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Weblog Archives: July 2002
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
I'm not pleased with yesterday's post. I struck the wrong tone and wrote it badly. Even so, I believe very firmly what I was trying to say - that we need to take a long hard look at the way we are raising our children, for I believe that abuse is systemic. Youngsters are being denied their childhood by being treated as (in the words of Rowan Williams, the new Archbishop of Caterbury) both sexual and economic subjects, expected to exercise choices without having had the freedom to learn how the choices should be made. I know it's a complicated subject and I'm not very qualified to address it. But I worry about my daughters.
Posted by Richard @ 10:27 PM BST [Link]
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
We're all together again. The family is complete.
I've just returned from collecting our two dogs from their foster homes in Yorkshire where they were cared for during our trip to Florida. Now we have to try to settle down into a routine again.Two stories have caught my attention in the last 24 hours. The first was a (I thought) slightly hysterical report on the BBC news about the rise in deaths from the use of Ecstasy. It seems that in 2001, some 40 teenagers in Britain died in this way - each death a tragedy that could have been avoided. But I can't help feeling that the "something must be done" reaction is out of all proportion to the situation. Official statistics show that 5000 people died in one year as a result of alcohol abuse, and the true figure may be much higher. This socially accepted drug would be a much better target for government resources.
Second was a report of the vindication of two nursery nurses who had been accused of child sexual abuse 9 years ago. Child abuse is a terrible crime, but there is a sense in which it is acquiring the same status as the witchcraft of the seventeenth century - there are some who are determined to see it in every situation. Those who abuse children sexually should be caught and punished, but we need to begin to recognise that our society operates with a dreadful double standard in relation to this. At the same time as "paedophiles" are reviled and villified, our children are being dressed (by their parents) in styles which in young adults are designed to send sexual signals. As children are dressed as little adults, they are also encouraged to behave like little adults. (The sight of a four year old girl performing, complete with dance, a Madonna song in karaoke turned my stomach) Furthermore, children are being raised to believe that it is their right to have all their desires gratified instantly, without the need to consider the needs or feelings of others. For me, this constitutes child abuse itself - and is so widespread as to be considered "normal". Rant over - for the time being. I feel a campaign coming on.Posted by Richard @ 10:43 PM BST [Link]
Saturday, July 27, 2002
End of an era? Bene Diction now has his own blog.
Posted by Richard @ 11:25 PM BST [Link]
It's been a while since I posted anything of C. Wesley's. Here's a lovely bit of poetry I discovered in the United Methodist Hymnal. I've never seen it in a British hymn book.
Whether the Word be preached or read,
No saving benefit I gain
From empty sounds or letters dead;
Unprofitable all and vain,
Unless by faith Thy Word I hear
And see its heavenly character.Unmixed with faith, the Scripture gives
No comfort, life, or light to see,
But me in darker darkness leaves,
Implunged in deeper misery,
Overwhelmed with nature’s sorest ills,
The Spirit saves, the letter kills.If God enlighten through His Word,
I shall my kind Enlightener bless;
But void and naked of my Lord,
What are all verbal promises?
Nothing to me, till faith divine
Inspire, inspeak, and make them mine.Jesus, the appropriating grace
’Tis Thine on sinners to bestow.
Open mine eyes to see Thy face,
Open my heart Thyself to know.
And then I through Thy Word obtain
Sure present, and eternal gain.Posted by Richard @ 11:14 PM BST [Link]
Friday, July 26, 2002
It's my own fault. If only I'd remembered to take my password details with me. But I left them behind, and so returned to email chaos. Every time I tried to get email, Outlook would crash. It's sorted out now, but only after downloading over 1000 different emails, most of which are still sitting in my inbox. Even deleting them with even looking is a bigger job than I've got the stomach for at present. I could just "select all", but their might be something important in there. I'll have another go tomorrow. I'd got no idea I received so much junk.
