At Least Three Involved in Fight

Update: According to the Johnson City Police Department blog, a 19 year old male has been arrested and charged with one count of reckless homicide. He is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

This was just posted in the Johnson City Press by Rex Barber:

A Telford man died Monday from an injury he suffered in a fight at a local night club early Sunday morning, police said.

The Johnson City Police Department was searching for the person or people who fought with James Lewis, 48, 644 New Victory Road, Telford, outside New Beginnings, 2910 Bristol Highway, about 3:15 a.m. Sunday.

According to police, Lewis was unconscious on the ground when officers arrived at the club, which caters to a gay clientele. Paramedics took Lewis to Johnson City Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition. He died early Monday afternoon, said JCPD Sgt. Kevin Peters.

Lewis had a head injury, but it was unclear how many times or where he was punched, Peters said.

“All we know right now is that there were some punches thrown,” Peters said. “We don’t know how many.”

No warrants have been issued in the incident, so police have not said what charges could be filed. Police said three people may have been fighting.

“Right now what our investigation has revealed is that there was at least three people involved in the fight,” Peters said. “Don’t know exactly their roles, but there was at least three involved.”

The genders of the others and the reason for the fight were not known.

“We’re still putting together some stuff on that,” Peters said of the motive for the fight. “Don’t really know at this point in time.”

Investigators do have several leads in the case, Peters said.

“We’ve got a couple of people we’re looking at right now,” he said. “People of interest to us.”

Anyone with information about the fight is asked to call the Johnson City Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at 434-6166, or to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 434-6158.

Beating Death at New Beginnings

Last night a man was beaten to death at New Beginnings, a night club in Johnson City. This is the story in Tricities.com:

Johnson City police appear to now have a murder investigation on their hands.

Sgt. Billy Church says the victim of a beating at New Beginnings nightclub early Sunday morning was taken off life-support a short time ago.

Church says that man, James Lewis, was previously listed in serious condition after he was found laying on the ground unconscious at the Bristol Highway nightclub. Church says Lewis died after a fight between two people that turned bad.

Police have not named a suspect in this case.

Anyone with information about this incident is requested to contact the Johnson City Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division, at 434-6166 or to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers at 434-6158.

To read the original story, click here .

Muslims, Jews, and Christians March for Peace

Update: Check out these photos by Dave Boyd of the JC Press. Including yours truly. Now I'm busted.

Our march for peace made the front page of today's Johnson City Press.



A congregation of more than 50 people silently marched along State of Franklin Road as the sound of Sunday afternoon traffic quickly passed them by.




An American flag, children holding the hands of their parents and a sign that read “United we stand for peace and justice in the Holy Land,” could clearly be seen by every individual who drove past this group.

Although they were marching silently, their cry for peace rang throughout the city.

The group consisted of locals from the Judaic, Christian and Islamic faiths. They marched from ETSU to the Carver Recreation Center for a prayer vigil.

The Vigil for Peace was held in response to the recent atrocities in Gaza and to enlighten the community of East Tennessee to the turmoil in Israel and Palestine.

On the way back from a similar march in Washington, Shanna O’Brien and RJ Powell, coordinators of the event, felt they needed to bring awareness to the people of the region upon returning to Johnson City.

“The only way for peace is unifying people together,” said O’Brien. “If we here in Johnson City can bring three faiths together in a peaceful way, then maybe there’s hope that we can spread that to other areas and ultimately the world.”

As the vigil began, people from all three Abrahamic faiths sat together and listened to representatives from each faith speak on what can be done to bring peace to both sides of the conflict.

The humanity of the people in the Middle East was the main focus of all those who spoke at the vigil.

“It’s not Quarans, Old Testaments or Torahs that die in wars; it’s human beings,” said Mike Pinner, representative of the Christian faith.

Taneem Aziz, president of the Muslim Community of Northeast Tennessee, reminded everyone in attendance that there comes a time when turned heads must be straightened, closed eyes must be opened and silence must be broken.

Aziz hopes the turnout of the event not only provides awareness and prayers for peace in the Middle East, but also leads to a political activism for the people of East Tennessee.

“If we see each other face to face and remain human in each other’s eyes, I think that’s ulitmately the solution on a small scale and a broad scale,” O’Brien said. “If we can see the humanity in each other, then maybe we can stop killing each other.”


Tricities.com reported on it as well. Make sure you check the videos at both websites.



Over 100 were present at the Carver Center! Thanks to all for making this stand for peace!

