tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81453324549747399482024-03-13T06:22:35.670-05:00Amy P Haynierandom thoughts, community gathering spot, ramblings...Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-86857478691472411912018-02-24T09:58:00.000-06:002018-02-24T10:23:41.093-06:00Raising White Kids Book Review and Give Away!<br />
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Occasionally, authors and publishers contact RevGalBlogPals
and ask if anyone has interest in reading a soon-to-be published book and then
reviewing it. Sometimes a few people jump at the chance & sometimes we
clamor. This was certainly a title that got my attention right away. My own
children are college-age now, but I am the Children’s minister in my church and
I knew this could be a great resource for my families. I was completely right. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially
Unjust America by the Rev Dr Jennifer Harvey is a book I wish I had read 25
years ago before I had children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Intuitively, I believe our family navigated racial discussions in much
the same method Dr Harvey recommends, but certainly not as intentionally. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Dr. Harvey advocates for Race Conscious Parenting: noticing
and commenting on racial and cultural differences and similarities in everyday
life and interactions. She advocates teaching white children their own stories
of race and culture and history, so that they can have their own sense of
racial identity which allows space for others to have their own sense of racial
identity. This sort of parenting must be intentional about naming our own
troubled histories as well. It requires the parents to educate themselves and
bring themselves up to speed in the discussions about race and racially unjust
structures. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The only criticism I have of the book is not even one I can
articulate well, except to say that I did not feel as though Dr Harvey went far
enough in explaining why we need to do this work within our own families. She
is very careful to say that we are not doing it from a “white savior”
standpoint, but she never defines the why beyond that. I really wanted to go
deeper into that area beyond my own beliefs about how God calls us to value
every human and peek into what she thinks from an academic viewpoint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGVqd4EnckQ/WpGKzazsmbI/AAAAAAAAAdM/k-7PoggwIuYKmb-sRwaYr05sdlOdd2pzwCLcBGAs/s1600/jennifer_harvey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="275" height="145" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGVqd4EnckQ/WpGKzazsmbI/AAAAAAAAAdM/k-7PoggwIuYKmb-sRwaYr05sdlOdd2pzwCLcBGAs/s200/jennifer_harvey.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Among the enlightening discussions in the book: why
Colorblindness is very dangerous, the stages of racial development, being an
ally, having agency, all followed by very practical language on implementation.
Also, Dr Harvey consistently points to others’ work in these areas and
recommends other reading as follow-up or to go deeper. I appreciated those
recommendations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you would like to read the introduction, and see what
other’s are saying, click <a href="http://www.abingdonpress.com/raisingwhitekids" target="_blank">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was given a second copy of the book to give away – would
you like it? Comment below and then check the box to receive emails from other
comments, OR comment on my Facebook thread. I will choose a winner by random
drawing on March 10 and then mail out the book that week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-25651504252932182202017-05-17T21:27:00.000-05:002017-05-17T21:35:22.671-05:00Bible Sisters Book Review & Give-Away<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVSPgRiZ0_E/WR0BiPvNtdI/AAAAAAAAATg/WeOS_cweY-oVR4Vi7MUIoAX7SKjoC878wCLcB/s1600/Bible%2BSisters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVSPgRiZ0_E/WR0BiPvNtdI/AAAAAAAAATg/WeOS_cweY-oVR4Vi7MUIoAX7SKjoC878wCLcB/s320/Bible%2BSisters.jpg" width="204" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have a book to give away!! If you would like to win a copy of </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bible Sisters</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, please comment on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/amy.p.haynie?fref=nf&pnref=story" target="_blank">FB thread</a> about this review. On May 21, I will draw one of the comments out of a hat and send you the book!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is a 365 day book of devotions. Each day features a different woman of the Bible, named and unnamed. Each devotion begins with the chapter and verse from where that woman is mentioned. The devotional writing is less then a half page, bringing the concerns of contemporary women into conversation with the woman mentioned in the Scripture. After the devotion, a simple prayer closes the daily practice.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I believe this book would be especially fruitful to use alongside my CEB Women's Bible. It would be edifying to look up the scripture each day and read a bit more of the story surrounding each woman. Also, the index in the back of <i>Bible Sisters</i> could be a great resource for locating the different women in scripture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I finally dog-eared the pages at the end of each month to keep my daily spot more obvious. I really wish it had dates, since there is no reason to start in a particular place (unless I missed an over-arching reading plan, which is possible). My mom has laid claim to my copy, so I know the dog ears will drive her bananas - score!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you don't win, or are too impatient to wait to see if you win, you can order the book through <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Bible-Sisters-Year-Devotions-Women/dp/1501834312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495073025&sr=8-1&keywords=Bible+Sisters" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, or other sellers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is the official information on the author: </span>The Rev. Dr. Gennifer Benjamin Brooks—the author—is the Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Preaching and the director of the Styberg Preaching Institute at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. In both her teaching and her pastorate as an ordained elder in the New York Conference of The United Methodist Church, she is committed to supporting women and speaking out in support of their rightful place in the realm of God and in the church.</span>Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-86509581127474913492017-05-09T07:00:00.000-05:002017-05-09T07:44:18.783-05:00Women Rising<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtDMqRX8rUA/WQyk0J7V74I/AAAAAAAAATA/BM-lUFXzDCwphAM4cSYsLUGF3XpjUkDuACLcB/s1600/rendered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtDMqRX8rUA/WQyk0J7V74I/AAAAAAAAATA/BM-lUFXzDCwphAM4cSYsLUGF3XpjUkDuACLcB/s400/rendered.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12pt;">The
Episcopal Women’s Caucus has long been an advocate for justice and a change
agent in the Episcopal Church, standing firmly at the nexus of sexism,
misogyny, racism, ageism, and heterosexism in the church. It formed in 1971 as
a <i>caucus</i>, not a committee or task force, making explicit its founders’ intention
to be a politically potent agent in the polity of the church.</span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "garamond";">The Caucus’ advocacy
initially focused on </span><span lang="NL" style="background: white; font-family: "garamond";">advocat</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "garamond";">ing for women’s ordination and the full inclusion of
women in the governance and ministries of Church life. The Caucus’ focus
on gender equality not only raised the Church’s awareness of adverse practices
that enable sexism and other power inequities, it also worked with other social
justice advocacy groups to help the church understand the interlocking nature
of oppressions. The Caucus works under the umbrella of The Consultation, which
also includes</span><span style="font-family: "garamond";"> </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="color: black;">Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";">, Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry Advocates,
Episcopalians on Baptismal Mission, </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="color: black;">Episcopal Network for
Economic Justice</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";">, </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="color: black;">Episcopal
Peace Fellowship</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";">, </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="FR" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: FR;">Episcopal Urban Caucus</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";">, </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="color: black;">Integrity</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";">, </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span lang="IT" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: IT;">TransEpiscopal</span>,</span><span style="font-family: "garamond";"> and the </span><span class="Hyperlink0"><span style="color: black;">Union of Black
Episcopalians</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond";">. These
groups joined forces to advance an agenda of social justice based in the
baptismal imperatives of seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving our
neighbors as ourselves, striving for justice and peace among all people, and
respecting the dignity of every human being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: Garamond; mso-fareast-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Caucus
understands that politics is simply the way humans organize to get things done.
