Showing posts with label thank you. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thank you. Show all posts

Friday, August 8, 2008

Just a simple Thank You -Part II

I was going through some stuff on my computer at work, and came across a reply to an email that I had written in a word processor. As I read it, a previous post that I had written here came to mind, and I thought that I should email some folks and thank them for the work and things that they have done. These are all great people in the Episcopal Church and are trying to make a difference. Now I could name many more, but I wanted to let these people know that I appreciate them.


Rev. David Ota – Thank you for all of the work that you have done when it comes to Multicultural and trying to help bring us all together as one in this diocese. It has been an honor to get to know you and to see and be involved with some of the things that you have been involved in.


Rev. Barbara Bender-Breck - I want to thank you for all of the work that you do when it comes to Anti-Racism issues in this diocese. Even though I have taken Anti-Racism in the past, and was even trained to lead such sessions, I know that I need to take it through the diocese. If it wasn't for you, I would not of gotten involved in the Afro-Anglican Commission, where I have gotten to know other black Episcopalians in the church outside of my own congregation. To me, you are part of what I call my Holy Triune, who are the three people in this diocese that I honor by doing whatever they request.


Bishop Marc Andrus – Even though I was routing for another person to become our Bishop, I am proud to call you my Bishop. With knowing very little about me, you have taken chances in having me become involved in different aspects of the diocese. With your request for me to be a member of the CoM, and my involvement on it, it has helped me grow in Christian ways that I don't think that I would of if I hadn't been on it. It has helped me to discern not only my relationship with the Holy Trinity, but my own life. I would of never thought that I would have been asked to write a guest blog for anyone, let alone a Bishop.


Rev. John Rawlinson – Yes I know that at times I am hard on you with my comments and criticism, I know that without you having belief in me that I would not be involved so much in other aspects of the diocese. Even though I know that you don't like some of the things that I have said, just remember that I am trying to make sure that amongst the plaques on the walls of the church is one that has your name on it, that shines above the rest. I want the history of the church to reflex more than you were a pastor of the Hispanics, but of all regardless of race. I am trying to get the thought from people's minds that believe that your goal is to make the church a place just for Hispanics, but that you are a pastor for all. I appreciate the hard work and time that you have put in for no money. I want to see us grow to be able to give you the kind of moneys that you deserve.


E.J. Hillard & Rev. Katherine Ward – You two, with Rev. Barbara bender-Breck are what I think of as the rest of my Holy Triune. I think that each of you are shining examples to the church, and to the Black Community of what we Black Episcopalians strive to be. I think of all three of you as being living prophets in the church. It has been an honor to get to know all of you.



Now I could go on and on thanking people from within this diocese for the things that they have done not only for me, but for the greater church, but I am sure that you could spend your time doing other things on the internet.


I would like to recommend a site for all of you to visit. http://www.experienceproject.com . I LOVE this site, and hope that you all will not only read the stuff that is there, but also get involved.


Thank You All

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Monday, June 16, 2008

Just a simple "Thank You"

Since I last wrote anything here, I was really hoping that I would write something at least once a week, but I have just been busy. So as I do my wash here at Woody's, I figured that this would be a good time to write.


I had a great experience this past Friday, when one of the people that I am an advocate for on the COM was ordained a Transitional Deacon. Michael is a great guy, and he is on his way to Spain, then to Africa for about 6 weeks. He will be back in the area for about a month, then he is off to Hawaii where he will finish is his as a Transitional Deacon and after he is ordained as a Priest, he will work as a Assistant Rector.

Having him as the person that I am shepherding first has been great, as I have learned much from him in this time. I really don't think that he needs an advocate, as he is really informed as to what he needs to do to go through this process.

After getting to know him, I know that he is going to do great things and to be a shining example of a priest and most importantly a Christian.

Here is a picture of the two of us taken right outside of Grace Cathedral this past Saturday.


I need to get together with my other “sheep” soon. I was the person that interviewed her for the COM before Vocations day. I figured that it would take an hour, but three hours later we finally ended. Nancy is a great person, and think that she is going to be a wonderful Vocational Deacon. I think that I am going to have to be more involved with her journey through this, but in the end I think that she is going to do just fine.


This is the first year in about 4 years that I have missed going to the San Francisco Black Film Festival. I planned on going yesterday after church,, since it was the last day, but I ended up just staying home.

While I was home, I sat and watched Jesus Christ Superstar 2000. Now I love the original film, and when I had first saw that their was this one was out I kept avoiding putting it into my queue. I finally broke down, and now wish that I had seen this one when I first saw that Netflix had it. I wish that I had some way of being about to cut both versions together.

If you enjoyed the original film, check this one out. Make sure that you watch the Extras.


I am finding it amazing on how people are demanding of my time, but just saying a simple “Thank You” seems to be hard. Back in September of last year, one of the women of my congregation died while in Cuba. Jane was a wonderful person, and I had a lot of respect for her. We did have our differences, but I really respected her. I was asked to do the music for her funeral, and one of her daughters called saying what kind of music she wanted played. I looked all over and found the stuff, and did the funeral. After the funeral her daughter didn't even say Thank You. At our congregation, we hold a Las Posadas (?sp) each year between December 16 and 24. The people who host each night bug me to play music after the event during a meal. In the years that I have been doing this, I think that maybe 3 people who have hosted a night have said Thank You. A woman asked me to do the music for her daughters quinceanera. Not a single Thank You afterwards. This has happened over and over again. What ever happened to saying a simple Thank You to someone?



If you are ever in Oakland, you gotta stop by New Earth Artist Cafe, located at 2008 Park Blvd. The place is a little small, but they play some great music (both on CD and Live,) and some really great food.



I hope that things are going great for you.



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