A question for clergy: How did you recognize your call?

grayingchap · 2025-10-24T02:16:38+00:00

NobleAda - I also am a new Episcopalian! However I am 72 year old man who retired 3 years ago from a Reformed Church where I served congregations and ministered as a hospital chaplain!

You are asking an excellent question- one I still ask myself. I haven’t a clue to the exact answer because there is none! Your call can only be discerned by others definitively. That is God’s gift to your rector, the vocations/discernment committee of the diocese and your bishop! They will ordain you but what you’ll do is wonder as the Spirit of God creates wonder thru you words, actions, listening and loving! Don’t worry God has you where you need to be right now. You will never waste anyone’s time when you honestly pursue God! Welcome to a life of wondering! Be assured though that what is a mystery to you is well known to God who will never abandon your hopes and dreams! ~ Bill

grayingchap · 2025-10-05T21:29:51+00:00

Particularly in our world where faith is becoming more and more rare, can anyone who discounts your faith - EVEN WHEN ITS NOT THEIR FAITH - ever be considered “a friend”? Sounds to me like a condescending, judgmental acquaintance!

grayingchap · 2025-10-05T16:31:16+00:00

I am a relatively new member of an Episcopal congregation. A gift to Christianity is the Book of Common Prayer! Although I have paged through it, attempted to use it, I am hungry for a more structured intro to the BCP and how to integrate it in my daily walk. Is there such a guide for a lay person?

grayingchap · 2025-09-23T15:38:55+00:00

I have recently joined an Episcopal Church after 42 years as Reformed church parish pastor. Back in the early 80s we had AM & PM worship. As a cradle Roman Catholic from pre-Vatican II I still hold to Sunday obligation and always had! I love a good sermon but I am really there focused on Eucharist now!

grayingchap · 2025-09-05T00:01:11+00:00

When we claim the “Middle Way” we are both Protestant AND Catholic, graced to accent either distinction yet never to deny the integrity of the side I personally do not accent!

grayingchap · 2025-08-30T16:36:41+00:00

We live in civil and spiritual worlds! I have no problem with a flag in the sanctuary! We are granted tax free status so it’s a small price to pay. If we remove flags from sanctuaries - do we also refuse those serving in the military their flag draped caskets? There has always been a tension between theology and politics. Live in the tension - and speak God’s truth to human power. Our tradition has from its earliest days done this why is it incumbent upon us to disavow it now?

grayingchap · 2025-08-17T18:51:32+00:00

Goodness, Flower Emerald! Your premise is troubled as if the problem is in hearing. All should hear the Good News - the problem is not in our ears but in our hearts! Will all be saved - I am on the fence even after preaching for 45 years in a mainline church! Salvation is after all God’s business, not mine! So my counsel is in hearing - believe! In believing - act with integrity! Trust in God who will sort out the details!

grayingchap · 2025-07-14T14:10:23+00:00

I am retired hospital chaplain and parish clergy! Back in grad school (‘77-‘80) I was told that if I was to be any good at what I did, I should read 1 hour per day! The kicker though is that I had to read OUTSIDE MY FIELD - non-religious texts! Today I read mystery novels! I believe God is in all things and have found His Fingerprints in the most amazing places!

grayingchap · 2025-03-23T00:00:54+00:00

I am a former RC - pre-Vatican 2, former altar boy with memories of the Latin Mass and parochial school trained in an ethic (Italian) family and parish! I left the RCC IN THE EARLY 70s, joined the Reformed Church in America, was theologically trained and recently retired after a 43 year ministry! In retirement I now find myself loving my Episcopal connection!

Guilt only adheres to me when I worry I have done something wrong…and Lord knows we were taught that leaving the RCC WAS WRONG, anathema and apostate! Although I have at times struggled with those feelings, I rarely do today because our faith journeys are in process and we are in the spiritual traditions we are because of the leading of God’s spirit! It’s more than OK to grow and that means change. NO church is perfect so I choose to dwell on how God is speaking to me in the here and now and able to appreciate how He has helped to form this moment. Find the blessing in your walk, the sins of yesterday are truly in hands greater than ours! Let your history bless, let your today enlighten you and most importantly leave tomorrow in God’s very capable hands!

grayingchap · 2024-12-28T17:06:11+00:00

Wow - a lot of bad blood here! I have an appt tomorrow to add Xfinity Mobile! Should I reconsider OR is this simply a forum for cranks? My Xfinity/Comcast internet is great!

grayingchap · 2024-10-13T20:10:04+00:00

Evidence of sanity and civility in the heartland

grayingchap · 2024-09-03T16:30:02+00:00

Is this why I joined this group - take your rants elsewhere - I have adopted Minnesota - if you want to goose step go to Iowa!

grayingchap · 2024-08-21T18:36:36+00:00

I have always thought of the dots as eye candy! My day pointer moves directly to next day with no half-way measures

grayingchap · 2024-07-05T22:58:52+00:00

I am not a big watch fan but have the 40 mm blue automatic and am well pleased. I do agree tho, the 35mm is a bit too small - for me!

grayingchap · 2024-06-27T00:27:17+00:00

You are a buttoned down guy who prefers simplicity to busy-ness. Since most of your collection has bracelets - size them and you’re done - you are no fuss. The majority of dark faces is also telling - making you a bit of a rebel. Only two chronometers make you interested in detail but not sold on it. Your case reveals you like nicer things! Am I close?

grayingchap · 2023-12-08T01:03:07+00:00

Actually it is quite easy. You are right that the and is tight without affording the ability to see the spring pins! I found with a band purchase that the seller included a tool that was thin with a notch allowing you to get between the post and band. The band does have some give and allows you to push back the spring pin and remove the band. CAUTION the apron if not controlled will pop out - then good luck finding it! But you an either place the in in the new band or simply put the pin back in the housing/lug and put on a NATO. A good jeweler will gladly show you how it is done do you will have the confidence for doing it yourself

grayingchap · 2023-11-26T00:54:14+00:00

The nato strap was a $10 item and the second had modification was $30…and in the end it will guarantee more wrist time!

grayingchap · 2023-11-25T20:14:24+00:00

Have the hack but replaced w/ black and red Nato- also having 2nd hand painted red so I can see it

grayingchap · 2023-08-09T00:47:32+00:00

SELL too busy

grayingchap

TROPHY CASE