WorldHope Corps

Hope Scholarship House Nears Completion

2012-02-01T10:38:00.045-05:00

Jointly built and owned by WorldHope Corps
and Mzuzu United Methodist Church in Malawi

Workers hope to put on roof before the rains come

Pastor Copleand (left) and some youth in need of scholarships
praying for successful completion of new Hope House

Once the Hope Scholarship House is completed in a few months, it will be rented in the community on the free market for a few hundred dollars a month. This on-going revenue is dedicated for the charitable use of WorldHope Corps to fund the Hope Scholarships Program started in 2008 to keep youth in Secondary School by paying some of their fees and expenses so that they can succeed in life and vocation.

So far, WorldHope Corps has put 34 young men and women through Secondary Schools in preparation for College since 2008.

We are so thankful to Sarah Harrington, Stacy Radmore, Elaine Sheetz, and other regular WorldHope Corps supporters for their on-going sponsorship of the Hope Scholarship Program over the years.

We are also grateful to Helen Ford and World Childrens Fund for underwriting the costs to build the Hope Scholarship House in Mzuzu, Malawi in 2011.

Stay tune for the grand opening in 2012.

Happy Epiphany 2012

2012-01-08T11:41:00.119-05:00

We attended Pacific Beach United Methodist Church today which began a six week Season of Epiphany series on Science and Spirituality, including weekly opportunities to "eat with a scientist" in the congregation and discuss with them how they integrate their scientific discoveries and their Christian faith.

Today's scriptural lesson and sermon was on the Star the Magi studied and followed from Babylon to Bethlehem. (Matt 2:1-12). "In the ancient world scholars believed that there was a direct correspondence between signs in the heavens and events on the earth," Pastor April Heron explained, "that cosmic events had early counterparts, that if there was a new star there had to be a new king. The Magi were the scholars of their day, capable of careful observation and sustained study. They sought to understand the relationship between the heavens and the earth, the spiritual and the material. They welcomed the counsel of others and were open to the messages of their drams. Their wonder at a star led them to the Christ Child."

"The Star the Magi saw and followed could have been a comet," she speculated. "It could have been the retrograde of Jupiter and Saturn." (It could have been a supernova or even a UFO, I would add). Such are the hypotheses of a Theology of Wonder.

Rev. Heron is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry degree in congregational and community development at Drew University. I am her doctoral advisor, and I am intrigued by her project designed to church members overcome the usual compartmentalization of science and religion and to integrate empirical discovery and ethereal faith. I love how April is using the approach of the biblical Magi as a model for 'faith-seeking- understanding' today.

After attending church this morning, and seeing a beautiful sunset and full moon tonight, I feel a keen openness to the truths of others, and a creative eagerness to experience Christ in a new way during this season of Epiphany.

An epiphany is a 'sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something... ' As April writes in her church newsletter, "it is the 'aha' moment when long-sought understanding or clarification clicks into place is always an exciting one--often hopeful, sometimes a little scary..."

Phyllis Tickle says "epiphany is the name of that moment, that instant, in which a clarity so brilliant as to be only divinely possible drops into human life and takes up permanent residence there.' (The Shaping of a Life).

For me, Epiphany is a season for reflection on what has passed and what is coming next. There is new light to shed on the path ahead, but also familiar light to make sense of our life so far. Twenty years ago I left the pastorate to pursue a new career as an academic. A dozen years ago I left the Church of the Nazarene to become a United Methodist. Four years ago I changed jobs at Drew, from Director of the Doctor of Ministry program to Director of the Shalom Initiative. Six months ago I moved from New Jersey to California to begin a new season of bicoastal work and ministry. What will the Great Year of 2012 hold for me, my family, my work and ministry? Epiphany is a time to look up and wonder, find the star and follow, offer gifts and share the good news. To seek to integrate my faith and reason, in the spirit of Shalom.

May we all experience personal epiphanies during this holy season as we seek the appearing, revealing, and manifestation of the light of Christ among us.

Happy Epiphany!

A New Years Greetings from Uganda and Malawi

2012-01-02T00:40:00.002-05:00

Dearest Friends,
The year has been long and challenging,

But thanks to GOD 2011 is now history.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thanks so much for walking along our side.

May the Good Lord keep us united on our Journey towards the common good.

I wish you PEACE LOVE and JOY in 2012

Yrs in Christ

Fr. Paul Bigirwa

St George Hope Health Centre
Western Uganda

http://bigirwa.weebly.com/

HELLO CHILDREN OF GOD,THIS IS A SPECIAL YEAR "TO PRAY" "TO LOVE" "TO CARE" "TO GIVE" AND ABOVE ALL "TO TRUST GOD" FOR HAPPINESS AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS GRACE. HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2012.

Rev. Baamu Moses

Regional Shalom Trainer/Coordinator

Jinja, Uganda

Christmas Update on Hope Scholarship House from Rev. Copeland Nkhata

2011-12-25T19:12:00.001-05:00

Dr. Christensen and Rev. Nkhata 'break ground" for new Hope House in 2011

Greetings to you!
I hope God is keeping you safely during this holy week of Christmas.

These photos show how much progress we have made in constructing the HOPE SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE to make our dream sustainable in empowering many souls that God has placed in our care.

The ring beam is next and then the roofing in January. The house should be ready for occupancy in just a few more months.

What began in 2007 as a charitable educational project of Mzuzu United Methodist Church and WorldHope Corps to support selected youth who otherwise could not attend secondary school, will now become a self-supporting, sustainable, on-going scholarship program for boys and girls motivated to complete their education. By building a beautiful, 4-bedroom family house in a new development area of Mzuzu that will generate monthly rental income, we will be able to support selected recipients through High School. (See previous posts on Hope Scholarship Program).

We are grateful for all your support in 2011. We will complete the building project in 2012, to support the next class of Hope Scholarship recipients. Thank you for all your support through the years.

Rev. Copeland Nhkata, Program Director

WorldHope Corps Scholarship Recipients of 2009-2010

Christmas Greetings from Br. Julius and Fr. Paul in Uganda

2011-12-25T18:34:00.000-05:00

SARS Community Development project

Dear Brothers and Sisters in America:

I send you greetings in the name of our lord Jesus Christ and I hope God is keeping you safe during this holy week of Christmas.

I have viewed the good articles, comments, and the photos on this blog which clearly describe SARS and the work we do in Uganda. We are so happy to be part of the WorldHope Corps family.

God makes miracles in different ways, and meeting people with compassion like you is beyond my imagination.

I have attached more photos of the ministry of SARS:

God bless you.

Br Julius

Water Source before irrigation/sanitation development

WorldHope Corps Projects in Western Uganda

2011-12-15T08:16:00.007-05:00

Members of SARS with Fr. Paul and Br. Julius

We raised the roof of the St. George Hope Health Center in 2009. Now lets equip the buildings, ensure clean water and sanitation, and empower young women for self-reliance.
During the first ten days of June last summer I had the rich of experience of meeting Br. Julius Kasaija with the Sustainable Action for Rural Sector (SARS)--a Shalom-style community development work near Hoima, Uganda. WorldHope Corps had been supporting SARS and their partner ministry, St George Hope Health Center, for three years now. Retired Judge Tom Dilts at Liberty Corner Presbyterian Church had introduced me to Julius and his brother, Fr. Paul Bigirwa, and their wonderful work in Western Uganda, but until June we had not met in person. Julius attended our ShalomZone Training in Uganda in June, and we became fast friends.

St George Hope Health Centre ready for equipment

We've tried to raise a little money each year for Fr. Paul and Br. Julius to keep their good work going. See previous Uganda blog posts We Raised the Roof

This month WorldHope Corps received two generous pledges totaling $7,000 in support of the St George Hope Health Centre, and I know that there are others who wish to contribute to other SARS projects the before the end of the year through WHC.

Toward this end, I asked Tom Dilts, who deeply carries the passion and vision for this work, to summarize three SARS projects in Western Uganda worthy of support of WorldHope Corps donors. Indeed, Julius and Paul have been praying for potential sponsors so that their faithful undertakings will be fully funded in 2012:

SARS volunteers performing in Village

$6,170 TO EMPOWER 60 WOMEN FOR SELF RELIANCE IN KIBAALE, UGANDA

The goal is to enhance income generation capacities for 240 women and family members from 60 households by providing improved planting materials and training on more productive farming. Those to benefit include single mothers and fathers, widows and widowers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and out of school youth. The services to be provided are vast when compared with the cost of the program. Total cost is $7,175 US, of which $1,005 will be provided by local contributions. The requested contribution is $6,170. A full proposal and program details is available for review by emailing info@worldhopecorps.com

Women collect rainwater from roadside stream

$3,600 for WATER and SANITATION PROJECT for 6000 people in BIREMBO, UGANDA

The proposed project directly address water and sanitation problems that negatively impact the rural poor communities. Because of polluted water being the primary source for drinking in most rural villages, 70% of children who had their stool examined were found to have roundworms and whipworm. Indeed, one out of five children die from water-borne diseases under the age of 5. Our project goal is to promote the best hygiene and water & sanitation practices in neglected rural areas. This through (1) mass awareness campaign and public education, (2) repairing damaged shallow wells and water springs at community level, and (3) to build capacity for community-based water resource teams. The idea is to arouse community consciousness, perceptions and attitudes about clean water and appropriate sanitation. An increase demand for clean water will not only promote a sense of ownership of the water sources, but also responsibility and sustainability. This 6-month project seeks our support of $3,600 and will directly benefit 6,000 people and indirectly benefit 36,000 more. A full proposal and program details is available for review by emailing info@worldhopecorps.com

St George Hope Health Centre's three nearly completed units

Matching Dollars for St. GEORGE HOPE HEALTH CENTRE (UGANDA)

Two years ago, with your support and the support of WorldHope Corps, we helped "raise the roof" on the 3 new buildings of the future St George Hope Health Centre. This year, the community in Hoima, Uganda, is ready and eager to outfit the principal building with equipment and instruments to open wide its doors. Our help is needed to help make this happen! Already, key supporters have raised $7,000 for the Hope Centre, and with other donations we can start equipping the second of the three new buildings. A full proposal and program details is available for review by emailing info@worldhopecorps.com

SARS projects now are part of WorldHope Corp's growing international network of sustainable community development projects focused on health, education and clean water.

Work Day for SARS in Western Uganda

Year End Report to WorldHope Corps Donors 2011

2011-12-13T20:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends and Partners,

Despite many economic hardships around the world in 2011, it was a hope-filled year for thousands of children, women and families in Malawi, Uganda, Ethiopia and Haiti—thanks to you! Together we raised so far this year a total of $108,485 to sustain the Hope programs in Malawi and support relief and development projects in Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti and Belarus. On behalf of all these children, women and families, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your generous contributions to WorldHope Corps.

Specifically this year, we continued to provide food and clothing for 100 vulnerable orphans through the Hope Homes program in Malawi. We also provided educational scholarships for 16 additional youth who otherwise could not complete High School though Hope Scholarships, and graduated the third class of 12 young seamstresses in Hope Tailoring School, so that they can become self-sufficient and contribute to their local economy. Building on the success of our Hope Scholarship and Hope Tailoring School programs, and seeking ways to sustain the good work of orphan care, educational support, and women’s economic empowerment in Malawi, WorldHope Corps, in partnership with Mzuzu United Methodist Church--broke ground in May and made progress over the summer for a new Hope House in Mzuzu!

And there is more good news: We also put in six new village wells—deep water wells – to provide clean, safe drinking water to over 10,000 people in these remote areas. WorldHope Corps has funded and installed a total of 18 Village Wells since 2007, with only two more to go to reach our commitment for a total of 20 village wells. Then we may turn our attention to securing our own well-drilling equipment to sustain this important program.

We also provided HIV/AIDS training to religious leaders in Malawi, co-sponsored Camp Dembe Youth Camp in Kampala, Uganda, and community development training in Uganda in partnership with Communities of Shalom at Drew University.

Before the end of the year, we hope to sponsor more food and medical aid for our Malawi Mission which has been hit particularly hard this year with famine, civil unrest, fuel shortages, and economic distress. Continue our support of the St George Hope Health Centre in Hoima, Uganada, and seek new sponsors for economic community development in Jinja, Uganda. I will post details of these active projects in the posts that follow with the hope that Friends of WorldHope Corps will find one particular opportunity to sponsor or help fund in 2012.

