new thread
Sorry, I got the html wrong in the first attempt. If someone has time, could the duff ones be deleted?
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Here's how I was 6 months ago
and now:
Not bad?
Anthony
Hey Anthony,
Great progress, dude! Your hair looks for five (5) months of growth!
I am a fellow clergyman.
Your long haired brother,
Raymond
It's good to be in contact with you. You once commented on my blog to say you were a Roman Catholic priest.
What is life like for a long-haired priest in an American diocese? Is long hair well accepted, or do you have to fight for it among your fellow clergy and laity.
May hair is at 10 months of growth from a very short haircut in September 2013. The first photo of January 2014 shows my hair as still short, but no longer buzzed.
Best wishes and God bless,
Anthony
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My blog
While you wait on his response, I can give you my take as a sub-deacon in the Episcopal Church in the diocese of West Missouri USA. I am also concidering the priesthood myself and talk with both my priest and deacon concerning this possibility as I pray about it.
My priest actually came up to me about 3 years ago and asked if I would be willing to be a sub-deacon in rotation with the other sub-deacons in our parish. In the time since, I have found myself to be what appears to be the favorite sub-deacon. At least I'm on the schedule to serve more than anyone else. A little over a year ago my priest approched me again, this time he wanted me to concider going to cursillo, which I did last August. I have not only served along side of my priest and deacon, but also supply priests and our bishop. Nobody in the Episcopal Church has ever said anything negatively to me about my hair. I do get the compliments fairly regularly though. My priest and deacon are encouraging me as I concider the priesthood. I've sat at length in discussion with my bishop and cannon and I get the sense that hair is a non issue. But of course the Episcopal Church ordains women and gays as deacons, preists, and bishops, so why not a man with a little hair? That is not what I heard in the pentecostal churches that I grew up in and worshiped at until I walked into an Episcopal Church for the first time. When I entered my parish that first Sunday, I was spirtually starving (because of the lack of litergy in the pentecostal churches), I am not only fed now but I also found fresh air.
Daniel
Hey Anthony,
I have recently been assigned as parochial vicar in St. Helena Parish in Alpine, Arizona. When my bishop spoke with me about this assignment he said that if I'm going to have long hair to keep it tied back. I do this. I keep my pony tail under the back of my collar so as not to raise the ire of anyone who might ob ject to a man, much less a priest having long hair. Some of my brother priests; usually those who shave their heads or have thinning hair have advised me to cut my hair. Some have offered to take me to a barber or to cut it themselves. I haven't heard such comments in several months. I was told by a woman in a parish where I filled in recently that she was told that she would recognize me as 'the priest with the pony tail'. Just yesterday as a woman was leaving church that I look like and sound like her son. I replied that he must be a great guy. She affirmed that he is. More than once I have been told that I look like St. John Vianney. In this area it seems to me that a minority of men (cir. two (2) percent) have hair long enough to be sporting pony tails. In the three (3) weeks that I have been here it seems to me that the People of God have not only accepted me but they have embraced me; pony tail and all.
Raymond
Raymond,
It seems predictable with conservative clergy. Indeed, remember that the Curé d'Ars had long hair as did John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement. Fr Guy Gilbert, the famous French priest who ministers to marginal street people, has long hair. They all wear (wore) it loose.
I agree with ponytailing to avoid provocation, but putting the tail down the back of a shirt collar seems ugly and unnecessary. A possibility is regular ponytailing, then folding the ponytail to trap the tip under the next turn of the hairband. That gives a "Samouri" effect that will leave your head looking neat and tidy.
I find that even the conservative-minded people of my Church (independent Anglican) accept long hair graciously like the beard on my Bishop's face.
Keep in touch.
Anthony
My blog
That's the way of the world...the people care what you can do, the bosses care what you look like. Do right by your parishioners and you won't have to worry about the bosses (excuse me, the bishop). I always wonder what these Christian leaders would do if that dark skinned long haired rabble rouser showed up in their churches.
Good job Anthony, hair looks fantastic already, and will only get better and better with added length! Love that you are doing what you want to do with your life and body, keep it up! :)
That's tremendous progress for 6 months Anthony! Congrats!
Bruce
Hi Anthony,
Wow! I definitely think that's not bad! Your hair is looking awesome so far! I really like the way the natural layers look along with the very nice color. I do think your hair is going to look so good with more length! Please keep it growing and stay well my friend!
Ted
Hi Anthony, congrats on 10 months! Your hair is looking thick and healthy!
-TOmmy
Many thanks, Tommy,
It's just going naturally day by day, losing less than 10 hairs a day. Weekly washing and conditioning. For the first time in my life, I actually enjoy combing my hair! I think my wife is jealous, because I do so little with it.
You too, keep going...
Anthony
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My blog
Hi Anthony!
It's not only longer but much thicker! I'm glad your wife is accepting it now...looks great... Take Care...
The Spaf Man
Your hair is looking TERRIFIC, Anthony! You really have a wonderful head of hair to work with!!!
Keep on growing!!
- Ken in San Francisco
Many thanks, Ken. A couple of days ago, my hair felt like a halo round my head, flat on the pillow. I will certainly keep it growing despite my wife's on/off/on/off attitude and her desire to trim and design, where I just want it natural. She has ruined her own by dyeing and gunking. Mine is natural and now longer than hers, at least at the back!
The battle will continue until I get much more length, and she'll be free to braid and tail it, but no cutting or gunking!
Your own photos of you on your bed are wonderful.
Anthony
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My blog