Meaning of Life, Part 58

As I pondered "meaning" not only as synonymous with "outcome" but as more intimately connected with that dimension of life which I choose to call the sacred, I was taken on yet another journey. This would not be primarily a journey of analyzing the extent of polar ice cap melting, how much oil or water are left on the planet, how weather is affected by global warming, or how quickly I can move off the power grid and become totally self-sufficient. Instead, I would be grappling day to day, in fact, moment to moment, with the pivotal question...which is, "Who do I want to be in the face of collapse?" As a result, this book is not written as a manual of "how to survive collapse" or "how to prevent collapse" but rather, how to be present with collapse--how to perceive it as a phenomenon in which I am being both required and invited to participate for a specific purpose, or perhaps many specific purposes.

Collapse is not an event for which we are headed in some near or distant future. It has already begun, and we are well into it. As I state repeatedly in this book, I do not know how collapse will continue to play out, nor do I know its final consequences for life on earth or for the planet itself. What I am certain of, however, is that it will entail more loss than anyone reading these words--or the person writing them,can begin to imagine. This unfathomable loss will manifest a the loss of life, livelihoods, health, homes, marriages, families, food, clothing, shelter, towns, neighborhoods, communities, transportation, mobility, infrastructure, sanity, loved ones, possessions, and our very identities as the human beings we now are. It is likely to be the most devastating holocaust in recorded history, and it will be the end of the world as any of us has known it. But for me, that is not the end of the story; this book is an attempt to suggest what is beyond collapse and what every person reading it may wish to consider being and doing, as collapse unfolds, in order to plant and nurture the seeds of a new paradigm for the earth community. pp. xxiii-xxiv

--Carolyn Baker, Sacred Demise: Walking The Spiritual Path of Industrial Civilization's Collapse

IPMN Responds to Assembly's Approval of Middle East Study Committee Report

The Middle East Peace Report was setting up to be one of the most bitterly divided issues at General Assembly. As it turned out, there was much conversation and compromise and a reworked report was approved unanimously by the committee and approved by 82% of the commissioners.

Here is a press release from the Israel/Palestine Mission Network:

Unprecedented Agreement at 219th GA from Previously Divided Voices

A week ago, it looked as if the Presbyterian Church (USA) was going to enact a version of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within its own body, so divided were we on all sides. For some of us, the Middle East Study Committee’s report was a long-awaited recognition of the suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters, and a stirring call to action and solidarity. For others of us, the report seemed indifferent to Israeli concerns for a secure homeland and the Church’s ongoing relationship with the Jewish community. Coming into the Assembly, some of us were lined up to push the report through; others of us were determined to defeat it.

Today, we still have disagreements on items in the report, on methods we should pursue, on arguments we should make. But today, by God’s grace, we have discovered that together, we may actually be more faithful and effective in seeking peace with justice for both Palestinians and Israelis than separately. To that end, we stand together in support of the report as amended by the Middle East Issues Committee as witness to a new way of approaching this intractable problem and, indeed, a new way of being the Church.

We have learned that we do not have to choose between our commitments. We have learned that we can risk trusting people with whom we were afraid to engage. We have learned that addressing the conflict in the Middle East cannot be a question of winners and losers. We must model how the conflict itself will be resolved: if someone loses, everyone loses. Beyond any expectation, we find ourselves discovering a new model of ministry together, a model committed to seeking, hearing, and responding to the fullness of narratives and commitments with the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Through Isaiah, God says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and rivers in the wilderness.” Let us all give thanks for this new thing that God is doing and commit ourselves anew to work together for peace with justice.

Carol Hylkema, Moderator, Israel/Palestine Mission Network
Ron Shive, Chair, Middle East Study Committee
Bill Harter, Co-Convener, Presbyterians for Middle East Peace
Katharine Henderson, President, Auburn Theological Seminary

Read John Harris' comments on the work of this committee here and here.

Meaning of Life, Part 57

Wherever the lies about gay and lesbian people come from, those lies are accepted almost universally these days by clergy and laity alike. From their pulpits and lecterns, through their radio and television programs, their books, magazines, and tracts and their avalanche of direct mail, the hateful rhetoric trickles down into local homes and churches with devastating results.

Misunderstood, rejected, beaten, and even discarded, gay children commit suicide or end up as runaways on the mean streets of our cities. Unless they stay safely in the closet, gay and lesbian adults risk losing their jobs, their apartments, their families, and their children. Now, thanks to precinct-by-precinct, antigay hate campaigns by the religious right, in the cities, counties, and states of this nation, legislation is in place or pending to take away even our most basic civil and human rights. Only the courts, God bless them, are keeping hatred at bay. But on a typical day, gays and lesbians who dare to speak the name are harassed and hunted at home, at work, at school, at play, and in the military. Hate crimes against us are increasing at a frightening rate. We can’t even find sanctuary in our churches….

