[Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle

[Lynn Ronkainen]

Nice Lesley. Thanks for sharing that.
Lynn

website: www.ichthysdesigns.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a 
single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." 
attributed to Erma Bombeck

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From: "Lesley de Voil" <lesleymdv at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 8:04 PM
To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle

> Our local RC cathedral had a 'modernisation' some years ago. One of
> the more unfortunate results of putting the freestanding high altar in
> the crossing of a Gothic building was siting the pipe organ on the
> East side of the crossing ( where one would originally have expected
> to see a rood screen) so that from the nave the sight of the organ
> behind the altar resembled some Protestant church.
> However, this monstrosity hides a gem. Behind the pipe organ, that is,
> the area that originally housed the altar ( the East end), is now the
> Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with Reserved Sacrament. The walls on three
> sides are patterned glass panels, ceiling to floor, leading to a moat
> about one foot wide and some inches deep containing water that has
> flowed from a tropical clam-sized and -shaped baptismal font. The area
> is doubly cool, from both the water and the faint plashing sounds.
> This area  also abuts the Confessional. As one sits quietly, one can
> easily feel the effect of coming through the water of rebirth after
> forgiveness.  A welcome haven for private prayer.
>
> Regards
> Lesley de Voil
>
> On 6/30/15, Lynn Ronkainen <houstonklr at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Many newer  RC churches built in the last 3+decades have immersable
>> baptismal areas that are highly visible and audible (running water)... I
>> wonder if this is a response to the scriptural references?
>> Lynn
>>
>> website: www.ichthysdesigns.com
>>
>> When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have 
>> not a
>>
>> single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me."
>> attributed to Erma Bombeck
>>
>> --------------------------------------------------
>> From: "Sally Davies" <sally.davies at gmail.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 1:35 AM
>> To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Suzie and Center Aisle
>>
>>> Thanks for sharing, that was lovely.
>>>
>>> I was struck by the comment about making the waters and grace of baptism
>>> more visible in  our churches - such a simple point but so relevant.
>>>
>>> We are very far from the "here is some water, why can't I be baptised"
>>> question that is the climax of my favourite story in Acts. Instead,
>>> baptism
>>> involves an entire fal-de-rol, a special service, and I guess for an
>>> older
>>> catechumen, a process of teaching first. It's just not available to
>>> people
>>> in the same way that Communion is.
>>>
>>> Even my Pentecostal friends whose chuch makes a huge deal of adult
>>> baptism
>>> and performs a lot of them, has to prepare a great big baptismal bath 
>>> and
>>> set up a service for that purpose.
>>>
>>> Perhaps our churches should have an inner courtyard with a fountain or
>>> water pool, like the house churches of the early Christians that have
>>> been
>>> excavated in Asia Minor.
>>>
>>> Sally D
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Monday, June 29, 2015, James Oppenheimer-Crawford <
>>> oppenheimerjw at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I was a bit overwhelmed by the power of Susan's message.  How wonderful
>>>> that she was the one to be there for that young lady.  Grace and Sophia
>>>> was
>>>> there -- indeed it's hard to say where it was not.  The grace that
>>>> called
>>>> that lady to make her bold move. The grace imparted to Susan in the
>>>> immense
>>>> privilege of being the one to answer that call.
>>>>
>>>> We are used to an economy of scarcity, but the divine economy is one of
>>>> abundance, like the loving mother who opens the screen door of her back
>>>> porch and calls all the kids in for milk and cookies. And the cookies
>>>> and
>>>> milk will never ever run out.
>>>>
>>>> I don't understand the Eucharist at all, and am beginning to realize 
>>>> that
>>>>
>>>> I
>>>> shouldn't worry about that. It's still there. Period.
>>>>
>>>> James W. Oppenheimer-Crawford
>>>> *“A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not
>>>> preserved,
>>>> except in memory. LLAP**”  -- *Leonard Nimoy
>>>>
>>>> On Sun, Jun 28, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Grace Cangialosi <gracecan at gmail.com
>>>> <javascript:;>>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> > I have just finished reading and commenting on Susan Buchanan's
>>>> > opinion
>>>> > piece in Center Aisle, the Dio. of Virginia's General Convention
>>>> > newsletter. It is beautifully written and makes a strong case for 
>>>> > open
>>>> > communion. I commend it to you:
>>>> >
>>>> > centeraisle.net
>>>>
>>