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| Windmills on Mykonos Island, Greece |
Friday, May 24, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Skaros Rock
Yesterday after our boat tour, we nearly baked from the intense, blinding sun reflecting off our whitewashed terrace. Today the temperatures have plummeted. I am wearing several layers of clothing while typing with one hand and trying to keep my iPad from blowing over the cliff into the sea with my other. The wind is howling out here, but I can only pick up the WiFi connection outside the house due to the thick rock walls.
The wind started suddenly and loudly during the night. We were determined to hike up Skaros Rock this morning, though, so Leroy and I ignored the advice of others and headed into the fierce gusts with... gusto. The path to the imposing Skaros Rock starts from the ridge connecting Thira with Oia, not far from our home for this week. We descended from a pocket of luxury condos and infiniti-edge pools into a vortex of red rocks and magnificent views. Skaros Rock rises like a massive up-ended funnel from the Caldera. Its top is a barren, solid rock butte. We went down toward the sea... then up toward the rock... and found ourselves among the ruins of the original capital of Santorini, long since abandoned after an eighteenth century earthquake.
When we passed Skaros Rock by boat yesterday, I noticed a simple, white church on the far side. It is the only evidence of civilization on the rock, and it's not visible from other parts of the island. Leroy and I eventually found ourselves in a position to look down on the church and then carefully maneuver ourselves down and over to the broad church porch with dizzying views down to the water. The doors were all locked, of course, but we peeked through the windows at the array of icons and liturgical items inside. I couldn't resist ringing the bells and hoped the bells weren't an emergency signal that would cause the villagers inland to come running. Despite the strong winds that blew almost all day here on Santarini, there was very little wind while we climbed from rock to rock, high above the sea. It was a great day for a hike!
Speaking of hiking, I've hoped to hear the results of voting today by the Boy Scouts of America before I head to sleep. Not sure if that's possible, though, with the seven hour time difference. A decision by the fouteen hundred delegates in Dallas to no longer exclude youth on the basis of sexual orientation will be a welcome relief. A decision to instead continue the current ban will further alienate and hurt vulnerable kids who are told they are "less than" because of an innate human characteristic. I was a scout, though not a great one. I was lousy at knots and didn't like the whole "atten hut!" and "at ease!" thing. I made it through Cubs, Weblos, and a couple years of the Boy Scouts, though. My brother was an Eagle Scout, though, and my dad was a scoutmaster, and my son was a cub. I respect the Boy Scouts a lot and have been involved in various ways with troops sponsored by churches I have pastored and have taught religious emblem classes in the past (prior to coming out.)
It irks me to no end that the current policy as well as the proposed change prohibit me from any direct or official involvement with scouting. Despite the ongoing ban of gay leaders, virtually all LGBT organizations support the proposed change (itself a compromise) that is focused on allowing gay youth into the Scouts. That makes sense since scouting is really about kids, anyway. I sincerely hope the proposal passes, and assume with time the Scouts will include both youth and adults regardless of orientation.
The obvious disconnect with the policy up for vote today is that outstanding young men with leadership abilities will be forced to leave the orgnization at age eighteen ("Congrats on attaining Eagle - now get out!") That makes no sense, and it occurs to me that when something is that illogical, there is something deeply flawed with policy and the principles behind it. The same situation exists in Christian churches when LGBT persons are told the are persons of "sacred worth" but are excluded from service because of a part of who they are. Various colleagues in my former denomination, which forbids the ordination and service of LGBT clergy, continue to strongly support their church's policy but are personally glad a place exists (the United Church of Christ) that allows me to continue in ministry as a pastor. The disconnect really boggles my mind. Many have suggested that gay scouts should just join another organization that will admit them. It's like saying "join a different church": a "separate but equal" arrangement that's intended to make uncomfortable people happy but is inherently unjust.
