Amplify and Animate

Embracing polka dots, wild socks, and activists

Dear Readers,

About twenty years ago I first played around with the enneagram and learned that I’m a “four,” like lots of artistic people, apparently. I was a chaplain intern at the time and someone I worked with said, “YOU’RE a four? But you dress so establishment. Look at you in your khakis and navy blue. Fours wear wild clothes.”

I ignored her but thought about how as a kid I was often told that no, I couldn’t wear orange and red shirts with purple pants. Enneagram aside, I realized that I may have toned things down a bit for…my whole life.

As a priest I have often worn a uniform of sorts due to the clergy collar but have indulged in interesting shoes. Sadly, chemo messed with my feet, and I can no longer wear many of the shoes I used to love.  Today I wore socks to church that I normally don’t wear to work, and many of the people who attended commented on them. I realized that once again, I may have been toning it down. My congregation—for the most part—appreciates when I get colorful. I remember once having to rush to the hospital to see someone while wearing polka dot pants. Normally, I would have worn something more sedate to the hospital but seeing her as soon as possible was more important than what I had on, and she LOVED those pants and couldn’t talk about anything else. I ended up wearing the pants to her funeral, because “you have to,” her husband told me.

My beloved parishioners have enthusiastically commented on my shoes over the years, and I realized today that I don’t need to save my “fun” socks for days off.

I wonder if my tendency to tone things down has to do with the way I’m so attracted to moderate, middle ways, which definitely keeps me out of step in divisive times. It’s been fun in January to study childless activists for the current chapter of my book. I’m definitely not an activist, so it’s been fabulous to learn more about Rosa Parks, Helen Prejean, and Dorothea Dix. I doubt that colorful socks will prompt me to become an activist, but I like reading and writing about them.

Eerdmans generously extended my book deadline to May 2, so I no longer have a manuscript due on Good Friday, THANKS BE TO GOD. I feel on track to meet my new deadline. My health is stable. I’m still having trouble finishing movies and completing books, but as long as I can finish the one I’m writing I should be OK.

What about you? Do you dress in wild colors? What are you reading and watching these days? I’d love to hear from you.

Blessings,

Elizabeth Felicetti

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What I’m Reading:

Rosa Parks: A Life by Douglas Brinkley. The more I learn, the more I admire.

Dead Man Walking: The Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty that Sparked a National Debate by Helen Prejean. So fabulous. I have twice interviewed my colleague The Rev. Bill Jones on his experience as a death row chaplain, and I must do something with this material. Sister Helen and Deacon Bill inspire me.

River of Fire: On Becoming an Activist by Helen Prejean. What came before Dead Man Walking.

Defiant Middle: How Women Claim Life’s In-Betweens to Remake the World by Kaya Oakes. I actually read this one in the fall for Christian Century but didn’t want to list it here until the review was published. FABULOUS READ! Get it now!

Anxious People by Frederik Backman. I finally finished a novel! Yay!

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What I’m Writing:

A manifesto for middle age. I was so excited to review Defiant Middle for the Christian Century. (And, don’t ask me how my children are. SO ANNOYING.)

Christmas Eve sermon.

Christmas 2 sermon.

The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord sermon. The same day I preached this one I was interviewed on the local news again—you can find that here.

Water Into Wine.

Nehemiah. I get so excited when this reading shows up, because we don’t get much Nehemiah in the Sunday lectionary.