching at home one does not have to take a back seat. The performances are so polished, it makes sense to record them and send them out to a wider audience, as expensive as it must be. I still wish I could have been there in person for the excitement of the live service of worship.

The Services at the Cathedral are always so perfect, and the processions are powerful to behold. The music, hymns, anthems, and especially Widor's Toccata were played perfectly by Cathedral Organist Scott Dettra. He infuses his music with personality and emphasis to perfection. He is the best organist, although being televised from Washington National Cathedral helps. Organists around the world help make Easter celebrations more spiritual.

The Cathedral had an incredibly busy schedule with Easter services at the pinnacle of the Christian year all week, and on Good Friday afternoon (for three hours), Saturday evening (probably two hours or maybe three with baptisms) and then two services of  one and one-half hours Sunday. In his perennially welcoming words, Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III said he wants to open our hearts and tease out the possibilities.

It's possible to watch the webcasts, too, after the services and experience some of the soothing psychological benefits of spirituality for yourself at your convenience. This is especially important to those too busy to take part in the services as they happened.

The flowers by themselves must have employed hundreds! They filled a huge paragraph in the Service leaflet (p. 15). There were beautiful bouquets...I counted seventy-eight honorees of flowers in the leaflet at least. 

As usual, the Cathedral conscientiously publishes Permissions (p. 15) to sing hymns, and in that way is a fine example to other churches. 

Whatever your religious persuasion, watching the webcasts on the website is a pressure-free way to see the religious services if you would like to understand more of the benefits they would bring to you. The Cathedral Archives conveniently online are a great help to clergy and anyone with an interest in, or curious about, previous worship services.

Please give generously to the National Cathedral. Hope you had a Happy Easter!!!

Washington National Cathedral Gears Up For Easter Celebrations

Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral has just broadcast online a wonderful Good Friday Service that must have been a three-hour-long marathon for the participants! Included in the webcast are Sermons, in the leaflet called Meditations or Homilies, by the Very Rev. Alan Jones, Cathedral Vicar Jan Naylor Cope, and Cathedral Dean Samuel T.  Lloyd III. 

The always perfect organ music of Organist Scott Dettra permeated the entire service of Devotions. Presided over by The Right Rev. John Bryson Chane, the Bishop of Washington, Gospellers and Ministers, the lengthy official afternoon of worship included singing by choirs led by Canon Michael McCarthy, singing soloists, music by a cellist, and special readings at the front of the Cathedral. 

The current 2011 Lenten season has been enriched at the Cathedral with Meditations available online. As well as today's long service and others held at the Cathedral, last night's Maundy Thursday was the occasion of a special evening service. Easter Services are planned for Saturday evening and Sunday, and will be broadcast live online. Throughout this Easter Holiday, the Cathedral has kept to a busy schedule and has generously made these services available online. The gentle, mellifluous voice of Dean Lloyd made it clear during a previous service that while passes are handed out for well-attended, super-important services on Easter Day, some seats might still be available to those wishing to attend in person.

Please give generously to the Washington National Cathedral. Donations can be taken online at the Cathedral website. 

A List of My All-Time Favorite Hymns

Today's service at Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral online was excellent. Lent will begin very soon, and this week was all about how to stop worrying. Stress relief is always a popular "quality of life" topic.

The sermon by The Rev. Jan Naylor Cope, who has incidentally earlier been a Deputy Director in the White House, and President of an executive search firm, had the excellent idea that "you can't be generous and grateful and greedy all at the same time." What a wonderful "theme of the week."

One suggestion by Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III is to take ten minutes to read the text from Matthew  6: 24-34 (below) every day and think about it, and it will help our worries disappear completely, even sleep problems. Great idea! Read it and believe it!

Here's the text:

Matthew 6:24–34
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve God and wealth.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

As promised almost a year ago, I've finally listed my favorite hymns of all time. They strengthen us Christians and give us hope when we hear them. To me they are an essential part of a satisfying religious service...love organ music. As with all hymns, the version, the occasion, and how well they are sung are all-important.