A Place for Skeptics and Believers: A Sermon

Here is today's sermon.

A Place for Skeptics and Believers
John Shuck

First Presbyterian Church
Elizabethton, Tennessee

January 25, 2009

Whoever is not against us is for us.
--Jesus Mark 9:40

There is an interesting scene in the Gospel of Mark.

One of the disciples, John, says to Jesus:

‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’

But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me.

Whoever is not against us is for us.

I chose that passage for reflection as today we welcome new members into our congregation. People ask me about the requirements to become a member, whether they have to believe certain things or behave in certain ways.

Anyone is welcome is my response. Just come join. If you are not against us, you are for us.

The disciple, John, thought it should be the other way around.

For John the circle was small. If you are not with us you are against us.

For Jesus, the circle was large and ever-expanding.

Throughout its history the church has struggled with boundaries. Who is in and who is out. So often it has been so worried about its boundaries and about making sure folks are followers, however that is defined, that it forgets its larger more important work.

What is that work? According to Mark’s gospel, the work is casting out demons.

I should probably say a few words about that. In a pre-scientific society such as that in which Jesus lived, demon possession explained the unexplainable. Spiritual beings both good and evil were seen to be active in the world and influencing events. They were understood to be the cause of physical and mental illness. What we might treat today with medicine or psychological therapy, was treated then with exorcism.

Someone who had power over these demons would be a valuable person. There were many, including Jesus, who had power to calm the troubled mind. I don’t know how casting out demons worked, but it must have worked at least some of the time.

One of my professors at Princeton Seminary, Donald Capps, has written a book entitled, Jesus the Village Psychiatrist. Capps looks at a number of the miracle stories of Jesus and sees that many of them are psychologically based. Capps sees that one of the main purposes of the ministry of Jesus was to heal people from mental illness. These mental illnesses could manifest themselves in blindness, paralysis, and other disorders.

According to Capps,

“the persons whom Jesus healed were largely suffering from psychosomatic illnesses, that Jesus recognized this fact, and that he used healing methods that took this fact into account. He was more skilled than the physicians of his day because his healing methods were more effective, and they were more effective because he had a deeper understanding of how psychosomatic illnesses work and how they affect the person who suffers from them.” P. xiv.

Jesus was able to heal because he had compassion. He was able to listen and through his listening find the cause of others’ distress. That was the kind of thing he tried to teach his disciples, that is, how to be healers.

While the language of the gospels might appear that Jesus used supernatural powers to cure illness, cast out demons, and so forth, much of it can be explained by understanding how healers healed in the first century as well as understanding the causes of illness. According to Capps, the mental and physical illnesses may have resulted from social stress. The people in the villages were an occupied people struggling to survive.

Of course, the gospel writers had other things to say about Jesus. They attributed other miracle stories to him, such as raising people from the dead, walking on water and so forth. I would attribute those stories to creative license on the part of the storytellers. As stories developed about Jesus the miracles grew and became more fantastic, drawing from similar tales of other holy men.

But it appears plausible, even probable, that the historical Jesus was a healer. His ability to heal was not because of supernatural power, but because he had compassion, skill, and understanding. This he tried to teach to his disciples with mixed success.

Apparently, according to the story in Mark, there were others, who were not in Jesus’ inner circle who were able to heal as Jesus healed. Perhaps they were quicker studies than his disciples and learned his technique.

The disciples are upset that these others are using this technique, or as the text says: “casting out demons in your name.” Jesus is not upset. This is a good thing. Healing is happening.

Every now and then I wonder what it is we are to be about in this life. Either as human beings or more specifically as part of a faith community. It is good to revisit one’s mission statement now and again.

I think we are to make that circle ever larger and to be about the ministry of healing. It seems to me less important regarding what we believe or what metaphysical theories we hold.

We are one human family. We have one home. As much as we like to think it is the case, there really is no “us and them.” We are all we. We need each other.

We need to be about bringing healing, comfort, and peace to a troubled world. Making the burdens lighter for others, extending hospitality and welcome, lightening the heart, taking the time to listen, and offering comfort are the kinds of things that are truly important and needed.

Whether we do this because we are conventional Christians or questioning skeptics, it is all the same to me. In the words of Jesus:

Whoever is not against us is for us.

I do like this fourth point of the eight points of progressive Christianity.

By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we…

Invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable (including but not limited to):

believers and agnostics,
conventional Christians and questioning skeptics,
women and men,
those of all sexual orientations and gender identities,
those of all races and cultures,
those of all classes and abilities,
those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

To our new members, welcome.

