Bernie Sanders Video

Take a look at this clip of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, commenting on the extension of Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy.

Advent Meditations for the AAIC on WAKR

WAKR

Good Morning
1-This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman member of the Akron Area Inter Faith Council and Bath Church UCC.

Years ago in elementary school we were seated alphabetically. My name begins with “A” so I always ended up in the front seat nearest to the teacher.
This meant I got to show off when she asked a question. My hand would shoot up so everyone could see how smart I was.
Later in life I became a minister-pastor. I was the religious answer man. Ask me any question and even if I didn’t know the answer immediately-I whipped open my Bible and found a proof text.
Now much later in life, much later, I have learned to “Live with the questions”
For example, Rabbi Kushner asks, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” That’s not an easy one. Weren’t we taught that if we do the right thing and obey the 10 commandments etc. God would bless us with success-prosperity- The book of Job deals with this dilemma
What we do know is that God loves us and especially if we are down-when things go bad. That’s what the story ofJob teaches us.

2-Good Morning this is Rev. Chuck Ausherman a member of the AAIC and Bath Church.

An American style evangelist raised a bunch of money to go to India and convert the Hindus there.
The Christian church has existed for 1000’s of years in India in relative peace. They witnessed by building a network of hospitals, schools and social services. Well this American Style evangelist went in with 2 guns blazing. For starters he preached that all Hindus are going to burn forever in a fiery Hell. This confrontational in your face approach deeply offended the Hindus in the state of Bihar and resulted in many churches being burned and Christian driven out of their homes.Question:What is the better way to assist the church in India to demonstrate God’s love? .

Lord, help us to trust you. Help us to spread your love in the humility shown by Jesus. Amen

3-Good Morning This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman a member of the AAIC and Bath Church UCC.

It is so unfortunate that many Americans have a negative view of the religion of Islam. As a Christian I have served in many Islamic countries and have never been treated badly by my Islamic co-workers. In fact it was most often easier to discuss matters of faith and religion with my Islamic friends than with folks back in America.
In Tajikistan I received a blessing from a 100 year old patriarch. He greeted us and raised his hands for the blessing.
In seminary we were taught various blessings or benedictions which usually were 3 or 4 lines.
Our Muslim patriarch went on and on for over 20 minutes with his benediction. I wondered how he could keep his arms up in the air for such a long time. Much more did I stand in awe as to how he could say so many words of love and kindness in one prayer.

Dear Lord, help us to understand that there are so many of your followers who are messengers of peace though they live in other places and cultures.

4-Good Morning. This is Chuck Ausherman a member of the AAIC and Bath Church UCC

Did you know that the word Religion derives from the Latin Religio which means to “re-connect, to re-link”
The stories, ceremonies rituals and traditions are meant to help us re-connect, return to our faith re-connect to God.

The point of the stories surrounding Christmas are to remind Christians of how God became real, becomes real in our world.

These ancient stories are true in the sense that they remind us of God’s love for his people-us. We need to be reminded daily of that fact.

The details are not the point. Getting all concerned about whether it was this way or that-the point of the story is what matters. Don’t sweat the details. Accept the fact that God loves you and has demonstrated that reality.

Lord, help us to re-late, re-connect to you as we hear again the stories demonstrating your love for us.

5--Good Morning. This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC and Bath Church

In this Holiday season I am here to tell you that it is OK to have questions. It is normal to wonder just how the wise men found the baby Jesus. Did angels actually appear to the shepherds to tell them to get to the stable?

It is easy to get lost in the details of finding –proving so-called right answers. At this time of the year lets get beyond the questions and affirm the truth that our creator God-source of love, loves us unconditionally-wherever, whoever you are---in spite of our questions.

Lord help us not to be lost in the details of these ancient stories but to be reminded of your love for us as we hear again the message of how you demonstrated your loving presence.

6-Good Morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman member of the AAIC and Bath Church, ucc.

As Americans we often feel that we know best how to do things. As an example our Nativity scenes often depict a White, blue eyed Jesus. We know better how to bring the knowledge about Jesus to others. How they should worship and believe.
As we begin this new day, rejoice in the fact that God is worshipped and loved by His –Her Children everywhere-throughout the whole world-not just by people who look like us.

Lord, Help us to celebrate that your children everywhere, in every culture and nation, people of all races and traditions—they all acknowledge you as God. You are the God of all. They are all special to you even if they don’t look like us.

7-Good Morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC-Bath Church UCC.
I wish you a great new day. Don’t let it be spoiled by doubts. It is OK and human to have doubts.
A great theologian named Abelard once wrote, “By doubting we come to inquiry and by inquiry we come to truth.” Socrates has said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”
Many have left religion because they are thinking people. They cannot surrender their brains when it comes to religion.
God created us with the capacity to think. We have nothing to fear from the Truth. God is truth and God is also love.


Dear Lord, Thank you for our brains so that we can love you not only with our hearts, and souls but also with our minds.

8-Good Morning. This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman member of the AAIC and Bath Church UCC.

This Holy Season of Advent- getting ready for Christmas and Hanukah is mainly about relationships. Remembering our relationship with God.
The stories that demonstrate our relationship with God abound in the Hebrew Scriptures. God’s deliverance of the people of Israel from their bondage.
Today, God can deliver each of us from our bondage which comes in many forms. Addictions, our bondage of fear, whatever is holding us back from being free to be all that we can and should be.

This Season points us to the Promised Land where we can get back in relationship with our Creator-our loving God.

Loving God, Free each of us from our bondages as in this season we are reminded of your caring love for us.

9-Good Morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC Bath Church UCC

The angels said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid.”
The most frequent expression in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures is “Do not be afraid”.
The second most mentioned is, “Concern for the most vulnerable, the needy.”
At this time of the year, giving, sharing is at its height.
The question is, if we are followers of the scriptures and followers of Jesus why only at this time of the year?
Our culture worships affluence, appearances of success and achievement.
We fear failure so we hoard all we can get and keep it for ourselves.
Celebrate this holy season by sharing-caring for those in need. And carry that Christmas spirit with you all year.

10-Good morning, This is Rev. Chuck Ausherman AAIC Bath Church UCC

The beautiful and meaningful stories of Christmas and Hanukah call us to a personal commitment to lead a righteous, some would say, a pious spiritual life.
May these stories call us to worship and inspire us. But may they also call us to demonstrate the words of the prophet Micah when he said, What does the Lord require of you but to love Justice show mercy and walk humbly with your God.” Or as Jesus told us to follow his active ministry serving others.

Come let us worship and bow down and let us also be actively engaged in pursuing justice, showing love and mercy.

Lord, May the stories of Christmas and Hanukah bring us closer to you and a clearer understanding of your will for how we live our lives. May it not only be spiritual but active.

Iraq and the Abrahamic Religions of the Book

What is now called Iraq was the site and source of the Abrahamic tradition which is claimed by the world’s three major religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Until very recent times adherents of these three faiths conducted their religious observances and worshiped peacefully in Iraq.

For example one of the oldest Christian churches began in Iraq and remains there to this day. It dates back to the time of Christ and is called the Chaldean church. That religious denomination still uses Aramaic which is the language that Jesus spoke. The Chaldean church in the early 20th century became affiliated with Rome but maintains its own identity. Other Christian denominations have benefitted Iraq in building and maintaining educational and health institutions which serve the entire population. Traditionally, the foremost university in Iraq was founded by the Jesuits. Its graduates have provided leadership in all sectors of Iraqi society.

