Jamie Parsley's Blog, page 66

Two Years Vegan

I was only going to give it a try for a week. And early that week, I thought: I’m never going to make it. As inspired as I was to finally make the leap by the book Skinny Bastard, I really did think that giving up dairy and eggs would be just a temporary thing I could say I tried. Although giving up meat was a very easy thing to do, I knew full well that dairy was going to be hard to give up. At some point during that week, I thought for sure that I was going through some kind of withdrawal. But by the end of that week, I was feeling better than I ever had in some time.
Did I ever think I’d make it to two years? Not really. But here I am. Two years of no meat, no dairy, no eggs, no honey. And with the addition of giving up alcohol seven months ago, I can say in all honesty that  have never felt this good in my entire life. Going vegan has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.  
It has not been easy. I have made a fair share of mistakes. Eating out has been a constant challenge. But many servers around town know me and my eclectic tastes. One of my lessons over these past years has been: “treat your server well and they will treat you well.”  

I have also learned over these past years that I truly believe a vegan diet may not be best for everyone. I can’t help but wonder if some people are just more naturally suited for this lifestyle than others. All I can say is that, for me, after that initial transitionary week, my life sort of blossomed as I’ve done this. And it has gotten easier as time went on. 

1 Advent

November 29, 2015
Luke 21.25-36+ OK. I know.  I feel horrible over the fact that I have already set up my 1956 aluminum Christmas tree up at the Rectory All my Anglo-Catholic guilt is eating away at me.  But, I did it because I’m hosting a Rectory Advent/Christmas party on Friday.
Still, I feel like a hypocrite.  How many times have I stood at this pulpit and railed against the evils of secular Christmas?  I should feel guilty.
After all…it is not Christmas yet.  In fact, it won’t be the Christmas season, for us anyway, for another three weeks or so.  Christmas for us as liturgical Christians, doesn’t begin until Christmas Eve.  So, yes I feel guilty. But I’ll forgive myself…
For now, however, we are in this anticipatory season of Advent. Anticipation is a very good word to sum up what Advent is.  We are anticipating. We are anxiously expecting something. And in that way, I think Advent represents our own spiritual lives in some ways. We are, after all, a people anticipating something. Sometimes we might not know exactly what it is we are anticipating. We maybe can’t name it, or identify it, but we know—deep inside us—that something—something BIG—is about to happen. We know that something big is about to happen, involving God in some way. And we know that when it happens, we will be changed. Life will never be the same again. Our world as we know it—our very lives—will be turned around by this “God event.” It will be cataclysmic.
What I find so interesting about the apocalyptic literature we hear this morning in our scripture readings is that we find anticipation and expectation for this final apocalypse. And that anticipation and expectation is a good and glorious thing, I think. That is what this season of Advent is all about. It is about anticipation and expectation being a wonderful thing in and of itself. Because by watching and praying in holy expectation, we grow in holiness. We recognize that despite the doom and gloom some people preach when it comes to prophecies, doom and gloom doesn’t hold sway over us as Christians.
Still, despite this view, we are a people living, at times, in the dark doom and gloom of life. In Advent, we recognize that darkness we all collectively live in without Christ. But we realize that darkness doesn’t hold sway. Darkness is easily done away with by light. And so, in Advent, we are anticipating something more—we are all looking forward into the gloom and what do we see there? We see the first flickers of light. And even with those first, faint glimmers of lights, darkness already starts losing its strength. We see the first glow of what awaits us—there, just ahead of us.
That light that is about to burst into our lives is, of course, Christ’s Light. The Light that came to us—that is coming to us—is the sign that the King of God is drawing near, as Jesus says in today’s Gospel, is near. It is near.
Yes, we are, at times, stuck in the doom and gloom of this life. But, we can take comfort today in one thing: as frightening as our life may be, as terrible as life may seem some times and as uncertain as our future may be, what Advent shows us more than anything is this: we already know the end of the story. We might not know what awaits us tomorrow or next week.  We might not know what setbacks or rewards will come to us in the weeks to come, but in the long run, we know how our story as followers of Jesus ends. Jesus has told us that we might not know when it will happen, but the end will be a good ending for those of us who hope and expect it. God has promised that, in the end, there will be joy and happiness and peace. In this time of anticipation—in this time in which we are waiting and watching—we can take hope.
To watch means more than just to look around us. It means to be attentive. It means, we must pay attention. It means waiting, with held breath, for the Kingdom of God to break upon us.
So, yes, Advent is a time of waiting and it is this waiting—this expectant anticipation—that is so very important in our spiritual lives. Advent is a time of hope and longing. It is a time for us to wake up from our slumbering complacency. It is a time to wake up and to watch. The kingdom of God is near. And we should rejoice in that fact.
In preparation for Advent, I have been re-reading some of those poets and writers that inspired me many years—way back when I was a teenager. I’ve been re-reading Kierkegaard and Thomas Merton and Ernesto Cardenal.
One of the poets/theologians that I have been re-reading intensely lately is the German Protestant theologian and poet, Dorothee Soelle.  If you do not known Solle, read her. She is incredible and important.  When I was in high school, I first read her book, Of War and Love, which blew me away.