The American Family Association and similar organizations have been working overtime in the past several weeks spinning lies and trying to get people to believe that gay kids and adults are immoral sexual predators. Fear is a strong motivator, and hopefully those voting in Dallas will resist such tactics and will do their research and act responsibly for the sake of boys who need positive organizations like the BSA. I'm proud of my denomination, the United Church of Christ, for its clear and public calls for the BSA to do what is right and to include all boys in scouting.
Next Day Postscript: Hooray for the BSA's important decision to affirm the worth and inclusion of all boys who wish to participate!
The wind started suddenly and loudly during the night. We were determined to hike up Skaros Rock this morning, though, so Leroy and I ignored the advice of others and headed into the fierce gusts with... gusto. The path to the imposing Skaros Rock starts from the ridge connecting Thira with Oia, not far from our home for this week. We descended from a pocket of luxury condos and infiniti-edge pools into a vortex of red rocks and magnificent views. Skaros Rock rises like a massive up-ended funnel from the Caldera. Its top is a barren, solid rock butte. We went down toward the sea... then up toward the rock... and found ourselves among the ruins of the original capital of Santorini, long since abandoned after an eighteenth century earthquake.
Speaking of hiking, I've hoped to hear the results of voting today by the Boy Scouts of America before I head to sleep. Not sure if that's possible, though, with the seven hour time difference. A decision by the fouteen hundred delegates in Dallas to no longer exclude youth on the basis of sexual orientation will be a welcome relief. A decision to instead continue the current ban will further alienate and hurt vulnerable kids who are told they are "less than" because of an innate human characteristic. I was a scout, though not a great one. I was lousy at knots and didn't like the whole "atten hut!" and "at ease!" thing. I made it through Cubs, Weblos, and a couple years of the Boy Scouts, though. My brother was an Eagle Scout, though, and my dad was a scoutmaster, and my son was a cub. I respect the Boy Scouts a lot and have been involved in various ways with troops sponsored by churches I have pastored and have taught religious emblem classes in the past (prior to coming out.)
It irks me to no end that the current policy as well as the proposed change prohibit me from any direct or official involvement with scouting. Despite the ongoing ban of gay leaders, virtually all LGBT organizations support the proposed change (itself a compromise) that is focused on allowing gay youth into the Scouts. That makes sense since scouting is really about kids, anyway. I sincerely hope the proposal passes, and assume with time the Scouts will include both youth and adults regardless of orientation.
The obvious disconnect with the policy up for vote today is that outstanding young men with leadership abilities will be forced to leave the orgnization at age eighteen ("Congrats on attaining Eagle - now get out!") That makes no sense, and it occurs to me that when something is that illogical, there is something deeply flawed with policy and the principles behind it. The same situation exists in Christian churches when LGBT persons are told the are persons of "sacred worth" but are excluded from service because of a part of who they are. Various colleagues in my former denomination, which forbids the ordination and service of LGBT clergy, continue to strongly support their church's policy but are personally glad a place exists (the United Church of Christ) that allows me to continue in ministry as a pastor. The disconnect really boggles my mind. Many have suggested that gay scouts should just join another organization that will admit them. It's like saying "join a different church": a "separate but equal" arrangement that's intended to make uncomfortable people happy but is inherently unjust.
The American Family Association and similar organizations have been working overtime in the past several weeks spinning lies and trying to get people to believe that gay kids and adults are immoral sexual predators. Fear is a strong motivator, and hopefully those voting in Dallas will resist such tactics and will do their research and act responsibly for the sake of boys who need positive organizations like the BSA. I'm proud of my denomination, the United Church of Christ, for its clear and public calls for the BSA to do what is right and to include all boys in scouting.
Next Day Postscript: Hooray for the BSA's important decision to affirm the worth and inclusion of all boys who wish to participate!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Islands of the Caldera
This was a perfect day for boating. Our ship was a two-masted schooner without sails that delivered us from island to island as we explored Santorini's Caldera. Our adventure started with a bus ride north to the cliff-top village of Oia (pronounced "Eee-uh.") We were transported by mini-bus down the steep incline to the harbor. Our boat, the Poseiden, soon arrived to take us and thirty other passengers across the bay to the island of Nea Kameni. The sun shone bright and hot, and the blue sky was reflected in the blue, blue waters of the Caldera as we sunned ourselves on the deck.