On a more positive note, we're getting settled in pretty well and have welcomed back very warmly, which is good. (Not that I was nervous...) It will take a bit of time to get back into a routine, but we'll get there.
I haven't had much time to just browse the internet recently, so this evening I've tried to catch up with some of the Christian blogs out there. Clutter has some interesting thoughts on the power of the gospel. Disputations recommends the reading of P.G. Wodehouse, and I'm not going to argue with that. Meanwhile, faithwalkin' has been struggling with "doing church differently" in a postmodern world. Aren't we all? Kairos admits to some of his failings in a long post about marriage.
And speaking of time, I have to go and get a bit of supper. Maybe see you tomorrow?Posted by Richard @ 09:46 PM BST [Link]
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
Well, we're back. Our jumbo jet rushed past Swansea at 5.30 this morning, offering clear views of this lovely coastline. And I realised that, though we've had the most wonderful time in Florida, this is home. Half an hour later we landed at Gatwick, retracing ( well, ish) the path of the jet at a rather more sedate pace in a National Express Coach.
Normal service on the blog will be resumed as soon as possible, but for now I've got to deal with unpacking, opening the post and trying to sort through the 600+ emails in my in tray. And I'm just a tiny bit tired. Blogging can wait.Posted by Richard @ 08:50 PM BST [Link]
Sunday, July 21, 2002
Glad to hear that the Halls are enjoying a different part of Florida. Their impression of Key West is one that does apply to the Key West community, in part, but goes to show how first (and possibly, the only impression) of a place or community of people is not complete. I am sure that our own impressions of places we have been in the UK and abroad are limiting to the complexity of the communities. We thought that Bristol had a bohemian element to it based on the population of people we encountered at the train station. Key West is very much a bohemian community in one respect. It has a large population of artistic, free spirited people who move to the Keys to find themselves and "paradise." Unfortunately, the good and bad that goes with that is all that some tourists and visitors ever see. They miss the extensive history, the character that is unique to Key West, and the interconnectedness of the locals who have called Key West and the Florida Keys their home for generations. Key Westers can be very stubborn and independent. Key West has become very commercialized and tourist oriented, in some sense at the expense of the slow-paced, small-town feeling that Key West has known. Key West is special to the Corbin family. We have seen the changes (many of them not positive) that have affected Key West. The Methodist church with the thick stone walls (Old Stone Church, now Key West United Methodist Church) that Richard spoke of, is the church that we served for 7 years before moving to Fruitland Park. Rachel was born in Key West - she is truly a "Conch" (the name given to those born and raised in Key West) Rachel's claim probably would be disputed by those who have lived their whole lives in the Keys, but she did have 5 years inthere. Time to get off the computer. We are about to experience the torrential Florida weather, typical summer afternoon- lightning, thunder, heavy rain and hail. Must unplug the computer to prevent damage should we experience a lightning strike nearby. Debbie
Posted by Ivan @ 06:50 PM BST [Link]
Saturday, July 20, 2002
How sad is this...
On holiday, but can't resist the temptation to make a post from the Public Library. (Free internet access, and you only have to give your first name to sign in. Cool.)
We ventured south from Fruitland Park, and what a great time we're having. The Everglades were particularly amazing, full of unbelievable wild creatures. I'll have more to say when we get back to the UK I'm sure. We're staying in Islamorada in the Keys just now. Visited Key West yesterday - very (ahem!) bohemian! The UMC featured in the tour we took of the town, being described as a "good place to be in a hurricane" because of the thickness of the stone walls. That will definitely make a sermon illustration!