Terrorists, under the guise of Islam are now seeking to drive out all Christians from Iraq. A most recent example, extremists using force, including murder, disrupted worship on October 31st in a Chaldean cathedral in Baghdad. Several worshipers were killed including two of the priests conducting the service.
Whatever the excuse used by the terrorists for this outrage it must be condemned by representatives of all faiths.
It must be noted that many Mosques and Islamic worshippers have suffered similar destruction and murder during worship by terrorists mis-using Islam.
All violence must be condemned especially when it is used to drive people from their homeland.
The AAIC (Akron Area Inter Faith Council) condemns this pseudo religio-ethnic purification in Iraq. We call upon people of faith to condemn the perpetrators of this violence.These terrorists must be seen and labeled as violators of the religion of Islam.
We must not allow the image of the religion of Peace to be soiled by political fanatics of death.

Manger Jesus versus Love in Action Jesus

Manger Jesus versus Love in Action Jesus

Rev. Dr Yvette Flunder is a popular UCC preacher who comes from a strong Evangelical tradition. She observes that there are two kinds of churches. One emphasizes personal salvation and the other kind emphasizes a strong ministry of social justice issues,i.e. reaching out to those most in need. She wishes that the two sides could be “homogenized” into one congregation.

The Bath church Mission Board is impressed with the fact that our congregation does represent a combination of both a deep personal, spiritual religious experience and also the need to relate to those in need i.e. justice for those marginalized economically, socially and by circumstances beyond their control.

The baby Jesus lying in a manger attracts us to a warm and dramatic personal relationship with the Lord. God Incarnate demonstrating God’s infinite love for each of us. But the Gospel Jesus went on to live and preach challenges us to relate to others most in need.

As the Mission Board reviews the many, many activities of “reaching out” by members of this church we celebrate the fact that our congregation represents the ideal combination. A “homogenization” of a strong evangelical personal closeness to Jesus with an active outreach to those less fortunate.

The evidence is there in our manifold mission projects made possible by so many in our congregation who are motivated by their personal commitment to Jesus. Those who are signing up to work amongst the devastation in Haiti in January are the most recent examples of Bath Christians living out their deep personal commitment to God by serving those most in need.

Praise God! and God Bless and keep you safe on this “mission” We will pray for you and support you.

The Bath Mission Board.

New UCC Video

Check it out:

http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/ads/

Trust, but verify

Ronald Reagan liked the one liner "trust, but verify". Recently I had occasion to hear/see political ads where I didn't know any of the issues or candidates. The very few pro ads had nice clear pictures but really didn't say much. The negative attack ads (many) were generally out of focus and tended to take things out of context. All the ads had a listing of several fine print lines of who sponsored the ad. After seeing the same ad several times I could figure out who ran the ad. These organizations tended to have fancy names but other than the context you still didn't know anything about the organization or their backers.

When I got home I decided to see what I could find out about the ads and their sponsors. The question is how to verify truth? I feel that the following 5 sites gave the best impartial information.
www.lwv.org
www.FactCheck..org
www.Snopes.com
www.FEC.gov
www.opensecrets.org

Because of the recent court judgement and the tax code 501(c)(4) there is an area that no verification is required for funding. So far as I have been able to follow these groups are extremely negative.

I feel that as long as we accept as normal and vote based on the extremely negative attack ads there will never be any respect for elected officials. And ultimately these ads influence the perception of democracy around the world.

I decided that I would use the commandment "Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor" as one of my decision points in deciding the pros and cons of the candidates ads.

Global Mission Church

This is posted to receive your editing and reaction. THANK YOU!
Date: October 4, 2010
To: The Bath Church Executive Council
From: The Bath Church Mission Board Chair

Re:A brief background on the proposed Disciples and UCC "Be a Global Mission Church" Covenant.

Allow me to introduce myself. I was ordained a minister of the Gospel 53 years ago in the oldest Protestant denomination with a continuous ministry in the United States of America. I have served as a missionary of that denomination for several decades in dozens of developing countries.

Having moved to Ohio for family reasons I purposely sought out a United Church of Christ church because I feel the UCC is most faithful to the Gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ locally and globally.

The Bath Church Mission Board has for some time sought to promote Mission Education as a major part of our mandate and responsibility. The “Be a Global Mission Church” is a natural foundation outline for our mission education effort as a UCC congregation.

As chair of the Bath Church Mission Board I purposely introduced and promoted the UCC “Be a Global Mission Church” because based on my career experience it best describes what world mission “is” and should and could be in the 21st century.

The 3 year plan of action is presented tonight as a response by the Mission Board to what we perceive was a request by the Executive Council to itemize and specify the 7 points in the Covenant statement.

The Mission board requests your review and seeks your approval.

Correction: Last month it was stated that the UCC has “only” 40 missionaries. Between the Disciples and UCC we have 150 persons (missionaries)serving in about 50 countries, plus 10 global mission interns, 10 or more long term volunteers, 20 short term, 60 overseas associates appointed and paid for by international partners. Etc. etc. Pages 10-11.

Civil Discourse

Today I read an article from the Associated Press about a letter sent by 130 former members of the House and Senate to those running for Congress, and asking them to "tone down the partisan rhetoric". Their letter is available online here. Their group is called "Former Members of Congress for Common Ground".

Here's a representative quote: "The divisive and mean-spirited way debate often occurs inside Congress is encouraged and repeated outside: on cable news shows, in blogs and in rallies. Members who far exceed the bounds of normal and respectful discourse are not viewed with shame but are lionized, treated as celebrities, rewarded with cable television appearances, and enlisted as magnets for campaign fundraisers."

Maybe some of these guys are members of the United Church of Christ, which has published a marvelous resource, "Being a Civil Voice in Uncivil Times" in the Our Faith Our Vote program for this midterm election year. Perhaps there is finally some momentum building for a return to respect, seeking mutual understanding, and government that seeks to serve the interests of its citizens more than the short term political gains that seem to dominate Washington today

NY Times Editorial

Check out this interesting editorial about the prognosis for letting the tax cuts for the wealthy expire. It's especially jarring after watching Capitalism: A Love Story last night.

Lets suppose

Let’s Suppose…

Let’s suppose that a new family moves into town from wherever. This family, Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Judy New-bees and their two little children start looking for a church based on their religious preference and previous experience.

Let’s suppose that in this case, the New-bees, are Lutheran.

So they look up the local church directory and identify a nearby Lutheran church and start attending the local, St. Martin Lutheran Church located over on Main Street.
All the familiar Lutheran characteristics are visible there and they begin to feel at home.

But let’s suppose that they attend Sunday school and other activities where they get to know individual members who have been regular members for a long time at St. Martins. These long time members begin to tell the New-bees how upset they are that St. Martins is a Lutheran church.

These comments confuse the New-bees. They know that no church is perfect but they thought it would be nice to be members of a Lutheran church. They are Lutheran.
They wonder why Lutheran church members would go to a Lutheran church if they did not like Lutheran-ism? The New-bees sought out a LUTHERAN church so that they could continue to be Lutheran. They thought that a Lutheran church would be, well, Lutheran. Like, hymnals, Lutheran, Sunday school curriculum, Lutheran, liturgy, Lutheran. What’s wrong with a Lutheran church being Lutheran?

