faith communication

The Christian faith for most people is not communicated by doctrinal pronouncements … but by what goes on in the church in its most local setting. It is here, in the church down the street, that people are caught up in the Gospel promise — or are turned away.

- James C. Fenhagen,

from his book Mutual Ministry

from Sojourners Verse & Voice

Veterans Day

As our congregation has started regularly serving with two local soup kitchens and working with a local population of homeless persons I have often found myself wondering, “what is their story?”  I’ve gotten to know some of them a bit and they are each unique.  What are the causes?  What leads to someone eventually finding himself/herself homeless?  Again, each may have a unique answer.  Sadly, far too many homeless person in our country are veterans.

A New York Times editorial yesterday speaks out on the injustice that far too many US veterans are homeless.  From the Times:

About one-third of all adult homeless men are veterans, and an average night finds an estimated 131,000 of them from five decades bedding down on streets and in charity sanctuaries. About 3 in 100 of them are back from Iraq and Afghanistan. The problem of homelessness for Vietnam veterans is, shamefully, well known. But the men and women in this growing cohort took just 18 months to find rock bottom, compared with the five years-plus of the previous generation’s veterans.

 

For the editorial:

Homeless on Veterans Day

Published: November 11, 2009

Washington and communities across the country should support a national drive to end veteran homelessness.

More Making Room For All

A fellow board member did an excellent write-up on the recent Making Room For All Conference and I wanted to share her words here:

[T]he “Making Room For All” conference is indeed over, but it was so sensational that it has not subsided from our minds — at least not from my mind.  It was incredible.  By the time the conference ended about Saturday noon following a communion service, there were very few dry eyes in the place, including my own.  This whole LGBT gathering was truly an historic event.  The consistory and congregation of Central Reformed Church in GR assumed considerable risk by inviting Room For All to host this conference at their church. It was indeed a ministry of hospitality.

 

Here is a rundown of the conference itself.  The conference began about 4 pm Thursday afternoon with registration and a reception.  The Atrium, a newly created gathering space at Central Church made for a lovely reception area with entrances to the Chapel and the Sanctuary off this gathering space.  The steps downstairs to the dining area were rimmed with a railing which was used to display the “Shower of Stoles”, a  project of the Institute of Welcoming Resources.  These colorful liturgical stoles tell the stories of  LGBT persons who are leaders in their respective faith traditions.  At Thursday night’s worship service, which was open to the public, there was a crowd of about 200-225 I would guess.  Lou Lotz, the pastor of Central Reformed Church, preached a sermon titled “In My Father’s House There Are Many Closets.”  The composer and soloist Lorraine Nelson Wolfe led the congregation in singing her own composition titled “ Room For All,” words and music which she wrote for Room For All in April, 2008.  This worship service was open to the public. An offering was received which was to be given in support of Heartside Ministries, an RCA ministry to the homeless begun by 26 years ago by Central Church.

 

Following breakfast on Friday morning, the full assemblage listened to Rebecca Voelkel and Vicki Wunsch, who made presentations on how to build an inclusive church. Rebecca Voelkel is the director of the Institute for Welcoming Resources and Faith Work for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.  Vicki Winsch works as a trainer for the IWR and assists in helping lay leaders and clergy develop tools for engaging congregations to become involved in the welcoming process. This informative presentation was followed by a great lunch, after which registrants attended the first of two sets of workshops.

 

Six workshops were available for registrants to attend: “Out of the Shadows and Into the Light: Confessions of a Former Gay Basher,” presented by Miguel De La Torre, “The Christian Case for Gay Marriage” by David Myers, “Christian Education & Youth Ministry that is Welcoming & Affirming” by Adriene Thorne, “Biblical Studies: ‘Clobber Texts’ & ‘Texts of Promise,’” by Bruce Cornwell & Lynn Japinga, “A Reformed Orthodoxy of Inclusion: Theologically Making Room For All” by Norm Kansfield, and “Movement Building Strategies” by Rebecca Voelkel.  Participants chose two workshops to attend as back to back presentations were given throughout the afternoon.

 

The Friday evening program, again open to the public, began at 7:30 in the sanctuary.  Approximately 250 persons gathered to hear the Michigan Gay Men’s Choir present a delightful program that was clearly appreciated by those present, including the choir participants themselves. This was followed by a presentation by Peggy Compolo.  Peggy Compolo and her evangelist husband Tony Compolo together spoke to the General Synod of the RCA a few years ago.  Their joint presentation at that time is sometimes remembered because Mrs. Compolo and her husband, who have been married for over 50 years, spoke from opposite viewpoints on the issue of same-sex marriage.  Having reached a point in their marriage some years ago when they agreed to disagree over the Romans 1.26-27  scriptural passage, Peggy Compolo has become an outspoken advocate for same sex marriage and the need for the church genuinely to welcome LGBT folks.  Peggy Compolo’s speech was encouraging, uplifting and supportive of the cause of LGBT folks and of Room For All.  A compelling speaker and a charming person, Peggy Compolo actively participated in all the activities of the conference and enjoyed meeting and interacting with registrants as we dined together.

