Without revealing too much, it is obvious to most in law enforcement that this was an ASSASINATION. These two kids were the subject of a hit. Contrary to the regretable and impetuous early statements by Chief Roberts that it looked like they were robbers, consider for a second that the "ski masks" were put on these two as part of the murder.

The Federal authorities are working on this case for a two good reasons. One, Hartford PD Major Crimes has not developed an adaquate informant base. The department would do well to think about that as an "force wide" problem. The people in the community solve crimes, not the police. When that connection breaks, as it surely has in Hartford, then the alternative is to try to force people to talk. Which leads to number two. The federal law enforcement agents can haul people before a grand jury.

The most telling part of this sad investigation is that the City of Hartford could have solved this case a year ago (if someone talked). They didn't call them "gum shoes" for nothing. Get out into the neighborhoods, treat the people like friends and develop informants (say it a bunch of times and it won't sound bad). This baloney that "nobody will talk to us is getting old. It is the JOB of the detectives to develop these relationships. Many great Hartford Detectives in the past did just that and the murder closure rate was pretty damn good. What percentage is it now? Informants are not "snitches" or "rats" or the many other stupid names that "Good" might think of, they are VITAL.

You punk killers out there will now find out the hard way that the federal authorities will use alternative two very cleverly and you will be caught, prosecuted and sentenced. Then "Good" can wright a post on that. These were not just some heat of passion killings, they were executions and the assassins don't deserve medals.

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Dear Friends,
If you have been following The Bethlehem Community blog lately, you know that we are praying for our confirmands and those who will be received into the Episcopal Church on All Saint's Day, November 1st. In this space, we, too, are considering the life of faith, using the preparation materials that candidates have been thinking about and discussing in their meetings together. Having already considered Scripture (see earlier blog entries), we now take a look at The Book of Common Prayer-- with a close look at Baptism, Eucharist and the Ministry to which all Christians commit.

What follows here are the Prayer Book pages to read and the questions to be thinking about--

301 - 305: These pages are from the Baptismal Liturgy. They will be very familiar to you.
1) On the bottom of page 302 (and top of 303) you find six questions and responses.
What's going on here?

2) On page 304 you find "The Baptismal Covenant" which begins with The Apostles' Creed--that's the statement of faith that those to be baptized have always recited (that's a 2000 year plus tradition). Notice that the Creed is broken into three parts (one for each person of The Trinity
a) Do you believe in God the Father? Read this section (it's only two lines) and then write it down in your own words.
b) Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? OK, now, this time list three things from this section that you do believe and also write down one thing about Jesus Christ that you have some trouble believing (or that you have your doubts about).
c) Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

361 - 363: These pages contain one of the four Eucharistic Prayers. The Eucharistic Prayer is the Thanksgiving Story for Christians. Eucharist is a Greek word that means Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving Story for Christians is God's Gift of Love given in Jesus Christ, shared by those who follow Christ, and then given again by the Church (that's us) to be shared with and in the world.
3) How would you tell this story?

** We have looked at Baptism and Eucharist, the sacramental focus of our lives.
4) What is a sacrament?

309 - 310: These pages are found found at the conclusion of the Baptism section in the Prayer Book. They are the special prayers at Confirmation.
5) What is Confirmation and Reception, based on the prayers on these pages?

365: This page has a Postcommunion Prayer, the closing prayer following Holy Communion. There's another one on p. 366 but we are just looking at this one.
6) How is the Postcommunion Prayer similar to a "Commencement Address" ?

OK, now go back to pages 304 and 305: Following the Apostles' Creed, five questions and responses are found (beginning towards the bottom of page 304 with the words "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship..."). These are the Baptismal Promises-- they were made for us at Baptism. At Confirmation, when we affirm our faith, we reaffirm these promises. Basically, the five promises comprise the blueprint of what it means to lead a Christian life.
7) Very carefully, read the five questions that the Celebrant (priest) asks. Be thinking about the when, where, how and why of these questions; the "Who" is You! So, how you might keep these promises-- when, where, why?

Also, keep in mind that you are invited to post a response on this blog.
The candidates are working on statements that answer these two questions:
What does it mean to be a Christian?
What is distinctive about being a Christian in The Episcopal Church?

