St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

Sunday I attended mass at St. Bart's. I was in my cassock and surplice and sat in the chancel so folks could see that I was there. Fr. Gawain alerted them to that at the announcement time. Then at coffee hour I spoke with a nice group about my first year at seminary. They listened attentively and asked questions (we did get around to the McGreevey caper) and I for one, enjoyed myself. It was nice to see old friends and be at St. Bart's again. Some things have changed, but for the most part, it's the same friendly place.

"Vacation" is slipping quickly by and I have been pretty busy. Getting lots of things done that got shoved to the back burner while I was at seminary. June 4th I begin CPE at a local hospital, so my off time is drawing to a rapid close. Lots of dinners with lots of friends who have missed my company; lots of shopping for things, food included, that never got done during the year since we have moved here. But I read a book, strictly for the enjoyment of it, and we took a day and "escaped" - out of touch and away from it all. More of those are planned in the next couple of weeks left to me to relax.

The funny thing is that I miss seminary. I miss my friends, the routine, chapel. I don't miss the crummy food, or the pressure of getting papers done, or of exams, or tons of reading. I like being able to relax, but occassionally have the feeling that I should be doing something: writing a paper, reading something for class. New habits that have quickly become old and ingrained! I suppose just around the time that I have quite put all that behind it will be time to go back...but that's a bridge for crossing at the end of the summer.

your seminarian