As we enter this Holiday Season of Sharing, we once again have the opportunity to share the blessings which have been bestowed upon us. Through good stewardship and leveraging your gifts, your contributions have had significant impact (scroll down to see some of our projects).

For more information about WorldHope Corps, go to our website www.worldhopecorps.org
Visit Mzuzu UMC website http://umcmzuzu.blogspot.com/ for photos and more details on all the Hope projects in Malawi.
You can also read updated mission reports on WorldHope Corps, Shalom and Belivers Without Borders on my personal website: http://michael-christensen.blogspot.com .

Thank you again for your compassion and generous support. (A receipt for your total tax deductable charitable contributions in 2011 will be sent to you in January). If you are able to provide another gift before the end of the year, you can use PayPal at our website www.worldhopecorps.org or write a check payable to WorldHope Corps, Inc. and send directly to

WorldHope Corps, Inc.

P.O. Box 295

Madison, NJ 07940

I hope you will also consider going with us on an annual WorldHope Corps Mission Trip.

Grace and Peace to you,

Dr. Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D.

Founder and CEO, WorldHope Corps, Inc.

info@worldhopecorps.com

www.worldhopecorps.org

WorldHope Corps, Inc. is a not-for-profit charitable organization registered in the State of New Jersey in 2007. Its 501 (c) 3 status with the IRS was recognized in 2008. All donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. WorldHope Corps, Inc. acknowledges that no goods, property or services were given in return for your donation. Due to our size, structure and low overhead, WorldHope Corps often is able to leverage 20:1 (e.g. $100 worth of food and medicine for each $5 donated). We limit our administrative, fund-raising and capacity building costs to 15% of whatever amount is donated annually. We subscribe to best practices of non-profit management and financial accountability. Annual financial reports are available upon request. WorldHope Corps, Inc. currently has no paid staff. Board members and volunteers do the work and raise all the funds. Mission Teams travel to areas of greatest need and contribute time and money to special projects. We invite you to participate in whatever ways you can.

Time to Occupy Christmas

2011-12-11T23:00:00.002-05:00

An usually large, warm, Full Moon was visible and clear in the sky today over Madison, NJ.

According to earthsky.org "the big and bright waning gibbous moon shines directly in front of the constellation Gemini the Twins, the radiant point for the Geminid meteor shower (going on tonight). Gemini’s two brightest stars are Castor and Pollux. They shine quite close to the moon tonight."

I looked up and down, all around, and inside and out, and though I did not see the Twins of Gemini, suddenly I knew what Time it was.

Time to go home to San Diego for the holidays (on Friday).

Time to leave Occupy Wall Street behind for awhile and focus on other things.

TIME TO OCCUPY CHRISTMAS with family and friends.

"There is a time to every purpose under heaven..." (Ecc. 3)

There's a time to cook and clean and mend.
And there's a time for crying with a friend.
Look around, do you see what time it is?
Put down your pots and pans awhile.

There's a time to do what's proper and polite.
But there's a time to break away and do what's right
Look around, do you see what time it is?Put down your pots and pans awhile.

Are you bound to mop and broom and stove?
Are you bound to walls that will not move?
You try so hard to please and still you find no peace.
Stop and listen, cause there's another voice a'calling.

There's a time to work without delay.
But there's a time for putting work away
Look around, do you see what time it is?
Put down your pots and pans awhile.
Put down your pots and pans awhile.

Song Can You Believe It? by Ken Medema

What Time is it?

2011-12-10T23:55:00.000-05:00

While returning to Newark on a 6am flight from Tulsa, the pilot woke up the passengers to alert us to an an astronomical sight not to be missed. I looked out the window and sure enough, the Moon over Tulsa was full and bright and larger than life, with no clouds obscuring the view. The softer lunar light directly opposed the more radiant light of the Sun which was just starting to rise. In this strange twilight, I beheld that final phase of the lunar eclipse after the moon had turned red at its midpoint.

Since I teach apocalyptic eschatology at Drew (where I discuss biblical texts where the “moon turns to blood”), I could not help but wonder what this astronomical/astrological sign may mean at such a time as this? Perhaps this natural phenomenon, like all solar and lunar eclipses, at least in retrospect, portents or points to important human events of crisis and opportunity, or sometimes to the need for relief and re-balancing—as the ancients believed.

But for now, I simply delight in the marvel of a lunar eclipse in the shadow of planet earth while cruising 3000 feet in the air on my early morning flight from Tulsa, and wonder what time it is (in kronos and kairos).

"Look around and see what Time is it?" (Ken Medema song)

Drew Today--Full Spectrum

2011-12-10T17:43:00.000-05:00

Rev. Jesse Jackson Joins United Methodist Leaders at Occupy Service

What do Drew, Jesse Jackson and Newt Gingrich have in common?

Here are two video clips from Drew Today, the university’s online news channel, illustrating the political spectrum of faculty, students and alumni: (http://drew.edu/today)

Prayers and Protest

Social justice is integral to the mission of the Theological School and its Shalom initiative, so it wasn't so out of the ordinary that they led last Sunday’s worship service at Occupy Wall Street in New York City, led by Drew's Communities of Shalom. The surprise came when Rev. Jesse Jackson joined them. Video Journalist Ted Johnsen has the story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCauwTMKUSU&feature=youtube_gdata

Alumnus Propels Gingrich toward White House

With only a few weeks to go before the presidential primaries, Newt Gingrich is emerging as the GOP frontrunner. We thought that was a good reason to reprise this 2010 “Life After Drew” feature with alumnus Joe DeSantis C’00. DeSantis, who is now playing a key role with Newt’s campaign, was then Gingrich’s communications director and had just co-authored a book with the former speaker. Find out why he thanks Drew in this Ted Johnsen exclusive. Newt Gingrich taps Drew Alum for Campaign

For background on Communities of Shalom occupying Wall Street with faith, read my blog:

http://michael-christensen.blogspot.com/search/label/shalom%20zone

Politics of Jesus

2011-12-10T13:48:00.004-05:00

Jesse Jackson support Obery Hendricks speaking at OSW

Dr. Obery Hendricks, Professor of New Testament Intepretation at New York Theological Semianry, Scholar in Residence at Columbia University, and author of The Politics of Jesus, attended the Occupy Advent service with Jesse Jackson and was invited to speak.

“Treat the people’s needs as holy...” is one of seven strategies Jesus used to

“give a voice to the voiceless” and “expose the workings of oppression” —to challenge the established order of things.

Hendricks is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at New York Theological Seminary and author of the book The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted.

The 7 Political Strategies of Jesus are these:

Treat people needs as holy.
Give a voice to the voiceless.
Expose the working of oppression.
Call the demon by name.
Save your anger for the mistreatment of others.
Take blows without returning them.
Don't just explain the alternative, show it.

“To say that Jesus was a political revolutionary, is to say that the message he proclaimed not only called for change in individual hearts but always demanded sweeping and comprehensive change in the political, social, and economic structures in his setting in life: colonized Israel. It means if Jesus had his way...” he would “radically change the distribution of authority and power, goods and resources, so all people—particularly the little people, or the “least of these” as Jesus called them—might have lives free of political repression, enforced hunger and poverty, and undue insecurity.” (The Politics of Jesus, p. 5)

“To say that Jesus was a political revolutionary is to say that the message he proclaimed not only called for change in individual hearts but also demanded sweeping and comprehensive change in the political, social, and economic structures in his setting in life: colonized Israel,” Hendricks writes.

Followers of Jesus and politicians themselves—should use Jesus’ teachings as a way of evaluating the government’s work, according to Hendicks. “...every policy and policy proposal must be judged by Jesus’ yardstick of love and justice.”

Three Stories of Shalom at Drew

2011-12-10T11:52:00.000-05:00

Friends of Shalom:

I want to share with you three shalom stories that were posted this week on Drew's Homepage: http://www.drew.edu/

Feature on Drew Shalom intern, Gaius Charles, on how he balances his acting career and seminary studies.
$85,000 grant received last month from Jessie Ball duPont Fund for ShalomZone Training enhancements.
Jessie Jackson Joins us at OWS video clip

I posted more news coverage, video clips, content, and reflection on our Occupy Advent service last week.
http://michael-christensen.blogspot.com/search/label/shalom%20zone

There is growing interest in the Shalom network about about how we can create shalom zones in connection to OWS.

Taking a break from Occupy for Christmas, but will be in touch as things develop in the New Year.

Occupy Church on Wall Street

2011-12-07T21:13:00.163-05:00

Occupy Advent 'congregation' at Zuccotti Park

United Methodist Bishops, clergy, members, Ministers of Shalom, Drew faculty and students, and other people of strong faith and good will..."Occupied Church" on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 2011.

Occupy Advent article

Here are some of the video clips and news stories about OccupyFaith weekly services at Zuccotti Park and United Methodist support of the Occupy Movement for separation of Corporations and State, exposure of systemic greed, and proclamation that a new world is possible--Shalom for All.

Watch 2 minute video:
Jesse Jackson Joins Communities of Shalom to Occupy Wall Street

Watch longer video of Bishop Jeremiah Park and Bishop J preaching at Occupy Wall Street, Sunday December 4.

News article: Occupy Advent, Occupy Shalom

News article: Church of the Village Occupies Wall Street

News article United Methodists Who Support Occupy Movement

News article: More United Methodists Occupying

Melissa Hennin's Photos of Shalom Occupy Advent Service on December 4

I've also posted excerpts of what the clergy leaders said during the Shalom Occupy Advent service:
Occupy Shalom Wall Street

Eric Jackson, Althea Spencer Miller, Michael Christensen, Bishop J, Bishop Park, Tanya Bennett

Common Prayer for OWS

2011-12-07T16:57:00.001-05:00

Minister Annie Allen, Program Associate and Coordinator of Training for Communities of Shalom at Drew, asked the Occupy Wall Street protest crowd to hold hands and pray this prayer together:

There is Power in Prayer

Let us hold hands, touch

somebody

Let us Pray all Together

Holy, Gracious, Loving God

You want Justice for your people

We want Justice for your people

Holy God you act though your children

We are your Children

Rain your spirit into this place

Lord Rain your spirit into our souls

Your Spirit is blowing – Hallelujah!

Lord, we need your justice and your peace.

Please Raise the Lowly and bring down the mighty

As you love us – Let us love one another

As you provide for us – let us provide for one another

We pray for all who are suffering

We ask for your patience, wisdom and strength

Help us create your kingdom on earth

Thank you God, for loving us

Thank you God, for being with us

And the Church says…

Amen. Amen. Amen!

Rev. Christensen and Rev. Eric Jackson help form the circle of prayer

"Occupy Till I Come" Jesus said (Luke 19:13)

2011-12-07T15:29:00.002-05:00

Bishop Alfred Johnson, Ret. Bishop of Greater New Jersey Annual Conference and currently Senior Pastor of Church of the Village Church in lower Manhattan, offered these bold and prophetic words at the Occupy Advent Service at Zuccotti Park:

"...This Sunday's lectionary ushering us into the Advent season, featured the fiery and inspired "John the Baptist."

Taking editorial liberties and paraphrasing a bit to embody our occasion here, the Gospel of Luke(3) boldly testifies: "right in the middle of a matrix of mighty military and conspiring religious institutional power, the interrupting Word of God "Occupied" John the Baptist, who "occupied" the wilderness with words that "occupied" and even overflowed into the public and political economy of that day, and declared, a change is gonna come! God's change of Justice and fairness for all."

Even with this, John was clear, that water was not enough to baptize the moment, for water only "occupied" the space it found itself in. But, that One was coming this Advent, who would not only bring water, but would overflow beyond the space with the Holy Spirit and Fire, and that with that power, would flow wherever it chose to go, - even Wall Street and beyond.

May our "occupation" be only a sign of the journey, whose real destination is Shalom, God's Shalom in Jesus, indeed! Shalom is born at Christmas and busting loose! AMEN!"