1. Hyfrydol - Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
2. Cwm Rhondda - Guide Me, O Thou Redeemer
3.  Praise Ye The Lord, the Almighty
4. Lauda Anima - Praise My Soul the King of Heaven
5. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
6. Be Thou My Vision
7. Abide With Me
8. All My Hope on God is Founded
9. Come Ye Thankful People
10. Holy, Holy, Holy
11. Greensleeves - What Child is This?
12. Christ the Lord is Risen Today
13. Amazing Grace
14. God is Our Refuge and Our Strength
15. Lasst Uns Erfreuen - All Creatures of Our God and King
16. Thine Be the Glory
17. This is my Father's World
18. Repton - Dear Lord and Father of Mankind 
19. Silent Night 
20. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 
21. Joy to the World 
22. O Come All Ye Faithful 
23. O Come, O Come, Emanuel
24. Wareham  - O Wondrous Sight
25.  All Glory, Laud and Honor
26. For the Beauty of the Earth 
27. Holy Father, Great Creator 
28. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
29. Rockingham Old - When I survey the Wondrous Cross
30. We Gather Together
31. My Song is Love Unknown (updated 4.22.11) 
32. Jesus Christ is Risen Today (updated 4.23.11)
33.  The Strife is O'er, The Battle Done (updated 4.23.11)
34. O Praise Ye the Lord, Laudate Dominum (updated 5.1.11)
35. St. Magnus: The Head That Once Was Crowned With Thorns (updated 6.5.11)
36. Richmond: Awake, Arise, Lift Up Your Voice (updated 6.5.11)
37. Jesus Shall Reign Where'er The Sun (updated 8.14.11)

They are so beautiful. I have many, many more, but that is a list of my top favorites. My preference is definitely for very old hymns. These are not in any particular order. (Next, the CD?!...just kidding.) A quick way to get the tunes is to link, for example, to the website, cyberhymnal.org, and openhymnal.org (I recommend the mp3 version). I'm sure to have missed more. Which of your favorite hymns have I missed?

Love Others with Action, Gestures, Connections, Caring, Giving and Forgiving

The Very Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd III gave another wonderful sermon today at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. (It was live online at NationalCathedral.org).

"In our common humanity" he said, in his inspirational Christian speech... "We need to have love for those who are not like us." We all have to go out and "Love our enemies and praise those who persecute us." 

Dean Lloyd is finding incivility and so many people in disagreement today, and says we need to love others with "actions, gestures, connections, caring, giving and forgiving." As he says, in truth, "there is no future without forgiveness." We need to "take time to let go of the power of anger" and then "every step is a step to greater freedom." 

We extend our gratitude to Dean Lloyd for another great sermon. Please give generously to the Washington National Cathedral and visit the Cathedral website for archived video sermons, Sunday Forum conversations with celebrities, and complete video worship and special services.

Washington National Cathedral: 42nd Martin Luther King Day with The Winans & more

Today's celebration of Martin Luther King Day at the Washington National Cathedral is available online. Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III introduced the program with a rarely heard recording of Martin Luther King in his last sermon at the Cathedral. He promised this  performance the 'most fun' program of the year which had me curious.  Many other ones available at the website are 'fun' too. The Cathedral's Sunday Forums are always interesting and the Sunday Services, all online, are cleansing and restorative emotionally. Watching them online are wonderful occasions for personal reflection at any time.

Urban Nation H.I.P. H.O.P. Choir 

The Talents!!! Today's uplifting performance is very showy, and the camera work is excellent, so it is very entertaining to watch. The music, as can be seen on the webcast, is well-rehearsed, an intense and moving program.