The New-bees were aware that there are many denominational and non-denominational
churches around town. If a family wants to be a Baptist they should go to the Baptist church. Episcopal, Hey there’s St. Hi-Lo’s on the next corner. I bet their members don’t condemn Episcopalian-ism over there. And there is no way that the Pentecostals at Holy Roller church on Back Street are whining over how their church is Pentecostal. Imagine how unlikely it would be for members of St. Loyal’s Roman Catholic church on the town square to complain about how their church is Roman Catholic. Why wouldn’t a Roman Catholic church BE, Roman Catholic?

The New-bees are completely confused. They would like to continue to be Lutheran, be members of a LUTHERAN church. After all it does say Lutheran on the corner stone at St. Martins. One night after the kids are tucked into bed and the evening (Lutheran) prayers are said, Joe New-bees asks his wife, “Judy, if people belong to a Lutheran church why should they bash Lutheran-ism?”

“I don’t know, honey.” Replied Mrs. New-bees, “It sure seems strange to me.” “It sort of like someone putting down their own family, like wishing they could be Chinese instead of American. I just want to be a Lutheran. Is there anything wrong with that?”

The next day the New-bees start looking over the local church directory continuing their search looking for a LUTHERAN Lutheran church.

Burning Qur'an

Here's the UCC statement on the same subject:

Burning Qur'an is anti-Muslim and anti-Christian, UCC leaders insist

Akron Area Interfaith Council

Subject: Interfaith Statement of Support for Muslim Community

The Akron Area Interfaith Council, representing the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Unitarian Universalist, Baha'i, Protestant and Catholic communities, has passed a resolution for solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. We affirm that Islam is a religion of peace.

Considering all of the negative press recently in the media, we want to assure our Muslim neighbors that we respect them and will work to guarantee that they have the same rights to which we are all privileged as Americans. Although all religions have radicals, we acknowledge the good people who embrace the tenets of their faith without harassing or harming others. Attacking others because we do not agree with their religious life diminishes our opportunity to live in friendship and harmony.

When we learn to respect and honor people of all faiths, it will ultimately unite us as a country.

Micah Movie for September

September's film is not even-handed or balanced, but it's funny and thought provoking! Join us on Sunday, September 19, at 6:30 pm in the Hospitality Room for Capitalism: A Love Story, followed by what promises to be a lively discussion of economics and Christian values.

News Flash From Pakistan

Helloe Helloe,
I am here in Pakistan to help you in your deep distress. My name is the Rev. Dr Chuck Ausherman from Church World Service the oldest and largest Christian and Orthodox emergency relief organization to assist you in this mess you seem to be in. I am also now the chair of the Bath Church Missions Board.
Before I dispense this enormous supply of aid from your brothers and sisters in America I must find out where you stand on a number of vital issues.

As you suffer in these terrible flood waters that washed away your home and all of your belongings, what are your positions on Gay marriage? Do you approve of abortion on demand? Do you support the Tea Party agenda? Or are you a flaming liberal? I must get your reply before we get around to this food which you seem to be preoccupied with. Really now, please stop sloshing around. You are getting me wet too! I must know if you are in favor of the American Stimulus to the economy? Where are you on gun control?

My goodness you are really wet. Before you slip again into these raging waters, I must know where you stand on these vital matters before I help you. I am so very sorry you lost your beautiful children in this disaster which seems to be the worst in history. You realize that I have just come from Haiti where people are still mostly living in tents and I had to ask these same questions before giving aid.
We don’t give help to every Tomas, Ricardo and Haryono, you know.

I am here to make sure you agree with my political position on a number of issues before giving you help. Oops, please hang on. The waters seem to be deepening. The folks who supply this aid must know where you stand on these things. We don’t just give help to anyone you know without knowing what their positions are. Be careful. My church has statements on all these things and a wrong answer could cost you your LIFE! Hang on to this life raft and I may be able to assist you. Are you a Republican or a Democrat? Would you be willing to join my church?

P.S.News got back to UCC Cleveland about this interview and Chuck was fired and sent home immediately. His claim to dry clean his favorite clerical clothes was denied. Legal charges are pending.

This untrue story is intended to clarify the context of disaster assistance.

Micah 6:8 resumes meetings in September

Summer break is over! Micah 6:8, the social justice group at BCUCC, resumes its regular planning and discussion meetings on the first Tuesdays of every month beginning Tuesday, September 7, at 7:00 pm, in room 202. Watch for notice of the monthly movie schedule too – on the third Sundays of the month at 6:30, in the Hospitality Room. Everyone is welcome!

Eureka

Eureka, I found it! The answer to our problem with the UCC.

Can you imagine sitting in a Protestant church pew at Sunday worship and hearing your pastor say, “Now to be a member in good standing in this church you must place yourself on this side of the following issues!” He/she then goes on to describe how you must think and act on Abortion, Immigration, Capitol punishment, Gay marriage, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, contraception, the status of women. Etc, etc.

That is not quite how it is done in Protestant churches. Any and ALL arguments on these and a host of controversial issues are topics for discussion and debate but there are no authorities mandating particular stands one must take. No one will take away your membership, deny access to the sacraments or make demands of any sort, except invite you to reason together-discuss-share your views-your life experience in these matters.

Alas, there are those who are commissioned to research and write reports which may or may not end up as resolutions or proclamations which are sometimes voted on in various judicatories like Synods or annual meetings. But there is no mechanism to force agreement on these things.

Welcome to the post Reformation. Thank you very much, Martin Luther.

Welcome to the conversation. Please don’t pout in a corner fuming over the audacity of someone in the church of all places, bringing up how faith may affect these matters. Faith does matter. Your input counts.
Early church history reveals that there were always huge differences on vital matters of their day. The Apostle Paul made a career out of tamping down the ferocity of various Christian groups demanding acceptance of their positions on matters we hardly take note of today.

Extreme examples of fervor resulting in violence and even beheading of opponents are part of our Christian heritage. I have the exact dates when prelates who disagreed with the wording of an important creed lost their heads, Literally! It continued through the ages. Disagreeing with the beloved theologian, John Calvin caused Servatius his life. A common sport was attending the roasting of a dissident at a firery stake.Hopefully, we will not go back to those ways of dealing with those with whom we disagree.

But secular political polarization is fanned to a white hot pitch by those who are handsomely paid to stir us up.Words matter and even today wind up causing violence including murder. How to insulate the church from these appeals to our baser instincts has one important remedy. It is called CIVIL Discourse.

Jesus never shied away from controversy. He often caused it by breaking the Sabbath, affirming outcasts, including women for goodness sake.

He usually was very civil in presenting his arguments. Well, OK, except for turning over a few tables at the Temple and calling religious leaders “hypocrites” once in a while. But that was then. Oops, I think I just lost some of my argument for civil discourse. But Jesus had credentials that we don’t have,OK?

It is About Time

It is time…..

It is time to re-examine our understanding of the UCC as a denomination. It is time to seek how we can utilize the resources and benefits available to us a UCC church in mission.

