Rev. Valerie's Reveille

I am a proud graduate of The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church.  Some of you may be aware that that beloved institution has had a difficult and troubling week.  I do not know all the specifics of the situation, but I do know that 8 faculty members sent a letter to the students last Friday (Sept. 26 th ) stating that they informed the Board of Trustees that after several failed attempts to negotiate with the Dean and President they would no longer teach, attending meetings or worship without a meeting with the Board in order to address problems they have with the leadership of the Dean, who has been in the position about a year.  On Tuesday (Sept. 30 th ), the Board sent out a letter stating that, after much consideration, they have taken the letter as the resignations of these faculty members, though they are willing to talk with any faculty member that wishes to reconsider his or her position. To say the least, my heart is breaking.  I loved ...

There are some sayings in the English language that most people agree with out of habit because they seem reasonable.  One such saying is “Fair’s fair.”  On the surface, it is a believable statement and one most would agree with, especially 8 year-olds figuring out how to divide a cookie (one breaks, the other one chooses first).  But the reality is that life is rarely that clear cut.  In education, many students need accommodations in order to succeed.  Years ago when I was studying to be a teacher, we were told many times, “Fair is not the same as even.”  Some kids need more specialized attention or adaptations to the curriculum in order to be on “the same playing field” as other kids.  Those with physical handicaps need accommodations as well, whether it is a ramp to get into a building, material in Braille in order to read or a sign language interpreter, to name a few. While most people would agree that such sensitivities to people’s needs is th...

Tomorrow is the 13 th Anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil.  In some ways it doesn’t feel like it has been that long because of our continued consciousness of terrorist activities since then and the ripple effects they have on our everyday lives.  Yet it also seems long ago as those entering high school this year have almost no memory of those events. Some adhere to the “Never Forget” motto with the desire to celebrate the many victims and heroes of that day, while others think it is better to move on and not live in the past.  Since September 11 th has been and always will be my birthday, I have a different affinity for the day than most.  I cannot face the day being sad or depressed because my birthday has always been a day of celebration, of giving thanks for being born and enjoying the life I have.  I do understand that some have difficulty facing the day due to memories and losses. I can only pray that God’s healing presence will ...

My niece, Kylie, starts high school today and she is a bit apprehensive. I can appreciate that, as every major transition in my childhood filled me with much anxiety. I used to start the school year by looking at the back of the math text book and thinking that there was NO WAY I would ever understand how to do those complicated problems.  I would work myself up into a tizzy until my mother would remind me that we had to work through the entire book BEFORE we got to that part, and that if I learned each step, by the time we got to the end, I would know what I was doing.  It was good advice, even if I was too stressed to really hear it, but – of course – she was right.  Part of me wishes I could walk with Kylie this morning as she navigates the halls of her high school, as I am sure her parents do, but we all know that she must make this journey herself with all the starts and stops it will have, in order to learn who she is and where her place is in the world....