Mim’s Missives

It’s another rainy day but I’m going to put some light into it by sharing some photos of my home taken on a sunny day in New Thomsen Harbor.

Home isn’t much to look at but it’s cozy and a comfortable place to live and work. Yes, Shelter Cove Publishing is located on board.

The harbor has been a constant hum of diesel engines from all the seine boats and fish buying scows tied to the dock. The Pink Salmon run has been poor this year and so much of the Southeast Alaska seine fleet has been fishing for Dog Salmon from the local hatchery run. We were awoken a number of times last night by seiners coming into nearby berths to tie up for the night. Such is the harbor life in summer.

On a philosophical note, I was recently impressed by a phrase written by a friend, Father Dave Elsensohn, which is: “…I am ever more convinced that the world is struggling with a spirit of polarization.” I thought about quoting just a few of his sentences but decided instead to give it to you in context. The following quote is from the Rector’s report to the St. Peter’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church Vestry (governing body) in Sitka. Please consider what he has to say and feel free to comment by clicking on the ‘comment’ link below this post. Here goes…

‘In June I attended the general Convention of the Episcopal Church. I am certain that you have read and heard a great deal about this gathering. I came away with some very clear convictions. The first is that I am ever more convinced that the world is struggling with a spirit of polarization. This spirit seems to be overwhelming any will to find common ground or consensus among the worlds population. We see nations and peoples becoming more and more intransigent. We also see this spirit of polarization gaining power among the more conservative and liberal wings of the major world religions. And we are witness to this inability to appreciate the integrity of the others beliefs and positions in American politics. Unfortunately I witnessed this same spirit at work at our national convention. This is a dangerous season for humanity.

I am convinced that the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion have a gift to give to the world and our nation. Our tradition has always understood that each person has their own window on reality. Each of us sees the universe through different eyes. When we have two or three Episcopalians or Anglicans in a room, we have at least four different Christian theologies present. We also cherish the traditional Christian faith as it has been passed on to us. Our tradition understands that it is through the interaction of tradition, reason and scripture that God’s truth is revealed.

The world wants to present us with only two alternatives. These may be the right or the left; or the conservative and liberal, you pick the label. The gift we have to give the world is that of a third way. We understand that this third way is a way of God’s design. We know that no one fully understands what God’s way is. We appreciate that each of us has been blessed with a partial understanding of God’s will and purpose. The third way that we offer is the way of dwelling in the tension between various human claims of truth, tradition and scripture. When the Episcopal and Anglican Church is at its best, this is where we live. This way requires humility, respect and a commitment to dwelling in the search for God’s direction. I am convinced that our parish has a roll in offering this third way to the world. I pray that you join me in struggling to do so.’

Thanks for visiting with me today!”