But a FIASCO!

I love film, especially those that I pre-judge and think will be REALLY dumb and then I watch it and I am really...surprised. I like being surprised. Jennifer Aniston, for example...Rachel from friends, very pop culture and faddish right? Well, every time I am forced to see one of her movies I am surprised.

Another actress who often surprises me is Kirsten Dunst. Its just that every time she smiles I see her as a young crazy vampire girl.

Anyways, my latest surprise...Elizabethtown

I've tried summing up the plot and it is pointless because it sounds very lame and schmultzy. But I think it would make a great church film study. Deals wonderfully with death and mourning and family and journeying and, my favourite although not the primary theme of the film, failure.

The film begins with Drew (Orlando Bloom), the main character having majorly majorly MAJORLY screwed up to the tune of $927 million. Nothing criminal, just a deploringly shameful error. As you are watching the consequences unfold, groaning with sympathy for poor Drew, he narrates this gem on failure.

"Failure is simply the non-presence of success. Any fool can accomplish failure. But a FIASCO! A fiasco is a disaster of mythic proportions. A fiasco is a folktale, told to others people to make other people feel more alive because it didn't happen to them."

Remember that the next time you fail in mythic proportions. Because, as he continues,

"No true fiasco ever began as a quest for mere adequacy"

I could actually take some pleasure out of that kind of fiasco. It's an accomplishment, non?

Brrrrrrrrrrrr........

Hi everyone,

Sorry, it has been a while. We are now, finally, in a deep freeze here in Antigonish. I know we all love warmth and sunshine, but I need winter. I need winter to appreciate the summer. And when I don't get a proper winter north of 42, I wonder how anyone can doubt climate change.

Part of the reason I haven't been adding much here is because there has been little that I could or would add. Obviously, a lot of my work is confidential and most of what I can share is on my church's blog (abch.blogspot.com). You can find my sermons and other happenings there. Other than that, the big challenge has been settling into a routine with dog, partner, family, parish and new town.

And what routine? Well, it is starting to form. I have joined the St. FX chorale and we had our concert on December 5. I am really enjoying being part of an accomplished choir again. I love the challenge of reading music by ear. Our next concert is in April with some beautiful music from the black gospel and celtic traditions with the theme of peace. The best part of chorale singing is knowing that no matter how much you screw up or your voice just stops at the final high G of the final movement of John Rutter's Gloria (yep, it happened, kinda like getting within 2 ft. of the top of a climb, kinda anti-climactic), you are still part of making a beautiful sound.

I am also blessed to be in a town with an active L'Arche community (thanks Corrinne!). If you have never been to a L'Arche community, I would highly recommend visiting one or at least reading the writings of Jean Vanier about community (speaking of, I found that book you gave me for my ordination the other day, Corrinne. I will look at it next. Promise.) I had a great meatloaf dinner with my friends at Covenant House and got my pants beat off at Skip-Bo by Margie!

The ordination was glorious and I love priestly ministry. The hard stuff is really hard and the good stuff is really great. Being able to offer the eucharist to people from so many walks of life makes any frustrations from the week all better.

That's enough for now. I think of you all often. Next time you are on your way to Cape Breton stop in for a pee break. D+

Another Invitation

I know I know it is shameful that I have gone this long! Parish life is challenging and fulfilling and VERY VERY BUSY! But I am loving it. I can't believe that in...um...how many sleeps? Marc would know... 25! 25 sleeps and I will be ordained as a priest.

But before I get to that, I have three churches. St. Mary the Virgin in Bayfield is a small wooden church overlooking the water with acoustics comparable to Indian River! Holy Trinity in Country Harbour is also small and wooden and in the woods in the interior of Nova Scotia in Guysborough County. It is on a beautiful drive that always soothes my soul. St. Paul the Apostle is the "town church" with a diverse congregation and some wonderful talent. You can keep up on our happenings by weekly visiting the parish blog.

Some of you attended my ordination to the diaconate, for which I am extremely grateful. This ordination will make me a priest, able to celebrate at the Eucharist among other sacraments to which I feel called to fulfil the ministry God has called me to. Do you get the called bit?

So, here is the official invitation--there's another one, so keep reading:

By the Grace of God and with the consent of the people
The Right Reverend Frederick Hiltz and
the Right Reverend Susan Moxley,
by Divine Permission,
Bishops of the Diocese of Nova Scotia and
Prince Edward Island
will ordain

Beverly Dawn Dickieson

to the Sacred Order of Priests
in Christ's One Holy Catholic
and Apostolic Church.

Wednesday, the twenty-ninth of May, the eve of St. Andrew,
in the year of our Lord
two thousand six
at seven thirty in the evening,
Cathedral Church of All Saints
1340 Tower Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Your faithful prayers are required and
your gracious presence is requested.

You are also invited to join me at the chapel of Atlantic School of Theology on Thursday, November 30 at 8:15 am for my first Eucharist.

Blessings, Rev. Dawn