 

The next day, following breakfast, the morning’s presentations focused on story telling.  Rebecca Voelkel and Vicki Wunsch identified the essence of any good story told within three minutes time.  The entire group then broke into group of three, and each person was charged to tell his/her own story using the criteria Rebecca and Vicki provided.  As group participants shared their own stories, it was obvious that for many there, this was the first time they told their stories outside the guarded confines of assured relationships.  For some, telling their stories was difficult, but the process seemed to endear group members to one another.  When the entire group reconvened, three individuals offered to share their stories to the assembled group — for airing and for critique.  From what I observed, there seemed to be as many emotions among those who listened to the stories as were experienced by the story tellers themselves. An empathetic spirit translated into a feeling that this was a “safe” space — a space occupied by fellow travelers who shared one’s journey.

 

A culminating worship service immediately followed the story telling session. This communion service was led by Rev. Dan Ramm, Pastor of the Flatbush Reformed Church in Brooklyn.  Dan did a masterful job of moving the group from the emotion-evoking morning session to the communion table.  It seemed like such an easy step to me.  Dan asked aloud why he was investing time and energy as a member of the RFA Board.  His answer — John 3.16.  After each donned a stole from the Stole Exibit, Dan and the Rev. Shari Brink served the communion.  The service was concluded by singing “In the Midst of New Diminsions,” a powerful hymn with a refrain that sings ”God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar. We your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and ever more.”

 

In preparing for this conference, RFA Board members were extremely aware that this was a “first experience” for us. We had no model to use.  We felt strongly that no one should be kept from attending the conference because of limited financial means.  Given the state of our treasury, which contained some grant money and funds from private donors, we encouraged participation by offering the first sixty registrants round-trip travel, two nights motel stay, and all meals for the single cost of $100. This generous offer was soon taken advantage of, and to our surprise the number of registrants continued to grow, even with those who assumed the full cost of the conference.  A special registration fee of $50 was made to those who commuted to the conference, and this included all meals. Board members seemed comfortable “blowing the whole treasury” on this single event — so strong was board members’ belief that this conference was going to make a mega difference.  I have asked Ann to provide the number of registrants, but I think that the number is around 200 not including 40 students from Hope College.  In the course of the conference, a great many new friends were made among those who gathered.  Conference attendees came from all over the country.  Five flew in from California, and I believe four flew in from Washington State.

 

Trust

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end … But I believe the desire to please you does in fact please you. I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
- Thomas Merton,

from Thoughts in Solitude

via Sojourners

Interrelatedness

I am cognizant of the interrelatedness of all communities and states … Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.

- Martin Luther King Jr.,

from his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”

from Sojourners Verse & Voice

Progress

Even though our faith may be 2,000 years old, our thinking is not. True progress is a balance between preserving the essence of a certain way of life and changing things that are not essential. Christianity was born a revolutionary faith, and we have preserved that … Paradoxically, we have succeeded in not changing the faith that is itself dedicated to change.

- His All Holiness Bartholomew I, Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Christian World

from Sojourners Verse & Voice

Calvin’s Geneva or Geneva’s Calvin?

Calvin is often caricatured.  This article gives right into that caricature for the most part but ends with a beautiful story of Calvin and the grace filled theology he espoused:

Calling Calvin “a person of contrasts,” she related how the museum, which opened in 2005, was able to acquire at a Christie’s auction two years ago a letter Calvin wrote in 1545. In it, Calvin relates the conversation he had with a man who committed suicide, in the moments before he died. “We would expect a Calvin condemning, judging, admonishing,” she said. “Instead, his message to the man was, ‘Do not worry: the grace of God will forgive you.’

GENEVA JOURNAL
A City of Mixed Emotions Observes Calvin’s 500th
By JOHN TAGLIABUE
Published: November 5, 2009
In the Swiss city that is associated
with the religious reformer John Calvin,
some are seeking to update
— even soften — his image on
the anniversary of his birth.

Imagination

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

-Einstein

Sudan Advocacy Action Forum

From the Sudan Advocacy Action Forum RCA e-letter:

 

 

Dear Friends of Sudan,

 

There is a lot to read, but I believe you will find it not only

educational, but also very hopeful. The hope comes from the recognition by people of having a voice. The peace will come when they voices have become strong enough to be heard. Below is a note from our friend, Bill Andress at PCUSA. I do especially appreciate the Women’s Agenda!  May God bless these women and the lives they will touch and the governments they will change!

 

In prayer for peace and change for the oppressed of Sudan,

Sharon

 

 

Dear Sudanese Friends,

 

This is a request for your action whether you are located in Sudan or elsewhere. It urges you to work for 30 days to get voters registered. This recommendation does not endorse any candidate. Those choices are for Sudanese to make and there is time to do that later.