From its beginning it has helped members learn how to be effective workers
within the polity of the Church. From helping members be effective deputies to
General Convention by understanding convention protocol and Robert’s Rules of
Order to initiating resolutions and organizing people to testify effectively
before committees and on the floor of the House of Deputies and the House of
Bishops, the Caucus has worked to shape people and policies in the church. The
Caucus effectively organized and helped pass the resolution granting women
ordination to all orders in The Episcopal Church. In the decades that have
followed the Caucus has worked on justice issues from racism to the rights of
the LGBTQI community. </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On June
22-23 the Caucus is convening “Women Rising” in Dallas, Texas to honor our
history and to plan our future. The gathering will consider the deep seated
ways sexism and misogyny are being revealed in our world today, how we can
become more aware of how these reside in each of us, and how we can work within
the Church and society to overcome this. We will develop tools that invite us
to deeper awareness of ourselves and increase our capacity to be supportive of
others. We will create plans of action and ways to implement those plans, both
at General Convention 2018 and in our home dioceses and parishes. </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default">
<br /></div>
<div class="Default">
<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For more
information and to register to attend please go to the Episcopal Women’s Caucus
website: </span><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="Default" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Hyperlink1"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.ewc-ecusa.com/"><span style="color: black;">http://www.ewc-ecusa.com</span></a></span></span><span class="None"><span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-70105020479600265942017-02-18T23:00:00.000-06:002017-02-18T23:00:18.624-06:00Be Beloved<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Jesus – what a kidder – no pressure
folks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be perfect – doesn’t he know that
some of us kill ourselves everyday trying to be perfect?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And these are the ways he tells us to do
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
reading only comes up occasionally but is very central to who we are as
Christians, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems out of
proportion – like we should hear it more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when we do hear it do we completely understand it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet we quote it often enough – “turn the
other cheek” “give your cloak as well” “go the extra mile”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- sounds all pretty and simple doesn’t
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s look closer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
is a biblical scholar, Walter Wink, who has done a great amount of work on this
passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His exegesis is extraordinary
at showing exactly what’s at stake in these relatively simple-sounding
sayings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how he explains it
– I will attempt to explain it here, but you can google his paper – or look on
Facebook at the Text This Week page for a link – it’s really fascinating!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If
anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also” is actually A LOT
more specific than how we have generalized it to “turn the other cheek” – the
only way for someone to strike you on the right cheek in those days was with a
right-handed backhand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your left hand
was considered dirty, contaminated, unclean – it was used for personal bidness
– not for any sort of social interaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A backhand was considered the most humiliating sort of slap and could
only be used for servants, slaves, those less than you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A slug was for equals – an open-handed slap
was an insult of sorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A back-handed
slap was to remind the other of their place – remind them that they were less
then human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By turning the other cheek, with
the left hand being rendered unclean, that would force the slapper to either an
open-handed slap or a slug – either of which equalized the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer slave or free… sounds familiar?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If
anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well” – this
suit would be to pay a financial debt – usually to pay unfair taxation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nakedness was a huge humiliation – but Wink
paints the picture of being summoned to court and forced to give up your coat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You only wear two garments – no undergarments
– Jesus says give it all up and walk out naked and free!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine the shock?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the suer would try to force your
garments back on you – who is ultimately shamed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If
anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second” takes on another layer of
meaning<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- the Greek words used in this
point to the Roman Army’s privilege of being able to compel ordinary citizens
to carry their military packs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The packs
could be 40-60 pounds and you were obligated to carry it a mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the soldiers would get into serious
trouble for making you carry it more than a mile – there was a limit to the
amount of forced labor you had to endure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were mile markers on every road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Imagine the soldier following you, when you continue past that mile larker
and head to the next… all of a sudden, he’s facing a flogging for breaking the
military law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s at your mercy to give
up his pack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Leviticus reading today was about recognizing those around you as human – from
the top view – it assumes you own the field, you pay the laborer, you are
able-bodied, you are the judge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
Gospel reading is about making other’s recognize your humanity – your dignity
as a human being – being an agent of your own humanity – giving you the power
to make a choice from the view from below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus is talking to those oppressed by society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s be careful here though: “turn the other
cheek” should NEVER be used to urge a spouse to stay in a marriage –
NEVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reclaiming human dignity then
would be to leave – remove oneself from the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus is very clear that we are no called to
be doormats!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my favorite images
is Jesus overturning the tables in the Temple – nothing passive about
that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this gospel today, he’s telling
us about turning the tables in much more subversive ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What
keeps us from claiming our own human dignity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What keeps us from seeing the systems that stifle the human dignity of
those around us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so much easier to
go with the status quo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lord, open our
eyes… help us to claim our own selves – our own dignity – our own belovedness,
so that we can then see the belovedness in others!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only when we are mature enough in the
love of God to accept ourselves as beloved children, that was can see others as
equal, as just as loved, as forgiven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can learn from this Gospel lesson today that we are not to willingly accept
humiliation – we are to overcome it by shaming those in power.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be
perfect – that’s how the phrase from the Greek is translated here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A more accurate translation might be “Be
whole – be what God intended for YOU to be – be beloved” – we live our entire
lifetime striving toward this – “being sanctified by the Holy Spirit” – we
believe that we will fall short, but we will keep striving – and with God’s
help through prayer and supplication, by Sacraments, by community, by striving
for social justice for ALL, that we will indeed move closer and closer to
wholeness – to perfection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus never
said any of this would be easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was only one perfect man – and look what we did to him -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but he modeled this Gospel to the very end – he
refused to accept the humiliation – he himself declared his own agency with “It