Bishop J invites Rev. Jackson to share his time at street pulpit

'To Give You a Hope and a Future'

2011-12-07T15:04:00.000-05:00

Bishop Jeremiah Park, Resident Bishop, New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, offered these prophetic words with great passion on Sunday, December 4, at the Occupy Advent church service with the OccupyWall Street congregation:

Long ago, the prophet Jeremiah heard God speaking:

“For I know the plans I have for you,”….

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”(Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s plan for us is clear: hope and a future.

Our hearts are broken to know that God’s plan is denied to so many people. God’s heart is broken when any one is denied hope and a future.

What is missing in our society is hope. The absence of hope has moved so many people around the globe to occupy their public centers following the example of our own Occupy Wall Street.

Something is seriously wrong in America when the land of the greatest opportunity cannot inspire hope among its citizens, particularly the young! Something is seriously wrong in America when the so-called richest nation on earth has one of every four children living in poverty. Something is seriously wrong when people have to choose between food and medicine or medical care. Something is seriously wrong when so many people are living on the streets.

Something is seriously wrong when young people graduate from college with a heavy load of debt but can find no employment. Something is seriously wrong when the dream of a decent living becomes beyond reach to people, even though they work hard. A decent living must be a basic human right.

Something is seriously wrong in America with the way we’ve been doing economics and life. We are polarized; we are paralyzed. And, as usual, those with the least are suffering the most. Now, thanks to Occupy Wall Street, we’re being compelled to confront this reality and to do something about it. The United States of America has been found guilty of reckless practices of a greed driven economy that benefits mostly the richest at the peril and expense of the rest. This leads me to ask, “What has happened to the America of my dreams that inspired a future with hope for all people?” The economic system that feeds and satisfies the untamed greed of the most powerful who possess the most resources so that the richest get richer, while the poor stay poor and the middle are squeezed, is not God’s plan. A future with hope! That’s God’s plan for all of us. When hope is missing, we have the God given right to demand it.

In eighteenth century England, a young Anglican priest named John Wesley, looked upon his society with horror. People were suffering in their poverty and oppression. Wesley was determined to do something about it. A movement called Methodism was born to offer new life and hope to people of all ages and stations. It was John Wesley who said, “There is no religion except social religion; no holiness except social holiness.”

What’s social religion all about? A religion that brings hope to everyone. What’s social holiness all about? A holiness that brings hope to all people, particularly to the most underprivileged.

Thanks to Occupy Wall Street, we are being reminded that unless we are looking out for the poorest among us, we are not being faithful to our God. If we are not in the hope-giving business to the marginalized among us, our business model is all wrong!

I call upon our church to be a house of hope. I call upon our people to be agents of hope.

For Christians, we are in the season of Advent, a season of hope.

Let me end with a prayer:

We are waiting for the One who is the Healer of our brokenness,

the Prince of shalom, and Hope of the world. Come to us until hope occupies our hearts, our wills, and our streets. Amen.

To hear the Bishop and others of us speak, click to view 2 min. video clip:

Occupy the Temple

2011-12-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

Rev. Dr. Tanya Linn Bennett

The following "Advent sermon" was offered by the Rev. Dr. Tanya Linn Bennett, University Chaplain, Drew University, on Sunday at the Occupy Wall Street church service:

In the Christian tradition

This is the season of Advent

The time of year when Christians

Wait for the Messiah, Jesus, to come

Despite our fairy tale images,

Jesus was no meek and mild child

Jesus came to turn the world around

To bring justice and freedom to those oppressed

To make the rich lowly, and to raise up the poor.

In one story in the Bible,

Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem

Where the moneylenders and merchants

Had set up shop

And he calls them cheaters and liars

Robbers of the poor

Exploiters of the vulnerable

And he turns over the tables

One of the first occupiers--

Jesus occupied Jerusalem

In this season of waiting

Let us turn over the tables

Bringing low the rich

And raising up the poor

Bringing justice, freedom and a powerful, holy love

To those who need it most.

To those who need us most.

Occupy Advent Now!

Rev. Dr. Tanya Bennett, Drew University

Occupy--Down By the Riverside

2011-12-07T14:44:00.001-05:00

Rev. David Best leads in prophetic song with Bishops and Chaplain at his side

Rev. David Best of Towell and Basin ministries offered an adaption of the prayer-song "Down By the Riverside", with new verses of repentance for three evils of our time--militarism, racism, and poverty-- that obstruct the creation of the Beloved Community of Shalom:

Here we are Lord,
Down by the riverside.
By the rivers of Babylon we hung our guitars and drums;
our horns and harps.
How can we sing in a strange land?
But sing we must . . . and sing we shall!!
So here we are Lord,
Down by the riverside.
And we prayerfully protest and protestantly pray…
For the evidence of your just rule and saving shalom;
For the elimination of war-making, race-hate and poverty-producing
practices;
That in this bleak winter of affluence, the fruit of your just rule and
saving shalom may blossom.
But, we remember the words of the old African-American spiritual:
“It’s me, oh Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”
So help us - help me - be the change we seek…
Let the song of shalom ring in my heart.

I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield,
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside,
I’m gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside and
Study war no more
Ain’t gonna study war no more
Ain’t gonna study war no more
Ain’t gonna study war no more
Ain’t gonna study war no more
Ain’t gonna stiudy war no more
Study war no more

I’m gonna lay down my prejudice
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my prejudice down by the riverside and
Study hate no more.

Ain’t gonna study hate no more
Ain’t gonna study hate no more
Ain’t gonna study hate no more
Ain’t gonna study hate no more
Ain’t gonna study hate no more
Study hate no more

I’m gonna lay down my avarice
Down by the riverside, down by the riverside, down by the riverside
I’m gonna lay down my avarice, Down by the riverside and
Study greed no more.

Ain’t gonna study greed no more
Ain’t gonna study greed no more
Ain’t gonna study greed no more
Ain’t gonna study greed no more
Ain’t gonna study greed no more
Study greed no more
Ain’t gonna study war,
Ain’t gonna study hate,
Ain’t gonna study greed,
But sing your shalom ever more.

Traditional, African-American Spiritual
New verses by David M. Best
© 2011 David M. Best

Occupy Shalom during Advent

2011-12-07T14:00:00.015-05:00

Dr. Michael J. Christensen and Bishop Alfred Johnson

Here's a copy of my Occupy Advent Prayer and Statement of Support for Occupy Wall Street, delivered as a Call and Response at Zuccotti Park on December 4, 2011 for the Second Sunday in Advent:

Communities of Shalom

is a network of community development sites—

known as Shalom Zones—scattered across the country.

We are here today to Occupy with Faith

in direct solidarity with OWS

because we share your frustration with the System--

the possessed structures of oppression and domination
that Bible calls “Principalities and Powers...”

at work for ill in the world...

We are here today because we agree with you who are occupiers:

that our democracy has been coopted and corrupted,

that the few are enriched at the expense of the many,

that greed is wrong, and selfishness is sin.

We are here today—occupiers and allies—together proclaiming

that a new world is possible, a new world is coming, a new world of God's Shalom!

Occupy Advent

is about being willing and waiting,

waiting and working,

watching and praying,

for the coming Change,

the pending Shift,

the sure Turning,

and long-Dawning

of the Age of the Spirit!

Advent is a time of new Beginnings.

We're hoping and praying

working and waiting

for the Change that must come,

so that the scripture might be fulfilled:

“those that gathered much did not gather too much,

and those who gathered little did not gather too little,

so all may have what they need.” (Exo 16:18)

“How long, O Lord, how long?" I hear the Psalmist David say.

How long must we wait for the the world to Turn?

For the Shift to take hold and the Wrong made right?

How long, O Lord, how long?

For the valleys to be exalted and the mountains brought low?

How long, O Lord, how long?

Will the wicked prosper and the poor live in despair?

“How long?--Not long!” I hear the prophet Martin say:

because “the arc of the moral universe is long,

but it bends toward justice."

For thus it is written, and thus is shall be:

On the mountain of greed

ON THE MOUNTAIN OF GREED

From the ashes of despair

FROM THE ASHES OF DESPAIR

In the chaos of these times

IN THE CHAOS OF THESE TIMES

Will arise

WILL ARISE

New communities of hope and faith

NEW COMMUNITIES OF HOPE AND FAITH

New communities of love and daring

NEW COMMUNITIES OF LOVE AND DARING

New communities of God’s Shalom

NEW COMMUNITIES OF GOD’S SHALOM

AMEN. (adapted from original Shalom Litany of first Shalom Team in Los Angeles, 1992)

Call to Inspiration to OWS

2011-12-07T13:33:00.017-05:00

Dr. Althea Spencer-Miller Boldly Occupies Advent

Dr. Althea Spencer Miller, Professor of New Testament at Drew Theological School, offered the following Call to Inspiration as the Occupy Advent service began:

When the Lord said,
“Let the weak say we are strong”

We knew he had not said it wrong.

For we saw the little lily

Pushing up the mighty sod

And we marveled at the wisdom of our God.

They thought we were weak

But we know we are strong

We are the little lilies

We are pushing up the mighty sod,

And we marvel at the wisdom of our God.

These words play off an old Christian song, “I marvel at the wisdom of my God.”

Statement of Purpose--OccupyFaithNYC

2011-12-07T13:06:00.000-05:00

The following Preamble was read by Rev. Eric Jackson, Community Minister at Judson Memorial Church and coordinator of the weekly interfaith service at Zuccotti Park for OccupyFaithNYC.org:

We are
Occupy Faith NYC

A Multi-Faith Coalition

of Leaders and members
of every Faith Tradition And Practice

In New York City.

We are here to thank you

for joining us in our

weekly multi-fait service

in support of Occupy Wall Street:

Therefore:

We, the people of faith communities

throughout New York and the United States,

see in the spirit of Occupy Wall Street

a promise of democracy renewed.

Our traditions are clear:

the impoverishment of the many for the benefit of the few destroys us all.

The cries of our people are clear:

the American dream is compromised; the middle is slipping away;

and in our politics, fairness is dissipating.

So we commit ourselves

to the restoration of justice for all in our economy,

and compassion in our politics,

that together we might behold a revolution of values for all our people.

We ask all Americans to join us in this prayer,

that once again our country might be the fulfillment of hopes and dreams

for all who reach its shores.

Minister Annie Allen

Time to Occupy Shalom

2011-12-05T00:36:00.017-05:00

Rev. Eric Jackson Introduces Clergy Occupiers

Occupy Advent on Wall Street on Sunday was good for Communities of Shalom, good for Drew University, and good for United Methodists. I think it also was a powerful and prophetic witness to those who did not expect the Church to occupy Zuccotti Park for prayer and protest, for Christians clergy to call for a separation of Corporation and State, or for Jesus to be identified so closely with the the 99%!

There was a lot going on in an untamed public space, and perhaps too many moving parts and pieces in the program--planned and unplanned. But overall, I'm pleased that the radical gospel of Jesus Christ and his special interest in the poor and marginalized was proclaimed loud and clear. Though we could be criticized for not being interfaith enough, or succinct enough in the words we shared, most of the comments I heard from the crowd were extremely positive and affirming. Individuals thanked us for just being there, for speaking truth in a powerful way, for witnessing to peace and justice, for connecting the 'spiritual' and 'social' gospel, and for not letting the so-called 'religious right' co-op the strong name of Jesus.

Jesse Jackson seeks Shalom

I'm glad we invited Jesse Jackson up to speak when he was spotted in the crowd. Even after all these years, he still has a powerful prophetic voice and is not shy about invoking the name of Jesus to advocate for the marginalized and instill hope. I enjoyed his speech, and it swelled the size of the crowd from 60 to over 100.

I'm also glad that Obery Hendricks (former Drew professor of NT) occupied Advent with us. I liked how he took the stage to talk about the “politics of Jesus” and the social implications of shalom. (I highly recommend his book--The Politics of Jesus-- which we use in class and in Shalom Training).

I want to thank all who came out to support Occupy Advent today: Drew faculty and students, shalom interns, United Methodist pastors and church members, and others who came to church in the Park.

Specifically, I want to thank each minister of shalom for the part you played on 'stage':

Bless you Eric Jackson for your faithful leadership, unflappable presence, and coordination of these weekly services in Zuccotti Park.

Thank you Dr. Althea Spencer-Miller for delivering your delightful and inspiring adaptation of “Let the weak say I am strong... and something about sod and God.” (Please send me what you wrote. It was pure gold.)

