Sunday, May 17, 2009

New Directions
This blog will be undergoing a transition, as I go from being a parish priest in Woodinville, WA, to being a chaplain in the US Navy! I'll be trying to think of a new name for my blog other than 'Anglican Parish Priest' : any suggestions would be welcome! Please comment if you have an idea.

I fondly wish the folks of Saint Bartholomew's well as they go forward and search for my successor as Rector. I have made many wonderful friends at Saint Bartholomew's, not to mention the godparents of my two daughters who I baptized there. Some of my professional dreams as a parish priest also came to fruition for the first time at Saint Bartholomew's, such as: the reading of Morning and Evening Prayer in the Church as a daily public worship Service; an ongoing Scripture Study utilizing patristic commentary and Anglican divines; an annual Parish Retreat; a Parish Newsletter; a seasonal Supper/Evensong/Educational Series; an Acolyte program. My special contribution to Saint Bartholomew's (and the most fun!) was an afterschool program for vested Choir. This had been the subject of my doctoral dissertation at the University of California (Santa Barbara), and I was able to implement it to some degree at Saint Bartholomew's, where my wife and I worked with 15 boy and girl choristers over almost 4 years. We had an annual Choir Camp each Summer, and regular rehearsals throughout the school year, utilizing the RSCM training scheme. The Choir's performances included a monthly Service of Choral Holy Communion, and a Choral Evensong about once a quarter. The kids learned a lot of repertoire during that time, and hopefully learned choral singing skills that will bring them joy for a lifetime. For a small parish that was spread out over a large geographical area, that was all we could manage, but I am thankful for some very supportive parents who helped make the endeavor possible.

For my family and I, the road ahead definitely looks exciting. I am presently at Naval Station Newport, R. I., where I will undergo 5 weeks of training at Officer Development School followed by 7 weeks at Navy Chaplain School. Newport is a beautiful spot! My wife and family are staying with the grandparents, getting to know them better over the Summer. When we are reunited as a family, it will be at our ultimate duty station, at Camp Pendleton in North San Diego County. We look forward to serving our country in the Navy and Marine Corps.

What I am going to call this blog now is an open question : once again, any suggestions would be appreciated. I hope to keep blogging. Many Thanks, and Joy in Christ to all, Fr. Daniel McGrath

12 Comments:

Blogger Continuing Home said...

How about "Anglican Naval Chaplain"? Accurate if not exciting. I may weigh in later with a better anchor after some naval contemplation.

4:59 PM  
Blogger The Miller Menagerie said...

Anglican Naval Gazing

:)

12:10 PM  
Blogger J. Gordon Anderson said...

Congratulations on your new post, and for the successful ministry as a parish priest. May the Lord bless and keep you!

7:58 AM  
Blogger J. Gordon Anderson said...

BTW, I just finished reading your excellent dissertation. Hope to start a choir at my parish someday using some of the things you suggest. I was the seminarian at St. Stephen's in Timonium when David Riley came with his choir of men and boys, and the very first service they sang at the church was my confirmation. So I had lots of fond memories reading about the inner workings of the choir and Mr. Riley's musical pedagogy.

8:01 AM  
Blogger Anglicans Aweigh said...

St. Stephen's, Timonium is the only Choir of its kind in the Anglican continuing Church movement. What does this say about us? What are we continuing, if not this amazing part of our heritage? Also, are we having any children, and bringing them up in the Church, or is our outlook mostly focused on spiritual therapy for our selves? No need to answer these rhetorical questions.

Thanks for reading my work! It is an honor. Let me know if you decide to start a Choir.

12:22 PM  
Blogger father foos said...

Father,

This sounds like an exciting journey. Please drop me an email if you get a chance. I'd like to catch up a bit with you.

God's blessings on your new ministry.

4:00 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Congratulations on your selection for the US Navy Chaplains Corps.
Gaudete in Domino semper.
Fr. Pablo,US Army chaplain(Ret)

9:47 PM  
Blogger Continuing Home said...

Dear Fr. McGrath,

How about "Anglican Aweigh"?

6:48 PM  
Blogger Anglicans Aweigh said...

...and the winner is : "Anglican Aweigh", with the minor addition of an 's' to the end of "Anglican". Thanks, Continuing Home!

4:27 PM  
Blogger Fr. David F. Coady said...

"Gung Ho." I served in the Corps as an enlisted man from June 1961 to June 1965. We loved three services of the U. S. Navy. Chaplains, Corpsmen, and Seabees. You are much needed and will be well received.

10:36 AM  
Blogger Bro. Craig said...

Anglican of the Seas?

7:21 PM  
Blogger Doc Hannon said...

Your readers might be interested in the more recent issue of CHRISTVS REGNAT the journal of St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association in Ireland.

http://catholicheritage.blogspot.com/2010/06/christvs-regnat-june-2010.html

We'd be very grateful if you would post about our journal and link to and blogroll our blog.

God bless you!

3:20 PM  

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