 

A recent report issued by the National Democratic Institute for

International Affairs provides significant insight into the readiness of citizens of Southern Sudan and the Three Areas for Elections. Some of the significant findings are:

 

1. The election is looked to with anticipation, concerns for fraud, and high expectations which could be a source of significant frustration if delayed.

2. The understanding of procedures, issues, registration, who can vote, etc is poor.

3. Insecurity, distant polling locations, and identification

requirements are recognized as problems by the population, but security issues and fraud are the greatest concerns.

 

Right now the numbers being registered are small. This is a significant problem because activists can control an election by encouraging people of one opinion to register while others do not. You can minimize the potential for registration and election fraud by helping to increase the numbers of people registered.

 

Attached are several documents:

 

1. Sudan Imagining the Election, complete report 2. Sudan Imagining

the Election, extract which focuses on registration. (Follows this posting)

3. South Sudanese Women’s Agenda (this will be of interest to

women)

 

I urge you to study the attached material and then undertake an

education campaign which will vary depending on your location.

For examples:

 

1. Those who are part of Churches in Southern Sudan can work to educate all of those in their parishes.

2. Those who are in diaspora can communicate with their friends and family, educate them, and encourage them to spread the information.

 

Among specific actions:

 

1. Assure that people know that if they do not register, they will not be allowed to vote.

2. Explain who can register, how to register, when must register

(before end of November), and wheter to register. The voter

registration fact sheets are great resources.

3. If you are local, print out the Ballot Bulletin that is most

appropriate and post it where it can be read. To reach those who do not read English (most), either translation and printing or verbal encouragement in the local language will be needed.

 

The future of Southern Sudan, indeed all of Sudan, may rest upon your success.

 

In His Service,

 

xxxxxxxx

Sudan Advocacy Action Forum

 

 

 

 

 

IMAGINING THE ELECTION

 

A Look at What Citizens Know and Expect of Sudan’s 2010 Vote

 

by National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

 

September 30, 2009

 

 

 

This is an extract.

 

 

 

Building Knowledge of and Support for the Election Process

 

 

The upcoming election will be the first multi-party, democratic experience for many. Southern Sudanese and participants in the Three Areas are eager to participate in the election, but they know little about the mechanics of voting, assume there will be widespread cheating and harbor many misperceptions about who should or can be involved in the election. Civic and voter education efforts will need to be multi-faceted to increase not only knowledge of voting, but also faith in the election process.

 

 

 

Because it is a voice of authority respected by the Southern population, the GoSS must play a lead role on voter education, particularly as it relates to issues of multi-party competition and international and domestic observers. Some participants in this study assume they already know the outcome of the election or that they will be able to predict it during campaigning based on their own assessments of candidate support. As a result, there will be a portion of the population that will find it difficult to accept that their candidate has lost. These beliefs set the stage for a dissatisfied, and possibly violent, response if the announced results do not meet expectations.

 

 

 

Recommendations:

 

• Communicate the purpose of the election to eliminate any confusion between it and the referendum.

 

• Explain the various offices to be voted on and emphasize the importance of each to prevent a major drop-off in voting for lower-level offices.

 

• Engage in a large scale effort to provide details about the voting process, including voter registration, and address misperceptions about party- or candidate-labeled ballot boxes.

 

• Address concerns about the secret ballot, including fears that it will increase rigging, and reassure the illiterate population of their ability to cast a ballot.

 

• Inform the public about voting and counting safeguards and the role of monitors and observers to build confidence in the process and the results.

 

• Promote the benefits of multi-party competition and the rights of all parties to campaign, including through GoSS pronouncements sanctioning the activity.

 

• Educate the population on the role and benefit of international and domestic observers, including through GoSS pronouncements sanctioning the activity.

 

• Instruct the population about appropriate behavior for party/candidate supporters in the election and the dangers of election-related conflict.

 

• Inform the population of the importance of respecting freedom of speech and the rights of citizens to support any candidate/party of their choosing to reduce the likelihood of local level violence.

 

• Clarify the role of traditional authorities in the election.

 

• Involve traditional authorities in voter education to leverage their close connection with communities.

 

• Explain that winners and losers are a natural part of the democratic process and emphasize that elected officials represent all the people, regardless of tribe.

 

• Promote the idea of accepting results in a fair election.

 

Share information that will help citizens develop more realistic

For God So Loved the World!

So, the Making Room For All Conference was great!  In particular the closing worship service.

The worship leader, a local RCA pastor from Brooklyn, a straight man shared, “For God so loved the world.  People ask me why I advocate for full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the church. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  I was taught this when I was young.  And I actually believed it!”

Making Room For All is not a political or social agenda.  Or a gay agenda.  It is a Christian agenda.  It is the Gospel agenda.