I was glad to read that the Corbins are "down and safe". We're looking forward to catching up with them for a "debriefing" on Monday. I'm going back to my holiday...Posted by Richard @ 03:30 PM BST [Link]
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Boy is it hot in Florida!! I think the whole Corbin clan is seriously missing the weather (really we are!) in Wales, England and France. We arrived safely on US soil at about 6:30 p.m. Monday evening, but due to various circumstances we did not actually arrive home until about 11:30 p.m. Even though our bodies were feeling like it was 5:30 a.m. we did get a good night sleep and now are trying to get back into the routine of life here. The flight was wonderful-- blue skies the whole way. Many thanks to John, Pat, Mary and Eileen for the wonderful send-off from Wales. We appreciate all you (and the church family) have done. Our holiday in England and France was a good one, filled with many educational and entertaining adventures, only a few frustrations and delays. There are too many to highlight now, but we have been enriched by the many cultural experiences. In a strange way, it helps me to appreciate the differences in my own country. Ivan will probably have more to say at a later time. For now, the kids and I are off to relieve my parents of "the Beast", our big black cat that has lived with them for 7 weeks! Debbie
Posted by Ivan @ 07:11 PM BST [Link]
Monday, July 15, 2002
I can hardly believe that the exchange is all done. We're not quite packed; the Corbins are presumably all geared up for heading back.
It was an emotional time in church today - though of course I am far too British to show it! Having a gammy leg didn't help any, but I managed to hobble through all right. There was an Organ and Piano Recital at the church this afternoon, followed by some good nibbles and the opportunity to say some personal farewells.
We've seen and done some great stuff here. It's going to sound like a cliche, but we really had a great time doing the "touristy" things that everyone does when they come to Florida: Disney, Seaworld, Kennedy Space Center and all the rest. But these haven't been the most important experiences. Friendships made, kindnesses shared - this is the stuff that has made the exchange so worthwhile for me. I wouldn't shed any tears if I thought I would never visit any of the theme parks again, but the friends we have made here are a different story. God willing, we will be back this way again.
Tomorrow (Monday) we are heading off down South towards the Everglades and "the Keys". Strictly holdiday, and I don't know if there'll be any opportunity to post to the weblog. If there is, I'll do a few words, otherwise - see you in a week's time! God bless.Posted by Richard @ 03:07 AM BST [Link]
Saturday, July 13, 2002
Saturday afternoon.
The preparations for leaving are finally in hand, albeit rather reluctantly. It's rained all day today, sending us to the mall for what will probably be the last time. There was an article in today's paper about the amount of rainfall there's been in Florida the last month, replacing fear of drought with fear of flooding in some places. Other worries, like fast-breeding mosquitoes taking advantage of the damp conditions are also on peopl'e minds - not to mention the effect of the weather on Florida's tourism. Still, on balance people are glad to see the lakes filling up a little, leaving me to wonder whether it's possible I could take any credit for bringing the rain? Maybe not.
On Thursday we had an excellent day out with some of the folk from church. They'd rented a boat to take us down some of the local lakes and waterways. So close to civilisation, yet it felt like genuine wilderness. Ospreys fishing in the lake, herons of various sorts in abundance, otters, alligators, turtles... all manner of marvellous sights. Florida is alive. I'm no Richard Attenborough, but I hope the video tape we took gets something of the atmosphere.
I visited another hospital yesterday, this time in Daytona Beach, which we visited with the church youth group. A young man in the party was "skim-boarding" - great fun, until you fall off. He broke his leg in a couple of places. As we were approaching the hospital his foster mother began to express concerns about having his social security and other necessary numbers with her. It struck me again how glad I am that the National Health service in Britain does not operate this way. The beauracracy necessary to run a system based on insurance is unbelievable.
Those who've been worried about me (come on! someone must be!) will be glad to know that I'm doing without crutches now, though still hobbling.Posted by Richard @ 10:26 PM BST [Link]
Thursday, July 11, 2002
Bingo is good for the brain. Allegedly.
Posted by Richard @ 08:50 PM BST [Link]
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Craig has written a timely piece on immigration, giving his reasons for his change of heart. Read it, then get on to your politicians.
Andrew Careaga tells the story of "The Fall" in a manner which I'm sure Wood at least will appreciate. Hope others do to.