Bishop Jeremiah Park

Thank you Bishop Jeremiah Park—first UM Bishop to Occupy Wall Street! You were bold and brave, prophetic and passionate, kind and credible. I'm glad you invoked the name of Jeremiah the prophet. And you reminded me of why I am a Methodist, and what our founder, John Wesley, taught about personal and social holiness, what JW did in his day to occupy London and what he would do and say in NYC if he were here today. You're a good Bishop!

Rev. David Best, thank you for bringing your guitar and collar, and for letting your country best do the talkin and walkin your faith requires. Love those new verses you wrote about 'no more hate, greed or war' “Down By The Riverside.” You should become a Methodist!

Dear Dr. Tanya Bennett, our fearless chaplain leader, gifted with profound words and wisdom. You set the table and prepared the feast. Occupy Advent was your good idea. And so was the image of Jesus occupying the Temple and throwing out the money-lenders who exploited the poor. We all followed your lead, and the theme was played out at every turn (including when Jesse and Obery spoke).

Minister Annie Allen, what would we have done without your non-anxious, self-differentiated, spiritual presence on stage, calmly dealing with the 'interruptions' to the program, having us hold hands to pray, and letting that shalom energy flow through you and through us all. You knew your audience and led with prophetic imagination and professional skill.

Bishop J.

Finally, Bishop J. What more can I say? Your prime-time sermon was cut short on stage, and yet you joyfully went with the flow with guileless grace, humility and humor. You yielded most of your time to Jesse, and abbreviated your own sermon with so much left unsaid. (Didn't you say something this morning in church about how God fills in the valleys and brings down the mountains, makes the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth? Well, you 'humbled yourself in the sight of the Lord...' In God's good time, he will lift you up!

Well, what next? I'm convinced that God is doing a 'new thing' in our midst. 'It is springing up before us. Do you not perceive it?' Let us not miss it! Let us proclaim it. (Isa. 43:19).

Advent means a Time for New Beginnings. Time to discern the Kairos in relation to the Occupy Movement. Time to seize the moment for Shalom.

Dr. Obery Hendricks talks about Jesus and the 99%

Occupy Advent at Zuccotti Park on Sunday

2011-12-02T23:16:00.079-05:00

Calling all Ministers of Shalom:

Do you want to help make history on Sunday by your presence, prayers and participation in Occupy Advent at Zuccotti Park on the second Sunday of Advent, December 4, 3:30-4:00pm?

Every Sunday OccupyFaithNYC.org hosts a multifaith prayer service in direct solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, with different faith groups and traditions leading the service. This Sunday, Communities of Shalom at Drew Theological School was asked to lead the service, and our theme is Occupy Advent--Watching, Waiting, Witnessing and Working for the Change that is Coming.

Students and faculty from Drew and representatives from several United Methodist Churches in the NY metro area will be attending, including: Church of the Village UMC and St Paul and St Andrew UMC--both of which have opened their doors to provide hospitality to Occupiers.

Members of Church of the Village Occupy Wall Street

Here is the list of participants in the service:

Bishop Jeremiah Park, Resident Bishop, New York Annual Conference
Bishop Alfred Johnson “Bishop J", Senior Pastor, Church of the Village United Methodist Church, NYC
Rev. Tanya Bennett, Ph.D., University Chaplain and Director of Chapel and Religious Life, Drew University
Minister Eric C. Jackson, Drew M.Div student and Community Minister, Judson Memorial Church www.occupyfaithNYC.org
Minister Annie Allen, M.Div., Coordinator of Training, Communities of Shalom, Drew University
Rev. David M. Best, President, Center for Urban Strategy Development, NYC
Rev. Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D., National Director, Communities of Shalom, Drew University

Dean Jeffrey Kuan carries golden calf to Occupy

Occupy Advent is about being willing, waiting and working for the coming Change, the pending Shift, the sure Turning, and long-anticipated Dawning of the Age of the Spirit. I like the way the Irish song "Canticle of Turning" captures this theme (but you have to supply your own Occupy images to fully appreciate the apocalyptic power of Canticle of Turning.

I hope you will join us at the top of the steps of Zuccotti Park if you can possibly get there on Sunday afternoon. Since the the Park was raided by police last month, you have to enter from the middle of Cedar Street off Broadway (south of Fulton).
Directions by NYC subway: Take N R Train to Cortlandt Street - walk to cedar and up the incline opposite Ground Zero toward Broadway to enter park in the middle of Cedar Street. Or take #4 or 5 to Fulton Street - walk on Broadway to Cedar and make a right down the hill to enter park in middle of the block.
I plan to be there at 2:30pm to mill around and take it in. Then we'll start at 3:30pm and go till 4pm (it will be a brief but powerful witness).

Also, share this post and invite your constituency to join us. We want a big crowd of allies in support the occupiers to Occupy Advent. After all,
“A servant church must have as its priority solidarity with the poor.” – Brazilian Cardinal Cláudio Hummes. And according to a story in the Talmud, Messiah would be found outside the gates of the city, among the poor and marginalized.

If you are not yet sure if the deep frustrations and longings of the poor who Occupy public spaces around the world are worth supporting and encouraging, I urge you to read more about Occupy in light of the biblical prophets and Jesus' identification with the poor and oppressed.

What Would Jesus Occupy (WWJO) is good question to ask during Advent--as we wait and witness and work for the Change that must come.

shalom, mjc

"Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don't give up."
- Anne Lamott from Bird by Bird: Some instructions on writing and life

Is there a place for Religious Leaders in the Occupy Movement?

Shalom Zone on Wall Street?

2011-12-01T11:15:00.019-05:00

Friends of Shalom,

As National Director, following the lead of my Dean at Drew, I have identified myself and Communities of Shalom with www.OccupyFaithNYC.com --a multifaith coalition of religious leaders and faith-based organizations in metro New York in direct solidarity with and support of the Occupy Wall Street Movement.

Personally, I have visited Occupy camps in three cities and participated in three multifaith services at Zuccotti Park, and joined a dozen clergy and religious leaders who led the Occupy March across the Brooklyn Bridge on November 17--the second month anniversary of the movement.

On Sunday, December 4, Communities of Shalom will host and lead the weekly multifaith service at Zuccotti Park. Our theme is Occupy Advent and we have tremendous support from Drew University and United Methodist leaders in New York, including Bishop Jeremiah Park of the York Annual Conference who will make a statement of support.

I write you today to invite you to attend the prayer service if your are nearby and able, and to pray for us if you are not available--that our prophetic witness will be clear and in the spirit of Shalom.

For background on the Shalom Zone on Wall Street, read the string of blog posts on Shalom and OccupyFaith and spread the word during Advent.

Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D.

National Director, Communities of Shalom

Drew University

Madison, NJ 07940

www.communitiesofshalom.org

There's Something About Mary

2011-11-27T23:52:00.083-05:00

Invited to preach on the First Sunday of Advent at Palo Alto United Methodist Church, I offered Five Lessons of Mary of Nazareth on her Willingness to wait for the world to Change:

I. The Annunciation (1:26-38)--"There's something about Mary"

Luke's account of the Annunciation (1:26-27), tells us a number of things about Mary:

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee with a bad reputation ("Can anything good come out of Nazareth?)

"to a virgin named Mary," a peasant girl, probably about 13 years old, betrothed but not yet married.

The angel "sent" from God is Gabriel, archangel and chief messenger fearsome to behold, with the announcement six months after Elizabeth (family member) becomes pregnant with John the Baptist (Jesus' older cousin?).

Mary is to be married to a man named Joseph, a direct descendant of King David. Mary's ancestry is more complex and lowly.

LESSON No. 1--God calls ordinary people, young people, in the most unlikely times and places. And calls them to do extra-ordinary things.

II. Mary's Fear and Alarm (1:28-30)

"The angel went to her and said, 'Hail Mary, full of grace, there Lord is with thee..." A formal greeting from the Angel, preserved in the 'Hail Mary' prayer of Roman Catholics.

If you were a young teen and heard an angel speak these words to you, about you, how would you feel? perplexed, confused? scared spitless?

Luke says: "Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. "

LESSON No. 2--Fear is our first response to what God may asking us to do. "Get of here!" No way!"

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.'" (1:28-30) Gabriel counters Mary's understandable fear with the simple words "Be not be afraid" and Mary accepted the angel's "Fear not" at face value, and held her fear and alarm in check. [What a courageous young woman of faith!]

"'You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.' (1:31-34)

III. Mary's Fear and Alarm turns to Utter Amazement at God's Power (1:34)

Mary's head was spinning by this time. 'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'" (1:34) How will God accomplish this, since I have not been with a man?

Some people say we shouldn't question God, but Mary did. She asked "How?" Questions cause us to grow and learn. Questions stretch our minds and hearts and increase our understanding.

The angel responded to her question by elaborating a bit on the "how":

"The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'" (1:35)

Behold the Miracle of Advent.

Behold the Mystery of the Incarnation.

Mary of Nazareth, humble servant, becomes the Mother of the Son of God: Theotokis--God-bearer. Co-Redemptrix in RC. Miracle of the Virgin Birth for Protestants.

Lesson 3-- Nothing is Impossible with God (1:36-37)

After explaining that Mary's Child would be Holy and Divine, the angel lets Mary know that "even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, a miracle baby. For nothing is impossible with God." (1:36-37)

God, however, does not do miracles alone; 'nothing is impossible with God' if God and we act together! (synergy)

Mary, if you will loan your womb to God, if you will make yourself available for divine action, if you are willing, God can do the impossible and make you the mother of God, blessed among women, prophet of the Most High.

IV. Mary's Willingness is the key for God's power to work her life, in our lives. (1:38)

"'Here I am, the servant of the Lord," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." (1:38)

Exercise in willingness: Repeat Mary's words as a mantra:

"Here I am (Here I am)

the servant of the Lord. (the servant of the Lord.)

May it be to me as you have said." (May it be to me as you have said.)" Three times.

Here is a teenager facing misunderstanding and rejection from her family, her betrothed, and her townspeople. For a betrothed woman to bear a child out of wedlock to someone not her husband could potentially even result in stoning (Deuteronomy 22:22-24). And yet she agrees. "I am the Lord's servant…"

No wonder the Church holds her in highest esteem to this day.

Mary's response of faith is what actualizes faith-in-action: "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said."(Luke 1:38)

May you and I be ready to respond with that same submitted willingness when God calls us to do something extraordinary for him.

Lesson No. 4--Willingness is the Key

Example of Willingness from AA: occurs 31 times in the Big Book.

We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.

Until my friend, Susan (pastor's wife and mother of five), reached rock bottom, and came to a point of willingness to a Power greater than herself restore her to sanity and wholeness, she could not recover from her addictions. Thank God she did, and now she's an incredible woman of faith and daring; able to be used by God in powerful ways.

Describing the 12 Steps in the Big Book

"There is only one key, and it is called willingness."

Belief in the power of God, plus enough willingness, honesty and humility to establish and maintain the new order of things, were the essential requirements. [of recovery). --Bill's story

Once we have placed the key of willingness in the lock and have the door ever so slightly open, we find that we can always open it some more.

We grow by our willingness to face and rectify errors and convert them into assets.

An honest regret for harms done, a genuine gratitude for blessings received, and a willingness to try for better things tomorrow will be the permanent assets we shall seek. (Step 10)

The key of Willingness unlocks hidden assets and makes them available for the common good.

Robert Linthicum writes: "It takes capacity plus ability plus willingness to act powerfully" (Empowering the People of God)

What have you been willing to do for God lately? (Personally, I've been willing to visit Occupy Wall Street in my clergy clothes, cross and stole in order to engage the occupiers who long for justice and shalom…)--see blog posts

The four lessons: ordinary, fearful, amazing, willing…

But there is a fifth lesson in Mary's life of faith for us to emulate: Prophetic imagination.

V. Mary's Prophetic Invocation of Shalom:

Will Willimon tells the story of a college student talking to him about how the virgin birth was just too incredible to believe. Willimon responded, "You think that's incredible, come back next week. Then, we will tell you that 'God has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.' We'll talk about the hungry having enough to eat and the rich being sent away empty. The virgin birth? If you think you have trouble with the Christian faith now, just wait. The virgin birth is just a little miracle; the really incredible stuff is coming next week."

