Living with Wildlife

Well, we're accustomed to see, and always delighted with, the Grace Church Hawks, one of which routinely perches on the steeple cross.

We're getting tuned in to the various bird songs that we hear in this little plot of the city of Norwalk, graciously near the thin strip of wild land between the bike path and the route 7 connector.

But the last thing I ever hoped to see here a 1 Union Park at the corner of Mott Avenue in Norwalk Connecticut was an adult fox walking across the garth, the lawn between the two arms of the building of the church. A red fox. Or I should say a brindled red fox - patches of gray here and there. And a big one.

6:00 a.m. Hope it keeps safe. Fox are one of those species that have adapted to living among humans. City foxes were not what I expected. A very delightful start to a Saturday. Shades of the fox who used to sleep during the day on a greeny tussock at the edge of our woods in Southern Chester County Pennsylvania. Very nice indeed.

The Answer

The first Thien's on this continent were German. They came seeking not just religious freedom, as so many Germans did, but freedom FROM religion. Johan Heinrich Thien was a Freethinker. In the town he founded, Thiensville, Wisconsin, no churches were permitted and the only symbol was the cap of freedom on a pole.

For three generations the Thiens spoke only German. My grandfather put a stop to that; he refused to teach my father German. Dad only knew what he picked up here and there.

What did my ancestors contribute to the U.S. American culture, in spite of being hardheaded about holding onto their language and culture? Kindergarten and early childhood education, and jelly donuts!

Immigrant

This week I learned that when my father's people came to this country, they were not welcome. People from their country didn't speak English here and they did things their own way. For four generations my ancestors spoke only the language of their homeland. My father was the first to learn only English and not to have to speak the old language at home.

However, they did bring some customs that we now tend to think are U.S. American, as well as introducing some foods we now take for granted.

From what country did my father's, and my, forebares come? What customs, and what foods?

Our Katharine - a Presiding Bishop for All People

In response to a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed to all Anglicans worldwide and designed to chastise The Episcopal Church, headquartered in the U.S.A. , our Presiding Bishop, the equal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Schori made this response:

http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/004388.html

Katharine is my hero. The Episcopal Church is for everyone. The Episcopal Church is...
Bring your own brain Bible study
Bring your own ideas, your own dreams community
Bring your own self - your whole self - followers of Jesus
Bring your own voice worship
worship that is timeless
worship that is timely
worship that is thoughtful
worship that is provoking
worship that is deeply prayerful and reflective
The Episcopal invites you, your whole you.
Enter, rest, and pray. (c) Lois Keen, June 4, 2010