An end-times pilgrim counts the cost of discipleship in this interesting antidote to some of the barmier "end-times" frothing. (I know its an old article. I discovered it while browsing some magazines in the parsonage "journal repository".)
Posted by Richard @ 03:06 PM BST [Link]
There's no denying that being on crutches gives you an entirely different perspective on life. Trivial obstacles - a carelessly discarded sock, for example - assume hideous proportions. Simple fatherly tasks - lifting a child into the back seat of the car - become nigh on impossible. All in all, I have to say that this injury has hurt my pride at least as much as it has hurt my ankle.
As a preacher I have often said that 'pride' is the most basic sin that lies of the root of all else. An unwillingness to be vulnerable, a determination to be self-sufficient even (especially?) from God: this is what makes us take our own path rather than the "straight and narrow".
Given all that, you might think I'd welcome this little reminder of my dependent status. Oh yes. But I've learned my lesson now, and I want my ankle back. Please.Posted by Richard @ 02:41 PM BST [Link]
Monday, July 8, 2002
I've had several conversations with people here about health care and related matters, but now I've had some direct experience of the system for myself. I would have been content to rely on hearsay evidence, but things don't always happen as we would wish, do they?
Last night I went to play tennis with some of the men from the church (fine fellows all!). I was amongst the first there, and since we had two rackets between three of us I sat down on a wooden bench by the court. Under the bench was a wasp's nest, and they evidently didn't want to share. I took a sting on the back of my ankle, which was not the greatest experience I've had so far but made a fine addition to the small but interesting collection of insect bites I've gathered along the way. A few moments later, racket in hand, I think I was giving more attention to the sting than to where I was putting my feet and turned over on the ankle hard enough for me to forget all about wasps.
So this morning I hopped into the Emergency Room at the Leesburg Regional Medical Center and asked very politely if they might be able to help at all.
I'm bound to say the attention I received was very good, both caring and efficient. I was very embarassed to be riding around in a whelchair but the staff were very kind and adopted just the right air of unsympathetic humour. There doesn't seem to be anything broken (sighs of relief) but I've to got used to crutches for a while.
Two things for which to give thanks:
1. It's my left ankle, so I can still drive
2. The hospital agreed to bill the insurance company direct.
3. There has been a wonderful sense of the care of the church. They got me to and from the ER and visited me while I was there. I've even had a visit at home from the District Superintendent.
That's three, isn't it? All together now: "Count your blessings dah de dah dah dah..."Posted by Richard @ 10:44 PM BST [Link]
Sunday, July 7, 2002
I just read Richard's comments about the goodbyes beginning and what he, Jayne and the girls have gained in new friends and relationships at Community UMC and I could basically just change names and echo the same. Today was our last official day in Swansea and Gower and it was difficult day in one sense because we have come to love and appreciate all the folks that we have had a chance to meet and minister with, as well as people in the community and elsewhere. We have truely been blessed by this entire experience and will treasure it and our new relationships for the rest of our lives. We were especially touched by words shared by our lay leader for the morning, John, and by retired pastor and past president of the Methodist Church here, Jack this evening. What moved me even more was a gift of a Welsh Beannie Bear made to Rachel after church by Amy, one of the few girls Rachel's age. She and her parents had to buy five other Beannies just for the priviledge to buy one Welsh Bear. Amy knew how much Rachel was looking for one and gave her hers. It is this kind of warmth and generosity that we have experienced all along and we are profoundly moved and greatful to everyone who has made this a tremendous five weeks.
It's amazing, people were still apologizing for the weather even up until this evening. Such polite folks. I just hope it warms up for all those who are still looking for some semblence of winter over here. I hope I can bring some of the cooler weather home with me, as well as the nice, soaking rains.
Some of our final experiences here included the program at Clydach on Thursday, getting to play golf yesterday on a very hilly, scrub covered course owned by a duke no less and mowed by grazing sheep, cattle and horses (puts new meaning into hazards), a wonderful dinner with new friends at their home near the manse, and three services today that helped us not say "goodbye", but "until we meet again."
