Not this year...

     We gave it our very best and we almost pulled it out. We led most of the game 6-0. We missed our 2 point conversion and they made their extra point so they won by 1. Bummer. PV said "it's almost easier to lose by 50 than lose by 1." I guess he's right. Oh well.
     We had a great turnout from SSW and had a lot of fun. We re-convened at SSW in the courtyard and had food and drink for all. Laura said, "we always win the party." And we do, even the Presby's said they love coming to our place for food, fellowship and fun after the game.
     There is some talk of doing a Spring game, maybe soccer. That would be fun too. So for the next 364 days they get to revel in their victory and we get to strategize for our win next year.

GO THURI-BULLS!

Game Day!

The Countdown Begins...

     ...and the excitement builds! We are less than 36 hours from kick-off of the 2010 Polity Bowl. The team gathers tomorrow afternoon for a final walk through and strategic planning. There is talk of a possible Pep Rally. We are going make sure we all have our shirts, black with white art depicting the ferocious 'thuri-bull'; that alone should send the Presby's running. However, if that doesn't work we will pull out the real thurible and smoke them out. Our tight-end doubles as the Thurifer, he's our secret weapon.
     We have been invited over to the Presbyterian Seminary tomorrow night for a Homecoming Dance, formal or fun formal dress requested. Family and friends of players invited, very nice gesture of hospitality. The Dean of Community Life has warned us against having too much fun and staying out too late, "we have a game to win on Saturday morning".
     Come on out Saturday morning to St Andrew's Middle School (34th and Shoal Creek), a spirited and possibly incensed time will be had by all!

   Blue & Black

we've got your back

there isn't much that we lack.

We'll run, we'll pass, we'll pull the flag

they'll never catch us as we zig & zag!

GOOOOO.....SSW, HEY!

corny, I know...

RAH! RAH! RAH! SIS! BOOM! BAH!

     Here we are, less that one week from The Polity Bowl. The Polity Bowl is the annual flag football game played between the (Episcopal) Seminary of the Southwest and Austin (Presbyterian) Seminary.  The Flying Thuri-bulls for SSW have been practicing for over 2 months now and we are ready to beat the Presby's! We have our own Darvin Adams, Cam Newton and a pretty darn good tight end too.  I can't name names, just in case the Presby's have spies...
     Earlier in the fall I wrote that I am the snapper for the team and am looking to be voted MVS (most valuable snapper) for the 2010 Flying Thuri-bulls. Please vote early and vote often so I can claim my place in Polity Bowl history at SSW.
     It was quite comical today because they pressed me into running routes and going out for passes, now that was a sight! I caught my first pass, and a couple more, I surprised myself. Now I have to work on throwing the football.  My team mates are kind and patient, and I am giving them an opportunity to practice their pastoral skills. As I said earlier, thank goodness for the no-cut policy, I would be deprived of lots of laughs and good fun. If you want to see it for yourself, please come to St Andrew's Middle School field in Austin, TX next Saturday at 10 am. (I am so lucky most of my fans are far and wide so I can be saved from this embarrassment.)
     Believe it or not, this is all part of my seminary education. I am being spiritually formed by being a part of the SSW flag football team. I am doing it to be a part of something that is bigger than me and to contribute to a community that means something to me. I am responsible for helping shape what the community is to be now and in the future.
     Formation happens. To be awake and notice opportunities, is part of what it means to be alive, to grow and stretch into the unknown. The adventure waits in the unknown.

Bidden or unbidden, God is present.

    

Feast of All Soul's ~ Durufle Requiem

  

In Paradisum

In Paradisum deducant te Angeli; in tuo adventu susicipiant te martyres,

et perducant te in cicitatem sanctam Jerusalem. Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat,

et cum Lazaro quondam paupere aeternam habreas requiem.

                                                                                               Maurice Durufle

                                                                                       

May the angels lead you into paradise: may the martyrs welcome you upon your arrival,

and lead you into the holy city Jerusalem. May a choir of angels welcome you,

and, with poor Lazarus of old, may you have eternal rest.