If you'd like to respond to these questions, please post your response here.

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It is so hard for us to wrap our minds around God's grace. I believe that most of us feel that when we mess up God isn't going to "take us back" or some believe that God isn't going to "receive them at all". We feel so unworthy. The good news is God's grace is bigger and more than we can ever imagine! If we learn to make room for God's grace then we can clean out and get rid of our idols/addictions. I realize that the idea of coming face to face with some of our addictions/idols is uncomfortable. I believe that being uncomfortable is what leads us to our idols in the first place. These idols help us cover-up what is uncomfortable, what we really don't want to deal with in the first place. But, with God's grace we can start to uncover these idols. We can start to repair what is broken. "Having freedom from our idols begins by recognizing our own powerlessness against them. Apart from the power of Christ, we are unable to extricate ourselves from their hold. This is good news if we can accept the truth of our own weakness while accepting the gift of His strength. He will do it" (Kelly Minter, 2007).

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"YOU SEEM TO THINK THAT YOU CAN SEPARATE YOUR FAITH FROM YOUR BUSINESS AND POLITICAL BELIEFS. IS THAT NOT THE TYPE OF THINKING THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PRESENT STATE OF THE WORLD?" Michael has been an effusive, orthodox Roman Catholic since his mother's bilateral stroke in 1996; Margaret should have died, but recovered in two weeks. Calumniated, mocked by rationalists, and "ex-Catholics," he is not an Apologist, has no instruction in Apologetics. An amateur philologist, he engages in protracted discussions on The History of The Church, its traditions, doctrines and dogmas. Shocked at what some people "think" the Church teaches, he endeavors to instruct them. Currently, his business responsibilities are extensive: writing; to teach, instruct, proof read, edit, to interview; to obtain capacious research for his clients. "To evaluate and uphold the standards that are now prejudice against the Catholic, classic attitudes about literature, almost gone with the wind, in this age of modernism." He subconrtracts many excellent professionals and attends Mass at the Friary--easy to find--is eight minutes fron downtown at 3376 Mount Read Blvd., Rochester, New York 14607.

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Guest Passes let you share your photos that aren't public.

Anyone can see your public photos anytime, whether they're a Flickr member or not. But! If you want to share photos marked as friends, family or private, use a Guest Pass.

If you're sharing photos from a set, you can create a Guest Pass that includes any of your photos marked as friends, family, or private. If you're sharing your entire photostream, you can create a Guest Pass that includes photos marked as friends or family (but not your private photos).

Learn more about Guest Passes![.

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calling matter.  All of this came from that same 1 Timothy 4 passage.   Read it here.
12Dont let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
 15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
In verse 13, I find my calling.  I am fully committed to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.  This is what I was created to do and this is what God has called me to do.  This is what I will do.  By the way, I think this verse will also shape the kind of preacher that I am.  I see a Bible centered drive in Pauls words to Timothy that I want to live out.  (More on that in a later post.)
In verse 14, I also find Gods timing and my people.  The challenge to not neglect my gift was a significant one.  This wasnt the first time that I heard this either.  When I was making the move to DC, a long time Parkway member and friend of mine challenged me to not lay down my teaching gift and to use it to the fullest of my ability.  I committed to him that I would do just as he was saying.  But that didnt happen.  As a result, over the last 8 years, I have struggled off and on with neglecting my teaching gift even as I led our church in very significant ways.  This had to change.  Even if Parkway didnt call us me to Pastor the church, I would have pursued every opportunity out there so that I would no longer neglect my gift.  I am thankful that Parkway called for long list of reasons not the least of which is that the Godly men of Parkway are the ones that laid hands on me and affirmed my gifts and my calling.  They ordanined me.  They played a significant role in Gods setting me apart for ministry.  So, it only seems right that God would have me live my calling with people who have affirmed my calling and have shaped my life in such significant ways.
In verse 15, I find my job description.  I am excited about the opportunity to devote myself fully to these things.  I welcome the opportunity to lead with my whole life so that everyone can witness my growth and experience the same life-change themselves.  I also look forward to leading a church that impacts lives.

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