Pianists, guitarists and groups of singers and dancers in colorful gear made an altogether riveting and emotional program. The popular well-known crossover singers the Winans family made a surprise appearance. Many more artists sang along to well-known songs such as  "We Shall Overcome", far more than I can name, I'm sorry. Hip-hop violinist  Daniel D played an amazing see-through violin with  fluid sounds reminding me of the rushing waters of a mountain stream.

Watch it here at the Washington National Cathedral website. The Winans are on past halfway. It's well worth watching all the way through the program.

The Violent Lord's Resistance Army in Africa

Imagine a large group of children in America are abducted. All at once, reporters race to cover the incident. Swift reactions are predictably anxious and international news coverage is generous. Yet, according to Human Rights Watch, far worse than that is still happening right now, every day, in northern Uganda, and the silence  in world news  is deafening.  Human rights organisations agree world leaders aren't reacting strongly enough to stop the escalating violence. Covered by few journalists, the violence is being carried out by a group called the Lord's Resistance Army. Calling itself a Christian army, led by a supposedly religious  spiritual leader, the video below, "Dear Obama" offers convincing proof it is not religious at all.

A rebel army has displaced thousands of people from their homes, abducted a whole generation of children and then forced them for years to become soldiers capable of killings and mutilations. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch says America has a moral obligation to stop it, and now.

 According to the Sunday Forum at the Washington National Cathedral led by Cathedral Dean Samuel T. Lloyd III in a fascinating introduction and conversation on the issue, the LRA is not a Christian group as its leader claims. It is an army concerned with violence against enemies, with no objective, political or religious, and needs to end. It is unlike the Darfur conflict which is racial.

Here's a quick summary of the situation in Northern Uganda:

Army 1: Ugandan Joseph Kony and three to ten associates are training and using kids as young as eight as an army to kill enemies.

Army 2: Ugandan Government Army, funded by the US, is profiteering from American funding and looking the other way from the LRA. There isn't a French or other army in the area.

Problem:  Ugandan  Army  2 isn't stopping Army 1.

Solution:  According to Human Rights Watch,  special foreign forces could use ground intelligence to capture Joseph Kony and his other cohorts and bring them to the Hague Tribunal to face punishment, because the Ugandan Army won't do it, before the violence spreads further and takes a stronger hold as the army of children mature.

Uganda and the surrounding jungle are where a despotic army chief called Joseph Kony, together with a group of fewer than ten other militiamen, have used children to kill their enemies for decades (BBC). Kony  named his army the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) although he is not a religious or spiritual leader. The LRA abducts both boys and girls for the purpose of massacring his enemies without any political or religious objective.

It is not clear what Kony's objective is, apart from engaging in violence. According to members of the press, Kony and the other leaders have reneged on official peace agreements and do fear prosecution if it should come. All of this is happening while America is funding the main Ugandan army which has then taken money and  done nothing to stop the violence, yet has profiteered.

Typically, Mr. Kony ascends a mountain and then uses his cell phone. There, he orders around his army using his phone on the mountain. His child followers believe him when he comes down from the mountain and issues orders they are told are taken from heaven. His army does not allow radios, so these abducted children cannot know their families want them to return home. The abducted children are used as soldiers, and if girls, then taken as wives.  Kony supposedly has over 60 women forced to be sex slaves and called "wives."

Many wonder why the United Nations hasn't stopped the LRA already?...Briefly, we were informed that the LRA  crosses borders to escape detection. The area they fight in is too insecure to have any NGO base. At the same time,  Human Rights Watch, formerly Helsinki Watch, says the US has a moral obligation to stop the violence, and that it would be relatively effective to do so now as a preventative measure against greater violence.

It's an important, under-reported issue because the current generation of Africans in Uganda and the Congo and Sudan is being lost. When schools close, the entire generation of people pressing for social change, doctors and educators and communities are also lost.

There are steps we can take. Urgently, we can support the current legislation on the LRA that has passed President Obama, currently before Congress to do more, meant to bring change to the region. We can also support humanitarian organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Just because the news is not often reported, doesn't mean the situation isn't newsworthy, or that it isn't happening, but just that news organizations can't afford to pay to cover it.

