Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Blast from the past: Charity

One of the very first songs I learned as I became a Christian in the San Diego Coffeehouse all those years ago (location above) was called Charity, based on the 13th chapter of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians.




Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up;
doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth. But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; 
but the greatest of these is charity.

I Corinthians 13.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

J. John interviews Justin Welby

The Rev. Canon J. John of the Philo Trust interviews Archbishop Justin Welby.  Watch it all:

Sunday, March 16, 2014

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning ...



“We have pursued this legal process out of the conviction that it is one of the ministries that God has entrusted to our church. We continued in our desire to be faithful to God’s calling to see it through to the end. We are grateful that our nation’s civil justice system allows us this recourse, and we thank the Supreme Court for its consideration of our petition. Although we hoped and prayed for a different outcome, we know that God is good, loving, and faithful. We have seen this on vibrant display in so many ways in our church life during these years, and we will continue to trust that he has even better things for us.”  -The Rev. Dr. John W. Yates, Rector, The Falls Church Anglican (Falls Church, VA).

Friday, March 14, 2014

The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby installs ACNA Rector Tory Baucum as a Six Preacher at Canterbury Cathedral


The Rev. Dr. Tory Baucum (Rector, Truro Anglican Church, Fairfax, VA) was installed today as a Six Preacher of Canterbury Cathedral by Archbishop Justin Welby.  The Anglican Church in North America's Archbishop Robert Duncan also attended the installation in Canterbury, England, today.

Monday, March 10, 2014

U.S. Supreme will not hear The Falls Church Anglican's appeal

This morning the U.S. Supreme Court denied The Falls Church Anglican's petition. It was reposted repeatedly by the court since December until the decision was released today to deny hearing the appeal. The Falls Church Anglican released this statement:

We received word today that the United States Supreme Court has denied our church's petition for certiorari and declined to hear our case. This means that the long legal process in which our church has been involved since we were sued by The Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia in 2007 has come to its end. 
We have pursued this legal process out of the conviction that it is one of the ministries that God has entrusted to our church and out of our desire to be faithful to God's calling to see it through to the end. We are grateful that our nation's civil justice system allows us this recourse and we thank the Supreme Court for its consideration of our petition.

Kevin Kallsen is interviewing Allan Haley of the Anglican Curmudgeon and will have that video up in a few moments.

UPDATE: Here is Kevin's interview:



More commentary here at Anglican Curmudgeon.

The bishop of Virginia, Shannon Johnston, released this statement:


"We are most gratified by the Supreme Court's ruling. We look forward to the possibilities that the months ahead will bring, and continue to keep those affected by the litigation in our prayers."

Late Night at the Cafe: Jack Benny & Peter, Paul & Mary

Tuesday, March 04, 2014

Today is the 8th Anniversary of BabyBlueOnline!

Hard to believe it's been eight years since we opened the cafe doors and started serving up the butterbeer and chai.

Here is the origin of the name:




Since today is our anniversary we know what that means! We are celebrating the 8th CafeAnonsBall!  The one time of year when we celebrate all those folks who drop into the cafe and who's name is only known to God.

So to get things started, we need to be sure the pancakes are arriving from the kitchen to all the plates here in the cafe.  There are many ways to make pancakes - but just in case you're not sure, here is a short less on making delicious pancakes for Strove Tuesday.



Ever wonder how Shrove Tuesday got started? Here's a short history:

History
For centuries, the English have celebrated Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent, with merriment and antics and, especially, great quantities of pancakes. In fact, the fried flat cakes became so important to the holiday that is has also been called Pancake Day, or Pancake Tuesday.

Learning to make pancakes can start early.
Long ago, strict Christian Lenten rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products, so keen housewives made pancakes to use up their supplies of eggs, milk, butter and other fats. They could be easily made and cooked in a skillet or on a griddle.

Families ate stacks of them, and pancakes were popular with all classes.

The rich Shrovetide pancakes were eaten as a ritual or symbol of self-indulgence before the fast. Early English recipes called for wheaten flour, eggs, butter or lard, a liquid (water, milk, ale or wine) and flavorings such as white or brown sugar, spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger), orange flower water, scented sugars or liqueurs.

The pancakes were fried in butter or fat and served flat or rolled and sprinkled with powdered sugar, topped with preserves or doused with  alcohol. A special pancake, called a quire or pancake of paper, was made very thin and usually stacked. It was likened to a quire of "wafers" or writing paper.

Even the church bells that rang early on Shrove Tuesday morning summoning everyone to confession and to be "shriven" became known as Pancake Bells. They also reminded all to use up the "forbidden foods" before Lent. An old London rhyme went "Pancakes and fritters, say the bells on St. Peter's."

Now we know!

Pancake Races
One of the traditions of Shrove Tuesday is to hold pancake races. Here is what Wiki says about that:
Shrove Tuesday was once known as a "half-holiday" in England. It started at 11:00 am with the ringing of a church bell. On Pancake Day, "pancake races" are held in villages and towns across the United Kingdom. The tradition is said to have originated when a housewife from Olney was so busy making pancakes that she forgot the time until she heard the church bells ringing for the service. She raced out of the house to church while still carrying her frying pan and pancake. The pancake race remains a relatively common festive tradition in the UK, especially England, even today. Participants with frying pans race through the streets tossing pancakes into the air and catching them in the pan whilst running. 
The most famous pancake race, at Olney in Buckinghamshire, has been held since 1445. The contestants, traditionally women, carry a frying pan and race to over a 415 yard course to the finishing line. The rules are strict: contestants have to toss their pancake at both the start and the finish, as well as wear an apron and a scarf. Traditionally, when men want to participate, they must dress up as a housewife (usually an apron and a bandanna). The race is followed by a church service. 
Since 1950 the people of Liberal, Kansas, and Olney have held the "International Pancake Day" race between the two towns. The two towns' competitors race along an agreed-upon measured course. The times of the two towns' competitors are compared to determine a winner overall. After the 2009 race, Liberal was leading with 34 wins to Olney's 25. A similar race is held in North Somercotes of Lincolnshire in eastern England.

Have you ever participated in a Pancake Race?

Here at the Cafe we thought that it would be like a Cafe in real life.  Only in Cheers does everyone know your name.  In most cafe and pubs - yes, there are regulars who's names are known.  But there are many visitors who's name no one ever knows.  That's part of the charm of a cafe or pubs - a mix of the known and the unknown.  We wanted it to be a place where those on the left and those on the right could meet up and swap howdies.  However we didn't want anyone to meet up and swap blows.

So our official moderator is none other than this guy:


He has his favorite table by the door.  He has a lot on his mind so most often is not easily disturbed.  But if things get rowdy, he won't hesitate to get up from his chair and toss someone out the door - or window.

Sadly, many time they are the anons  - not always - but most often it does seem to their lot in life.  Some seem to forget that while we may not know their name (though we might know where they are posting from) someone does know their name.  Just saying.

Most of the time - a great deal of the time - Hagrid can just snooze his time-off away and while the conversations may get lively (we are permitted to toss pancakes but not chairs), it most often is still rather cordial.  And for that, we are grateful.

And so on this day, we say thank you - all you anons (who know who you are), thank you for dropping in, toasting your tankard, speaking your mind and most of the time keeping your cool.  

Monday, March 03, 2014

On the Court Watch ...


UPDATE:
Looks like its been relisted again.  It will be in conference on March 7th with results from that conference made public on March 10."Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)

Please do continue to watch and pray.





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Saturday, March 01, 2014

Tonight at the Cafe: Don't Think Twice

Here's the cover by Peter, Paul & Mary of Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's All Right: