[ambientambien]

Hi
A month or so ago I received my first copy of "The Word", a magazine sent out to members of the Antiochian Church. Does anybody else get this publication? There is an ad on the back cover that has been bothering me a bit...it is for the Antiochian Archdiocese Convention in Palm Desert, CA. The odd thing is, if you see the ad, the whole focus is on the riches that await yoiu there: "SHOP at El Paseo, the 5th Avenue of Palm Desert...GOLF at 2 outstanding courses at the hotel....PLAY TENNIS on one of 18 courts...ENJOY the River of Rancho MIRAGE featuring shops, theatres, and restaurants." There is actually no mention of the spiritual focus of the convention. The whole thing looks and sounds like a vacation for the rich and at ease - and my wife tells me that Palm Desert is a favorite destination of the super-wealthy. Now, for me, the really odd thing is this; up at the top, there is a quote from a saint which reads "Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit....and who remember the poor." Say what? This whole convention looks very exclusive, and I doubt any poor members of the church will be able to be in attendance. I guess my question is, does this make anyone else feel uncomfortable? Why does the Church seem to be exalting the wealthy, and using a "playground of the well-to-do" as a convention center? Is material success a way of climbing a ladder in the Church, just like it is in the world?
I'm interested in hearing how others see this type of thing....
-Julian