….To Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and my other old clients on the religious right whose antigay rhetoric is killing us, and to Billy Graham and my other old friends whose silence helps but not all that much, I say this. I will not hate you, for Jesus said, “Love your enemies.’ I will not plot revenge against you, for Jesus said, ‘Do good to those who despitefully use you and persecute you for my name’s sake.’ And I will not stoop to using your techniques: half-truths, hyperbole, and lies, for Jesus said, ‘The truth will set you free.’

But this, too, I promise. I will not remain silent any longer. The religious right is wrong: wrong about the Bible, wrong about Jesus, wrong about God, wrong about the church, wrong about the family, and seriously wrong about gay and lesbian people. On this Lesbian/Gay Pride Sunday, I pledge myself to do my best to prove you wrong with all the courage, wisdom, and love I can muster….

….When we act in faith, there is enough light in this world to conquer the darkness. As we journey together, let that light so shine in us that the darkness will be driven away and this long, dark night will end forever.

--Mel White, Stranger At The Gate, pp. 254-5, 268-9, 287

Good News and Bad News

Good News: The General Assembly approved sending a revision of G-6.0106b to the presbyteries. 53% to 46%.

Bad News: The General Assembly punted on addressing the issue of marriage or of clergy being allowed to perform at same-gender weddings in states where same-gender marriages are legal. 51% to 49%.

I grudgingly have to credit a parliamentary move by the opposition to catch the tired commissioners off guard. After the assembly approved both the majority and minority reports of the marriage committee, a commissioner moved that the rest of the reports of the committee be answered simply by accepting the report of the marriage committee. The YAADs weren't tired. They voted no on that nonsense 70-30, but it was past bedtime for the rest of our graying church. They voted to tuck it in early and fight it out again in two years.

In other words, the assembly did not even hear the other actions of the committee. Crazy stuff.

It will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow and if the recommendations from the committee to the assembly can be revisited.

Presbyterians and Peak Oil

The General Assembly will debate on the floor of plenary ordination standards and marriage today. Ordination at two p.m. (3 pm Eastern) and marriage at 7:30 (8:30 Eastern). You can watch the action on the GA webpage and join the Peanut Gallery Advisory Delegates on Twitter (#ga219).

I hope that this General Assembly will say yes to ending discrimination against gay and lesbian people and yes to approving marriage for gay and lesbian people. It is way past time.

Maybe then we can deal with other important issues such as the collapse of global civilization. This afternoon and evening the assembly will act on reports from the two committees dealing with issues of social justice and ecological justice. That is a start.

I am going to post more on this but I am seriously wondering if we will have even have a General Assembly in two years.



My Thursday group just watched an interview with Richard Heinberg, senior fellow of the Post Carbon Institute and author of The Party's Over, Peak Everything, Powerdown, and Blackout.



He is one of the foremost educators regarding Peak Oil. Are enough Americans facing reality?

Here is an excellent lecture by Richard Heinberg on Peak Oil. A good investment of an hour of your time:

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

I have to say, it is discouraging that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) does not address Peak Oil. If they have and I missed it, please let me know.

There are bright lights, however. Former moderator, Rick Ufford-Chase, gets the importance of waking up:

Elder Rick Ufford-Chase, Moderator of the 214th General Assembly (2004), said care for the earth is no longer an issue on the fringe, but is now “legitimately the beginning of a movement.”

The signs are that the fringe “has moved to the center,” he said. “God’s spirit is at work and the wave is beginning to crest....”

....He said 20 years from now, the concerns of Presbyterians for Earth Care and other like groups will prove to be the most critical issues of the church.

These issues are most critical now whether we realize it or not.

The Big Show Starts Today

The plenary session begins today for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

It has been quite an assembly so far. The commissioners as a whole will act on the recommendations of the committees and you can watch the action live (like C-Span) on the GA webpage.

It is actually rather addictive. What is especially fun is following Twitter (and adding your own tweets). You feel like you are a part of history. Use the hashtag #ga219.

Speaking of history, in terms of equality, this General Assembly has stepped up on behalf of equality for LGBT people.


The entire GA has to approve the committee's actions, and then, of course, a majority of the presbyteries will need to approve. First hurdles first.

Committee 12 approved resolutions changing the definition of marriage from a man and a woman to two people in all relevant documents and approved permission for clergy to conduct religious ceremonies for same-gender couples who can get a civil marriage license.

Committee 6 approved a rewrite of G-6.0106b removing the discriminatory language.

Other issues:

Committee 11

• approved Call to Restore Creation and Restoration of Wetlands.
• endorsed a Charter for Compassion.
• continued to state the PCUSA's opposition to the death penalty and calls for an immediate moratorium on all exectutions.

Committee 13:

• approved statement opposing the war in Afghanistan.
• urge President Obama and Congress to seek permanent suspension of the U.S. military use of seven Colombian bases initiated in 2009.
• urge all congregations to make a commitment to peacemaking.
• urges the church to seek clarity regarding the call to nonviolence as a response to violence, terror, and war.
  

