and so holy week has begun. it’s exhausting, already, but i’m glad to be here. palm sunday was amazing. the liturgy just worked. i’d love to take full credit for it, but i feel as if i had very little to do with it, really. i made some significant changes–we took the procession outside, which was a first for them. it was really cool because cars stopped, people on the sidewalk stopped and watched. which is, after all, kind of the point! i pitched one of the collects so high that i nearly shattered the stained glass!! and for the life of me i couldn’t bring that note down!! but i laughed and they were kind. i’m hoping to have pictures to post soon.

and today we had chrism mass. i drove out to the middle of nowhere illinois. the chicago chrism mass is tomorrow, but i’m instead going to sit in on a court hearing along with many local clergy. long story and i’ll probably post more info later, but we are working to ensure that a building that is currently for sale continues to be zoned for affordable housing.

anyway…bishop lee (pictured here with my pal dave and me, looking like a complete dork, but i’m just so darn happy he’s our bishop!!),

presented led clergy day and we talked about holy week and the icon of the resurrection. he is such an amazing man and i’m so thrilled that he’s my bishop. part of chrism mass includes renewing our ordination vows. it’s a pretty powerful experience to have your bishop hold your hand and put his hand on your shoulder and look you in the eyes as you promise to pastor to your people. then he prayed over/for me and it was all i could do not to cry. sometimes liturgy just really works.

came back to chi-town and had a vestry meeting. to be honest, i really just wanted to go home. but my vestry is so wonderful. we had a great meeting and i left feeling energized, which is a nice way to leave. it feels like we’re starting to move in a direction, to have a sense of who and what we might be. and it’s exciting!

so, a 14+ hour day, but a good one nonetheless. now if one of you dear readers would just write a sermon or two for me!!