Thursday, October 13, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Jeremiah Wright Speaks up
Here's a terrific interview of Jeremiah Wright by Chris Hedges. He has a lot to say about President Obama, and the state of America today. It's worth a read.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
We're Back!
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 6, 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!
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 6, 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!
Monday, August 15, 2011
We Press On
Phil. 3:14 Paul said, “I press on….” We Press On
Growing up on the South side of Chicago was different than living in the suburbs. It certainly never lacked for excitement. I can remember as a little kid asking my older brother what should we do tonight.
“I dunn no. I guess we could go watch the race riot.” Race riots went on most every night. It was just a few blocks West over in Fernwood. It meant we would get to see a whole bunch of neat police motorcycles. I loved those police motorcycles. As many as 50 lined up trying to keep the most violent white guys back. It was heady stuff being able to talk with the cops who were so impressive in their black uniforms with their gold and silver badges. They even let us run our hands over those beautiful shiny fenders. They were so polite with us kids.
I remember asking one officer, “What’s goin on?”
Like a patient teacher talking to a student he said, “Well some colored folks moved into this White neighborhood and our job is to protect them. We are here to protect folks regardless if they are colored or white. They both are equal to us. They have the same rights.”
I never heard it put that way before. Especially that word, equal.
That’s where it started for me.
It was punctuated that night about three in the morning when I heard yelling in our back yard. An elderly Black man was crying for mercy. He was bloodied from a gang of Whites who pulled him from a car on State Street where we lived. Why would people be so mean and hateful just because he drove into the White neighborhood at night?
Years later we were standing at the end of a long March in Montgomery Alabama. It was the grand conclusion of the Selma March. We were like a giant victorious army. We carried no weapons. I do remember some of our folks carrying Bibles.
Rev. King had just finished his glorious triumphant sermon. Governor George Wallace could be seen looking dejected along side the drapes in his office window. Network news teams were interviewing some of the clergy who wore clerical collars. It was the only time I ever got on national TV.
That was it. Right had won over hate and meanness-so I thought at that moment.
“Let’s grab a taxi to the airport to beat the rush”, I said to Jon Hinkamp, a fellow minister from Brooklyn. Jon stopped dead in his tracks and looked at me with shock in his eyes. “Are you Nuts? You would be crazy to get into a cab here with that collar on.” Taxis in Montgomery in those days were driven only by Whites. The war was not over.
Indeed, one of our White marchers, a 39 year old mother of 5, Mrs. Viola Luizzo from Detroit was murdered that same night by Klansmen.
The victory was short lived. We had to press on. And we did. And we never turned back. We Press on…..
There’s a lot of hate, anger and even meanness still out there. But we press on.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Peace Program at Grace UCC Loyal Oak
Mission 1 Hunger Campaign
Let's all support the new UCC campaign against hunger, called "Mission 1". Read about it here.
The name combines the church motto, "That they may all be one" (John 17:21) with the start date of 11-1-11, and has three goals: collecting food donations, raising money for Neighbors in Need, and supporting Bread for the World's letter writing mission.
The name combines the church motto, "That they may all be one" (John 17:21) with the start date of 11-1-11, and has three goals: collecting food donations, raising money for Neighbors in Need, and supporting Bread for the World's letter writing mission.
Upcoming Movies
There are only two more movies until we break for summer!
May 15: The End of Poverty? Think Again
http://www.theendofpoverty.com/
"The End of Poverty? is a daring, thought-provoking and very timely documentary by award-winning filmmaker, Philippe Diaz, revealing that poverty is not an accident. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and forced labor. Today, global poverty has reached new levels because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies -- in other words, wealthy countries exploiting the weaknesses of poor, developing countries. The End of Poverty? asks why today 20% of the planet's population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate?"
June 19: Fish Can't Fly
http://www.fishcantfly.com/
"Is religion something that only belongs to a few? Taking a secular point of view, FISH CAN’T FLY explores the lives of gay men and women of faith as they recall their journeys to
put their sexuality and spirituality in harmony. While the whole concept of changing ones’ sexual orientation may be viewed with a high level of skepticism, ridicule and even humor by the larger GLBT community, these are the stories of those who have tried."
Movies are shown in the hospitality room at 6:30, and there's free popcorn!
May 15: The End of Poverty? Think Again
http://www.theendofpoverty.
"The End of Poverty? is a daring, thought-provoking and very timely documentary by award-winning filmmaker, Philippe Diaz, revealing that poverty is not an accident. It began with military conquest, slavery and colonization that resulted in the seizure of land, minerals and forced labor. Today, global poverty has reached new levels because of unfair debt, trade and tax policies -- in other words, wealthy countries exploiting the weaknesses of poor, developing countries. The End of Poverty? asks why today 20% of the planet's population uses 80% of its resources and consumes 30% more than the planet can regenerate?"