It is time to dispense with negative images of our home denomination which are based on our disagreements with some individual issues announced by various UCC personnel in the area of social concerns. Those issues which are controversial should be opportunities for dialogue and discussion seeking understanding and mutual respect.

It is time to learn that the history of the Christian church is filled with conflict over serious and fundamental matters from the earliest times. See the letters of Paul which are a constant narrative of how he pleads for respect and harmony of the spirit in spite of vast differences of belief.

It is time to affirm that Christianity is not dull, monolithic or exclusivist.

It is time to affirm our diversity and even enjoy, yea, celebrate it!

It is time to learn from each other, understand each other without expecting to be in lockstep with each other on all matters.

(See the Bath Church web site under resources drop down Micah 6:8 blog re. The UCC and politics….an exchange of e-mail letters June 3, 2010)

Global Mission Church Status

The UCC and Disciples of Christ have a new program in which congregations are encouraged to seek status as a Global Mission Church. Here's an explanation, and here's the booklet explaining how it works.

Relationships

Bath Church Mission and Social Concerns Board Report-

Relationships.

Missions can be a boring subject to some people. Who wants to hear about other people’s problems? Who wants to hear about stuff outside our neighborhood, city, state or, good grief, other countries?

“Missions”can even be worse than boring to others because it sounds to some like “there they go asking for money again.”
Surprise, Surprise. Global Missions is anything but boring and surprise again, it is not about money!

Christian Global Missions is about RELATIONSHIPS! (Not Charity)

So let’s get over the idea that our faith is only about ME. And it is not about my money. It is about relationships, i.e. to God, and to God’s creation which includes brothers and sisters made in God’s image, a-hem, oh yes, wherever they live.

The church is a global body where we are related through Christ to millions all over our planet. Bath Church RELATES to this global church through our mission board which serves each of our members as we keep closely in touch with what’s going on.

Once we get our relationships straightened-out, our interest and concern grows. Once we realize and experience God’s love for us and all humankind then and only then do we see what the Gospel is all about. It is not all about ME and MY money. It is about following Jesus, loving God and what God has created, (including the people)-everywhere.

In future reports we will bring you updated news and details about our partners with whom we are related here in our city, Akron, our state, Ohio, our country, the USA and, yes, globally.

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Living the Questions Announcement

Most professionals are required to continuously update their education or become obsolete, out of date, out of touch with the dynamic changes in their field.Continuing education is also a must for Christians.

I began my faith journey as a rigid fundamentalist which served me well growing up in the South side of post Al Capone Chicago. Years later, after 25 years of academic preparation for ministry I still had much to learn.

Then, in 1999 in the 1st Congregational Church UCC in Ellsworth Maine I was asked to moderate a new series, “Living the Questions” (LtQ). What a wake-up call that was! Top religious scholars and Biblical research combined to produce a review of the latest discoveries relating to faith issues.

This “recovering fundamentalist” is grateful for my continuing education offered by LtQ. I now have more questions than answers but I am thankful for the questions.

LtQ-2 is the next edition of this exciting update and it will be offered at Bath church this Fall!

Further information will be offered in our church’s subsequent publications.(The Link, Splash, Sunday Bulletins). Read on and plan to enroll in this mind blowing course as part of your continuing education. (CEU credits will be offered ?)

Chuck Ausherman

UCC and Politics - Discussion from E-mail

The following exchange was forwarded to me by Betsy. I'm reproducing it here because of the interest and comments it has been generating in the e-mail list.

Dear Administrators of the UCC church programs,

I am writing as a member of the United Church of Christ. I am also the secretary at my local UCC church, although this letter is not representing my church. As a UCC church secretary, I believe I see advertising and information that I might not see if I were not in this position. Often the mailings I get from the UCC are upsetting to me.

I understand that the UCC places a major emphasis on being non-judgmental and on accepting everyone. I agree that is our instruction from the Bible. I support the UCC in sharing information about the needs and injustices of a variety of people.

I do not support the UCC's practice of taking a political stance on certain issues. I do not support the UCC's practice of requesting members to sign petitions or donate funds for specific political issues.
As a Christian, I believe that we are each to show Jesus through the living of our lives. However, I believe that it is NOT the place of any organized church to take a political stance. To do so can easily become rigid and divisive.

My local church is struggling with identity, loss of membership, and other issues - as are many churches today. I feel that in promoting these sometimes divisive and political issues (such as supporting illegal immigrants, supporting the President's health care plan, supporting and teaching about volatile options in death and dying, etc.) the UCC is creating negative influence on local church members.

I am not suggesting that the UCC stop caring for people. I am suggesting that the UCC share information on all sides of sensitive issues and offer support for everyone involved - not only those who fall in a category that the UCC considers needy. Obviously, there are people who feel strongly about both sides of every issue, or it would not be an issue. Please teach us about all sides, and encourage UCC members to seek God's guidance and take the action as they are led.

Please stop urging us to support the political issues that promote one side or another. Please stay out of politics and put more focus on teaching us about God's work in our own lives. As we grow in Christ we will be led to care for all the people of God. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide us, and please focus on teaching us how to learn about God, listen to God, and follow God's well.

Thank you for listening to my concerns. I would appreciate any comments and/or suggestions you might have for me.
[signature deleted]

Subject: RE: political issues

Below is my response to [name] email:

Dear [Name]--

Thank you for your thoughtful e-mail and for expressing your concerns about how the United Church of Christ responds to difficult political issues. I appreciate you taking the time to write us and the sincerity of spirit by which you expressed your concerns to me and many of my colleagues, and on behalf of them, I would like to try to respond.

I am reminded of a quote by Archbishop Desmund Tutu of South Africa, who said during the struggle against racial Apartheid in his country, “If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” I have always thought that to be a wise quote, because it describes well the situation that the UCC – and all faith groups – struggle with. We are pulled between the temptation of trying to stay “neutral” in order to be nice and appease the greatest number of people …. and the urgency to offer a response by speaking and acting on behalf of those who are hurting, which sometimes means taking sides.

Because of this tension, it sometimes appears that the church is wading into “political” issues, but I think it’s more accurate to describe these as moral concerns or justice issues … with political dimensions.

Allow me to use this example: It’s quite possible to genuinely express love to a person with cancer by praying for them, visiting them and offering kind words. That’s legitimate and important concern. But it’s also possible to genuinely express love for a person with cancer by raising money for a hospital’s new cancer ward or lobbying Congress for more funding for cancer research or urging drug companies to make cancer drugs more widely available and affordable. All of these ways, and many more, are ways of expressing love, too.

What then if the issue is not cancer, but is HIV/AIDS? What if the concern is loving someone in an overcrowded prison, or loving someone who works in a coal mine, or loving a person who works in the fishing industry in the Gulf Coast? How is it possible to “love the whole world” as God has called us to do? In short, that kind of “big love” is messy, and not as neat as we’d like it be. It sometimes leads us to offend, even when that’s not our intention.

The UCC General Synod, through democratically elected delegates, meets every other year and votes on resolutions that collectively set the policy basis by which the UCC’s national office responds to God’s “big love” concerns at home and around the world. These are often times “messy” issues that involve lots of difficult explanations and complicated histories. Our first temptation might be to ignore them, in order not to upset the majority, but who are we hurting by turning away or remaining silent or neutral? Many of those whom Jesus ministered to and with would not have won popularity contests, and sometimes we are placed in the same position when we seek to follow him today.

