La Cena del Señor

(The Lord's Supper)

This week was a cool one at church - we've been using different Eucharistic prayers throughout Lent - they're all Anglican, and they're from around the world - we've used the prayers from Australia, Wales, New Zealand... today I was celebrating (saying the thanksgiving over the gifts, blessing the elements of bread and wine for communion), and I was using the prayer from the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in Spain. So, it was Book of Common Prayer, and it was in Spanish. I would say a line in Spanish, K would say the English translation, and we went from there. The rest of the service was in English - and up on the Power Point that I've been having fun with, not just in the book. One of the assets of the Anglican Church is that our liturgy is the same all around the world... so it was fun to bring to mind in the congregation that not all Anglicans speak English (and globally, more Anglicans do NOT speak English than those of us who do!). And, to be fair, it was great for me to use my Spanish for something other than reading. The congregation seemed really impressed not just at my ability to speak another language but at the sense of continuity that I was hoping to achieve. :-) It's so easy to get caught up in what we're used to and miss the bigger picture... I loved being in that bigger picture today!!

Birthday Bash!

Normally, I don't make a big fuss out of my birthday... but this year was my 30th, and in November a very close friend told me she'd be coming over from England for it... so, plans started being made...
I hosted a cocktail party, where people were all formal and fancy - it was fun! I sold tickets for it - for $25 each - and all the money raised was to go to a program based in my church - it's called Out of the Cold, and it feeds hungry people. There are some phenomenol people who cook a good hot meal for whackloads (about 125) people each week - more than once - and can use all the support they can get. So, the party itself was a fantastic time, with about 50 people coming out all fancy, we raised enpough money to feed some 240 people. What a gift.
I was wearing a navy-blue satin floor-length backless dress, it's amazing what I can do with a bit of creativity and a sewing machine... Kristine helped me put the cake of my imagination into the artful reality pictured here.
I wonder if people realise how easy it can be to help others while having a good time themselves... I never would have thought of this idea by myself, so am grateful for the input from friends - no idea yet what my next help-others project will be, I'll keep you posted...