From what I can tell from Richard's note and from what we have experienced, I'd say that this exchange has been exactly what it was supposed to be, for pastors and families and especially for the churches. And, I truely believe the exchange was of God and His timing, from beginning to end.
Oh, one final thought: "Yes, Alice, I did work the quote from the Blues Brothers into my sermon that following Sunday."
I hope that Richard will continue to let me make comments here every once in a while as a foreign correspondent once I get back to the States.
Posted by Ivan @ 11:39 PM BST [Link]
One more Sunday to go, and the farewell's have begun. There was quite a dinner at church today, some kind words were said and we given some very nice gifts. I have never liked goodbyes, and there is no reason to suppose I'll enjoy this one, though we have missed all the folk at home - well, some of them anyway ;o)
We've had some very good times here. I understand now why Florida is such a popular holiday destination . With so much to do, we've barely scratched the surface in our time here. But it's the warmth of the welcome that we've received and the friendships that we've made that have made the biggest impression on me. So many people have been pleased to go out of their way to be helpful to us; it has been very touching. I don't want to get sentimental, but the past few weeks have been very special. I suspect that at the very least our Christmas card list just got longer!Now my attention has to begin to turn homeward and try to work out how we can use these experiences to strengthen the work in Swansea and Gower. But we're not done yet. There is still a full week here in Fruitland Park to be enjoyed before our travels take us on to the Everglades and the Florida Keys.
Posted by Richard @ 09:07 PM BST [Link]
Friday, July 5, 2002
No overall theme today, just a few random thoughts.
The 4th of July experience was very entertaining. I'm amazed that "small town" America can put in so much energy (and cash) into the celebrations. I expected the festivities to be more "gung-ho", this being the first Independence Day after 9-11, but I saw mercifully little of that.
One surprise was how political the parade in Mt Dora was. Evidently there are local elections in the offing, and several of the candidates were in the parade, throwing candy and trinkets to the children. (A tempting metaphor, but we'll let it go.) One of these candidates was a local Circuit Judge who wants to keep his job, a strange sight indeed.
We've been to Daytona Beach today with the church youth group, and a good time was had by all. "Rain stopped play" in the early afternoon, which as a pity, but it was good fun nonetheless. As the thunderclounds hoved into view the beach lifeguards were quick to begin advising people to gather their stuff and leave. And everyone did. Mind you, two people have been killed in Florida by lightning strikes just in the time we've been here - finding proper shelter in a storm is pretty good advice.
Driving too and from Daytona took us through an area which had been part of a forest fire in 1998. Hearing about these things on television did not prepare us for the obvious scale of these fires. Mile after mile of forest still show th signs of the damage. It's impossible to imagine what it must have been like while it was burning.
Finally, Ruth (aged 5) had the following take on Independence Day:Daddy, did you know that a long time ago, people from Swansea owned Florida? And the Florida people had fights with the Swansea people and killed them. But we're friends now.Posted by Richard @ 11:32 PM BST [Link]
We had our most unusual July 4th celebration yesterday. A program had been prepared for us by the joint Welsh and English speaking congregations at a village north of Swansea called Clydach. Well rehearsed youngsters from 4 years old to teens, dressed in traditional Welsh costumes (moder rugby as well as older Welsh-women dresses and hats) shared about their heritage by describing the symbols on their flag and their origins, the Welsh anthem, etc.. They even had researched the origins of our US flag and described the one they had displayed on the wall with the Welsh flag. We then had a young lady play the harp and sing in Welsh some beautiful numbers. This was followed by a special treat where a rising Welsh opera celebrity, Timothy Richards, had returned home and volunteered to sing at this special event. He was joined by those who know Welsh (which was the majority last night) and what singing from both Tim and congregation! They then let me get up to speak and share my impressions of our exchange, Wales, etc. and then we had question and answer time. After that we had time of refreshments and fellowship and eventually people finally went home. No fireworks, no extra security, but there was an acknowlegement of being a part of a global family and there were sentiments shared about the ongoing war on terrorism, questions about hanging chad and a close presidential election, alligators, Disney World and what is it like to live in Florida? One youngster asked, does the sun shine much in Florida and I responded, "All of the time, even when it's raining. We just call that liquid sunshine." I suggested that Wales might adopt that expression, too, instead of apolgizing for the weather, which has not dampened our experience one bit.
