[Magdalen] Epiphany

[James Oppenheimer-Crawford]

​
On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 2:52 AM, Cantor03--- via Magdalen <
magdalen at herberthouse.org> wrote:

>
>
> In a message dated 1/6/2015 2:17:43 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com writes:
>
> I  generally get nothing out of read lessons.   >>>
>
> Actually, that's the impression I've had with Episcopal congregations
> in general.  When I look around during the course of the  reading,
> all eyes are riveted on their own copies in the service leaflet.   It's
> unusual to see anyone just sitting back and listening to the  readings.
>
> In contrast, RC congregations do not have a written copy to refer to
> and are all thus by default looking up and listening.  This is  not to
> imply that they understand the aural lessons better than Anglicans,
> but only to point out the denominational differences.
>

I've been at parishes that did not include the readings in printed form.
(Heck, I've been in parishes that had no service sheet at all.) I don't
think denomination has anything to do with attention.  If you put a piece
of printed material in front of someone, they'll look at it more often than
not.

My situation is typical for people with ADD.  I do not have the ability to
maintain concentration on something, no matter how hard I try.  No, it's
not like normal people. Normal people have a lot of control over their
concentration if they wish to; I do not, no matter how hard I try. I'm not
whining, just stating facts.

James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
*“If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better
for people coming behind you, and you don’t do it, you're wasting your time
on this Earth.”  -- *Roberto Clemente

​

> The only way I've experienced to get Episcopalians to pay much
> attention to spoken scripture texts is to chant them.  Then they  will
> look up from their written copies.
>
> After all, all parts of the Western Liturgies can and have been sung
> with the usual disclaimers about the sermon.  However, there was  one
> rector of the local Procathedral about 20 years ago that dispelled  that
> misconception.  He mounted into the pulpit one Sunday carrying  his
> guitar, and sang his sermon to the somewhat startled congregation.
>
> I've seen it all.
>
>
> David Strang.
>