Well, I won't be there next week, so I want to conclude with Mary's prophetic song of peace and justice (just reading and highlighting : Read key verses):

Still a teenager, Mary overcomes her fear, steps out on faith to do impossible things. Inspired by the spirit of prophesy, she boldly sings the song of Shalom:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. (Mary knew herself to be a member of the underclass, chosen by God for a special purpose)

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him, (fear can turn to amazement at God's mighty acts)

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones (Oh how some of the mighty have fallen this year around the world)

but has lifted up the humble (those who know themselves to be poor and needy on some level, dependent on God)

He has filled the hungry with good things (like the Thankgiving turkey Glide Church shared with the Occupiers in San Francisco)

but has sent the rich away empty. (the "rich" are those who have accumulated wealth at the expense of the poor, ill-gotten gain, worship of Mammon)

(Luke 1:46-53)

"Throughout the Gospel of Luke, the proud, powerful, and rich are the opponents of Jesus. They are portrayed as people who look to enhance their own social honor and prestige, and as people who are indifferent to those lower on the social ladder. In Mary's child, God has intervened on behalf of the "lowly" and the "hungry." God lifts them up, but "scattered the proud ones," and "sent the rich away empty."

God is always on the side of those on the bottom, those who are excluded, those left out.

Yes, God has favorites….and the list includes: “the poor, maimed, the lame, the blind, the sick and imprisoned, the hungry and homeless, the orphan and widow in their distress; the sojourner and the uninsured). World history is a long struggle between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, the great and the small. And in the struggle of survival of the fittest, God takes sides. And the side God takes is the side of the underdog, the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the socially-disinherited. In liberation theology we call this “God’s preferential option for the poor.”

Yet, God does not triumph over the rich and powerful oppressors in a vindictive act, but rather a remedial and loving way. God wants us to change our minds and hearts, and join his mission in the world to usher in the upside-down kingdom--where the first will be last and the last first. Where the greatest will be least and the least considered greatest. (Matt 25). God is at work in the world, visibly right now, lifting up the lowly and pulling down the proud. 'For 'every valley shall be exalted, every mountain brought down. Crooked places will be made straight and rough places plain. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it through the prophets.'

Lesson No. 5--Pray, Praise and Prophesy for the Poor! Step out and proclaim your own magnificat.

Mary's prophesy is about justice and shalom for Israel and the poor. Can we apply her prophetic vision to our country, our community, our church? What would that look like? What are the characteristics of a Just Church, a Shalom Church?

Seven marks of a Shalom Church are 1) inclusive, 2) radically hospitable, 3) economically just, 4) caring of all creation, 5) redemptive of persons and communities, 6) focused on health, healing and wholeness, and 7) engaged in systemic change, sustainable transformation, and the mending of the creation.
(See ShalomChurch: The Body of Christ as Ministering Community by Craig L. Nessan)

"To be a mission station of Jesus Christ," according to Rober Schuller, "you have to put the needs of the un-saved a notch above the needs of the saved." Similarly, to become a ShalomChurch, you have to put the interests of the immediate community or neighborhood a notch above the needs of the church members." That requires a willingness to identify with the poor and oppressed and make their cause your own (e.g. Occupy WallStreet)

Example of a ShalomChurch: Church of the Village UMC in lower manhattan in solidarity with the poor of Occupy Wall Street…

Conclusion: What are you personally and as a church community willing to do to become a ShalomChurch?

Five Lessons of Mary:

God chooses unlikely candidates for Greatness.

Fear is our initial response, followed by amazement of what God is asking you to do.

"Nothing is impossible with God." Believe, act on it.

Willingness is the key.

And don't be afraid to pray, praise and prophesy.

During this Advent season, consider Mary:

AKA Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Prophet of the Most HIgh

Willing and Waiting for the right time and place.

Willing to occupy and be occupied.

Willing to praise and prophesy

That the Scriptures might be fulfilled:

"to bring down rulers from their thrones and lift up the lowly; feed the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty..."

Now go into a frazzeled and broken world with peace and justice,

to mend and heal and make whole again with God's Shalom!

Occupy Advent in Solidarity with the 99%

2011-11-20T19:41:00.013-05:00

Jubilee Angel

Advent is a good time to Occupy.

I have been following, participating, and blogging about the OccupyWall Street movement for several weeks now, and I am ready to recommend some specific solidarity actions during this Advent season.

I'm calling on Ministers of Shalom, designated Shalom Zones, Communities of Shalom, Belivers Without Borders, and other faith-based groups and people of good will, to find creative ways to "seek shalom in the community where you have been sent" (Jeremiah 29:7). I'm asking you to consider one or more of the following prophetic acts of kindness, hospitality, justice and advocacy in behalf of the so-called "99 %" during Advent--in the spirit of God's Shalom:

1. Open the doors of your church, community center, or home to some Occupiers for a warm meal, hot shower, or even for an overnight rest. Several shalom zones and prophetic churches already have done this, including Church of the Village and Judson Memorial Church in Lower Manhattan, and Arch Street UMC in downtown Philedelphia. Jim Wallis of Sojourners also has called for Christians to offer sancturary, hospitality and refuge to the young Occupiers: Sojo Net church-sanctuary-occupy-movement If you decide to do this, here is some practical advise from one of the pastors of Judson Church: Do's and Don't of Opening Sacred Space

2. Participate in an interfaith prayer service at an Occupy camp near you. OccupyFaithNYC sponsors a weekly multifaith service as Zuccotti Park (now called by its original name of Liberty Square). Yesterday there was a special ceremony at Judson Church and march to Occupy Wall Street for 20th century civil rights leaders (Rev. Phil Lawson among them) to "pass on the torch" to the younger 21th century civil rights leaders (Rev. Eric Jackson from Drew Theological School among them). Passing the Torch at Liberty Square See also Council of Elders http://judson.org/occupywallst

On Sunday, December 4, Communities of Shalom will be hosting and leading an Occupy Advent prayer service at Zuccotti Park (Liberty Square) near Wall Street. United Methodist Bishop Alfred Johnson, Drew University Chaplain Dr. Tanya Bennett, and several others will speak and pray. Join us after church at 3:30pm if you can.

3. Join a protest march near you. On Saturday night my wife and I joined a group of Religion Professors at the American Academy of Religion meeting in San Francisco. Together we marched in the rain from Union Square to the Hyatt Hotel (presenting red roses to service workers denied a living wage), passed the Federal Building on Market Street where many occupiers were camped, and on to Hermann Plaza where the main camp was established. Last Thursday, on the second month anniversary of the movement, I joined other religious leaders march from Zuccotti Park (where the occupiers were evicted two days before) up to Union Square NY, and back down to Palmer Square City Hall for a rally and then across the Brooklyn Bridge en mass. Most cities have Occupy Marches. Join one.
Here's a few good links:

occupyfaith.org

God's Politics

Drewids Occupy

4. Read the Bible: During this Advent season of waiting and willingness to be used by God, go back and re-read the old prophets of justice and Jesus's teaching about "blessed are the poor"in light of the growing popular frustration and opposition to the economic disparity, political corruption, systemic dysfunction, and culture of greed in our time. Here's a really good analysis of the role and function of movements like Occupy from Brookings: Brookings article If you find the spirit of this movement compelling, consider ways to identify and minister with the so-called "99%"
Here's short, faithful, biblical call to Christian solidarity with Occupy Vancouver from a young evangelical graduate student at Regent University in Vancouver: Jubilee Economics

5. Prayerfully discern what time it is for you, for America and for our world. When kairos (God's time, appointed time) has finally come, then we may perceive the "new thing" God is doing in the world to 'raise up the lowly and feed the hungry with good things'. If you perceive it, then, then 'seize the time'. "Who knows whether you have been chosen for such a time as this?"

There are many more ways to proclaim the gospel to the poor, speak truth to power, support Occupy or engage in prophetic ministry in your time and place. What is important is to act prayerfully and courageously, in the spirit of God's Shalom, and with the biblical understanding that the Lord requires us to "remember the poor" and "not neglect the needy" (Psalm 44:1); and to 'do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8).

Occupy Advent! Occupy Shalom.

Dr. Michael J. Christensen, Ph.D.
International Director, Communities of Shalom
Drew University

Lord, Hear Our Prayers

2011-11-15T12:56:00.003-05:00

On this 60th day of Occupy Wall Street, protestors camping at Zuccotti Park were removed by force early this morning, many arrested, as frustration escalates. Early morning photos of Un-Occupying the Park

Direct Actions for the two-month anniversary of the movement are being organized:

OccupyFaithNYC.org

Let us pray that this anti-greed and pro-economic reform movement does not turn violent. And let us hope and pray that OccupyFaith finds new ways to support the highest ideals of OccupyWall Street and similar demonstrations around the world.

Eric Jackson, M.Div. at Drew, leads prayers at Occupy Wall Street

Latest News and Photos from New York Times

Latest News and Photos from Los Angles Times

Does God Have Favorites?

2011-11-13T22:49:00.040-05:00

Today is the 58th day of Occupy Wall Street, my fifth time to occupy with faith. Three worship services on Sunday is certainly enough prayer, praise and protest for one day.

The Path Train from Hoboken delivered me to Christopher Street in the West Village which was an easy walk to the Church of the Village: A Progressive United Methodist Church. “Bishop J” is senior pastor (who had set up several shalom zones when he was Bishop for New Jersey Annual Conference. It was stewardship Sunday and the economic theme was “lend your heart, invest your soul, maximize your ROI.” I loved how the worship team performed a Broadway tune—“I’m into Money” complete with tap dancing and showmanship.

The gospel text was the Parable of the Talents and the Separation of the Sheep and Goats (Matt 25:14-30). District Superintendent St. Clair Samuel preached a very fine radical stewardship message on God’s ownership and our stewardship of has been entrusted to our care. “What we have is not ours,” the preacher said, quoting Psalm 21). “God has rights and we have responsibilities…. The question is--are we faithful in service? Do we hide or do we invest our time, talent and treasure? ... There will be a day of accountability…. We will be audited by the Almighty…. What did you do with what I gave you? … To whom much is given, much is expected… If we are faithful with what we have been given, large or small, God will someday say” “Well done good and faithful servant!”

I learned from the sermon that Five Talents in Jesus’ day was equal to fifteen years of a laborer’s wages. That would be over $300,000 in today’s currency. Not all the servants were given an equal amount, but apparently only what they could handle. And they were held accountable for how they invested it. Whether we have one, two or five talents, we are expected to invest it wisely and justly. “Use it or lose it,” the preacher said.

Since I was heading to Occupy Wall Street after the service, I could not help but judge my neighbors—the big boy bankers and tight-fisted tycoons who seem to conspire to rig the system to keep the 1% permanently rich and the 99% struggling to make ends meet. It is easy for me to condemn the politicians whose votes can be bought by lobbyists, major contributors, and special interest groups that fund and shape their campaigns, and even outright bribe. The prophets Amos and Micah certainly judged those who “sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—those who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and turn aside the way of the afflicted" (Amos 2:6-7).

But then I remembered that I’m among the top 5% of the wealthiest people in the world, possessing silver and gold, shoes and sandals, homes and mortgages, a privileged job, and “all the cattle on a thousand hills” (at least metaphorically), compared to the 95% who have not. Sure, I want to have my 401 (k) Plan invested in socially-responsible retirement funds, but I like my Chase Presidential Plus Card for elite access in boarding planes and enjoying Star Alliance Lounges.

Okay, I don’t want to think about that right now; Bishop J. wants me to offer a Table Blessing, Benediction, and invite folks to join us at 3:30pm for the OccupyFaith Service on Wall Street.

My next stop was the Lamb’s Church of the Nazarene in Chinatown where Pastor Gabriel Salguero asked me to stop by on my way to the Financial District and speak to the college mission team they were hosting this weekend. I arrived at 41 Rivington in time for the church offering and musical postlude. When it was time to speak to the kids about Communities of Shalom, I shared by own journey from being a college student feeling called to urban ministry, working at the Lamb’s Church in Times Square in the 1970’s, and moving to San Francisco in the 1980’s to plant a church and start a mission for the poor of Haight Ashbury. And how after decades of doing mercy ministry, relief work, charitable services, evangelism and discipleship for the poor, I finally understood the need for ministries of community organizing, community development, advocacy, doing justice, and peacemaking with the poor. Mine was an evangelical journey from “Just As I Am” (without one plea) to “Justice I AM” (God calls me).