So, our Fourth of July experience this year was a wonderful wrap up to a wonderful exchange that sadly comes to an end Monday morning as we board a train back to London. Five weeks seemed like a long time when we first got here, and now it's gone by all too quickly as we prepare to leave our new friends and church family here in Wales.
Posted by Ivan @ 08:33 AM BST [Link]
We've had a "4th of July" fest today. A small town parade in the rather quaint community of Mt Dora, followed by fun and games for the kids. In the evening we went into Leesburg for fireworks, which were wonderful. The council gave away free icecream and toppings, little flags for the children, and the fireworks were free too. They didn't even charge money for a parking space. Great fun.
Posted by Richard @ 04:42 AM BST [Link]
Thursday, July 4, 2002
Just wanted to wish all my friends a happy 4th of July, whether you're celebrating or not!
Posted by Richard @ 04:48 PM BST [Link]
So, how should the tension between collective responsibility/personal freedom be resolved? I want to suggest that the way we approach says a good deal about how we think about God - and vice versa. I say this because it is fundamental to Christian belief that human beings are made in the image of God. If we see God as aloof and self-sufficient this will be the model on which we base our own self-image. Our emphasis will be on individual freedom, self-reliance and a minimum of collective responsibility. If, on the other hand, we acknowledge a God who is a Trinity - a dynamic relationship of self-giving love, then our self-image will tend to be more inclined to recognise that human beings are created to be in community with one another and that it is only in relationship with others that our humanity is fully expressed.
This is grossly over-simplified, and yet how necessary it is that we recover (discover?) the understanding that human individuality is not adequately expressed by a bogus assertion of "rights" but rather by the willing and whole-hearted participation in a community of others.Posted by Richard @ 02:55 AM BST [Link]
Wednesday, July 3, 2002
It has been a most interesting day, but possibly the most draining so far. Today we had the "total mall experience", venturing into the fleshpots of Orlando to visit 2 'outlet' malls, and then the more upmarket "Florida Mall". It was a full afternoon and evening, and I'll admit that if never see another mall again, it will be too soon. (But we did find one or two bargains!)
I've had a couple of conversations in the last day or two about the vexed issue of gun control here, and thought I would venture a comment or two -- with great hesitancy and in all humility of course ;o)It's my understanding that those who are most vehement about 'the right to bear arms' do so on the basis of the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution. This , they say, is an historic right which has been built into US law since its foundation. If this right is removed, what guarantee is there that other rights will not also be taken away. Individual freedom must have priority over the government's tendency to interfere in people's lives.
The 2nd Amendment reads:"A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed."As an outsider to the US it seems to me that this is a statement in which the second clause depends upon the first; that is, the right to bear arms arises from the need for a well-regulated militia. But though such a militia might have been a necessity 200 years ago, it is clearly not so today. The freedom of the US today is secured by the institutions of democracy, which include the various branches of law enforcement and the military might of the only remaining industrial superpower. To this, maybe naive Briton, the 2nd Amendment looks entirely irrelevant to the present circumstances.