• I hope that you will find strength here for your journey.
• I hope you will find the freedom to question, to learn, and to grow.
• I hope you will find the healing you need for your own brokenness, whether that be in body or in spirit.
• May you find a friend to lean upon, in fact many friends.
• May you in turn, be a welcoming presence for others, a soothing balm, and a source of healing and hope.
  

In that spirit, I will close with this poem from Edwin Markham. It is just four lines. It is entitled, “Outwitted."

He drew a circle that shut me out--
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!

Getting a Grip

Folks are bringing back videos from the historic inauguration of our new president. You will find many poignant scenes: tears of joy, prayers, Aretha's hat, the solemn oath, and what have you.

One Queer Woman's Jaded View had her camera and filmed this slice of American life. Do read her post.

There is something so appropriate about the Washington Monument in the background. Yes, dear wicked perverts, you need to get a grip on your masturbation problem.

My Two Minute Speech

The voting on amendments to the PCUSA Book of Order, including the new amendment B, are taking place. Presbyweb has a chart of the votes. 19 presbyteries have voted so far, 14 against and 5 for the new "B."

For the uninitiated to the Presby story, we have been voting for a number of years (decades, really) regarding ordination. The presenting question, although not always stated as such is the place of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the life of the church.

Sexual ethics is part of the question. This is a question for heterosexuals, homosexuals, and bisexuals. When is sexual activity "good" and when is it "not good?"

Gender identity is another part. What makes a person male or female or transgender? How does the church and society respond to those whose human experience challenges societal gender norms?

Another part of the question is the meaning of membership and ordination. Who is allowed to be a full member of the church and a minister (or elder or deacon) and who is not? Who makes those decisions?

This is important conversation and we have been struggling with this conversation for some time. This conversation is not about an issue or an abstraction. We are talking about the lives of real human beings. This conversation is personal and often painful. This conversation also is passionate and at times ugly--and of course, political.

Science, human experience, church tradition, the Bible (and its interpretation and use) are brought in as conversation partners, as resources, and as sources of authority. We spend a lot of time spinning around in the mud and slinging this mud at those we feel are against us.

Welcome to the human experience.

The presbytery of which I am a member, Holston Presbytery, will have a conversation about all of the amendments including B on Sunday, February 8th. Anyone, whether or not she or he is a voting member in the presbytery, is welcome to participate. It will be held at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Greeneville, TN. Commissioners from our presbytery who participated at the General Assembly will lead the discussion. I am pleased we are having that conversation.

Our presbytery will vote on Saturday, March 7th also at First Greeneville.

Here is my thing. If you look at the voting history for my presbytery on the chart, you will see that we are solid yellow. The last time a similar vote came before the presbytery the vote was 74-22 against removing barriers toward ordination.

I harbor no delusions. I am doubtful that I will come up with a rousing two-minute speech that will change the minds of hearts of my fellow presbyters and cause them to vote "blue." I could be wrong. Spirit is mysterium tremendum.

I would say it is a safe bet that our presbytery will again vote yellow. Aside from my blathering on this blog, I haven't done any politicking and getting out the vote as I might do if I were in a "swing" presbytery.

I feel, strangely enough, a sense of freedom and relief in that. Given that I will likely "lose the vote" how might I most productively use this conversation time on February 8th and my two minutes of fame at the March 7th meeting?

I am thinking that this might be an opportunity to speak in a pastoral way about the resources available for congregations and pastors so they might minister more effectively to their gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender members and their families. Perhaps it will be an opportunity to talk about an organization with which I closely work, PFLAG Tri-Cities.

If you are in a similar position, what would (or will) you do?

Prayers for Bobby

President of PFLAG Tri-Cities, Kerry Holland, sent the following letter to the newspapers regarding the upcoming film, Prayers for Bobby. I read the book a few years ago. It has a Presbyterian connection. It is a true story. The film stars Sigourney Weaver. Here is the trailer.



Here is the letter from Kerry.