Uganda is a troubled country;  previous dictator, Idi Amin, was accused of committing atrocities, and the country is currently led by President  Museveni and his corrupt army. Let's hope Congress has the sense to pass this legislation, and can bring about a cessation to the violence we know is going on.

Uganda.africa.upenn.edu

Washington National Cathedral   welcomes people of all faiths, a spiritual resource for the nation.With gratitude. Please give generously.

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.sponsors international journalism 
Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting 

Christians Celebrate Christmas Day at Washington National Cathedral

Christmas Day is one of the most holy in the Christian calendar. As we Christians celebrate the holy Day each December 25th, as I do, we do it in ways most appropriate to our religious views and life work. Christians find it important to continue with their life work through the holidays: nurses and doctors, flight attendants and pilots, as well as organists and church ministers.

The point is we all experience this great holiday, if we are Christians, in ways appropriate to our circumstances. And therewith we can find contentment and satisfaction, especially if we can take time to give God the space to enter our lives. There is not only one perfect way to spend Christmas. Life is a kaleidoscope and so is this special day.

Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC has online broadcasts of three Christmas services broadcast live, in color. Two were recorded on Christmas Eve and one just now on Christmas morning. The same Organist, choir and most of the same religious officials showed up again only a few hours later on Christmas morning.

All three worship services brought tears to my eyes; I wish I had been there in person. Just to be able to stop what one is doing and watch it online is priceless to me now.

Scott Dettra, Organist, Washington National Cathedral

The entire religious spectacle is one of the finest in all the world. The Organist, Scott Dettra, is surely one of the best in the world, if not the best.Wherever in the world you are, you can enjoy Christmas by taking the time to watch it online at Washington National Cathedral.

Please give generously to the National Cathedral. The church has wonderful services, and the institution supports many social services for those less fortunate - the homeless and hungry - and offers many affiliated social programs for education, with weekday classes and the Sunday Forums.  The Cathedral is a  tourist magnet, with many extra worship events to attend. Volunteers offer tours and a gift shop is now also online. The spectacular services, sermons and special events are accessible in archives at National Cathedral's website. The online  program of webcasts are significant in at least three ways:

1) They are useful for other houses of worship to follow as examples of fine practices.

2) They are available for all of us to enjoy, both live and recorded.

3) For the future, they will be historically significant recordings.

In full disclosure, this post was not in any way paid for by the National Cathedral or with any communication whatsoever.  

I watch (and write about) these recordings 250 miles away in New Jersey.

National Cathedral's Dean Lloyd on Immigration: The New Math

http://www.american-architecture.info/USA/USA-Washington/DC-002.htm

 Today at Washington's National Cathedral, The Very Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd III gave a wonderful sermon at the beginning of this new school year, and spoke inspirational words of guidance on immigration, for example, "God will stop at nothing to bring us home..."

He has seen in American society the idea "you are what you accomplish."  Ironically, he sees "gracelessness" in action these days in the  attitudes, the firestorms of Americans toward immigrants. Yet we depend on immigrants, and we  are all ourselves descended from other countries.

Where is the spirit of God's grace, generosity and justice, he wonders. Police can arrest without warrant people who appear to be undocumented in Arizona. Where is the  compassion for children of undocumented immigrants who are being cut out of healthcare and schooling?

Dean Lloyd said we need as a nation God's New Math: a generous framework of grace to frame our conversation about this difficult matter. For if we only look out for ourselves and fend for ourselves, we will live in crisis indefinitely. We need to help one another.

The main message from God is "you are loved with a limitless, fathomless, all-embracing love."

It was a fine, indeed, an excellent sermon which I cannot do justice to in this short summary,. Listen to it in its entirety here at the National Cathedral website. Sunday services and many special events from the Cathedral are now streamed live online.  Please give generously to the Cathedral, an independent, self-sufficient institution that depends on monetary support from visitors and listeners.