But I think there is a deeper issue which is just as important at home in Britain as it is here in the US, and that is the relationship between individual rights and collective responsibility. When should one be over-ruled by the other? What I mean is this. Those here who want to retain the right to keep a firearm sometimes use the argument that such a weapon is the most efficient means of personal protection. The 'bad guys' have them - I need them to defend myself. But it is also true that the free availability of firearms means that the 'bad guys' are much more likely to have guns than they are in a nation where gun controls are stricter (like good old Blighty, for example). So an individual who exercises the right to keep a gun might be making themself 'safer', but is participating in a system which increases the danger for other people. [The equivalent scenario in Britain might be the individual parental decision about whether to give their child the MMR vaccine. Giving the vaccine might expose the child to a measurable individual risk, but not giving the vaccine certainly increases the risk to the wider community.
I've gone on long enough for one night - I'll add more tomorrow. For the sake of balance, do glance at the site of the Second Amendment Foundation.Posted by Richard @ 02:50 AM BST [Link]
Tuesday, July 2, 2002
Today I had the privilege of conducting the funeral service of a long-time constituent of the Sketty Methodist Church, David Richards. This is the second funeral I've been involved in since coming to Sketty and I thought I might comment on some of the differences that I've noticed between here and back in the Leesburg area.
If a family chooses cremation here, then the date for the funeral is selected based upon when the crematorium is available. A funeral can be up to week after a person's death. Unlike in the US where someone would be cremated before any memorial service without anyone but the crematory staff present, the trip to the crematorium here replaces the trip to the cemetery.
With both services, there was no viewing the night before at the funeral home. The hearse arrives at the church just before the service begins and the pastor(s) walk before the casket, a simple triangular shaped wooden box much like you would see in the movies about the old west. The family walks in behind the casket which is placed in the chancel area. The rest of the service is then very similar to what I've been used to.
We then travel to the crematorium like we would to the cemetery in procession. At the crematory the same kind of procession takes place and the casket is placed upon a platform in the chancel area of the chapel. After a prayer and a hymn, the words of committal are given and I was given the task to push a big green button that caused the casket to be lowered into the basement of the facility where it is transfered to the place for cremation. (I have to say, I was somewhat intimidated by the responsibility of pushing that button and watching the remains of someones' loved one disappear from site. I was afraid that I might not have done it at exactly the right time in the service, but was assured that is was just right.) Final prayers are made and the benediction given, and all of this has to happen in about 20 minutes so that the next funeral can come in. For those in Florida who have ever attended a graveside service at the National Cemetery in Bushnell, this is the closest thing that I can compare the process to, with one burial after another going on all day there.
The family then steps outside, greets those who have come for the committal and then, as in the US, many return to spend time in the family's home with food and drink.
I hope this topic is not too morbid, but having conducted funerals for 18 years, this is the most unusual variation to what I'm used to that I have experienced. Funeral customs also say a lot about a people, and that is no exception here. In a nation where coal mining, heavy industry, etc. have been a part of life for so long, so has dealing with the reality of death. I found that the services that I've participated in are very worshipful and healthy for all who attend, and conducive to helping the healing begin. I also found that having a committal at the crematorium, with the lowering of the casket after saying "dust to dust, etc." somehow seems more appropriate than our memorial services without the body present. In some ways, I think it actually takes the reality of death more serious and there is a finality (until the resurrection) that may help people process the death more readily. I'm not sure, but it just struck me as something worth commenting on.
On a lighter note, I'm sorry that Richard and Jayne and youngins have had to endure the return of a more normal Florida heavy summer rain pattern. I've been kept updated by folks at home and it sounds like Richard helped bring the rain we've been needing for so long. Not to be outdone, he also left some for Wales, so after several days of beautiful days, the rains have returned and we even had heavy showers for, oh, ten minutes this afternoon. I did give the churches permission yesterday to borrow Florida's expression for rain, "liquid sunshine," since we don't like to admit we have the potential for as much rain as we do in the "Sunshine State."
Peace.
Ivan
Posted by Ivan @ 10:37 PM BST [Link]
Monday, July 1, 2002
I've just realised that the Methodist Conference will be in full swing at home in Britain. Hope they remember to do the right thing with stipends.
