Salvation Army, Prayer Beads, and the Lectionary

November 21, 2006 - 6:22pm

Well, believe it or not, I might not have to spend the entire day Saturday ringing a bell at Walmart. Two rlp readers are driving in from Austin, and another from the other side of San Antonio. One person is actually considering flying to San Antonio, ringing a bell outside of Wal-Mart on Saturday, and then going to our church the next morning. Will wonders never cease. Whatever happens, I'll take pictures and have some stories to tell.

I think if I get one more person for this Saturday, I can cover both doors from 10am to 6pm. I'll probably be ringing for four to six hours, but I've had worse Saturdays.

I mentioned that my wife Jeanene had been making necklaces and prayer beads in the Anglican style and had listed a few for sale at her website. Six of them sold in a couple of days, which was a nice surprise. She's put six new ones online. Who knows where this is going. To be honest, none of us knows where life is leading us. One day you're doing one thing and the next thing you know you're selling beads. Go figure.

This guy is an Episcopal priest here in San Antonio and has become a pretty good friend since I met him in a coffee shop. He gave me a fountain pen, which I wrote about once for Christian Century.

We watched the Cowboys beat the Colts together this weekend, which was wonderful. And we have an idea for the coolest lectionary study group EVER. Stay tuned for more on this later.

rlp

Submitted by rbarenblat on November 21, 2006 - 6:32pm.

I think it's incredibly cool that you're doing this Salvation Army thing. One of my dear colleagues and friends in my chaplaincy program last year is a Salvation Army guy, and I respect him and his ministry tremendously...which has given me a whole new sense of admiration and sympathy for the bell-ringers.

***
"Why write unless you praise the sacred places?" -- Richard Howard

Submitted by Anonymous User on November 22, 2006 - 6:57am.

You're not going to tell me that the coolest lectionary group ever is going to meet on Saturdays at Walmart, are you? Or during halftime of Monday Night Football?

Seriously, I can't wait to hear about this.

Lib

(my first post on any blog, anywhere, anytime...you drew me out of my cyberspace introversion.)

Submitted by rlp on November 22, 2006 - 10:25am.

Stay tuned. That's all I can say. Walmart? No, nor in the halftime of a game. It's going to be a serious thing, but very cool in its own way.

Submitted by Anonymous User on November 22, 2006 - 9:17am.

Hey Gordon...

I'm going to be ringing a bell on Saturday... but here in my hometown. I can't get to San Antonio... but I figure they have kettles everywhere!

Submitted by Anonymous User on November 22, 2006 - 10:19am.

And she just sold another. Christmas shopping's almost done now! WOOHOO!

Submitted by Bro. Bartleby on November 22, 2006 - 12:17pm.

What is the ringing of the bell protocol? I have never tried it before, but think it could be either a meditation or a torture. I fear you may have dreams of Quasimodo in the bell tower!

Submitted by BlueLikeJazz on November 25, 2006 - 7:39pm.

I remember when I was a child, my dad would ring the bell part time during Christmas. I do believe they used to pay him to do it. Anyway, I would stand out there with him and ring and ring. I thought it was the greatest thing.

Submitted by Anonymous User on November 27, 2006 - 9:34am.

I've e-mailed your wife twice, but my e-mail won't go through. All I want to know is on her soap, is it 5.00 each bar?

BTW, I like your blog

Thanx
Lisa
lisaannfanning@yahoo.com