Washington's National Cathedral Thrives Amid Sweltering Heat

Washington, D.C.'s National Cathedral had another wonderful service last Sunday, July 11, 2010, with The Very Reverend Samuel Lloyd III giving the sermon. It can be viewed online at the National Cathedral website. The service leaflet is also available, and can be followed at the same time. Many wonderful old hymns, many of them my personal favorites were sung, and the service was very satisfying to see.

 Hyfrydol's "Love divine, all loves excelling" is one of my especial favorites. I always love to hear the "Presentation Acclamation" : "We gather at your table, Lord: we humbly lift our hearts to you! Here all are welcomed, all restored, and all are given work to do."

This month, the new Cathedral Provost, The Rev. Timothy Boggs, has participated in services as well. The music played throughout by Michael McCarthy, Director of Music, finished with the Allegro Maestoso by L.Vierne.  All the service can be heard and enjoyed online, a great new resource offered by the National Cathedral. Please give generously to the nation's National Cathedral.

Washington's National Cathedral: Dean Sam Lloyd and Guest Lisa Miller Discuss Heaven

Washington's National Cathedral had a wonderful service this morning. Two hymns were especially beautiful today: "Dear Lord and Father  of Mankind" by Repton, and the Michael music " All My Hope on God is Founded." They inspire me to make a list of my favorite hymns; that would make a nice project. I prefer those old ones.

Earlier, before the service at the Sunday Forum hosted by The Very Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd III, the discussion was all about Heaven with visiting Newsweek Religion Editor, Lisa Miller. She talked about "How Our Conceptions of Heaven Influence Our Lives." Her book is called "HEAVEN: Our Enduring Fascination With The Afterlife."

On June 6, 2010, an important Forum discussion was with The Rev. Thomas G. Long, an author of many, many books such as one about challenges facing preachers in Preaching From Memory To Hope  and about sickness and funeral customs  in Accompany Them With Singing. This Forum conversation should be listened to by every clergyman, in my humble opinion. The Forum is called: "Living and Dying: Why our Christian Rituals Matter."

These Forum discussions  are great online, live or later, even if I don't always write a review of them. They are important conversations about life, religion, God, and so much more. Dean Sam Lloyd has a gentle way of guiding the discussion with calmness to a wonderful warm place.

It is a privilege to be able to listen to the services and Forums here in the comfort of my own home near Princeton, New Jersey, over two hundred miles away from the Capital. Please give generously, as the Cathedral needs money to fight hunger in the Capital, and to follow through with promised social programs.

The beautiful music of the Cathedral, especially when played by the excellent Organist Scott Dettra, could be made into CDs. I notice there are CDs out there of favorite hymns.  Of course, I wish his special organ recitals could be played online, as well.

The Rev. Canon Carol Wade announced her departure intention, as had The Rev. Canon Stephen Huber, leaving the National Cathedral with a few vacancies to fill. I have every confidence Dean Sam Lloyd will find suitable replacements in time, although they have been extremely fine preachers.

Washington's National Cathedral is my favorite place to watch live online when it's time for religion at all times of the year. It's also an important location to support with thousands of visitors each year.

American Aid Abroad: Where Does It Go?

Have you ever wanted to know more about how American foreign aid is distributed around the world? Have you ever wanted to hear a summary of what the American military is doing around the world? Not sure what the conflict in Darfur is all about? All these important questions and more were answered clearly in a fascinating conversation held at the Washington National Cathedral now online, linked here. 

Andrew Natsios georgetown.edu

The Very Reverend Samuel T. Lloyd III spoke today to the  former head of  the US AID office, Andrew Natsios, now professor at Georgetown University, about the American aid effort  around the world. The focus was on "Prospects for Peace in Darfur". The almost hour long discussion ranged  from American humanitarian efforts all over the world to controversial actions made by the American military.