I have attended many General Synods, and I’ll admit that some of these issues seemed frivolous and divisive to me at first, until I had the opportunity to hear others’ stories and walk in their shoes.

One memorable, powerful experience for me personally was hearing the stories of people from the Marshall Islands that were being afflicted with horrific rates of cancer due to major radiation exposure from nuclear test bombing by the U.S. military leading up to WWII. Unless I had heard these stories personally, I might have assumed this was a “political” issue, but after hearing their stories, I began to see this differently – as a story of real people needing the love and support of the church, which is what they were asking for.

One important point I want to underscore is that UCC General Synod policies do not originate from Cleveland (to those you addressed your email), although sometimes it may seem that way. Instead these positions come from the concerns of our diverse members and churches across the church. For example, in 2005, when the UCC General Synod passed a resolution affirming same-gender marriage equality, that resolution came from two Conferences of the UCC — Central Atlantic and Southern California-Nevada. The staff in Cleveland had nothing to do with that resolution. (And … if you’d asked those who work here in Cleveland, I am sure some might have preferred to avoid such controversy! But that wasn’t our decision to make.)

To be sure, our personal experiences and individual faith journeys lead us to examine and live out the Christian faith in different ways. And these experiences lead each of us to examine what’s political and what’s pastoral through a much different lens.

Please be assured, however, that when we’re discussing how to present the church’s position or response, we always wrestle with how to be both pastoral and prophetic (loving and action-oriented). Sometimes these two aspects of faith work in tandem, at other times they feel as they are competing — and often times the situation depends on who is doing the listening: the elephant or the mouse!

Several years ago, I compiled a piece on our website called, “What does faith have to do with justice? Isn't religion really about my personal relationship with God?” http://i.ucc.org/LiveYourDreams/BibleandJustice/tabid/97/Default.aspx I think it addresses in more detail many of your concerns, and offers a biblical understanding and case for the UCC’s justice work.

Unfortunately, people of good faith and good intention often disagree. But, hopefully, we continue to be in relationship with one another as Christians because that’s the way Jesus would have it be!

Thanks again for the kind spirit with which you offered these concerns. I hope and pray that my response to you will be received in the same way. Thanks so much for your ministry.

Respectfully,

Ben Guess

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Rev. J. Bennett Guess

Director of Publishing, Identity and Communication

United Church of Christ

700 Prospect Ave.

Cleveland, OH 44115-1100

216-736-2173

www.ucc.org

Rev. Ausherman to Speak

Citizens for Global Solutions, Akron Area Chapter and United Nations Assn. /USA of Greater Akron will meet on Mon. May 17, 2010, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Gus’s Chalet (938 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron). The featured speaker will be our own Chuck Ausherman, on “The Parliament of the World's Religions”. Guests are welcome; dinner is ordered from the menu at 6:15.

Summer Vacation!

We're going to take the summer off! No planning/discussion meetings or movies for June, July, and August. We'll start up again with a regular meeting on September 7. Please continue posts and discussions on the blog for the summer.

One Peace at a Time

The Micah Movie for May 16 will be One Peace at a Time. It's a positive and hopeful documentary about children's rights, and features Turk Pipkin, Willie Nelson, nobel laureates, and a great soundtrack. Here's a good blog posting about the film.

The movie will be at 6:30 pm in the Hospitality Room - hope to see you there!

Walk to Stop Hunger

The Akron Area Interfaith Council is sponsoring a Walk to Stop Hunger on Sunday, May 2. Registration begins at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 2:00, and the walkers step off at 3:00. Donations of money and food will benefit the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank.

New UCC Video

Check it out, and pass it on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZAQ2-hpQoo

New START Treaty

Presidents Obama and Medvedev signed the new nuclear arms control treaty in Prague today. Come discuss it at the movie Tipping Point on April 18 at 6:30 pm!

Stillspeaking Video Spot - April 16

Rather than try to buy TV time, the new UCC video message will be spread through internet social networking sites and email. It's being released on April 16 at 9:00 am, and the Stillspeaking Ministry team is hoping that recipients of the first email will post links to the video on their social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc), blogs, and email recipients. The plan is laid out at the website. The video spot is supposed to be good - look for it on the big day!

New Book Study

Those who heard Doug Hicks present his newest book, “Money Enough” at our church on March 21st are aware of the challenges he presents especially to people of faith.

His low key, self-effacing style disarmed us while he reviewed the inequities and inconsistencies of our culture which are alarming.

Hicks’ claims deserve a closer reading which would scrutinize his assumptions. Accepting his theses “carte blanche” is not advisable, since in fact he is calling for a revolutionary change in the way we live as individuals and as a society.

De-bunk, salute, or just call him “ridiculous” as he himself teased us to do, we cant ignore him.

So I ask those who are not faint-hearted to join in a chapter by chapter book study beginning April 7th at an hour that you find convenient. Nine chapters, nine weeks of hot discussion of “Money Enough”. Doug has offered to hear us out as we look for flaws or celebrate our agreement with his arguments.

I admit, that reading a book like this together in whatever size group we can come up with will greatly enhance my understanding of these issues. The same will be true for you also.

The senior editor of Time Magazine claims that “Money Enough” is an ideal guide for our times. “Our times” includes the greatest financial mess in our lifetime. It’s that important!

Nuclear Tipping Point - April 18

Today's terrorist attack in Moscow, and last week's agreement on a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia underscore the importance of eliminating nuclear weapons worldwide. As I mentioned in January, I ordered a new DVD on the subject from the Nuclear Security Project, and it arrived today. With any luck, President Obama and President Medvedev will sign the new treaty on April 8, in Prague.

The DVD is called Nuclear Tipping Point. It has an introduction by Colin Powell, and features George Schulz, Henry Kissinger, Bill Perry, and Sam Nunn, who wrote the amazing editorial in 2008, "Toward a Nuclear-Free World", in the Wall Street Journal. Michael Douglas narrates, and there are appearances by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Please come to our showing of the film on Sunday, April 18, at 6:30 pm.

Style and Substance

Here's a post from Chuck:

A review of author Doug Hicks’ lectures about his recent books, “Money Enough” and “With God on All Sides”.

Doug Hicks’ presented three separate talks in two days on March 21 and 22. What impressed his audiences was not only the content of his chosen subjects but the way he “handled” those topics.

On Sunday, speaking at Bath Church, he addressed the hot issue of our personal and collective priorities when it comes to our resources, including money. Those who expected an “in your face” lecture on how wasteful and misdirected we are both publicly and personally, were surprised at how the truth can be told without rancor.

Those of us who had already read his “Money Enough” knew that Doug’s views on the economy, environment, and our spiritual well being ring true and are challenging. Listeners to the author talk about these lively subjects could hardly believe it could also be, of all things, entertaining.

Doug is no Ralph Nader in the pulpit. Sarcasm is not his style. I call it, “Indianapolis Culture.” Hicks is from that part of the country where people are taught to be civil even when dealing with emotion laden matters.

The ability to hit the mark without jabbing a finger in your face is a rare gift today. To audiences used to brash “coastal culture (New York City)” delivery from the lectern it is refreshing to see how effective a Midwestern, low key style can be.