is finished” – and then he rose again… AMEN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-1143730741243807082016-10-20T10:38:00.000-05:002016-10-20T10:52:58.950-05:00Common English Women's Bible <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiuCcxatzsU/WAjkIuVwWyI/AAAAAAAAAPw/I9Un148_UJYAHnd7ZIK7B4l-itALHvCZwCLcB/s1600/CEBWomen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JiuCcxatzsU/WAjkIuVwWyI/AAAAAAAAAPw/I9Un148_UJYAHnd7ZIK7B4l-itALHvCZwCLcB/s320/CEBWomen.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am so excited that the publishers of the Common English Women's contacted RevGalBlogPals and asked several of us if we would review this new offering. I am even more excited that I know some of the women who wrote and edited this Bible: the Rev Dr Jaime Clark-Soles, the Rev Sharon Alexander, and Dr Jodie Lyon were all part of my formation and education in some way at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been using this version for the last three weeks as I do my daily prayers and devotions, and also for sermon preparation. I was already familiar with the Common English Bible format and language. I am truly appreciating what biographical information can be gleaned about all of the different women in the Bible. I appreciate the frank non-judgmental discussions included about sex and sexual norms I have been reading. Even when my daily studies have not led me to a woman's story, the women's stories are easily identified by the formatting and I find myself wandering a bit further afield in the text daily than I would ordinarily wander. The discussion starters have already provided at least one sermon point over these last weeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This Common English Women's Bible has already become a staple for me in the tetris-like stack of Bibles I use to contrast and compare ideas and words. I know I will continue to enjoy the perspectives of the women who contributed and edited as I use it in my own daily devotional reading and study. It is so refreshing to "hear" these discussion starters and biographies from a woman's point of view.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are the specifics on the CEB Women's Bible:</span><br />
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</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All 80 contributors are women</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Each book of the Bible has its own introduction.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reflections—writings that can be used in personal devotions
or as conversation starters—accompany nearly every chapter of the Bible.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sidebar articles explore more than two hundred themes of
particular relevance to women’s experiences in relationship with scripture.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Character sketches of more than one hundred named and
unnamed women in the Bible are scattered throughout the text.</span></li>
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<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-52918399447191673952016-10-17T20:04:00.000-05:002016-10-17T20:04:41.537-05:00Stand Your Ground - Black Bodies and the Justice of God - Chapter 5 - Jesus and Trayvon: The Justice of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s1600/SYG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s200/SYG.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas continues to relay the story of Trayvon Martin to us through the words and interviews with his parents. She uses their own words to illustrate their faith in God and then pulls the lens back to also use those same words to illustrate the historic faith of Black Christians in the United States. In this fifth chapter, Dr Douglas draws sharp parallels between the death of Trayvon and the death of Jesus Christ, in that they were both innocent men who were executed by the powers that be of their individual time periods.<br />
<br />
Dr Douglas utilizes the story of the Samaritan woman at the well to show how a male Jewish Jesus uses his privilege to balance out the demonization of the female Samaritan woman. In balancing out the power by giving up his privilege, Jesus places himself in solidarity with those who did not have the social power to move freely in his society. In this movement of Jesus, from the place of privilege equalizing the place of subordinate, we find an example to follow to move from our places of sacred white space to places in solidarity with those in the cross hairs of Stand Your Ground culture today.<br />
<br />
Dr Douglas uses the interviews with Trayvon's parents to show how they continually try to turn the conversation toward resurrection by speaking of their beloved Trayvon with pride and love. They refuse to allow Trayvon's character and life to be further crucified. According to Dr Douglas, this is in harmony with their Black Christian faith which places more weight in the resurrection than teh crucifixion. I have to say that I have never been a big fan of Matt Lauer, but Dr Douglas' reporting of his interviews with the parents make me never want to watch him again.<br />
<br />
At the end of this chapter, Dr Douglas names Anglo-Saxon exceptionalism as America's original sin - from which most all other sins originate. It has been there since our inception as a country (chapter one) and Stand Your Ground Culture is merely the newest manifestation.Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-25146025877912676202016-09-24T15:34:00.000-05:002016-09-24T15:34:41.760-05:00Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God - Chapter 4 - A Father's Faith: The Freedom of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s1600/SYG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s200/SYG.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
The Reverend Dr Kelly Brown Douglas helps us all examine Black Faith in God in chapter four. Using the Exodus Story as the primary lens, she explains that Black Faith is essentially grounded in the belief that God is completely free and therefore seeks freedom for all people. The people in the Exodus story were oppressed and that oppression led to them being God's Chosen People.<br />
<br />
I am very appreciative of the information Dr Douglas writes about the function of music in Black Faith. "Music allowed the captured and enslaved Africans to speak to one another across the barriers of their indigenous language and dialects that their enslavers did not respect" (pg 141). The music allowed for the transfer of information, the learning of language, and the expression of hopes and fears. It also allowed the enslaved to sing about the God they already knew from their homeland, a God that was free and demanded the freedom of everyone. This was not the same God that was preached to them as enslaved people by white preachers. The God of Home was a God who called them into being the fulness of who they were created to be (pg153). Home was a free and safe space to fully be who God created them to be.<br />
<br />
The discussion of the people who already inhabited the Promised Land is deft and challenging. It allows for the God of Freedom to call the oppressed Home, while leaving space open to say that Home might already be occupied. Dr Douglas does not condone the acts of violence that might be attributed to God that clear out Home for others. She specifically names Native Americans again and their losses to the Manifest Destiny war.<br />
<br />
Black Faith, as explained by Dr Douglas, does not blame God for injustice, but rather assumes that God prefers and gives strength to everyone who opposes the injustice and protests for justice.<br />
<br />
<br />Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-62081557368817359872016-09-16T17:07:00.000-05:002016-09-16T20:00:36.216-05:00Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God - Chapter Three: Manifest Destiny War<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s1600/SYG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s200/SYG.jpg" width="131" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am finally on the other
side of beginning the new Sunday School season. One Sunday was Homecoming
Sunday, the next started Sunday School, and then the next was Ministry Fair
Sunday. It has been a busy month and I did not get back to this as quick as I thought
I would. Here we all are, a few weeks later, ready to discuss Chapter Three:
Manifest Destiny War in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stand Your
Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God</i> by the Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown
Douglas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. Douglas begins the
chapter by giving us a history of the term, Manifest Destiny: the combination
of Anglo-Saxon as the epitome of humanity finding their place in a whole new
world and setting up a societal paradise known as the United States of America.
According to Manifest Destiny, the USA was a blank slate ready for the
experiments of democracy as imagined by Anglo-Saxon ways and culture. God had
declared Anglo-Saxons as superior and all other races were to assimilate as
quickly as possible. Assuming that whiteness is superior is troublesome enough,
but then requiring assimilation from every other race is a “declaration of war”
(pg 107) against non-white bodies. Because God had ordained the Anglo-Saxons as
superior, then the war declared against the non-whites was a religious &
just war. People indigenous to the USA were killed or segregated using the
ideology of Manifest Destiny. All immigrants and non-whites were expected to
assimilate as fully and quickly as possible. White Space was to be defended at
all costs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. Douglas then neatly
traces the ideas of Manifest Destiny straight into the beginning of the Stand
Your Ground Laws. If White Space is the most valuable space, then defending
White Space is paramount to fulfilling Manifest Destiny and Stand Your Ground
laws allow for the use of deadly violence in that protection of White Space. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the chapter
explains the intersection of Stand Your Ground and White Backlash. Even before
Stand Your Ground laws were enacted, non-whites could be killed with impunity
simply for being in White Space. If a white person felt threatened in any way
by a non-white person, and especially by a black male, that “threatening”
presence could be killed or otherwise removed with no further thought.
