I have seen ducks do this.
Again and again.
And I do not understand.
It’s like an Exorcist thing.
Well, maybe it’s a duck physiology thing.
In any case, it amazes me.
1 September 2012
Central Park, New York
Category Archives: New York
Doesn’t that hurt?
Why I like New York 11 – music in Central Park
I spent much of the afternoon in Central Park.
Music filled the air,
particularly on the Mall.
Soul-filled,
spirit renewing tunes.
These guys were my favorite.
1 September 2012
Central Park, New York
Listening and singing
I like to sing. I do not necessarily sing well. But I do like to sing.
On 19 August, as the congregation of Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church in New York City stood to sing hymns, I lowered my voice so that I could listen. Sometimes when I visit a congregation that happens because I do not know the song. But not on that morning.
Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church is a unique congregation. Of course, all congregations are unique. Each congregation has its gifts and strengths, gifts and strengths that combine to give the community its personality. There are similarities within denominations and across denominational lines. But no two congregations are identical.
On some Sundays, two worship services take place at Good Shepherd-Faith: one in Korean, one in English. It is possible, maybe even probable, that at least some individuals attend both services. They are held at different times and the community members know each other well. But some Sundays, two services occur.
Twice a month that changes. The community worships together. One service. Two languages. The bulletin contains the words of the service printed in Korean and printed in English. Some of those in attendance can understand, speak, and read both languages. But I cannot.
In some parts of the service, only one language is used aloud. One scripture lesson is read in Korean, one in English. A pastoral prayer is led in English, a second pastoral prayer is prayed in Korean. The sermon is preached in English. A Korean translation follows. That proves a bit of a challenge for the person who is translating when the preacher, no names please, tends to view a manuscript as something of a guide than a word-for-word record of what to say. The announcements follow this pattern. Made in English, they are then translated into Korean. In some parts of the service, one language is used at a time. But in other parts, particularly the hymns, both languages are used at the same time.
The lay leader announces the hymn. The community turns to the page in the Korean-English hymnal. The pianist begins and when the introduction ends, the singing begins. Some sing in English. Some in Korean. Some switch flawlessly between the two languages. Each person singing in the language she or he prefers. Hears may say this results in a chaotic cacophony. But for me, each song marks a Pentecost moment – a foretaste of when all peoples gather in that great choir and every tongue sings in every tongue.
And I lower my voice so that I can sing, listen, and smile all at the same time.
See you along the Trail.
What we need to know
Truth breaks in,
when friends say
what we already know,
what we do not want to know,
what we need to know.
In such moments,
may there be grace to hear,
wisdom to understand,
courage to change, and
strength to grow.
15 October 2011
Shire on the Hudson
Why I like New York 9 – fearless pigeons
I never dreamed I would say anything good about pigeons.
In the long ago days of my childhood, I remember my father going to great lengths to chase pigeons from the home they had made in our attic. They have never had a good rep with me since.
But today, while at the Church of the Covenant, I met the Stephanie or Steve, I couldn’t get close enough to determine that nor would I have known how to determine that if I had got close enough to do so) McQueen of pigeons – one cool customer who fearlessly gave me the eye as we shared the space.
I have not become a lover of pigeons, but I have a new-found respect.
See you along the Trail.
Unsheltered
The lightning’s reflection
danced across the East River
as I looked from my office window.
Shadows, caused by lightning,
played across the uptown skyline
as I departed the 1 Train.
I smiled at the sky-show’s beauty
until I remembered
those whose work takes
them into the elements;
those with no home, no place, no shelter:
sisters and brothers
who ride out the storm
unsheltered.
26 July 2012
Shire on the Hudson
Manhattan
Why I like New York 8 – view from above
Watching first-time visitors to the city see New York from the air, as the plane makes its approach, fills me with delight and leads me to smile.
Seeing New York from the air, as the plane makes its approach, fills me with delight and leads me to smile.
See you along the Trail.
Go with God, my dear friend
I knew the day would come. I had checked on it again and again. I did not want to miss the opportunity to say what I wanted to say. But I learned tonight, that I almost did that.
I met Kevin Dance several years ago when I attended a seminar at the Presbyterian United Nations Office (its name at the time). Kevin serves as the representative at the UN for Passionists International. A group from National Capital Presbytery came for a seminar on addressing racism around the world. Kevin spoke to the group because of his work with indigenous peoples. I liked him instantly.
When I arrived in New York in October 2010 to serve with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (its current name), Kevin, along with many others, greeted me warmly. We worked together on a several issues including indigenous persons and a just peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
A gentle, caring man, Kevin mixed a brilliant sense of humor with a profound passion for justice. He played a key role in bringing indigenous voices into the conversation at the UN. When that happened, he continued to work to ensure that the powerful heard our indigenous sisters and brothers.
Earlier this year, the faith-based NGO community learned that the time had come for Kevin to return to his home. We made a special effort to learn about his work with indigenous peoples. We did not want to lose his memories and insights We set a time to hear from him when he gladly provided “not a lecture but more of a meander. An insightful, helpful, challenging meander.
Through the first part of the year, I made a point of asking every time I saw him, when he would leave. I did not want to miss the opportunity to tell him what his friendship and witness means to me.
Of course things got busy in my life and in Kevin’s life. For the last month or so I have neither seen him nor checked his schedule.
Tonight, as I prepare to travel in the morning to a meeting that will keep me away for the rest of the week, I learned that Kevin leaves town on Monday. That last cuppa will not happen. But, with fumbling fingers, I did send him an email thanking him for his friendship and collegiality.
I am grateful I could do that much. Two other thoughts provide comfort as I bid Kevin farewell.
My friend Emily McGinley recently wrote a blog post “Love is Sticky” in which she reflects on the Korean concept of term jeong. Emily notes that:
Jeong is rooted in relationality and it has this disturbing quality of dissolving those barriers between oneself and another. … Jeong is “sticky” because it reminds us that: “we are, whether we want to admit it or not, always connected to one another.”
In theological terms, we are “people of one body, bound together by ultimate love.” Remembering that, I know that even as we go our separate ways, Kevin and I remind bound together.
Secondly, Kevin lives in Australia. I figure since I did not get a chance to say the good-bye I wanted to say in New York, I have to go to Australia to do so. Pretty good deal.
Kevin – thank you for your faith, your witness, and your friendship. Go with God, my dear friend.
See you along the Trail.
Along the Graybeard Trail 