How to be self effacing and actually funny while dealing with hard facts and harsh reality is a rare gift. This talent was again revealed with an entirely different audience at the University of Akron. Hicks spoke on the need for interaction and linkages between faith traditions and cultures to over 60 scholars students and individuals with strong religious and non-religious convictions. Once again, he won converts to his broad views of going beyond tolerance to understanding between diverse adherents. His delivery was winsome even to devout secularists in the room who probably would just as soon permanently dismiss all mention of religion.

And then in the evening of the same day, another unique assembly, this time with over 120 representatives of almost every faith group in NE Ohio gathered to hear Dr Hicks. His examples for overcoming the clashing of devout and diverse religious adherents were delivered with grace and wit.

The one staple challenge included in each of his talks was the request that if anyone had to leave in the midst of his speech, “Please do not depart quietly. Just yell out, This is RIDICULOUS, as you leave.”

I suspect that such a scene intentionally provided a well planned contrast to Hicks’ laid back, Indianapolis style.

Douglas Hicks is Professor of Leadership Studies and Religion at the University of Richmond Virginia an ordained Presbyterian minister and an author of several books on ethics and pluralism.

Form Follows Dysfunction

Thanks to Karen for bringing this article, by Jeremy Biles, to our attention. It's from the Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School. The article describes an art installation at the Chicago Cultural Center, of Christine Tarkowski’s work entitled “Last Things Will Be First and First Things Will Be Last.” It's a timely (given our recent visit from Douglas Hicks, and Michael Moore's DVD release of Capitalism: A Love Story) look at the financial idolatry of American life. "Do not cooperate" is the message the author of the article sees in the work.

Texts without Context

Here's an interesting article in the New York Times about the effect of digital media, social networking, and the like on our culture. It's relevant to our ongoing discussions on civil discourse and the lack of a center in American political life. There's a good survey of recent books on the subject; it makes a contribution to understanding how the internet's democratizing and empowering effects also lead to mediocrity, pandering to the lowest common denominator, poor intellectual rigor, and polarization. Those of us who've embraced the internet will find it disturbing!

John Perkins to Speak in Hudson

John Perkins, the famous civil rights activist, will be speaking at the Hudson Community Chapel on March 11 at 7:00 pm. Here's the announcement, and here's the Wikipedia article/bio.

The Coffee Party USA

Thanks to Carol for drawing our attention to The Coffee Party. It started as a Facebook page on January 28, and has 92,876 fans currently. There's a webpage with a blog, an interesting political position polling tool called the Sphere, and national media attention. They stand against the Tea Party movement, and in favor of a functional government marked by cooperation and effectiveness. They're insisting on civil discourse and engagement, and have designated March 13 for nationwide meetings. The whole thing was started by Annabel Park, a photographer and filmmaker who lives in DC.

Mrs Ghandi

Saving Mr. and Mrs. Ghandi,

In my various assignments in developing countries I would sometimes find myself in a large city when a huge rock star type event would blow into town. Tents, lighting and special effects paraphernalia, huge speaker towers and stages would suddenly appear in a centrally located park.

Warm up noise would sound for miles as guitars twanged, brass horns blasted and loud drums thumped.

In these instances my hotel would be in a central location in countries such as India, Fiji, Pacific Islands Africa and East Asia.

Curious, I would walk over closer to the noise to see what it was all about.

In many, if not most cases, it was an American style evangelistic outfit setting up one of their crusades to save souls in non Christian areas of the world. They would paratroop in, set up, perform for a couple of nights, instruct others how to conduct door to door visits and blast out to another location.

One event in particular in India caused me to return to my room and write this fictitional piece about how the follow-up visitation interviews might have been conducted by those seeking to convert the “heathen”.



The Title: Mrs. Ghandi,

Knock Knock,

Hello Mrs. Ghandi, Is Mahatma home?

Ans. No, He is marching across India today. Can I help you?

Well yes. I have heard he is a very wise and good fellow but I have some very, very important information for him.
I hear he is a Hindu and as a Christian I am fearful for his soul.

Ans. What do you mean? He is a very religious man. He has studied all the major religions. Even though the Reformed church in South Africa would not let him in to worship in their church because of his color, he has high regard for Christians. He admires Jesus very much. He would go so far as to claim he is a follower of Jesus’ way of doing things.

Mrs. Ghandi, I’m afraid you don’t understand. His remaining a Hindu, devout as he is; I must tell you that if he should die this minute he would go straight to Hell and burn in agony in eternal pain forever. I must see him to warn him so that he will make Jesus his Savior. He must leave this Hindu thing behind.

Ans. Well thank you for this information about how your Christian god deals with those who seek to serve the almighty in other ways.

Well, there is still hope, Mrs. Ghandi. Here is a Bible and please tell Mahatma we are having a meeting, actually a rally in Allahabad next week and an American trained preacher with a Hindi translator will seek to save him.

Ans.Thank you but he already has a copy of this Bible. Are you so sure that unless my husband accepts your religion that your god will treat him so badly? My husband has given his life to Peace and understanding between all people. He is a very religious and dedicated person. Right now he is the spiritual leader of this nation. Leaders around the world greatly admire his example. He has shown that love and passive resistance can overcome violence and hatred.

I’m sorry Mrs. Ghandi. That’s the way it is. I have to go now. There is a Dr Mullick in Calcutta I need to see him to warn him as well. He is a Hindu also and has met Mr. Ghandhi and as a result is serving the poorest of the poor. It will be a shame to see him go to Hell also.

Good Day.

End of story

Post Script: Dr Biral Mullick M.D. with whom I was privileged to serve in East Bengal and Bangladesh was one of the most devout and sacrificial servants of human need that I have ever met. Mahatma Ghandi actually visited the Mullick home in Calcutta when Biral was a young boy. Biral’s clinic was located in Calcutta’s largest slum, Howrah, which is also known in the book and movie,” The City of Joy.”

In the case of India, the Christian church was brought there over 2000 years ago in Kerala by the disciple known as St.Thomas. For centuries the church served faithfully in what has always been a devout Hindu nation. The Christian minority has enjoyed peaceful relations and has received many tributes especially for their substantial educational and medical contributions to India.

Recently, churches have been burned and Christians driven from their villages as a result of this new Western style aggressive evangelism.

The remains of St. Thomas can be viewed in a church in Madras.

As I sat at my desk, listening to the Christian “Rock” concert heat up I asked myself, “Chuck, do you still want to be known as a Christian around here?”

Movie Night: Food, Inc.

Join us Sunday, February 21, at 6:30 pm in the hospitality room for a free showing of Food, Inc., the Academy-nominated documentary about the sorry state of the American food industry. Here's the website and discussion guide. You'll never look at dinner the same way!

It Was So Much Fun

It Was So Much Fun

By Chuck Ausherman

Recently I attended a program entitled “The Best Generation” sponsored by a local social club. Two World War II veterans presented details of their service in the Army Air Corps as it was called in those days.

They both were primarily involved in numerous bombing raids over German held targets. They spoke of how imprecise bombs were dropped in that period of American warfare.When asked if this meant that innocent civilians were victims of these air raids, there was a nervous chuckle. “I guess you would have to say that happened especially when we bombed surrounding countries.”

