Ash Wednesday

It was interesting in chapel this morning. I don't honestly remember if I went to chapel last Ash Wednesday (last year), but this morning, my first reaction upon seeing the program was: oh, this is high church. Seemed very formal and liturgistic. Well, wouldn't you know, it was just what I needed! The prayers grabbed me, the gregorian-chant-type music moved me, the scriptures were powerfully read. (No sermon generally on Wednesdays anyway.) And the man who put ashes on my forehead (an administrative type that I didn't know well) became human to me. It was a blessing! So glad I went!

I will read the Psalter and help out with communion tonight at field ed church. Had a nice chat just now with my supv who has (another!) cold. This has been a very sick year for her.

Had prayer group today -- prayed particularly for one church member who left Bible study cuz she felt so threatened by our conversation -- also prayed for a Nairobi pastor who is in the hospital. God can do all things.

My classes are going well, and I am keeping up with my assignments. So far, so good. Have been accepted into the CPE program of my choice -- one more detail taken care of... Writing a sermon about preaching to a gang (public issues sermon topic), working on position paper about the Enlightenment and its effect on mission... Better get to it.