Borders are real. They make tremendous impact on our lives. Juarez, Mexico is only 2 miles farther away from me than El Paso, Texas, USA. And yet El Paso calls my concern and responsibility. I feel real powerlessness toward the crippling violence of Juarez. Note: As I was editing this post, the news poured in of the mass shooting at a Wal-Mart in El Paso. … Continue reading The Paradox of the Border
Remember the internet sensation of the 1990’s Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon? This was a silly game connecting Kevin Bacon to any other actor. It’s based on the notion that all of us are connected to each other by no more than six degrees of separation. Creation is a whole and we are merely parts of it. So I started playing the game as I … Continue reading Six Degrees at the Border
I packed my clergy shirt. I did NOT pack my clergy collar. If anything, I’m good at bringing the human to the divine. So I stuck a folded-up piece of paper in the place where the collar goes. It was great watching people react to that. One dude gloriously joked me straight to my face. I wish I had gotten his name. (He also fanboyed … Continue reading One Dumb Thing at the Border
I was happy to join Rev. Dr William J Barber II and the Repairers of the Breach at the border today. Perhaps happy is not the right term. I’m quite tired and a little sunburnt and ready to be home. But I think this day will be one to remember for a long time. What’s more important is that the objectives of the day be … Continue reading Today at the Border
I’m in El Paso because there is a crisis of humanity here. I am here to pay witness to the clashing of human values-both divine and evil. I’m here because I have longed to come here since seeing and reading about and hearing about children in squalid conditions in our detention centers. Then the invitation came to Rev. Dr. William Barber. And he shared the … Continue reading Why I’m in El Paso
Note: One of my Lenten disciplines is to work through the me & white supremacy workbook by Layla Saad. I got to the end of Day One reading and thought “I know all of this”. Saad says not to be “self-congratulatory” and I honestly think I wasn’t. I guess this reveals a gulf between my awareness and my action. I am aware that I have … Continue reading me & white supremacy, day one
Sunday Worship, begun Lenten series, looked at the reality of evil. Monday Began Lenten Study on We Make the Road by Walking. Had 15 people begin the study. Tuesday Breakfast with Friends of the Carpenter, local homeless outreach/woodworking shop ministry. Won this beautiful hand-turned chalice and paten. Also saw an Olympic gold medal courtesy of Roni Sasaki! Long but good day with District Committee on … Continue reading This Week in Ministry