June 19: Fish Can't Fly
http://www.fishcantfly.com/
"Is religion something that only belongs to a few? Taking a secular point of view, FISH CAN’T FLY explores the lives of gay men and women of faith as they recall their journeys to
put their sexuality and spirituality in harmony. While the whole concept of changing ones’ sexual orientation may be viewed with a high level of skepticism, ridicule and even humor by the larger GLBT community, these are the stories of those who have tried."
Movies are shown in the hospitality room at 6:30, and there's free popcorn!
Geoffrey A. Black's Comments on the Death of bin Laden
Read the comments of the President of the UCC on the killing of Osama bin Laden here. Here's a quote:
"There is no joy in this moment for us, because first and foremost we understand ourselves to be the disciples of Jesus. Jesus calls us in his teachings to do the difficult thing of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us."
"There is no joy in this moment for us, because first and foremost we understand ourselves to be the disciples of Jesus. Jesus calls us in his teachings to do the difficult thing of loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us."
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Missions Board Special Report
Mission Education is our primary goal for many reasons.
1-Informal feedback comes to us that some of our church members believe that our mission budget is overly generous to overseas mission projects.
2- This feedback includes the sentiment of some that we should not be sending any Bath mission support outside of the USA when there is so much need right here at home.
3-Then there are some who would prefer to support only mission programs that seek to overtly proselytize “evangelize” persons of other faiths even if those mission efforts are non-UCC related.
The answers are as follows:
1- With the exception of our own Bath Mission team leaving for Haiti, only a tiny trickle of the Bath Mission finances go to support the UCC overseas mission programs.
Ninety percent of Our Churches Wider Mission (UCWM) giving mainly stays in North East Ohio for needs in Ohio. These include building stronger churches, youth programs and in-service continuing education for our own church leadership.
A small portion (around ten percent) of those OCWM funds are then channeled through denominational agencies serving national efforts to strengthen churches and their leaders, including projects serving young people. Eventually, some (less than ten percent) of the OCWM funds find their way to help our missionaries and mission partners in other countries AND mission projects in the USA.
Special offerings for Church World Service CWS (One Great Hour of Sharing) for emergency disaster relief are not included in these estimates. CWS is an ecumenical agency that responds to urgent need world-wide, including the USA. It does not respond in terms of percentages for local versus international aid.
2- The vast majority of our Bath church mission giving (Ninety percent) goes to literally dozens of local agencies serving local need according to carefully and prayerfully prepared guidelines. These guidelines are available to anyone requesting them.
3- Mission strategies globally are continuously studied and evaluated for their relevancy and effectiveness. The world today is continuously changing. It is a dynamic mixture of cultural, political and religious challenges. Among our top military leaders there are none who believe that all of the problems facing our nation can be solved by military means alone.
The educational, medical and social projects supported by UCC Global missions, however small they may be compared to the defense budget, serve an essential effort to bring peace through our sharing God’s love world-wide and is coordinated through indigenous Christian church partners.
This is not an arbitrary choice on our part to support Global missions. It is a mandate from the head of the church, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
The above message was prepared by the chair of the Bath Church Board of Social Concerns and Missions who welcomes your comments. He has served as a missionary on assignments in over 80 countries during the course of over four decades.
Faithfully,
Chuck Ausherman
1-Informal feedback comes to us that some of our church members believe that our mission budget is overly generous to overseas mission projects.
2- This feedback includes the sentiment of some that we should not be sending any Bath mission support outside of the USA when there is so much need right here at home.
3-Then there are some who would prefer to support only mission programs that seek to overtly proselytize “evangelize” persons of other faiths even if those mission efforts are non-UCC related.
The answers are as follows:
1- With the exception of our own Bath Mission team leaving for Haiti, only a tiny trickle of the Bath Mission finances go to support the UCC overseas mission programs.
Ninety percent of Our Churches Wider Mission (UCWM) giving mainly stays in North East Ohio for needs in Ohio. These include building stronger churches, youth programs and in-service continuing education for our own church leadership.
A small portion (around ten percent) of those OCWM funds are then channeled through denominational agencies serving national efforts to strengthen churches and their leaders, including projects serving young people. Eventually, some (less than ten percent) of the OCWM funds find their way to help our missionaries and mission partners in other countries AND mission projects in the USA.
Special offerings for Church World Service CWS (One Great Hour of Sharing) for emergency disaster relief are not included in these estimates. CWS is an ecumenical agency that responds to urgent need world-wide, including the USA. It does not respond in terms of percentages for local versus international aid.
2- The vast majority of our Bath church mission giving (Ninety percent) goes to literally dozens of local agencies serving local need according to carefully and prayerfully prepared guidelines. These guidelines are available to anyone requesting them.
3- Mission strategies globally are continuously studied and evaluated for their relevancy and effectiveness. The world today is continuously changing. It is a dynamic mixture of cultural, political and religious challenges. Among our top military leaders there are none who believe that all of the problems facing our nation can be solved by military means alone.