Nea Kameni is at the center of the Caldera and is in fact the top of the volcano that once dominated the island of Santorini. The whole mountain collapsed when the volcano blew thirty-six hundred years ago. Today the island is a mass of chunky, black volcanic rocks. We didn't realize the tour would involve so much hiking, so we wore flip flops as we awkwardly ascended the volcano to the summit. Near the top is a spot where sulferous gases escape from whatever is still churning below the surface. The last eruption was over sixty years ago, but we didn't take chances as we skirted the noxious mist and returned to the boat!
Nearby is the small island of Palea Kameni. We never actually docked there, but passengers were invited to swim from the boat to the hot springs that warm an inlet. I took a flying leap off the side of the boat while Leroy volunteered to stay on board and take photos! The water was about thirty feet deep and clear and cold. I swam toward the shore with about fifty others from our ship and another tour boat. We passed a small church and then the water suddenly became quite warm. The water also turned reddish brown from the mud that lines the bottom of the inlet and was stirred up by swimmers. I joined others in covering myself with mud and then washing it off on the swim back to the boat.
The final island, Thirasia, has a long, narrow beach of black rocks that is lined with small restaurants and souvenir shops. We ate Giros and then walked to the far end of the beach. A tiny, hand-crafted church ("St. Nicolas") stood there by the water. I heard today that there are a thousand churches on the islands that comprise Santorini. Pretty impressive, considering the population is less than fifteen thousand. Most of the churches are what we would call "chapels" or "shrines" in America. Little St. Nicolas by the water on Thirasia was attached to a boathouse and looks like it was a family's charming and creative arts and crafts project. Leroy and I swam there and then walked back to our boat for the return trip to Oia.
This evening, like each evening here, we are sitting on the terrace by our very own volcanic rock, enjoying the quiet while looking at the lights from the cruise ships and other boats below us on the Caldera. This is truly a place of remarkable peace and beauty.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Sunny Santorini
The Greek island of Santorini is what heaven is like. Or if it's not, it should be. We arrived by plane at the Santorini airport and were whisked away to our rented cave house at the top of a cliff looking over a panorama of indescribable beauty. Santorini was originally a roundish island until it was reduced to an archipeligo around 1600 BC by one of the most powerful volcanic blasts in history. A huge boulder that was once part of the volcano sits calmly on our terrace. As the result of the explosion, the "Caldera" was formed. It's a bay surrounded by islands, with one low, former volcano in the center. Our cottage clings to the side of a cliff, among many other whitewashed, blue-trimmed cave houses that seem to spill over the edge toward the sea. Leroy and I are staying in an even smaller, separate cottage comprised of one tiny room with a large window overlooking the Caldera. The vew is breathtaking, and we feel incredibly fortunate to be here for four days.
A narrow path winds along the cliff, connecting the villages of Thir and Oia. We are closer to Thira, and can get there easily by foot. Last night we had dinner overlooking the sea in Thira and then wandered back uphill to our home as the sun was setting. We will mostly be relaxing during our days on Santorini. Stephen and Jim are off to a museum, but we've elected to stay at the house this morning, on the terrace. to read and write and draw. Tomorrow we will likely take a boat tour of the Caldera that includes stops at two beaches. I checked the news this morning and was horrified by the loss of life in Oklahoma due to the most recent tornados. What a terrible tragedy. We are praying here for folks back home in the U.S. and expecially today for those affected by the tornados. It was also distressing to read about yesterday's balloon crash in Cappadocia. As we prepared to take off in a balloon there two weeks ago, a rider in our balloon commented that other countries do not allow hot air balloons to be near each other, let along touch. Obviously, better safety measures need to be implemented in Turkey. What a heartbreak, though, for those killled or injured and those who witnessed the accident.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Pic of the Day
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| View of our tiny bedroom cottage (blue door) high above the Caldera (volcanno basin), Santorini Island, Greece |
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