Lynchings, imprisonments, and now police shootings are the direct result of the
backlash against black people for simply being in a white space. Militarized
police officers and departments continue to fight the war of Manifest destiny
every day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. Douglas ends the
chapter by pointing out that having a Black President of the United States has
triggered a whole new level of White Backlash. She ponders the idea that the
only place her Black son is safe is in her own home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so glad I started
this book. Now that I have been introduced to these ideas of White Space and
Manifest Destiny and Anglo-Saxon Superiority I cannot un-see it unfolding all
around me. I admire Dr. Douglas’ methodical, logical outline of the foundations
of the United States and how we got to this place that so many of us find
appalling. In some ways, I wonder how we can unravel racism from the fabric of
our culture, when it has been woven in so tight and methodically from the very
beginning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chapter Four will begin
Part Two of the book, which also has three chapters. We are halfway finished
reading at this point. Where are your thoughts? </span><span style="font-family: garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-74526402316471618052016-08-03T19:32:00.000-05:002016-08-03T19:32:09.957-05:00Stand Your Ground - Chapter Two - The Black Body: A Guilty Body<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s1600/SYG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/TcyjGhgyqxoOhniKnTsGPwMtWpHhBYZqgCPcB/s200/SYG.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
This chapter begins with another intriguing question: "Why are black murder victims put on trial?" (pg 48). Lower on that same page, Dr. Douglas writes, "Black victims of fatal violence are presumed guilty of bringing their deaths upon themselves. Their white killers are given the benefit of the doubt. It is readily assumed that the white killer acted as a reasonable person would who is in fear for his life."<br />
<br />
In helping us to understand how this has historically developed, Dr. Douglas revisits the Anglo-Saxon exceptionalism and how it lead to the belief that black people could be excluded from consideration as being human (pg 52). She then tracks the concept of "Black Body as Chattel" (pgs 52-56). She shows how the church and state affirmed that not only were black people not equal to white people, but that "equality with white people - and certainly not to speak of superiority over them - is immoral" (pg 57).<br />
<br />
I found it hard to read the "Hypersexualized Black Body" section (pgs 64-68). It makes logical sense that in this terrible way of perceiving black bodies, the charge of rape would be unfathomable; I had never allowed my thoughts to wander that far. The sexual abuse of slaves was another way to de-humanize them, force a higher birth rate, and set them apart as "other," specifically the blacks males as threats to white women.<br />
<br />
"The Dangerous Black Body" was illustrative for me for what seems to be happening over and over again in the killings of black bodies by police officers right now in America (pgs 68-76). "When black people step into [white/public] social space, they do so as intruders, and thus they have created a dangerous situation because white people are compelled , by divine law nonetheless, to protect their space from intruders" (pg 69). A lot of the calls to the police in the instances of the killings that have necessitated the Black Lives Matter movement, incorrectly identify black bodies as threatening in some way: carrying a weapon. threatening property, threatening suicide, etc. The police then respond with preconceived notions of danger and act without truly assessing the situation.<br />
<br />
The dangerous black body then becomes the "Criminal Black Body" for the rest of chapter two (pgs 77-89). If you have not yet read Michelle Alexander's <i>The New Jim Crow</i>, it should be the very next book on your White Person's Reading List on Racial Reconciliation. It is a dense read, and as well-researched and well-written as <i>Stand Your Ground, </i>in my opinion.<br />
<br />
As Dr. Douglas traces how the anti-vagrancy laws came to reinforce a new type of forced labor for the males (pgs 77-82), she also shows how black women are dismissed as "criminally immoral" or "mean and angry" (pg 83). In the week or so since I read this section, I have noticed the stereotype of "Angry Black Woman" (pg 85) more then I ever have before in my lifetime.<br />
<br />
So then, if black men are criminal, and black women are so angry as to be irrational and then become criminal, then Dr. Douglas' last stories in chapter two show how "free black bodies have to be guilty of something" (pg 86). Therefore all black murder victims are ultimately put on trial for their own murder. The story Dr. Douglas tells of her toddler son's interaction with an elementary-age white boy at a playground is heart-wrenching (pgs 86-87).<br />
<br />
**Aside for Chapter Three: I may not be able to post again next week, so there may be a two-week lapse until the next post. There are some program-year tasks I need to get accomplished to get the Sunday School year started well at Trinity.**<br />
<br />
<br />Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-11689412654914002092016-07-27T09:42:00.002-05:002016-08-03T19:51:06.871-05:00Stand Your Ground - Chapter One - America's Exceptionalism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/RXDnvbbVHEsIXXrkeMGRapoTajhF5LxcQCKgB/s1600/SYG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAAN4/RXDnvbbVHEsIXXrkeMGRapoTajhF5LxcQCKgB/s200/SYG.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
Dr Douglas begins this chapter with the question, "If Trayvon Martin was of age and armed, could he have stood his ground on that sidewalk?" (pg3). In the next 44 pages, she presents a well-researched position that traces writings concerning Anglo-Saxon superiority to 98 CE (pg4). Those writings are quoted in the founding documents of our country, and are used to strengthen and legitimize white "as Cherished Property" (pg 23). Thus, white as supreme: skin color, cultural norms, etc. The very foundations of culture and religion are built on white supremacy.<br />
<br />
The rights of white supremacy include the rights to exclude, the rights of property ownership and the rights of personal space. These are only some of the privileges I have been historically able to hold as a white person. While those first two may be lessening, it is the third one that I see causing the clashes more and more in our society today. It seems like the calls to law enforcement go something like this, "There is a Black person outside with a gun." Law enforcement shows up, assumes the truth of the call and a Black person is detained, arrested, or killed = a Black person in a white space is seen as the problem. Public streets, even in Black neighborhoods, are seen as white space.<br />
<br />
Dr Douglas has opened my eyes to how I travel trough daily life. I do not feel safe everywhere, but I certainly expect that my body and my rights will be protected everywhere, as a white person. I now see how our forefathers could write about the rights of all, yet truly mean only those of white heritage. This is a suspicion I held before this, and I am thankful to have such a tightly-researched chapter to trace the lineage of influence.<br />
<br />
What are your thoughts as you digest chapter one and ponder what exceptionalism means? Where are you and your family history weaved in and out of this story? How have you noticed your privilege differently since reading this chapter?<br />
<br />Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-71968200977253753512016-07-20T12:07:00.000-05:002016-07-20T22:47:36.649-05:00Book Club - Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of GodIt started with a Facebook post anchored in the frustration that I did not know which of my friends might be starting to educate themselves on racial issues. I had begun stumbling down that path, with half of my life already behind me, and I felt isolated in my ignorance and tardiness. I want companions for this journey. I have been blessed with many Facebook and Twitter "friends" who graciously allow me to peek into their serious and on-going conversations on race and inequality. I have been even more blessed by my colleagues and friends in real life who are gentle, yet strident that this is my work to do. That is truth.<br />
<br />
This is the beginning of my work in community with those who will gather here to clarify our learning, check our assumptions and prejudices, and un-learn what needs to be challenged. My prayer is that our blinders will be removed, and we will be led to right actions as we learn how to be allies in the work of racial justice, and specifically the Black Lives Matter movement.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9P3EyZbH70/V4-f8I7U-uI/AAAAAAAAAN0/6vL4UAmu55cb34l0PT4ArE-KCJA5RZccACLcB/s1600/KellyBDouglas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J9P3EyZbH70/V4-f8I7U-uI/AAAAAAAAAN0/6vL4UAmu55cb34l0PT4ArE-KCJA5RZccACLcB/s200/KellyBDouglas.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAANw/dv12W6PHpjMUry30Pn2lBSCaJs2rTkxqgCLcB/s1600/SYG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8l1S9X5yrHY/V4-f6AY6pzI/AAAAAAAAANw/dv12W6PHpjMUry30Pn2lBSCaJs2rTkxqgCLcB/s320/SYG.jpg" width="210" /></a>The first book I have proposed that we read together is Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God by the Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas. I have read and marked up the prologue, introduction, and first two chapters so far.<br />
<br />
I will keep posting as I continue to read, and I truly and humbly invite your comments. I will comment after writing the summaries of the chapters. I will create new posts as I progress, so the labels will be important for finding your place in the conversation as we go along. All will be labeled "Race Issues" and then "SYG" followed by the chapter, although this one is labeled "SYG Intro." I hope that will help with navigation. I have added a search bar under my photo to assist us.<br />
<br />
If you are reading ahead of me and would like to create the post for a chapter, please feel free. My email is AmyPHaynie at gmail dot com - I would love for this to be a group effort. I will also monitor and delete any comments that are uncivil, just in case anyone tries to derail our conversation.<br />
<br />
In another post below, I have linked to a news interview with Dr. Douglas concerning the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, MD. In the interview, she calls for a national conversation. I do not imagine this as the national conversation she envisions, but I do hope we can advance our own knowledge with shared experiences and conversation.<br />
<br />