Andrew Natsios has a history in Massachusetts politics, public utilities, infrastructure and the military and was vice president of World Vision from 1993-8. He was head of US AID, the Agency for International Development, the federal agency mostly responsible for administering civilian foreign aid from 2001-5 and American Envoy and Aid Coordinator in Sudan 2005-7.

Mr Natsios generously outlines  at length issues associated with the giving of aid, especially by the military. Mr. Natsios has a strong grasp of the challenges of the third world from which to share in this DVD. He understands the composition of African countries and  describes how they are governed. He claims Darfur, where civil unrest could lead to destruction, is a country the size of the East Coast where future oil reserves will be found.

Many countries need food, medical and diplomatic aid. A secret to many, some countries' militias have a history of redirecting and abusing American food aid for their own purposes. Haiti has received much food and medical aid. The royal families of Jordan and Morocco are savvy of American programs in place to help their people. It's a fascinating conversation well worth watching.

The Very Rev. Samuel T. Lloyd III 

 nationalcathedral.org

The Very Reverend Samuel T. Lloyd III has made a positive outreach effort the last few years hosting a series of Sunday Forums. Each Sunday, co-hosted with Deryl Davis, he interviews luminaries with widely divergent interests who describe their work, explain what we can all do to help, and take questions from the audience. A great way to learn about issues at the intersection of faith and public life, it's been fascinating to hear personalities discuss current issues. Judy Woodruff, the long time television anchor, for example, discusses how she got into the reporting business, which I would recommend  especially to young reporters. This and many any other Forum discussions are now available at the National Cathedral website. Please give generously to Washington's National Cathedral. The Cathedral provides the rare opportunity and capability to conveniently view Sunday services online live or on video webcasts.

Help a Friend - "7 Simple Ways to be Happier": Health.com

Seven suggestions collected from an article in Health magazine should help you and your friends be happier and healthier. First letters are arranged to spell cap:
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1) Sing and Dance - literally
2) Practice Being Happy - through states of mind such as generosity, kindness and gratitude
3) Exercise - physical activity tends to lift spirits
4) Live in the Moment  and Find Joy - make yourself feel better now
5) Lighten Up - smile, laugh, relax
6) Clear your mind. Take up prayer and meditation if you haven't already
7) Add Positivity not negativity to your life. Friends should be Positive. Surround yourself with loyal supporters, not people who consistently bring you down
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Is This a Woman Or a Man?

An abaya

Belgium has banned use of the burqa, pictured next. The BBC calls it the "first move of its kind in Europe."

alaffia.com

Amnesty International has reacted; they say it's a "dangerous precedent." Human rights groups say wearing a burqa is "an expression" of identity and beliefs.

This is an extremely controversial topic, and I disagree even with my sixteen year old daughter, who believes in self-expression and is tolerant of these coverings and thinks it is none of my business. It's my turn to react.

To me, these coverings are dangerous pieces of clothing in many ways.

1) The many layers of cloth can get caught in anything moving, such as vehicles, revolving doors, elevators and escalators, and there is a continual nuisance factor.

2) It is very similar to a cloak of invisibility and affords extreme privacy where none is expected, necessary or welcome. Many people can't readily identify someone wearing a full-body covering without years of practice and it can be a security risk in many situations, such as schools and public spaces. It is like a pair of sunglasses that obscures a person, but this object of clothing covers the entire body, and it isn't an efficient coverup from the point of view of the weather.

3) Most importantly, it is associated with countries where the freedoms women can expect to enjoy, and have taken years of hard work to achieve, are ignored.

Liberal Muslims and women's rights groups are advocating for the compulsory enforcement of the Burqa to be stopped so [women] are given the choice to decide if they want to wear the Burqa or not. (relijournal.com).

Turkey and Tunisia prohibit the wearing of hijab [Quran's admonition to women to dress modestly] in government buildings, schools and universities. But Saudi Arabia and Iran and warlords in southern Afghanistan "enforce the dress code strictly with severe punishments through the religious police."