I told the students about the six threads of SHALOM by which we re-weave the tattered fabric of communities with both obvious needs and hidden resources. I shared the SHALOM acrostic of ShalomZone Training: The S in Shalom is for systemic engagement, structural change and sustainable transformation. The H in shalom is the focus on health, healing, harmony, wholeness—all that we mean by the big word shalom. The A in Shalom is for Asset Based Community Development (in contrast to Need Based Social Services). The L in Shalom is for Love of God, self and neighbor (and stranger). The O in Shalom is for “organizing to beat the devil,” as John Wesley said. And the M in Shalom is for multicultural, multifaith collaboration required to create a shalom zone in a particular community. See www.communitiesofshalom.org

Finally, I told them that God had favorites (the list includes: “the poor, maimed, the lame, the blind, the sick and imprisoned, the hungry and homeless, the orphan and widow in their distress; the sojourner and the uninsured); and that world history is a long struggle between the haves and the have-nots, the rich and the poor, the great and the small. And in the struggle of survival of the fittest, God takes sides. And the side God takes is the side of the underdog, the poor, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the socially-disinherited. In liberation theology we call this “God’s preferential option for the poor.” I think it was a new concept to most of these college students. But they listened respectfully and considered all that was said. And they had their own thoughts and ideas about urban ministry and why they came to NYC to meet the poor.

My time at the Lamb’s was up and it was time to get to Occupy Wall Street for the Multifaith Service. Rev. David Best joined me for what was my third service of the day, and several faculty and students from Drew University (home base of Communities of Shalom) were in the park as well.

Dr. Tracy West, Professor of Ethics at Drew, was one of the featured speakers. She lifted up the name of Mary, the Prophetess, who proclaimed truth and hope for the woman abused, the immigrant arrested, the working poor without a living wage. For Mary was inspired and bold enough to proclaim:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,  

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;  

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones  

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty. (Luke 1:46-53)

Other leaders of faith communities shared their witness in shouts, prayers, songs, and silent meditation. Afterward, four us--Rev. David Best (Former Shepherd of the Lamb’s Church and Founder of Towel and Basin Ministries), Dr. Tanya Bennett (Drew University Chaplain), and Harriet Olsen (Deputy General Secretary of the Women’s Division) and I--spent an hour walking through the densely occupied Zuccotti Park, talking to many interesting people about why they chose to be here now. We all agreed to return on December 4 for OccupyAdvent—a service in the Park to be hosted and led by Communities of Shalom. Join us!

OWS Organizers Meet with OccupyFaith Leaders

2011-11-12T22:43:00.003-05:00

Minister Michael Ellick is a good and faithful pastor at Judson Church in Greenwich Village. He also is a gifted and courageous community organizer. Fully active in OWS since its inception, and contributing faith-based solidarity and support, Michael instigated OccupyFaithNYC within the first month of the movement. Michael, Eric Jackson, and several members of Judson captured national public attention on October 9 by bringing a Golden Calf to the protest movement on Wall Street.

Michael also is a gifted community organizer, bold as well as gentle, able to speak truth to power, and also give a cup of cold water in the spirit of Jesus. Watching him in action, whether leading a direct action on the streets or facilitating a strategy meeting at the church, his Conservative Baptist roots, Union Theological School training, and seven years of study under a Tibetan Buddhist Teacher prepared him for prophetic leadership “in such a time as this.” see PBS Feature on Michael

Last Thursday, November 10, over 50 pastors, priests, Rabbis, Buddhist monks, interfaith reps, and other faith-based community leaders crowded into a board meeting room at Judson Church in the Village to plan their next set of actions. At least six OWS organizers attended the strategy meeting to help coordinate direct actions of civil disobedience and legal demonstrations of protest as the second month birthday of the movement drew near. I was pleased to have been invited to attend as representative of Communities of Shalom, with hope and interest in helping to shart shalom zones on Wall Street and in Lower Manhattan, as well as serve with the Protest Chaplains in Zuccotti Park.

OCCUPY Wall Street (OWS), according to Wikipedia, “is an ongoing series of demonstrations in New York City based in Zuccotti Park in the Wall Street financial district. The protests were initiated by the Canadian activist group Adbusters. They are mainly protesting social and economic inequality, corporate greed, corruption and influence over government—particularly from the financial services sector—and lobbyists. The protesters' slogan, "We are the 99%", refers to the difference in wealth and income growth in the U.S. between the wealthiest 1% and the rest of the population.” See www.occupywallstreet.org

OccupyFaith is an interfaith network of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Pagans, and others who find hope and inspiration in the Occupy Movement.
As Rev. Michael Ellich, one of the members of the coalition, says in a sermon: “I believe that what we’re seeing in Zuccotti Park is the first real movement of the national conscience to hit the street in a long time, and it has more than just one thing to say. This isn’t just a jobs issue, or a tax issue, or even an immigration issue. It’s a spiritual issue, about what the United States has become… We are no longer a Democracy, and that instead we have become a Plutocracy - a government run by the rich… I think the first step [to restore democracy] is to spiritually recognize that as a country, we are entering a kind of kairos moment. Now more than ever, it is the responsibility of all people of faith to realize that the great spiritual work of our times is to restore our Democracy and the people’s voice in shaping the American Way.”

Personally, while I would not express the root issue in political terms, I think Jews, Christians, and Muslims should offer their qualified support to a popular movement like OWS, at least for some of their demands (like publically funded elections, campaign contribution limits, and the limitation of independent expenditures from supper committees) and boldly join them in condemning corporate greed and political bribery, as did our prophets before them (read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, and Micah). The Abrahamic religions stand squarely in the prophetic tradition as well as in the justice and Jubilee agenda of Jesus (See Luke 4)

Specially, people of Christian faith need not endorse all the factions involved in the movement in order to affirm, “Occupy Wall Street is a good thing.” The Church of Jesus can stand firmly within our Jewish-Christian-Muslim prophetic tradition of social justice and moral reform, and call for an end to corporate greed, corruption and unfair influence over government that has caused the human family to grow apart:

Six young OWS organizers (all recognized leaders in a non-heirarchical grass-roots movement, and who are part of their own working groups and general assembly) attended Thursday’s faith-based strategy meeting for the first time. Grateful for the support they receive (including tents and food), they admitted how surprised they were by the strength and commitment of faith-based, religious people from OccupyFaith. “I’m totally amazed that religious people want to be with us,” said Laura who is involved in the community watch working group. The same thing was said by Collin who is part of the Outreach working group. Diego, Josh, and Amin (all part of the Direction Action working group) each expressed their own message and listened with to others.

I learned about the strong values and creative strategies of the movement, including: moral messaging, teach-ins and speak outs, ‘mic check’ and call and response method (the people’s mic), compassion for the 1%, democratic decision making, non-violent direct action, withholding judgment, the importance of supporting local business near where they occupy, cleaning up the park where they now live, when to surround trouble-makers and “vote” them out of the park, and how to protect occupiers from the negative effects of drugs and violence.

I must say that Minister Michael runs a good meeting in which these things and practical strategies are discussed; and he seamlessly empowers all voices to be heard while keeping us on point and schedule. We heard from a priest from South Africa who lost his hands from a bomb exploding during anti-apartied demonstrations. We heard from a Jewish Rabbi and a Buddhist monk. We heard from human rights and living wage advocates, and from People of Color still a bit wary of what has been perceived as a young, white kids movement “takin at us and not with us.” We heard from Latino leaders who want a voice in the movement. Even the old-timer one-note protestor from the 60’s got to say his piece about Martin Luther King’s opposition to war. Many causes, many people, with one thing in common--faith in GOD (variously experienced) in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street.

Upcoming actions and events were discussed, most significantly the two-month birthday of OWS on 17 November. A mass non-violent direct action day is planned in NYC, coordinated with other demonstrations around the country and the world. Thousands of occupiers plan to resist and shut down Wall Street in the morning before the Trading Floor Bell rings. Afternoon demonstrations at public transportation hubs in all five boroughs. And an evening rally at City Hall followed by a march across the Brooklyn Bridge. Clergy and other faith community leaders are invited to participate by wearing their vestments and joining their voices to “resist austerity, rebuild the economy and reclaim our democracy.” See www.occupywallst.org

I was most impressed with young man Zack (a natural leader, articulate and charismatic), who is part of Finance and Food working groups), who said “I have been waiting my whole life to be part of this kind of movement. He admitted that OWS had utopian dreams and asked to borrow a Bible (Michal had one). Zack turned to Psalm 82 and read:

¹ God presides in the great assembly;
   he renders judgment among the “gods”:
² “How long will you^[a] defend the unjust
   and show partiality to the wicked?^[b]
³ Defend the weak and the fatherless;
   uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
⁴ Rescue the weak and the needy;
   deliver them from the hand of the wicked...

⁶ “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
   you are all sons of the Most High.’
⁷ But you will die like mere mortals;
   you will fall like every other ruler.”
⁸ Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
   for all the nations are your inheritance.

As the two hour meeting, Michael asked Fr. Juan Carlos Ruil to pray for us all. His prayer was a powerful witness to the essential role of the faith community in OWS, and the recognition that God “hears the cries of the oppressed and seeks to set his people free.” (Exo 3)

Happy 11.11.11 Day

2011-11-11T06:38:00.001-05:00

Old Age Quote of the Day for 11.11.11 on the Gregorian calendar

The Power of Committed Action

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.”

--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Here's a New Age reflection I received today (author unknown)

A Time for New Beginnings 11.11.11

11.11.11

This a very powerful moment in time.

11.11.11 is a triple activation of the double digit

"Master Number" 11.

In numerology, the number 1 represents new beginnings,

so 11 symbolizes "double new beginnings."

The two 1's in 11 each represent a pillar.

Side-by-side the 11 looks like a gateway or portal.

This gateway symbolizes moving from the past into the present.
In other words, walking through the 11 Gatewaymeans letting go of the known and embracing the present moment, which is unknown.

The date 11.11.11 activates the number 11 three times.

3 is the number of creative perfection - mother, father, child.

On this date, we have a profound opportunity to 'see' through
the triple 11 portal and create our vision of the future. Literally,
to create a New Beginning.

11.11.11 also activates the powerful Mayan date next year 12.21.2012.

The numbers for that powerful Winter Solstice add up to 11,

thus symbolizing the undeniable shift that will occur for everyone in 2012.

11 in the positive is highly intuitive, visionary, creative, original, balanced and inspired.

Druids Occupy Wall Street

2011-11-09T08:28:00.115-05:00

Druids Occupy Wall Street and United Methodist Occupy Wall Street

In recent weeks few Drew students, alumni and United Methodists have shown up and offered their solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. Some serve as “Protest Chaplains” offering pastoral care and the ministry of presence at designate times in Zucotti Park. Others show up on weekends or take a day off to add their prophetic witness in the social justice tradition of Amos and Micah, Moses and Jesus, in proclaiming Jubilee economics and God’s concern for the poor. Together with others representing faith communities in greater New York City, they are part of a growing community of practical and spiritual support to a national and international movement demanding economic justice. These faith-based demonstrators identify themselves as OccupyFaith.

I finally joined them last Sunday, November 6, for prayer and protest on the steps of Zucotti Park—the epicenter of the worldwide Occupy Movement. The Druids included: Rev. Eric C. Jackson (current MDIV student), Protest-Chaplain Richenda Fairhurst (current MDIV student), Fr. Michael T. Sniffen (Drew alum), Melissa Hinnen (Drew alum), and Dean Kuan (Dean of the Theological School).