Dr. Douglas uses the prologue and introduction to orient us to her social relationship to the Stand Your Ground laws. As the mom of a black young man, as a professor of religion at Goucher College well-versed in racial history, and as a black woman in US society, she asks "Why is it becoming increasingly acceptable to kill unarmed black children...Why are they so easily perceived as a threat?" (pg ix).<br />
<br />
In the introduction, Dr Douglas states that "this book will explore the socio-cultural narratives that have given birth to our stand-your-ground culture and the religious canopies that have legitimized it. This stand-your-ground culture has produced and sustained slavery, Black Codes, Jim Crow, lynchings, and other forms of racialized violence against black bodies" (pg xiii).<br />
<br />
In the comments of this section, I invite us to introduce ourselves and explore why we are interested in this work at this time. What do you hope for or want from this conversation? I hope we will be able to keep this space safe by checking our own white fragility and using "I" language as we do this important work.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-5068486560825188612016-07-20T10:53:00.001-05:002016-07-20T20:09:59.239-05:00The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas on expanding narrative on race<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fblH5AnMmAY" width="480"></iframe>Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-27997172921161545472016-07-16T13:35:00.000-05:002016-07-22T13:58:56.509-05:00Notes on the Meeting with Senator Cornyn's Staff Members<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSKtMwMtyNw/V4p9yDRCBaI/AAAAAAAAANY/zOH4T194u4MLkaovpzSChMiBi9imrPSegCLcB/s1600/Cornyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eSKtMwMtyNw/V4p9yDRCBaI/AAAAAAAAANY/zOH4T194u4MLkaovpzSChMiBi9imrPSegCLcB/s320/Cornyn.jpg" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzi, Nolen, Karen, Me, Shelly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Meeting with Collin and Khamal, staff members of Senator
John Cornyn (R-TX)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>July 15, 2016</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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These are the bills we were told Senator Cornyn had
sponsored or co-sponsored, some were co-sponsored with Democrats as they said:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016</span></li>
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</div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Funding for National Human Trafficking Hotline
(with Democrat)</span></li>
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<br /></div>
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</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Mental Health and Safe Communities Act of 2015</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act
to add certain synthetic substances to schedule I, and for other purposes</span></li>
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<br /></div>
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There may have been some others also, but these were the
ones I could find on the website. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The staff assured us that Senator Cornyn is committed to
maintaining relationships with colleagues from both parties. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were told that the Assault Weapons Ban did not deter
shootings. I have not checked that yet, but it does not seem true – we have
certainly had record-setting mass shootings since the Assault Weapons Ban
expired.** Senator Cornyn is not interested in any gun control measures. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed along our concerns about gun transactions held at
gun shows, pawn shops, private sales, etc without any background checks. We
objected to assault weapons being sold to whomever wanted to buy them and their
high capacity clips. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We also expressed knowledge and concerns about the lack of
residential mental health facilities for youth and young adults. There was
discussion about mental health issues and the pressure placed on police and
correctional facilities housing those who are mentally ill. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We spoke about the children coming into Texas as immigrants
from Guatemala. The staff members reported that Senator Cornyn visited
Guatemala to assess the conditions there, and he does not support returning
them. He also does not support the rhetoric of Trump concerning immigrants and
building a wall. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
**Statistically, it is true that the Assault Weapons Ban did not deter shootings. </div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-91428692910469560352016-04-04T10:50:00.000-05:002016-04-04T10:50:11.523-05:00Stages of Discipleship<i>This is the outline I preached from at St Stephen's in Hurst. Audio is on the right sidebar in the PodBean Player. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stages of Discipleship<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sermon Easter 2C<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Movement in the Readings – LOTS<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Locked Room – Praise Psalm – Writing Letters to Others to
tell what God has done – Teaching and Getting into Trouble for it<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fear – Adoration – Excitement – Responsibility of making
more Disciples<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do we move from one to another? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Collect: How do we show forth in our lives what we profess
in our faith?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lenten Discipline? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where are you? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where is St Stephen’s?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jesus blesses US today – did you hear it? Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have come to believe – that’s US. Take that blessing
– be emboldened to move to the next stage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alleluia. Christ is risen!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!<o:p></o:p></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-68891233475973524322016-03-13T13:38:00.000-05:002016-03-13T13:38:28.081-05:00You will Always have the Poor among You<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we find ourselves back in the house of Mary, Martha
and Lazarus. We’ve been here before when Martha was mad at Mary for not helping
serve dinner, when Mary and Martha were grieving the death of Lazarus – and
then celebrating his resurrection. These three siblings are very dear to Jesus
– there is a great mutual love shared in this house. I think that of all the
places that Jesus teaches and all the dinners he attends, THIS is where I
would’ve liked to have sat and listened to our Lord interact with his closest
friends and disciples. I can picture the scene as intimate and lively, full of
love, mutually shared among all these great friends. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It is in his tribe of good friends and disciples that Jesus
makes a curious statement, "For you always have the poor with you, but you
don't always have me" (v. 8). To my Gen-X ears, this sounds like a
callous statement of fact – Jesus knows that in 2016 we have not yet solved the
puzzle of poverty – and maybe he doesn’t think we ever will. However, Jesus is
referring to the Torah, and the complete verse reads, "For the poor will
never cease out of the land: therefore I command you, saying, "You shall
surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your
land" (Deuteronomy 15:11). <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2016, we have not solved the puzzle of poverty – so as
cynical as it sounds, Jesus is exactly right. We are his body gathered together
here this morning and we have not come to a solution, as Christians. Judas may
believe the anointing in the story to be the most scandalous part, but I am inclined
to think that knowing our children and elders are going to bed hungry is much
more scandalous. How do we open our hands to the poor? The Gospel today points
us to the worries we still face. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Wichita Falls, we partnered with a couple of my seminary
classmates and their churches to feed the homeless one night a month. ECWF
provided food for about 80 people one night a quarter. It was a lot of work:
some provided ingredients, some helped serve, some cooked, some donated money,
and some did any combination of those things. For a church with an average
Sunday attendance of about 25 while I was there, it was quite the
undertaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We served the meal at a
church across the street from the homeless shelter – where the people would later
spend the night and would have eaten anyway. So why do it? Others might rightly
say, like Judas, that we would have been smarter to donate the money to the
shelter and let those good people there provide for the needs of the poor and
homeless. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s quite the quandary, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here’s where Mary’s anointing and Jesus’ defense of her
comes into all of this for me. There is something valuable – something
necessary – something essential – in serving face-to-face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Martha served Jesus dinner, Jesus raised
Lazarus from the dead, Mary anoints Jesus on the day before he will be arrested
by the Sanhedrin – this is all Incarnational ministry – in the flesh –
face-to-face serving each other. Because there is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i> about looking another of God’s Beloveds in the eye and
serving them. Yes, sometimes it might be smarter to serve from a distance, with
money or supplies or legislative work or letter writing or whatever. But there
is something about standing in front of another of God’s Beloved, realizing
that in serving them, you also are being blessed. It’s a mystery, and it is
true. We are called as Christians into service that is intimate and messy, as
we stand open-handed with the least, the lost and last. <o:p></o:p></div>
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You all are a fairly new Tribe of Christians in Wise County.
I live one county over, so I do not know the specifics in Decatur and the
surrounding area. All I know is what I have observed in the last 30+ years of
driving through here. When I used to drive from Archer City to Denton to visit
friends at North Texas State University, Decatur was a place to stop for a Dr.
Pepper and stretch my legs, either at the McDonalds, the Dairy Queen, or if I
went though town, at the convenience store where I made the turn to get to 380.