Further explanation of these missions detailed how difficult it was to be accurate with military equipment available in those days. “We were trying to destroy German military supply lines, like bridges and roads.” Bombs often drifted off their targets and we never really knew who got hit with those things.”

A question and answer session from the audience ended with someone asking, “How would you sum up your experience as members of a bomber squadron?”

The lead speaker, thought for a while, slowly shook his head from side to side and said, “I guess I’d have to just say, it was so much fun. To sum it up, it was so much fun.”

This program is on tour across the Midwest and includes various paraphernalia of maps and war souvenirs.

Fast forward to when I served as interim director of the Ryukyu Islands Church World Service program based in Okinawa. It was a humanitarian relief program which brought in food and supplies for those struggling to recover years after the close of WWII.

I lived in a Japanese style house in a sugar cane field outside the Capitol city of Naha before those islands reverted to Japan.

Okinawa was then and still is a strategic U.S. military base which includes a huge Air Force establishment called Kadena Air Field. Kadena is actually a replica of a typical stateside suburb. Neatly laid out streets with American style homes with manicured lawns and children’s swings and slides in the backyards. Kadena has at least one golf course, movie theatres and such just like any town in the USA. And of course, there is this large air strip and long flight line of mainly B52’s

Since I had Officer’s club privileges, I would often have dinner with the folks who worked at Kadena.

My wife had headed back to Taiwan with our children so they could get back to school there. Hence, I was alone in Naha and often ended up at Kadena where I could catch an American movie after a good American dinner at the club.

Sitting at the bar, I would often get to talk with servicemen stationed on Kadena. We would explain what we were doing in Okinawa in terms of our daily activities.

Typical topics from my day sometimes astounded these airmen for example when I told them how I had gone to the civilian airport in Naha that day to collect frozen sperm flown in from the states to transship to Ryukyan farmers in remote islands to improve their livestock herds.

They in turn told of their daily bombing runs in their B52’s over Vietnam. Get up early in the morning, take off for Nam, drop your load and head back in time for a few drinks and dinner with the family. Days off included heading to the US military beaches or a round of golf at a Kadena course.

When I told these officers, some of whom had lived on Kadena for over two years, that I worked in Naha, they would ask, Where’s Naha?

Okinawa is a small island which one can cover on good highways in less than two hours from one end to the other.

“Where’s Naha?” I would answer incredulously, “Naha is the capitol of Okinawa and all the Ryukyu islands. It’s about 30 minutes from where we are sitting here at Kadena.”

I enjoyed my time with these fellow Americans as we relaxed from our day’s work. I even bought a complete scuba outfit with tanks and all from one of them, which they arranged to ship by US Air force shuttle to Taiwan via one of the Kadena Chaplains. After my stint in Okinawa we were able to use the scuba gear at the US military beach on Taiwan when I returned home there later in the fall.

If this all sounds surreal, it was.

I can even imagine that some of these guys are giving talks to social clubs back in the States in their retirement. I can hear them sum up their service time in Okinawa by saying, “It was so much fun.”

BarB Que and Jesus

BarB Que and Jesus

The culture in the Carolinas is a great deal about Bar B Que. Well, of course Basketball and Country music are important there also. We call it the BBC.

“We have the BBC here. Basketball, Bar B Que and Country Music.” But Bar B Que is sort of like a holy topic.

As a member of the Chapel Hill, N.C. Kiwanis Club for many years I can remember that the number one topic EVERY week, ALL year, would be about our annual Bar B Que cook-off. The rich variety of sauces, the logistics of getting cookers with their trailer ovens, the proper firewood, the whole pigs, the roasting procedures which lasted overnight, where to find the right slaw, which local celebrities should be judges, trophies, signs to advertise the event along the highways. But the basic concern was the taste and texture of the end product, mouth watering Carolina Bar B Que.

Folks up North are oblivious to how important our dedication is to Bar B Que. Tell a Carolinian visiting up North that there is going to be Bar B Que tonight and then toss some hot dogs and hamburgers on a grill, you will break his heart then and there.

So you can imagine how dubious I was when my wife told me here in Akron that a new restaurant just opened ten minutes down the road which is called Classic Carolina Bar B Que.


To make a long story short, we drove over there to what looked like a clean, attractive place with a menu that was just like it is back in North Carolina. It was lunch time and it was crowded even though it had been opened less than a week.

How could those Yankees learn so fast? This was the real stuff. It was the whole deal, hush puppies and all. I was so excited that I went around to all the staff, waiters, cookers and especially the cashier who even looked like a cute Southern Belle, praising what they had done. My bright Carolina Blue jacket with “Tar Heels” on the back helped confirm my sincerity. They even got the sauces right. Sauces are a closely guarded secret down South.

After filling myself and ordering some more for take-out I grabbed a bunch of menus to share this amazing discovery with all my friends.

Off went e-mails to family back in North Carolina, “We have Carolina Bar B Que right here in Akron, Ohio!”
Answers came back, “Yeah, sure, we’ll see when we get up there for Christmas.”

Waving menus I carried this good news to as many people I met. Our pharmacist was a little startled when I told him about my discovery with such enthusiasm. Repeating the message to his cashier caused her to furrow her brow as if I was relating some strange mystery.

Our church secretary was surprised at my sudden sales pitch while she was absorbed in her regular duties. But since she was originally from Tennessee she tried to understand. (Even though Tennessee “Que” would hardly qualify in the Carolinas as the real thing.) The ministers and fellow choir members were polite as I relayed my hot news to them. We were in church after all.

It was shortly after my latest mission around town for real Que as I stopped at a red light that I heard a voice from above.

“Chuck, you have been running around town excited with this good news about Carolina Bar B Que coming to Akron.”

“You used to feel that way about Jesus. You couldn’t wait to share that message back then. As a young man it propelled you off to seminary, and carried you to far away places to share the “Good News.”

Then the voice said, “It’s been a while Chuck.”

I had to brush away tears as I headed back to Classic Carolina Bar B Que.

Fighting for Christianity

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

I just read an article about some evangelical churches that are promoting "extreme martial arts" and "ultimate fighting" to attract young men to their churches. Those in charge point out that very few young men are attending church because it is too "feminine" for them.

This makes me wonder to what extent Christians will go in order to fill the pews. I just can't find Jesus and his teachings in this practice.

I would like to point out that it is a minority of churches that are going this route, and I have no argument with evangelicals in general!

Posted by Carol Button at 6:10 PM 0 comments

Greg Mortenson at Mount Union in March

Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools will be speaking at Mount Union on March 23. He believes that education is the key to peace and has devoted his life to building schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. For anyone interested, here is some ticket information:

March 23, 2010
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Mount Union College
Timken Gymnasium
1972 Clark Ave.
Alliance, Ohio 44601
Contact: Anne GrafficeEmail: graffiaz@muc. edu http://www2. muc.edu/
Ticketing Information: Contact the office of alumni & college activities at 330-823-2030 to obtain free tickets for the lecture. A separate ticket line will be activated closer to the event date.

The Stoles

The Stoles

These two stoles were once worn by a Lutheran pastor who served a large congregation in a beautiful church built by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Parkchester, the Bronx.

At that time Parkchester, represented an avant garde innovation in urban planning. Built in 1939 on 129 acres it included over 75% of open space for gardens and walkways in one of the most crowded boroughs of New York City.