Committee 14:

• "Renew the call of previous General Assemblies to all corporations doing business in the region to confine their business activity solely to peaceful pursuits, and refrain from allowing their products or services to support or facilitate violent acts by Israelis or Palestinians against innocent civilians, construction and maintenance of settlements or Israeli-only roads in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, the Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territory, and construction of the Separation Barrier as it extends beyond the 1967 “Green Line” into Palestinian territories."
  
• Approved report from Middle East Study Committee, "Breaking Down the Walls" with amendments. John Harris reported on this committee and offered a hopeful statement: "When the committee acted unanimously I found myself thinking that if this committee, which seemed so divided and contentious Sunday and early Monday could reach a unanimous decision, perhaps there is hope the Israelis and Palestinians can someday do the same."

Committee 16:

• Approved adding Belhar Confession to our Book of Confessions. This is a confession of the church in South Africa as it resisted Apartheid.
  

Committee 18:

• "Urge the Board of Pensions to adopt amendments to the Benefits Plan to extend eligibility for spousal and dependent benefits under the Plan to Benefits Plan members, their same-gender domestic partners, and the children of their same-gender domestic partners, on the same basis as, and equivalent to, benefits made available to Benefits Plan members, their spouses, and the children of their spouses."

Enjoy the show!

Charter for Compassion

Committee eleven passed this resolution (by a vote of 50-2-2) and sent it to the plenary of the General Assembly.

Charter for Compassion

“The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

“It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

“We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

“We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.”

Here is the Charter for Compassion webpage.

I'd be happy if we replaced the Book of Order and our Book of Confessions (oh, heck, and the Bible for that matter) with this statement and allowed our lives to be commentary.

Follow the charter on Facebook and Twitter and sign on yourself.

Presbyterian Equality News

**UPDATE**

I missed more action from committee twelve. Thanks to Pastor Bob and his eagle eye for equality for pointing out that the committee does recommend a change in the definition of marriage for the Book of Order. By a vote of 34-18-2 the committee sent the following to plenary:

“W-4.9001

“Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract covenant between a woman and a man two people (“the couple”) and according to the laws of the state also constitutes a civil contract. For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman the couple are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other the couple, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.

“W-4.9002

“a. In preparation for the marriage service, the minister shall provide for a discussion with the man and the woman the couple concerning

[The rest of W-4.9002–.9003 remains the same.]

“W-4.9004

“The service begins with the scriptural sentences and a brief statement of purpose. The man and the woman couple shall declare their intention to enter into Christian marriage and shall exchange vows of love and faithfulness. The service includes appropriate passages of Scripture, which may be interpreted in various forms of proclamation. Prayers shall be offered for the couple, for the communities which support them in this new dimension of discipleship, and for all who seek to live in faithfulness. In the name of the triune God the minister shall declare publicly that the woman and the man couple are now joined in marriage.

[The rest of W-4.9004–.9005 remains the same.]

“W-4.9006

“A service of worship recognizing a civil marriage or civil union and confirming it in the community of faith may be appropriate when requested by the couple. The service will be similar to the marriage service except that the opening statement, the declaration of intention, the exchange of vows by the husband and wife couple , and the public declaration by the minister reflect the fact that the woman and man couple are already married to one another united according to the laws of the state.”

***

Here is news on the equality front.

Committees met and fought it out (with love of course) regarding whether or not gay folks should get as many goodies as non-gay folks. Here is what happened:

Regarding marriage, committee 12 passed the following resolution by a vote of 38-16-0:

“Ministers of Word and Sacrament and commissioned lay pastors authorized to conduct services of Christian marriage may exercise pastoral discretion when asked to officiate at ceremonies for couples who have obtained a civil marriage license, and sessions may permit the use of church property for such services. Ministers of Word and Sacrament and commissioned lay pastors may refuse to conduct such services, and sessions may refuse to permit the use of church property for such purposes.”

It doesn't change marriage from "a man and woman" to "two people," but it allows for ministers and congregations to do the religious hocus pocus for same-sex couples in states where they can get a marriage license, at least I understand it.

Regarding ordination, committee six passed the resolution from Western Reserve by a vote of 36-16-1. The current text of G-6.0106b will get replaced with the following:

Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

Both resolutions passed with a 2-1 margin. Looks good. Thanks to all the Twitterbugs for providing the play by play. You know who you are! : )

Shuck and Jive is Four

I became so wrapped up in all the festivities that I forgot a birthday.

On July 4th Shuck and Jive turned four.

Thanks for the good times!

"Not a single square inch of clear water"

Incredible video of oil covering the Gulf of Mexico.

"From 1.2 miles off the gulf shores of Alabama to the ground zero site some 90 miles away we haven't flown over a single square inch of clear water."

I am still hoping the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) finds a spot on its agenda to address this spill and other catastrophes caused by our addiction to fossil fuels.

Video and photos by John L. Wathen, BP Slick