It has changed now and rightly so. It feels to me now as though Decatur is
joining the outer band of suburbs of Ft Worth. When I go on through Decatur
from my dad’s place in Joy to my FM 407 Exit, I can see Decatur reaching
further and further south toward the metroplex. I wonder who all is being
displaced by the demographic shifts here? I wonder who is making out like a
bandit by selling land to developers and whose land is being claimed by
imminent domain? And we are right back to that quandary that Judas knowingly
pointed out: I am sure some are profiting while securing the future of their
children and grandchildren, and I am sure some are being displaced from family
homesteads. How can this Tribe of Christians known as Episcopalians in Wise
County stand up as the body of Christ in the midst of it all? I know I only
hear a fraction of the shenanigans in Denton County, but the actions of some of
the developers are shocking over there: backing one candidate and getting
special rules put into place that are not in the best interest of all – I’m
sure some of that happens here too, or will soon. How are you all called to
serve the voiceless and the uninformed? Who will interrupt the corruption that
sometimes occurs in these transitional times? <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
As we ponder the puzzle of how best to stand with and serve
the poor right here, right now, let us remember Paul’s inspiration this day,
“but this one thing I do: …I press on toward the goal for the prize of the
heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>As always, what is written and what was preached actually varies. The audio version is on the Podbean Player on the right sidebar.</i></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-21650436210895186762016-01-03T12:22:00.000-06:002016-01-03T12:23:48.079-06:00My Visit to a Lutheran Contemporary Service – 2nd Sunday after Christmas<div class="MsoNormal">
As I was wondering about where I would go to church yesterday, I decided to check the offerings of the churches in the neighborhood. The local Lutheran church had a contemporary service and I decided to see how our ecumenical siblings do that. I would go again - it was well done and gave me some new ideas. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gospel
reading & Sermon (25 minutes)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Gospel
Reflection by Worship Leader while children brought in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1 Christmas
hymn <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Communion
& Peace (Music by band – no communal singing)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Offering
with Video<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Closing
Prayer<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Closing
Christmas hymn <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dismissal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I arrived
at 10:20 for 10:30 service – did not park in visitor parking. An usher at the
door of sanctuary greeted me. I was told worship band was still rehearsing and
they didn’t usually open the doors until 10:30, but that I could go on in. I was glad of that because I would have been more uncomfortable standing alone in the narthex than sitting alone in a pew. There were about ten people already in the space – other visitors who do not know
the norm? The worship band worked out kinks until 10:28 when the ushers asked
if they could open the doors. A 5-minute countdown clock started on the screen
as people came into the space. Service began about 10:35. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I loved the
idea of the “Noisy” offering for local outreach. Metal buckets were passed – maybe painted
by youth? – people shook them playfully as they passed the buckets to make noise. The emphasis
was for noisy money, but there was silent money in there also. I was slightly
concerned that it was the regular offering also, and maybe I had missed my
chance to drop in the check I had remembered to complete at home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Peace
was at the end of the words of institution and after the communion instruction
(which was very clear and well done). The regular offering followed communion
and a video was shown for a Financial Peace University class starting in
January.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Afterwards,
I walked to my car. The pastor was a member there, but not on staff. The usual
pastor was on vacation. <o:p></o:p></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-56756168859420258742015-12-20T12:30:00.000-06:002016-01-14T23:53:51.920-06:00Choose Life!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">As you all know by now, I am usually a strictly
Lectionary preacher. But today, I am going to bring in another text. Today, I
want you all to also hear the words of Moses to his people. Moses had led them
through the Wilderness and knew that he would not be able to lead them further
– he would not accompany his beloved people to the Promised Land. So today, I
am using his words as a framework for my final sermon among you all:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Moses said, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">This commandment that I’m commanding you
today isn’t too much for you, it’s not out of your reach. It’s not on a high
mountain—you don’t have to get mountaineers to climb the peak and bring it down
to your level and explain it before you can live it. And it’s not across the
ocean—you don’t have to send sailors out to get it, bring it back, and then
explain it before you can live it. No. The word is right here and now—as near
as the tongue in your mouth, as near as the heart in your chest. Just do it!</span></span></blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Before
we get to Moses’ commandment, I want to remind you all of what we have all done
together over this last year:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> ·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">50 people for Christmas eve
services<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bylaws passed<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Upgraded Sound System<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Helped launch new church in
deanery<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lived through several
rearrangements of our space<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bishop High at Palm Sunday<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seder Dinner with WF MCC<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">60 people for Easter services<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Power Packs for Kids >300 per
packing<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Covered houses for Parade of
Homes – met many new friends<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Started Downtown Dinner: 6/16,
9/15, 12/15<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sent two of us to General
Convention<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Welcomed New Members<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ferris Teacher’s Lunch &
School Supply Donations<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">First Combined Audit<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Racial Reconciliation<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hosted Executive Council<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bishop Mayer Visit<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joint Deanery Project: Ramp for
Marsha<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">St Francis Blessing – Outside<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">All Hallows’ Eve & Trunk or
Treat<br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Live Broadcast of Presiding
Bishop Michael Curry’s Installation<br /> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hosted live music concert for WF
MCC friends<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just do it” – and we did!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here is Moses’
Commandment to his beloved people <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And I
command you today: Love</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; font-variant: small-caps; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, your God. Walk in his ways. Keep his commandments… so that you
will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed</span></span><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; font-variant: small-caps; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, your God, in the land you are about to enter and possess.</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">I do not
know what land you are about to enter and possess – I have no idea what God is up
to here – Moses didn’t know for sure either. He did know that was not his to
worry about – that God knows and God is working. It may take another 40 years
for God’s work THIS DAY to be known in this place. Just as our Biblical
ancestors showed us, we will continue to worship and praise God, trusting that
was are all God’s beloveds as we move forward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mary and
Elizabeth show us that same faithfulness and trust in God in our Gospel lesson
today. Childbirth could be the beginning of the end for any woman,
statistically much more so for Mary and Elizabeth in their day – yet they are
happy to be carrying new life. They are celebrating their pregnancies and
dreaming about how their lives will change. They are birthing the future, just
as you all are here. Dream big dreams and live, truly live exuberantly, blessed
by God as you nurture and raise up the Episcopal Church of Wichita Falls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">Moses
continues, for us and for his people<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">,
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">I call Heaven and Earth to witness today: I
place before you Life and Death, Blessing and Curse. Choose life so that you
and your children will live. And love </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">, your God, listening obediently to him,
firmly embracing him. Oh yes, he is life itself, a long life settled on the
soil that</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; font-variant: small-caps;">God</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">, your God, promised
to give your ancestors, Abraham [and Sarah], Isaac [and Rebekah], and Jacob, [Leah
and Rachel].<o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt;">All that
you need is here. You are courageous and beloved <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– Just like Mary and Elizabeth – pregnant with