Before joining the group that was leading the multifaith service Sunday afternoon, I began my day in the City by attending morning worship at Judson Memorial Church—an historic, inclusive, social justice oriented church on Washington Square Park in the heart of the Village. I remember visiting Judson Church back in the mid 1970’s when it was considered extremely “liberal” and politically radical, attracting New York actors as well as social activists. Thirty-five years later, it’s still a spiritually and socially progressive church and a very special place: Check out www.Judson.org

Senior Minister, Donna Schaper, preached a profound sermon about that which we so easily name “evil” and how easy it is—especially when one feels wronged or oppressed—to demonize the other with whom you disagree or fear may hurt you. Whether our perceived enemy is the red neck gay-basher or the Wall Street tycoon, it’s important, she said, not to call another human being “evil.” Jesus taught us to love even our enemies, and to dare to believe that what is wrong could be made right, and that those who follow false paths can turn around. I found her sermon deeply Christian and particularly helpful in light of the Occupy Wall Street protests that the church was highly involved in.

After worship Eric introduced me to the Golden Calf who lives in the lobby of Judson Church offices. We held it up just to see how heavy it was to carry from Greenwich Village to Wall Street. Eric, who has carried the False Idol more than his fair share, admits that it is tiring to hold it up above the crow, but the symbolism of economic idolatry and its association with the raging Wall Street Bull is worth its price in gold. After lunch in the Village, I took the subway to the Financial District to spend the rest of the afternoon at Occupy Wall Street.

Zucotti Park offers alternative community

Zucotti Park is much smaller than I imagined from television coverage, and the crowd so much nicer than reported by mainstream media. The once open green space was fully occupied with semi-permanent tents, tarps, and camp sites. Signs and banners galore. Mostly young, white kids staking out turf to pitch their tent and point of view.

Prominently positioned was the Anonymous Camp whose revolutionary messages are quite provocative; the Socialist Core proclaiming “No more bailouts for bankers! Yes to a bailout plan for workers, migrants and youth.” There was the Unified Society for Mutual Responsibility passing out leaflets calling for ‘Real Change’ and quoting Buckminster Fuller: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” And there were a number of representatives of the Baha’ u’llah with deep and sincere smiles for passers by, as well as for the occupiers. They were eager to share the good news message and mission of their founder, who over 100 years ago warned the world that its social order was decaying and that a new world order would manifest itself at the right time. By their presence at Occupy Wall Street, I think they believe that time is Now.

It took me at least an hour to walk leisurely around the perimeter of the park and stop to talk to the various personalities in front of tables of literature, buttons, and just causes. To pause long enough to talk to self-identified members of the 99% unjustly cut off from the 1% that control global wealth. And then another hour to find my way through the trails within the park, past tents and feeding stations, with so many friendly faces open and ready to discuss the movement with newbies and tourists. The Protest Chaplains positioned themselves right in the heart of the park, prominently identified by their informal badges, and are good at striking up conversations with those who pass by.

I hung out for awhile with Chaplains Richenda Fairhurst and Melissa Hinnen, and also met some fascinating individuals. People like Karen from Saint Paul, MN, who came to offer a Teach-in on healing energy for a new era, and the disshelved, dirty, homeless-looking guy who pointed to the Byzantine cross around my neck and asked me pointedly whether the gold or Jesus was the most important thing about the cross. (maybe I should have worn my colorful, wooded, Guatamalen cross). I enjoyed snacking at the feeding station (supported by donations of food and volunteer help), and seeing Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream cart offering free cones for whosoever will.

Tree of Life Shrine attracts the weary

I found my way to what was called the Tree of Life for a rest stop on the tour of the Occupied Zone. As I studied the countless religious objects that were brought and laid on shelves at the foot of the Tree, I imagined the many prayers and reflections that had been offered by the Occupies over the past few weeks. I overheard one young woman near her tent telling another who just arrived: “This is the spiritual center of the occupation. People come here just to sit and meditate.”

I squatted there for a while gazing at religious candles, cruicifixes, Virgin Marys, happy Buddha’s, prayer wheels, gods and gurus, icons and artifacts, sacred texts and prayer cloths, relics of all varieties. And I gave thanks for this diverse, organic expression of spiritual hunger and religious faith. One of the leaders later explained how police threatened to remove the religious paraphernalia and even uproot the Tree to get the Occupies to leave; but they backed off, as did the city from their threat to forcibly remove the protestors.

Multifaith Prayer Service

At the other end of the park stands another sacred Tree. Here people gather at 3:30pm on Sundays for a multifaith prayer service hosted and led by a different faith group each week. Today’s service is led by Rev. Eric Jackson of Drew, who serves as a community minister at Judson and a Baptist minister in Harlem, and is also frequent carrier of the golden calf in previous services in the Park.

“Mike check!” Eric begins. “Mike check” the crowd responds in their accustomed manner. Once the group’s attention is gained, the half-hour prayer service begins. Four speakers are prepared to give a 3-5 minute speech preceded and followed by prayers and silent meditation. Eric’s sermon was short, too the point, powerfully said, and traditionally Christian (which is a good thing in my book). Rev. Laura Seener, a Unitarian Universalist minister in New York followed with a more poetical speech that called on all people to “worship justice, truth and love” (Whatever). Fr. Michael Sniffen, a young Episcopal priest from New Jersey, who graduated two years ago from Drew and now on the Alumni Board, gave an inspiring, rousing speech about ‘speaking truth the power and doing justice.’ He spoke powerfully without notes, demonstrating what often is called “command presence.” (Definitely Drew-formed). Jeffrey Kuan, Dean of Drew Theological School was scheduled to preach, but he was on the other end of my cell phone saying he was caught in a traffic jam in Holland Tunnel and would not be there in time. Eric turned to me and said, “You want to say something?” Without thinking much, I said, “Well, I guess I could speak for a minute.“

My first speech on Wall Street:

Without advance notice, I could only come up with some sound bites:

“My name is Michael, representing Communities of Shalom, at Drew University.”

Those participating in the service repeated every word I said to compensate for the lack of sound equipment. Using the Occupy technique of call and response during speeches helps to get your point across, so I knew I had to slow it down and bump it up). Here’s what I found myself shouting:

We are here

WE ARE HERE

To occupy with Faith

TO OCCUPY WITH FAITH

We are here

WE ARE HERE

To occupy with HOPE

TO OCCUPY WITH HOPE

We are here

WE ARE HERE

To occupy with LOVE

TO OCCUPY WITH LOVE

On the mountain of greed

ON THE MOUNTAIN OF GREED

From the ashes of despair

FROM THE ASHES OF DESPAIR

In the chaos of these times

IN THE CHAOS OF THESE TIMES

Will arise

WILL ARISE

New communities of love and daring

NEW COMMUNITIES OF LOVE AND DARING

New communities of hope and faith

NEW COMMUNITIES OF HOPE AND FAITH

New communities of God’s Shalom

NEW COMMUNITIES OF GOD’S SHALOM

Thus it is written

THUS IT IS WRITTEN

Thus it shall be

THUS IT SHALL BE

This I believe

THIS I BELIEVE

Shalom, Salaam, Shanti, Right On, AMEN!

Okay, so it wasn’t a substantive speech, but a Shalom litany was all I could come up with outside in the cold on the steps of the park at Occupy Wall Street. Perhaps I’ll have another chance on December 4 (First Sunday of Advent) when Communities of Shalom has been asked to host and lead the multifaith service at Zucotti Park on the theme of new beginnings.

Markings of a Movement

At the end of the day, it was time to return home to Madison, NJ, and prepare for next week at Drew. This was my third time to visit an Occupy demonstration in the four weeks (first in San Francisco, then in Indianapolis, and finally where it began on Wall Street, NY), and I am beginning to think that this movement has moral traction and Kairotic power as a new generation of activists says “Enough!“ and take it to the streets.

People of Christian faith need not endorse all the factions involved in the movement in order to affirm, “Occupy Wall Street is a good thing”. The Church of Jesus can stand firmly within our Jewish-Christian prophetic tradition of social justice and moral reform, and call for an end to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economic_inequality economic inequality, corporate greed, corruption and unfair influence over government.

Is a better world and way of living really possible? Despite the wackadoodles and anarchists, unrealistic utopian idealists and libertarians within the ranks, most of the young protestors are optimistic and compassionate, really smart and articulate, and deeply committed to a lot of good causes. I know I must continue paying attention to this movement, spiritually engage its leaders as I’m able, and morally participate where I can. And yes, I plan to return next week, same time and place.

For updates: Druids Occupy Wall Street

Apocalypse Now and Then

2011-11-07T22:06:00.001-05:00

Join us Tuesday, November 8, for a serious discussion about the End of the World!

Interweave Center at Calvary Episcopal Church, 31 Woodland Ave. Summit, NJ
7:30pm
More Info: Interweave

The End of the World is at hand —don’t miss it!

A New Platonic Year has dawned: MMM 12.21.12

The gist of my lecture is that the End of the World already has come, the big shift already occurred. We are now witnessing a New World as it emerges in time and space; and that we only need a millennial marker (on a calendar, choose one) to manifest it more widely. My vote for best millennial marker goes to Dec 21, 2012.

"The Times They are A Changin" once again

2011-11-04T23:55:00.001-04:00

Occupy-Wall-Street--Kairos Moment?

When will there be a critical mass of protesters that will raise global consciousness that a new world is possible--one where Mammon is exposed as a false god, Jubilee Justice is realized, and Shalom is available to all?

When enough people of goodwill "hear the call and rattle the walls..."

Bob Dylan--The-Times-They-Are-A-Changin click to see slide show!

Rev. Michael Ellick of Judson Church Appears on PBS' Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Golden Calf occupies Wall Street

When will the scriptures be fulfilled:

Exodus 16:18

And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed.

II Corinthians 8:15

As it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

From the Prophet Bob Dylan:

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

Weathering the Apocalyptic Storm

2011-11-01T22:39:00.125-04:00

Having missed the first three weird weather apocalyptic riders through the northeast in the past three months--Earthquake ‘Ike’, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee-- it only seemed karmically right to be here in Madison for the fourth plague--the freakish ‘snow storm of the century’ yet to be named. The first three disasters wrecked havoc with their torrential rains and floods, but the aftermath of this fourth disaster was worse than all three, and twice as weird.

Snow flurries in usually warm October? In the autumn season famous for colorful foliage? The red and yellow leaves were still turning when suddenly over 12 inches of snow weighed down over-burdened trees; their branches broke and cut down electric lines, which cut off electric power and made the roads unsafe to drive. Lights, heat and train service were cut off for nearly two million residents in several States. I was beginning to fear that radio preacher Harold Camping, prophet of doom, might be right about the end of the world coming in October 2011 (though maybe his calculation was one week off) . See Family Radio Bible Fellowship

I retreated to my apartment in Madison to wait out the snow storm of the century and final Judgement Day (according to Camping). With nothing better to do alone in the dark, I lit a candle, said a prayer, managed to stay warm, and for as long as my computer battery would last, decided to chronicle how I was weathering the storm:

Day One

The first night was only mildly annoying. My dinner plans were canceled and I was fine in my apartment. I was in touch by phone with family members in sunny San Diego. The apartment stayed warm with residual heat. The food was still cold in the frig, the water still hot in the tank, battery power sufficient on my cell and computer, and I had five candles to light as needed. Went to bed a little earlier than normal and managed to get a good night’s rest. So far, so good.

Day Two

I needed my cup of strong morning coffee. Wasn’t going to let a little snow flurry, trees and power lines down on the streets and sidewalks, or lack of a gas stove keep me from my daily routine.

True, all of Madison was without electricity, and 600,000 households in the area still dark. Still, I was sure Starbucks in Summit was open and serving eager customers from nearby towns who needed their morning Java, and that was my #1 goal for day two of the storm of the century.

I had parked my car in the garage to avoid the snow, and when I backed it out this morning and starting rolling down the street I noticed that the front tire was flat. Upon examination I noticed a sharp screw stuck in the tire. I wasn’t going anywhere this morning by car.

Surely, AAA will come if called to rescue me. That’s why we pay them a couple hundred dollars a year—for once in a decade emergency road service. However, the Service system was overwhelmed today, and only truly emergency road situations were being responded to in time. No home service available at this time.

I guess I could have tried to change the tire myself. I had done so in a previous life, time and place. It used to be fun to jack up a car. But nay, I don’t’ have to go to church today, don’t have to go anywhere really, so I’ll let it wait till tomorrow and instead try to find coffee by foot.

