In search of Stephen

Thursday, my usual "wander Jerusalem" day. It's no DC, but it's got its own certain charms.

Today was an al-Quds day, rather than venturing into the modern end of things. Stopped off at Geo's, near Our Redeemer, which makes decent sandwiches. Had a Budvar, which, long story short, is made by the "other" and/or "original" (depending on who you ask) Budweiser brewery in the Czech Republic. Not the greatest, but much better than its American counterpart.

Went in search of the Lion's Gate/St. Stephen's gate. Apparently there's a church dedicated to St. Stephen outside of said gate, where he is said to have been stoned.

It's horribly marked, or I'm horribly blind, because I failed to find it. I did walk up near the grotto, and the Church of All Nations/Gethsemane, on the other side of the Mount of Olives. Was invited to share the lunch of a local Arab man at the grotto; we talked for a while, turns out he's from a Bedouin family from Sudan. (His family's been in Jerusalem over 200 years, but he still claims that he is a Bedouin. Nationality over here is not transient, even a little.) Interesting fellow.

Made my way back into the Old City and wandered back home. Turns out, there's debate (Oh! Everlasting debate!) as to where Stephen was stoned, and it may be more likely that it was outside of the Damascus Gate. Blargh.

Speaking of deacons... here's a little bit that I missed in "Early Church and Creeds" class.. apparently, not only were the first deacons ordained (that much I knew...grrr, ELCA), but some were made Bishops.

ELCA, we have to talk, again. And that talk begins with everyone getting over their fear of desecrating the sacred office of the pastor (which, btw, is a fear grounded in nothing confessional, and I would submit, stands in stark opposition to Luther's teachings). Ordaining our deacons isn't going to ruin the church forever. All that it would do is put us at parity with the global church, and...that's it. Unless you're scared that it would make it legal for deacons to be elected bishop..but, well, I can imagine worse things than someone whose life is dedicated to service at the margin of church and world being given a crozier.