But a poem of hers that I have loved deeply and that I have been re-worked as a poet myself is her poem, “Credo.” I was going to just quote a part of the poem here, but it’s just so wonderful, I actually have share it in full.  This is the poem as I have adapted it:  

Credo
by Dorothee Soelle(adapted by Jamie Parsley)  I believe in a Godwho created earthas something to be moldedand formedand tried,who rules not by lawswritten in stonewith no real consequencesnor with distinction  between those who have and those who have notexperts or idiotsthose who dominate and those who are dominated
I believe in a God who demands that creationprotests and questions God,and who works to changethe failures of creationby any means.
I believe in Jesuswho, as “someone who could do nothing”as we all areworked to change every injusticeagainst God and humanity.In him, I can now seehow limited we are,how ignorant we can be,how uncreative we have been,how everything attempted falls shortwhen we do not do as he did.
There is not a dayin which I do not fear he died for nothing.Nothing sickens me morethan the thoughtthat he lies at this momentdead and buriedin our ornate churches,that we have failed himand his revolutionbecause we feared insteadthose self-absorbed authoritieswho dominate and oppress.
I believe in a Christ who is not deadbut who livesand is resurrected in usand in the flame of freedom that burns awayprejudice and presumption,crippling fear and destroying hatred.I believe in his ongoing revolutionand the reign of peace and justice that will follow.
I believe in a Spiritwho came to us with Jesus,and with all those with whom we sharethis place of tearsand hungerand violenceand darkness—this city of God—this earth.
I believe in peacewhich can only be createdwith the hands of justice.I believe in a life of meaning and purposefor all creation.And I believe beyond all doubtin God’s future worldof love and peace. Amen.      


Yes, we do live in “this place of tears/and hunger/and violence/and darkness—/this city of God—/this earth.” But we are hoping, in this Advent season, for “God’s future world/of love and peace.” It is near.  The Kingdom of God—with its incredible revolution—is so close to breaking through to us that we can almost feel it ready to shatter into our lives.
So, in this anticipation, let us be prepared.  Let us watch.  Christ has come to us and is leading us forward.  Christ—the dazzling Light—is burning away the fog of our tears and hunger and violence and is showing us a way through the darkness that sometimes seems to encroach upon us.  We need to look anxiously for that light and, when it comes, we need to be prepared to share it with others, because is telling us that the God’s future world is breaking through to us.   This is the true message of Advent.
As hectic as this season is going to get, as you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the sensory overload we’ll all be experiencing through this season, remember, Watch.  Take time, be silent and just watch.  For this anticipation—this expectant and patient watching of ours—is merely a pathway on which the Light of Christ can come to burn away the darkness in our lives.    

Skinny Bastard book

Two years ago today I bought the book Skinny Bastard by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. It was an important moment in my life, because it was just what I needed at that time to kick me in the butt to finally go vegan about a week later. It wasn't an easy transition, but I sure am grateful for it. 

Thanksgiving

With the Duchess, who made me an incredible vegan Thanksgiving meal. I'm so thankful FOR her. 

Thanksgiving Eve Mass at St. Stephen's

Look at this motley liturgical crew getting ready for the thanksgiving Eve Mass at St. Stephen's last night 

Christ the King

I have to admit: I kinda like this photo from the story a...

I have to admit: I kinda like this photo from the story about Adolf Scott in last week's Fargo Forum. 

Working lunch

Lunch Cajun Cafe in Fargo with Michelle Gelinske Patnode to discuss music for the staged reading of my one-act play, "The Bishop Comes For A Visit," on Dec. 10 at the Spirit Room. 

