Walking (Sitting) in Memphis

I went to Memphis last week to participate in a conference titled The Great Emergence. I left late Thursday afternoon and returned Saturday night around 11:00 p.m.

The conference featured author Phyllis Tickle, whose book by the same name, was recently released. If you don't know Phyllis, you might recognize her as the compiler of the four-volume seasonal/liturgical prayer guide The Divine Hours. I read about two-thirds of The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why last week and I love it. I will finish it this week. Phyllis animated the plenary sessions with her 75-year old store of knowledge, experience, creativity, and orneriness. We met in the historic and beautiful Episcopal cathedral of St. Mary's. Speaking of its history, Phyllis made some comments that have stuck with me more than anything else she (or anyone else) said during the two days we were together.

In 1878, a yellow-fever epidemic broke out in Memphis, decimating the population. As a result, most of the wealthier people in the town moved their families, fortunes, and industries out of Memphis. In fact, prior to the epidemic the main product of Memphis was beer. In response to the plague, one family moved their operations up the Mississippi River to St. Louis and have been there ever since: Budweiser. Phyllis said that the only people that remained and opened their homes to the diseased and the dying were the episcopal nuns of St. Mary's and the town's prostitutes. The nuns opened their church; the prostitutes opened their whore-houses. They all offered themselves, and they all died. Beyond the power of the story itself and hearing it in the place where it happened, it was Phyllis's brief comment that has stuck with me. Describing the women, she said, "The nuns and the prostitutes were the only people humble enough to stay."

Comments

[Larry]

The Divine Hours is a 3 volume set. (Hey, if didn't leave these little notes for you, you wouldn't think anybody was reading.)

I liked The Great Emergence and think her overall thesis is correct, but Phyllis did make a few mistakes in history and theology, or at least used some very debatable points.

[Tim Keel]

I dub you: Larry, the CORRECTOR.

[Nick]

Hey Tim I am not able to get to my regular email account with your email listed as a contact so I'll just send you the link on here. I was listening to NPR this morning and it had an interesting story about France's transition to allowing shops to be open on Sundays. There is quite a bit of retaliation from its people and union workers. One guy even was quoted on the radio mocking America and England saying how "we like our money and financial prosperity." He was more concerned with using his Sundays to be with his daughter. It just reminded me of the sermons we have had on the Sabbath. It also made me think about how a secular nation like France holds community and rest in higher regard than commerce and how a religious country like America could gain from that especially during this time of incredible consumption known as x-mas.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97992284

[Bobby]

I make it a general rule of thumb to not question anybody over the age of 70. :)

[Eric Disney]

I was looking at your pictures of the "Great Emergence" conference in Tenn.-I recognized the name Sara Miles as I just read her book "Take This Bread"-I'm assuming it's the same person--very interesting book of her "story". I'm also wondering if you have read or heard of a book called "Why We're Not Emergent By Two Guys Who Should Be"--again very interesting and thought provoking.

[Tim Keel]

Eric - you posted! Thanks, bro. That is the same Sara Miles. I have not read it yet, but have heard from many that it is marvelous. I have not read the other book but have read some reviews by some who have.