Dear Editor:

On Saturday, January 24 at 9pm EST, the Lifetime Network will premiere "Prayers for Bobby". This is the true story of Mary Griffith and her son, Bobby. Because of her religious beliefs, Mary is unable to accept it when Bobby comes out as a young, gay man. Mary's rejection and the rejection of the culture results in Bobby's suicide. This is the story of a parent who pays the price of losing her child to suicide before coming to realize how valuable her child was - gay or straight. When parents bring a child into this world, they typically do so with a promise in their hearts: to love and cherish their child. This promise should not be discarded when you realize your child is gay. Gay teens are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers. Suicide can often be prevented if the family is able to provide loving support of their gay teen. Suicide or other destructive behaviors are not caused by the gay identity of the adolescent - it is caused by the rejection by the culture and by those who are important in the life of the teen.

"Prayers for Bobby" will be rebroadcast on Sunday, January 25 at 8pm EST, and Tuesday, January 27 at 9pm EST. "Prayers for Bobby" also has a local connection. It will feature an original song written and performed by a former local resident, Megan McCormick. Megan is a former student in ETSU's Bluegrass Music program. She currently lives in Nashville and works as a professional musician.

PFLAGTriCities (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) is a local chapter of a national not for profit organization which provides support, education and advocacy for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and their families and friends. We are here to help families come together and rally around each other in an oppressive society. Our meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 7pm on the campus of ETSU. Please visit our website for detailed information about our meetings at www.PFLAGTriCities.org. I want to encourage parents to remember the promise you made to yourself and to your child when you brought him or her into this world...to love unconditionally. For teens who might be struggling, The Trevor Project is a free, confidential hotline available 24/7 for gay teens who might be considering suicide. The number is 1-866-4-U-Trevor. The phones are staffed by trained counselors who care and understand. Please, parents, do not make the same mistake Mary Griffith did.

Kerry Holland, Ph.D.
President, PFLAGTriCities

Barack Obama is My Age

I just realized this. The President of the United States is only 26 days older than me. This is significant ladies and gentlemen. You see, I and Mr. Obama are part of that sandwich generation slapped between the boomers and the Xers.

We watched Vietnam on TV as kids. We didn't get the Beatles. We got the Bee Gees.

Sure, make fun.




But now, we are taking over the free world.

Tribal Church

We have a study group that meets Thursdays from 10:30 to noon. I named it Thursdays with Jesus. We have read and discussed books by Marcus Borg, John Shelby Spong, and many other interesting authors.


We are now reading a book by my Presbyterian colleague, Carol Howard Merritt, Tribal Church.





This book is a new direction for us and a welcome one. Carol's book is about what it means to be a church with and for 20-40 year olds.




With insight, compassion and first-hand knowledge she is helping the church understand the unique situation this generation is facing.

This generation has been dismissed as materialistic which is a far cry from the truth. In her third chapter which we will discuss today, she shows how this generation is facing serious economic struggles. They work harder for less pay with huge educational debt, large mortgages (if they can get one), and few career prospects. Often they feel bad about it, thinking it is their own fault.

I will be blogging more about this book. In the meantime, I suggest you get it and read it with your church board or study group especially in answer to the oft asked question: how can we get more "young people" in the church?

Her answer might surprise and inspire you to be a church that is truly inter-generational and inclusive.

Using Prayer for Justice

There is a great deal of brouhaha over the prayers and the pray-ers at the inauguration. I regard the whole thing with a mixture of distaste and amusement. As I asked on a previous post, is our nation well-served by a bunch of preachers parading about at national events? What Jesus said comes to mind.

The pundits are exegeting the prayers to see which one was more faithful, true, right, and just to their respective speculative deities. Hi ho.

Not all is lost. One fruit of such an occasion is to utilize these prayers to raise funds and awareness for equality. Since The Gay was the lightning rod for all of this, I advocate pledging an amount for every word of Rick Warren's prayer to your favorite LGBTQ organization.

Here is the text and video of his prayer. It was 489 words. I personally pledged a quarter for every word to PFLAG Tri-Cities and another quarter for every word to the Tennessee Equality Project.

Here is my post about that. I only say that I pledged just so you know I am serious. Time now to get out the check book.

Driving Equality was much more organized than little old me and hosted a Rick-A-Thon, raising thousands of dollars! There is still ample opportunity to participate. The idea there is to pledge an amount based on every second of his prayer. I calculated 4 min. 41 seconds or 281 seconds.

For those who think that is negative or snarky, OK.

Here is another idea. Right Reverend Gene Robinson offered a prayer at one of the events. His prayer did not make the HBO special. What a bummer! So, redeem that injustice by pledging an amount for the good bishop's prayer for justice and equality. You might make a contribution in his name.

His prayer was 500 words on the dot. Easier to do the math.

After the rain, a rainbow.