Parkchester was intended for middle class residents with an unwritten but enforced rule that only Caucasians be allowed to rent in any of the 12,000 apartments.

Rev. Elmer Dressel was determined to integrate his congregation and thus desegregate Parkchester. The area surrounding Parkchester contained every race and nationality even in those days. His board, consisting of Metropolitan executives blocked his efforts at every turn.

I was a young minister in a much smaller parish nearby. Serving my first charge I was grateful for our East Bronx Monday morning clergy meetings where ministers openly shared their challenges as they served in the dynamic and diverse city of New York. The other members of our group including Rev. Dressel had vastly more experience than I who was fresh out of seminary.

Elmer, once again related his frustration with his church council to our group. He then got up from his chair and presented me with his set of clerical stoles.

I was very moved by this generous gesture especially since I could hardly afford to purchase my own stoles. My annual salary in those days was $5,000.

Rev. Dressel did not attend our next Monday morning weekly meeting. He had gone to his summer cottage in New Jersey that week-end and ended his life. He was found by his family hanging from a rafter.

The funeral service in this large sanctuary was filled to overflowing with mourners. Elmer’s two young daughters in their early twenties, stood next to their father’s open coffin. Overcome with grief they screamed in agony the circumstances of his death and physically barred members of the church board from approaching the bier. The emotions were electrifying for us all.

In decades to come I wore Elmer’s stoles in worship services in many parts of the world until they became frayed with time and service.

They appear here now as a symbol of even how life’s great tragedies can go on to serve meaning and hope.

Parkchester today is still a beautiful place to live in the city. Its residents are of every race and nationality.

Reinhold Niebuhr back in the news

Take a look at this great article by Paul Raushenbush, urging the President to take another look at his "favorite philosopher" for guidance. Raushenbush is Moderator of the Progressive Revival blog and the Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton.

Rethinking Race Week at University of Akron

The University of Akron hosts "Rethinking Race" week annually. The speakers are consistently excellent and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Here's the link to the events and activities:
http://www.uakron.edu/im/online-newsroom/promo_detail.dot?promoId=891964&pageTitle=Exploring%20race%20relations&crumbTitle=Exploring%20race%20relations

If the link doesn't work, go right to the UA homepage, where you can find the story as well:
www.uakron.edu

Nuclear Tipping Point

I heard an interesting story on NPR this morning, about a new documentary featuring George Shultz, William Perry, Henry Kissinger, and Sam Nunn. They wrote a remarkable editorial in the WSJ in 2008, and have continued to work for nuclear disarmament since. I ordered a copy of the DVD. Here's their website.

OK,

I think it got posted.

If all these super religious fundamentalists would take the time to learn about the historical context of the Bible they might back away from their rigid interpertations and actually arrive at a deeper appreciation of its content.

The historical culture of the Bible is a wonderful testament (no pun here) to a mind set lost in Western civilization. The art of story telling with incredible detailed memory is still alive in the Middle East albeit among older minds not corrupted by the pace of modernity.

Curiously, in my work within many cultures, that part of the world seems to stand out in this regard.

A digression here: I read somewhere, "With all the beautiful places on earth, why did God choose the Middle East for the setting of the Bible?"

One has to sit and listen to an Arab story teller recite from his/her incredible memory tales that last sometimes literally for hours.

A visit to a local Mosque might suffice to impress how anyone can memorize the whole Koran and recite it from memory. Every Mosque seems to have someone who has done this.

I hope thiese feeble words can shed some light on Jeff's concern for our Western lack of story telling and the accompanying inability to memorize details therein.

I am out of my depth trying to figure out how this works.

I did read Jeff's entry of 1-17 and wanted to comment on it since it relates to at least two interests of mine. 1-Historic Biblical settings, i.e. the way the Bible was written by people who were immersed in story telling techniques.
2-How that art still exsists in Middle Eastern culture today.

Before I take off on this I want to make sure I am actually posting something or if this will vanish in thin air.

Storytelling

Part of my day job involves teaching psychiatry residents and medical students. One of my biggest challenges is getting these young people to tell me the story of the patient they have seen. I give examples from my own work with patients, and model the skill by interviewing patients in front of them, but it seems like listening to people and then telling their stories - to the patients and to themselves - is an unfamiliar activity. What I get instead is a list of symptoms or a few snippets of the patient's life that don't hang together, or even move through a specific span of time. Recently I got rather low student reviews on a lecture I gave on "Taking a Psychiatric History", and it's coming up again in the spring. I'd like to get the message across this time!

My background and orientation to stories comes from a superficial appreciation of the "hermeneutic method" - whose origins were in monasteries, where the monks sat in a circle and told and retold and interpreted a scripture to achieve a fuller understanding of it. Interpretation of stories is not the dominant culture in psychiatry or in popular culture anymore.

However, a member of our group has talked to us about the Network of Biblical Storytellers, whose tagline is, "We bring God's stories to life for a post-literate, digital age." I'm not surprised to find a faith-based organization keeping alive the spirit of understanding people through their stories, but I'm wondering:

Are people losing their appreciation of each others' stories?
Is this "post-literate, digital" business part of the problem?
Do I have to convert my students to a different philosophy of life (contemplative, introspective, faith in ultimate reality) to get them to tell me the patient's story?
Can the Biblical Storytellers help me get better reviews on my next lecture?

Martin Luther King Day

Here are some quotations:

"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual doom."

"Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary."

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people."

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

The national UCC is providing a place to donate to a relief fund. There will probably be an opportunity to donate tomorrow at church as well.

Maybe we can make up for Pat Robertson's comments on TV that Haiti is cursed after making a pact with the devil.

Movie: Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Check out the nice announcement Barb did for us on the Micah 6:8 page of the church website. Thanks Barb!

And don't forget to come to our showing of Pray the Devil Back to Hell on Sunday, January 17, at 6:30 pm in the hospitality room.

Doomsday Clock to be adjusted today

The atomic scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project started a magazine, The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, in 1945. Since 1947, they've published a clock showing how close to midnight the world is, as a public education tool for awareness of the threat of nuclear war. They haven't adjusted the time since 2007, and will do so today. Check out the video - it looks like the world is getting a little safer.

PICO vs BofA

A coalition led by PICO is pressuring the Bank of America to improve their home loan modification program and reduce foreclosures, or face massive cash withdrawals. Here's the NY Times article, and here's the Huffington Post version. They're meeting with BofA execs tonight.

There's also a secular group called "Move Your Money" that's taking on all the big banks, and encouraging people to do their banking in small, local banks. Time to re-watch It's a Wonderful Life?

BTW, PICO looks like an interesting organization - though it doesn't seem to be active in Ohio. Out our way, it's DART. Congregation-based community organizing groups like these are endorsed by the UCC.

Discussion: a program on the economic crisis

At last night's meeting, some of us expressed an interest in a program about the economy. Dom asked, "What does our faith have to say about the economics?" (or words to that effect). The UCC has a lot to say on the subject! See this page for an overview of the church's positions.

In January, 2006, we hosted Edie Rasell at the church for a program on the campaign to raise the minimum wage. She's the Minister for Workplace Justice of the JWM, has a PhD in economics, and works in the Church House in Cleveland. Here's her blog on economic justice.

Maybe it's time we invited her back? Please post comments with your thoughts.