Birthday, Nameday, Sunday

We got up early today. Today we got to cook for the parish so we had to be there extra early. Usually we get there sometime between 9:30 and 10. Today we were there at 9.

Jeff, I thought you and Christa were coming today? The menu was Lebannese rice pilaf (arborio rice, cinnamon, allspice, caramelized onions, garlic.); salad made of several varieties of heirloom tomatoes and English cucumbers; home-made hummus and pita bread. Desert was vanilla/Mago tofutti, raspberry sorbet, and whole wheat Graham crackers. Beverages: Arnold Palmers and lemonade. Only about 25 people stayed for lunch so we got to bring leftovers home.

Got a chance to talk to Matuska Elaine about her and Father David coming over for Anselm's name day (The Holy Prophet Samuel, Aug 20.) We'll actually do it on the evening of the 19th since the liturgical day starts at sundown.

Yesterday, we went to the dedication of my Nephew Isaac. It was startling to see how it was done. Mother and father stood in front of a group of people, most of whom were evangelical Protestants, recited some self written vows to raise the child to love Jesus, and prayed a prayer asking God to bless the baby. My brother, the maternal grandfather sang a song, the baby's paternal grandfather then prayed for Isaac and his parents. I was was struck by the individual-ness of it. No reference to the church, no rite, just two parents looking on the internet to find words they liked and agreed with. They asked for our support so I am going to put the boy on my "commemoration for the living" list at Church.