possibilities – Choose Life!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-85801334223309728112015-12-13T18:18:00.004-06:002015-12-13T18:19:23.171-06:00Announcement of Transition at ECWF<div class="MsoNormal">
My very first day on the ground in Wichita Falls was October
1, 2014. And here we are, 14 months later. This is hard for me to
say – it is hard for me to live – but I feel as though my time among you here
has come to an end. Next Sunday, December 20<sup>th</sup>, will be my last
Sunday as the Priest in Charge of the Episcopal Church of Wichita Falls. This
week, I will be here on Tuesday to feed our homeless friends at WFMCC, and I
will pack up my office. Next Sunday, I will ask you all to bless me, as I will
bless you. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have brought you all along as a church as far as I am
able. The Bishop and Canon to the Ordinary will lead you on from here. I do not
know what that will look like. It is not my place to know, nor will it be my
place to be involved in the on-going life of the church here. I know I will see
you at diocesan gatherings and you will all remain in my prayers. “Surely it is
God who saves us, we will trust in him and not be afraid.” God is steadfast and
faithful to you. No one can thwart God’s will. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“What then shall we do?” “Rejoice in the Lord always; again
I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is
near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in
Christ Jesus.” “Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his Name; Make his deeds
known among the peoples; see that they remember that his Name is exalted. Sing
the praises of the Lord, for he has done great things, and this is known in all
the world.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today’s Advent candle is the candle of Joy. My prayer for
you – no my task for you – is for us to remember our time together with great
Joy. I have been blessed beyond measure serving here with you all. I know I was
called by God to serve here, and I know God is calling me away from here now to
do something different. It has been a season of Joy, and I pray that we will
continue to live that Joy through our last week together. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Audio is on the right sidebar PodBean player.</i></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-13344003810246321762015-11-22T12:00:00.000-06:002015-11-22T12:00:04.103-06:00Christ the King <div style="background: white; line-height: 17.15pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“Fear is such a powerful emotion
for humans that when we allow it to take us over, it drives compassion right
out of our hearts.”</span></em><span style="color: black; font-family: "Palatino Linotype"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>—<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><em><span style="font-family: "Palatino Linotype";">Thomas Aquinas</span></em><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Today is the last Sunday in this church year. When we gather
next Sunday, I will wish you a happy new year, as I did on the first Sunday of
Advent last year. This is the Sunday when the story comes around to complete
the circle. </div>
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I remember how confused I was on my first Christ the King
Sunday in the Episcopal Church. As most of you know, I was raised and formed at
First Baptist Church in Archer City. When David and I met and started dating
here in Wichita Falls, he was attending the Disciples of Christ church over by
Midwestern State University. David is a cradle Episcopalian; he used to bicycle
himself to church for some of the early services when it was his turn to
acolyte. When he moved here, someone had told him about the Diocese of Ft Worth
– not ordaining women, being out of step with the rest of TEC – so he went to
church with his friends. One of the doctors in town was a childhood friend,
their moms were lifelong friends, and David had moved here partially because of
that friendship. After David and I met, we moved to Lewisville and tried out
different churches. I had no desire to return to my Southern Baptist roots. We
tried a Methodist church and a Lutheran church before we went to the Episcopal
Church. Of course David was most comfortable there and that may have been what
led to my feeling of being “home” there. I loved the vestments, the liturgy,
and the seasons. Christ the King Sunday felt out of place though. I got that we
were marching through the stories of the different gospels in Ordinary time,
but to have Holy Week readings in November made very little sense to me. </div>
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This is the first year for me that these readings do not
feel so odd. Over the years I have gotten used to this Sunday, but this year I
“get” it differently than I ever have before. Maybe it is the world’s political
landscape, maybe it is this church’s special circumstance this year, maybe –
after 21 years as a confirmed Episcopalian – it has finally sunk in. I never
claimed to be the brightest one here. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>
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When I read and heard our own bishop and our presiding
bishop saying “Do not fear,” it dawned on me that it is the same thing I
believe our lectionary planners might be saying: “Do not fear.” In these
darkest nights, on these cold, stark days, after journeying through Advent,
Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time, we get one last
reminder: Christ is King. Christ is the Truth. Christ is the Incarnation of Love
who walked among us and remains among us as the Holy Spirit does – Perfect
Love. Perfect Love casts out fear. After all of the stories we have heard over
the last year, after all of the stories we have lived this past year, Christ is
still King of all – in control, faithful to us, as we are faithful to him: a
King who is willing to give his very life because he loves us that much; a King
who conquered death so that we can live without fear of death, without fear of
refugees, without fear of what may come tomorrow. We are His people and he is
our King. “Do not fear.”</div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-39357919433782265022015-11-09T08:08:00.000-06:002016-01-14T23:49:41.520-06:00A Day in the Life of a Part-Time Call<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><i>NaBloPoMo Day 9: Monday day off or Friday day off... Discuss.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">When I worked full-time at a parish, I tried each one. I figured out really quick that I can honor a Monday off much better than I can honor a Friday off. I believe my seminary training may have had a small part in this: there were no Monday classes in seminary at Perkins in Dallas, so I was formed to take Mondays off in some way. In seminary, I usually had some reading, writing, etc to do on Mondays, but I did not have to leave my house those days. It may not have been a true day off, but it was different than the other days. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">In the parish, Mondays worked better for me because the deadline for just about everything is the next Sunday. On Monday, I can forget all that needs to be done that week and relax into a day off. On Fridays, I could never ignore what was still undone and I would end up working on Fridays in small ways. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">Now I am in a part-time call, which sometimes feels like it is part of every day. I have more time off, but there seems to be just a little something all the time. My newsletter editor likes my submission every Monday about what is happening that weekend. It only takes me about 10 minutes and then I have the rest of the day to putter around. Tuesdays are really a better, more complete, day off for me now most weeks. If diocesan meetings fall on Tuesdays, then I take Fridays off instead. I have gotten better about honoring a Friday off by either getting work done before then, or doing whatever it is on Saturday. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br /></span></span>Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-75630010844178496092015-11-09T07:38:00.000-06:002015-11-09T07:38:13.609-06:00A Tale of Three Widows<div class="MsoNormal">
All trying to survive</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All forced to live an invisible life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two have banded together to figure out a way through: one
uses life wisdom, one uses her wiles<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One has given it all in $$<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All trust in God’s favor – all believe that God is steadfast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All trust in a system. All are caught in patriarchal (work
of the devil? Collect) society that can either care for them or discard them<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ruth and Naomi seem to end well in Jesus, but the unnamed
widow’s ending is unknown – even though Jesus noticed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ending of the Temple in 70 yrs – the sanctuary made by human
hands<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The scribes who pillage the houses of widows<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The apostles who go out and will carry forward Jesus’ work <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stagnant church<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Church on the move<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always stays the same & comfortable<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Trying something new & unknown<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Always the same worries and troubles<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Transformed by the love of Jesus<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Closing ranks<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holding space<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Museum for saints<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hospital for sinners<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serious rules<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vs<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serious fun<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All of these are too black and white – <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes need to look inward and care for own widows and
orphans<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes we need to hunker down for comfort and weather
storms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes we are called out to minister to Others =