Downtown Madison is only a 10-minute walk from my apartment across the street from Drew. I enjoyed the walk on this clear, bright, snow-covered day in October. And stepping over power lines and around downed trees on the sidewalks was fun. But all the businesses, restaurants, coffee shops, and gas stations in Madison were closed. Only Stop and Shop grocery store had generators and was open. I popped inside, bought three more candles for the apartment, and found to the Latte machine near the check out lines. Lots of homeless type people were hanging out near the coffee machine. There was already an empty cup under the tap. “Doesn’t work,” someone said, as another person tried to fix it. I was still determined to find a good, dark brew.

I had a package of Starbucks instant Via if only I could find someone who had a Coleman stove to loan me so I could boil water and poor in the Via. I found my way to Drew where an emergency food line was set up for breakfast and dinner for students still on campus. But by the time I got there, breakfast was over; the coffee was cold and the hot water only slightly warmer. But at least I got to eat a cheese and tomato sandwich with salad dressing.

My quest for the Sacred Cup continued as I walked back downtown to the railway station. I would go to Summit by train and there find Starbucks and enjoy a Tall Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte with whipped cream. Waited a half hour for the next train, only to be notified by another would be passage that he just got an alert that train service through Madison had been suspended today and tomorrow. Walked home in the early afternoon still without my morning coffee.

My next plan was to pump up my bike that had not been ridden in 4 months and ride 10 miles to Summit. But on second thought, I only rode back down to Stop and Shop to charge up my cell phone that had gone dead after talking to my wife and daughter sunning it up on the Lord’s Day in San Diego. They only were able to give me telehugs and virtual Via through the G3 cellular network, which was true love minus caffeine. Still managed to read in what was left of the daylight before heading back to Drew for supper (beef and vegetables, and even raisin oatmeal cookies). After dinner the students who remained at Drew without power, after they cancelled Monday’s classes, were directed to board buses outside in the dark to be taken to Saint Elizabeth College in Florham Park which still had power. There they would find a cot to sleep in and three square meals tomorrow that Drew had arranged in their process of closing down during the State Emergency.

I rode back to my apartment, cell phone now re-charged, and battery stretch on my new MacBook, with nothing more to do than compose this blog. Only problem now is that I cannot post it due to the Internet being down on the neighbor’s wireless modem router I hijack to get online (too cheap to pay for my own cable). All five candles lit at 8pm, enough battery power left to finish this second day post, enough blankets to keep warm all night, with the promise of a new and warmer day in Madison tomorrow. Clearly, Harald Camping was wrong about the weather.

Day Three

If this was judgement day, I passed the test. After an evening under two blankets with a hoody over my head, I awoke at 7:30am with one thought and task on my mind: Forget morning coffee for now; I need to get my flat tire fixed! If AAA can’t come out in the snow, then I’ll do it myself.

I had a spare tire under the car. I managed with some coaching to jack up the car, but the old tire apparently had dry rot and was corroded onto the lug nuts so that it wouldn’t come off. Two neighbors in the complex (Dan and Dave) tired to fix the hole with a tire patch or change the tire with me. Even the resident manager and his workers tried to kick it loose, but it wouldn’t budge. The resident manager offered to call a mechanic friend to come out and look at it (all the Madison garages were still closed). Thank God he did and managed to repair it by 2pm. My 2003 eight-seat Honda Pilot I used for years as ‘car pool dad’ was now road-ready—with a little help from my friends and their friends.

My afternoon task was to get a hot shower after 3 days. None of the friends I called in Madison, Summit or New Providence had power and were seeking their own provisions. Jeff and Julie in Caldwell did not have electricity for lights and heat, but they had a gas for their water heater and thus hot showers. Additionally, Jeff opened his church--Caldwell United Methodist Church--as a hospitality center during the outage for members and neighbors to come over for hot coffee and food, as well as to charge up their cell phones and computers and to get online.

With my road-worthy vehicle I headed to Caldwell through many back road detours due to downed trees and electric lines. My good friends offered me a hot shower in the parsonage and internet access in the church. They even had chips and hummus in the kitchen. And hot coffee! O that all churches offered this kind of warm hospitality during disasters (not to mention on Sunday mornings). I was a happy camper the rest of the afternoon.

Since Drew had to cancel all classes and lectures this week, I had access to the already-paid-for hotel guest room of one of the canceled speakers who no longer was coming. Since my apartment still had no power or heat, I checked myself into the unused room and enjoyed a fine Madison Hotel experience, complete with Jacuzzi, not to mention a delicious Thai dinner followed by Cappuccino in Morristown with my Dean (who also had no power but was more willing than me to weather it a third in the cold). ‘In times like these, you need a Generator!’

Day Four

Finally, electric power is restored in Madison, and the heat back on in my apartment. I feel good all over (except I may be getting a cold). I was back to my normal work routines, even if Drew still was not yet open or ready for students, staff and faculty to return to campus--due to what Drew is calling Treemaggeddon

And that’s how I weathered the four apocalyptic Horses and their Riders in this End-time scenario.

October 21 dawned without fanfare, apocalyptic weather followed, and now is passed. No rapture. No final Judgement Day. We all are still here. And Rev. Camping is back on his Radio show re-setting the date. No Rapture in October

Personal Plug: I will be lecturing, along with Dr. Robert Morris, on “Rapture Culture and Putting the End of the World in Perspective” at the Interweave Center in Summit, NJ—next Tuesday, November 8, at 7:30pm www.interweave.org

Results of Pulpit Freedom Sunday

2011-10-10T17:27:00.047-04:00

A total of 539 pastors preached prophetically and politically across America on Pulpit Freedom Sunday, October 2. This represents a 539% growth over 2010, growing from 33 (2008) to 84 (2009) to 100 (2010) to 539 (2011) pastors.

These 539 pastors / churches represented:

Forty-seven of the 50 states – along with Puerto Rico.
Approximately 50 denominations and associations plus non-denominational and independent churches.
Sermons in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino, and other languages.
From small congregations to those of approximately 20,000.

Personally, I gave a lecture for Drew University at Glide United Methodist Church on "The Politics of Shalom" for Pulpit Freedom Day (which I'll share in a future blog post).

According to Dr. Jim Garlow, organizer of Pulpit Freedom, the demonstration exceeded expectations:

"Pastors were prepared for some parishioners to be upset. But we were not prepared for what happened. Across America, congregations erupted in applause – interrupting the sermons. Standing ovations at the end of sermons were normative. As pastor after pastor reported this common theme, they stated, “it was as if the people were hungry for this type of preaching.”

None of us anticipated this remarkable reaction. Many reported their congregants urging them to continue the straightforward preaching. Like the others, I, too, was taken back by the explosive standing ovations that greeted me at the conclusion of my sermons in each service.

Publicity was massive. Even the New York Times covered it with an article and pictures. Click here to view it. Almost all the major papers and media outlets covered the event.

You will find the names of all participating churches we know about on the Pulpit Freedom website here.

Pulpit Freedom Day 2012 is set for Sunday, October 7 of next year. Check on the website at pulpitfreedom.org for updates and information."

As the 2012 elections draw near, and so much is at stake, the time has come for religious leaders to boldly apply their faith and biblical understanding to political issues and social policies of our time. A new movement seems to be on the rise to support faith and action. We are at a tipping point in American history.

While most participants in Pulpit Freedom, including the organizers, seem to be supporting "conservative" issues, many of us are speaking out on "progressive" issues and supporting initiatives such as "circle of protection" circleofprotection for America's poorest and most vulnerable, radical economic reform on Wall Street and Big Banks, American Jobs Act, Rebuilding the American Dream initiative (www.ourfuture.org).

Regardless of your political pursuations or theological understandings, left or right, I urge you to become more prophetic, organize your constituency, seek shalom, and speak truth to the power.

mjc

Pulpit Freedom Sunday

2011-10-02T00:52:00.000-04:00

Glenn Beck interviews two Drew alumni GBTV about Pulpit Freedom Day--Oct 2.

For most mainline Protestant churches, today is World Communion Sunday. For many Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches, the first Sunday in October is for blessing animals in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi whose anniversary and Feast Day is this week. For at least 500 mostly conservative evangelical churches and pastors, today is Pulpit Freedom Sunday

In light of what’s at stake in congregational legislation and upcoming elections, should pastors and other ministerial leaders be free to support or oppose specific political issues related to social policy, ethics and morality, or endorse political candidates who share their biblical-informed, Christian-based, principles and religious views. Or should the government and its legal tax codes enacted by Congress limit freedom of speech when it comes to faith and politics expressed from the pulpit or in the name of a church?

Since 1954, the Johnson Amendment has been selectively applied to prohibit churches and their pastors from political pronouncements or activities?

The Johnson Amendment states that entities that are exempt from federal income tax cannot: participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of – or in opposition to – any candidate for public office.

There are, of course, very good reasons why a wise and responsible pastor should be careful when it comes to showing their support of political candidates and calling attention to their stands on social and ethical issues that affect the best interests of their congregation and community. But that’s exactly the point—pastors and congregations should decide what issues and candidates to support or opposed based on their religious views, not the government.

I’ll have more to say about 'freedom in the pulpit' at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco this week where I will be teaching a Doctor of Ministry course on the Theology and Practice of Shalom. In preparing for class with pastors from the SF Bay Area, I’ve been thinking about the “Politics of Shalom” in the current political, economic and spiritual climate in the USA and the rest of the world.

Conservative talk show host, Glenn Beck, did a TV segment this week on Pulpit Freedom Sunday called “Pastors on the Left and Right”. I was the “lefty” in his interview, and if you’re interested in what two ministers had to say, here’s the clip: GBTV

I welcome your comments as I continue to explore this issue: mchriste@drew.edu

GOD TRUSTS US

2011-09-25T21:56:00.086-04:00

Since I no longer have a "home church", I find myself going to a different church each week and lovin' it. As I 'shalom' from coast to coast, I hop around from church to church seeking to have an experience. I know I should go to church because its the right thing to do, or because I'm committed, or because I'm a churchman...but I go somewhere each week simply to have an experience of God in worship. And I mostly do.

Today, I went to my "default" church in Morristown, NJ. LiquidChurch.com --the place I go when I'm not church hopping.
One of their tag lines is "Not your mama's church" liquid is a place where worship band members have tattoos to let you know they have a past. Where the music is played at very high decibels on stage, under theater the lights, in a large ballroom at the Hyatt Hotel. Where the pastor is known as "big hair preacher." Its a very cool, theologically conservative, socially active, media savvy, culturally relevant to a young, postmodern generation. Some call it an "emerging church."   I go there because I like loud music, dig the band, feel free to lift my hands and move my feet, and because I' friends with the pastor.

Today at LiquidChurch, Pastor Tim preached on money--the second most frequent topic that Jesus talked about in the gospels. Second only to the topic of the kingdom of God.

Instead of preaching on "IN GOD WE TRUST" which is still on our currency, Pastor Tim preached on how
GOD TRUSTS YOU. Then he passed the plates and gave away $30,000 of last week's offering!!!

He said it was God's money entrusted to the church, and that God trusted us, individually and corporately, to invest it wisely in the work of the Kingdom. Just like in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30).

As the plates were passed, we all took out some money. Some got an envelop with $50 inside. Some with $20. And some with $10.

I only got a ten dollar bill.   I felt like the "wicked servant" in the parable.

Pastor Tim said that for some, it would be an answer to our prayers. For others, an opportunity to pay it forward.

Granted, Liquid is a large church in three locations with multiple services. But $30,000 is a lot of money to give away in one day!

Interesting enough the make CNN News: CNN news and ABC News
CNN interview with Tim Lucas
LiquidChurch Service

Holding the $10 bill in my hands, I reminded myself of what I mostly believe about money:

All the cattle on a thousand hills, all the silver and gold in the land, even all the money made on Wall Street...belongs to and comes from the hands of God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth.
We are stewards, trustees, managers, of what God has given us to invest in the the kingdom of God and for the common good.
I'm accountable for how well I manage the little or large amounts of money God has allowed me to receive.
There is a ministry of money as wells as principles of good stewardship for the people of God.
So now what do I do with this ten dollar bill in my hand? Pastor Tim wants us to let the church know in three weeks what we did with God's money.

"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again" (Ecclesiastes 11:1).