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
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
Dear Church, Sorry this is a day late. A month from today, the United Methodist Church will be almost half-way through General Conference 2019, the process whereby we will determine our church’s position on matters of human sexuality. That position will be consequential. In my research to understand the deep ramifications of General Conference 2019, I came across this article about the various petitions that … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019 Pt 3
Dear Church, As I shared in last week’s Sower article, I am asking us to pray for General Conference 2019 taking place in St. Louis February 23-26. This General Conference will address the church’s stances on issues of human sexuality amidst a climate of serious division. It’s hard to pray in the darkness of ignorance and I am aware that this may seem very new … Continue reading Praying for GC 2019
Mary’s visit to Elizabeth is the meeting of two prophesies: one of John, one of Jesus. It is the upending of conventional means of power. Two women of particular scorn have come together. One was barren: a sign of cursed-ness. One was pregnant outside of marriage: a sign of sinfulness. Two undesireables are now harboring the greatest secret in the history of the known universe. … Continue reading Mary + Elizabeth = Good Trouble
At Order of Elders, we were invited to share a word or phrase that epitomizes our calling. I couldn’t think of a scripture. But I eventually fell to a piece of advice given to me by the right person at the right time. I was accepted to seminary when I came across an opportunity to apply for a program with the World Council of Churches. … Continue reading DON’T SOUR
Turn in Your Pre-Conference Journal to page… Is there a statistic anywhere of LGBTQ+ clergy who have fled the UMC for other denominations or other fields of service? I suspect not. I further suspect that there is no accounting for the LGBTQ+ laity we have lost to other denominations as a result of the ongoing consternation over including LGBTQ+ people in the denomination. I ask … Continue reading Immeasurable Loss