Foreigners<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes God calls us out of our buildings and into new
spaces <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seasonal, Cyclical<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tales of the widows remain in our lore – Jesus’ genealogy,
Jesus pointing out the Widow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He watched her – what do we see?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What is ours to learn from the Three Widows?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use of Wisdom and rhythms of life<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use of wiles and strengths<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Throw all we have into the mix and see what God does with it<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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I am very curious about what God is up to these days in
Wichita Falls. God has been steadfast and has blessed us over and over and over
again. God will remain steadfast and continue to bless us as we struggle and
discern who and how we are to be the Episcopal Church in Wichita Falls. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>This is frequently how my preaching notes look. There is audio on the right sidebar PodBean Player.</i></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-49319270338353074542015-11-02T16:30:00.000-06:002015-11-02T18:31:55.295-06:00A Witch at Church<div style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<i>Julia's writing prompt today: It's NaBloPoMo day 2!</i></div>
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<i>Prompt: write about what you wear at church (your best clothes, your comfy clothes, robe, stole, etc.). What does the phrase "church clothes" look like in your world?</i></div>
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<i>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</i></div>
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This last weekend included All Hallows' Evening - which has been shortened to Hallowe'en on most secular calendars. It is an ancient Christian holiday, appropriated from a Celtic celebration (<a href="http://www.episcopalschools.org/docs/public-library-documents/all-hallows'-eve-and-all-saints'-day.pdf?sfvrsn=6" target="_blank">more info here</a>). A lot of Christian holidays have appropriated the holy days of other religions, as any scholar of world religions can trace. I believe those days have been appropriated because someone somewhere realized that there are rhythms to life that cannot be denied. On the dark days of the transition between seasons, maybe people needed a reason to gather and have fun.</div>
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All Hallows' Eve gives Christians a chance to poke fun at death and darkness, knowing that God through Christ is the Eternal Light that no darkness can overcome. We seriously believe what Paul said about no darkness being able to come between us and the love of God. We seriously believe what John of Patmos teaches us in Revelation about God being the ultimate winner of any universal contest between dark and light. We act silly and playful, dress in costumes, trick or treat, and generally revel in God's victory and steadfastness. We get to hear readings that are nowhere else in our regular Sunday lectionary: the Witch of Endor, Eliphaz the Temanite, the battle between the dragon and the angels; it's all fantastical. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApTY8X4Ni2I/VjfbbWVRbhI/AAAAAAAAALE/sJMj-itUmtc/s1600/2015-10-31%2B17.39.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ApTY8X4Ni2I/VjfbbWVRbhI/AAAAAAAAALE/sJMj-itUmtc/s320/2015-10-31%2B17.39.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think we look like Twins!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As an almost 50-yr old American woman, I do not mind the insinuation that I am dressed as my true nature in this picture. When I don a witch costume, I am trying to don the feminine mantle of Professor Minerva McGonagall, Mrs Molly Weasley, or even one of the unfortunate women chronicled in <i>Kepler's Witch</i>. <i>Kepler's Witch</i> tells the story of Christians convicting women of witchcraft merely because they were smart enough to notice the rhythms of life, remember which herbs and plants cured which symptoms, and maybe were bit more enlightened than others in a pre-enlightenment era. There is much discussion among middle-aged American women about embracing our inner Crone as we grow older and wiser - as we grow into being a witch by Kepler's definition.</div>
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As an Episcopal priest, I know that there are people who call me a witch in undertone, meaning it to be a derogatory utterance. When I don a witch's hat and cape, I am claiming the title in order to take away it's power to place me in a powerless position, as the Imp advised the Bastard to do in one of the <i>Game of Throne</i> books (I cannot remember if it was when Jon Snow was just leaving for the Wall or when Tyrion Lannister visited him at the Wall). A religious woman with strong convictions certainly fits the definition of a witch to a lot of people who have a tough time separating faith from magic and prayers from wishes. </div>
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I do believe there is some criticism that could truly be leveled at my costume choice: Paul tells us not to eat the meat offered to idols if it causes our less mature members to stumble. In a society of people who do sometimes have a hard time separating faith from magic and prayers from wishes, maybe it is dangerous to dress as a witch wearing a priest collar. Also, just as it is inappropriate for me as a white woman to make up in black face, I should not dress as a practitioner of Wiccan when I am clearly not Wiccan. [Aside: all of the Wiccan practitioners I see in movies and TV dress like me on any day I am not wearing clericals. That gives me a giggle.]</div>
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Thank you for the prompt Julia! Reflecting on my choice of church clothes this last weekend was enlightening to me. </div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-47439383988253474852015-08-02T22:20:00.000-05:002015-08-04T22:22:11.064-05:00David's DownfallThe continuing story of King David. Audio on the PodBean Player on the right sidebar.Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-46406096059195003552015-07-26T19:00:00.000-05:002015-07-26T19:00:13.064-05:00The Rise of King DavidThis is a Story instead of a Sermon: The story of how David got to be King of both the Southern and Northern Kingdoms. It is a simple re-telling of David's story up today's reading. There is an audio file to listen to on the PodBean Player on the right sidebar.Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8145332454974739948.post-52156922039016806162015-07-12T12:00:00.000-05:002015-07-12T17:04:00.815-05:00Lord of the Dance<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome the readings for what a dear friend calls “Improper
10.” We get a glimpse of the ancient Trumps in the gospel
reading – the more things change, the more they stay the same. The daughter dances
for a group of powerful political men – one of whom wants to show off and then
cannot back down for fear of looking weak or indecisive. Maybe she was dirty
dancing, but maybe she was not; either way, it’s a creepy story right? And that
creepiness is not the worst of it; John the Baptizer ends up dead – almost
execution as a side story. Mark tells it for a good reason though. This is not
the same Herod who ordered the census count, or the same Herod who ordered all
the baby boys murdered, but this is the same Herod who will pronounce judgment
of Jesus in only ten more chapters. And this Herod is consistent – he doesn’t
really want to kill Jesus any more that he wanted to kill John, but he will
give into the politics again later, just as he does today. The daughter dances, and
Herodias gets revenge on John.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have David dancing today too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember Indiana Jones? The Ark is dangerous.
In the beginning of the journey, David and others are dancing with songs, and
lyres, and harps, and tambourines, and castanets, and cymbals – making a joyful
noise and dancing along – then tragedy. Did you notice we skipped a few verses
there? In those verses, the Ark starts to slip off the wagon and one of the
drivers reaches to steady it. ZAP – he dies. The Ark is dangerous – it holds
the stone tablet fragments, Aaron’s rod, a Golden Urn full of manna – and it
has POWER. David seems to get shook up for a bit and parks it for a few months,
then goes after it again. Now we are back in our reading and David is described
as dancing with “all of his might.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
of his wives looks on; Michal was raised as royalty and seems disgusted by his
not looking very “Royal” in all his energetic dancing. He was looking very
foolish actually – long white linen alb, dancing with all his might, giving
burnt offerings to God and peace offerings to the people – he blessed the
people before sending them on their way – not very kingly at all – actually
much more priestly. <o:p></o:p></div>
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These are great readings on our First Anniversary. Some of
you all may remember when I first got here last October; I mentioned that it
would take a while but eventually we would learn to dance together. Me and the
altar team: we all have to learn to anticipate what the others will do next and
I think we’ve gotten pretty good at it. As congregations: you all have had to
learn to dance with me an with each other. Trust has been built. Sure, a few
toes got bruised here and there, but I am proud of how far we’ve danced
together! We’ve spun and dipped; we’ve cooked and served; we’ve pirouetted and
stomped; we’ve gathered and distributed. We have done the hard work that other,
more established congregations can sit out – and we are the stronger for having
done it together. This dance is not always easy – it’s not always fun – but we
are all honoring our raising when we dance with the one that brung us. We are
not here merely dancing together, congregation with congregation, me with you.
No, we are all here dancing with God. God has called us to this work of dancing
and blessing and making offerings of peace. God has called us at this time and
this place to be His People dancing together here in Wichita Falls. Surely
there are others who like to dance out there – let’s invite them into our Flash
Mob, shall we? Who will you ask to dance with us? Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
Amy+http://www.blogger.com/profile/01576123442703445620noreply@blogger.com0