Blondie "Heart of Glass"

The very first album I ever bought was “Parallel Lines” by Blondie (circa 1978) because I loved the song “Heart of Glass” so much. I was about 8 years old and, although I really hated disco, this song transcended disco or anything else that was being played at that time. A few years later, I would buy the B-52s “Wild Planet” after seeing them on Saturday Night Live (I was blown away by their beehive wigs), and Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures” after hearing the song “Transmission” and realizing it was so incredibly different and bizarre. Finding and listening to my own music was a wonderfully liberating (and safe) act of defiance. And my gauge for knowing what kind of music to listen to was easy: I knew that whenever my ACDC/ Meatloaf-loving half-brother deemed a song or artist “shit,” it was definitely going to be something I would love.

Stewardship Letter

November 17, 2015St. Hugh of Lincoln
Dear St. Stephen’s family,
It is that time of the year once again—Stewardship time. And it is a very important and vital time for us at St. Stephen’s. I know some people might groan whenever we start talking about issues like pledges and offerings and money. But Stewardship, as you have heard from our Senior Warden, Leo Wilking, and our treasurer, Sandy Holbrook, is a time for us to pray about and consider the many ways St. Stephen’s has been an important part of each of our lives. It is also a time for us ponder how we can respond to the many ways St. Stephen’s has been a part of our lives.
Stewardship of our money, time, talents and presence at St. Stephen’s takes place in many ways:
+ Attendance. This one seems obvious, but it is good to remind ourselves that our actual presence at worship at St. Stephen’s is so vital to our congregation. Each person among us matters. It is so important to have our congregation actually in attendance on a regular basis. This can also be a very important part of stewardship—the stewardship of our actual physical presence at worship on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening.
+ Pledges. We are praying and hoping that we will be able to get 50 pledges  this year. With the amazing growth have had over this past year, 50 pledges is certainly not an unreasonable goal. After prayer and reflection, please fill out a pledge card, even if your pledge is a small amount. Every pledge matters.
+ Tithing. The standard of tithing is that we give 10% of our income. For some this is a very difficult thing to do. For others, this is not. Please consider working toward a tithe of 10% as your monetary goal.
+ Ministry. Ministry is so much more than the work the priest does. Ministry is the work we all do together to further the kingdom of God. As lofty as that may sound, a variety of ministries helps accomplish this goal. On a practical level, there are of course the visible ministries at St. Stephen’s, such as acolyting, lecturing and worship leader. Other ministries include altar guild and children’s chapel leaders and helpers. Of course music is a very vital and important ministry. But there are also so many ministries that go on behind the scenes, that few people even know about: cleaning, gardening, maintenance.
+ Artistic expression. On our website, we find a wonderful description of who we are at St. Stephen’s: “St Stephen’s is a growing community of artists, poets, musicians, professionals, writers, students and searchers for God.” One of the ways we can contributed of ourselves is through our talents. Maybe we are painters or sculptors or poets or musicians. These are also ways that we can contribute and make St. Stephen’s a beautiful place.
We have so much to be thankful for at St. Stephen’s. It is an exciting time for us. New people are finding a home and a family at St. Stephen’s. joining with those of who are have been here for many years. Those of us who have been here for years are finding ourselves renewed and recharged, as well as confronted with all the changes and challenges of a growing congregation. And all of us, together, are doing ministry in whatever ways we can.
All that is happening here at St. Stephen’s is something to celebrate! This is a time in which we should be giving thanks to God for this church home, this church family and these opportunities to do the ministry of loving God and one another in worship and service.
In these next few weeks, pledge cards and time and talent sheets will be arriving by mail. If you have not received your pledge package, please ask me at church and I will make sure you get one. Once your receive it, please prayerfully fill it out.
On Sunday, December 6, we will be celebrating our pledge in-gathering, when people may bring their pledges and offer them to God.
This Stewardship time is  an opportunity to celebrate these blessings God has granted to us. It is the time in which we take a good, long look at ourselves as a congregation and what we are doing in our own lives to help St. Stephen’s live even further into this growth and life we are celebrating.
More than anything, know how grateful and humbled I am to be serving you. I am truly blessed by God to be serving a congregation that is excited about what it is doing, that is renewed by its energy and committed to its following of Jesus. Thank you for all you have given to me.
-peace,Fr. Jamie+