The educational, medical and social projects supported by UCC Global missions, however small they may be compared to the defense budget, serve an essential effort to bring peace through our sharing God’s love world-wide and is coordinated through indigenous Christian church partners.
This is not an arbitrary choice on our part to support Global missions. It is a mandate from the head of the church, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
The above message was prepared by the chair of the Bath Church Board of Social Concerns and Missions who welcomes your comments. He has served as a missionary on assignments in over 80 countries during the course of over four decades.
Faithfully,
Chuck Ausherman
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Health Care Reform
Thanks to everyone who showed up for the Health Care Reform program tonight. For those who didn't get a copy of the longer handout, here it is for download.
Citizens for Bath Seniors
Citizens for Bath Seniors (CBS)
By Chuck Ausherman, Bath Ohio
According to a new book, “The Lonely American: Drifting Apart in the Twenty-first Century” two psychoanalysts claim that more Americans are suffering loneliness than ever before. Their finding is based on the fact that they have experienced a dramatic increase of depression among their patients due to isolation from friends and neighbors. Depression is especially a health problem among seniors.
Research has found that in spite of hours we may spend on the internet as a relationship facilitator there is still a void in people’s lives which leaves us unsatisfied. People need people.
Bath is a wonderful place to live. Our beautiful homes and spacious lawns are admired by visitors and make us proud to live in a well ordered and managed township. But that alone does not solve the problem for those who retire after an active life. Community is more than nice homes and lawns.
In an effort to keep Bath seniors healthy and happy a local group of seniors is seeking ways to facilitate social and recreational networks in Bath. CBS seeks to encourage and create opportunities to meet and enjoy friendship and fellowship in a recreational setting.
Since about one-third of the population of Bath are seniors it is felt that there should be more focus on what is already available and what is needed for that large percentage of the population. CBS seeks to build community where people can meet and enjoy their neighbors. CBS looks for opportunities to be helpful to individuals who may need a ride to a grocery store, to a doctor’s appointment or some other personal favor. This is what neighbors do for each other.
This effort is not intended to compete with the excellent facilities we support for our children and grandchildren. We are proud of our schools. Many of us have graduated from them and continue to benefit from the top notch job they have done and as they continue to excel in their mission.
We salute the fine job our police, fire and health care service persons for their outstanding readiness to protect and be there in our emergencies. Alas, this does not solve all our problems or fill all our needs.
Many nearby townships have Senior Centers with daily activities where seniors get to meet and know their neighbors. Would this be an idea to explore for Bath? CBS is working on it and would appreciate your input. Seniors are encouraged to share their ideas, thoughts and experience with CBS. Contact the following: Bathseniors@yahoo.com or mail your comments and suggestions to:Citizens for Bath Seniors, P.O. Box 544 Bath Ohio 44210.
Note: The writer of this article is a PhD and a Masters of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which is known nationally for research on causes of depression among seniors.
By Chuck Ausherman, Bath Ohio
According to a new book, “The Lonely American: Drifting Apart in the Twenty-first Century” two psychoanalysts claim that more Americans are suffering loneliness than ever before. Their finding is based on the fact that they have experienced a dramatic increase of depression among their patients due to isolation from friends and neighbors. Depression is especially a health problem among seniors.
Research has found that in spite of hours we may spend on the internet as a relationship facilitator there is still a void in people’s lives which leaves us unsatisfied. People need people.
Bath is a wonderful place to live. Our beautiful homes and spacious lawns are admired by visitors and make us proud to live in a well ordered and managed township. But that alone does not solve the problem for those who retire after an active life. Community is more than nice homes and lawns.
In an effort to keep Bath seniors healthy and happy a local group of seniors is seeking ways to facilitate social and recreational networks in Bath. CBS seeks to encourage and create opportunities to meet and enjoy friendship and fellowship in a recreational setting.
Since about one-third of the population of Bath are seniors it is felt that there should be more focus on what is already available and what is needed for that large percentage of the population. CBS seeks to build community where people can meet and enjoy their neighbors. CBS looks for opportunities to be helpful to individuals who may need a ride to a grocery store, to a doctor’s appointment or some other personal favor. This is what neighbors do for each other.
This effort is not intended to compete with the excellent facilities we support for our children and grandchildren. We are proud of our schools. Many of us have graduated from them and continue to benefit from the top notch job they have done and as they continue to excel in their mission.
We salute the fine job our police, fire and health care service persons for their outstanding readiness to protect and be there in our emergencies. Alas, this does not solve all our problems or fill all our needs.
Many nearby townships have Senior Centers with daily activities where seniors get to meet and know their neighbors. Would this be an idea to explore for Bath? CBS is working on it and would appreciate your input. Seniors are encouraged to share their ideas, thoughts and experience with CBS. Contact the following: Bathseniors@yahoo.com or mail your comments and suggestions to:Citizens for Bath Seniors, P.O. Box 544 Bath Ohio 44210.
Note: The writer of this article is a PhD and a Masters of Science in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which is known nationally for research on causes of depression among seniors.
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